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Patricia Davids was born in the farming and ranching country of central Kansas. She had an idyllic childhood filled with horseback riding, softball games, fishing and swimming in the creek. As the only girl with four brothers, it was inevitable that she grew up to be a tomboy. Her love of books began early in life. Nancy Drew, Trixie Beldon, The Hardy Boys and Zane Grey were but a few of the favorites she collected.

After high school, Pat attended Kansas State University and went on to earn her nursing diploma at St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Wichita, Kansas. It was there that a classmate asked her to write a letter to a lonely sailor. Pat had no idea her pen pal would become the love of her life. After exchanging letters for several months, Pat met Dave face to face on St. Patrick’s Day in 1973. It wasn’t exactly love at first sight, but it was close. The following year they were married. Pat followed her sailor to the U.S Submarine Base in Groton, Connecticut, and eventually they were joined by daughter, Katherine.

On their return to Kansas two years later, Pat and her husband both entered the medical field. Pat as an RN in the NICU and Dave as an X-ray technician. Pat’s work eventually expanded to include being a flight nurse on the neonatal transport team. As part of the team, she helped transport infants in need of critical medical services to her hospital. Besides taking care of babies, Pat also worked as a home health nurse. Her stories of life in the air and on the ground were always sure to bring a laugh to her co-workers and family.

You can take a girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl. Pat’s love of the outdoors and her husband’s interest in hunting and archery lead them both to compete in the sport of archery at the local, state and national levels. In 1992, Pat and Dave won the Kansas State 3-D archery championships in their respective classes. Throughout her busy life, she remained a devoted reader, but often thought that she might like to write a novel — when she retired.

After her daughter left home, Pat’s love of reading evolved into a serious desire to write. In 1996, she began work on her first novel. It proved to be more difficult than she expected. In researching how to write, she discovered a local writers group and soon joined both the Wichita Area Romance Authors and the national organization, Romance Writers of America. Pat credits the help of the wonderful members of both organizations with teaching her the craft of writing and giving her insight into the publishing industry.

Still, after seven years of writing and three completed manuscripts, all she had to show for her efforts was a pile of rejection letters. Then, in the summer of 2002, Pat met Deborah Raney, a fellow Kansas author, and learned about the growing inspirational romance market. It was a lightbulb over the head moment. Pat revised her third book for yet another time and the rest is history.

When I asked Pat about her daily writing process, she said the following:

What time of day do you write best?

My best writing time is from 10 PM until 2 AM. Yes, I’m a night owl.

How many hours per day do you write?

When I have a deadline looming, I write 6 to 8 hours a day. I have been known to write for 48 hrs. straight with only a couple of 30 min. naps. I don’t recommend this but I have the most fun when I’m in that kind of writing trance. That’s purely new writing time. The business part of my career takes up 1 to 2 hrs. each day with blogging, answering emails and working on edits, AAs or revisions.

When writing on deadline, what is your writing process?

I always have a deadline looming, thank the good Lord. If it’s two months away I write 1-2 hrs. each day. At one month I kick it up to 4-6 hrs. Last two weeks, 6 to 8 on average.

Do plan your novel, or just let it happen?

I’m a plotter.

How do you get started on a novel?

I need to decide on my characters’ names, then the hook for the story, (secret baby, enemies to lovers, reunion, opposites attract, that kind of thing) then I decide what kind of  personalities my characters have. I can then lay out their goals, motivations and their conflicts. After that, I can see how the story will end with their conflicts resolved. Once I have a good grasp of where the story will go, I can decide where to start it. This process takes anywhere from one to three weeks of brainstorming to make it gel. Then, I’m ready to write a synopsis. It is never as easy as this sounds. I had one book I actually wrote backwards because I couldn’t see a starting place or where their goals would change. (The Farmer Next Door) I’ve had books that I have hated every word I wrote in them. (A HOME FOR HANNAH which won the RT Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Love Inspired Novel of 2012)

What inspires you to write?

This isn’t a hobby for me, it’s my job. No matter how much I love your job, it’s still hard work. It’s how I earn my living. I can’t wait for the Muse to inspire me to write. I write 3 to 4 books a year by putting my behind in my office chair and my fingers on the keyboard.

What is your revision process?

I’m always looking for the weak links in my story.

Where did you get the idea for the novel you are working on now?

The idea for my current novel came from thinking about how to make a man who is used to being in charge, who is strong and confident into someone who needs complete care. He needs to be humbled and have his eyes opened to what is good around him. So, I blinded him in an explosion that also burned his hands. Now, he is totally lost. A very kind and generous woman is going to show him how God uses tragedy to change us for the better.

Do you use any visuals–pictures, timelines etc–to help you write?

I don’t use visuals. My readers don’t have visuals so why should I?

How do you deal with the “murky middle” when you are writing a novel?

If the conflict between the characters is strong and not based on misunderstand or something shallow and easily overcome, then there is no murky, sagging middle. Also, adding humor to the story helps it move along.

What is your revision process?

I revise as I write. I always read and revise what I wrote the day before. Often, I start at the first page and read and revise the entire work before I do new writing. I’ve tried writing a first draft without stopping and I can’t do it. I’m a chronic fixer.

