Tag: Authors

Writing from the hip!!!

 

Have you ever knew exactly what you wanted to write, but when you started putting it into print it changed in your mind? Well that is where my new piece of work is at. I’ve had the 2nd book in my “Flames of Love” series in my mind for two months. It’s been poking me all that time trying to get out. I finally sat down in August and wrote an outline so that my other books would not overtake it.

Sometimes the mind of a writer strays from it’s original mark and starts up an uncharted road. That is how is seems to me. I sat down yesterday morning to start “Rekindled Flames” which comes after my published book “Tender Flames”. It started off in the same general direction that I wanted it to go, but one of my characters went off on a sudden tirade and there you have it. The outline went askew.

I opened it up when I got to my office and had my assistant and editor read what I had so far which was almost seven pages in an hour and a half. She turned to me and smiled. That is always a good sign. She said she liked the new road and could not wait to read more. As I wrote last night and some this morning I decided I would throw out the outline and write from the hip. Sometimes that is just where the story has to go. We will see if it is a road that leads to the same end, but if it doesn’t it is from the heart. So….. To my fellow bloggers, have a wonderful day and as always, good writing.

Basking in the glow…

Well as I bask in the glow of the first weekend of “A Love Never Lost” my newest novel, I contemplate what next? I know in my previous blog I talked about finishing one of the many that have been started. Well, boy was I wrong. As I sat with my trusty laptop on my lap watching television, my mind kept drifting to the 2nd part to my “Flames of Love” series.

All that has been started on that one is the name, which usually doesn’t come to me until midway or after I type The End. This one came to me before I ever finished the first book in that series, “Tender Flames”. It has done really well on the free offering on Smashwords.com as it has garnered over 1000 Downloads.

Today I will follow my heart which is what any romance author should do. That following will lead me into “Rekindled Flames” and carry on the “Flames of Love” series. I know my assistant is probably going to strangle me, but I have to follow my gut feeling and it says go for it, step out there and jump.

So as we go into this dreary southern Monday (it is raining in Georgia, finally), have a good day and remember it is only 5 days until the weekend.

Decisions filling my head…

As I give “A Love Never Lost” it’s final once over, I contemplate the decision at hand. Now what? I have about 12 novels started and they are all fighting for first place in my mind. Do I go with the historical romance that is 1/3 of the way completed, or the paranormal one that my editor is wanting yesterday, or do I go with one of the others?

It’s funny how a writer’s mind works. I am going to sit down with my notebook that has all the manuscripts printed and screaming at me. As I work in my accounting office, the “Notebook” sits beside me constantly murmuring “finish me, finish me.” I know sounds like I am losing it, but as a writer, I have to listen to the voices in my head. That’s where the stories come from.

So as I start this Thursday morning, I smile and sip my coffee. I slowly peruse the pages of “A Love Never Lost” and get ready to jump into one of the 12 feet first. It’s a poignant moment for me. I still feel sad, but excited that my new baby is getting ready to take it’s first step into publication.

The video trailer is already on Youtube. Just look for Stephanie Hurt and check it out. I have 4 others on Youtube, so check them out. Hopefully tomorrow I will have a decision and another published novel. Have a wonderful day to all my followers and as always good writing and may God lead your words!

Sad it’s coming to an end!

Ok, fellow authors, tell me the truth, do you have withdrawals when you finish writing your book? I am having serious withdrawals which is funny because I have been pushing myself to get it finished. Funny how it works in the scheme of things.

I was finishing up my last little bit of editing last night and I suddenly felt sad that the saga had come to an end. I just think I have been working too hard and too many hours on it. Maybe that’s it. I was going to take a week break from writing, but the other books in play keep poking me in the head saying, “You know you have to work on me.” So, the writing goes on.

Well, that is my rant for the day!

It’s Done!

♥It is official. My new book will be debuting at the end of this week on Amazon and Smashwords. I am really excited about this book. It is the longest manuscript I have completed and it is now my favorite of all my books.

I just have a good feeling about this one. It is a contemporary romance novel, intertwined with suspense. It has been a work that took a lot out of me. I have struggled with how certain parts would go. But when all is said and done, I am pleased. So here is an excerpt, so hope you like it:

She slowly turned in his arms. She heard his sudden intake of breath. She looked up into his eyes and saw what she had feared. He was feeling the same thing as her. His eyes were dark with desire. She had to get a grip, but that was past reasoning.

He looked down into her eyes. It was as though this moment was made for them. They were the only two people on earth. He ran his hands slowly up her arms and framed her face with his hands. He was holding his breath. He finally took in a cleansing breath.

He knew he had to kiss her. If he didn’t he would surely explode. He slowly lowered his lips to hers. She realized what was about to happen. This was wrong somehow this had to be wrong.

She pulled her head back and turned back toward the window. He just stood there. He was unable to move. He wanted to kiss her so badly. His whole body was vibrating with desire for her.

