Letting the Story Take Control

When I start writing a book or story, it usually begins with a single thought that seems to take on a life of its own. It develops itself as much as I develop it. Today's guest in My Writing Corner seems to be an author who does things much the same way. My guest today is Elaine Violette and she is here to tell us about her newest book, Blessings and the Thief which is a part of the Wild Rose Press Christmas in the Castle Series. It sounds like a perfect read during the long evenings of the winter season or when you need to take a break from the holiday hoopla.

Elaine writes British and American Historical Romances and has seven published novels to her credit. Part of the fun of writing historical romance fiction, she says, is doing research into the past and creating characters that live and love in these sometimes glorious and sometimes harrowing times. A veteran English teacher, Elaine holds a BS in English Education from the University of CT and an MS in Educational Leadership from Central CT State University. She presently teaches public speaking part time at a local community college. Residing on the Connecticut shoreline with her golfing husband, Drew, she delights in being a wife, mother, and grandmother. Other favorite activities, apart from reading and writing, are nature walks, kayaking, and baking yummy desserts.  Let's find out more about Elaine and her new book.

What do you find is the most challenging part of being an author?

Five hours pass like one, when I start writing, and there never seems enough time. Therefore, the most challenging part for me as an author is finding the time and sticking to a schedule. Life is full of distractions!

How do you come up with your plots? 

I admire writers who are able to keep story boards and character files, etc. I am most creative when I sit down and start writing. I create an initial plot but then it begins to develop on its own as I write. My characters take on personalities as if they were close friends. When I’m not at the computer, ideas generate on a walk, at the gym, or even in a dream. The fun part of creation is when a story takes on a life of its own, and the characters live and breathe in your mind. Their welfare and happiness depend on you, the author. What a responsibility and how great is that!

Tell us about your road to publication.

Oh, what a journey! My first Regency, Regal Reward, was traditionally published in 2007. Two more Regencies followed, A Convenient Pretense, and A Kiss of Promise. Unfortunately, the publisher went out of business. I was able to have my rights returned, and I chose the road of self-publishing.  A three-book Redemption series followed: Of Faith Under Fire and Hope Unshackled. Book three, “Love at War” is not yet completed. 

I have enjoyed a rewarding career as a self-published author, and, I admit, it took a long while to put my trust in another traditional publisher due to my first experience. After hearing great things about The Wild Rose Press, I decided to submit a manuscript. I am now a happy TWRP author with a great publisher and editor. My novel, Embracing Amelia, a Regency, was released by TWRP in April 2023, and now, a sweet novella, Blessings and the Thief, released November 6, 2024, is available to bring a bit of holiday spirit to my readers. 

What is your book that you will feature today and how did you come up with the idea to write it?

‘Tis the Season to embrace the holiday spirit with a novella, Blessings and the Thief, a story with mystery, whimsy, and love, and that leaves a message on the importance of friendship and heartfelt giving. I enjoy developing different personalities in my characters. In Blessings and the Thief, I found the opportunity to bring together a fun group of elders, each with unique personalities, that both grate on their peers as well as draw laughter and teasing. The jovial atmosphere brings comic relief as the main characters face their demons.  The elders’ wisdom and forgiveness draw out the true meaning of Christmas. My books always incorporate healing and redemption. Blessings and the Thief gave me the opportunity to create a holiday party atmosphere, draw a fun group of friends together, heal heartbreak, and nurture a budding romance. 

Let's get a blurb:

Damien Reeves grudgingly agrees to host his ailing Uncle Lionel’s Christmas party at the Blackmoor Inn, a restored castle famous for absurd ghost lore. When he learns of petty thefts that have occurred among his uncle’s elderly friends, he hopes discovering the culprit might keep him from reliving his own tragic holiday memories. When a beautiful young woman arrives, a more enticing challenge appears.

Tessia Bennington is relieved to spend the holidays at the reputed haunted inn with her aunt and uncle after the man she’d expected to marry begged off. She enjoys the frolicking escapades of the aged partiers while ignoring the handsome host’s flirtations. What she can’t ignore is a ghostly presence seeking her help.

