I just finished revisions on my last - whew! - Mirabelle Island book this past Monday. Number seven. Wow.I'd like to say that I had this entire series planned out from day one. That all seven books had been plotted and outlined and analyzed down the the last detail. Unfortunately, that's not the case.
I'm one of the most unorganized people I know and I still think of myself as a relatively newly published author, so the fact that I actually managed to hold together a seven story series totally surprises me. Even more surprising, though, is that I never intended on writing a series in the first place.
The whole Mirabelle Island thing started with an idea for just one book. That proposal got rejected. So what did I do? Hehehe. I turned that darned thing into a three-book proposal, all of the stories set on Mirabelle. Yeah, I know. Risky? Stupid? Stubborn? All of the above?Before I knew it, three books led to an idea for a fourth. People seemed to be liking the whole Mirabelle Island thing, so five, six and seven seemed to naturally flow from the characters introduced in the earlier stories.
Seemed to naturally flow ...
See that's the part of this whole writing thing that feels entirely magical to me. I have no idea how it is that the island doctor in book 1 was getting ready to retire, leading the way for a new
doctor and book 6. Why did Garrett Taylor in book 2 whisper in my ear that he had three brothers? Because, of course, that opened up a story for one of those brothers to come to Mirabelle for book 5.I have no idea how I managed to create a world that could support seven stories. Well, at least I hope it supported seven stories. So I have to believe there's just a little bit of magic in all our writing.
Finishing that last story on Monday was bittersweet. On one hand, I was experiencing some island fever and it felt like it was time to move on. On the other hand, I've been living on Mirabelle, in my head at least, for the last four years, so there were definitely a few tears as I stepped onto the ferry to the mainland and left Mirabelle Island behind. At least for now.
Writers ... what have you found the most magical about your own writing?Readers ... what's the most magical part about your favorite romances? The characters, the settings, the ending, the beginning? The sex?
Numbers 5, 6 and 7 in my Mirabelle Island series will be out in July, August and September of 2011 and if you'd like more details, please check out the Upcoming Releases page on my Website!
Helen
50 comments:
Yay, more Mirrabelle Island. Helen I've only read two of your books so far, and I really like what I have read. I sitll have to find two of the back books I haven't read in this series. I'm planning to get them in ebook format. I think for me, especially with supers it's the characters more than the setting, especially when the author is able to pull me right into the story. I like series from some of my fave authors where the books are stand alone, but characters from books you've already read, get their own hero or heroine. I like being able to revisit and become a part of the family of characters. The only downside is sometimes we have to wait so long for the next book :) I know you have to write them, but oh it's so much more fun when you can read them all at once. Too bad I'm too impatient to wait until they all come out to start reading!
The magical part is the dance of seduction before anything physical happens.
marypres@gmail.com
Helen, Along Came a Husband, is one of my favorite books. I can't wait for the next Mirrabelle Island book.
The magical part about writing for me is trusting in the process. If you show up everyday, all these random thoughts eventually take the form of a book.
Hi Snookie! So glad you've like what you've read so far.
I'm not a setting reader, either, so it is a bit strange that as a writer this Mirabelle setting has become important to me. Maybe it's not the setting, though, as much as the secondary characters?
Yep. We have to write 'em. Now that I've finished with that last one even I'm anxious for July to come!! Can't wait to see the next cover!
Oh, Marybelle, you hit on a big one for me, too, as a reader! I love good sexual tension. It's one of the biggest page turners for me.
Hi Kristin! Missy and Jonas's story was an interesting and fun one to write, so I'm glad you enjoyed it. Completely agree with you on the trust thing. Case in point, I didn't know exactly what was going to happen in that ending scene in ACAH until I started writing it!
Hi, Helen! Brava! You went with your own instincts and let the seed of a story grow and bloom into a whole beautiful garden! I hope that you continue to follow your inner voice as an author--who knows where it will lead next : )
For me, romantic storytelling is all about the characters. I must care about the people and want to follow their story and find out what happens to them. Even the supporting players, the not so nice people, and especially the villains should be well-drawn and multi-layered. Minor characters, sharply etched in a few well-chosen words, add such rich flavor to a story line.
