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DTP Blog 2

Let me start this week, again, thanking you for stopping by and checking out my blog. I am super excited for the second book, Shaded, to be available in the next couple weeks. My test readers have given me fantastic feedback, and I appreciate their time and support. I am anxious for readers to have the next book as well.

 

I mentioned in my last blog post I wanted to give you bits and pieces of my writing process and how these characters came to life. I started with just an idea that shaped the whole story. It was a tough chapter to write. I felt her pain and confusion, and a few readers have said that it made them scared for Danni. I believe a good story should make you feel what the characters feel. These emotions draw me into a story as you see the character develop from the situation. When I started, I had to show why Danni is the way she is. Writing her reactions and others along the way was fascinating. She quickly developed a personality of her own that took over the story. She is a tough woman, but her emotions also haunt her. Daniel became one of my favorite characters to write about because he takes nothing seriously. I think he balanced Danni out more.

 

Being an avid reader, I kept in mind what would be predictable and steered away from it. I want to keep a reader guessing and surprise them at every turn. I don’t think life is as predictable as some books and movies make it seem. As a reader, I don’t want happily ever after. I want real reactions in any situation. Sometimes they are hard to write, but that is where I learned the most as a writer. I kept in mind I wasn’t writing this story for anyone but myself. I just wrote and wrote until I had 2,500 pages and another 500 pages in ideas that I eventually took out. That could be interesting to go back and read now.

 

I have mentioned a few times to people that I tried to write some characters to be nicer people or even make better choices and quickly learned I have to let them be themselves, or the story won’t make sense. You would think as a writer I could get them do what I want (if only that approach worked).

 

I smile because writing is a lot harder than I would have ever thought, but it is the most exciting thing I have ever done. I love everything about it! I finally understand what drives a person to spend so much time working. I hope to work toward publishing some of the other stories I have written as well. Hopefully, you will get to read those soon as well.

 

Please contact me if you would like to discuss the book and characters. I love to talk about them and hear what readers think as well.

 

LT

2 Comments

  • Matt Drake

    Your writing takes you into the story. While reading Danni in pieces I could smell the corn field behind the bar the smell of the liquor. You are a truly gifted writer and I am eager to continue on your journey!