The Process, Part II

This is part two in a three-part blog about my writing process.  Here's the link to The Process, Part I, where I discuss how my stories originate.

Once or twice a year, I get together with friends and fellow authors Christina Dodd, Emily March, and Susan Sizemore for what we call plot group. We meet for three days. Before we get together, we send each other lists of our upcoming projects and we set up a schedule of what we want to plot. This is when I pull out my idea file. I might send the others an email along the lines of, "I'd like to plot a new Royal Scandals book. Here are the characters I have in mind..." and I'll send along what details I have. I'll also say, "here's what I have so far on the book" and include several plot points I've fleshed out from my idea file.

Plot group in Sonoma, California, with (l to r): Christina Dodd, Emily March, Susan Sizemore, me

When we get together, we take turns brainstorming each other's books. Now, this isn't WRITING each other's books...far from it. It's talking through them aloud, discussing different possibilities for the plots, fleshing out the reasons characters might make certain choices, and anticipating problems. Each of us have written books that are part of series, and we're familiar with each other's works, so sometimes we'll be discussing a plot point and someone will say, "If you do X, won't it be in conflict with what you wrote in the third book in the series, where Y happened?"

In the end, we come up with major plot points. Often times, the finished book will deviate greatly from what we plotted. The purpose of plot group is to help each author brainstorm different ways their story could be written. I can't tell you how many times I'll read a book we discussed at plot group and discover that it's nothing like what we discussed! On the other hand, I can usually see how the finished product evolved from the concepts we tossed around, which is fascinating.

We do have a few rules for plot group. First, the author is the arbiter of all. If the author whose story we're discussing doesn't like what we're brainstorming, or the direction feels wrong, out the window it goes, no matter how great the idea. I've frequently said, "That would make a killer book, but the character I have in mind wouldn't do that. Instead, I want to explore this direction...." Second, if a story idea isn't working, we put it aside for another day. We frequently start discussing a story, get stumped, then discuss it again a few hours later and have several solutions to the earlier problem. Third, we need good food. When we're together, it's work, not social hour, tempting as it is to kick back and shoot the breeze. We need to feed our brains to be productive and focused.

During breaks, we each hide out in our rooms and write. We tape record our discussions and listen to them, either between sessions or on our flights home, so we can get back to each other with questions. At that point, each of us is on our own to put meat on the bones of the story.

Next, in The Process, Part III, I'll tackle the hard part: producing pages and editing.

The Process, Part I

The question I'm most frequently asked is, "When will your next book be out?" Usually, I have an easy answer. However, a close second would be any of a dozen variations on, "What is your writing process?" In my next few blog posts, I'll tackle the answer.

First - I should note that there's no one way to write a book. Every writer I know uses a different method to get from point A to point B. I start with an out-of-the-blue idea.  It could be spurred by an overheard conversation, a snippet of a book or a movie, or an interaction I witnessed on the street or while traveling. Sometimes, believe it or not, I get ideas in dreams. Whatever the origination, the idea itself comes from asking myself, "What if?" What if that couple I overheard discussing the awful service at a restaurant vowed to take revenge on the waiter? What if the little boy I saw holding his dad's hand as they cross the street decides to find his dad a date?

From the idea file for Slow Tango With a Prince

Basically, I let my imagination run wild. I'll scribble down these snippets, then file them away. (Yes, I literally have an idea file.) However, an idea, in and of itself, isn't a complete story.

At the same time I file away possible story ideas, I think about characters. Characters often come to me the same way ideas do. I might sit up late watching SportsCenter and think, "What is day to day life like for a skiier on the World Cup circuit? Do they have difficulty maintaining relationships when they travel so much? What if they have a significant other who can't--or won't--travel with them for some reason? How would they handle it?" (That "what if?" line of thinking gave birth to Justine Cornaro, who became the heroine of The Royal Bastard.) Characters go into the idea file, too.

While I work on other projects, I let those characters and story ideas simmer in the back of my mind. From time to time, I pull out the file and add more details to the notes on certain characters or ideas.

Next time, in The Process, Part II, I'll discuss how I flesh out those ideas and characters to create actual stories. This involves my plot group, where I brainstorm with friends and fellow authors Christina Dodd, Emily March, and Susan Sizemore.

Then, in The Process, Part III, I'll tackle the hard part: producing pages and editing.

Audio Alert!

Many of you have written to tell me that you don’t want to start listening to the Royal Scandals audiobooks until all four of the current titles are out so you could do a binge-listen. Well…great news! The Royal Bastard, the fourth book in the Royal Scandals series, is now available in audio!

