Do you like to read romance novels? Would you like to meet new authors, and learn more about your favorites? Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all...about our writing of course! Every week we'll answer the same questions. Once you've read my blog, the link below will direct you to another. Feel free to ask more questions or make comments.
If you've linked here from Ronnie Allen's blog, welcome! How do you find the appropriate setting for the story, or does it find you? For my first novel, MOUNTAIN FIRE, I figured I'd have enough trouble with the mechanics of writing and plotting, and didn't want to add to my struggles by using an unfamiliar setting. So I plunked that novel right in my hometown and the surrounding area. CHEF D'AMOUR (contracted, release date TBA – whee!!!) takes place on the set of a reality show in Vancouver, BC. Again, I am familiar enough with Vancouver to be comfortable writing about it, and my television background made the behind-the-scenes fun. NO LIFE BUT THIS (completed, but lying fallow) takes place mainly in the Azores, a small group of Portuguese islands in the middle of the Atlantic. My husband's family is from there, and we were lucky enough to visit in July 2013. It seemed the perfect location to set a story about a young woman breaking out of her shell and learning to live adventurously. Manuscript #4 is once again set in my hometown. I guess what all that means is I prefer to write about settings that I know! What is your support system for your writing? Family, friends, other writers? All of the above! My husband is my greatest support. He is the one who bought my laptop so I would quit whining about writing and actually sit down and finish something. He has read all my manuscripts, and when he says he likes something I trust him, because we've worked together for more than 25 years and we have no problem telling each other the truth. My oldest daughter is also a writer, and she loves to help me plot, especially early in the process. My parents are so proud of what I've done, they tell any and all who ask about my books. It can be hard to meet other writers, especially in my relatively small town. But the Internet is a wonderful resource, and through that I've met all sorts of writers willing to provide support – including those of Romance Weekly! What is the worst writing advice you ever received and how did you deal with it? I really can't say I've had bad advice. Of course, maybe I just don't know it yet, because the results of the advice haven't come home to roost, but I don't think that's the case. All advice needs to be taken with a grain of salt. What worked for one writer isn't necessarily going to work for me. I love discussions and case studies and examples, and I think if you do enough research, learn enough craft, you'll be able to discern bad advice from the good. Thanks for joining me on Romance Weekly. I invite you to visit Dani Jace and see what she has to say this week!
26 Comments
4/1/2014 04:10:42 am
My oldest is only 13, but she also has the writing bug. I think we might kill each other if we tried to plot together 4/1/2014 05:38:17 am
Well, my daughter is 21, so it's probably a bit easier to plot romances with her. But she's a huge Jenny Crusie fan, so is always directing me to "do something funny" - which is just not in my psyche!! 4/1/2014 05:33:16 am
No wonder your heros are so awesome. Inspired by your very own BFF, right? ;) 4/1/2014 05:46:07 am
Your husband sounds awesome. And how lovely to have a daughter that writes, too. It must make for great conversations.
Brenda Margriet
4/1/2014 07:53:49 am
My husband doesn't generally read romance, so he's a really good sport to get through mine. And my daughter and I laugh a lot while we plot. My next manuscript is set at our local university, which she is attending, so she's my go-to for authentic details. 4/1/2014 06:51:37 am
I agree with using your hometown as the setting. Mine are NYC and rural Central Fla. I had enough to research.
Brenda Margriet
4/1/2014 07:54:22 am
Definitely!!
Brenda Margriet
4/1/2014 07:55:29 am
It's funny, though - my daughter will help me write, but she's never read my finished manuscripts. I guess it would be a bit awkward... :)
jami Denise
4/1/2014 08:22:23 am
I love that your daughter is a writer as well! It's always nice to have someone that close to talk create shop with :) Thanks for the post!
Brenda Margriet
4/1/2014 08:26:54 am
Right now she's writing mostly university papers but still.... ;-)
Brenda Margriet
4/1/2014 08:40:14 am
I write in our living room so my family can always check to make sure my knows is to the grindstone. :-D 4/1/2014 09:38:24 am
My husband flat out refuses to read my work. But he is great in so many other ways, that I let it slide. I also get great support and plotting advice from my friends. Different perspectives on the same problem can lead to such good plots.
Brenda Margriet
4/1/2014 01:44:59 pm
Support comes in lots of forms!
Brenda Margriet
4/1/2014 01:49:48 pm
It is easier to make it feel real 4/1/2014 12:11:18 pm
So cute about your hubby. Mine bought me an Ipad Air for Christmas so I could check my blog, etc. when I was away from the house. He still doesn't understand what a blog is.
Brenda Margriet
4/1/2014 01:48:05 pm
So sweet that he gets it but doesn't if you know what I mean. 4/1/2014 02:46:32 pm
Living in a small town can definitely make it harder to meet other writers. Trust me, I feel your pain. I'd have to drive nearly 2 hours to get to make it to a "local" RWA chapter meeting. Thankfully, the world wide web has made it much easier to find a support system.
Brenda Margriet
4/2/2014 01:27:33 am
I think this whole writing thing would be much, much harder without the Internet in general. :) 4/1/2014 08:24:41 pm
I agree with you, writing about setting you know adds an element of confidence to writing, because being familiar with it really helps!
Brenda Margriet
4/2/2014 01:27:59 am
Thanks, Mishka!
J.J. Devine
4/2/2014 01:48:38 am
My youngest son loves to write, it is so great when you can share that passion with someone in your household, :) Loved the blog!!! Leave a Reply. |