8 Lessons Learned in 8 Months of Writing

The close of summer is a sad time for me, even when the temperatures have been over 100 degrees here in the Midwest for most of it. I still love the sun, the swimming, the freedom, the vacations, the flowers, the red, white, and blue, and the fun with my kids. I have found myself reflecting this week on what I have learned in the eight months I have ventured into the world of writing.  

1. When in serious doubt about where your book is going, resist the urge to go back to the beginning. Plunge ahead, and get to the finish line.

I still get these moments where I think, How in the world am I going to get out of this mess I've created? Is it even worth it? Maybe starting over will lead to some new ideas. But I've read and heard from others that finishing is so important. As in life, you can reflect on the past for awhile, but then you have to move on. Eventually, I'll be back to the beginning, but if I do that now, I'm going to lose momentum. I might also lose what my characters are trying to show me. I can't just leave them hanging now, can I?

2. Brothers can be great encouragement, especially when they're as funny as mine.

One day, I was lamenting over the fact that I didn't know whether to use real street names since my scene was in an actual city, in an actual point in history. Some of my historical facts were going to be accurate, but then there was that "fictional" part. I said, "What if someone actually tries to follow my directions and sees that this place doesn't exist?" He imitated for me the type of person who would do this, and then told me about the most amazing nerd, also known virally as "red shirt guy" in this one-minute video.

I will laugh and think of this every time I'm worried about that one person who's going to come to my book signing, and call me out on an inaccurate detail.

3. When you're in the zone, and your subconscious writes something seemingly out of nowhere-- chances are you've probably read it somewhere.

I informed an author friend that my character had uttered a phrase I had never used before, nor ever remember even hearing. I was amazed by how it just spewed onto the page, and even further, did not even mean what I thought it meant. ("Inconceivable!" "You keep saying that word- I do not think it means what you think it means." - Princess Bride, of course).

            
I was almost utterly embarassed when she said, "Well, that is funny. But if you look at my book-you-just-finished-reading on page 203, you will see that phrase used." What? How had I not remembered reading that, but my brain had somehow absorbed it? And funny enough, she used it right.

4. When you write about a brave character, it might just tend to make you braver in real life.

We often write about the kind of character we wish we could be. But sometimes, real life and fantasy overlap. To believe in something, and give it life on paper, we are not only creating a fictional character, we are creating new parts of ourselves. So if you are trying to improve some characteristic in yourself, consider writing it into a fictional character. Then imitate. But use this power for good, not evil.

5. Writing is one of the few wonderful places where, if you hit a roadblock, you can skip it and go ahead into the future to write a new scene.

Writers have different methods, but this one has worked for me. Who says you have to write straight through, just as you have to live life in a certain order? Maybe if I skip ahead to a future scene, I'll get my answers to get through this point in time. If only life were actually like this! Think about how much you learn when you look back at a problem you once thought was so huge. But then again, in life you have to fight through those obstacles to learn and grow. There is no other way.

6. History is incredible. It gives the springboard behind writing historical fiction because there are so many little tidbits you can bring to life.

When I started, I took a year (in the 1800's) and began to look at events that happened during the year. My research took me to a situation in which a young lady is mentioned. She is the only one who stands up to a bully in defense of a man, of all things; her name is never given. The writer did not even know who she was at the time. She did exist as a blip in history, and the moment I read it, I thought, that is my character. Everything took off from there. If you are wanting to write, this is all it might take to spur your imagination. Pick up a piece of history and go from there!

7. Social media is so time-sucking, but it's also a lifeline.

I have to be thankful for Facebook, because it has allowed me to connect with so many new readers, writers, and friends. I have enjoyed supporting them along their journeys, and the great thing is, they have also supported me. Writing can be lonely, but knowing there is a system out there of friends who care about what I'm doing-- it's so amazing to me. So here's a call to "like" my new writer's page on FB. I would love to interact with more of you. Let me know what you're up to, so I can support you, too! Just knowing that someone else is looking forward to my book has kept me going many times.

8. Celtic Woman on Pandora makes a great soundtrack by which to write. This, and New Age Essentials.

Sometimes I can't get rid of the distractions until I stick my earbuds into my laptop and get the music going. I have found that concentration has been one of my biggest enemies, and this is almost like classic conditioning. I hear the violins, my fingers know to write. (Well, I wish it happened exactly like that). This music has dramatic highs and lows, beauty, sadness, joy. Drums beating, sounding like a herd of horses across a plain, rainstorms, nature, flutes. Whether the sound of history in Ashokan Farewell, or Irish fiddlers, or haunting themes from Lord of the Rings and Braveheart, it's all there. I love music as much as reading and writing, and love how it helps my imagination.