Are you a member of a writing critique group

I belong to a local writers group. I encourage anyone who thinks writing is something they would like to do to join one. I also have a critique group. We meet weekly to monthly depending on our schedules and I trust their judgment. If they say it’s not working, it isn’t. I don’t need people to tell me what they like about my writing. I need them to tell me where my weakness are so I can make it a better story.

How has being a published author changed your writing process?

Since becoming published, I have learned a ton about the craft of writing from workshops and on-line classes and articles. I discovered the secret of being a successful writer is not to write one great book, but to write 20 or 30 pretty good books. There is always room for improvement. Never forget that it isn’t about you as the writer. It’s about your readership. Give people what they enjoy reading and they will buy your next book. Give it to them as fast as possible, and your popularity will soar.

What advice do you have for new writers?

Don’t become a writer to earn a living. Have a day job first. It takes years to build a big enough readership to support you. Write because you love it. The rest will follow if you work at writing the way you would work at any job. The more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. Trust God to make it happen, but do the work.

 

Award winning, multi-published author Terri Reed discovered the wonderful world of fiction at an early age and declared she would one day write a book.  Now she is fulfilling that dream and enjoys writing for Love Inspired. She is an active member of both Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband, two wonderful children, and an array of critters. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening and playing tennis.

You can write to Terri at P.O. Box 19555 Portland, OR 97280 or visit her online at www.terrireed.com or email her at terrireed@sterling.net or leave comments on or http://craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/ OR www.loveinspiredauthors.com

 What time of the day do you write best and why?

For me it’s mornings and early afternoon.  I will write at night after everyone goes to bed if I’m on deadline and need extra hours.

How long do you write every day when you have a deadline looming?

Depending on the day 4-10

How long do you write every day when you don’t have a deadline looming?

2-4

How do you begin writing a novel?

I try to drop the reader into action via one of the main character’s point of view.

Are you a before you ever write your novel planner?

Yes!

If so, how do you plan? Do you use any outlines, books, formats when you plan your novel?

I start with the plot and character development. I use a variety of charts, forms etc to plan out the plot and characters.  Deb Dixon’s Goal, Motivation and Conflict is a must as is Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey.

If you aren’t a planner, is there a point in writing the novel that you stop, look back and plan? If so, what is your method for doing so?

Even though I’m a huge planner, I usually stop around chapter ten and go back and reread/rework from the beginning and then when I reach the end of what I have then move forward.

Where did the idea come from for the novel you are working on right now?

The novel I’m working on now is the second book in my Northern Border Patrol series for Love Inspired Suspense.  I wanted to write a series of books featuring the various different ways the border patrol agents protect the US and Canada.

Do you use any visuals for inspiration? (or anything else!) 

Yes, I love to have pictures of the characters and the places they are to help with description and so that I can ‘see’ them/the place in my mind better as I write.

 How do you get through the “murky middle” of your novel? 

Blow something up!

 When do you revise and why?

I don’t revise everyday.  I send my work off to critique partners who read and then return.  Once I have a good chunk of the book done I’ll look at their suggestions and start revising until I’m caught up, then repeat the process.  That way I’m not slowing down in momentum of the story to revise.  I need to get it out so I can then go back and make it readable.

Do you have a writing group, or a trusted reader for your novels?

I’ve had several critique partners over the years.  I have three that I partner with consistently. We used to meet in person once a week but now with track changes it’s much easier to do the critiquing over the Internet.

 What have you learned about your method of writing after publishing your book(s)? Has it changed? If so, how? 

The biggest thing is that I have a process.  I need to honor that process not fight against it.  It’s not the same process as anyone else and that’s okay.

What advice about a writing method would you give to any new writer?

Find your voice, find your process and honor them.  Protect the work—whatever that means for YOU.  For me, it means not giving into temptation to watch TV instead of write, or go out to lunch or let family intrude on my writing time.

 Is there anything you would like to add about writing?

It’s a hard business.  There are lots of ups and downs.  A successful writer needs perseverance and persistence.

 

Rhonda Gibson lives in New Mexico with her husband, James. She has two children and two beautiful grandchildren. Reading is something she has enjoyed her whole life, and writing stemmed from that love. When she isn’t writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, beading and playing with her dog, Sheba. She speaks at conferences and local writing groups. You can visit her at her website or blog, where she enjoys chatting with readers and friends online. Rhonda hopes her writing will entertain, encourage and bring others closer to God. Visit Rhonda at www.rhondagibson.net

What time of the day do you write best and why?

I’d have to say mid-day. I tend to want to play online too much when I first go out to write.

How long do you write every day when you have a deadline looming?

At least three hours

How long do you write every day when you don’t have a deadline looming and why?

I write two hours; usually that’s how long it takes me to get my word count in.

How do you begin writing a novel?

I make a header with my name, address, phone number. That way I don’t start with a blank page. Then I try to imagine some sort of action or dialogue from one of my main characters that will get the story started. That beginning will change sometimes but it gets me going.

Are you a before you ever write your novel planner? If so, how do you plan? Do you use any outlines, books, formats when you plan your novel?

I have learned to be a planner. I start off with a story idea and then start a synopsis/outline of the story. Often times I will go to history books as I write the synopsis, that helps me keep the story rolling.

