Sara Bennett's Blog - Posts Tagged "sara-bennett"
Writing a new book after a big break
Dear Readers,
I didn't realize how long it is since I've blogged! I suppose it is about the same amount of time since I wrote my last Sara Bennett book!
It's not like I've been slacking. I've been writing, but after I finished with Avon I went on to other things. I think I was pretty much done. Wiped out. Drained. I'm being honest here. I was sucked dry.
But now the time has come. I am feeling a definite stirring for more Sara Bennett romance. Not just dipping my toe in the water but jumping right in! I'm starting with a series of novellas, because really that's all I can manage right now. I'm going to build up. The novellas are set around a fictitious square in London, called Mockingbird Square. The novellas will tell the stories of the residents in the Square, and their search for love.
Mockingbird Square is owned by the Earls of Monkstead, and the latest earl loves interfering in his neighbors lives. Unhappy in love himself, he enjoys giving others a happy ever after. When I finish the series of novellas I will write Monkstead's story in a full size book.
That's the plan anyway.
I hope you'll stay along for the ride, and I'll do my best to make it an interesting one, and make you laugh and smile, and sigh. Maybe shed a tear or two. A happy tear.
I'll also try to blog every week or two. I'll do my best anyway!
Sara Unforgettable
I didn't realize how long it is since I've blogged! I suppose it is about the same amount of time since I wrote my last Sara Bennett book!
It's not like I've been slacking. I've been writing, but after I finished with Avon I went on to other things. I think I was pretty much done. Wiped out. Drained. I'm being honest here. I was sucked dry.
But now the time has come. I am feeling a definite stirring for more Sara Bennett romance. Not just dipping my toe in the water but jumping right in! I'm starting with a series of novellas, because really that's all I can manage right now. I'm going to build up. The novellas are set around a fictitious square in London, called Mockingbird Square. The novellas will tell the stories of the residents in the Square, and their search for love.
Mockingbird Square is owned by the Earls of Monkstead, and the latest earl loves interfering in his neighbors lives. Unhappy in love himself, he enjoys giving others a happy ever after. When I finish the series of novellas I will write Monkstead's story in a full size book.
That's the plan anyway.
I hope you'll stay along for the ride, and I'll do my best to make it an interesting one, and make you laugh and smile, and sigh. Maybe shed a tear or two. A happy tear.
I'll also try to blog every week or two. I'll do my best anyway!
Sara Unforgettable
Life gets in the way
I want to write, I have a deadline, but life is getting in the way. I'm sure everyone has that problem! I'm not alone. I just wish I could lock myself away for a few days...weeks? Instead I seem to be pulled in a dozen different directions and there isn't really much I can do about it.
My mother is elderly and I am her main go-to-person, and I have children who although grown up and flown still have their moments, and I have a grandson who I need to see as often as possible. So he doesn't forget who I am. Or ask: Who is that strange old lady who never leaves the computer? That would be sad.
I suppose, like everyone else, I just do the best I can. I fit in my writing among all the other things and hope it adds up to a book.
Having said that, I am halfway into my new novella for the Mockingbird Square series. I know soon I will have to stop and start work on my other projects, but I'm hoping to finish this first. This is the story of Rory and Olivia Maclean who live at Number 7 and married in haste and seem to be repeating in haste too. When Rory leaves for his falling down castle in Scotland his wife decides to go too.
I'm not sure what happens after that but I'm looking forward to finding out!
Kaye
My mother is elderly and I am her main go-to-person, and I have children who although grown up and flown still have their moments, and I have a grandson who I need to see as often as possible. So he doesn't forget who I am. Or ask: Who is that strange old lady who never leaves the computer? That would be sad.
I suppose, like everyone else, I just do the best I can. I fit in my writing among all the other things and hope it adds up to a book.
Having said that, I am halfway into my new novella for the Mockingbird Square series. I know soon I will have to stop and start work on my other projects, but I'm hoping to finish this first. This is the story of Rory and Olivia Maclean who live at Number 7 and married in haste and seem to be repeating in haste too. When Rory leaves for his falling down castle in Scotland his wife decides to go too.
I'm not sure what happens after that but I'm looking forward to finding out!
Kaye
Plotter or Pantser
Well I have finished my 2nd novella, Enraptured, which will be for sale in May, and I am now working on my 3rd. I've enjoyed writing the Mockingbird Square series, perhaps because I really only have to please myself (and my readers of course) and no one else. I'm not sure yet how many novellas will be in the series before I finish it with a full size book.
I think I'll know when the time comes.
As I think you can guess I am not a plotter. I've tried to be. Several times before writing a book I have written pages and pages of summary, worked out sub plots, threads, themes, black moments, everything I could think of. And then ... I was bored, and started a new book. So I know by now I just have to go with my process, which is to write and rewrite and eventually find my way forward.
That's not to say I don't plot at all. Usually when I'm someway into the book, I realise I need to change something because I finally have an idea of where the story is heading, so I go back and do that. And then I spend quite a bit of time thinking, usually in the middle of the night when I should be sleeping. It's incredible how problems in the story can work themselves out in the middle of the night.
I wish I could plot more. I think it would be a far more satisfactory way to write a book, and probably far less stressful. But I have a process and like an old married couple we are comfortable with each other.
