I was raised with the notion that time + work = a paycheck and sitting around having fun thinking up stories surely cannot be considered work.
On some days I might actually agree with that statement. Writing really is fun, or I don’t think I’d have a passion for it. But on other days I realize it really is work, and that’s what this blog is all about. This is a picture of the work of a novelist — well, of one novelist anyway. Me.
I’m just beginning my ninth contracted novel. Three of my books were published so many years ago I probably shouldn’t count them, but I do because I recall even then the same pattern I’m experiencing now, the same challenges and triumphs. And I’m all grown up now (at fifty, I need to say that) so I guess if I face this pattern now, I’ll probably face it when I’m sixty and seventy (and hopefully still writing).
So here’s what I plan to do. I’ve been keeping a diary of my journey through my latest book, and have enough content to share it with others on this blog site in the “mad” hope that anyone else will want to read it. I’ll share the ups and the downs that I’ve come to know in my comparatively limited experience, and explore the pattern I’ve recognized that I mentioned above — one that, for better or worse, is part of my writing life.
But to get things started, in the coming days I’d like to do a contest for a free copy of one of my books. If you leave a comment after any posts in the next seven days I’ll do a random selection for one winner to receive a free copy of any one of the following:
- Pieces of Silver (Book One)
- Remember Me (Book Two)
- The Oak Leaves (Book One)
- On Sparrow Hill (Book Two) *
So leave a comment to be included in a chance to win a free book in the next seven days. The choice is yours! Don’t know what to say? Just say Hi, to let me know there’s someone on the other end of this cyber connection.
*For reviews and book descriptions, please check out Amazon.com.
In the mean time to give you a taste of the things I’ll be talking about on this blog, I’ll share with you now how my current project got started. It’s tentatively titled Brother’s All and is the first of a three book series that will release early next fall with Tyndale House.
Like other writers, when I read something interesting I play the “What If…” game. For Brother’s All, the inspiration started after reading The Englishman’s Daughter by Ben MacIntyre (formerly published in England under the title A Foreign Field). This true (but tragic) story tells of a British soldier caught behind the front lines and hidden by a rather troubled little French village that was occupied by the Germans during the First World War. That book began my own imaginings of a troubled little town harboring at least one special straggler…
Even before that I’d read the memoirs of Brand Whitlock, the American Ambassador to Belgium during this era. In his books he mentioned a “valiant little paper” called La Libre Belgique – and thus began a more thorough investigation into an underground newspaper that circulated at great risk during the German occupation of Belgium between 1914 and 1918. This is the basis for Book Two, which right now is untitled.
But I have to admit when I proposed this series idea, I did it with mixed hopes for a variety of reasons. I know the First World War setting fascinated me, but for some unfathomable reason not everyone in the world thinks as I do. The first time I ran it by Greg Johnson, my agent, I believe his exact words were: “Hmm…First World War…Belgium…nope, no warm fuzzies there. Historicals are a pretty hard sell right now anyway. How about a contemporary?”
And so I wrote My Sister Dilly instead, which releases in just a few weeks. It’s a contemporary women’s fiction novel and I’ll talk more about that somewhere down the road. But it’s important to note that even though I’d been excited about continuing to write stories set in the First World War era, the publishing market at the time wasn’t quite right for me. I’d had two books out that were set in this era but the two books following that were more along the lines of women’s fiction, with a contemporary lead story. And contemporaries were still selling better than historicals.
I chose to follow what I believed the wisest course for someone just getting my feet wet in this competitive business. I accepted my agent’s advice. The blessing to me was that I loved writing that book, it didn’t feel at all as if I’d sidetracked or that I was just writing to a market. My Sister Dilly is a book I believed in, got passionate about, and am excited to see releasing.
By the time I finished My Sister Dilly I even wondered if I should write another contemporary. As I said, I enjoyed it (and hope my readers will, too!). More than that I enjoyed working with Tyndale again. I thought they might be interested in another book from me — if it was a contemporary.
But Greg was receiving requests from editors at other publishing houses interested in historicals. He told me the time might be right for circulating my WW1 series idea, but since we’re already working with one of the best publishers in the business, we should run it by Tyndale first.
So, as I said, it was with mixed feelings we submitted this series to my editor at Tyndale. I was under the impression they weren’t doing a lot of historicals at the time, and maybe that was true while I was happily writing My Sister Dilly. I thought if I really wanted to do a historical series, it might just have to be with a different publisher.
I can’t help but admit I had a strong dose of something I’m not supposed to feel as a freelance writer. Loyalty. But how could I not be grateful to them for publishing my most recent three books, and making the entire process a pleasure? Even as I waited for word, I thought if they rejected it I’d probably offer to do another contemporary just to keep my foot in the door there — and hope they let me stay!
I think when Greg called to let me know Tyndale wanted the series, he was as surprised as I was.
And so I started the journey of this three-book-historical contract, an idea I’ve been excited about for a few years now.
Check back tomorrow to talk about the writing pattern I mentioned!
Hello Maureen,
I am interested in the mind workings of a published novelist. You’ve laid out an intriguing set-up, and I hope to travel along with you.
Listening to your agent, writing the words of your heart, timing, and a publisher who’s willing to give you a shot with something different are all aspects that I, an aspiring novelist, can relate to.
I look forward to reading more.
Hi, Maureen!
I believe we started off together with the same publisher way back when. I’m also doing the last parts for my contracted ninth book, which is my first romantic suspense for Steeple Hill LI suspense. Your blog entry was so interesting to read, and I’d love to be entered into your drawing.