He turned her back toward him. She kept her eyes focused on his boots. He reached out and lifted her chin so that she was looking at him. He could see desire and confusion in her eyes.

“What’s happening here?” He asked the question, but he knew the answer.                               

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s the circumstances.” She tried to pull away but he held her steady. He leaned his forehead toward hers. They stood there for a moment just trying to breath.

She put her hand on his chest. She could feel his heart beating wildly. She knew that he wanted to kiss her. She was so afraid that things would never be the same for them if they kissed. Her heart told her that it would never be the same if they did not kiss.

Well that was just a small tidbit, don’t want to give too much away. Look for it by the end of the week. The trailer video should be up this afternoon on Youtube. Just look for Stephanie Hurt videos.

Have a wonderful day and good writing as always!

Romance! Everyone needs a little!

Romance, everyone needs a little romance. I guess that is what keeps us romance writers busy thinking up new story lines to enhance our readers experience. I have loved romantic stories since I was a young teenager. The first paperback romance I read was “Remembrance” by Danielle Steele. I was hooked from then on.

I would save up my allowance and wait to get to the local bookstore to see what new romance novels were in. Of course when I was a teenager there was no such thing as Kindle, Nook or even going on the internet to order books. I remember getting my first Harlequin book. I thought I had hit the jackpot. My favorite author from Harlequin was Charlotte Lamb. She could take you away to a world that you only dreamed of.

Even a really good marriage needs romance. That is what in my experience keeps the fire going. Even if it is just a simple look at the dinner table or a quiet evening after the kids go to bed. I am a true romantic. I love the candles, bubble baths and a fire in the fireplace.

When I am writing I try to inspire romance. Romance novels can span the genre from Paranormal, Christian, Suspenseful, or historical. I know I left off several types. When I was younger I would never have thought a vampire could bring on romantic feelings, but now that is a given for most. What about a kidnapper that falls in love with their victim and the other way around? Yep I have even read a romance that this happened and it turned out to be a sweet romance.

You can find romance in a horse stable, a department store or even the funeral home. Funny how romance slips in through even the tiniest cracks in the wall. Two complete strangers can find romance in the funniest of places and totally unexpected times. Romance is everywhere, you just have to open yourself up to the possibility.

So if you are an old married couple, young married couple, or even if you are not married, try a little romance. It will lift your spirits, it will revive your soul and you will smile. If you do not have anyone to be romantic with, do this. Get a romance novel, a comfortable chair, some chocolate and a hot steaming cup of tea and get lost. Believe me, it works and you will feel like a whole new person, with possibilities. So get romancing♥

 

Third Cup of Coffee!

Well, it’s Thursday morning. My son is at school and my hubby has gone to work. My mind in swirling with words to put into my current book. I am so excited about this new one.

I just can’t seem to type fast enough to get the words out of my head. I can see the whole ending and I am chomping at the bit or keys as it would be. I worked last night in between watching “The Voice”. My son kept looking at me like I was crazy. I was actually smiling and chewing my lip as I typed.

Have you ever been so into a manuscript that your every thought was focused on it? I had a new thought yesterday for a new spin that has totally rocked my manuscript. One of my characters is going totally on another direction from the original thought.

It is funny how your mind works when you are into a manuscript. You think you have the right answers, but as you type your mind goes ahead of your fingers and totally changes everything. It is so cool how the process just develops on the scope of the work. I can’t tell you where the idea is going, because that would be a “spoiler”. I can tell you that my editor/assistant read up to what I had finished yesterday and she is now not speaking to me. She said she could not believe that I let her read it to that point and left her hanging over a cliff with no reprieve. I just smiled and knew I had accomplished what I wanted.

I know I have said other books were my favorite, but I can honestly say this one has taken 1st prize in my heart. I have honed my writing skills and took into account different reviews of my other books. I have changed techniques and ways of describing characters and places. Just can’t wait to type the end, but then again it has been such a big part of my life for the past month or so that I will probably have withdrawals. LOL!!!♥

“A Love Never Lost” Oh the turns it’s made!

“A Love Never Lost” My “New Book” as it was affectionately called until Tuesday is almost finished. The cover is ready and it now has an official name. Now I have to finish it.

When I started this book I had an idea of where the characters were headed. I knew what I wanted to be the premise of the story. Well, in the writing world, as many of you know, my characters have had a mind of their own. This week one of my characters took on a whole new mindset. It has been exciting seeing where they would go.

Those that are not writers are probably saying to yourself, this lady has truly lost her mind. Well that would be true (Smiling and nodding yes!), but in the case of my writing, I have to go with the flow. Let the river turn and churn where it needs to in order to make it interesting.

I have loved all my published books, whether anybody else did or not. This book seems to be taking center stage in my heart. I lay awake at night wondering what will happen next. It has been an awesome ride. This will be the longest manuscript of all my books yet.

The release of “A Love Never Lost” is scheduled for mid September, or no later than late September. It is so exciting to see your baby start to try to take small steps. Well that is where it is at.

Hope everyone has a great Thursday!