3 Comments
Sometimes getting a book started is easy. Other times it takes a lot of what would appear to most people as a lot of screwing around. But sometimes that screwing around is just what is needed to get the story all shaken out before you really jump into the writing.
But don’t expect your husband to be happy when he asks you how your day was, and you reply: “Great. I had to spend an hour looking at photos of hot guys.”
Working playlist for Along Came A Duke
I know, rough job, but someone has to do it. To be fair, I did share the love, posting my top three hot guys with my Facebook peeps. Truly, I am not exclusive with these sort of practices. I think everyone should have a job like mine.
Another thing that helps me along is finding the right playlist to listen to while I write. A good playlist will put me right into that story world I am creating faster than nothing else–not even a steaming latte. Yet like starting a book, sometimes finding that right playlist is just as elusive as nailing down the first three chapters. That was the case this time–the music just eluded me–I had two songs and nothing else, so I enlisted my husband to fill the list out. He came back with a bucket of music, some 45 songs, which is way too long, but I was able to pare it down to this and I think it will work–with only a tweek or two along the way.
Working notebook for Along Came a Duke
And finally, I have to get my working notebook(s) organized. I know I should have one system for organization and that is how I always put my books together, but for me writing is an organic process and one that grows, changes and evolves the longer I do it. This time I am using Levenger’s Circa system to keep my pages, research and notes together. I like the way the pages go in and out so easily–and I can add notes and other things quickly.
Finally, I never feel like I have it all together until I have my own working cover for the book, the chapters plotted out (at least Chapters 1-7) and enough pages under my belt to have a sense of the characters.
And now it is all together–and I am off and running.
March 10th, 2011 at 12:19 am · Link
Wait…who are these Kempton Brides? Have I missed something in the last few months? Does this mean there is really no chance of additional Marlowe books? The Marlowes feel so unfinished.
March 12th, 2011 at 2:57 pm · Link
Good Luck with the new book. I look forward to reading it!
March 20th, 2011 at 2:34 pm · Link
I can’t wait for your new book! I wish my job included looking at photos of hot guys. Guess I’ll just have to settle with looking at my husband – he still looks pretty good to me even after 41 years of marriage.