My Son Marc's Comic

Go to http://adamzero.com/ and check out the second issue of my son Marc's comic book Adam Zero The Last Man of Earth #2. I've had the privilege and enjoyment of watching his comic books come to life. It's truly a joint effort among writer and artists.
Also, I love the mini adventure of Marshal Tyme in the back of Adam Zero comics. He's one of those old-fashion, stoic marshals who tamed the old west. Only his old west takes in a wide range of time.
Don't miss out on these great comics. Check them out now!

Writing Addict

Sometimes I think I'm a writing addict. I bury myself in more than one book project and I don't come up for air. To make matters worse, I'm already on deadline for a book. That doesn't matter though, when a book begins to haunt me I need to write. Many times I write a whole first chapter of a book I know nothing about. By the time I'm done, the whole story comes to me and I know where I'm going with it.
The Sinclare brothers series was a challenge since the four brothers kept invading my mind, each wanting their story told. Return Of The Rogue wasn't done when Artair's story, Under The Highlander's Spell, began to take form, and Lachlan challenged me with his charm to find him a wife. Ronan, however, mystifies me. He leaves clues, nudges and suggests that he's not quite ready to return home. Why? He tells me he'll let me know... just keep writing.
How can I not? I'm a writing addict for sure!
P.S. Under The Highlander's Spell will be in bookstores in October.

Love To Read

I am an avid reader and I manage to keep reading a top priority. I enjoy mixing up genres and in between I read tons of non-fiction. While I love spending hours browsing the shelves of a bookstore, time doesn't always permit it. To compensate I joined a few book clubs, receiving catalogs in the mail. I jump for joy when they arrive knowing that at the end of my work day I have a special treat waiting for me. Of course my want list turns way too long and at last I must compromise. Soon the books arrive in the mail (in between I've already made a few trips to the bookstore and pray that storage space will miraculously double, no make that triple) and I can't wait to start reading them.
I've never been disappointed in the books my friends have recommended, and so here's three books I've read and enjoyed. I hope you get as much pleasure out of them as I did!
Julia's Chocolates by Cathy Lamb is a book you'll savor long after you're done reading it. Five women share the struggles of life through love, laughter and tears and not merely survive, but thrive.
You'll be a willing patron in a Victorian pub in Ireland and looking forward to finding out what happens to all its quirky characters when you read The Tavern On Maple Street by Sharon Owen. The tavern patrons are irresistible.
If you've ever lacked the strength to keep going through difficult times then pick up this little book that delivers a powerful punch. Keep Going The Art Of Perseverance by Joseph M. Marshall. It's a keeper and makes a great gift.

Idea Journal

I was busy working in my idea journal last night. It's a journal that sees much activity. Whether it's a plot line, character, or name that pops into my head... it goes into my idea journal. When the Sinclare brothers introduced themselves they went in it. I was busy working on two other books at the time and as I learned more about the brothers I added the info.
The journal is where I flesh out ideas. Some come to fruition whole others linger in limbo, though I don't give up on them. Eventually, all the pieces fall into place and the story evolves. It may be a name that changes everything, or a plot that falls easily into place. After that, all the info for a single book or a series goes into a new notebook, with dividers. This is especially important for series books. As each book is written I may need to recall info on a particular character from another book, or perhaps what names I used on secondary characters... and there it is right at my fingertips. Plus all my research material is tucked in there as well.
My mini idea journal goes everywhere with me (tucked in my purse). You never know when or what will spark an idea. I then transfer the info into the larger journal.
After all this chatter about my idea journal, you may have realized that since I was working in the journal last night... could it be I got an idea for a new series?
Stay tuned to find out!

Imagination

There's nothing like the imagination of a child. When my son Matt was four, he came to me with a cut on his hand. I asked him what happened. He looked at me and in all seriousness said, "A spider stabbed me with a gun and shot me with a knife." I had to smile, and I bandaged his hand as he finished his amazing story, of which he was the hero.
My son Marc began his comic book career when he was five, drawing and writing a sci-fi thriller titled The Spacemen vs The Gorgas, which I kept and he has to this day. And my son Tim had an imaginary friend, Harry, who he brought to life by stuffing his own clothes with bath towels. We all got accustomed to him, though borrowed an arm or leg when towels ran out (we always re stuffed him).
We all possess imagination, whether it's with words; colors music, dance, cooking, design, carpentry, gardening, photography and on and on and on, for imagination knows no bounds.
My imagination often pokes me awake and says - hey, listen to what I have to say. When I'm cooking it will urge me to take a chance, and when I hunt for rocks it's there in the shapes and marks that tell me different stories.
To me imagination is like air... I can't live without it!

