Tag: writing

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Author Insights Fun Hops

The “Writing Process” Blog Tour

I was introduced to this lovely tour by a very powerful writer and friend, Glynis Rankin of Imaginings . She challenges me as writing to dig deeper into my soul, but I’m saving that for another post. Be sure to visit her contribution to this tour and see what she has going on…

And now, down to me. 😉

What am I working on?

I’m currently working on two independent projects. I’m in the editorial phase of publication for the second book in my Eternal Curse Series. I’m hoping to make alternations after receiving feedback from two beta readers before submitting to an editor.

I’m also working to complete the first draft of my first work of contemporary fiction, a romance entitled It’s Like the Full Moon.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

The fact that none of my work seems to fit neatly into any specific genre is an indication of how unique it is. I don’t want to give the impression that I’m writing ground breaking material that is setting new precedents, but I am doing things in my own special way which seems to ruffle a few feathers.

I’ve been told that my tales of romance aren’t typical, that my sci-fi is daunting, that my paranormal is truly relevant, and that much of my work has strong spiritual undertones. This is all true, however I fear some will be left with a misconception of my works. Not all of my writing is deep, but a lot of it is. Some of my stories have strong religious ties, while others focus more on the human condition.  Some of my work is purely for entertainment.

I don’t know if my readers are ready for some of the works I’ll be presenting in the future, but I hope I have enough time to ease them into it.

Why do I write what I do?

I don’t know if it can be classified as OCD, but I feel compelled to tell the stories created in my head. It’s one thing to write them down, to share them with friends, but to have them published and presented to the masses is something else entirely. My works haven’t made it to any bestsellers lists yet, but I feel a sense of comfort knowing that someone may stubble upon one of my stories and connect to it in some way.

Ultimately I want to entertain people with stories that, hopefully, make them laugh, cry, swoon, and even shiver with fear…But don’t jump to conclusions; I don’t have the mindset to write horror or erotica.

How does your writing process work?

While creative is key, I go into my writing with strategic precision. I know my weak points and rely on the skills of others to clean up my work and make it presentable, but I have a unique voice that I refuse to have altered.

Typically when I write a story, this is what happens:

-Idea and notes

-More notes and outline, and outline

-Character and setting outlines and profiles

-Transition notes and plot development.

-Writing, writing, reading, editing, writing, reading, reading, editing, writing, reading, editing, editing

-Then others finally get to see it for feedback

Who’s Up Next

-L.A. Little, author of Deadblood and soon to be many more.

The Ways, The Methods, & The Tools | @LALittle12*

-Andrew Hess, author of The Phoenix Blade Project Justice:  Writer’s Revolution

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

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Guest Posts

Passion in Writing by Darlene Jones

Heaving bosoms? Throbbing members? Sorry, but that’s not where I’m going with this. I’m talking about the passion that drives us to do the things we do. In my mind passion is a must for authors. We have to have passion for the writing itself and passion for the things we write about.

I also believe that our writing reflects our passions and they are revealed when we see them on paper. This came as a bit of a shock to me when I looked back at what I had written. My intent was to write an entertaining novel of magic and romance. I didn’t know it would grow to four books before the “happily ever after” ending. Nor did I know, when I began, that my books would touch on a number of serious world issues.

Rereading my novels is an exercise in discovery. I see that teaching and teens play significant roles in each. I was an educator and most of my career was spent working with grades seven to nine, so I guess that’s not so surprising. I criticize anyone who denigrates teaching. Teachers get the whole world started. And I refuse to accept the answer, “I’m just a teacher” to the question, “what do you do?” I believe all children should have a solid education base and I wish I could wave a magic wand to make it so. Yes, I’m passionate about education.

I also rant about war, the media, rich versus poor…. How could I not after having lived in Mali, traveled extensively in Africa, not to mention all the time I spend in Mexico? If I were to make a list of injustices, it would be a long one. The problems are much too grand for any one individual to solve, but we can impact the whole if we make our own little corner of the world a better place.

A recent survey asked people to rank the things they looked for in their fiction reading. I was surprised to see that “learning something” was number one. On reflection, I realize that the books I love best are ones that teach me something. In Domingos Angel I learned about conditions in Spain during Franco’s rule. In The Nine Lives of Charlotte Taylor I learned more about Canadian history. In The Winter Pony (an amazing story told from the horses’ point of view) I learned about the trek to the South Pole. The list could go on and on, but what is most interesting is that the books I learned something from are the ones that remain most vivid in my mind.

I, too, try to get readers thinking while they are being entertained. Perhaps that’s yet another passion. I do hope my stories will be vivid in readers’ minds long after they have finished reading them.

For more from Darlene Jones, check out these links: www.emandyves.com and Amazon Author Central.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

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Author Insights

Titles Make Me Crazy

I don’t like coming up with titles, but not nearly as much I as I don’t like writing a synopsis; that’s a topic for another day. Titles are very important in many ways, but are also not import in many ways. As much as it seems to be the way to go these days, I just can’t make myself into one of those authors who comes up with the perfect title to either shock or entice an audience.

So many people have told me about the misconception they believe the title of my current book gives. Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel has been perceived as a dark horror story by so many that I often regret the title, though in retrospect, the title is very fitting to the actual story. I have nothing against horror, but so many people haven’t bothered to learn more about the book, simply because they think they know what it’s about already. They only reason a few people have moved beyond this is because of my tiny web presence on multiple social media channels.

I have received several emails from people who have read my bio, seen interviews, and read samples of my work who stated that they’d seen my book before and overlooked it, simply because they weren’t in the mood for horror at the time. To their surprise, while my book isn’t a light hearted fairy tale targeted at children, it’s also not a horror tale. The thing that worries me now, is that the people who’ve picked up my book expecting it to be horror, maybe disappointed, but at least they are getting a fair share of demons and nightmares.

It’s so hard to tell what it is people expect from a book these days. Several people have told me that they liked the premise of my book, but that they are avid YA readers. So, my book isn’t written as a YA novel, that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t like it…And on top of all this, I have to start thinking of titles for my next few releases. At least the companion guide for ECGA already had a title that I’m not about to change. It will be a free ebook anyway. I don’t know that the title will be much of an issue for it.

Then there is the collection of short stories I’m working on and my new romance. I have no idea what I’m going to call them. My mind is so twisted with the notation of coming up with new titles, I’ve even started to question the use of titled chapters in my book, but again, that’s a topic for another day.  It’s just too bad that ideas can’t serve as titles. A gray man meets a woman online who helps him discover his true purpose in the world, only to realize that he’s not of this world, doesn’t really make for an easily searchable title.

This is an unofficial Author Insights post.