 Have you learned any lessons this year? Either in reading, writing, or life?

Interview with Genevieve Graham & a Giveaway

Two great novels were recently born, and I wanted to make sure this didn't go unnoticed here at A Story Club. Never before had I experienced following an author around as she spread excitement for her first-ever written novel-- in fact, if you challenged me to trivia about Genevieve Graham, I would likely win since I blog-stalked her for months. I learned a lot about the process of debuting a book from this new author. She said it was a little like sending her baby out into the world, and this intrigued me. So what was this baby? Let's start with the books.

Under the Same Sky
 

The year is 1746: Maggie Johnson has been gifted with “the Sight” ever since she was a child. Her dreams bring her visions of the future and of a presence she knows is not a figment of her imagination. She calls him Wolf, having watched him grow from a careless young boy into a fearsome warrior, and she trusts him with her life and her heart.
Andrew MacDonnell is fascinated by the woman who has visited him in his dreams for as long as he can remember, entranced by her beauty, knowing deep in his soul that she is as real as he. Although he doesn’t know who she is, Andrew believes that destiny will bring them together.
When tragedy and war strike their homelands, both Maggie and Andrew suffer indescribable losses. Separated across an ocean, the bond they share nevertheless grows as they sense each other’s pain, lend each other strength, and embark on a journey of the spirit to find and love one another at long last…


My thoughts: This book took time to write, and not a word was wasted. It beautifully pulled me into the Scottish Highlands and the Cherokee Culture until I felt I was there, looking on as the events unfolded. It was a book that had so much heart and research behind it, by an author who wanted to provide a really good story. She respected her readers enough to take the time to do it right. I would recommend not rushing through it, but taking the time instead to absorb the details.  

Sound of the Heart

Dougal MacDonnell, a fierce warrior from the Highlands of Scotland, is able to hear the thoughts of other men and dream how the future will unfold.

Devastated by the loss of his family during the Battle of Culloden in 1746, he fosters a deep hatred for the English. But when Glenna, the love of his life and a Scottish outlaw, is captured and shipped overseas, Dougal is forced to join an English army made of vanquished Scots. Now fighting on the side of his sworn enemies, he embarks on a journey that will take him across the seas to the colonies.
There he will risk everything for the chance to find his true love. 

My thoughts: Again, I was swept into another world with Graham's signature lush, historical detail. Her painstaking research adds to the depth of the story and characters. This book was a page-turner, and I felt so much everything the characters went through. The first book I absorbed, but this one I read late into the night. Everything about it was amazing.

Out of the Shadows...Coming Fall 2013! Adelaide's story finally told. We can't wait!

While reading some of Genevieve's articles posted on other blogs, I came across one that I felt summed up so perfectly why I like to read (and write) historical fiction. She let me post it here as a permanent page on my blog. Don't forget to take a few minutes to check it out!

Now, on to the interview! Welcome, Genevieve! 

You have had many reviews; why do you choose to read them? How important are they to authors? 

I think reviews are hugely important to both authors and readers. Sure, you'll always have readers who love your work and readers who … aren't quite that keen (and sometimes those can hurt depending on how they're written!), but every opinion matters. A lot of authors don't read reviews, but I think it's important to know what kind of impression my writing is making. Also, as a reader, I need to know why I should put my money into a book – especially by a new author.

At the same time, reviews don't influence how I write. They will, perhaps, change the direction I'm taking with marketing, but not my stories. Those are what they are, love 'em or leave 'em.

What words do you love to hear about your books?

I really love the word “epic”, and I love to read that my stories were so much “more” than the reader had expected. Of course it's great when they are compared to books by my favourite authors, but mostly I love when people say they are excited to have found a new voice who has captured their imagination and made them a “reader for life”. I am determined to satisfy those readers' appetites!

What is the strangest thing you have ever done while researching?

Well, I toyed with the idea of joining a Gaelic choir (though I don't speak a word of that language!). Does that count?

The Olympics are coming up-- as a Nova Scotian, who is your favorite Canadian athlete of all time?

Oh wow. Sorry. I can't do just one.

