NOT YOUR USUAL SUSPECTS

A group blog featuring an international array of killer mystery, suspense, and romantic suspense writers. With premises and story lines different from your run-of-the-mill whodunits, we tend to write outside the box. We blog several times a week on all topics relating to romantic suspense and mystery, our writing, and our readers. We welcome all comments and often have guest bloggers. All our authors can be contacted separately, too, using their own social media links.

We find our genre delightfully, dangerously, and deliciously exciting - join us here, if you do too!

NOTE: the blog is currently dormant but please enjoy the posts we're keeping online.


Julie Moffet . Cathy Perkins . Jean Harrington . Daryl Anderson . Nico Rosso . Maureen A Miller . Sandy Parks . Lisa Q Mathews . Sharon Calvin . Lynne Connolly . Janis Patterson . Vanessa Keir . Tonya Kappes . Julie Rowe . Joni M Fisher . Leslie Langtry

Monday, April 18, 2011

WRITE WHAT YOU LOVE AND LOVE WHAT YOU WRITE


I had an emergency come up over the last week, and completely forgot that I was blogging this morning. So I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to post a previous blog that I wrote, as the words in it are just as true today as they were when I wrote it. :-)

A good friend once told me write what you love and love what you write. I firmly believe that. She said unless you love your story and what you have written, how can you expect the reader to love it? I sometimes forget that’s my job as a storyteller. It’s the reason I love to write. I want to tell people a story, with a compelling beginning, middle, and an emotionally satisfying ending that they will remember and think about after they have “put down the book.”

That’s the case with Desperate Choices. I loved the story as I outlined it, figuring out who each of the characters was, what motivated them to make the choices they make throughout the book. If I was in the same situation, would I make the same choices?

Back cover: When psychic Theresa Crawford’s former beau walks into her New Orleans New Age shop, she senses trouble. Big trouble. Max Lamoreaux hasn’t come to discuss their relationship—the private investigator is on a case, and he needs Theresa’s help.

Max’s godson is missing. The police have declared Tommy a runaway, but Max’s gut tells him otherwise. While he’s highly skeptical of Theresa’s abilities, her visions provide the only clue as to who’s taken Tommy. The longer Max works with Theresa, the harder it is to resist his desire for the sexy woman.

As they inch closer to finding Tommy, Max and Theresa also discover that time hasn’t diminished their powerful attraction. But Theresa harbors her own dark secrets from her past. Secrets that broke them up before—and could drive them apart again, unless Theresa can learn to trust Max with everything….

For those of you who are readers, there is an excerpt from Desperate Choices on my website www.kathyivan.com. There’s also a book trailer there for the book.

For those of you who are writers (or interested in writing), here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way.

WRITING TIPS:
1. Never give up. I know everybody says that, but it’s the truth. I decided it was time to retire Desperate Choices. After making a deal with one of my critique partners that I’d send it out one last time (to Carina Press), I gave it one final shot. That was on March 6, 2010. I got the call on May 11, 2010.
2. Get good critique partners. Have people read your manuscript who will give you honest constructive feedback. It’s easy to find people who will read your work and gush and say how wonderful it is, but that won’t get you one step closer to publication; it’ll just make you feel good for the moment. Having people who aren’t afraid of yielding the dreaded red pen and slashing and hacking at your baby may hurt, but it will ultimately make you a better writer.
3. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; be true to what you write and write what you love. If you don’t believe and love the story you’re writing, trust me, the reader will be able to tell that in a minute.

17 comments:

Toni Anderson said...

Sorry about the emergency and great writing tips, Kathy!

Kathy Ivan said...

Thanks, Toni.

Unfortunately we had to put our beloved black lab, Missy, to sleep this past week. It was unexpected but the most humane thing to do. It did, however, throw my entire schedule for last week out the door and I just plain forgot about getting my blog post written.

Vicki Batman said...

Hi, Kathy.

First, I'm so sorry to heaer about your love, Missy. It is so hard to let go. Major hugs and kisses.

Second, I thought your three points are so valid and on target. Thanks for posting them.

Toni Anderson said...

Kathy--my heart breaks for you. Truly.

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear about Missy, Kathy. It's heartbreaking. Sending hugs and good wishes.

Great writing tips.

Kathy Ivan said...

Thanks everybody for you kind words. It's still hard (we had her for 11 years), but each day will make it a bit easier.

And thanks Vicki--I always try to remember those three things, as they help keep me focused and grounded. Having people who can read my stuff and give honest feedback without stroking my enormous ego is a godsend.

chris k said...

Love what you write and write what you love - what sound advice -

I think that often explains why some books you read by authors you just adored and then one day everything seems like they 'phoned it in' -

Too often authors follow the trends and leave behind writing what they love-

Fabulous advice

Marcelle Dubé said...

Good post, Kathy. I'm sorry about your loss. I was there, too, recently. It's hardest on the kids, of course.

Elise Warner said...

Sorry to hear about Missy. I cried for a week after we lost our toy poodle, Jackie. Wrote about her and it was published in Good Dogs Doing Good. Perhaps Missy will come back to you in a story. Good tips for writers, Kathy. Thank you.

Rita said...

Hugs on your loss
Your post is right on target. great advice for all writers

Kathy Ivan said...

Thanks everyone. You kind comments help tremendously.

For anybody interested, I posted a picture of Missy over on my personal blog (if you want to see my baby girl).

www.kathyivan.blogspot.com

Liz Lipperman said...

Sorry about Missy, Kathy. I still tear up over Max and it's been 3 years.

As for your advice - it's spot on. When I was asked if I could write a cozy, I thought I would not be true to myself if I didn't write mysteries the way I like them - with lots of sex, gruesome murders and bad language when needed. I discovered it wasn't nearly as hard as I anticipated. A few craps instead of you know whats and I was good to go.

Because I loved what I was writing!!! Great advice.

Kendall Swan said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Missy, Kathy. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
You give such good advice. It's true for all writing but I think it may be even more true for writing erotica. I can't seem to get myself to write in a few subgenres that are selling so well. I just can't get into it and that translates onto the page.

Happy Writing!

Maureen A. Miller said...

Oh gosh, Kathy. I'm so sorry. My heart goes out to you.

Regarding the blog, never were more accurate words written than to say, "Never give up."

Julie Moffett said...

Oh, Kathy, I'm so sorry for your loss. Our pets are truly a part of our families. Our German Shepard is 9.5 now and I absolutely can't bear the thought of her not being with us.

The post was great and had wonderful advice. I'm glad you didn't give up!

Janis Patterson said...

Great post, Kathy. Hope all worked out well with your emergency. It's sometimes heck when life gets in the way, isn't it?

Nancy said...

I love your post, Kathy! So true that writers should never, never give up. Anyone with any goal should always persist in meeting the goal!

You are one of the most amazing people I have the pleasure of knowing, and I lift a glass to your continued success!

Light,
Nancy Haddock

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