With about six weeks to write 15,000 words, I jumped right in. (Or, rather, I sat right down at my computer and typed like my fingers were on fire.)
Of course, before I could start all that typing, I had to figure out what my romance was going to be. Sweet? Sexy? Intergalactic?
I came up with a list of romantic premises based on my own experiences, fantasies, and stories friends have told me over the years. Many of these are sure to become future publications--two are already in the works for this summer and fall. But the one idea that kept tugging at my imagination actually came to me in a dream.
I am taking care of a friend's house--someone I haven't seen for a long, long time. Though it's been years and he is far away, I feel connected to him as I live in his space, with his things. I walk though his kitchen and see his shoes by the door. I sit down at his computer and see notes jotted and photos tacked on the wall. I curl up in his twin bed with soft navy blue sheets, and, little by little, find myself falling in love.
As I thought about writing the dream into a story, the ache of these questions arose:
How can I tell him I love him when I don't know when--or if--he will return?
How can I tell him I love him when we haven't seen each other face-to-face for so long, only communicating over email and phone?
How can I tell him I've fallen in love with the intimate details of his life, when he knows next to nothing about me?
And, finally, what if the person I think I've fallen in love with bears little to no resemblance to the person he actually is?
These questions were far too enticing to ignore, and the answers became the story line for While He's Away. I hope you love the story--and the story behind the story.
~~~
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It was so cool to see the inspiration behind the story. I love idea the of falling in love with someone by living in their world. (Jennifermartin1212@gmail.com)
ReplyDeleteInsight always seems to give so much more power to a story. I look forward to more.
ReplyDeleteI loved this story. It was the kind of book where you fall in love with the characters and you morn the end of the book.
ReplyDeleteKim at Kim.all4paws@gmail.com :)
ReplyDeleteI love Spring. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMimi Smith
mimismithblue AT gmail DOT com
Thanks for the hop.
ReplyDeletemagic5905 at embarqmail dot com
I celebrate spring by doing the annual spring cleaning. Out with the old, in with the new!
ReplyDeletejacobsone AT katewwdb DOT com
Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteI celebrate spring by decorating for it and spending more time outside.
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com
Wow 5,000 words, sounds nice, you have a lot inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteIt's so wonderful that spring is almost here! Thanks for being on the hop.
ReplyDeletewriteforward at yahoo dot com
I celebrate Spring by getting some hyacinths and daffodils in pots all around the house (we don't see them in the garden here, until June!).
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the warm tempts and taking long walks in the spring, love being outside. I got to take a walk today and loved it.
ReplyDeletequiltlady110 AT gmail DOT com
Virginia H.
I look forward to regrowing my garden in spring. Also, taking daily walks with the kids and swimming.
ReplyDeleteOops, bramgirl@hotmail.com
DeleteI love hearing about the story behind the story! I don't know if I'd house sit for a stranger, it's a great story line.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Spring, I'm in southern CA, it's nice all year long.
Shannon
sabai30705(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sounds like a fun premise.
ReplyDeleteLiz
elizabethingleerichards@gmail.com
I celebrate spring by traveling more, and putting yellow freesias all over the house!
ReplyDeletevitajex(at)Aol(dot)com
Thank you for sharing your story writing process. michelle_willms at yahoo dot com; Michelle Willms
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting to learn about a writers writing process! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteamy bowens
amybowens34 (at) yahoo (dot) com
It is interesting to hear where your story line came from. The questions are indeed intriguing. I have read the story and loved it. I was ready for another one as soon as I I finished.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to hear how you came to your story.
ReplyDeletejmcgaugh (at) semo (dot) edu
I like spring and I look forward to reading your books. name is robyn donnelly. email: robyndonnelly@ymail.com
ReplyDelete