I'm a fan of figure skater, Kurt Browning, whose energy and sense of humour is only rivalled by his incredible athletic abilities. He's also a wonderful ambassador and supporter of children's charities.

In the late 70's I watched in awe as the “Crazy Canucks”, five amazing, crazy-brave downhill ski racers, changed the world of downhill skiing. One of them (Ken Read) was a member at a ski club where I grew up, as was the legendary Nancy Greene and another skiing superstar, Laurie Graham.

Can I include Northern Dancer? He was our most famous race horse. :)

Speaking of Canada, what is the best thing you have that we don't? 

The best thing? Ack! There are SO MANY best things! I suppose I could go all “free health care” and “low debt” on you, but I'm not the least bit political, so I'll stay off that track. It's hard to say this without sounding insulting, but I think the best thing about this country is the people. I've travelled a fair bit in my life, and everywhere I go it's the Canadians who seem the most humble, the least demanding, the most easy-going. Of course there are exceptions to every rule, and our population both grows and changes daily with our fairly liberal immigration policies, but I kinda like the way Canadians keep to ourselves without making huge international splashes. Once in a while someone does something heroic, but even then it's kind of done quietly. Oh, and we're really good at laughing at ourselves – though we know the joke's not really on us!

How can you live so close to Prince Edward Island, and have never visited there? (This is my scolding question).

Oh, there are SO many places I need to go in the east coast! Prince Edward Island is only one of those – if you can believe it, I've lived in Nova Scotia for four years and STILL haven't gotten to Cape Breton! That's especially bad considering I have to get to Fort Louisburg – one of my heroes just about came ashore there, and I haven't even gone to see the spot! And Newfoundland – oh, I'm dying to get out there. Soooo beautiful. I guess it's because

a) I'm a hermit, forever writing and editing

b) my kids are in school so most of the year's too busy for them

c) even our summers seem packed with stuff, though I can't think of most of what we do

d) we're always saving money. Travelling's not cheap, you know!

In your editing life, have you ever edited a really exciting or important document? 

As for editing, well, every author's book is important. I have worked with a couple of special books, like “The Qualities of Wood” by Mary Vensel White (Harper Collins). I did get a somewhat ... um ... crazy email from a 75 year old man who is currently in prison serving a life sentence for murdering four fellow university professors ... Obviously I turned that job down, but it sure stands out as my #1 strangest request!

If you could go back and thank a teacher in your life, who would it be?

A lot of my teachers did the ultimate, which was to help me believe I could do it. My writing mentor, Rona Altrows, was the first to believe in my writing (after my hubby!), so I thank her for giving me the confidence to keep on going. But the rest of my life has been made infinitely better by some very special people, like my karate teacher, Shane Higashi, my first oboe teacher, Frank Morphy, and my high school band teacher, Bob Krueger.

What is one thing on your bucket list?

Spend a few weeks alone with my hubby in Scotland.

What do you do when you are not writing?

I read, I edit, I bake, I watch movies ... I hang with the family.

What is the best writing advice you have received?

Write for yourself, not anyone else.

Thank you so much for visiting A Story Club!
Since I happen to know that Genevieve burns candles while she writes, I will be giving away a prize pack of votive candles from 5b&Company Candlemakers out of Kansas City, MO. The scents of Manly Man, Woodland Fern, Rawhide, & Red Clover Tea will be perfect as you read Under the Same Sky and Sound of the Heart. . . Just leave a comment to enter, and the winner will be drawn randomly on 7/31. (US/Canada only)
Winner Update: Caroline! Congratulations!

From Genevieve … what's the #1 thing you look for in a book? Think of your favourite book—if you have one. What do you love about it the most?

You can find the author at her website, on Facebook, Goodreads, and on Twitter.

SecondStoryStitches for 18"dolls & Book Tote Giveaway

Made with a vintage hankie

Today we have a different kind of story: a story of stitches. For this post, I wanted to feature my mom, Barb Leatherman, and her Etsy shop, Second Story Stitches.The story begins when my daughter received her first American Girl doll, which is an 18" doll. We chose a doll that looks very much like Allie, down to the same colored glasses. Since she spends a lot of time with her Gram, we knew they both would need a doll. So Gram also received her first 18" doll at Christmas! Thus the vision for creating her own clothing and accessories was born.

Barb in her sewing room, doing what she loves!

