My Writing Process

This is a stop on a blog hop with several authors discussing their writing processes. The extremely talented and topnotch Lea Bronson has tagged me and I’ve tagged two authors to follow my post in the hop. There are more authors to visit, so if you follow along, ahead or working back, I’m sure you’re gonna run into a whole bit of talent.  What is this hop all about? It’s about authors offering others a glimpse into their work, their work schedules, and perhaps their innermost thoughts. Come take a hop on the wild side!

Before I get to the questions, I wanted to tell you a bit about Lea. She’s a writer of thriller and erotic romances. I’ve read her Wild Hearted (actually from the first written word, on through the editing, and then again the final product) and then I also read My Biggest Fan which was the same process as above. Lea is an author that really dives into her character’s worlds, is not afraid to take chances, and shows you that good and bad guys in the literal sense can get their story told. I highly recommend this author, not only to read, but to chat up. 

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Lea’s writing process can be found here.

QUESTION TIME:

Q: What am I working on?

This is the million-dollar question isn’t it? You can find me involved in numerous projects at once. Some do this, some don’t, but I find since I’m a plotter, I’m able to jump in and out of stories and go with the flow on what is needed in each. Before I write a book, I plan the plot, develop three conflicts within the story, and work on the motivation behind my characters and what is driving them to do what they do. (If you haven’t heard, I do a workshop on this motivation and my next one will be at the NJ Romance Writers meeting on March 22. Come join us and mention this post for free chocolate!)

So, right now I’m working on Intimate Honor, which is the third book in my Empire Blue series which revolves around a group of brothers and each of their highly suspenseful stories into crime and love. In Intimate Honor, I have Chris, who is a military working dog handler who was injured while out on a top secret mission, and now he is home to try to heal. He’s brought his four legged partner home with him, too, who is being forced to medically retire. Needless to say, there’s a new vet in town who comes to help both K-9 and his human partner, and the tables turn extremely hot—and dangerous—when they discover there is more to heal than just the body.

I’ve also got other works I’m involved with which involve a romantic suspense, Kill for Desire, which I’m writing with Lea Bronsen. Another romantic suspense, Snapped, which I’m writing with fabulous Jessica Jayne. Another erotic romantic suspense that hasn’t yet been titled, that I’m building around tensions in New York City and a broody detective. And in the back of my mind, I know I still need to complete the world of Mikhail, in book two of the Justice Demon series, which has yet to be titled. 

And as a side note, I’m writing a young adult book for my son, who developed the plot and the characters. More to come on that soon.

Q: How does my work differ from others of its genre?

This is a hard question to answer because everyone wants to make sure his or her work stands out. In my books, I chose to redevelop a lot of true crime that’s occurred. With my 9-5, I have the experience to show a lot of the detail that many others may not have. I deal with law enforcement on a daily basis, and being in the investigative field with my level of education, I understand fully what it takes to make sure a criminal is caught, and brought to justice. Taking all that, I throw it into my book. Sometimes it makes it pretty, other times it isn’t. But what it is, is real. So I guess you can say that is what makes it different. Real Crimes. Real Men. Real Lives. Real Love.

Q: How does your writing process work?

I’m a plotter. Simple as that. I have to be in order to make sure everything is covered, as it needs to be. I work my books much like I work my investigations. Each step needs to be covered, and no stones can be left unturned. 

Q: Who will we meet next?

I’m passing on the question baton to two fellow writers:

Sandra Brunio and Jessica Jayne, both talented, both beautiful, and both highly addicting.

Thank you for reading my process!  XOXOXO, DC