The Next Big Thing – Writers Discuss New Work
“The Next Big Thing” – Blog Hop 2012
While I haven’t been too active on my blog as of late, I have been busy. I read a lot, write some, and harass friends online. Anyway, I’ve been tagged by MJ Williamz in “The Next Big Thing Blog Hop”. It’s a chance for different writers and their readers to cross pollenate, or something like that. I know that sounds as fuzzy as the dust ponies under my bed. But, trust me – it’ll all make sense. This is week 27 of the Hop – tons of great authors have participated.
The concept is simple: each writer answers the same questions (although not every writer answers EVERY question) about either a new release, or a work-in-progress. Then, that same writer will point the finger of doom, um, tag other authors to do the same.
And heeeeere we go!
What is the working title of your book?
I’m going to talk about my most recently published work, Heart’s Resolve.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
It’s based extremely loosely on my old memories of working in the Texas State Park system one summer, when I was sixteen. The fictional park in the book is set up very similar to the park I worked at, right down to the spread out campgrounds and large area coverage. Of course, things have most likely changed a lot since 1980.
What genre does your book fall under?
Contemporary romance – I’m a sucker for a happy ending.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? In my head, Delaney Kavanaugh was eerily similar to a bit younger Dana Delany – but maybe that’s because I’m hooked on her latest series. Gibson (Gib) Proctor is a little harder to pinpoint – she’s not the usual “actor” type – so I’ll let the reader try to figure that one out. Usually, I like to let the reader make up their own mind.
What is the one-sentence synopsis for your book?
Park Officer Gib Proctor has all she can handle at her newest assignment, especially when fiery architect Delaney gets underfoot and under her skin.
What is the longer synopsis for your book?
Gibson Proctor, a Park Police Officer for the Texas Department of Parks & Wildlife, has returned after twenty years to the rural area she once called home. She’s able to easily adapt to the slower pace of the farming communities that surround the town of Benton, Texas. She tries her best to handle the expectations of her family and friends, who never understood why she left in the first place. Gib’s comfortable existence is set into a tailspin when she unwittingly offends Delaney Kavanagh, the fiery-tempered architect who’s in charge of repairing the spillway at Lake Benton.
Although Delaney is currently in a relationship, she can’t seem to get the amiable officer out of her mind. Not used to the type of attention she receives from the chivalrous woman, Delaney keeps waiting for the “real” Gib to show up. Will she ever accept Gib’s acts of kindness as truth, or will she be content to stay in a relationship where she has to fight for everything?
Will your book be self-published, or represented by an agency?
It was released by Regal Crest Enterprises in May 2012 and is available for purchase (plug, plug).
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
About five months; but I was also writing another story (Trust Our Tomorrows, featuring Lex & Amanda, also published by Regal Crest Enterprises) at the same time – not something I’d recommend, by the way. All those voices talking at once!
Who or What inspired you to write this book?
It is actually a “prequel” to a short story I wrote for the Academy of Bards. I had gotten a lot of emails asking about the characters, and decided we needed to “meet” them when they first got together. Then I used my old memories to help add a backdrop to the book, and ended up really liking the characters.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
People seem to be fascinated by anything to do with Texas – I know I am. These two ladies are more like everyday people than the usual protagonists we read. There are no secret agents lurking about, but we do get a chance to see how growing up in southern families can affect women differently. Delaney is the beloved daughter surrounded by brothers, while Gig was raised as if she were a boy – and her old-world gallantry shows it. It’s fun to pit these two different types of women against each other and watch the sparks fly.
And, there you have it. My answers to the age-old (or at least 27 weeks) questions. I hope I interested you in my work, or at least gave you a few minutes of fun. I’m going to try and keep my blog more up to date in the future, so stop in again and see me!
** Next Wednesday, here’s the blogs you just HAVE to check out – I know I will!
ML Skinner – www.MLSkinner.com
Jan Carr – http://jmcarrbooks.wordpress.com/
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