In the doll world, 18" dolls have been made by other companies, so if the American Girl is not appealing, there are other options! The brunette doll shown here is Barb's doll, which is a Madame Alexander. Also, the AG and other lines often feature BOOKS that come with the dolls, so you can sit and READ with your girl and her doll!

Made with antique buttons

Blue satiny party dress

Kimono-style booties

We love the American Girl doll line, but there are alternatives for those like us who don't always have the budget for their clothes. Barb has lovingly sewn the most detailed and high-quality clothing for these dolls, and posts them at affordable prices ($5-$20). You know it's not coming from China! In addition to doll clothes, she has crocheted hats and booties for babies, crocheted hats for older girls/women, quilted bags (great for books or a Kindle), basket "cozies," and doll quilts-- for any size doll.

Quilt w/vintage nursery rhyme

Doll quilt and pillow

Cute cargo pants

Barb states that she makes these items in her "second story" sewing room, and uses recycled fabrics, giving them a "second" life. She has utilized beautiful handkerchiefs, vintage buttons and materials like lace and eyelets. Experimenting with new, soft yarns is also her specialty.
I am not just being biased when I say that these pieces are even cuter in person than in the pictures!

Sweet seersucker pj's

Doll-size chef apron and mitt

SPECIAL OFFER! Why not try ordering for a special girl in your life? For the next month, Barb is offering FREE SHIPPING to US/Canada.  If you mention that A Story Club sent you, I'll throw in a goody from me! 

Lavender dress w/hair bow

Win this!

GIVEAWAY! Go ahead and leave a comment for Barb~ let her know which item you like best from her shop. A random winner will be drawn to receive a hand-crafted, gently lined, quilted tote bag, perfect for books, a Kindle, your lunch, or as a purse! (US/Canada only). Drawing on 7/22. Update: Congrats to our winner, Sarah! 


You can keep up with Barb on her Facebook page, Second Story Stitches. Go "like" her page to see when she posts new product! Or just because you like her :0)

Short, Sweet, and So Anne Tyler-ish

I would guess that most readers have read at least one Anne Tyler book in their lives-- even if in school. My introduction to her books was in college, when I had to read Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant for an English paper. From there, my Anne Tyler-athon took off. I don't know what is addicting about her books. I can't really explain it. You just know if you read it. The Accidental Tourist, of course, was made into a movie. Breathing Lessons, Saint Maybe, and Ladder of Years are a few other favorites.

It has been years since I've read any of her books, and I thought I had moved on. Then I saw she had a new book out called The Beginner's Goodbye and it was only 198 pages! I only mention this because I have a huge pile of books to be read, and a book under 200 pages, well, yes I could handle it. I was also curious to see how a book of such length would be good-- because I knew it would be.

I should have known it would be amazing.

Once again, Tyler creates the most intriguing characters, in the most interesting situations. Aaron is a middle-aged man who loses his wife unexpectedly and tragically. He works in a publishing business that produces "how-to" books, and this is his own story of coping with a loss. His deceased wife keeps reappearing to him, which complicates things. He can't seem to figure out why others don't want to react to her presence. When she speaks to him, he begins to put the pieces back together and can eventually move on with his life. He has a host of friends, a few family members and co-workers who surround him with support and try to help him the best way they can. However, Aaron responds as many would who have suffered a loss-- he doesn't want them to help, he wants to be left alone, and he is sick of all the meals piling up, which he can never eat. There are some real emotions to be felt, and yet it is not a depressing book on death, despite what it may seem at first glance.

The humor and little details Tyler packs in keep the book flowing along so well, it is hard to find a place to stop. If you have never read an Anne Tyler book, I would highly recommend this one. At 198 pages, you can't go wrong. At the most, you will be in awe at this writing and slightly envious (if you're a writer) that she could get away with such a short novel. But if you're a reader, you will appreciate it from beginning to end, and probably thank her for putting out another treasure. 

Into the Free and Giveaway with Julie Cantrell- Leave a comment below to enter!

"A long black train scrapes across Mr. Sutton's fields."


