Along with the unveiling of my new website, beginning this month, I’ll be hosting fellow authors on my blog. It’s always interesting to learn how other writers craft their stories.
I’m pleased to welcome one of my critique partners, Eileen Key, to my blog today. Eileen’s sense of humor and skill in crafting characters keeps her stories fresh, sharp, and entertaining.
Eileen’s latest release is SILVERY SUMMER, included in the novella collection, Cedar Creek Seasons, now available through Barbour Publishing.
Eileen, give us a short description of SILVERY SUMMER:
Pick a vantage point on Main Street and watch the seasons pass in one of the most picturesque small towns in America: Cedar Creek, Wisconsin. Newly retired Claire can’t resist the charms of the Strawberry Festival in the town she left long ago…until she happens to run into the reason she left. Will she let him break her heart again?
Connie: I’ve already read this story and I can tell you, Claire is a delightful character. Eileen, are your stories more character-driven or plot-driven?
Eileen: I like to contrive unusual situations (plots) and throw in a mix of people (characters). Silvery Summer in Cedar Creek Seasons showcases an older couple wrestling with ghosts from the past.
Connie: As a person who falls into that “older” category, I can relate to past circumstances that linger in the recesses of one’s mind. I’m always intrigued with the methods authors use to birth a story. Do you have any favorite or unique ways of coming up with story ideas?
Eileen: The always popular “what-if” method seems to work once I brainstorm with my critique partners. Including the brilliant plotter, Connie Stevens!
Connie: I promise, I didn’t even pay her to say that!! 🙂 Some writers love research. Others, not so much. How do you approach research?
Eileen: With trepidation! I’m not an historical writer, because I think I’d overlook tiny details which paint accurate pictures. But the same rings true when you write “destination” stories. You don’t want Main Street connecting to Elm if it really doesn’t. Traveling TO the story’s setting is oh so much fun. Expensive too. So it’s much easier to have a fictional world where I can decide where things are.
Connie: <grin> Eileen, you know one of my favorite things to do is take research trips! But sometimes, no matter how much research a writer does, that blank computer screen mocks us. How do you work through writer’s block?
Eileen: Once I quit banging my head on the keyboard, I ask for suggestions! My writing world peeps keep me sane. That’s the beauty of ACFW, an email loop where you can scream HELP and they don’t send in the men with little white coats.
Connie: (hee hee) Our critique group has threatened to send the men in little white coats to Eileen’s house on more than one occasion!! Another difficult aspect of the writing journey is (gulp!) entering your work in contests. Have you ever served as a judge for a contest? What is the best advice you can give to an unpublished writer entering their story in a contest?
Eileen: How many times have you read a book and thought I can do that? Well, it’s hard! I’ve judged many contests and read books which made me wonder how they ever got published! My advice to a new writer is to learn the craft, create your story, have it edited before you press send, then develop a teachable spirit to make changes.
Connie: Great advice. A teachable spirit (and checking your ego at the door) serves every writer well, whether a novice or a veteran. Eileen, I’d love for our readers to catch a glimpse of the relationship you have with your main character. You wrote Claire’s character like she was your best friend. Give us a short conversation between you (the author) and Claire.
Eileen: Seriously, Claire? You returned to Cedarburg? Such a painful past. Why expose yourself to hurt once again?
Claire: Because this time it will be different. It doesn’t matter.
Eileen: Seriously, Claire? It doesn’t matter anymore?
Claire: Umm. Guess it does. Once again my heart’s been pierced. How do I let go?
♥
Eileen Key retired after teaching school for thirty years. She is a freelance writer and editor, with two mysteries and three novellas published. Mother of three, grandmother of three, Eileen resides in San Antonio, Texas, where she is an active member of Grace Community Church.
THANKS Eileen, for visiting with us today and letting us peek past the front cover of Cedar Creek Seasons.
Visit Eileen’s website at eileenkey.com and look for her on Facebook.
If you leave a comment, your name will be entered in a drawing for a copy of Eileen’s book.
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