Neither Tess nor Damien could have imagined the bizarre events and this most unusual holiday. Will they part with special memories or shed their defenses and find happiness in each other?

How about a book Excerpt?

        “It is a shame your uncle couldn’t come to be with his friends,” Tess said. “I met him last year when I visited with my aunt and uncle. He was a cheerful sort.”

        “Yes, though I would hardly use the word cheerful to describe Uncle Lionel. He does have an unusual sense of humor. Who else would send his friends out of the city during the coldest season to the Blackmoor of all places? London has enough hotels, just as comfortable.”

        “Perhaps he felt the inn’s reputation for ghost tales would add to the festivities.”

        “I suspect my uncle has been in collusion with Mr. Graves. The ghosts seem too appropriately chosen. Wouldn’t you agree?”

        “I admit that my uncle’s ornery bedroom spirit does seem too coincidental. What of your spirit, a thief?”

        Damien tossed his head back and laughed. “I am certain that my uncle doesn’t place me in the category of a thief unless he suspected that I might steal someone’s heart during my stay.” Did he say that? He had spent the night dreaming of Tess in the most intimate of ways.

        Tess’s mouth fell open before she clamped it shut and turned back toward the fire.

        “You do know that previous guests have been told many ghost tales,” Damien said, filling in the silence. “I suspect Mr. Graves and his staff have great fun creating stories to entertain guests or, perhaps, to rid themselves of difficult ones.”

        “Are you suggesting that your uncle may have helped to personalize the chosen bedroom spirits?”

        “I suspect just that. My ghostly thief might have been created merely because a petty thief has been pestering the group. My uncle informed me of the incidences before I arrived. I suspect that you’ve heard of the thievery?”

        “Why, yes. It’s a constant conversation between my aunt and uncle. Uncle Harold’s favorite quill pen disappeared months ago, and he still speaks of it. My aunt has told me of other unusual disappearances as well. The items are all quite inconsequential. I suspect a jokester is having fun with them.

        “Have they suspected anyone in their group?”

        “No. Why even if they did suspect someone, they wouldn’t tell me. A faultless person could be blamed.”

        Damien smiled. He was becoming more and more intrigued by Tessia Bennington.

What’s your next project or what are you working on now?

I hope to complete book three in my American Historical Romance series, “Love at War,” one that requires deeper research into a difficult period in our history. When I’m not working on that, I have a contemporary romance in the works, as well as organizing a poetry collection I hope to publish. Always something to keep my busy and never enough hours in the day! 

What advice do you have for beginning writers?

The most important advice I was given as a beginning writer was offered by a fellow author, and which has stayed with me all these years. “Write every day, even if you have time to write only one sentence.” It is amazing how one sentence turns into a paragraph and a whole page, and soon an entire manuscript. I admit I falter on this advice, but it has kept me writing.  My personal advice is not to get discouraged. Revision is as important as your first draft. Reread, revise, reread, revise. Ideas grow through revision. When I reread a few pages of one of my finished books, I find myself a bit surprised. Where did these words and ideas come from, formed, and penned? There will always be better writers, but never doubt yourself and your unique talent if you have a passion to write. Creating is a self-fulfilling gift as well as a gift to others.

That's good advice Elaine! Here are the buy links for Blessings and the Thief and Elaine's social contact information:

Buy links:

Amazon

BookBub  

Barnes and Noble

Social Media

Website: http://elaineviolette.com

Blog: http://elainevioletteblogs.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/elaineviolette.author

Amazon Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B008H5NKQQ

Twitter: https://twitter.com/elaine_violette

Thank you, Elaine, for being my guest today.  Any comments or questions for Elaine?

Making A Connection

Perhaps the best part of doing this weekly blog is getting to meet so many new and great authors -- all with fascinating stories of their own to tell as well as the stories they write. Today's guest in My Writing Corner fits that description perfectly beginning with the tag line of her introduction:

Where romance and intrigue collide…

Sheila Kell is my guest today. She writes about romantic men who, she describes as leaving women’s hearts pounding with a happily ever after built on "memorable, adrenaline-pumping stories." Her debut novel, His Desire, launched as an Amazon #1 romantic suspense bestseller and later won the Readers’ Favorite award for best romantic suspense novel.

