Behind The Scenes: A Series

I’m getting ready to start fresh on another book. This time, it’s the second book in my upcoming Amish Mysteries which I’ll be writing under my professional name, Laura Bradford. The first book–HEARSE AND BUGGY–will hit store shelves on June 5th. At that time, readers will be introduced to my main character (Claire Weatherly), her aunt (Diane Weatherly), Esther (my main Amish girl), and others. They’ll also begin to get familiar with the town of Heavenly, PA, where this series will take place. But by the time readers are reading this first book, I’ll have already turned in the second.

I’ve also written two complete novels since I turned in this first book (# 7 in the Southern Sewing Circle series and a romance). So, for me, this “first week” on the job is about getting myself back into Claire’s world. I do this in several ways. First, I look through my note cards on all of the characters, then I sit down and bullet point out what I’d like to happen (both main and sub plots), and, if necessary, I re-read the first book (though, since I just did edits on that in the past six weeks, I think I’m good to go).

For this book, though, I’m also going on a research trip to Lancaster, PA. The reason for this trip is simple. The Amish world is so very different than Sweet Briar, South Carolina (the setting for the Southern Sewing Circle books), and anything I do in my romance novels. The language, the pace, the rules, are all different.

So, next week, I head in that direction with my camera (so I can remember details), a notebook (think pages and pages of notes), and a list of questions/observations I’m going to want to check out that coincide with the plot and the setting/tone. And, since I love this series so much, a whole lot of anticipation.

Any questions about the series or the process?

~Elizabeth

**If you haven’t checked out my “Laura Bradford–author” page on FB, stop by. This is where I’ll be posting updates throughout my research trip next week–sharing some of my pictures and new found knowledge!

Behind The Scenes: A Look At Titles

It’s the moment of truth for me with my latest wip (work in progress).  Which, literally translated, means: it’s Title Ttime.

While the content of a book is important, there’s no denying the part good cover art and a catchy title play, either. For the most part (with the exception of my first three small press books), my covers have been incredible. My cover artist for the Southern Sewing Circle–and my upcoming Amish series–books is, in my opinion, one of the best in the cozy industry. And my romance covers have been good, too.

As far as titles go, I’ve suggested almost all of them…

Did you know that I pitched book # 1 in the Sewing Circle series as PINNED FOR MURDER?  My publisher, however, felt SEW DEADLY was a better kick-off title. As you know, though, I was allowed to use my originally suggested title for book # 3.

Book # 6, which will be released on April 3rd, was pitched as Fatal Pattern. My publisher felt that title was too flat and opted to go with REAP WHAT YOU SEW, instead.

The first book in my upcoming Amish series was pitched as, Shunned to Death, and changed to HEARSE AND BUGGY.

But, considering I have eight published mysteries and another eight on the way, I’m doing pretty good in the title department. Mystery-speaking, of course.

On the romance side, I’m not doing so well with finding titles that stick.  My first romance was pitched as Letter of Love but was changed to KAYLA’S DADDY.  My third romance was pitched as Wishing Ball and changed to MIRACLE BABY. And now the time has come to pitch the name for my fourth romance (due out in October) and I’m sure you can see why I’m rather, um, nervous. The ideas are swirling and I’m beginning to sweat. Not because a title won’t be found, –but because I don’t want one picked for me (I can actually hear my friend, Lynn C., laughing in my head right now). 

So today, in addition to writing, I’ll be jotting down title ideas for my latest romance and hoping one of them will be the one.

~Elizabeth

One is Good, Two is Better

I guess we can call this a two-cover unveiling kind of week…

Voila, the cover of the next book (#6) in my Southern Sewing Circle Series, REAP WHAT YOU SEW! 

So what do you think?

Oh, and while you’re here, if you click on the ”latest news” tab at the top of the page, you’ll find details about my Birthday Contest!

~Elizabeth

A Catch-Up

Today’s blog is all about the update on what’s been going on around my writing world lately…

*I just heard back from my editor (this morning, actually) that she thoroughly enjoyed the Sweet Briar Christmas book I turned in six weeks ago. Which, of course, makes my shoulders feel a bit lighter in response. This book–which will be #7 in the line up–will be out in time for the 2012 holiday season!! 