Reading Time & More

My corned beef was successful. I got glowing reviews - something a cook (and writer) love to get. Now I'm busy planning my Easter meal (more new recipes) and taking time to read. I just finished reading Mother Teresa Come Be My Light The Private Writings of the "Saint of Calcutta."
Saints have always fascinated me. I don't know why, but I enjoy reading about them. I suppose there's something remarkable about a person who fights and even suffers for her/his belief. Whether in reality or fiction, life isn't always easy. It takes courage and strength to not just survive, but to thrive.
I like heroines and heroes who - at first sight - may not seem determined or valiant, but find in the course of the story what they possessed all along - the bravery and confidence to grow in character and love.
But then love is a whole other blog!

The Art of Cooking & Writing

A busy weekend writing and preparing for St. Pat's Day and Easter. With Celtic roots, a special meal for St. Pat's Day is a must. This year Easter follows close behind - so lots of cooking to do.
I always manage to get writing time in around holidays especially when I'm on a deadline. Besides, I feel cooking is as much of an art as writing. Blending ingredients to achieve a delicious meal is like blending words to achieve a tasty story. You must watch your ingredients in both. Too much or too little of one thing can spoil the flavor.
I worked on a new recipe for corned beef this year adding new ingredients. With fingers crossed, I trust that it will be a better then ever meal.
I also worked on dialogue that had to have the ingredient of mystery. It had to entice and make the reader wonder - what's going on?
So, I worked on two arts I thoroughly enjoy and had a wonderful weekend doing it!

Inspiration

As an author I'm always asked where I get my ideas. What inspires me to write a particular storyline?
Life inspires. All you need to do is take a good look around you. The Sinclare brothers Cavan, Artair, Lachlan and Ronan might have introduced themselves to me, but raising my three sons Tim, Matt and Marc gave me the inspiration to write about brothers. I watched how my sons could torment each other through the years, but when it came to one of them needing help in defending against a foe, they united. Of course, they also covered up for one another. The truth only surfacing when they got older, and it was too late for repercussions.
It was raising my sons that helped me to understand how to write a scene when Cavan and Artair physically battle and Lachlan warns Honora to stay out of it and let them settle it. And it was the unspoken, yet defined-by-action love my sons have for each other that inspired the three Sinclare brothers never-ending search for their missing brother Ronan.
Sibling torment and blame isn't only relegated to brothers. Sisters are good at it too. When my twin sister and I get together we now and again disagree over past events. Of course, being older (10 mins.) and wiser, I'm right and she's wrong. But then that inspired two books - The Daring Twin and The Bewitching Twin.
Life - how it does inspire!

Mind Alarm

My mind woke me today. I was asleep one minute and wide awake the next. What could possible be so urgent that it had to wake me at four in the morning? A character wanted to be heard. I grew alarmed. Honora was the heroine from Return of the Rogue. Her story was done, but not so she reminded me. Her book was the first in a four book series about the Sinclare brothers. She would return in other books. She wanted to make certain of her involvement in future books. I began to think of the heroines in the three books to come.
Would all the women get along? What could they learn from each other? Those and other questions helped me to remember that it's not only through similarities, but also adversities that friendships are formed. Naturally, my mind went wild with possibilities. Not only possibilities with the Sinclare heroines, but future books as well.
So, I got out my composition book - yes, at times I write the old-fashion way, with pen and paper. I jotted down notes, names and plot lines.
Honora was happy and so was I. I actually got a couple of more hours sleep, and this time? No mind alarm, I woke on my own!

Where did my musing take me today?

Characters in a book basically have minds of their own. I always think I know my characters before I begin to write about them. After all, I write up bio sheets, see them in my mind's eye and almost hear their voices in my head. Then I begin their story and what happens? They take over. They do unexpected things; say unexpected things. Suddenly I'm not sure who they are but they certainly show me who they are.
Cavan from Return of the Rogue gave me a start. He had more secrets than I realized and had more scars that needed mending. It was interesting to see how he evolved.
Do I still continue to write up bio sheets? Of course, it's how my characters come to life, but how they live is up to them.

First Musing

With the unexpected delay in the launch of my new website www.donnafletcher.com, my son Marc suggested that I join blogger.com to keep my readers updated on my books and anything else of interest.
I am a wordsmith, a.k.a a writer. More precisely, a USA Today best selling, historical romance author. I don't claim to be an expert wordsmith, but I'm not a neophyte. Words fascinate me and I love working with them. They are my best friends and at times misbehaved children who refuse to come together coherently. But like a good parent I don't give up.
My most recent efforts turned into my 24th novel, Return of the Rogue. It's the first book in a four book series about four Highlander brothers. The reviews have been great and the numerous e-mails I've been getting tell me they can't wait for the other three books. If you'd like to know more about Return of the Rogue and more about me go to Avon.
I love connecting with readers, wordsmiths and people in general. So opinions, thoughts, suggestions and definitely encouragement are greatly appreciated.
I'll be musing on my books, all areas of writing and more - please join me when you can.
One more thing, my son Marc just published his first comic book Adam Zero the Last Man of Earth. Go to his website www.adamzero.com and find out more about it.