What is your writing process like?
Stories keep me awake until I build them in my head at night. I create a detailed profile of each character. Next, I timeline and outline for the story by chapter/scene. I might write a blurb at this point. Having a visual image of each character helps me write better dialogue. I start with the outline and fill in the story behind the outline blurbs. Then I go back and read it for gaps, emotions, actions, etc. I do several rounds of rewriting before sharing with a critique group. After incorporating feedback, I hand it over to beta readers. After adding their suggestions as they make sense to me, I turn it over to my editor.
How do you come up with ideas for stories and characters?
Ideas are everywhere--people I meet, the news, history, things I read. The list goes on and on. Nearly everything I come in contact with is subject to spurring a story idea in my head. Ideas usually come to me as I'm trying to sleep.
What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you?
I have never experienced it. I'm sure it's real for some people. I have more tales to share than I have time write.
How do you process and deal with negative book reviews?
I read them, but they don't bother me too much. I try to see it from their perspective and learn whatever I can from them. I'm continually striving to become better at my craft. Some are more about the reader than they are the book. Reading is so subjective, and it can change depending on what the reader is going through at the time.
What is the most challenging part of your writing process?
Managing my writer business, social media, marketing, publishing, editing, formatting, public speaking, attending events, etc., all the other work that comes from the business of writing and still finding time to write.
How long have you been writing, or when did you start?
I started when I was five. I've written all of my life. When I was in my corporate career I wrote contracts, proposals, copywriting, advertising copy, business letters, training classes, manuals, etc., and didn't find time to get my fiction writing published. After I gave up the corporate career, I was able to focus on publishing fiction during the last decade.
What advice would you give writers working on their first book?
Study your craft. Network with those you admire and your peers. Join a professional writing organization and learn about craft and the industry from them. Never stop studying but find time to put your fingers to the keys and write every day.
How do you develop your plot and characters?
See the question about my process for the plot question. I created a spreadsheet that I fill out about main characters, detailing physical traits, backgrounds, connections to other characters, emotional status, and everything you could want to know about the character. This clears the path to how they will act and react in situations, as well as how they will speak and think.
How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?
I have published 29 books at this point, but this is an ever-changing question. I tend to forget the number and am constantly thinking about the next one. I guess my favorites would still be my first two published works. Gold Lust Conspiracy is a historical romance about a young woman's struggle to survive in the wilderness during the 1890's Alaskan Gold Rush. Parsley, Sage, Rose, Mary & Wine, The Bloodline Series 1, is about a widow starting over in horse country, rural Kentucky, attempting to live her dream of organic farming, when she gets involved in a tangled web of murder and deceit, and falls for the over-protective sheriff who bristles at her impulsive independence.
What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?
Editing is the worst part. Writing is the fun.
What inspired the idea for your book?
Flip or Flop, Murder House was published 4/1/23. During my 36 years selling residential real estate, I saw some strange things in properties. You never know what lurks inside. I grew up among mobster families, so weaving a real character and incident from history came from my curiosity about what might've been and what became of them. I love strong, damaged women, so Charli Owens, female contractor was born.
In Fresh Starts, Dirty Money, launching 6/1/23, in pre-sale NOW!) Bree moves from a rural mountain setting to the city to start over. I know from personal experience what it's like to leave everything and everyone you know and love behind to start over in an unknown place. From my many years as a VP at a financial services company, I'm fascinated with the stock market, so I wove in a crime about money swindling.
What was your hardest scene to write, and why?
Red herrings are sometimes difficult to put together, but they can be a blast to create.
What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
Coffee, and lots of it. Water, lots more; and then wine. Thank you, Hunky Hubby, for keeping me well-hydrated.
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
Janet Evanovich. I love her stories. They make me laugh out loud. Thank you, Janet, for embarrassing me many times on airplanes when I disturbed other travelers.
When was the last time you Googled yourself and what did you find?
I did this a month ago on a whim. I found my FB, Twitter, Pinterest accounts. My latest books came up linking to Amazon, B&N and many distributors I wasn't even aware of. My website was listed https://www.lyndareesauthor.com , and there was the link to become a VIP at https://preview.mailerlite.com/t1a6j6 I gift new VIPs with two free ebooks when they join.