Where  did the idea come from for the novel you are working on right now?

 I truly believe God inspires all my stories. This book is part of a series of books that spin off of my last book, His Chosen Bride.

Do you use any visuals for inspiration? (or anything else?)

I use maps a lot!

How do you get through the “murky middle” of your novel? 

Remember that synopsis I mentioned earlier? It’s a lifesaver. It and I have some type of action going on so that I don’t get bogged down in the characters everyday life 

Do you revise every day? If so, how do you organize your revising? What is your revision technique?

Yes, I read over what I’ve done the previous day and then tweak what I’ve already written. This is helpful for revising but also to get me back into my story.

Do you have a writing group, or a trusted reader for your novels? If so, how does that work? Do you meet weekly, or only when you have a novel due? Do you share your materials online or in person?

I have a couple of people that I read for and they read for me. Usually I send them my complete story when I’m done. If I get behind on my deadline, I sent them several chapters at a time so that we finish at the same time and I make my deadline.

What have you learned about your method of writing after publishing your book(s)? Has it changed? If so, how?

My method has changed. When I first sold I was a non-planner. Now I do my synopsis/outline and the writing goes smoother.

What advice about a writing method would you give to any new writer?

Everyone is different. Find what works for you and go with that. You might be able to write a whole book without a synopsis and write the synopsis last. I will tell you, that you must study the craft of writing. Someone will have a method of writing that will work for you. And if you don’t enjoy the way you are writing now, change it.

Is there anything you would like to add about writing?

Discover what it is about writing that you find enjoyable and do that because writing has to be fun! At least for me it has to be 

 

Leigh Bale is an award-winning, multi-published novelist who won the prestigious RWA Golden Heart in 2006.  More recently, she was a finalist for the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence.  She is the daughter of a retired U.S. forest ranger, holds a B.A. in History with honors and loves spending time with family, weeding the garden with her dog Sophie, and watching the little sagebrush lizards that live in her rock flowerbeds.

Married in 1981 to the love of her life, Leigh and her professor husband have two wonderful children and two grandchildren.  But life has not always been rosy.  In 1996, Leigh’s seven year-old daughter was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.  In the dark years that followed, God never abandoned them.  After six surgeries, two hundred and eighty-four stitches, a year of chemo, and a myriad of other difficulties, Leigh’s daughter is now a married woman and considered less than 1% survivorship in the world for her type of tumor.  Life is good!

Truly the Lord has blessed Leigh’s family.  She now transfers the love and faith she’s known into the characters of her stories.  Readers who have their own trials can find respite within the uplifting message of Leigh’s books.  You can reach Leigh at www.LeighBale.com.

What time of the day do you write best and why? –

In the morning and afternoon.

How long do you write every day when you have a deadline looming?

Until I’ve met my page count for the day. Whether I’ve got distractions or don’t feel like writing, I have to do it. Writing is like any other job. You have a contract and get paid for it, so you must produce the work.

 

 

How long do you write every day when you don’t have a deadline looming and why? 

These days, I always have a contract looming.  But when I don’t, I’m working on a new proposal package, so I tend to keep writing my same number of pages, as if I were on contract.  This is because I’m eager to get the proposal finished and sent off to my editor, so I can get under contract again.  That’s how you make your money.  🙂

How do you begin writing a novel? 

I tend to need the first 3 chapters to be completed and in good order before I can proceed with the rest of the book.  Every once in awhile, I’ll write a scene out of order if it’s good and I know what I want to do.  But I really need those first three chapters to set the stage for the rest of the book.  Then, I write the synopsis, to give me the full picture of main turning points and the ending.  I don’t bury the synopsis in tons of detail as that is also my selling tool to give to my editor.  Just the core happenings of how the book will go, including the internal and external conflict, the romantic conflict, and the faith conflict (because it’s generally an inspirational story with a faith element in the book).  Once I have those first 3 chapters written and have sold the book, I use my synopsis as the road map; because my editor bought that.  So, I stick to it unless a new and better way of ending the story comes to light.  Then, I call my editor to tell her about it.  That’s happened once or twice, and both times, my editor said to go ahead and make the change because it would make the book stronger.

If you aren’t a planner, is there a point in writing the novel that you stop, look back and plan? If so, what is your method for doing so?

Again, my 5-9 page synopsis is my road map.  Because I’m on deadline, I don’t have a lot of time to go back and plan each and every chapter.  But the synopsis is my basic guideline and then I just write the book according to the twists and turns I included in the synopsis.  Occasionally, I’ve written too long a book, or too short.  I’ve learned not to panic about that.  I’ll fix that when I’m completed the full book and then go back through in my revision process.  I’ve learned to trust myself on that.  Once I have a finished book, I then put it aside for 1-2 weeks while a critique partner reads through it.  I then go and start working on the next book.  And when I come back in, I just start reading from start to finish and editing anything that isn’t smooth, doesn’t make sense, is in the wrong place, should be clarified more, etc.  And every time, the book ends up falling within the correct word count my editor needs for the pre-shaped cover flats to fit around the book.  I think sometimes as writers, we tend to over-compensate in our process and it confuses and muddles us.  If we just trust our gut, write and then revise the book, don’t panic, just duck your head and do the work, it all comes out okay.  But that said, it does take work.  🙂

Where  did the idea come from for the novel you are working on right now?

