Today we have a really good friend of mine joining us, Autumn Jordon! Let’s listen to what she has to say about writing. I promise you, she’s inspirational!
What is your brainstorming process for a new book?
First, Tess. Thank you for inviting me to your place.
My, process is totally whack! It’s totally different than anyone else’s, as far as I know. Honestly, I tend to come up with first lines. I get all excited over that first line, I’m like a kid standing in front of the candy wall at Wegman’s. My mind reels with possibilities for the hook and I get this picture of who has had the thought or made the statement. Then I play what if, developing the basic GMC of that character and soon I have a first scene.
Next, I’ll free write maybe two or three chapters where I’ll flesh out a few other characters. Then, I’ll stop and write a synopsis. I know I need a HEA since I write romantic suspense so I’ll plot out points which will lead the story through twists and turns finally ending with a heroine and hero triumphing over evil and in love.
Can you explain your typical work week day?
I do work fifty plus hours a week at a fulltime position but since we’re talking writing, I write every day. Monday through Friday, my day begins at six. After, sending husband out the door, I write for an hour and then I’m off to work. Saturday and Sundays, I’ll write at different times depending on my family’s schedule. During the evenings, I’ll work on editing and the business side of my writing career. Since my actual writing time is limited to about fifteen hours a week, I try to stay focus on putting crap on paper. Remember I edit at night so I fix the crap then.
Tell us about when you made the decision to write.
No decision there. Being a novelist is who I am and have always been for as long as I can remember. I penned my first novel in 3rd grade and sold two copies; one to my best friend and the other to my mother. The work was a best seller on the East Penn Elementary list.
What suggestions do you have for aspiring writers?
Believe in yourself. This business is harshly fickle and can rock the most prolific author’s confidence. However, if you trust your talent, study and work every day, you will succeed.
Tell us about what you’re working on right now and what we can expect from you in the near future.
I’m so excited. I have two books coming out from The Wild Rose Press in early 2010. One was a 2009 Golden Heart Finalist— a romantic suspense titled Evil’s Witness . Think 24’s Jack meets girl next door. I love this story. Here’s a blurb:
Witnessing a blood bath crashes Stephanie Boyd’s world. To escape the wrath of the Russian Mafia, she has to help the FBI uncover the mafia’s mole inside the U.S. Treasury. While on the run with the handsome agent who is willing to die for her, Stephanie learns the meaning of love.
Agent John Dolton’s break in solving the case that cost him everything is a couple of kids and a beautiful widow. But keeping them safe seems impossible when their every move is foreseen by their enemy. Stephanie and her children soften the loner’s heart and John vows not to fail to protect the family he loves.
The second, Obsessed By Wildfire, is a fun, sexy contemporary western, with suspense elements of course. I had a ball writing it. Below is the blurb for Obsessed By Wildfire.
Isabelle Trinidad is her own woman. No man was going to rope her to a humdrum life of housewife and take away her dreams of becoming the National Barrel Champion like her father had done to her mother. Her mind is set, until a handsome Yankee comes to town and upsets everything she has believed.
Arson brings State Fire Marshal Warner Keyson to Wayback, but a wildfire of a woman stops him in his tracks. Intrigued by Issy’s fire, he contrives ways to keep her close while conducting his investigation. What they create, which neither of them bargained for, is the blaze of a lifetime.
A trailer can be viewed and a exempts can be read at my website www.autumnjordon.com I hope you stop over.
Presently, I’m polishing my next romantic suspense and hope to submit it soon. To keep up with me, your readers can sign up for my quarterly newsletter also through my website www.autumnjordon.com or visit my blog weekly at www.autumnjordonsnotes.blogspot.com
I’m so excited to hear about all the new stuff that’s coming out and all the great things that are happening for you, Autumn! For readers interested in knowing more, Check out AJ’s Notes (her blog) for up to date information on her books. For a fun bio and interview about Autumn, check out her website also listed above. Thanks again for joining me, Autumn!
Tags: writers on writing
Can’t have lonely sisters! I, too, start out with a first sentence, and errant thought, a “germ” and grow the plot from there. Unlike you, however, no synopis until finished. The pantser in me blows any attempts to guide the work right out of the water.
Looking forward to seeing your books on the shelves, doll. Hope to see you at NJRW!!!
This is a great interview, Autumn!!! Thanks Tess for inviting her!
Your process is great. I have to admit, I’ve done that. I came up with a killer first line one time then had to come up with a story to go with it. It sits in a file along with many other wips, just waiting for its chance to emerge. Someday.
Hugs!
~D~
I’m always fascinated to hear how other writers brainstorm and come up with that idea that hooks on to them. I also spend a lot of time batting the first scene around in my head before I start writing.
Good luck with the submission and congrats on the releases!
Great interview! Autumn, your early manuscript process sounds fantastic — it seems like a good way to do some in-the-dark brainstorming before stepping back and analyzing character development, plot twists, etc. Looking forward to your new releases!
Hi, Tess and Autumn,
Isn’t it fun learning how other writers create the magic? Best of luck to both of you on your upcoming releases! Exciting!
Hi Autumn!I used to jump right in to a manuscript, but now I have to hold myself back and think about it before starting to write, otherwise I get so excited, I just write myself into a corner.
I love finding out about how other writers go about the process, and I don’t think your process is strange. Starting with a sliver of an idea and expanding on it sounds fun. Congratulations on your upcoming releases!
I write my first five chapters before I do a synopsis too. When I get to the middle of my book, I find it helps to focus on the story goals, so doing the synopsis at that point not only prevents me from including too many details, but it keeps me thinking about the main point of the story.
I’m eager to see your books in print, Autumn. I love the heroes aleady! Thanks for posting about your process. And thanks, Tess, for hosting!
I’m not strange. Oh, thank goodness. Thanks to al my RS sisters and friends for stopping by.
AJ