Thinking about Bad Guys

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

Since I write romantic suspense, I spend a lot of time thinking about bad guys.

 Not the mustache-twirling, two-dimensional villains of the Dudley Dooright era, but the kind of villains the hero and reader will scarcely suspect. The kind of villain whose actions can be utterly justified in his own mind. A there-but-by-the-grace-of-God-goeth-I kind of villain.

Isn’t that scarier?

Well, okay, a psychopath who will attack a room full of movie-goers with no apparent remorse is scarier, but I don’t write thrillers so stay with me here.

Isn’t it a little disturbing, upon the revelation of the true villain at the end of a mystery, to realize that you scarcely suspected him or her?

Or worse that you empathized with him! 

A well-characterized villain, in my opinion, can totally justify his actions in his own mind. 

We don’t blame the mother who, upon finding her child under attack, brutally attacks the attacker. Right? It’s when she plots ways to make him pay, after the fact, that she begins to turn the corner.

Your Turn: What kind of scenario might spur you to do something unimaginable?

Images courtesy of Victor Habbick and photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Fun Friday – Inviting my Muse to Come out and Play

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

I’m often asked how I come up with ideas for my stories, so today I’m giving you a glimpse into the process with the book I’m currently working on…

…a book that is giving me no end of trouble as the voice in my head keeps asking…

Do you really want him to be the villain?

Now I’ve heard of authors who write a book not knowing who the villain will turn out to be so that the process of writing is as fun and surprising for them as it will be for the reader.

Being VERY left-brained (that is to say I like to plot everything out ahead of time and figure out how it will work before I start writing), I have never contemplated such a thing.

At least… not until last week.

And I’ve got to admit that letting my right brain (or muse as many refer to that fountain of ideas in your head) have it’s whimsical way is a lot of fun.

Every morning for the past week, I’ve come to my writing with new energy, wondering what interesting twists I’ll discover today that I’d never imagined when I wrote up that story summary to sell my story to my editor. 

The key to making the writing process an adventure, I’ve discovered, is asking good questions. Then letting the answers generate more questions and answers and see where they lead.

I do this by clustering (also called mind-mapping).

Here’s one I did last week when that voice in my head kept hounding me about changing my villain. Not sure if you’ll actually be able to read my handwriting, but even if you can, I’m not worried about giving away the story, because honestly… I haven’t decided who the villain will ultimately be.

Gasp! I know. Heretical!

As you can see this is a messy process. Ideas come a mile a minute. 
In this exercise, I was exploring the possibility of making a different character the villain–a character that hadn’t even been on my radar as a suspect when I outlined the story, but I soon became suspicious of as I got to know him better. 
The exercise is an incredibly energizing creativity boost as it encourages me to think outside of the box.  I’ve started to spend a few minutes doing a clustering exercise each time I finish a scene. My central question: What happens next? 
I explore the possibilities from various characters’ points of view then ask why does that matter? Why would the reader care? It helps me to eradicate the mundane and discover the extraordinary, and best of all, to surprise myself. 
Hopefully, if I’m surprising myself, my reader will be surprised, too! 
Even if you’re not a writer, give clustering a try. It’s a great problem solving exercise whether you’re trying to come up with a new fundraising idea for your daughter’s school, or a creative way to rearrange your living room. 
Your Turn: What are some problem-solving strategies you like to use?

From top to bottom, people images courtesy of David Castillo Dominici (X2), imagerymajestic and photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Story Behind the Story…

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

Please join me in welcoming Lisa Jordan.

I featured the first novel in her Lakeside collection here last fall–a novel that is a finalist for ACFW’s prestigious Carol Award in the romance category. Congratulations, Lisa!!!
 
By day, Lisa is an early childhood educator. In her free time (ha!), Lisa enjoys good books, chick flicks, crafting with friends and feeding her NCIS addiction. 
 
Welcome back, Lisa. Please tell us how the characters of Lakeside Family came to life.

I didn’t expect to write Lakeside Family. When I planned the books in my Lakeside Collection, I wanted to write at least three books, and Lakeside Family wasn’t one of them.

When I wrote Lakeside Reunion, I wanted a fun name for a coffee shop. So I played around with names, coffee puns and Cuppa Josie’s was created. I introduced Josie as the owner of Cuppa Josie’s and Max’s daughter who was a single mother.