I’ve just finished the 8th book in a series of Forest Ranger stories.  This book will be coming out in October 2014 and is titled “The Forest Ranger’s Christmas.”  My father is a retired forest ranger and has served as my consultant on these books.  It’s been a blast writing them, although a lot of heavy research.  I was in the shopping mall one day and saw a billboard about a man who was 70 years old and had just learned to read.  I also happened to be wanting to write a Christmas story with a forest ranger in it.  And voila! I came up with the idea to put them all together.  It’s a poignant, sweet story I think anyone can relate to.  Stay tuned and check out my website in October.  I’ll be doing a Goodreads giveaway and some other giveaways.  If you like, feel free to sign up for my newsletter over on my website and I’ll give you more information as we get closer to the date.  But most of all, enjoy!
Do you use any visuals for inspiration? (or anything else!)

My visuals tend to be actual forest rangers, wild horses, herds of domestic sheep, wild Big Horn Sheep, Sage Grouse, Hotshot Wildfire fighters, etc.  My stories have dealt with a variety of very real life situations.  It’s been a blast.
 How do you get through the “murky middle” of your novel?

I try to remember the natural flow of events and how my story will need to roll out in order to reach the satisfying ending I have planned for the book.  I’ve fought that a time or two, but have to bring myself back to what needs to happen.  By the time I’m in the middle of a book, the characters have made themselves known and I just know they would or wouldn’t do certain things.  I sustain the friction between them, find ways to deepen that, to bring other elements to light, or to show them experiencing a very difficult situation where they need help.  I try to remember that the middle of the book is what must be very grueling on my hero and heroine, so that by the end of the book, they can reach a “growth” point to have an “ah-hah” moment and “grow” and become the best person they can be.  Because I write romance, the characters always recognize that they’re a better person because they’re with the hero or heroine.  Love is what makes them a better person.
Do you revise every day? If so, how do you organize your revising? What is your revision technique?

I tend to write a chapter, then read back over it, chip away, clean up, add texture such as sight, smell, touch, hearing, etc., then I move on to the next chapter.  So, by this means, you could say I edit as I write.  But once the book is complete, I put it aside for a couple of weeks as I stated above, then I come in with “fresh” eyes and revise the entire book.  Since I’m on deadline, I don’t have time for more than that.  But I am a fairly clean writer.  That saves a lot of angst when I have to revise.  The book is already fairly free of spelling errors and mucky punctuation.
If you don’t revise every day, when do you revise and why?

I revise at the end of the book, when it’s all done and my critique partners have taken a look through.  They see things I may not catch.  At this point, I also like to print out the entire book in a hard copy and read through that.  I don’t know why, but for some reason you can really pick up on problems when you’re reading from a paper manuscript versus reading from a computer screen.  I also read some passages out loud to myself, to see how they sound.  Your ear can really pick up on problems, too.  These are a variety of techniques I go through before I say “it’s as good as I can get it at this point,” and I then email it off to my editor.  And then, of course, she and a copy editor will each edit the book and send me back lots of suggested changes to make the book even stronger.  So, before my books hit the shelves for readers to buy, it’s gone through a lot of revision work.  Only the best will do for my readers.  🙂
Do you have a writing group, or a trusted reader for your novels? If so, how does that work? Do you meet weekly, or only when you have a novel due? Do you share your materials online or in person? –

Ages ago, I had multiple critique partners.  I just don’t have time for that anymore.  Now, I have a couple of critique partners to read for me whom I really trust.  If I’m working on a particularly difficult book, I have another very professional critique partner I can go to for help, but she usually doesn’t have time to read through the entire book.  Just some big trouble spots, or the first three chapters, to ensure I’m on target.  I’ve learned how to critique for myself…that just happens over time as you get to be a stronger writer, but there are always things I can’t “see” because I think I’m too close to my own project.  So, I always have my book read through by at least one of my close critique partners.  They’re fast and can get the book back to me within a week, so they are gems.

What have you learned about your method of writing after publishing your book(s)? Has it changed? If so, how?

I used to be what I call a “plodding plotter.”  i.e. I plodded along cumbersomly by plotting every little thing.  But then, once I was on contract, I was also working a day job, had a family and home and church obligations to tend to, so I couldn’t plot anymore.  I had to hit the floor running.  Hence, I learned to get my first 3 chapters formed very nicely, then get the synopsis in very good shape, and then write as a pantser, going along logically to build the emotion and angst of my characters as they find their own happy resolutions.  Sometimes necessity forces us to develop a more efficient process.  I didn’t have a choice.  If I want to write books and have at least 2 new books out per year, I’ve got to jump in and just write.
What advice about a writing method would you give to any new writer?

Trust yourself more.  Trust your instincts.  Trust that, after you’ve written the book and go back through to revise it, you’ll know what isn’t working.  And remember: No lazy work.  If any part of you clenches and says, “Oh, I think that will be okay.”  Stop right there!  That is the moment you know it isn’t okay and you need to change it.  You can make this better.  You can write it a different way.  Take the time to clean it up, make it stronger, do it better, before you send the book into your editor.  I guarantee that will pay dividends when you get another contract, or your first contract.  Because you have no lazy writing.
 Is there anything you would like to add about writing?