Look out for Enraptured on the 22nd of May.
I think I'll know when the time comes.
As I think you can guess I am not a plotter. I've tried to be. Several times before writing a book I have written pages and pages of summary, worked out sub plots, threads, themes, black moments, everything I could think of. And then ... I was bored, and started a new book. So I know by now I just have to go with my process, which is to write and rewrite and eventually find my way forward.
That's not to say I don't plot at all. Usually when I'm someway into the book, I realise I need to change something because I finally have an idea of where the story is heading, so I go back and do that. And then I spend quite a bit of time thinking, usually in the middle of the night when I should be sleeping. It's incredible how problems in the story can work themselves out in the middle of the night.
I wish I could plot more. I think it would be a far more satisfactory way to write a book, and probably far less stressful. But I have a process and like an old married couple we are comfortable with each other.
Look out for Enraptured on the 22nd of May.
Story ideas
Non writers ask: Where do you get your ideas from? I think as writers we know we get them from all over the place. A walk to the shops can result in an idea, overhearing a conversation at a cafe, reading a newspaper. There are ideas everywhere.
Usually when I have an idea I will play around with it, not write it down, but think about it. I find if I write it down then it just stops, as if my job is done. If I mull over it, it grows, begins to take some shape.
Not all ideas work out, sadly. I have plenty of half finished stories languishing on my computer. Sometimes something that seemed brilliant in my head doesn't translate to paper, or else it's already been thought of, and done better.
I'm enjoying writing my Mockingbird Square series because each story is different and yet they are connected by a central theme. Characters reappear or develop further. I have lots of ideas! I'm sure not all of them will work out, but I'm sure some will.
Usually when I have an idea I will play around with it, not write it down, but think about it. I find if I write it down then it just stops, as if my job is done. If I mull over it, it grows, begins to take some shape.
Not all ideas work out, sadly. I have plenty of half finished stories languishing on my computer. Sometimes something that seemed brilliant in my head doesn't translate to paper, or else it's already been thought of, and done better.
I'm enjoying writing my Mockingbird Square series because each story is different and yet they are connected by a central theme. Characters reappear or develop further. I have lots of ideas! I'm sure not all of them will work out, but I'm sure some will.
Pendleton Manor
Pendleton Manor is the working title for my next trilogy.
Right now I'm writing the first book. I've done the first draft, which is where I put my story down and the characters and the plot. I'm not much of a plotter but I've learned I need to have some ideas before I start work or chaos follows!
Now I am on the second draft, which is where I make certain the dates are right, and the characters don't suddenly change names or eye colour, but I am also working on the story as a whole. Pulling it together, weaving in the plot threads, making sure it has a powerful enough emotion punch.
The third draft will be for smoothing out the rough edges and getting the book ready for the first edit, and I hope to be doing that in May.
I'll share a snippet of the story next time, but for now, back to work.
Sara
Right now I'm writing the first book. I've done the first draft, which is where I put my story down and the characters and the plot. I'm not much of a plotter but I've learned I need to have some ideas before I start work or chaos follows!
Now I am on the second draft, which is where I make certain the dates are right, and the characters don't suddenly change names or eye colour, but I am also working on the story as a whole. Pulling it together, weaving in the plot threads, making sure it has a powerful enough emotion punch.
The third draft will be for smoothing out the rough edges and getting the book ready for the first edit, and I hope to be doing that in May.
I'll share a snippet of the story next time, but for now, back to work.
Sara
Well the book is out and...
The reviews are mixed. Mostly good but a few that make me wonder if it's worthwhile. Then I remind myself that Meant to Be was never going to please everyone. It's not a sweet, hearts and flowers Regency, it's a bit dark and quite the emotional roller coaster.
The hero, Harry, can at times be less than heroic, but he is a man of his times and his upbringing. He strives to be better and he succeeds at the end. I think that makes him a real hero.
The heroine, Sophy, has loved him all her life, and even when things go awry, believes in him despite the evidence. When her heart is broken, she remakes herself into a stronger and more resilient woman.
There's definitely a HEA.
I've never written books that conform entirely to the market, and I can't seem to help that. I delve into difficult areas. I like to push a few boundaries. My Evie North books are much darker than my Sara Bennett books. My Sara Mackenzie books also touch on difficult subjects.
Just want to say a big thank you to those who loved Meant to Be, and I will be writing the next two books in the series. Against All Reason should be out early next year. Again not your typical Regency, so you have been warned!
The hero, Harry, can at times be less than heroic, but he is a man of his times and his upbringing. He strives to be better and he succeeds at the end. I think that makes him a real hero.
The heroine, Sophy, has loved him all her life, and even when things go awry, believes in him despite the evidence. When her heart is broken, she remakes herself into a stronger and more resilient woman.
There's definitely a HEA.
I've never written books that conform entirely to the market, and I can't seem to help that. I delve into difficult areas. I like to push a few boundaries. My Evie North books are much darker than my Sara Bennett books. My Sara Mackenzie books also touch on difficult subjects.
Just want to say a big thank you to those who loved Meant to Be, and I will be writing the next two books in the series. Against All Reason should be out early next year. Again not your typical Regency, so you have been warned!