Once again, the fabulous Hollis McCarthy narrates. The Royal Bastard is the story of Rocco Cornaro, the mysterious son of King Carlo of Sarcaccia. When thugs kidnap Rocco’s wife and his private life is blown apart, only Queen Fabrizia—a woman he despises—can help.

Here are the book’s opening lines:

Five hours after Rocco Cornaro buried his mother, having tossed the last shovelful of dirt over her grave while wishing her a swift ascent to heaven, Satan knocked at his front door.

More accurately: Satan’s driver rang the bell at Rocco’s wrought iron security gate.

Rocco stood at a second story window in his Dubrovnik villa, seething at the gall of the woman hidden behind the tinted windows of the rented black Mercedes. The uniformed driver hadn’t given his client’s name, but Rocco knew. Her appearance was inevitable after she’d phoned two days ago and he’d hung up after informing her that he had no interest in anything she had to say. He’d thought she’d at least give him the day of his mother’s funeral in peace, but apparently royals did what they wanted when they wanted, and to hell with anyone else.

For those of you who’ve been curious about audiobooks, Audible.com allows you to download a trial book for free. When you visit the site, click on the orange “Start Trial Membership” button and you can listen to the entirety of The Royal Bastard for free. (Or, start at the beginning of the series with the audiobook of Scandal With a Prince) There are also "sample this book" buttons on each page to let you hear a five-minute sample. It’s a great way to see if audio is for you.

Enjoy!

Oscar Predictions 2016

Prediction Number One: This Sunday night, I will spend the pre-awards, red carpet time on my treadmill, ogling all the gorgeous gowns at this year's Academy Awards. During the last ten minutes of reporter babble, as the nominees take their seats, I’ll sprint for the shower. By Chris Rock's opening monologue, I'll be parked in front of the television with my marked-up ballot in hand.

Prediction Number Two:  I will not make it to the first commercial break before I uncork a bottle of wine.

Prediction Number Three: I’ll finish at or near the top of my Oscar pool, because I LOVE making these predictions and spend far too much time on them. If you’re participating in an Academy Awards pool, take the time to do some research on the so-called minor categories. If you nail a few of those, you’ll have a huge edge on everyone else in your pool. If you’re too lazy or time-crunched to research, feel free crib my list.


Best Picture 

Nominees:
The Big Short
Bridge of Spies
Brooklyn
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Room
Spotlight

Winner:
The Revenant

-- It wouldn’t be my personal pick—too long, too cold, too many plot holes—but The Revenant it is.


Actor in a Leading Role

Nominees:
Bryan Cranston, Trumbo
Matt Damon, The Martian
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs
Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl

Winner:
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant

-- Matt Damon was incredible in The Martian. However, at long last, this is Leo’s year. I’ll be a spoilsport and say I wish he wasn’t winning for this role. While his performance was stellar, I wasn’t the biggest fan of The Revenant. I’d have much rather seen Leo win for The Aviator, The Departed, or What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. (If you haven’t seen Gilbert Grape, DO IT NOW. Fabulous flick.) While I didn't consider the movie worthy of his performance, pick Leo. This year's Oscar is all his and I suspect he’ll receive a well-deserved standing ovation when he takes the stage.


Actress in a Leading Role

Nominees:
Cate Blanchett, Carol
Brie Larson, Room
Jennifer Lawrence, Joy
Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years
Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn

Winner:
Brie Larson, Room


Actor in a Supporting Role

Nominees:
Christian Bale, The Big Short
Tom Hardy, The Revenant
Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight
Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
Sylvester Stallone, Creed

Winner:
Sylvester Stallone, Creed

-- Tom Hardy’s performance was the best thing about The Revenant. Without his cold, evil antagonist, we wouldn’t care about Leo’s character. However, Stallone knocked it out of the park in Creed and this is his year. Michael B. Jordan also deserves a shout for his stellar acting in Creed. If Stallone takes the stage, he should mention the compelling nature of Jordan’s performance. If you haven’t seen Creed, do. It deserved more nominations.


Actress in a Supporting Role

Nominees:
Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight
Rooney Mara, Carol
Rachel McAdams, Spotlight
Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs

Winner:
Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl

-- While Kate Winslet snagged a Golden Globe and press photos of Kate and Leo holding Oscars would be adorable, this is Vikander’s year.


Best Director

Nominees:
Tom McCarthy, Spotlight
Adam McKay, The Big Short
George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road
Alejandro González Iñárritu, The Revenant
Lenny Abrahamson, Room

Winner:
Alejandro González Iñárritu, The Revenant

-- Don’t be surprised if George Miller pulls off a win here. Mad Max: Fury Road was fifteen years in the making and has a slew of other nominations. However, the buzz around Hollywood is for Iñárritu.


