One of my first poems was about frogs getting run over by cars during a rain shower and the noise it made: "squish and then pop!"
I was so proud of my little ditty, that I drew a frog and underneath it, I printed my silly poem. I framed my masterpiece and hung it on the wall in my childhood bedroom. That was back in the late 1970s.
By 1981, after basic training in the Air Force, I was fluently writing poetry. I'd be tickled by a little saying, or the lyrics of a song, and from a little idea would evolve what I considered a poetic gem.
By 1981, after basic training in the Air Force, I was fluently writing poetry. I'd be tickled by a little saying, or the lyrics of a song, and from a little idea would evolve what I considered a poetic gem.
I had several journal books that had once been empty, but were now full, then another was needed. And so it went for a decade . . . me writing poetry and having a few published.
I then took a correspondence course with THE INSTITUTE OF WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS. It was a correspondence course that lasted four year. I had good success.
The next decade had me subscribing to WRITER'S DIGEST and reading the magazine from cover to cover . . . like a religion . . . like it was a bible. I began learning how to create plots and characters and settings. I would toil over each word, wanting to have my writing perfect and professional.
I was quite pleased at being able to produce a sweet romance. My first was named, SCANDAL AT HUNTINGTON HALL. It takes place in San Antonio, Texas. The heroine, Justine, is an orphan who, upon her grandmother's ill health, is brought from the orphanage to Huntington Hall, to be groomed as the heir to an oil drilling company and its fortune. The man she soon has a crush on is her competition.
Inter-woven throughout the story is the history of our heroine's parents and how she came to be an orphan. The other orphans were thrust into a world of hope, as Justine planned for their future.
I then took a correspondence course with THE INSTITUTE OF WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS. It was a correspondence course that lasted four year. I had good success.
The next decade had me subscribing to WRITER'S DIGEST and reading the magazine from cover to cover . . . like a religion . . . like it was a bible. I began learning how to create plots and characters and settings. I would toil over each word, wanting to have my writing perfect and professional.
I was quite pleased at being able to produce a sweet romance. My first was named, SCANDAL AT HUNTINGTON HALL. It takes place in San Antonio, Texas. The heroine, Justine, is an orphan who, upon her grandmother's ill health, is brought from the orphanage to Huntington Hall, to be groomed as the heir to an oil drilling company and its fortune. The man she soon has a crush on is her competition.
Inter-woven throughout the story is the history of our heroine's parents and how she came to be an orphan. The other orphans were thrust into a world of hope, as Justine planned for their future.
Justine's grandmother is hard at first, but as the two generations discover each other's personalities, they form a solid bond. The grandmother's butler teaches Justine all she needs to know about the business and her upcoming responsibilities.
Justine becomes further enamored by the young man, Hamilton, who will inherit his father's successful oil drilling company. But instead of Hamilton being a vindictive businessman, he is kind, caring, and personable. The friendship between Justine and Hamilton evolves, much to the dissatisfaction of the remaining family members.
And then it happens: death, stealing, and scandal. I sent my hand typed story to Harlequin. I was so excited! When the editor sent back my book with her handwritten note, my mood deflated.
Justine becomes further enamored by the young man, Hamilton, who will inherit his father's successful oil drilling company. But instead of Hamilton being a vindictive businessman, he is kind, caring, and personable. The friendship between Justine and Hamilton evolves, much to the dissatisfaction of the remaining family members.
And then it happens: death, stealing, and scandal. I sent my hand typed story to Harlequin. I was so excited! When the editor sent back my book with her handwritten note, my mood deflated.
'TOO PREDICTABLE!' she said.
I did however agree with her, and made it my new writing tactic to have circumstances in my books be opposite of what the reader would expect.
I was working full-time, but soon asked permission to work only part-time. My supportive husband and sister (employer) agreed to let me cut back my hours. I vowed to write novels on my days off. I connived and wrote book after book. Each novel's technique improved.
I was working full-time, but soon asked permission to work only part-time. My supportive husband and sister (employer) agreed to let me cut back my hours. I vowed to write novels on my days off. I connived and wrote book after book. Each novel's technique improved.
Over the years I've written eight first draft romance novels––the most recent, I feel, is my best. It takes place in the Northwood/Nottingham area and in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. I enjoy my settings in locales I am familiar with. It helps me add details to make the setting more vivid.
The eighth novel flowered into two love stories in one. My niece, who read the novel, advised me that there was not room for two heroes in one story. I took her advice, and plan to rework the ending.
The eighth novel flowered into two love stories in one. My niece, who read the novel, advised me that there was not room for two heroes in one story. I took her advice, and plan to rework the ending.
I'll separate the two men and let Leo and Prichard each have their own romance novel. Being able to be objective about one's creative writing is a treasure that comes over time.
Needing time to let my story simmer, I put the novel writing hobby into hibernation for several years. When I stopped writing, I felt empty. I wanted to express myself without the pressure of a long writing project. When blogs began popping up on the Internet, I decided to begin one.
Needing time to let my story simmer, I put the novel writing hobby into hibernation for several years. When I stopped writing, I felt empty. I wanted to express myself without the pressure of a long writing project. When blogs began popping up on the Internet, I decided to begin one.
It was heartwarming to type up a single thought or memory and be able to wrap it up in a few paragraphs. I began typing my poems on the spot and loved the freedom.
My first blog address is offered here in case you would like to view it. If so, please go to: www.blogginglisaslife.blogspot.com
When I'd written so much that I'd come to the limit allowed per blog, I had to decide if I should just let it go and be satisfied with ending my blog, or begin another. You bet, I started another one.
The one negative aspect I encountered with my writing was putting too much pressure on myself to become published. If I didn't publish my novels I believed I would be a failure. That I had wasted a lot of time, energy and effort.
When I'd written so much that I'd come to the limit allowed per blog, I had to decide if I should just let it go and be satisfied with ending my blog, or begin another. You bet, I started another one.
The one negative aspect I encountered with my writing was putting too much pressure on myself to become published. If I didn't publish my novels I believed I would be a failure. That I had wasted a lot of time, energy and effort.
Once I got past that feeling I felt more joy in writing. And that is why I began to write in the beginning. Even if I don't have a professional 'writing career,' I have a personal writing career.
Thank God that is fulfilling enough for me.
UPDATE: For 30+ years I told myself that when I retired I wanted to be a published author. I'm about to retire, so I began writing my ninth novel in July 2019. I will be ready in December 2020 to self-publish. LET THE BOOK REVEAL/SIGNING PARTIES BEGIN!
BIG Dreams Inn a Small New Hampshire Town will be a trilogy. Once again, I have set the story in Northwood and Portsmouth, NH. I look forward to an amazing author-journey!
Please, come along for the ride!
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