Well, sometimes stubborness pays off...especially in the world of writing. Congrats on finishing your last story on the island. I've read only one of the Mirabelle books, so I definitely have some catching up to do. My TBR stack is colossal, but I'm steadily working on catching up.
It's funny how our thought processes work even when we're not consciously thinking about our stories. I didn't set out to write all of my books in the same town either. It just happened. A character would intrigue me, then niggle at me until I wondered, "What if?" And I think that is magical when something unexpected takes shape without you pushing for it. It's serendipity...which is what I named my heroine's restaurant in my fourth book. I did it on purpose because I didn't want to write another book in Oak Stand but somehow the next two stories grew so big in my mind that I HAD to write them. Thank goodness Wanda gave me the leeway to follow that need.
I love the characters best. Love to feel like I know them, and I think that's why when you can write a community with a supporting cast, you create connections that bring readers back time again. Or at least I always come back for more.
BTW, I love the cover for Next Comes Love :)
Hi Helen! As a reader I would have to say the two biggest things that get me are the characters and the sexual tension. I like settings, but its not always important. Although the series that have the places, like a small town dinner, and the busy body women who know everything, are always fun too!
Have a wonderful day!!
I'll have to agree with some of the others in that the characters and sexual tension between the characters are the most important.
I love to read series where one book builds off the previous book whether it is trough the characters or in the case of intrigue/mystery off the plot.
I will be looking forward to the last three Mirabelle Island books.
YAY! I'm excited to know more Mirabelle stories are on the way...but sad to see an ending to the series. *whine*
THEN COMES BABY was the first Superromance I read. Definately not the last.
For me, it is all about the characters. Are they real? Do they remind me in some small way of myself or someone I know?
The thing that brings me back to series stories are of course, the characters. I love when a secondary character is someone with a life of their own, not just a plot device to show that the main character is likable.
Thanks Virginia! Character is king. There's probably so much magic there for writer's that's it difficult to tell where craft comes into play.
Hey Liz. Don't even get me started on TBR piles!
See ... right out of the starting gate you put together a series. Don't you love it when a plan comes together? lol
Oh, and I love the Next Comes Love cover, too. They totally nailed the hero and the heroine and THE SCENE from the book!
Hi Alina! I'm with you. I tend to skim over parts of descriptions on setting, although I have friends who love lyrical descriptions. To each her own.
Hi Ellen! I think a mystery series when things build would be the hardest kind of series to write. Take the Harry Potter books. Daunting!
Hi Chelle! I cried. I really did. But I do have ideas for 2 - 3 other stories. With any luck I'll get to write those down the road.
Hi Kristina - that's so fun to know that TCB was your first Superromance! Ah, Jamis. That poor guy had to be the most tortured hero I've ever written. Ooop, maybe not. Jesse, Garrett's bro, in #5 gives Jamis a good run for his money!
I love it when secondaries have enough depth that you can sense another story coming.
Helen, congratulations on finishing your revisions. Can't wait to read those last 3 books :)
Hi Helen,
I've loved the Mirabelle stories and I've been impressed at the way you crafted the series. (That's a compliment from both my reader and my writer sides.)
You know what's been most magical about writing romance for me? The community of readers and writers. Who knew all these wonderful people were out there? I certainly didn't. Before I started writing, I read romance and talked about it with my mom, but I had no idea that this whole connected world existed.
It's been great to discover the romance community as a writer, but the reader in me has been delighted, too. I think I met Julia Quinn the same night I held your Rita. Quite a thrill all around! ;-)
Hi Helen,
Loved the Mirabelle series. Maybe that little voice will keep whispering in your ear. Isn't it wonderful when that happens?
Linda
Thanks Rogenna, Ellen and Linda!
Ellen, I've never thought of it like that, but you are so right about the romance reader/writer world being magical. Some amazing and supportive people out there! I can't wait until you get your own RITA!
Linda, I hope those voices keep whispering, lol!
When I'm 40 pages in and can't wait to see what happens
Hi Helen,
I already have your first four book, so I know I will also buy your next three books. This is a great series. As far as what makes a book magical, I would say everything you mentioned works together to make a book magical for me.
The characters and their interaction, if they are well written, are magical for me.