Original Screenplay

Nominees:
Bridge of Spies
Ex Machina
Inside Out
Spotlight
Straight Outta Compton

Winner:
Spotlight


Adapted Screenplay

Nominees:
The Big Short
Brooklyn
Carol
The Martian
Room

Winner:
The Big Short


Foreign Language Film

Nominees:
Embrace of the Serpent, Columbia
Mustang, France
Son of Saul, Hungary
Theeb, Jordan
A War, Denmark

Winner:
Son of Saul, Hungary

-- Mustang has been making a late run (see what I did there?), but I predict Son of Saul takes home Oscar.


Production Design

Nominees:
Bridge of Spies
The Danish Girl
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant

Winner:  
Mad Max: Fury Road


Makeup

Nominees:
Mad Max: Fury Road
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared
The Revenant

Winner:
Mad Max: Fury Road


Animated Feature Film

Nominees:
Anomalisa
Boy and the World
Inside Out
Shaun the Sheep Movie
When Marnie Was There

Winner:
Inside Out

-- One of the few non-acting categories this year that’s a lock. Run with it.


Sound Editing

Nominees:
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Sicario
Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Winner:
Mad Max: Fury Road



Sound Mixing

Nominees:
Bridge of Spies
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Winner:
Mad Max: Fury Road


Visual Effects

Nominees:
Ex Machina
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Winner:
Star Wars: The Force Awakens

-- This is a tough call. If not Star Wars, then pick Mad Max: Fury Road. The two are neck and neck here. I’m going for Star Wars, since Mad Max is likely to take home a slew of other categories.


Cinematography

Nominees:
Carol
The Hateful Eight
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Revenant
Sicario

Winner:
The Revenant


Documentary Feature

Nominees:
Amy
Cartel Land
The Look of Silence
What Happened, Miss Simone?
Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom

Winner:
Amy

-- I consider Amy a lock. If your pool includes this category, take Amy for an easy point.


Documentary Short Subject

Nominees:
Body Team 12
Chau, Beyond the Lines
Claude Lanzmann: Spectres of the Shoah
A Girl in the River: The Prince of Forgiveness
Last Day of Freedom

Winner:
Body Team 12


Film Editing

Nominees:
The Big Short
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Revenant
Spotlight
Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Winner:
Mad Max: Fury Road


Short Film, Animated

Nominees:
Bear Story
Prologue
Sanjay’s Super Team
We Can’t Live Without Cosmos
World of Tomorrow

Winner:
Sanjay’s Super Team

-- Both World of Tomorrow and Bear Story have a lot of love. I believe voters will split on those, which is why I'm going with Pixar and Sanjay.


Short Film, Live Action

Nominees:
Ave Maria
Day One
Everything Will Be Okay (Alles Wird Gut)
Shok
Stutterer

Winner:
Shok


Costume Design

Nominees:
Carol
Cinderella
The Danish Girl
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Revenant

Winner:
Mad Max: Fury Road

-- Many experts have picked Cinderella, so be aware that I’m taking a risk with this one.


Original Score

Nominees:
Bridge of Spies
Carol
The Hateful Eight
Sicario
Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Winner:
The Hateful Eight

-- Ennio Morricone, who scored the movie, falls into the “it’s his time” category.  Plus it’s darned good. Pick it.


Original Song

Nominees:
“Earned It,” Fifty Shades of Grey
“Manta Ray,” Racing Extinction
“Simple Son #3,” Youth
“Til It Happens To You,” The Hunting Ground
“Writing’s On The Wall,” Spectre

Winner:
“Til It Happens To You,” The Hunting Ground

-- This is one of the tougher categories. “Til It Happens To You,”was performed by Lady Gaga and written by eight-time nominee Diane Warren, which makes it hard to beat despite the fact both "Earned It" and "Writing's On The Wall" have a lot of buzz (and "Writing's On The Wall" won the Golden Globe.) Know that "Manta Ray" and "Simple Son #3" don't have a chance.

All right...those are my official picks. There are some close calls in the sound categories, but I’m confident in my acting, directing, and animated feature picks. Go forth and win your pool, enjoy Sunday night's show, and let me know how you do!

Dreaming of Buenos Aires

If you've read Slow Tango With a Prince, you know what it's like to spend (fictional) time in Buenos Aires. Today CNN posted a fantastic article on Seven Things To Do For Free in Buenos Aires. Given the number of you who've written to me to say that the book made you want to visit Argentina, I wanted to share.  (Note: a few of their suggestions appeared in the book!)

Enjoy the food, the city's eclectic neighborhoods, and--of course--the tango.