My Writing Process

Thank you to my friend Ria Cantrell for inviting me on this My Writing Process Blog Tour. She writes Scottish historical romances with an interesting and strong focus on the paranormal. You can check out her writing process at http://kld0655.wordpress.com.

What am I working on?

Right now I'm working on "Fallen Knight", book 3 of the Knight's of Honor Trilogy. In this story we explore charged emotional themes of love, revenge, and redemption. Readers will recognize some of the characters from books 1 and 2, and will also become acquainted with new ones.

The main skeleton of the story is done although I still have some minor details to take care of before it's ready to launch.

Then, after this book is released, I'm off to start other exciting projects that are waiting in the wing :)

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

While my works have aspects of truth in them, they are mainly based on a medieval world that I've made up. At its core, my stories are romances, although I mix and experiment with different elements from other genres such as fantasy, action, adventure and suspense. I also enjoy exploring intense emotions like love, loyalty, trust, jealousy, betrayal, anger, fear, etc.

And while I write about these difficult themes, I stay true to the genre - there absolutely has to be chemistry and romance, and the story must have a happily ever after for my main characters. A story that ends badly just makes you feel crappy, and I can't bring myself to finish off a story with doom and gloom.

Why do I write what I do?

It all started when I began reading romance books again when my second child was born.

You see, my daughter was a very fussy baby, and I desperately needed a break from her. Of course with a baby tied to you and another young child running around, where can you go? No where. So I thought disappearing into books was a good way to regain my sanity. That was when I picked up an old Johanna Lindsay book and became obsessed with trying to capture that magical feeling of entering into a world not your own.

Time flew by and soon enough my daughter was about to start kindergarten. Of course I didn't want to return to the work force. Going over my options, I decided that I'd enjoy writing romances as a career.

How does my writing process work?

My writing process is pretty typical, I think.

I usually outline the plot so that I have a good idea of what the story is about. Once the outline is done, I run the storyline by my husband, who gives me an outsider's perspective.

When I'm finally satisfied with the outline, I set it aside. Then keeping the general plot direction in mind, I allow the story to unfold as I type. Oftentimes, the characters reveal themselves to me and force me off the original plot path, so in these instances, I have to refine the story direction and patch up any inconsistencies.

Next Week:

Amber Dane loves all things Medieval and is the author of the bestselling series The Northern Knights. When not writing about the middle ages and Norman knights, you will find her penning romantic suspense. Though her grand passion will forever be – old-style bodice rippers, charging knights, and strapping alpha males. Find out more about Amber below:

Blog: http://dain54.wordpress.com/about/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/AmberdaneHMR

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amber-Dane-Author-Page/167892949940902

Google+ https://plus.google.com/114919029579793121256/about

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Amy Mullen is a freelance writer and romance author living in Corning, NY, with her husband, Patrick, her two children, and an orange cat named Steve. She is the author of A Stormy Knight and Redefining Rayne.

Amy has been writing about love both lost and regained since she was old enough to have her first broken heart. Her love of history and her intermittent jaunts into amateur genealogy led her to a love affair with writing historical fiction. When not writing, she snaps pictures, enjoys the company of her children, and when time allows, loves to bury her nose in a good book.

Blog: http://www.authoramymullen.com/blog.html

Website: http://www.authoramymullen.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authoramymullen