Thanks,
Flo Moyer
now w/a Florence Case
Maureen, it’s an amazing thing when one of my favorite people becomes one of my favorite authors! And now one of my favorite bloggers! Yes, this format is intriguing. Getting a glimpse into the mind of a writer is interesting. Getting a glimpse into YOUR mind will be a joyful journey.
Maureen,
I enjoyed reading your blog.
If you are having a contest, please enter me!
Thank you,
Becky C.
rec(at)hiwaay(dot)net
You are so generous! I haven’t read The Oak Leaves, yet, but it is in my top 10 list of must read next books. Having a special needs child, plus two unaffected children and working full time doesn’t leave a lot of time for reading, but I managed to squeeze it in a little. I look forward to reading your blog some more.
Thanks for the quick comments everyone! It’s nice to know someone is out there.
Flo, how intriguing that we were at the same publisher! Interesting how different journeys can run here and there and intertwine.
Carla, I think all writers have at least a little bit in common so I’m hoping you’ll have more moments of “Yes! That’s how I feel, too.” as you read along.
And Cynthia – what can I say except I’m so honored that you’ve taken the time to stop in. I hope I can make it worth your while.
And Becky, thanks so much for demonstrating the way to leave your email address to make the drawing easier for me.
For everyone – please look at the way Becky left her email address, so I can get in touch with the winner on the 7th day!
Thanks again for your comments, and I’ll be adding a new post in the morning!
Maureen, I think this blog is a GREAT idea! I’m eager to follow your progress as you work on this novel, and especially to see if you go through some of the same things I do as I’m writing a book. (Though I’m convinced nobody experiences the wild mood swings I do when I’m in the middle of Novel Land.)
Afternoon Maureen 🙂 How exciting that you have a new blog to kick things off again. thanks for letting us listserv folks know.
Hi Maureen! Good luck with your blogging…I’m glad you took the plunge!
Hi Maureen,
Just so you know, The Oak Leaves is now one of the books “most recommended” to my friends (up there with “The Shack” and “Heaven”… so that should say something!). I am reading “On Sparrow Hill” but got side-tracked by two solid weeks of out-of-state company. Once I’m recovered from the hullabaloo, “Sparrow Hill” will still be patiently waiting for me (like all good novels should) on my bedside table! Remember…GOD is directing your paths and it is no coincidence that you got Tyndale to contract for your WWI series. Prayers and blessings! Claudia
I’m glad to find your blog Maureen. I’ll be sure to subscribe
Cool blog, Maureen.
I’m fascinated with the WWI era also. That’s the setting of my first manuscript. Did you know the FBI really got a firm balance then? It had started at the beginning of the century but I was intrigued to discover how organized it became.
Anyways, good luck blogging! I’ll be checking in to see if anything in your brain helps mine, lol!
Hi Maureen,
Just wanted to tell you that I LOVED your books, The Oak Leaves, and On Sparrow Hill. I, too, have a child with Fragile X. Your stories were so authentic, and really touched my heart. I was hoping to see you at the FX conference in St. Louis so that I could give you a big hug. But I guess I’ll send you a virtual hug. I’ve passed these books on to many of my friends – friends who don’t know much about FX – and they have loved the books as well!
Thanks!!
Lisa Bryan
I enjoyed reading the blog and would love the opportunity to get entered in the drawing.
Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com
I love to write! tI mostly write deranged tales of… well… deranged things. It is LOADS of fun though! I’d love to be the winner of a new signed book. I don’t own a signed book… unless my sisters artwork on one counts.
Hello Maureen, I am so happy that you have decided to share with us about your life as a writer! I will be checking back all of the time to see what you are in the midst of. It was a pleasure visiting your blog and so nice of you to open your life up to all of us.
Please enter me to win your book Pieces of Silver (Book One. And I love historicals so I am also looking forward to reading all of your books 🙂
Blessings,
Lucie
LucieInCa [at] aol [dot] com
Thanks for the comments, everyone! I’m thrilled and just a little bit shocked anyone is really “out there” while here I sit all alone at this computer. I guess I’m showing my age, still amazed over technology.
I wish I could respond to each and every comment, that seems the friendliest idea, but it occurs to me between putting the blog posts together and trying to carve out a few hours a day to write (and still take care of my family) my hands are more than full. But I love reading the comments and will certainly keep up with that.
Anyway, I hope you’ll all “stay tuned!”
Hi Maureen. I’m so glad you’ve started a blog and I can totally relate to it being like your diary from when you were a kid. Been there, done that.
I loved your book The Oak Leaves. It was the first book of your I read.
I’m reading My Sister Dilly (ARC) to review and I have to tell you it’s fantastic! I won’t say any more than that right now…ok other than the fact the characters are so amazingly real! I’m having a hard time finding time to read it because my life has been turned upside down with a stray dog who just gave birth to 8 puppies at my house. On top of that I have a 15 week old puppy we just got 2 weeks ago and regardless of the amount of time I spend outside with him, he is under the mistaken impression that his potty area is inside the house. GRRRRR :o) So, I’m exhausted and the only chance I’ve had to read it was when I was sitting next to the mama dog making sure she’s feeding her babies! I want you to know how much I’m enjoying it though.
Blessings on your newest endeavor,
Mimi B
mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com
PS I’d read your WW 1 books! :o)
Adding my email–
fmmoyer (at) gmail (dot) com
You don’t have to respond to this, but it also happens that my son (now almost 26, the dear heart), is mentally handicapped and autistic. I think I saw mentioned you have a special needs child, too? (Please forgive if I’m remembering wrongly.)
Flo Moyer
Maureen I have loved the two books of yours that I read, The Oak Leaves and My Sister Dilly(ARC) and reviewed. I would love to win On Sparrow Hill.
I look forward to hearing more about your historicals and their publication. Keep us posted.
Patty