It is the most amazing, grueling, cruel, beautiful, hard, wonderful, satisfying, depressing profession a person can ever have.  If you stay in the business long enough, you’ll earn it.  I guarantee.  But I think you’ll also look back and say, “Yes, the price I paid to be an author was so worth it.”

 

 

 

 

Karen Kirst was born and raised in East Tennessee near the Great Smoky

Mountains. She attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where she

received a B.A. in Speech Communication. A lifelong lover of books, it wasn’t

until after college that she had the grand idea to write one herself. The

pursuit of her dream would take longer than she first anticipated…years, in

fact. In the fall of 2010, she got the happy news that Harlequin Love Inspired

Historicals wanted to publish her manuscript-a true blessing from God. Now she

divides her time between being a wife, homeschooling mom, and romance

writer. She and her husband, along with their three boys, recently said goodbye to military life and are thrilled to be back home in Tennessee. Visit Karen at www.karenkirst.com

What time of the day do you write best and why?

Mornings and afternoons are better for me than evenings. My mind is fresher and more alert.

 How long do you write every day when you have a deadline looming?

I consider myself a slow writer, so the answer to that is hours. I push myself until I can’t write another word that day.

 How long do you write every day when you don’t have a deadline looming and why?

About 2-4 hours. I’m not someone who could sit for eight hours straight and write. I have to take breaks throughout the day.

 How do you begin writing a novel? 

I start thinking up the hero and heroine and the plot or hook I’m going to use, i.e. secret baby or boss/employee. Then I do character interviews in order to really get to know them. After that, I write out a detailed synopsis.

 Are you a before you ever write your novel planner? If so, how do you plan? Do you use any outlines, books, formats when you plan your novel?

I’m a planner. I sit down to write the synopsis and explore scene by scene, including snippets of conversation. This provides a roadmap for the book. I don’t always stick exactly to the plan.

Where  did the idea come from for the novel you are working on right now?

I’m in the middle of an eight book series, so my current hero/heroine were secondary characters in previous books. Their story sort of evolved from those. But I’m inspired by all sorts of things…songs, music videos, news articles. You look at something and ask yourself, what if? What if this happened or that happened or if I changed it in this way?

 Do you use any visuals for inspiration? (or anything else!)

Since my historical series is set in the Smoky Mountains, I look through books about the area and get inspired by the photos. I research plants, trees, wildlife that exist in the area and try to incorporate those things in the books. It helps that I live close enough to tour the log cabins, churches and barns that stood in the late 1800s.

  How do you get through the “murky middle” of your novel? 

I’ve never understood that problem. I look at a story as a linear timeline and progression of events. I don’t see a story as beginning, middle and end. So when I sit down to write the synopsis, I start out at a place in time and think how each scene moves the time and story forward.

 Do you revise every day? If so, how do you organize your revising? What is your revision technique?

Mostly I write the scenes as best I can and wait until the end to read through the entire manuscript and do full-scale edits. Sometimes, if I’m not confident with the direction of the story, I’ll go back and read through to make sure the relationship is progressing at a sensible pace.

Do you have a writing group, or a trusted reader for your novels? If so, how does that work? Do you meet weekly, or only when you have a novel due? Do you share your materials online or in person?

I don’t have a critique partner. If time permits, I have a few trusted readers to read through and give me feedback.

  What have you learned about your method of writing after publishing your book(s)? Has it changed? If so, how?

I think what I need to work on, even at this point, is not to try and make it perfect during the first draft. Trying to edit while creating will stifle the process.

Is there anything you would like to add about writing?

The most important thing I’ve learned is to educate yourself before sitting down to write. Decide what genre you want to pursue and study it. Read current books to get a feel for what’s being published. Then study craft books and learn how to plot, create characters and conflict, etc. This will save you a lot of frustration. Good luck!
Karen Kirst

 

Patricia Johns writes from Alberta, Canada where the winters are long and cold and the summers are hot and buggy–the perfect combination for getting a lot of writing done! Her first Love Inspired novel is her 13th published novel.

What time of the day do you write best and why?

I best write in the morning. I’m the mother of a 6 year old boy, so by the time the evening comes along, I’m completely wiped. If I’m going to write, the earlier the better!

How long do you write every day when you have a deadline looming?

I don’t have any other hobbies, I’m afraid, so I’m pretty much *always* working on a book in some form or another. I might not be always typing on a manuscript. I might be updating my author page on social networking, or researching something, or trying to think through a scene before I write it… But it’s a constant.

How long do you write every day when you don’t have a deadline looming and why?

If I have a deadline looming, I do a lot of negotiating with my family for writing time. “Tell you what, honey, you take him to the park so I can write, and then I’ll put him to bed while you go to the gym.” When a deadline is looming, I’ll write just as long as my brain will cooperate.

How do you begin writing a novel? 

