My Writing Process- Blog Tour

I'd like to thank Jolynn Raymond for mentioning and tagging me in her writing process blog post. I found that she and I share some common threads when it comes to the process of writing. I've also learned that we share a love for the darker side of imagination. Such as in her book 'Elizabeth's Destiny' a Kinky Historical Romance.

Now, let's talk about the process of how that blank page (paper or digital) goes from empty to full, page after page after page, until we have what we call a workable Manuscript/Story. I was given 4 questions to focus on while answering what the writing process is like for me.

1. What am I working on? 
I'm working on a few things actually. From a story standpoint I am currently working on a collection of paranormal stories I plan on calling (The Dare series). The first book, -pending publication- is about a young woman in her  mid-twenties who like many of us, has an other than admirable past. (How typical, right?) Well, yes and no. 
When Cassandra Dare meets Gregorie Darnsworth her typical and other than admirable life changes. Because the setting takes place in modern day Cassy can do little more than laugh when Gregorie makes his confession to being a Vampire. We all know vampires are little more than legendary myths and misconceptions, right?

I got to thinking though, especially in this modern age that we all currently live in. What if all those myths and legends DO have a ring of truth behind them after-all? How could I, as a writer, convey to others that what they passively dismiss as fantasy, urban legend, and myth, could in fact be closer to reality than we might think? 
The first book in this series touches on a specifically marked year in history and gives a somewhat logical explanation as to why vampires might really exist. Not having met under the best circumstances, Gregorie and Cassandra are off to a bittersweet beginning. The moment he lays eyes on her and smells the blood of her wounds he knows she is a descendant of his late wife. Having all but given up on finding any happiness in his life for nearly the last 100 years, Gregorie is inspired by the sight of this young woman and feels compelled to make her his. 
Cassy on the other hand wants nothing to do with the strange but handsome dark haired man who had drugged her and held her captive under sedation for 4 days, that is, until she learns he's a real vampire. 
In the second book, my theory on why vampires might really exist is further elaborated on through the story of a couple that was briefly introduced in the first book, which is the story I'm currently developing, in my spare time, when I'm not tweeting, engrossed in facebook or other social media platforms.

2. How does your work differ from others of it's genre? 
 That's a tough question for me because I consider myself a relatively new writer. Not new to the love of writing, but new to the world of being a published author. 
I think that one of the main attributes that sets all writers apart whether they publish in the same genre or not is their style. The unique voice inside their head that tells them which words to use when conveying their story. No two people ever see something in exactly the same way, and this is what I feel is unique and sets me apart from others. 
Maddie Taylor and I embarked as budding new authors at nearly the same time and have helped each other learn along the way, and although we write in the same genres our work could not be more different. Maddie is a feisty, fun loving, and upbeat person. I find that the characters in her books portray a reflection to the zest and zeal I see in her as a friend. I love her books. She always offers a spicy plot with hot, hunky, heroes and feisty, smart witted heroines who always find a way to make me laugh.

I tend to focus more on the darker side of things. I like to explore a single thought, idea or myth and then bring it to life through my characters and see where they take me. Most of the time that ends up being some dark passage through my mind that opens up into a world of bittersweet possibilities. 
For example in my first book, 'Seduction: The Story of M', we start out with the heroine being abducted and throughout the story we see how Misty's first impressions of this man change from day to day. In the end he's not as much the bad guy she thought he was.
The Story of L opens up with a woman making the decision to give up all her independent rights and undergo a special form of slave training in order to please the man she thinks she loves. The full story fans out over the course of 3 books and explains what L learns about herself during her journey to better understand her submissive nature. 
So really I think that was makes my work different... is me! which brings us to the next question. 

3. Why do I write what I do?
Because one of my favorite things to do is subtly pry into the minds of others. Most people get really annoyed when I start peeling back the layers of their psyche with my probing, and sometimes disturbing questions, so I turn to making up characters and stories that allow me to do so without upsetting anyone. 
I like to write about what I find intriguing and fascinating... dark secrets, inhibitions, dominance and submission and almost anything have to do with BDSM. 
I keep hearing the phrase..."Write what you know." 
I guess I have a bit of an issue with that because it's a lot more fun to write about what I don't know. It engages my imagination to fill in the blanks and tell a unique story from an unproven source of reality. For me it's more fun and freeing to experience something through a character than to commit myself to the physical aspect of such an experience. Which is also probably the reason I enjoy writing my stories from a darker point of view. 

4. How does your writing process work?
It's a delicate recipe consisting of coffee and whatever life throws my way for the day. I'd like to have a schedule and set hours of when no one is allowed to interrupt me, but so far that hasn't happened. I have this really cool looking 'Do Not Disturb' sign for my writing room door. It blinks in 3 different colors and has an audio alarm that goes off if anyone touches the door. My dogs love it. They purposely scratch at the door to trigger the alarm and then bark at it until it stops only to repeat the sequence over and over until I pull the battery out. 

I need to be alone when I write. It's like my imagination demands the whole room, shrouding it under an invisible force of security so that the little thing we writers call our 'muse', feels free to come out and play. Only mine doesn't really come out to play. I would describe it more like being temporarily possessed one character at a time.

Many writers like to use outlines, but I'm not one of them. I'm a panster and enjoy getting the story as the characters develop and show me who they are. I never know how a story is going to end until I finally get there and it all comes together. Sometimes I get a little worried when I get to that part where I think I should be finding my conclusion, but can't. I've learned that when that happens it's best just to leave the grumpy muse alone for a few days and come back when she or he is done being pissy at me.
I like early mornings when the house is quite and the birds are just starting to stir for the day. 
Once the phone starts ringing and the day comes to life with all it's perfect imperfections and tedious little demands my muse gives me a hug and says 'see ya later'. 
In between the demands of the day, I try to squeeze in some social networking and blogging, which has lead me to some very useful tips and full array of other deliciously talented authors, which is why I enjoy these blog hops.

This hop doesn't have a linky list, it's simply meant to be passed on by way of mentioning other authors who you admire and would like to learn more about, which is why... 

I'm tagging Maddie Taylor. Her stories will rock your socks off. Don't believe me, go to her page and pick one. You won't be disappointed. One of my Favorites is Marshals Law. The heroine gets into a strange and unfortunate accident and when she wakes she realizes she's no longer in the same time period as she was when her car veered off the road. Learning about how she handles being stuck back in time is sweet, funny, sexy, and endearing in only a way Maddie herself can describe.

I'd also like to mention Trent Evans I'm not tagging Trent, just mentioning this unique author because I've been following his excerpts on other blog hops and his talent for use of interesting words and story telling is amazing. I've just finished reading  'A Lady and A Maid' and I am blown away by how captivating this story is and how the author wraps you into the plot like a warm blanket while your reading.

And with that, I'd like to thank you for visiting my blog and wish you a wonderful week full of scary spiders and things that go bump in the night... errr... What I meant  was, I hope you have an exceptionally happy day as a result of viewing this blog. 

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