 

Having left behind her days in the United States Air Force and as a University Vice President, Sheila can be found on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where she lives with her cats. When she isn't writing, Sheila says you can find her with her nose in a good book or wishing she had a genie to do her bidding. Let's find out more about Sheila.

What do you enjoy about being an author?

My favorite part of being an author is connecting with the readers and hearing how my stories impact them.

Tell us about your road to publication.

Once I finally sat and finished my draft of His Desire, I initially sent my manuscript to agents and publishers. With the feedback from them, I edited my manuscript and decided to self-publish my first book. 

What is your book that you will feature today and how did you come up with the idea to write it?

His Destiny is part of the HIS series where the stories are interconnected by the agency and family but are stand-alone books. This one was a surprise book that I hadn’t planned to write. But as the story unfolded in another book, this idea came to me to add it to the plan. Here's what the Book Fairy Review says about it:

“Wow, can it get any better? Well true to Sheila's style, Yes, yes it can get better.”

 

More about His Destiny...

Discover what unfolds when fate brings together a man who doubts his worth and a woman in Sheila's passionate novel about distrust and desire. In this compelling story, a damaged man and a broken woman are bound by heartbreak, danger, and the electric thrill of possibility.

 

Let's get a blurb:

Trent McKenzie flees his town, desperate to escape the anguish gnawing at his soul. However, when he receives word that his dear friend may be in peril, he returns, determined to shield her and confront the looming threat. Trent and Kelly embark on a quest for truth, knowing that destiny may not always be just.

How about an excerpt:

        “Look,” she said in all seriousness, “this is between you and Blake. Don’t hold your brothers responsible for this. You’ve been a part of this family all your life.”
        “And we now know why,” he bit out more harshly than she deserved. Good old fucking Senator Blake Hamilton kept him as his dirty little secret. Wondering how Blake actually kept it quiet all these years with opponents trying to unseat him in the senate, always digging up dirt, he almost missed her next words.
        “Make peace, or not, with your father, but don’t cut out the only friends you’ve had.”
Knowing his brothers—there, he’d said it—weren’t responsible didn’t make it any easier to act like nothing had changed, except their title went from friend to family.
        Water slipped toward them as the tide moved in and waves slid inland. Maybe he should’ve taken off his shoes instead of his shirt. Stupid thing to think about considering the conversation, but now that he had company, he’d certainly feel more comfortable that way. “I’ll think about it.”
        “There’s something else. It’s the main reason I wanted to be the one to speak with you.”
Curious, he appraised her and raised a brow. “Go on.” His gut turned in warning that this could get interesting.
        “It’s Kelly.”
Instantly his blood turned to ice with fear, and his entire focus became this conversation.                      “Kelly?” he questioned with a croak in his voice and his heart pounding.
        Nodding solemnly, she continued, “Something’s going on with her. I don’t know what it is, and she won’t open up.”
        Blood pressure rising rapidly, he took those damn soothing breaths Jamie told him to take as sweat broke out on his brow. “What kind of trouble? Is she safe?” he rushed out in one breath, wanting all the information yesterday so he could act.
        “Honestly, I don’t know that it’s any trouble at all, Trent, but something has her spooked.”
        “I’ll leave in the morning and drive straight through.” Kelly, baby, stay safe until I get to you.
        Shocked, she sucked in a breath. “Trent, that’s sixteen and a half hours.”
        Shrugging, he was already calculating everything he had to do before he left. That long drive was nothing for Kelly’s sake. Hell, if he didn’t need transportation when he returned to Baltimore, he’d just hop on a flight and store his bike. “I can make good time on the bike.                        Besides, it’s Kelly.”
        A knowing smile spread across Megan’s face.
        Let her think what she wanted. Kelly was special to him. Precious. And, not to be touched. He respected her too much. That didn’t mean his dick didn’t think differently whenever he was around her. But what was important now was making sure she was okay.
        “Tell me more,” he insisted, as the need to be by Kelly’s side simmered in his veins.
        Well, Jamie, you got your wish. I’m going to face them. At least my brothers.