I’m a planner. I start a novel by sitting down and plotting the entire book and deciding exactly what will happen in each chapter. Plotting is helpful, because that way I can keep writing, even when I’m not inspired with new ideas. I can look at my outline, know where I am in the story, and just keep on writing.

Where  did the idea come from for the novel you are working on right now? 

My current WIP is a combination of a few ideas. Where did it come from? I never know how to answer that! It’s a matter of combining a few things that interest me into a plot that will interest my readers. I wish I could give you a process. I generally happens while I stare at walls.

 Do you use any visuals for inspiration? (or anything else!)

A friend of mind recently asked me why I’d rather write than go out and do the things I write about, and I didn’t have a great answer for that. I only really need to do something once for research. Anything more than that is just wasting good writing time. LOL

 How do you get through the “murky middle” of your novel? 

Perseverance. Sit down. Type.

Do you revise every day? If so, how do you organize your revising? What is your revision technique?

I revise at the end. I might smooth things over a bit as I write, but I want to get the whole story down before I put time into editing. It’s hard to edit without knowing what the book looks like as a whole.

Do you have a writing group, or a trusted reader for your novels? If so, how does that work? Do you meet weekly, or only when you have a novel due? Do you share your materials online or in person?

No, I don’t. I’m very much a loner in my writing process. I’m not sure if that is a good thing to recommend or not, but I don’t like writer’s groups. Unless it’s the kind of writer’s group where you get together to chat and gab and get a mental break with someone who gets it, but hands off my novel! 😉

 What have you learned about your method of writing after publishing your book(s)? Has it changed? If so, how?

My first Harlequin novel which came out last summer is my 13th published novel, so it’s been a while since my first book came out. My method had certainly developed over the last decade, but it’s a slow learning process about what editors want and how to provide it.

 What advice about a writing method would you give to any new writer?

I would say to find what works for you. I’m a big planner, but I know successful writers who just can’t be inspired that way. Use whatever helps you to put words on paper and to move forward in your story. It’s all about the discipline. Write every day! It’s too easy to get side tracked by life, so your book has to be your priority.

 Is there anything you would like to add about writing?

I know a lot of people who like the idea of the writing lifestyle. In their minds, there are a lot of coffee shops, deep thoughts, a flexible schedule and artistic clothing. That isn’t writing. If you take all of the creative energy that goes into creating the writer’s lifestyle and pour that into your writing, you’ll come out the other side with a completely manuscript. THAT will make you a writer, and every wanna-be writer who sits around drinking a latte thinking a deep thought will be a full manuscript behind you. If you want to write, then write. Worry about the lifestyle once you’ve earned the right to it. You’ll have my personal respect, too!

If you have any questions or just want a little encouragement, come by my blog and contact me. Http://PatriciaJohnsRomance.com. I’ll be sure to respond!

 

James Joyce. Ernest Hemmingway. Stephen King. Joyce Carol Oates. Willa Cather.

What do these writers have in common, besides the fact that they are famous, prolific writers?

They write (or wrote) every day.

Stephen King: ten pages per day.

Ernest Hemmingway: 500 words.

James Joyce: sometimes just three sentences. But it took him many hours to perfect those three sentences.

Joyce Carol Oates: 45 minutes (if she’s teaching that day), (3 hours if she is not).

As a writer myself, I am unfashionably curious about the habits of other working writers.

So, I asked the working writers I know a series of questions about their personal writing habits.

I hope you will enjoy reading their stories, and I hope it will inspire your own writing.

Today’s featured writer is Katy Lee. As an inspirational romantic-suspense author, Katy Lee writes higher-purpose stories with high-speed suspense. Through her writing, ministry work, and teaching, Katy dedicates her life to sharing tales of love—from the “greatest love story ever told”, to the sweet romantic tales of falling in love.  Katy and her husband are lifelong New Englanders, and have been known to travel far and wide on a whim with their three adventuresome children.   Connect with Katy anytime at www.KatyLeeBooks.com.  There you will see her Facebook and Twitter links to connect with her further.

I asked Katie a few questions about her writing process. Here are her answers.

What time of the day do you write best and why?

In the evening, but I plot my next scene during the day, so when I sit down in my chair, I’m ready to go.

How long do you write every day when you have a deadline looming?

I’m good for about three hours before my brain is fried.

How long do you write every day when you don’t have a deadline looming and why?

1 ½ – 2 hours. (About 1,000 words)

How do you begin writing a novel?

Prayer. I ask God what message He wants me to share. Then I create the characters who will deliver that message the best.

Are you a before you ever write your novel planner? If so, how do you plan? Do you use any outlines, books, formats when you plan your novel?

Story boards, using Goal, Motivation, and Conflict, as well as the Hero’s Journey outline.

Where did the idea come from for the novel you are working on right now?

I take certain shows I like to watch and ask what if? This Old House is up next.

Do you use any visuals for inspiration? (or anything else!)

I will find pictures for my main characters and setting to keep me on track.

How do you get through the “murky middle” of your novel?

I try not to make them murky. That’s the time for some excitement and plot twists.

Do you revise every day? If so, how do you organize your revising? What is your revision technique?

I might go back and read through what I wrote the day before, but I don’t dwell on piddly stuff. That can come later. I get the framework done first.

If you don’t revise every day, when do you revise and why?