A friend mentioned she liked Josie’s character and I should write her story. I pondered it and had to figure out how Josie had become a single mother? Why wasn’t Hannah’s dad in the picture? I decided not to have Josie divorced or widowed because let’s face it—single mothers are a reality.

Josie needed a strong enough reason to find Nick after nearly a decade, so it needed to be something life threatening. The mothers I know would do anything it took to keep their kids safe and healthy. I remember walking through my kitchen and coming to a sudden stop as I realized—that’s it…Hannah had leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant. Josie needed to see if Nick would get tested to see if he was a match.

God provided connections in ways only He could—one of my writing support friends just landed a job with the National Marrow Donor Program in Minnesota. Through Vacation Bible School at our church, I met a local pastor’s wife who had just returned home after donating bone marrow for an unknown patient dying from leukemia. Total God moments.

I interviewed Amy and Kym, did more of my own research and the premise of Lakeside Family was created—He was the one man she never wanted to see again but the only one who could save her daughter’s life.

Nick had his own challenges to face. He vowed never to abandon his family the way his father did. When tragedy struck his family, Nick shouldered a lot of guilt and felt like nobody’s hero. Then he learned he had a daughter. He stepped up and promised to always be there for his daughter.

Josie struggled to include Nick into their lives—she wanted what was best for her daughter, but her own fears of abandonment built a wall around her heart. She needed to forgive and trust in order for them to be a family.

After choosing this illness for Hannah, Josie’s daughter, my heart ached for those dying of leukemia or other blood-borne diseases. I registered with Be The Match to become a bone marrow donor. I wanted to do my part in being someone’s hope for a new lease on life. I don’t know if I’ll ever be called, but I wanted to be ready in case I was.

Your Turn: What about you? Have you considered being a bone marrow donor? Registration is free. Imagine the joy and hope you could give another person simply by saying yes. For more information, visit Be The Match.

Giveaway: Lisa is celebrating the release of Lakeside Family with a month-long party of giveaways, including Coffee Lovers and Tea Lovers baskets. For more details and to enter the gift basket giveaways, leave a comment here.

Read Excerpt

When Stories Save Lives…

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

This past week I read a special Love Inspired novel, one I hope will both help transform lives and save them. I love stories that give me insight into the struggles that people around me are facing and how I might encourage or help them.

Lakeside Family by Lisa Jordan is such a book. It’s a fabulous romance, too, which is why I chose it to launch our new season of conversations about characters. So many great questions are raised by this book that I had a difficult time settling on just one. So…

I’ve invited Lisa Jordan to stop by on Wednesday to share with us the inspiration and research that went into creating her characters.

Now… on to our discussion.

Well, first, some background on the story:

The one man she never wanted to see again is the only one who can save her daughter’s life.

In the space of a minute, Nick Brennan learns he has a nine-year-old daughter— and that she desperately needs his help. All this time, his high school sweetheart, single mother Josie Peretti, thought he knew about their child. And that he just didn’t care about the ill little girl—or Josie, the woman he’s never forgotten. But Nick made a long-ago promise never to forsake his family the way his father did. A promise he vows to make good on now… if only Josie will bless him with a second chance.

Josie’s daughter has leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant. Nick is no stranger to tragedy, either. His brother suffers from a brain injury–a condition Nick blames himself for.

I feel overwhelmed just thinking about coping with such situations, yet many face much worse on a daily basis. So here’s my 3-part question: 

When you feel your circumstances overshadowing your hope, how do you respond? What strengthens your faith? What are some practical ways we can help those who are caught in such deep waters? 

P.S. Are you facing difficult circumstances or know someone who is? I also highly recommend the non-fiction book Finding Glory in the Thorns and the ministry of Walk Right In.

They recently started a Facebook page where people can share their Glory Stories–how you are seeing God’s presence and power in your life. These stories serve to encourage and reassure all of us that God is working among us.  They are inspirational.  Most of all, Glory Stories bring our attentions and affections on HIM.  

Giveaway Winner

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

I asked my granddaughter to draw the name of the recipient of the advanced copy of Critical Condition.

It proved a little more challenging than I expected as on the first try she pulled out a fistful!

So… we put all the names back in and tried again.  
And the winner is…
Melanie!
Congratulations, Melanie. Hope you enjoy the story!

