It's my pleasure to have author, Kathryne Kennedy, visiting Over Coffee again. I truly enjoy having authors visit, of course, but one the added benefit of this blog is being able to have those authors whose books I love to read. I love vivid worlds peopled by unforgettable characters and settings. Kathryne's books always provide me with an escape into a new place. Her stories are better than Calgon at taking away, lol!
I have to admit, I wondered about her writing process. She graciously shares with us her greatest challenge in telling her stories.
Thank you so much, Sia, for having me here today. It’s such a pleasure to talk with you and your readers once again! I’m looking forward to responding to the comments.
Today I thought I’d share one of my biggest challenges in telling a story, and I hope both readers and writers find it helpful.
I often find that the biggest challenge I face in telling a story is in how I write. I admire writers who can write anywhere, under any circumstances. But for me, I have to have total focus on my story and characters, and distractions can make that difficult.
A reader once told me “You paint pictures with words.” It made me really look at how I sit down and write a story. I always have a general idea of the plot—where the story will take me—and I have a general idea of my character’s strengths and weaknesses. But the story itself unfolds as I write, and I have to see each scene in my head—I have to be in that scene—before I can get it down in words. If I can’t visualize it, I can’t write about it. I can’t pass along that vision to my reader.
It kinda works the same way with my characters. I have to get back into their heads before they can move forward in a scene. Their personalities grow with each page and any decision or action they take is based on their choices, not mine. So even something as minor as walking across a room, or as major as making love, has to be in their character, with their motivation and purpose.
So what happens when I can’t find my focus? When other issues (like life) cloud my thinking? I’ve found several things that help:
- I read my last few pages, allowing me to immerse myself back into the scene or characters. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll go back even farther, until I truly empathize with my characters again, and am living back in their world.
- I make a list of all the things that are demanding my time or mental energy, put it aside with the promise that I will get to each issue after I write my goal for the day. This helps focus my full attention back on my writing.
- If I’m facing the end of a scene and am not sure where to go next, I go back to my original outline for the general plot, and that gives me back my direction.
- I help myself the day before. When I’m immersed, the ideas start flowing. So before I stop writing for the day, I’ll put short notes right where I've left off, telling what will happen next in the scene.
- If I’m having a truly difficult time facing the keyboard, I give myself permission to stare at a blank screen. I do not have to write anything. I will just sit down and stare at the screen. This relieves the pressure, and my mind and fingers have yet to fail to get something written for that day…even though I don’t ‘have’ to.
- If you’re a writer and share my challenges, I hope you’ve found some of my solutions helpful, and I sure would like to hear any you might like to add.
- If you’re a reader, I hope this post helps you to understand what my writing process is like, and I’d love to hear what you think.
THE LADY OF THE STORM BY KATHRYNE KENNEDY—IN STORES AUGUST 2011
Giles is bound to protect her...
In a kingdom viciously ruled by warlike elven lords, village blacksmith Giles Beaumont reluctantly swears to protect the half-elf, half-human Cecily Sutton, never dreaming that he will fall under her enchanting spell.
But duty soon turns to desire...
When Cecily's father disappears, Cecily and Giles set out to find him. But, as their journey unfolds, duty is quickly replaced by desire—and the search for Cecily's father leads to a magical destiny that could end the rule of the elven lords forever...Excerpt. BOOK TRAILER
THE LADY OF THE STORM is a great read for those who love epic fantasy romance... love story between two strong-minded people set against the backdrop of intrigue, magic,
and incredible danger.
“Fantastical creatures, magical spells, lengthy quests, angst, and passion will satisfy readers looking for a romance plot in a well-developed fantasy setting.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Kennedy’s exquisite world building and terrific plotting make this a must-read.”
—Booklist Starred Review
Buy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders, BooksAMillion,
Chapters/Indigo, Kathryne’s Bookseller Directory
The publisher is giving away two copies of The Lady Of The Storm, to two commenters on today's blog. Limited to the US and Canada. IF you want to be entered into the drawing for her book, please contact me at siamckye@gmail.com with your contact info. Thank you!
Chapters/Indigo, Kathryne’s Bookseller Directory
The publisher is giving away two copies of The Lady Of The Storm, to two commenters on today's blog. Limited to the US and Canada. IF you want to be entered into the drawing for her book, please contact me at siamckye@gmail.com with your contact info. Thank you!
