The Writing Process Blog Tour

This week I’m participating in something called, “The Writing Process Blog Tour.” It’s basically a worldwide game of author tag.

Before you start thinking authors are weird (alright, you already think that–weirder), there’s something in it for you too. The Writing Process Blog Tour is a great way to learn about new authors you may not have come across before.

Below I’ll answer a few questions about what I’m working on right now, and then I get to introduce you to some fabulous author friends. Here goes:

1. What am I working on?

Nothing! Not entirely true. My third novel, a contemporary romance and the second in a series, is currently with my beta-readers, so I’m taking a much needed break for a few weeks while I wait on their feedback. After that I’ll have another round of edits (joy), before sending it off to my editor. Why did no one tell me that a huge part of writing is all about editing?

2. How does my work differ from others in my genre?

I’m going to say genres. My latest project is a contemporary romance, but a huge component of it could be called chick-lit. That’s because as a romance it has a big dose of friendships, career and other chick-lit style dilemmas; and as a chick-lit novel it delivers a heart-pumping romance story line. The best of both worlds!

3. Why do I write what I do?

Personally, I love reading books that provide an escape, but I still want the characters to be real to me. I try to reflect that in my own writing with a story and characters that let the reader escape, experience some adventure and fun, yet who they can relate to.

4. How does my writing process work?

Generally speaking, I need character outlines and a rough chapter by chapter outline to get me started. (By rough chapter outline I mean one or two bullet points per chapter!) I always have the beginning, middle (major tension point) and the end in my head before I start writing. If I don’t have that, the story won’t go anywhere. Once I have all that, I give myself permission to write and boy, do I write. I write from start to finish. I always find I change things as I go, and that my chapter outlines get moved around, re-written and thrown out as I progress. For me, writing has a lot to do with trust. Trust in my ability and learning to trust in my characters. Yes, I know, I’m sounding like a strange author again because of that last comment. It works though!

Introducing Juanita Kees

Juanita is my “Tag, you’re it!” author today. She’s a multi-talented lady, who also happens to be my fabulous editor, but she is an equally fabulous author. Take a look:

Juanita graduated from the Australian College QED, Bondi with a diploma in Proofreading, Editing and Publishing, and achieved her dream of becoming a published author in 2012 with the release of her debut romantic suspense, Fly Away Peta. Under the Hood followed in 2013 as one of the first releases from Harlequin’s digital pioneer, Escape Publishing. Juanita works as a freelance editor assisting authors in polishing their work for submission. She escapes the real world to write stories starring spirited heroines who give the hero a run for his money before giving in.

When she’s not writing, editing or proofreading, Juanita is the cleaning fairy and mother to three boys (hubby included, his toys are just a little more expensive). Her not-so-miniature Daschund, Sam is her critique partner and keeps her company while writing.

Juanita loves to hear from fans and would love for you to enjoy her writing journey with her at:

Author Site: http://juanitakees.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Juanita-Kees-Author-Page/119574648138202

Twitter: @juanitakees

On the Web:

Victoria Sawyer

And a big thanks goes out to the talented Victoria Sawyer for asking me to play author tag. Victoria writes edgy, brave fiction, roughly based on her own experiences of dealing with anxiety. It’s powerful writing. You can read more about her book via her blog here: http://angstanxietypanic.wordpress.com/