What’s your next project or what are you working on now?

I’m working on the Agents of HIS series now and Casper is up in Chasing Shadows at Dusk. He’s former Delta operator and must return home to help his brother out of a jam. We all know that returning home is never as easy as it sounds.

What advice do you have for beginning writers?

Sit in the chair and write the story. Don’t just ponder it. Don’t just plot it. Write it, get an editor, and then pull the trigger and submit it to agents/publishers or publish it yourself. But it all starts with writing it.

Great advice! Thank you, Sheila, for being my guest today. Here is the information on where to find her books as well as contact information:

Buy links: 

https://www.sheilakell.com/book/his-destiny 

For more information….

Sign up for Sheila’s newsletter: http://www.sheilakell.com/subscribe

Find Sheila on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheilakellbooks

Follow Sheila on BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sheila-kell

Follow Sheila on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/sheilakell

Find Sheila on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Sheila_Kell

Contact Sheila for information on her reader group, advance teams, and other ways to follow: sheila@sheilakell.com  

Any comments or questions for Sheila?

A Visit to the World of the Media

As someone who spent 40 years working in television and the media, and still writes books set in the television world, today's guest in My Writing Corner immediately caught my attention, though my work was always behind the scenes as a Producer and Newsroom Manager.

Our guest, Nikki Knight, describes herself as an Author/Anchor/Mom … not in that order. An award-winning weekend anchor at New York City’s 1010 WINS Radio, she also writes short stories and novels. Her stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Mystery Magazine, and Black Cat Weekly, online, and in anthologies – and been short-listed for Black Orchid Novella and Derringer Awards. Active in writers’ groups, she has served as Vice President of the Short Mystery Fiction Society and is currently Co-Vice President of the New York/Tri-State Chapter of Sisters in Crime. As Kathleen Marple Kalb, Nikki writes the Ella Shane and Old Stuff mystery series. She, her husband, and son live in a Connecticut house owned by their cat.  Let's find out more about Nikki and her new book.

Welcome, Nikki. What do you enjoy about being an author?

I get to make it all up! My “day job” is as a weekend anchor at 1010 WINS, the top all-news radio station in New York City. Enough to say that the stories I cover at work are often dark and gritty and not many people get happy endings. But when I’m writing the story, I get to make sure everything comes out right! For me, it’s the best thing about fiction.

What do you find is the most challenging part of being an author?

I’m still not as good as I’d like to be with rejection. After more than 300 – across short stories, querying, and contests – I should be. But every once in a while, I get one I can’t play off. Or I get passed over for something I really wanted and needed. And then I have to remind myself of my own great advice about rejection – see below! Being a pro doesn’t mean you don’t feel it…it just means you handle it gracefully. 

Tell us about your road to publication.

It’s been a long one! Getting into print the first time took 200 rejections over three projects and a couple of years – in the middle of a family health crisis. After I got signed for the first book, I revised an earlier project, inspired by my time at a small Vermont radio station, and the new version sold…only to be dropped after one book! Then: Covid. New round of family health issues and losses. Wrote other things but couldn’t give up on Vermont. Finally found a new home at the Wild Rose Press…and here we are with: Live, Local, And Long Dead!

What is your book that you will feature today and how did you come up with the idea to write it?

Welcome to the Vermont Radio Mystery Live, Local, And Long Dead! The series (now two books and more than a dozen published short stories) is inspired by my early-career time at a small radio station, and it’s kind of my happy place. Maybe an escape fantasy! DJ Jaye Jordan returns to Vermont after a personal and professional meltdown to take over the station where she worked 20 years ago and gets into all kinds of trouble. In Live, Local, And Long Dead, the whole town is at a Green-Up Day cleanup when not one, but two bodies turn up: one a woman who was involved with both Jaye’s ex and her new man, the second a much older skeleton. Now, Jaye and the entire gang will have to solve two murders – and get 103-year-old Grandpa Seymour to the Senior Prom!