This is one of those unforgettable first lines that pulls a reader into another world. These ominous words begin Julie Cantrell's debut novel Into the Free, which has rocketed to both the New York Times and the USA TODAY bestseller lists.  This lush story is set in Depression-era Mississippi, and is told from the viewpoint of ten-year-old Millie Reynolds at first, then skips ahead to sixteen-year-old Millie. Here's a quick synopsis:
Millie Reynolds knows firsthand the shame of family secrets. With an abusive father and a “nothing mama,” she craves a place of true belonging. Over time, the gypsies that travel through town each spring offer acceptance. Then tragedy strikes and Millie leaves her world of poverty to join a prominent family on the other side of town. There, with the help of unlikely sources, Millie uncovers painful truths about her family’s past as she struggles to face a God she believes has abandoned her. When unconditional love is offered, Millie learns the power of forgiveness and finally discovers where she belongs.


So with that summary, I must tell you there is much, much more to the story. This was truly a book that I read late into the night. Millie is a character who endures a lot of heartbreak in her life, as well as some happier times, and I was along for the journey with her. Every character she encounters has some impact on her life, and they were all amazingly real. I felt I knew pieces of each one. 
The author, Julie Cantrell, has quickly become a huge inspiration to me. I am so honored that she would answer my questions and take time to meet my readers. 

Welcome, Julie, to A Story Club! 

Was there one incident that sparked the idea for this book?

Yes. When my family moved to Mississippi from Colorado eight years ago, I discovered a tiny blurb about Kelly Mitchell, the “Queen of the Gypsies” whose gravesite was located in Meridian, MS. I was fascinated by this and began researching the history of the Romany Travelers across the southeastern US. The story emerged from that idea, but the Travelers are now a small thread within an entire fictional world where my main character, Millie Reynolds, shares her life with us.

How did you discover Millie's "voice?"

I honestly have to say, Millie just spoke to me. I have always had a big imagination, and working with young children enables me to tap into that pretend world. I simply gave in to the power of fiction and let Millie tell me her tale.

There were so many aspects to research for this book. Did you do this before you sat down to write, or as you wrote along?

I had done a little research before, and I thought I was going to write about the Travelers. However, that’s not the story that came to me when I started to write. So, I just let the story unfold organically, without editing or researching or worrying one bit about any of the formalities that limit creativity. I had no plans to ever show anyone the book, so I was completely free to pretend. It was a joyful experience. One I will always treasure.

After that original draft was complete, I conducted extensive research to fill in the historical details and make sure the story was authentic to the setting. That was equally fun for me, because I love to learn new things and I certainly learned a lot by writing about the early American Rodeo, the Romany Travelers, the 1920s-30s, and the role of religion in the Depression-era South.

I completely loved how you wove in the theme of "why does God seem to let bad things happen?" I think so many people also ask this question. At what point did you know this would be a major message in the novel?

The ironic thing is that I didn’t write the book with any specific moral message in mind. I just told Millie’s story as she wanted it to be told, and in the end, she left me with a beautiful, inspirational message of survival and faith. That’s when I realized this book was never mine to keep. I took a deep breath and dared to show my agent, Greg Johnson (WordServe Literary). The rest has been an incredible journey.

Whose story surprised you the most as you were writing?

Everything about this story was a surprise to me. I did not outline, and I had no idea what any of the characters were going to do until they did it. So, in the parts that make you cry, I cried. And in the parts that make you laugh, I laughed. And in the parts where you want to shake Millie and tell her to wake up and make a better decision, I definitely did that too. But I resisted my personal desires to control her character. Instead, I let Millie be Millie, and in the end, I loved her so much I wanted to share her with others. I’m glad readers seem to love her too.

What do you like to do when you are NOT writing?

My life is insanely hectic. First, and top priority for me, is my family. I am lucky to have married my best friend from childhood. We have two amazing children who are both very active. We operate a sustainable farm, which means we raise our own eggs, milk, veggies, fruit, and meat. We also board horses and welcome a ton of pets who enjoy calling this place home. We also have a very busy house, full of friends nearly 24/7 because we are loud and we love to laugh, we always have something to feed everyone, and we have a slight obsession with games, especially Just Dance on the Xbox. I am old and fat and look ridiculously pathetic trying to keep up with the younger, hipper dancers, but I do try. This makes for insanely cruel video footage that will someday be used to blackmail me, I’m afraid.

On top of that, I also am a speech-language pathologist and I teach English as a Second Language to elementary students. Plus, I am an active volunteer in our community where I am particularly devoted to our local Literacy Council.

I love writing, and I will always write, but it has not become the main focus of my life. It’s just one small part of who I am, and something I tend to do in the dark, quiet hours when no one is watching. I guess you could say, it’s my dirty little secret.

What is your advice for aspiring authors?

