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I've Been Tagged

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I've been tagged in a meme by J. E. Oneil over at Still Writing.

The Questions

What are you working on right now?
A historical romance set in 1850's America, titled Come Back.

How does it differ from other works in its genre?
Hm. Well, both of the leads are virgins, not just the heroine. 

Also, they don't meet in chapter one. The delay was necessary for the story.

How does your writing process work?

First, I get a burst of inspiration--usually in the form of a vivid scene or single aspect of the story. (I actually have a story idea right now that is nothing more than an ending. It'll be a killer book if I can ever come up with a plot to go with that final scene. :P) 

The idea for Come Back was sparked by a story I read while home-schooling my daughter. It was written in diary form and described life on the Oregon trail, including mention of all the things westward travelers left behind. Though traveling a different trail (Santa Fe / Gila), my heroine, Rebecca, gets separated from her wagon train and uses these things to survive.

 Once I make the decision to pursue an idea, I research the time period (if needed), other aspects of the book, and hammer out a basic plot. I refine the plot before getting too far into the writing, but the scenes themselves often have a mind of their own. After I type 'the end,' I polish it up, then swap with critique partners and hit up the betas.

Now I get to tag three unsuspecting victims...


Tag! You're It!

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Have a safe, happy Halloween. :)


Labels:

Comments

  1. Loni TownsendOctober 30, 2013 at 10:25 AM

    And it's a good story too!

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  2. UnknownOctober 30, 2013 at 10:52 AM

    Your story sounds awesome! I'm very very intrigued!

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    Replies
    1. MelissaOctober 30, 2013 at 11:00 AM

      Thanks, Azia. Hope your kids feel better soon.

      Delete
  3. Liz BlockerOctober 30, 2013 at 10:56 AM

    Yup, I see what you mean :) It's a good way to brainstorm, isn't it? It's fun and new and gives me faith that the story really DOES already exist in my brain :)

    The new book sounds cool. I like the unique changes :)

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    Replies
    1. MelissaOctober 30, 2013 at 11:02 AM

      Awesome! I actually said something encouraging. LOL

      Thanks. I hope (if I EVER get it published) it'll be well-received by readers.

      Delete
  4. UnknownOctober 30, 2013 at 11:18 AM

    Melissa, your story sounds like it's going to be a great read. Good luck with it!

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  5. Crystal CollierOctober 30, 2013 at 12:20 PM

    Ohh! An 1850's romance... You've got my attention. =)

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    Replies
    1. MelissaOctober 30, 2013 at 1:04 PM

      Yay! Another HR lover!
      Not too many of us left. ;)

      Delete
  6. Carrie ButlerOctober 30, 2013 at 12:46 PM

    You forgot to mention how yummy the hero is! ;)

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    Replies
    1. MelissaOctober 30, 2013 at 1:05 PM

      I did, didn't I.
      Well...you'll help me with that when we reveal the cover. ;)

      Delete
  7. Alex J. CavanaughOctober 30, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    Interesting time period. And nothing says they have to meet in chapter one.

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    Replies
    1. MelissaOctober 30, 2013 at 1:08 PM

      It is, although research for this WIP was difficult at times, especially when it came to finding info on the Gila trail. Gah.

      Tell that to diehard romance readers. LOL

      Delete
  8. Al DiazOctober 30, 2013 at 1:44 PM

    Nice. It will be fun trying to answer those questions. Your story sounds very interesting! Dragon hugs!

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  9. Christine RainsOctober 30, 2013 at 5:32 PM

    Sounds like a good story. Happy Halloween to you too! :)

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    Replies
    1. MelissaOctober 31, 2013 at 8:18 AM

      It will be if it ever stops raining. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the kids' sake. ;)

      Delete
  10. J E OneilOctober 30, 2013 at 5:50 PM

    That sounds like such a cool book. I'm not usually much for historical fiction, but I'd definitely read that story.

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  11. Remembering GraceOctober 30, 2013 at 5:55 PM

    Your story sounds great! Thanks for sharing, sounds interesting.

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  12. Nick WilfordOctober 31, 2013 at 12:58 AM

    I imagine it must have been quite a harsh time in terms of trying to survive. Sounds intriguing!

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    Replies
    1. MelissaOctober 31, 2013 at 8:23 AM

      It definitely was. Thanks for stopping by, Nick. :)

      Delete
  13. Cynthia Chapman WillisOctober 31, 2013 at 2:26 PM

    It's always interesting to me where story ideas come from--sometimes inspired or sparked by other stories. It sounds like your story has lots of wonderful tension. Good luck with it! And happy Halloween to you, too.

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    Replies
    1. MelissaOctober 31, 2013 at 8:43 PM

      It was a MG book, too. LOL

      Thanks, Cynthia. :)

      Delete
  14. UnknownOctober 31, 2013 at 5:21 PM

    Just stopped by to wish you a Happy Halloween, M! :D

    ReplyDelete
  15. Mark KoopmansNovember 1, 2013 at 2:47 AM

    And a happy All Saint's Day, too :)

    PS... cheers for the tag... I forgot to officially say that the other day :)

    Go Red Sox... (but only until February... and then it's Go Angels !!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MelissaNovember 1, 2013 at 6:38 AM

      I'm glad you have a team to cheer for, 'cause I sure don't. :P

      Delete
  16. Cathrina ConstantineNovember 1, 2013 at 7:04 AM

    I love that time period Melissa. Good luck with Come Back.

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  17. Julie FlandersNovember 1, 2013 at 1:41 PM

    I also love that time period and this sounds like a great story. Good luck with it!

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    Replies
    1. MelissaNovember 3, 2013 at 5:18 PM

      @Cathrina and Julie - Thanks!
      (I need it. LOL)

      Delete
  18. Ruth SchiffmannNovember 2, 2013 at 9:13 AM

    This is a fun tag. Wishing you all the best with Come Back!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lisa ReganNovember 2, 2013 at 10:10 PM

    I am intrigued! :)

    ReplyDelete

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