Let's get a blurb:

Vermont DJ Jaye Jordan's Green-Up Day ends in murder when not one, but two, bodies turn up in an old park -- and one of them was much too close to both her ex and her current man when it was alive and bodacious. Now Jaye, with the help of a colorful (and diverse) cast of townies, will have to clear her men's names, unravel a World War II-era mystery…and get Grandpa Seymour to the Senior Prom on time. 

How about an excerpt:

The Prom-Posal:

        “Go get ′em!” I hissed, giving Grandpa a high-five and grabbing the boom box. The plan was the kids would walk Aunt Patsy out into the Plaza on some pretext, and then Grandpa would appear on the porch, roses in hand, and cue the unseen elves to fire the music.

        I slipped out the side door and hid behind the back of the porch. 

        Aunt Patsy, flanked by Ryan and Xavi, was walking into the Plaza, talking animatedly to the kids. “You really saw a white squirrel? How fascinating…”

        Grandpa walked onto the porch, roses in hand. Ryan elbowed Aunt Patsy.

        “Seymour?”

        “Maestro!” He snapped his fingers. I hit the button, and Johnny Mathis’ glorious tenor filled the cold gray air.

        “Chances are…”

        Grandpa grinned.

        “Seymour, what are you doing?”

        He walked down the stairs as she crossed to him. They both move a little slowly but are impressively nimble for their age. Ryan and Xavi had the phones, of course borrowed from Rob and me, at the ready, recording the moment for social media and posterity, which was great, but what was really terrific was the expressions on the couple’s faces.

        Sometimes, the world just seems to be spinning in a better direction when you see two people’s eyes meet. Love is love, and thank G-d for it.

        “What is all this, Seymour?” Aunt Patsy asked with a warm, amused smile.

        “I want to take my girl to the prom. And the kids tell me I have to ask in a fancy way to have any hope of getting a yes.”

        “Do they, now?” She took the flowers, and then, her face broke into a great big smile. “Well, I have only one thing to say to you.”

        She glanced back at the rectory and snapped her fingers.

        A banner unfurled from the upstairs window, bright pink letters and lots of glitter on shiny white: “Yes!”

        A shower of large pink and sparkly confetti followed the banner, and I looked up to see Maeve beaming in the window as she threw more.

        Grandpa laughed. “I’ll take that. You got me good, Pats.”

        “Why should the guy have all the fun?” She was laughing too. “Couldn’t let you away with that patriarchal nonsense.”

        He took her hands. “But you don’t mind letting me lead when we dance.”

        “Dancing’s different. Sometimes a girl has to let her guy take the lead. Like now.”

        I turned up the music a little to give them a hint. Grandpa pulled Aunt Patsy in, and the two swayed together as the small crowd applauded

        If this was the prom-posal, I could only imagine what would happen when Grandpa decided to put a ring on it.

What’s your next project or what are you working on now?

I’m always working on new Vermont stories, even when I’m writing something else. I really love these people and this setting. And the next Vermont book, Live, Local, And Larcenous, is slowly taking shape! 

What advice do you have for beginning writers?

Get used to rejection and learn from it. Rejection is depressing and it hurts, and we tend to take it too much to heart. A rejection is “no, today” on one piece of work. It’s not a sweeping statement about your writing or a divine judgment on your career. And definitely not on you as a real person. Learn what you can from any feedback and just keep going. See a rejection for the temporary setback – and possible learning opportunity – it is, and don’t give it more power than it deserves.  It’s never fun, but it doesn’t have to rule you! 

Thank you, Nikki, for being my guest today. Here are some buys links for Live, Local, and Long Dead and Nikki's contact information:

Buy Links:

Amazon:   Live, Local, and Long Dead (A Vermont Radio Mystery): Knight, Nikki: 9781509257461: Amazon.com: Books

Barnes & Noble:  Live, Local, and Long Dead

Social Contacts:

Website:  https://kathleenmarplekalb.com/nikki-knight

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NikkiKnightAuthor

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/NikkiKnightVT

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathleenmarplekalb/

Other: YouTube: NIKKI KNIGHT'S RADIO STORYTIME - YouTube   

Any comments or questions for Nikki/Kathleen?