Go for it! I assure you, if I can do it, anyone can.

Here’s the thing. I never took a single writing class. I have no clue what I’m doing, and I’m probably breaking all the rules without even being aware I am doing so. I was told by my high school English teacher that I’d never succeed at writing, and a bestselling author refused to endorse Into the Free, warning me instead that readers would throw it across the room and that it would never sell.    (Christina here: Gasp! What! They must have been insane!)

I don’t know how Into the Free ended up with a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly and a place on both the New York Times and USA TODAY Bestsellers lists, but I sure do count my blessings daily and thank God for allowing me to share Millie’s story with readers everywhere. I’ll say again, this story was never about me, and the power of this entire journey has been the reaction from readers who tell me every single day how much this book has inspired them, renewed their faith, or helped them heal old wounds.

Have I learned a lot through this process? Absolutely. Do I feel better prepared to write the sequel? Yes, I think so. Would I do it all again? Without a doubt. And I sure hope anyone out there with a story to tell will do the same.

But ultimately, my big advice is this: Write because you love to write. Write because it’s the way you process the world around you. Write because it makes you happy, and because you’d rather spend your time writing than almost anything else. Write because it’s part of who you are, and how you think, and who you are meant to be. Write because you write for YOU, not for anyone else. Not for fame, or money, or awards, or recognition. Not even for publication. Write because without it, you are less of yourself than God intended you to be. Write. Simply write. And let the words fall where they may.


Thank you, Julie! I get chills every time I read this last paragraph. I am so glad to have met you and hosted you here. Come again when the sequel is out!


Readers, leave a comment, and you'll be entered into a random drawing for a SIGNED COPY of INTO THE FREE! Also, if you go like Julie Cantrell on Facebook, she is having an incredible giveaway opportunity right now. If you don't win a book here, there are more chances on her Facebook page! You can also find out more about Julie at her website. Thanks for visiting A Story Club! (Drawing on 6/30 for US/Canada only).
Winners: Lisa P. and Kyla H. both win copies of Into the Free. Thanks for participating!

Name a Character Contest with Lisa Potocar

Do you often wonder how authors come up with the names for their characters? Sometimes readers get the opportunity to help name characters, and Lisa Potocar is giving away a chance to do this! Take it away, Lisa!

Contest Time! I’m giving away a signed copy of Sweet Glory and a mention in my “Acknowledgments” for the sequel to Sweet Glory to the person who comes up with the best name for one of the characters in Sweet Glory’s sequel. Without giving too much away, the character is a wealthy but shady business man with an ax to grind. NOTE: His name should be in keeping with the time period for the sequel, which picks up where Sweet Glory left off. To get an idea of the time period, read a description of Sweet Glory’s storyline at my Amazon author page or find out more HERE at A Story Club.



RULES:
1. E-mail your answers to: lisapotocar@gmail.com or post them on my Facebook page! You can now enter more than one name!
2. I’ll choose the winner, unless there's more than one good name, in which case, I’ll ask all followers of my FB Page to vote for the best.

3. If at the end of the 2 weeks, no name that I feel really passionate about using results, I’ll extend the contest for another two weeks. Otherwise, the winner will be announced on Monday, July 2, 2012.

READY? SET? GO! Stay up-to-date by following Lisa on Facebook! Good luck to all!

Bride of the High Country & Giveaway with Kaki Warner

If it weren't for award-winning author Kaki Warner, I wouldn't be here.

Not here on this Earth, but here on this blog. Writing. Interviewing amazing people, and learning about how they wrote their books. Her books lit a spark in me, which started up a writing journey I had veered from a long time ago.

Kaki Warner has not only written some great books, she has also been an inspiring and encouraging force behind many writers. She's a friend to many, and is a hoot and a half on social media. She takes the time to get to know her readers, and really invests in them. I don't know how she balances everything she does, but she does it with style and grace.

Her take on historical romantic fiction has drawn in numerous adoring readers, some of whom have actually become addicted and think the characters are real (Michelle has dibs on Brady). These female readers just can't seem to get enough and will go to any lengths to get their hands on her books. She has fans as far away as England and as close as her backyard. That's assuming her hound dog reads her books. By the way, I checked all these statistics against Facebook and they are correct.

