Guest Blog

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How June Foster Fell Into Writing Romantic Suspense

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An award-winning author, June Foster is a retired teacher with a BA in education and an MA in counseling. June enjoys writing stories about characters who overcome the circumstances in their lives by the power of God and His Word.

Why did you start writing romantic suspense novels?
June: Strangely enough, when I wrote my first romantic suspense, I’d intended to write a contemporary romance, but the hero and heroine kept encountering ghosts from the past, a villain who wanted to see them dead, and two criminals who commandeered their vehicle. So a suspense evolved.

What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense?
June: Actually, I find a suspense easier to write than a contemporary romance. The peril in which the characters find themselves adds to the story and offers more action to each scene.

When do you find time to write?
June: I’m blessed to be a retired elementary teacher so I have plenty of time to write. My only distraction is on occasion my husband who’s quite gregarious and loves to chat. But I can’t complain because he’s so supportive and helps me plot and do research.

How do you connect with your characters?
June: Usually I find a picture online of a famous person that I think looks like the image I have in my head. Then I write out the GMC for both the hero and the heroine (G-goal, M-motivation , C-conflict). I’m always amazed how I get to know my character in that simple process.

Current book: The Long Way Home
A kidnapping and a vicious murder leave David Maguire and Jada Atwood with few options—remain in the clutches of their abductors or attempt an escape.

Connect with June
Website: www.junefoster.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjunefoster
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vjifoster
Instagram: junefoster11
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/junefoster

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How Terri Reed Experiences What Her Characters Do

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Terri Reed’s novels have appeared on Publisher’s Weekly top twenty-five, Nielsen’s Bookscan top hundred, Amazon Bestseller and featured in USA Today. Her books have been finalists in Romance Writers of America RITA contest, National Readers’ Choice Award and three-time finalists in the American Christian Fiction Writers The Carol Award contest.

How do you connect with your characters?
Terri: I do a great deal of personality building when I’m forming my characters. I settle on their backgrounds based on the needs of the story and then put the characters through personality tests. But the characters usually surprise me as I’m writing. They will react in ways I hadn’t expected which makes the development of the characters a fun challenge.

How do you ensure your books are accurate?
Terri: I do a lot of reading online and reference books on law enforcement procedure. I have attended a sixteen-week citizens academy for my local sheriff’s department, which was fascinating and something everyone should do. I also went to a conference for writers called Writer’s Police Academy, where every workshop had something to do with law enforcement and emergency responders. There were self-defense classes; the bomb squad had a demonstration, as did the K-9 unit. I rode in a fire truck and cleared a smoke filled house. I’ve shot all sorts of different weapons from handguns to automatic rifle with a scope, and handled and worn tactical gear. The best part of all the in-person research is observing the officers and emergency personnel and incorporating their mannerisms into my characters.

What is absolutely essential for you to write? (i.e., a quiet space, classical music, cup of coffee)
Terri: My writing process has changed over the last few years. I used to only be able to write at my desk in my office with music playing, a cup of tea and some snacks close by. If I was to work anywhere else I did so by hand with pen and paper, then type the work in at my desk. However, in 2017 I broke my right wrist. Yes-I’m right handed. The break was bad and didn’t heal properly so over the next year and half I had two surgeries and hours of physical therapy. Though the hand is better there are still issues with swelling and pain. I was forced to figure out a new way to write and with much gnashing of teeth I have learned to dictate my first draft. I’ve embraced this new process, as it’s much faster for that rough draft. Then I can work at my desk to clean it up for short burst of time, until the hand/wrist start to complain.

Current book: Buried Mountain Secrets
A desperate woman and a handsome deputy must work together to find her missing teenage brother and stop deadly treasure hunters.

Connect with Terri
Website: http://www.terrireed.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terrireedauthorpage/

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The Plot Inspiration of Mike Garrett

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Mike Garrett is a devout Christian, internationally respected book editor, and published author. His secular novel, Keeper, was optioned for a movie. Innocence Denied is his first Christian novel. He lives in Alabama with his wife Sharon, a dachshund (Heidi), and a stray cat now seventeen years old (Mia).

Where do you get the inspiration for your plots?
Mike: This question has always fascinated me. Where do ideas come from? I can’t “force” an idea. Ideas zap into my head any time, anywhere, without any instigation on my part. I can only credit God with my ideas. There’s just no other explanation for me. If I didn’t make it happen, who did?

How do you pick the location/setting of your romantic suspense novels?
Mike: The location is always dictated by the story itself. In Innocence Denied, I needed an isolated place for Derrick and Larissa to hide in, so I set it in the off-season at Logan Martin Lake, where they would be less likely to be seen. I’m intimately familiar with the area since I owned a lake house there for many years. Write what you know!

What is one of your favorite ways to connect with readers?
Mike: I always enjoy hearing from readers via email. It’s non-intrusive, and I can respond when I have free time.

Which of your books is your favorite and why?
Mike: Innocence Denied is by far my favorite because it’s close to my heart. I wrote it with no profit motive in mind, no attempt to advance my career or put myself in the spotlight. Its message was my entire focus, and I feel honored to create something to honor God with the very spiritual gifts that He blessed me with.

Current Book: Innocence Denied
Derrick Walton puts his life at risk to rescue a falsely accused murderer from life in prison, then saves her soul.