When the story is complete, I will read through it twice before sending to my editor.

Do you have a writing group, or a trusted reader for your novels? 

I do not have a critique group, but do have a writer’s group I can bounce brainstorming ideas off of.

 What have you learned about your method of writing after publishing your book(s)? Has it changed? If so, how?

I was always afraid of plotting. I thought it would take the creative process away from me. I’ve learned that’s not true. In fact, my stories get done faster and cleaner with plotting.

What advice about a writing method would you give to any new writer?

Join a professional writer’s group.

 Is there anything you would like to add about writing?

Not everyone is going to support you. Let their comments roll off your back and keep writing.

Tomorrow, writer Patricia Johns will share her writing habits. 

 

Every morning my lifelong friend, Michelle,  awakens to the light just before dawn. She takes her coffee out onto her reading porch overlooking the herb and flower garden she and her husband lovingly planted. Beyond the garden she can see placid waters of Philips Lake.

Michelle sips her coffee, watches the sun rise turning the lake waters pink and lovely, and says a thank you prayer. She opens her Bible and her daily devotional.  She reads her Bible then writes in her prayer journal. This is a habit she has practiced for twenty five years, and one that was passed down to her from her grandmother and mother, and probably women of faith for many generations before.

After writing in her journal and praying, Michelle takes time for her passion: novel reading. She picks up the latest Love Inspired novel. On some mornings she travels back in time with a Love Inspired Historical, on other mornings, she reads an edge-of-her-seat suspense. On many mornings, she reads the sweetly uplifting  contemporaries marketed as simply Love Inspired.

Michelle reads the Love Inspired Line—and recommends them to her daughter–because Love Inspired novels tell the stories of men and women of faith who struggle with real issues and do their best to walk the sometimes difficult walk of faith. These are Bible reading, church going, praying characters.

So why is it that when I told a friend of mine at church that I write for Harlequin’s inspirational line he said,

“Isn’t that an oxymoron?”

As if writing for an imprint of Harlequin can mean only one thing: sizzling sex.
I wasn’t exactly sure how to respond. I’m a writer, not a speaker, and while my husband would have been quick to respond with something witty and true, I had nothing.

Here is what I know. The writers I know who write for the Love Inspired line are women of faith who write books to uplift and inspire.

When I asked some of the top writers of the line why they write for love inspired, here is what they said.

Award winning writer, Margaret Daly, author of over 92 books, says this about writing for Love Inspired:

Love Inspired books are about people of faith facing trials and tribulations with the strength of their faith behind them. It’s about the struggles to believe in the middle of bad times and come out stronger.

I love showing how people use their faith to solve problems and deal with difficult situations with grace.

My heroines sometimes face life and death situations but always depend on God as their refuge and strength.

 

Writer Linda Ford, author of over twenty-five books for Love Inspired, whose own faith journey includes raising fourteen children—four of whom she gave birth to—says this about writing for Love Inspired

Love Inspired Historicals are faith-based historical stories published under the HQ umbrella. They are a good, clean read without sex or bad language and the stories promote Christian values.

I like writing these stories because they give me the chance to show faith in action, to show how love triumphs and gives a happy ever after. My client reads them and says he wishes life could work out like that. I point out that we are in the midst of our story and life will work out for us. We will be part of the best happy ever after there could be.

I tend to write 2 very different kinds of heroines. The first type would be like Sybil in Winning Over the Wrangler (Mar. 2014 release). She is sweet, a little bit shy and unaware of how strong and bold she can be until she is challenged by the hero and what he brings into her life. The second kind of heroine is like Mercy in my May 2014 release, Falling For the Rancher Father. She is bold, brave, and often goes against societal rules. The first heroine needs awakening. But Mercy needs taming.  I think both kinds of heroine are suitable to LIH romances because I think there is a little of both in most of us and through reading about these heroines, we can be empowered to be better, more whole heroines in our own life story.

 

Debra Clopton, whose novel Operation: Married by Christmas has been optioned for an ABC Family Movie, starring Leeann Rimes,  epitomizes the teaching of Jesus that we “go into the world” to take the message of his redeeming love, not simply to the tabernacles.

According to Debra, Harlequin does a wonderful job with the Love Inspired Line. They have extremely strict guidelines for the line, more restricted than most “Christian Lines”. They require a Christian Worldview that enables us to write to a broad audience.

Love Inspired was my target publisher to write for because I wanted my books in Walmart sitting up there on the shelves with the sexy books, not hidden in the Christian bookstores and in the Christian sections of Barns and Noble. I wanted my books to have a shot at being picked up from someone who might not normally read a Christian book. While there are a few topics that are too controversial to write about, for the most part I’m free to write my books about anything I choose. My books are heartfelt, with humor, and seriousness combined. I’ve written about the heartache of widowhood and second chances, I’ve written about having a drug addicted family member, I’ve written about brokenheartedness, redemption, starting over new and the struggle to leave a tainted past behind. Any subject that the Lord lays on my heart I’ve been able to tackle. I love it! And all in a book that can be read in as little as a day if someone chose to.

