I’m working on a new book, and this is one I’ve had half written and fully plotted for a few years. It is requiring a lot of research for the time period, and the action centers on how Americans treated each other after the Civil War/War of Northern Aggression/War Between the States was finished. Post war reconstruction was nasty business.
One reason for the genre of my stories is I love history-official history geek here. I also love romance and this is also a reason for my genre. Though I am combining my two interests I also want to make the stories real in the interactions of the people. This is why I go to my source for all things male-my hubby.
If I get to a sticking point where I’m trying to come up with dialogue or action for a scene I will run it by him for his reaction. He will ask me questions to make me revisit the plot and character motivation and soon he has teased out the perfect next step in writing the scene.
I have had to occasionally remind him I am writing the book for a specific audience and I’ve got this.
He’s good with that.
Looking back over the old stuff I have written it’s apparent I am getting better at the writing process. I read through those first pages and mercilessly hacked at lines and scenes. Now as I rewrite it is coming into better focus. I’m at around 17k words with about four times that to go.
I’m really enjoying reconnecting with these people and fitting the historical events, places and people into their fictional lives.
What a thrill.
Cheers!
-N