Connect w/Mike
Website: www.innocencedeniedbook.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InnocenceDenied/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Twitter: @MGarrett49
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/105177754354469742892
Linked-In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-garrett-6ba065154

 

 

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How a True Story Inspired Gail Sattler’s Latest Book

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Gail Sattler lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, where you don’t have to shovel rain. When she’s not writing, she plays bass for an Elton John tribute band and a jazz band, and piano for a smaller band. Other times, Gail likes to read with a cup of coffee.

Why did you start writing romantic suspense novels?
Gail: The Other Neighbor is my first romantic suspense. I wrote it because it’s based on a true story. Years ago, going back to Y2K (Dec 31, 1999), a customer of my husband was plotting to do exactly what the antagonist in this book was planning. (Sorry, I’m not giving that away!) As I wrote the book, my husband joked that he hopes we make enough money from this book to offset what he lost when his ex-customer was arrested, the business closed and the man declared bankruptcy because he owed a lot of people, including us, a lot of money.

When do you find time to write?
Gail: I work full time, plus I’m in three bands, so I don’t have a lot of free time. My husband sold his business and retired early, so he does all the housework, which gives me time to write.

What is your favorite spot for reading or reflecting on your current work-in-progress?
Gail: The same place I write. I need to read it in order to reflect on it. Since we are recent empty-nesters, I converted one of the now-empty bedrooms into an office. Where I can close the door.

What is one of your favorite ways to connect with readers?
Gail: Facebook. I love to see posts, and often forward the ones I like best. Likewise, I love it when people forward posts that I’ve made.

What is absolutely essential for you to write?
Gail: A quiet space, thus the closed door on my new office, and Starbucks coffee, which is provided by my future daughter-in-law’s generosity. Gotta love her.

Current Book: The Other Neighbor
Cheryl Richardson’s neighbor is building a bomb! When FBI agent Steve Gableman moves next door to learn the target, will Cheryl be the one to explode?

Connect w/Gail
Website: www.gailsattler.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gail.sattler.3

The Editing Process of Sharon K. Connell

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Sharon K. Connell has visited 44 states and has also traveled to Canada and Mexico. Her novels reflect experiences she’s had during that time. Her genre, Christian romantic suspense, sometimes has a little mystery, but always humor. She also writes short stories in other genres.

Why did you start writing romantic suspense novels?
Sharon: Romantic suspense is one of the genres I’ve always enjoyed reading. It was a natural place to start when I realized I should be writing myself. I believe the Lord laid the desire on my heart.

What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense?
Sharon: The most difficult part would be blending the romantic scenes in with the suspense so it all flows together.

When do you find time to write?
Sharon: Finding time isn’t a problem being retired from the 9 to 5 world. Writing is now my full-time job. The problem I face is fitting my everyday chores into my writing time. LOL

What is your favorite spot for reading or reflecting on your current work-in-progress?
Sharon: Easy answer. When it comes to writing, my home office. For reading, my favorite spot is curled up on the couch.

How do you come up with titles for your books?
Sharon: My titles all come from Scripture. A verse that represents the story.

What’s your go-to when you need a pick-me-up to keep writing?
Sharon: Coffee…of course. LOL Perhaps some dark chocolate. LOL

Where do you get the inspiration for your plots?
Sharon: The ideas simply come to me as a story line, sometimes at the oddest moments. I may see something on TV that triggers an idea, or I might be reading another story, and something in that story starts me thinking about…what if?

How do you pick the location/setting of your romantic suspense novels?
Sharon: The locations settings, so far, have been places where I’ve lived or visited. I know them well. If I pick a location I’m not personally familiar with, I do a lot of travelling via the Internet and books to learn about the place.

What is one of your favorite ways to connect with readers?
Sharon: Most of my readers have contacted me either on Facebook or Twitter and have become close acquaintances through social media. I love staying connected with them and learn so much from them.

How do you ensure your books are accurate?
Sharon: When I’m finished with a first draft, I read it over myself to make sure everything sounds right and the words are correct. After that, I go over each chapter using my own editing program. That chapter is then sent to my critique group for their input. When I receive the critiques (can be from three to a dozen), I go over the chapter again for necessary changes. Once I’m satisfied with that chapter, I move on to the next. By the time I’m finished with the last chapter, it’s time to send it to my editor. Necessary changes from editing are then gone over, followed by reading through the story once more to check the flow of the story.

What has been most rewarding about writing romantic suspense?
Sharon: Hearing from my readers how they enjoyed and reacted to the story.

Which of your books is your favorite and why?
Sharon: My favorite book to date is Paths of Righteousness. It was the first story I wrote, although it was published second, and has now been rewritten in a better style. This story revolves around a young woman working in a doctor’s office. When I started writing it, I too was working in a doctor’s office, so I related with her problems and the relationship she had with her coworkers and doctors. Of course, the rest is made up.

Current book title: Paths of Righteousness
When a new doctor is hired, misunderstandings add to Kathryn’s already complicated emotions. Will she make the right choices in the end…or more mistakes?

Connect w/Sharon
Website: http://sharonkconnell.com/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/sharonkconnell
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averypresenthelpbook1
https://www.facebook.com/ChristianRomanceSuspense/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChristianWritersAndReadersGroupForum/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharonKConnell
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/SharonKConnell
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonkconnell
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rosecastle1/

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