Happy St. Patrick’s Day and Writing Process Blog Tour

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face; and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
~ Traditional Gaelic blessing

Writing Process Blog Tour

I was tagged for a Writing Process Blog Tour in which authors talk about their writing process and why they write the stories they write. So here it goes…

What am I working on?

Last year, I concentrated largely on writing historical romances. Historical romance is a popular genre, and fortunately my titles (The Ice Captain’s Daughter, Duke of a Gilded Age, Jessamine’s Folly, and A Gift for Lara) were all well-received. This year I’m writing whatever strikes my fancy. At this very moment, I’m working on a contemporary paranormal novel. Why? I don’t know. Sometimes stories just lodge in my head and I can’t work on anything else. The working title is Dancing with Raven, and the story revolves around a young ballerina who can see demons. I’m over 16K words into the book, and I plan to finish it sometime in April.

How does my work differ from others?

I like to write stories with unexpected humor and plot twists. My work is considered to be “clean” or “sweet,” but I prefer the words “fresh” and “original.” I prefer writing romance from the heart instead of the boudoir, and I enjoy slipping in a bit of adventure, too.

Why do I write what I do?

I write what I like to read. My goal is to create stories and characters that capture the imagination.

How does your writing process work?

Usually, I start with a particular scene that’s been running through my head. Then I try to figure out if the characters and conflicts have “legs” enough to become an interesting story. As I go along, I try to put in several twists or unexpected events to keep it fun. I rarely plan the entire story ahead of time became I don’t have the discipline. But then, I don’t like to ask for directions, either.

Thank you to award-winning author Meg Mims for tapping me to join the The Writing Process Blog Tour! I’ve frequently been inspired by her attention to detail, and I’m looking forward to her upcoming series with George Bernard Shaw’s Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins!

Meg Mims Sees Double And Strikes Gold

I’m thrilled to feature award-winning author Meg Mims on my blog today as she talks about her Spur Award winner Double Crossing and its smashing sequel, Double or Nothing.  Enjoy! ~ S.G. Rogers

“Why did you write your Double Series?”

I was influenced by Charles Portis’ True Grit, plus the 1969 movie version with John Wayne. The idea of a young girl whose father is murdered is the basis for Double Crossing, except my heroine is older than Mattie — 19, almost 20 — and quite sheltered and wealthy. Naive, I might add, which means Lily Granville’s determination to track her father’s killer brings plenty of unexpected education in life. It’s a twist of True Grit and Murder on the Orient Express, as one reviewer said — and won the 2012 Spur Award for Best First Novel!  had fun rolling LaBoef and Rooster Cogburn into my hero, Ace Diamond. And when I started writing the sequel, Double or Nothing, I decided to use dynamite like in the (non-Charles Portis) follow-up film starring John Wayne, Rooster Cogburn, with a different twist. ~ Meg Mims

Double Crossing … A murder arranged as a suicide … a missing deed  … and a bereft daughter whose sheltered world is shattered.

August, 1869: Lily Granville is stunned by her father’s murder. Only one other person knows about a valuable California gold mine deed — both are now missing. Lily heads west on the newly opened transcontinental railroad, determined to track the killer. She soon realizes she is no longer the hunter but the prey. As things progress from bad to worse, Lily is uncertain who to trust—the China-bound missionary who wants to marry her, or the wandering Texan who offers to protect her … for a price. Will Lily survive the journey and unexpected betrayal?

BUY LINKS  Amazon for Kindle and print, B&N for Nook, Smashwords
Hardcover Large Print Edition: Click here for buy links – Amazon or B&N
Audiobook edition: Audible.com or Amazon
Double or Nothing … A mysterious explosion. A man framed for murder. A strong woman determined to prove his innocence.

October, 1869: Lily Granville, heiress to a considerable fortune, rebels against her uncle’s strict rules. Ace Diamond, determined to win Lily, invests in a dynamite factory but his success fails to impress her guardian. An explosion in San Francisco, mere hours before Lily elopes with Ace to avoid a forced marriage, sets off a chain of consequences. When Ace is framed for murder before their wedding night, Lily must find proof to save him from a hangman’s noose. Will she become a widow before a true wife?

BUY LINKS — Amazon for Kindle and print, B&N for Nook, Smashwords

To learn more about Meg Mims, visit her website, find her on Amazon (Author page), on  Facebook,  Twitter, and  Pinterest

The Next Big Thing for S.G. Rogers

My fellow author Meg Mims (Double Crossing, Santa Paws) tapped me for the Next Big Thing interview making the rounds in the blogosphere.  She sent me the following questions, which I’ve answered. Now it’s time to share:

1) What is the working title of your next book?

Duke of a Gilded Age

2) Where did the idea come from?

I’ve always been fascinated by the differences between American society and British society when it comes to things like royalty.  This story follows a young American man to Britain after he inherits a Dukedom from an uncle.

3) What genre does your work fall under?

Historical Romance, specifically Victorian Romance.

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie version?

Liam Hemsworth could play the part of the young duke Wesley Parker…but then again, what part couldn’t he play?

Someone who looks like Isabel Lucas

could play Belle Oakhurst.

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis to explain where the story begins?

After the Tenth Duke of Mansbury dies, the title passes to the next male in the line of succession—an American teen born in Brooklyn.

6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I’m undecided on that.

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

It’s still under development.  I imagine it will take me another month to finish the first draft.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

That’s hard to say.  Little Lord Fauntleroy, by Frances Hodgson Burnett, has a slightly similar theme, but that classic novel is not a romance.

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?

In my fantasy stories, I often feature characters that learn something unexpected about their heritage. I thought it would be fun to do that in a historical romance.

10) What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?

It’s set in 1890, and features historical details about New York, transatlantic steamship travel, and England.  As I write, I’m learning so much about New York City that I never knew before. And because of my research into the “floating palaces” of the era, I’m also now determined to take a cruise to Europe!

Thanks, Meg, for the opportunity to discuss my next big thing.

~ S.G. Rogers

The Circuitous Author

The Wednesday Spotlight’s on me today at Meg Mims’ blog, as I reluctantly divulge the gritty details about what finally brought me to the keyboard. Here’s a hint: it involves thespionage. 😀

~ S.G. Rogers

 

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