Janelle Evans

I spent a lot of time outlining the first book I ever wrote. I had every chapter mapped out, every plot twist planned, but when I began to write the novel the characters took over. Sounds psychotic but it’s true, they took on a life of their own and didn’t want to go where I had planned. At first, I tried to force them, but something about the action and dialogue seemed insincere. I finally gave up, and let them take me where they wanted. The story ended up being far from the outline I had originally designed, but a fantastic novel just the same.

When I began my second novel, I outlined like before, but once again the characters took over. This time, I didn’t fight it as much. I had successfully finished the first, so I had no doubt I could it again. My second novel was even more surprising. As you can guess, I no longer outline my stories. I have an idea for a beginning, and a faint inclination of where it might end. The characters do the rest, which makes it fun, I’m discovering just like a reader would the twists in my plots. Although, most professionals will tell you it’s difficult to create good flow without outlining, it doesn’t work for me. That’s the most important lesson of all if you want to write or create anything—approach it however it feels best to you, who cares if it’s unorthodox.

The anticipation of my first novel being published is both irritating and exciting. Those who know I’ve sold my first novel continually ask when it’s coming out. I’d love to be able to say something more specific than “soon”. In fact, I say “soon” so often I worry people are starting to think this whole author business is something I’ve made up. If I hadn’t spent several months in painstaking re-edits, I might believe it as well.
I was ready six years ago, when I finished this first novel, for the world to see it. After all the work I’ve done lately, I’m even more ready. I know putting my work out there for the public eye means I’ll be standing before the proverbial fire squad, laying myself open to either criticism or praise. But after this long of blindly being bound to the post of anticipation, I really wish someone could fire away. Put me out of my misery and the endless “soon” I can’t seem to escape.

This week I stumbled upon a television version of Jane Austen’s Emma I had never seen before.  This particular story is my favorite of Austen’s work.  I’ve read the book several times and watched so many movie variations, you’d think I could have just turned the channel—but I didn’t, or maybe I should say couldn’t.  It doesn’t matter I know every twist and turn to the plot, the story of Emma never gets old for me. It’s what truly sets Jane Austen’s novels apart, they transcend time. Yes, we no longer have the same social barriers she used as her backdrop 200 years ago, but her grasp of the intricate dance everyone goes through for romance is profound.  From the longing looks infatuation brings, to the thrilling joy found when the one you want returns your affection.  Whenever I write romantic interludes in my novels, I try to remember that.  It’s not about the physicality of relationships; it’s the sweet buildup of growing tension that makes a reader squeal in delight.

The Hourglass Door by Lisa Mangum is a very original spin on a good old fashion love story.

Abby, our heroine, is a senior who’s living a life of “status quo”.  The boyfriend, though cute, was handpicked for her when she was a child. She’s applied to all the colleges her parents and friends expect her to go.  Her life is going according to everyone else’s plans, until he transfers into her school.

Dante is different than any boy she’s ever met.  He’s Italian, keeps to himself, wears gloves on his hands, and it feels like time slows down whenever he is near—of course she’s intrigued. But giving into her attraction draws her into the tragic tale of where he’s come from—sixteenth-century Florence!  Condemned to the future for crimes he didn’t commit.  But he wasn’t the only one forced through the hourglass door, and they are dangerous.

When these men force Abby to reopen the hourglass door, Dante must follow and stop them before they can change the past and affect the future.  Abby fears she’s lost Dante forever until a package is delivered showing her how to remake the hourglass door…

Yep, it’s a series.  The next book is entitled The Golden Spiral. I love it, hate it when they keep me hanging.