Writing Process Blog Tour

The lovely and talented Michelle Ziegler tagged me for this tour. You can find out about Michelle’s writing process here.

1) What am I currently working on? I’m revising a manuscript I completed sometime before 2010. I can’t remember exactly when I finished it. The working title is Laurel Heights. It’s paranormal romantic suspense and I’m very excited about the project because it will be my first time self-publishing my work. Not only do the main characters have to deal with desperate characters and bad guys, but they must also contend with pushy and sometimes mean-spirited—um, sorry about the pun—ghost or two. Of course the heroine is a woman who can take care of herself if she wants, but she asks for help from a man just because she wants to. The hero is a hunk with past, but then...aren’t they all?

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre? The most common romantic suspense trope seems to involve a damsel in distress who needs rescuing by a big strong, hunky male. The heroine must fall in love with the big strong hunky male while he is rescuing her from certain a horrible fate.

My heroines are rarely damsels in distress. I like my heroines to be strong, independent women. Survivors. They don’t wilt and cower. They stand tall and face adversity. Okay, so they fall hard for the hero, and he plays a large part in resolving the conflict in the book, but only because my heroine chooses to allow him to help her not because she has to have his help. My heroine is usually the one who saves the day. Because she can.

3) Why do I write what I do? I write romantic suspense because I love the moment where the breath catches. I like to read those moments and I like to write those moments. With romantic suspense, the reader gets a two-fer. Both the romance plot line and the suspense plot line must come to a pivotal moment, the moment the reader has been waiting for, anticipating. The first kiss. The confrontation with the villain. The I love you moment. The revelation of the deep, dark secret that makes everything make sense. When a reader keeps reading because he or she has to reach that wonderful ah-ha moment, I feel as if I’ve accomplished my goal. I live to read the words, “I couldn’t put the book down.”

4) How does my writing process work? Something will give me a bit of inspiration. The opening scene of the book will somehow pop into my head, and I’ll start writing the first chapter in my head while I’m driving or showering or eating or prepare another stinking tax return (I’m a CPA.) I decide where I want the plot to go. With the beginning and the end in mind, I’m a certified pantser in the middle. I let my characters dictate all the different directions the plot will twist.

I usually edit as I go. I’ll write a few chapters, then go back and rework them until the flow feels right, checking for continuity and deepening the characterization. Then I’ll write a few more chapters. It’s a stop and go process, but it works for me.

I hope you’ve enjoyed getting a little insight into my twisted writer’s mind. I’m tagging author Krista Ames to keep this hop going.

Krista Ames was born and raised in Indiana. She now resides in Northern Michigan with the love of her life and their 4 children. She is a full time stay-at-home mom and pursues her writing career when she's not chasing kids, cooking or doing laundry. Krista can be found at http://www.apassionforromance.blogspot.comand would love to hear from you any time via mailto:krista@kristaames.com.

All About Heroes - Author Interview With Krista Ames

I want to welcome author Krista Ames to Suspense, She Writes. I've come to know Krista as part of the Still Moments Publishing team.

First, tell us a little about yourself.

Well I was born and raised in Indiana, even lived in Florida for a while but now I live in the northern lower part of Michigan with my awesome husband and our 4 kids.  Our house is never dull, never clean either lol. 

I write contemporary romance at the moment but I would love to venture into maybe some romantic suspense and paranormal/shape shifters. 

As writers, we often become emotionally attached to our characters. Who is your favorite hero you’ve ever written?   

So far I haven’t written too much, I have 4 short stories, 1 novella and I had a 24k contest submission that I’m still waiting to hear about but I think my favorite so far has been the contest submission hero.  This character is a cowboy running from his life of being an EMT and a huge mistake that cost a life. 

Have you ever fallen in love with or had a crush on one of your heroes? Tell us about him.

I fall in love with all of my heroes because I want my readers to fall in love with them too so I try to make them as irresistible as possible.  To name one though it would be Gentry,  my cowboy/EMT.  He’s just sexy and he knows how to handle horses and women or maybe it’s just the fact I love cowboys. 

How do you develop your heroes? Do you imagine their personality or their physical appearance first? Do they grow as personalities as you write or do you do a character sketch before you type the first word?

When I start a story, I normally have a hero in mind and I develop him to match the heroine but I think I create his personality first.  I don’t really sketch any of my characters; I let their personalities grow as I write.  It’s more fun to have them develop on their own as the story grows. 

I like to give my heroes a personality quirk, just so they aren’t too perfect. Have you ever written a quirk for one of your heroes and what was it?

I’m actually not sure I’ve done that, at least intentionally but I think.   that’s a really great idea and thanks to you, I may just have to start incorporating that so it’s noticeable.

How do you name your hero?   

I have a huge list I’ve compiled of names and places, possible titles, things like that so I just pick a name that seems to sound good and matches the personality of the hero.  I don’t make it too complicated.  Sometimes my husband will suggest names and I just know when a name sounds right. 

Who is your favorite hero in books, movies, or television?  

I always like the underdog or the quiet one that flies in and saves the day.  For example, I’m watching the new lifetime series The Client List where Jennifer Love Hewitt’s brother-in-law is in the wings after his brother left her, helping whenever he can. She comes home to him mowing the lawn (which makes her so mad because it’s her husband’s job only he’s not around) or he goes to her kids’ concert and helps put them in bed afterward.  Tells her he will do whatever she needs, she only need to ask.  You can tell there’s chemistry there at least on his part.  Of course this is only my opinion but she just doesn’t see it yet because she’s still hurt that her marriage fell apart. 

Who is your hero in real life?

My husband.  He stands by me no questions asked and he’s my biggest fan.  I love him to pieces J

Tell us about your most recent release and where we can find it. Who is the hero and what do you like about him the most?

My most current release is a novella called Second Chances and released through Ruby Lioness Press and is now available, yay!

The hero of  Second Chances is Nick Prescott and he’s a navy man.  I love military men so this one is especially yummy to me.  I love this hero because even though it broke her heart, he did what he needed to do to keep her safe.  He thought of her first and foremost. 

Would  you like a blurb?

If you could get a Second Chance...

When the love of Dana's life leaves without a word, she is forced to move on with her life.  Despite loving him, she believes she will never see him again but, little does she know, she's being set up for a night that will change her life forever.

Nicholas, A Navy man, did the only thing he could to save the woman he loved.  Driven by a secret, he disappeared and now returns, years later, with hope for love.  With one opportunity, will he be able to make things right, or is it just too late?  Will she deny any desire for Second Chances?

Thanks for joining us today, Krista. It was great getting to know you better. Check out Krista's book at 

Ruby Lioness Press

Amazon

 Smash Words

All Romance eBooks

Barnes & Noble