My Writing Process and a seasonal giveaway

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Greek Lady, Sicilian Temple

Greek Lady, Sicilian Temple

I’ve been invited to join the My Writing Process blog tour by fellow Scot, Jane Riddell. Jane blogs at http://wwwbloggercom-janelilly.blogspot.co.uk/ and is the author of Water’s Edge published by Thornberry Press.

Thank you, Jane.

Jane also invited our friend and fellow Edinburgh Writers’ club member, Kate Blackadder. Kate will be sharing her Writing Process over on Kate Writes and Reads.blogspot.co.uk

My Writing Process

Qu: What am I working on at the moment?

Ans: I’m working on Daisy’s Dilemma, another historical romance which is again set in London, 1822. It continues the stories of two of the characters from my debut romance, Mariah’s Marriage, and includes a lot of visiting Scots relatives. I enjoyed my sojourn in 1826 Edinburgh so much, I was reluctant to write another book without any Scots voices. As a reading writer I’ve always been keen to continue creating the stories of the characters after the end. Of course with some books you’re glad to let go, but with a few I’ve put the light out and left the final chapter until the next day because I didn’t want it to end. Anne of Green Gables is one such and a couple of the Harry Potters. Daisy’s story was just waiting to be told, but she’s playing up and truly, why should that surprise me?

Qu: How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Ans: It’s dialogue rich because I wrote plays for many years and love to hear the snap of crafted dialogue. It also has an underlying theme concerning the position and treatment of women that will provide a darker background to the wonderful escapism of the classic Regency.

Qu: Why do I write what I do?

Ans: It’s very much what I enjoy reading. I also enjoy reading non-fiction which makes research delightful.

Qu: How does my writing process work?

Ans: Gosh! I suppose I have an idea of my heroine and I will visualise her in a situation with her hero. I also have a strong notion of places and have successfully written short stuff from the inspiration of photographs in my personal collection taken at historic houses. I write until I clearly hear the voices of the two principals and their major supporters and plotting falls into place. Often. Sometimes. Maybe my editor wouldn’t necessarily agree…

Bella’s Betrothal http://goo.gl/5RBzIm Mariah’s Marriage http://goo.gl/NxYxj5

I hope you’ll leave a comment about your own writing process, or anything raised here. There’s a lovely calendar of Edinburgh for one commenter who will be chosen at random from all the comments received by midnight (UK time) on 5th January.

Coming up next on 6th January 2014 will be:

Jane Jackson

Jane blogs on her website at http://www.janejackson.net

Jane says: I’ve been making up stories since I could talk. 29 books published, nos 30 and 31 due out in 2014. Writing historical romance enables me to combine my passion for history and my love of Cornwall.

Sherry Gloag

When best-selling author Sherry Gloag is not writing you may find her knee deep in dust. Selenite dust. The crystal she handcrafts unique items and ideal, personalised gifts from… or walking or gardening. All are occupations that allow her mind to cogitate on her plots, plans and characters of her next book.

http://sherrygloagtheheartofromance.blogspot.com/2013/12/my-writing-process-blog-hop.html

19 thoughts on “My Writing Process and a seasonal giveaway”

  2. My writing process is always the same. I see one scene, as if it were a trailer from a film. From there I expand and ask questions. Who are they, who did it happen, what follows? Then before I know it I have the complete story, but that’s before the characters take over and start dictating to me. Great article.

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  3. Thank you for sharing your writing process with us, Anne. Like you, many things can spark new ideas inside me – a poem, a song, a passing thought as I take a walk in the countryside or a visit to a historic house. I was in Dorset last July and visited Sherbourne castle and I picked up fabulous names for my future heroines from the portraits on display there. For once I had left my notebook behind and had to scribble everything on an old piece of paper I dug out from the bottom of my handbag. I left thoroughly inspired. Now all I have to do is write the novels!

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  4. Thank you Anne for telling it as it is. I have read Mariah’s wedding and Bella’s Betrothal so I appreciate your descriptions of historical places. Having seen one of your plays I know you enjoy dialogue as a writer and I enjoy it as a reader – it lets me into the character’s mind.

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  6. I enjoyed reading about your writing experiences, Anne, and I love dialogue rich stories too. Thank you too, for inviting me to take part on the 6th Jan. I hadn’t realised I was following in the footsteps of so many fellow Scots 🙂 Happy Christmas and a ‘gid hogmanay’.

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  8. Thanks for sharing your process. I have been making up stories in my head for a while now. Mostly at night lying in bed before I fall asleep. I just need to get the courage to put them down on paper.

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    • Hullo Kathy, Yes, give it a go. Remember you don’t have to let anyone you don’t want to see them, see them. If you did get to a point where you wanted to move on then there are a lot of classes, writers’ groups and online groups = at least here in the UK. Nice of you to drop in and I wish you a Happy Christmas. Anne

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