Bride of the High Country, the third in the "Runaway Brides" trilogy, just launched on June 5, the same day as the spectacular Venus Transit. I think she planned it that way. (Read my review of BOTHC). If readers are new to Kaki's stories, a good place to start would be Heartbreak Creek (the first in this trilogy) or Pieces of Sky. POS was her first book published, and it has one of the best openings of any book I've read. Plus, there's Brady. If you think these phrases are funny: "Her chins quivered in outrage" and "sputter of intestinal wind" you should definitely check it out. Not only do her characters get into some tense situations, they also have some incredibly romantic moments. By tense, I mean that they hit every possible obstacle along the way to their destination. Kaki makes sure it happens that way, although she claims that her characters are just telling their story.

So now, friends, I am honored and beyond excited to interview Kaki here at A Story Club. So grab a glass of iced tea, settle back, and prepare to be happier'n a tick on a fat dog. (That's Texan for happy- just for you, Kaki).

Hey, Christina! Thanks so much for inviting me here today. It’s always fun to pimp my books and meet new folks. I appreciate the opportunity to talk to your readers.

I have heard you mention that it took a long time for you to publish your first book. What is your story behind this?

I started PIECES OF SKY over 25 years ago. After reading a crummy book, I decided if they wanted crummy, I could do that. So I did. In fact, it was so crummy, I didn’t want to put my name on it. So I re-wrote it…over and over, off and on for the next quarter century. Then when my husband and I retired and moved to our mountain cabin, I got inspired again. After that re-write, I sent it out. Three months later I gained my lovely agent (Nancy Coffey) and discerning editor (Wendy McCurdy), and was a writer for Berkley/US Penguin group. I’ve hardly taken a breath since.

What changed after you became a published author?

Not much. Except now I’m on deadline, and complete strangers write me the most wonderful and supportive emails. The contacts I’ve made over the last few years are the second best part of being published. The first best is holding in your hands that first finished copy of the book you slaved over. You can’t beat that feeling.

What made you choose the genre of historical fiction?

Photo by K.W.

Familiarity…with both the geography and mindset of the people. Westerners have always been tough, individualistic, self-sufficient people. They lived by “codes” (a la Zane Grey in CODE OF THE WEST) rather than laws. They were pragmatic, courageous, and tough as whang leather. I grew up on the myth of the cowboy, and as a horse owner, have ridden many a trail that John Wayne would have loved. The West is an inspiring place, even now. As for the “romance” genre, my editor decided to put me there, even though my books contain no graphic sex scenes. Since most book buyers are women, and most of those buy romance books, it’s a sound marketing strategy. But I still think of myself as more of a storyteller than a romance writer.

Aspiring writers are interested-- what is your writing routine?

Photo by K.W.

Again, I’m lucky because I’m retired and can write when I want to. I admire authors who struggle to follow their dream by stealing an hour here and there away from work and family demands. I’m also lucky that my husband is so supportive and has taken over the cooking chores so I can stay at the computer for up to 12 hours a day. (If I could only get him to do the housekeeping and gardening chores, it would be perfect.)  As for my routine:  I’m usually at the computer by 7 AM and off by 9 PM, with several bathroom and food breaks in between. It’s a hard schedule, but nobody said writing was easy. I try to work in a walk here and there, but my knees are shot, so until I have them replaced, that’s an ordeal. But I’ll persevere because I’m a Westerner, too, and that’s what we do.  Mostly.

How long does it take you to write a book, start to finish?

As I said earlier, the first one took twenty-five years, off and on. The second one three months. But the rest have run from six to eight months each. My current contract gives me eight months per book. It’s the research that slows me down. I don’t know how some authors can turn out four books a year. They must have great assistants or ghost writers. 

Once your book is written, what is your editing process?

Photo by K.W.

I edit as I go, since I can’t stand leaving a mess behind me. I try for twenty polished pages a week. I also read every word aloud to find redundancies, dropped words, and to keep the dialogue and action sequences tight. I highly recommend it to any aspiring writer—and yeah, you might feel stupid, but it works. Plus, the dog likes it. Every hundred pages or so, I go back and read it in a block to check for continuity and to be sure all the info is in there. Then about that time, the characters decide to throw in some back story they hadn’t bothered to mention earlier (like Declan being afraid of heights, or Ash being dyslexic) and I’ll have to go back and add the groundwork for that.    

We all have our favorites; who is your favorite character in your books?