*A box arrived in the mail last week from Harlequin. Inside the box was the spanish translation of my first romance, KAYLA’S DADDY. So now that book is available in Germany and Spain. Very cool!

*The cover for my first book in my upcoming Amish Mysteries–HEARSE AND BUGGY, is final and I love it! As soon as I get the go ahead, I’ll post its first public sighting right here.   The book will release on June 5th and is written under my regular name, Laura Bradford.

*Now that I just completed first pass edits on book #6–REAP WHAT YOU SEW (release date April 3rd)–and copy edits on HEARSE AND BUGGY, my foreground attention turns to a romance due in January. It’s a special story to me as the heroine suffers from MS, too. It’s also a milestone book for me as it is my 2oth contracted book. Yay!

*Once the romance is written, book #2 of the Amish Mysteries will move from the background to the foreground. And with it, will come an overnight in Lancaster County, PA. Because the Amish world is so different than Sweet Briar, it helps to get in touch with it before my fingers hit the keyboard.

So that’s where I’m at (writing wise) these days. Any questions?

~Elizabeth

Three For One

For today’s Writing Thursday I’m tackling three questions that came in via my Facebook Fan page.

Q#1:  Michelle asks about writer’s block.

A: Michelle, for the most part, when I’m writing, I don’t deal with writer’s block. My time spent in newsrooms never afforded that luxury. Every day we had deadlines and, therefore, we had to produce. That skill has stayed with me into fiction writing. However, there are times when I try to write and I can’t. I’ve found that for me, these instances occur not because I’m blocked but, rather, because I’m trying to take the story in a direction that won’t work. Once I figure out the issue (or correct path), the words start flowing again. Sometimes this means a walk around the block while my brain chews various possibilities. Sometimes it means a bag of candy corn. But I always work through it. 

Q#2:  This one is from Aimee.  What happens when the direction you’ve planned to take your story isn’t working and you need to get it back on track?

A: Aimee, this fits in largely with Michelle’s question and it can be a tough one at times. But the fact that you know your story isn’t working in a particular place is a good thing. It speaks to instincts. And, as a writer, instincts are crucial. So here’s what I suggest… Step back a bit in terms of the actual writing for a day or two (that’s it). Let the story percolate. Hopefully the problem spot will rise to the surface of your brain giving you a place to start. Then attack with what if questions and keep twisting and turning until you have that “Ah-Ha!” moment. It’ll come. Really. Sometimes the changes aren’t as big as you think, fixable with added layers here and there. Sometimes they’re more major. But it’ll be worth it in the end!  Good luck!!!

Q#3:  This one is from Cullum.  I’m curious about how you come up with the weapon and the murder! Do you compile a list of each, or wait untill you’re into the story? 

A: For some reason, I always know who is going to die right off the bat. The murder weapon usually makes sense with the surroundings. It needs to fit with the story. I, personally, don’t use guns and the main reason for that is lack of knowledge, really. There are so many ins and outs of different guns that I don’t want to get it wrong. I prefer things like poisons, strangulations, and throwing folks off cliffs ( )   In DEADLY NOTIONS (book #4), I sat down with a piece of paper and drew up ways the various sewing circle members were related. When I realized that Melissa, Beatrice, and Debbie all had dealings with a child around the same age, I narrowed in on a premise that surrounded Melissa’s daughter’s birthday party (allowing me to involve all three women as well as the rest of the circle in various ways). Because it was an outdoor party, there was a rope swing. A rope swing could be cut down and the rope used for the murder…  Fun question, Cullum!

If you have anymore questions, fire away! 

~Elizabeth 

From A Reader

I thought I’d share a review of DANGEROUS ALTERATIONS with all of you today…

http://sharonsgardenofbookreviews.blogspot.com/2011/11/book-review-dangerous-alterations.html

If you’ve read the book, I’d love to hear what you think! And if you loved it enough to tell others about it, even better!