I am known for my spunky characters who sometimes don’t say the right thing. I write strong women because I hope to encourage women who don’t stand up for themselves to do so. This is what the Lord has laid on my heart to do. I love the reader mail I receive.

 

And writer Pat Macdonald (writing as Patricia Davids) agrees that we are to go into the world and be the “voice in the wilderness” for those who are hurting:
I never limit myself to pitching the Love Inspired line to women of faith.  I want a much broader audience. I want the woman or girl who doesn’t think of herself as religious to pick up my book and find a spark, one that triggers an interest, and maybe she’ll begin a search in her own life for what my characters have. My goal is to entertain and inspire. Love Inspired books are sold in Wal-Marts and grocery stores, they aren’t limited to Christian bookstores. If we are only preaching to the choir, what’s the point?

Okay, I admit some members of the choir need to hear the message, too, but you see what I mean.

I write for LI because it’s a good fit for my voice. I don’t write sexy well, it isn’t my style. I write sweet well and faith well because that’s who I am.

I don’t have perfect heroines or heroes. My characters are ordinary people dealing with challenges, loss, and shortcomings. They have doubts. My heroines are recovering alcoholics, unwed mothers, abused women and women facing life-altering choices. My editor will tell you that she has to rein me in and keep me from being too “gritty.”

But in spite of the problems my heroines face, or because of them, their faith grows. Because I write love stories, my heroes help their women become stronger and vice versa.

 *

The Love Inspired line of books is stocked by retailers such as Walmart and Kmart, among others, all over the country and, in some cases, all over the world.

The books are reviewed by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, USA Today, Romantic Times and are marketed in both print and digital formats.

They sell well as evidenced by the fact that each line has doubled the number of titles it releases every month in the last five years.

While the shelf life for the print books is short—only four weeks, unless they sell out before—the digital books are there until, well, until digital books stop being there.

The LI line began in 2000. It added the Love Inspired Suspense line in 2005 and the Love Inspired Historical line in 2008.

The Writer’s Guidelines for the authors of Love Inspired books are very specific: books must be faith based, but without proselytizing. The books must be based on love stories that are driven by emotional not physical desire.

In other words, the books are completely “G” rated. No drinking, no cussing and no fornicating.

Love Inspired heroines must make tough life choices. They are women to be admired who fight their way through difficult situations, and are rewarded with love. Thus the title of the line, Love Inspired. But not just the love of a man.

The  “love” in the “Love Inspired” title line is not just about male-female love. It’s also about a loving God, an ever present help in times of trouble, a God of peace, a God who is personal and dependable when people themselves sometimes  aren’t.

And that’s at the heart of the line. Our heroines are women of faith who know what it is to struggle, who know what it is to doubt, who know what it is to fear. But our heroines also know what it is to trust a God who is real, who not just forgives but forgets our mistakes, and whose love is everlasting.

 

 

More Writers and Why they Write for Love Inspired

Sandra Orchard says she writes Love Inspired Suspense novels because they are fast-paced, keep-you-guessing stories, with a generous dash of sweet romance between Christian characters trying to live out their faith. Or as my readers describe them…nice to read books with no sex, swear words or graphic violence. I love writing for Love Inspired Suspense, because they publish affordable books that readers can finish in an evening or two. I also love that they are available (in the month of release) in stores like Walmart and grocery stores, where friends, family and others who would never go to a Christian bookstore to buy a book might pick it up and read it and hopefully be inspired to think more deeply about their own beliefs and values and faith, and how they live it out in their day-to-day choices.

My favorite heroine was Kim Corbett from Shades of Truth. She works at a Christian-run youth detention center called Hope Manor, a center she’s struggling to save from being closed that it might continue to provide guidance and light to those whose  young lives are already pretty messed up. Kim’s character was inspired by the experiences shared by a woman who works at a facility much like Hope Manor.

 

Christina Rich writes for the line because the books inspire and encourage women to overcome obstacles in their lives through faith in God. I discovered Love Inspired before I became published and I knew I wanted to write for them. Writing for them became my dream because they provided good, clean fiction with a romance thread affordable for the single income family.

I tend to fall in love with each of my hero and heroines, but since my debut, The Guardian’s Promise, comes out in March Sh’mira has a special place in my heart. Although set in 835 BC, Sh’mira is the perfect LI hero because she deals with many of the things women today deal with; self-worth, trust and forgiveness.

 

Author Lori Beatty says Love Inspired  books are like Hallmark movies. The stories are about the relationship between the characters who each have a faith journey that must be resolved before the true love can happen. I explain that the characters face many of the challenges most Christians do and the content is clean and uplifting.

I like writing stories that speak to other believers. I like sharing my own faith discoveries through my characters in hopes that they will encourage readers. I like being part of the long history of Harlequin and Love Inspired. I love the other writers who are always there to give advice and support.

My character Laura Durrant from Restoring His Heart my June 2013 release, is a restorationist and carpenter who owns her own company. She is smart strong, and determined, but like many of us she has baggage she hasn’t dealt with and strongholds she needs to tear down. When she’s thrown together with an unlikely hero she learns valuable lessons about herself and judging others – the way we all do at times.

Love Inspired books are available through Amazon, Harlequin.com, BarnesandNobel.com, Walmart.com and Booksamillion.com.