-
I wrote a few months ago about how to write and/or develop a romance during a Covid pandemic with all the public health restrictions like social distancing and wearing masks. My Covid brain couldn’t really figure it out. Well, in my own small town, Tiffany Goodwein wrote a news article about a couple that showed me how it was done. Now I’m rethinking a new story. (And the photo was from her same article - Parker Thomas/Facebook)Besides social distancing and masks, restaurants and movie theatres are close. It’s stay-at-home. So, finding a location to date can become a challenge. John and Mary met at church in January. After just six months, the couple not only dated but became engaged. Getting to know each other, in the midst of COVID-19, meant getting creative. Their very first date was a coffee date, done virtually. They brewed coffee at about 5 p.m., at night and sat down. John was in his room and Mary was at her house. They put on FaceTime and sat there with coffee and chatted. It lasted for about five, six hours straight.Virtual coffee dates then turned to watching movies together, at a social distance by using FaceTime and linking movies together with Netflix Party. With the weather frigid near the start of their relationship, the couple made use of their vehicles to go on adventures, by putting their phones on Bluetooth and driving around town all while talking to each other. The date would then finish off with...
-
I love some of the topics that we get for our monthly group blog get together's. And this is another interesting and thought provoking on. How do you develop a character who is different in personality from all the other characters you have developed, or from yourself?First, because I’m plot driven, I come up with a plot, or the beginning of a plot. We know it will change as I write but it’s where I start. Then I come up with the characters that fit or will develop the plot. Usually it’s the heroine, or the hero. Then I need to match them and develop characteristics that can and will cause conflict. Then there’s the villain. So now I have a rough idea of the characters and the plot, I start to do my research. What are the goals for my h/h and what characteristics do they need to have to reach their goals? What obstructions are there, and how do they need to personally develop to overcome the obstructions, either alone or together. This would be where I would develop differences in personality that might be different from any other of my characters and definitely different from me.. In my Hawkins’ ranch series, Kye, whose story is the third book, Targeted, is a Blackfoot Native American. To develop his character, I researched the Blackfoot tribe, took a class on Native Americans and their characteristics, and used that to develop his character which is different from me and from any...
-
After posting about it for so long and trying to get it publish ready and then on pre-order – my book, Death Southern Style has been released.It’s set in New Orleans. It has touches of paranormal (think Marie Laveau), voodoo and interesting characters. It has murder, mystery, romance and a happy ever after ending. What more could you want?Here’s the blurb.When Perrine Dupré dies under suspicious circumstances her daughter, Julie Ann Dupré, returns to New Orleans to find the truth about her mother’s death. She uncovers a family secret, hidden for years. Now someone is trying to kill her. Will the little dog who appears after her mother’s death help her? Is the sexy detective out to help her, or is he part of police corruption?Detective Connor O’Reilly, a native of New Orleans, comes from a family of police. He’s an honest cop but realizes there is corruption in the division. His father may have died as part of that corruption. He meets Julie Ann, checks out her mother’s death and finds it was badly handled. Julie Ann deserves the truth and he wants to find it for her. Julie Ann and Connor work together to unravel the real reason behind Perrine Dupré’s murder, Julie Ann’s mysterious past, and why people want her dead, while developing their challenging relationship. Can they both survive? And can their relationship survive?Here are the buy links: eBook https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089VRC1WRPaperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1777262410Would love to have you check it out and share your comments.
-
Cynthia Terelst is a project officer by day and a writer by night. She is a contemporary romance writer who likes to share a little bit of history, some Australian scenery and a whole lotta love. Cynthia does not shy away from difficult topics, as she feels that they should not be ignored.She lives in Queensland, Australia, where the sun shines at least 283 days a year. 2020 Character InterviewBeverley: What’s your name? Shepherd: Shepherd Bell IIIBeverley: During what time period does your story take place? Shepherd: My story takes place in the current time. Beverley: What’s your story/back story? Shepherd: My mum passed away when I was young. I was brought up by my dad and our housekeeper, Maria. I live a privileged life; my family comes from money. I always wanted to do something good with my life and when I met Evie, I started to believe I could do that. Then she left, without warning, and my life fell apart. Beverley: What’s your goal in this story? Shepherd: My goal is to win Evie back. We have been apart for five years and I miss her. My life feels empty without her. I created a million-dollar scavenger hunt because I know how much she loves scavenger hunts. I thought there was no way she would miss the opportunity. Beverley: What conflicts are you facing? Shepherd: Well, when I created the scavenger hunt my only thought was being able to spend time with Evie and have her fall...
-
Born in Brooklyn, D.V. Stone has moved around a bit and even lived for a time on a dairy farm in Minnesota before moving back east. Throughout her wandering, she always considered herself a Jersey Girl. She met and married the love of her life, Pete—a lifelong Jersey Man, and moved this time to Sussex County. They live with Hali, a mixed breed from the local shelter and their cat Baby.Character InterviewBeverley: What’s your name? Gloriana Hi, my name is Gloriana Jones. My parents were hippies, and Grandmas, Gloria and Anna, were two old fashioned for them. Try going through school named Gloriana.Beverley: Where did you grow up? Gloriana I’m a Jersey girl through and through. I love the shore (in New Jersey we don’t call them beaches) and the mountains. I love Taylor Egg and Cheese sandwiches and not pumping my own gas.Beverley: During what time period does your story take place? Gloriana: Even though issues in my life are timeless, my story takes place in the here and now—Present-day Lake Unami in Northern NJ.Beverley: What’s your story/back story? Why would someone come up with a story about you? Gloriana: You know when you’re young, you have dreams. You fall in love, get married, and look forward to growing old together? I fell in love, and my husband Frank and I were nearing retirement and we had dreams. We were going to open an Ice Cream parlor. Frank would say, We could bring joy and smiles to people. But...
-
Val studied general arts at the University of Waterloo, then went to DeVry Toronto to get a diploma in Computer Information Systems. She worked in the computer industry as a software and Web developer for over ten years, during which she got serious about energy work and studying the paranormal.In October 2004, Val became a certified Reiki Master/Teacher. She gained ATP® certification in March 2008, in Kona, Hawaii, from Doreen Virtue, Ph.D.Val started work on a Bachelor of Science in parapsychic science from the American Institute of Holistic Theology in March 2007 and received her degree in September 2010. After obtaining her master’s degree in parapsychology at AIHT, Val has set her sights on a Ph.D., which she’ll pursue as time and finances permit.At the end of October 2008, Val returned to Kona, Hawaii to complete the Advanced ATP® training and in April 2010 to take the Spiritual Writing workshop and the Mediumship Certification class. Val wrote freelance for online magazine Suite101 and was topic editor for Paganism/Wiccaand Webmaster Resources at Suite.A published author, she contributed a story to Doreen Virtue’s Hay House book Angel Words. Her novels are available on Smashwords, Amazon, and from other retailers in both e-book and paperback.Beverley: Which genre or genres do you write or prefer to write? And why?Val: I write in a variety of genres, but if you examine my stories, you’ll notice a romance/relationships theme. However, even when romance drives the story, it always couples with something else: paranormal, murder mystery, thriller,...
