Tess Quinn

Today we have Debra St. John talking about her writing life. Let’s see what she has to say about her brainstorming process and what she’s working on right now.



What is your brainstorming process for a new book?



I do a lot of internal thinking-through before putting pen to paper (or fingers to the keyboard!). I let things percolate for a while. After that I’ll jot down notes. Finally I just start writing.



Can you explain your typical work week day?



I wish I had a typical work day when it comes to writing! (LOL) I have a full-time non-writing job, so that takes most of my day. I write at night if I have time or on the weekends. I don’t work in the summer, so I tend to get much more writing done then. I usually get up in the morning and take my laptop out to my back porch. I try to get a couple hours in while I’m still in my jammies!



Tell us about when you made the decision to write.



I’ve wanted to be a writer ever since high school. For a long time it was always hovering in the back of my mind. Then, about fifteen years ago, I decided to get serious about the whole thing. I joined a local writers’ group and tried to learn all I could about becoming a “real” writer. I’ve learned a lot so far, but each day I discover there’s still so much more to learn.



What suggestions do you have for aspiring writers?



Join a writers’ group and/or a GOOD critique group. Enter contests – this is a great way to get feedback on your writing and to possibly get your work in front of editors and agents. Attend conferences – you’ll find a slew of valuable information and make contacts with people in the business.



Tell us about what you’re working on right now and what we can expect from you in the near future.



Right now I’m working on promotion for WILD WEDDING WEEKEND, my latest release, which came out a couple of weeks ago. I also have a manuscript in the pre-galley stage with my editor at The Wild Rose Press. THIS CAN’T BE LOVE should be out later this year. In the midst of that, I’m trying to make headway on my fourth book. It’s coming along, but not as quickly as I’d hoped.



I’m sure you’ll be great, Debra! Thanks for joining us! For those of you who want to know more about Debra, you can check out her website here. Thanks for swinging by! Until next week!



Debra St. John has been reading and writing romance since high school. She always dreamed about publishing a romance novel some day. She lives in a suburb of Chicago with her husband, who is her real life hero. Her debut release, “This Time for Always” is a Champagne Rose and Rosebud bestseller at The Wild Rose Press. “Wild Wedding Weekend” is available now. “This Can’t Be Love” will be her third release from TWRP.

It’s been a while since I’ve typed about my TV show opinions, but then again, it’s been a while since my favorite shows have been on, too. So, without further ado, here are some of my opinions on shows that have recently come out with new episodes. If you haven’t been watching, then SPOILERS ahead! Either way, enjoy!



NCIS update: Ah, Ms. Snow, the Madam of D.C. How you are so much better for Gibbs than that other attorney bitch who just wants Gibbs to suffer. I think it’s great that the show writers are giving Gibbs this romantic interlude. It’s been a while since he’s had a woman. However, I think there are some other characters that deserve to have relationships first: After all, what is going on with Tony and Ziva? After their one night together a couple episodes ago, views are salivating for more, me included. What about McGee? Isn’t he dating someone? He can’t get Abby so shouldn’t he have someone else? And lastly, shouldn’t Ducky be happy? His mother just passed away and he should at least have something to cheer him up. He hasn’t had a romantic relationship that lasted more than one episode in the history of NCIS. Either way, Gibbs gets too much attention here. I do like the Madam Snow twist, but only because I think she’s awesome.



Glee: Glee is back and I have come to the conclusion that all the drama is a bit too much for me. I think I’m just going to fast forward to the songs. It’s totally not fair that Jesse the asshole is playing up Rachel’s emotions. It’s totally a plot point to distract Rachel before regional’s. I plan on writing a letter to the writers of Glee that says, Dear Glee writers: Please keep up with the talent in the show. You’re not giving the characters enough to work with. It’s kind of too predictable.



Bones: OHHHMMYYYGOOODDDDDDDLja;ldfkajdf;adfa. The one hundredth episode? No F*king way. I loved the idea that they were going to sleep together and that they had this attraction right from the get go. What really pisses me off? That Brennan told him NO. That she wouldn’t even give him the time of day when he came out with it and told her that he loved her. How dare she make Booth cry? That was so freaking upsetting. On a good note, I cheered when Dr. Addy made an appearance. I missed Doctor Addy so much!



The last episode of Bones, the high school reunion, was really cute too, but I wish some more stuff happened between Booth and Brennan. The Prom like set up at the reunion was really sweet but I wanted MORE. I feel like most other viewers I’ve talked to wanted more, as well. I heard that everyone will get more relationship stuff in the next episode, so I guess I’ll just have to wait for it!



Other than that, I have been watching NCIS: Los Angeles, which is also a lot of fun but Bones and NCIS I have to say have taken the cake for this post of TV Guide. I’ll keep you posted on what I think is going on with these two shows, along with GLEE and NCIS:LA. Let me know what you guys think, too! Until next time, happy watching!

Today we have author Ilona Fridl talking to us about her writing life. Check out what she has to say! Thanks for joining us, Ilona!



What is your brainstorming process for a new book?



I usually start with a “What if” premise . With Silver Screen Heroes, I started with a “ What if gangsters took over a movie studio to make illegal liquor and use the theaters as distribution centers?” I did research about the era then set up the characters. I take notes on where I want the story to go. By then, I have characters who have their own ideas and I have to revise some of my notes.



Can you explain your typical work week day?



After breakfast, I check my email and do general business. Now, that I’m doing promotion for the book, I go on blogs and soon am going to be booking signings. After that, I read my WIP a few pages from where I stopped last then add a scene or two. All in all, I spend around four hours on the computer. The story is always swirling around my head and if I get an idea, I jot it down.



Tell us about when you made the decision to write.



That started early on. When I was a child, I used to make children’s picture books for myself. My English classes in school were a breeze for me, because I loved doing research on different topics. Math, on the other hand—well—not so good. I must be all right brained. Anyway, after school I did some writing for magazines, but I didn’t like typewriters. I didn’t do any serious writing until we got our computer, so now I didn’t have any more excuses. I’ve been writing ever since.



What suggestions do you have for aspiring writers?



Find a good critique group. There are times in writing you know what your characters are up to, but you don’t make it clear to the reader. Others will notice. I’m lucky because my group is a positive force. They work with you to make it better. Next, join an organization. I joined RWA and besides having the support of the members, it’s a great place to start networking with agents and editors. Third, don’t let the rejections get you down. Somewhere out there, someone will love your work. You just have to find them.



Tell us about what you’re working on right now and what we can expect from you in the near future.



Silver Screen Heroes was just the first in a Dangerous Times trilogy. Golden North the second book set in Juneau, Alaska also in the early 1920′s. That is set to be released August 20th. The third book is my work in progress, Bronze Skies, that’s set during World War 2 about the Alaskan invasion by the Japanese. It’s about the children of the original characters. Later, I want to rework my first manuscript that takes place in the 1960′s.



Wow, really looking forward to reading more of your work! Thank you for taking the time to talk to us! For those of you who want to know more about Ilona’s work, you can visit her website here. Thank you for joining us today on Writers on Writing! Until next week!