Every one of them for a variety of reasons. I love Brady because he’s such a doofus, but thinks he has all the answers. I admire Hank’s brilliant and inventive mind, and Jack’s adventuresome spirit. Declan is such a sweetie, and so bound by a code of honor he makes it even harder on himself, and Ash is such a guy…even though he’s faced some ordeals, there’s a part of him that will always be that playful boy. And then there’s Tait…how can you not love a man that smart, that compassionate, and who has such integrity? The fact that he dresses well and has such nice manners helps, too. As for the women, I love every one of them, too…and see a bit of myself and my friends in each of them. But then I expect more from the women, because I know what they’re capable of. I admire them all.  

What has been the most exciting or surprising thing you have researched?

I come across interesting facts all the time. The most recent is that in grizzly country, trappers would leave nails poking out of their shutters so the bears wouldn’t push their windows in. And I had no idea condoms were invented in the 1850s by Charles Goodyear, or that they had multi-storied “horse hotels” in urban areas (which made the spread of equine influenza that much easier), or that twenty-five million horses died in three weeks when the Great Epizootic of 1872 swept the country. And then there were the awful traders who sold Indians blankets infected with small pox just to wipe out entire villages, and the Galveston hurricane of 1900 that killed thousands—and with no way to dispose of the bodies, they were dumped out at sea, only to have the tide bring them back. Good stuff and bad stuff. It’s fun trying to put some of each into every book.

 

Do you have plans for a new series? What can we expect next?

I just signed a contract with Berkley for three more books set in Heartbreak Creek.  Even though the previous characters will weave in and out of each story, there will be a new set of characters and a new romance in each book. Besides, the town still has to be saved, the water and railroad issues settled, Ed can’t stay pregnant forever, and Thomas and Pru have a long road ahead of them. Hopefully, I’ll be able to blend the old with the new as the family at Heartbreak Creek grows.

Have you always been this funny?

I don’t know how funny I am, but I have an irrelevant, irreverent, goofy sense of humor. And admittedly, on road trips with my lady friends, I strive to make at least one of them suffer bladder malfunction or shoot coffee out their nose. I’m a blast at funerals, too. The problem is, it’s really hard for me to take things seriously (which is probably evident in my “love scenes” as you’ll see in the condom episode in Lucinda’s story). Come on, admit it. It’s all kinda funny. 

. . .And when you are not writing?

Travel.  Visit my grandkids.  Sleep.  Watch historical movies (BBC is a favorite).  Garden when I have time.  Walk when I can.  Listen to music.  Think up things for my husband to do.  The usual.

K.W.'s Garden in full bloom

You are so supportive and encouraging to so many. Who encouraged you along the way?

A lot of people. But writing is a lonely business, and in the end, the writer has to do it on his/her own. I’m blessed with dear friends and a supportive family who keep me going when I feel discouraged or burned out. And one special lady, who died several years ago before I was published, always believed. She’s in the dedication of my first book—poor thanks for all the encouragement she gave me. But probably
the most encouraging are the readers who write to me. I doubt any of them know how much it means to an author to hear from satisfied readers. 

What is your advice for new writers?

Never give up. Love your characters, or no one else will. For every action there’s a reaction. People behave the way they do because it works—if you want them to change, show how that past behavior no longer works. Always stay true to the point of view of the gender you’re writing in. (Men speak in shorter sentences, avoid emotional words, are more direct in their confrontations, are less likely to notice a woman’s lovely sheath and stylish pumps, than the fact that she looks hot.) Passive voice distances the reader from your characters, so avoid it. Don’t over-use foreshadowing. Action sequences should be short, fragmented, devoid of adverbs or “ing” words. Cut extraneous chit-chat. If a scene doesn’t move the story forward or provide insights into the character, cut it. Great characters aren’t perfect, but they strive to be better. Join a critique group—then throw out half of what you hear. Honor your readers—they spent time and money reading what you wrote—they deserve your best. But mostly, if you love your story, NEVER give up.

 

So now I have a question for your readers:  What keeps you going when the road ahead seems daunting?  Do you get your energy from those around you, or dig deeper into yourself? 

Congrats to Fedora Chen, our randomly drawn winner!

To read excerpts of any of Kaki's books, stop by www.kakiwarner.com. You can also find her author page on Facebook- Stay up-to-date on more chances to win! Thanks so much for coming by A Story Club, and to Kaki for answering all my questions! 

What keeps you going when the road ahead seems daunting?  Do you get your energy from those around you, or dig deeper into yourself?