Helen, I agree about the bittersweet moment you say good-bye to your imaginary town--or, in your case, island. I somehow wound up with 9 books set in Sentinel Pass, and although I knew the last two would start to lead us away from the Black Hills, I was still sad when my H&h returned to wrap up all those loose ends. A good kind of sad, though. Now, I'm working in a city and I love the energy and flavor of this new setting.
Congrats on your series. You're in my TBR list.
Deb
As for the magic of writing, I love it when the perfect piece of research finds me.
Getting excited to see what happens next ... that is nice, jcp! I haven't even started my next book and I'm excited!
Thanks, Tammy!
Hi Estella! I think most people today have agreed with you about character being key. Looking forward to getting to know my next hero and heroine!
Deb - 9 books! That's just so amazing to me. You're a goddess! I don't think I'll be going to the city for my next series, though. Hmm. No location has jumped out at me yet!
Oh, Rogenna, research fitting perfectly! That is magic. I love it!
Magical moments are when I forget I'm reading about people who don't really exist.
Super excited for more Mirabelle. Have to say - loved the fast pace of The Moon That Night.
The characters and the sexual tension between them are two important parts of the story for me. It's always exciting when the characters become so real I feel I know them.
Hi Helen--Chiming in late. I know about magic. Three times now I've had a minor character from a book become the hero/heroine of another book. The crazy thing is that in all three cases I didn't even know the character was going to be part of the first book. They just appeared and then got involved with the story I was writing and then demanded their own story. So I acquiesced. Magic.
Congratulations on finishing book seven!
Agree...character is key! Your books sound great; would love to read them...and hope to soon!
Hi Helen,
The Mirabelle Seven. Sounds like a mini-series. A good one.
The magic? When I feel the excitement of the story I'm writing--it's later that I hope it's not all in my head.
Mary
Rogenna
Your books are amazing to read, keep up the good work.
GloriaDeal@aol.com
To me the magical part is (starting to) realize they (H/H) are falling in love. The hope, the uncertainty ... the magic of it all.
Hi Marcie! That is something, isn't it? When you're so swept off your feet? That's why we read, I think.
Hi Jan - I have to admit I've been living on Mirabelle in my head for so long that I do have to remind myself the people aren't real!
Thanks Jeannie!
Hi Jackie!
The Mirabelle Seven - cute Mary! And you hit on one of the hardest parts about writing for me, but that's a topic for another blog post. I have a very difficult time knowing whether what's in my head made it to paper.
Hi Gloria and I agree wholeheartedly!
Oh, Kirsten, that is such a sweet time in a story. It's usually fraught with uncertainty, though, isn't it? There's almost always some conflict that still needs to be resolved and sometimes it's so hard to see how that could ever happen.
Oh, and Marcie ... The Moon that Night was a roller coaster, that's for sure. But then going from DC to Rome to Athens to Moscow to Istanbul all in one book was a bit crazy!
Hi Helen, I guess the magic is inventing a world that becomes as real as your own. It will be interesting to see whether you return to Mirabelle in future. The great thing about a series is that you're not world-building every book which gives you more time to concentrate on the characters and romance.
Karina
Hi there! Better late than never?
I love the witty dialogue/banter between the H/h. Gets me every time.
Hi Karina - Mirabelle is a cross between two places I've actually been, Madeline Island Wisconsin and Mackinac Island Michigan. So that makes it even harder to remember Mirabelle isn't real. It was nice to save some time on the world building side of things.
As I start to delve into a new series, I find myself back in the world-building mode for the first time in a while. Seems a bit odd.
Hi Laney! Glad you stopped by!
I don't think I do witty dialogue very well, maybe little spurts of it here and there, so I have only the utmost respect for writers of funny books. Wish I could do that!
Oh, that would be sad saying goodbye to a series after so many books!
One of the things I love about Supers is the way that the community the story is set in almost becomes a secondary character in it's own right.
It's great as a reader going back to a familiar place and people, as long as it's not allowed to overpower the central romance. There's that lovely sense of coming home, for the reader as well as the characters. That's part of what I'm trying to capture in the story I'm working on now.
There is a balance between setting and story that every writer needs to find for herself. Good luck with that, Autumn.
The most magical thing when writing for me is disappearing into my imagination. I often close my eyes when I type (the typos can be hideous, lol) so I can lose myself completely.
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