~Elizabeth

die uberraschung

In the event you’re perplexed by the title of today’s blog (as I would have been had I not looked it up), I’ll help you out…

It’s German for “the surprise.”

Now, while we’re at it, let me give you something else in German:   Ein Liebesbrief mit Folgen

What does that mean, you ask? Well, according to my friend, Joe, it means “A Love Letter with Consequences.” Which–*ahem*–just so happens to be the German title of my 2010 RT Reviewer’s Choice nominated Harlequin American, KAYLA’S DADDY (written under Laura Bradford).

Imagine my surprise when a box arrived in my mailbox two days ago with two copies of my book…in German!! It’s my first-ever foreign translation and it was very, very cool to see! Prior to opening the box, I had no idea a German version was coming, so it was truly an unexpected–and very exciting–surprise!

The book looks quite different in many ways–the cover art, the actual feel of the book, and the font. But it’s KAYLA’S DADDY…and, *ahem*, it’s in German.   What? Did I already say that?

Take a look at the visual difference (cover wise) below:

 Here, on the left, was the Harlequin American edition that released in the United States  and Canada in January 2010.  The book went on to be one of five nominees for RT Magazine’s Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Harlequin American of 2010.  Each year,  48 titles are in contention for this award and only five are nominated (side note: Miracle Baby–also written by yours truly–was one of the five nominees, as well, and actually went on to win the award). 

 On your right, is the same book (with a slightly different title) in German!!!

At least I can read my name…   

Cool, huh?

  ~Elizabeth

 **If you happen to be in the Pocono area of PA, I’ll be talking at the Clymer Library tonight from 5-7 p.m!

This week’s “Writing Thursdays” question comes from Jill D.

Q: How do you come up with the first sentence in your book? To me that would be the hardest sentence in the book. 

A: This is an interesting question, Jill. One that probably would yield a different answer from every author asked. That said, I’m kind of excited to answer this.  As a former journalist (many years ago), I can have all the ideas in the world for my book but I can’t start until I have the perfect opening. For the book. And each chapter. Some authors can skip around–writing a scene that takes place in, say, the middle of the book before tackling an earlier one.  I can’t do that. I write in order from start to finish.

Some writers also have this thing about hitting the reader with a WHAM! type opening sentence. And I’ve read some that are really good. For me, though, I open the book in a way that sets the opening scene yet also reflects my characters–that way, hopefully, new readers will be intrigued enough to keep reading and my regular readers feel as if they’ve come home (and, thus, want to stay…again). Sometimes, on the day I start writing a new book, I can sit in front of the keyboard for hours waiting for the right opening, but once it comes, I’m off an running.

For example, in PINNED FOR MURDER (book 3), the crime centers happens in and around the time that residents of Sweet Briar are cleaning up from a tropical storm. I want my readers to care about this storm damage so I opted to open the book while Tori (my main character) is picking her way through the mess…at the library. A library my readers have come to know and care about.  Yet, if you haven’t ever read any of the books, I hope you still identify with her.

Make sense?

Come to think of it, most (if not all) of my books in this series open in the library. Which makes sense, I guess, because that’s the main character’s environment. What changes if the internal setting of the characters–what’s going on/what they’re dealing with…and opening the book in such a way as to portray that.

Great question, Jill!

Thoughts, anyone? Further questions?

~Elizabeth

Ad (Wo)Man

Have you ever seen an ad campaign for a product and thought, “hmmm. I could do better than that…”

Well, now’s your chance.

Think of a product (destination, food, service, etc) and tell us how you’d spruce up the campaign.

~Elizabeth

Ask Away

For today’s “Writing Thursday,” I’m opening the floor to YOU.

Shoot me a question about writing in general, any of my books (either written or on the horizon), or whatever you feel like asking. If you tend to lurk and not comment, I encourage you to ask, too. It helps me to know you’re out there and blog readers do NOT see your email address so no worries about that.

I’ll be checking throughout the day and will answer any questions in the comment section.

Anyone?

~Elizabeth