Fun Friday – Photo

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard
I snapped this photo while touring a wilderness conservation area in Alaska. 
The sign says: Dangerous Animals stay back from fence
Kind of brings new meaning to the verse “Wide is the gate that leads to destruction.” Doesn’t it? 
Hmm, maybe I’ll add a zoo scene to my next book.  

Your Turn: Have you seen any funny, bizarre or unusual signs lately?

P.S. Don’t forget to check back Monday to see which commenter receives an advanced copy of Critical Condition.

Finding that Perfect Line

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

Do you envy those people who can rattle off the kind of pithy comeback that, for most of us, comes to mind hours or days too late?

The wonderful thing about writing stories is that I get lots of time to think up the perfect responses for my characters. It’s not easy, though. I have spent days writing and rewriting in search of a perfect bit of dialogue or thought, and many more days fretting over bits I’m still not happy with.

So… when I hear such a line in real life, I grab my pen and write it down.

That’s what happened as I sat down at a picnic table with my husband during our vacation this summer.

This was the gorgeous view from my side of the table: 
 
The view from my husband’s side of the table was the side of a building. You’ll have to use your imagination, because it certainly wasn’t picture worthy. 
I said to hubby, “You’re missing the beautiful view!”  
His immediate response as he smiled at me across the table was: “No, I’m not.” 
Ahhh, good answer! 
Your Turn: What’s the best one liner, zinger or romantic thing, you’ve heard lately? Or wished you’d said after the fact?!
P.S. If you missed Monday’s post, everyone who leaves a comment will be entered in the draw for a copy of my October release, Critical Condition, book 3 in my Undercover Cops series. I’ll announce the winner at the bottom of Monday’s blog.

I’m Back and Have I got News! And a Giveaway!!

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard
I hope you are enjoying a happy, healthy summer! 
I’ve missed our conversations and look forward to more. I  have so much I want to tell you about!


The Big News is…
Deep Cover won the 2012 Canadian Christian Writing Award for Romance! 
And my sweet husband was there to share the celebration with me. 

Fun News
After a harrowing night before, we had a fabulous time celebrating our 25th anniversary in Alaska. I plan to share more pics and stories with you in the coming weeks. We met so many interesting people and the scenery was breathtaking!
Bigger News
We arrived home from Alaska to an offer from Love Inspired Suspense for a fourth novel!! 
Finding Home features an antique Cadillac so hubby and I enjoyed a cruise around the peninsula in the name of research.  
The novel will, of course, be a suspense, but thankfully none of those nasty things I’d do to my heroine’s car happened while we were out and about.

Last but NOT least
 My author copies of my October release arrived on Friday, so… I want to celebrate being back to blogging by giving away a copy this week. 
Please leave comments today, Wednesday, and/or Friday for a chance to receive an early copy. I’ll post the winner’s name next Monday. 

Your Turn: What have you been up to this summer?

P.S. Aspiring Writers, if you plan to attend the American Christian Fiction Writer’s conference in September, I’m one of the authors doing critiques and there’s still a couple of weeks left to sign up for one.

Taking a Break…

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

After much soul-searching this past weekend, I’ve decided to take a three-month break from blogging. I’d planned to do that from June to August, but am shifting it to be from now to the end of July.

I have a couple of novels I’m working on that require a lot of research and focus, and I’m finding that switching mental gears to write blog posts is proving to be too distracting to the productivity schedule I need to keep to be able to take time off to enjoy our 25th anniversary special vacation this summer.

In the meantime, I’ll continue to post updates to my Facebook page. The link is on the top right hand bar. I often post links to free Ebooks on my FB page, as well.

To be alerted to new posts, please sign up to receive the blog’s RSS feed or posts by email or follow with Google friend. 

Your Turn: What are your summer plans? Do you spend more or less time reading blogs through the summer? What are your favorite kinds of posts to read?

Let’s chat about the above questions…and then I hope I’ll see you all back here in August! I have so enjoyed our time together. Have a fabulous few months. God bless.

And the Winner is…

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

Congratulations to Nancy. You won the copy of Jessica Nelson’s Love on the Range.

I’m not going to do any other Friday post, because I spent Thursday evening peppering a cop friend with questions to help in plotting my upcoming novel. My mind is a whirr with fresh ideas, and… I’ve got to get them down. ~ grin~

Have a great weekend, and hope to see you here Monday for another conversation about characters.