Meet debut author,
J. L. Lora
Visits with me on the Teegarner.com Blog today to tell us how she #writes….
I can’t resist an intriguing story and my characters know this. That’s why they show up out of nowhere and whisper a sentence in my ear. I always have the same reaction to it: huh? What is that all about? Sometimes the characters come with names and sometimes they just talk to me until I figure them out. A full scene unfolds before my eyes and I can only stand there; let it happen.
My name is J. L. Lora and I’m a newbie author.
When I met Alec and Carissa, the main characters in my novel Boss, they were knee-deep in conflict. These two were at odds. I was gifted with a scene that was exciting, confusing, and left me with an irregular heartbeat.
I learned Alec’s not a man you trifle with. He’s not your cookie-cutter anti-hero. He was irate and more than ready to do something about it. Carissa’s not a back-down type of girl. She can roll with the punches and is used to finding her way out of tight spots. I was impressed by her strength, fighting spirit, and courage.
The where and how I found them left me with a mile-long list of questions. So, I began to ask what I wanted to know. How did you guys end up here? How will you get out of this conundrum? But mostly, who the hell are the two of you?
Carissa, sitting in her lovely Queen Anne chair, proceeded to tell me their story with Alec taking over every other chapter.
This is how my stories develop. I meet my characters in what usually becomes the middle of their story, in a situation that so crazy it’s impossible but intrigues me and sets me on pursuit. Once I hear a portion of the story, I set out to make an outline with enough parameters to guarantee I am covering the characters’ natural progression, but loose enough not to limit them.
You see, I’m that weird animal known as the Plantser, 40% Plotter and 60% Pantser. I plot my stories and create scene maps, but I also let my characters frolic on the page and do as they will. I firmly believe in trusting your characters. They know their story and will guide you down the right path.
I start my first draft, which I call the barf, on Scrivener by regurgitating everything told by the characters. The next step is to clean it up and read it. I like to use Microsoft Word for this step. I use my outline to make sure I am hitting all the plot points. Next, I read and clean again and share it with my critique group.
That’s the moment when the story ceases being solely mine. It’s the hardest part in the process. Yes, I know it will develop, grow, and get ready to face an editor. Hardest step but the best thing that can ever happen to your story. Exposure changes perspective and transforms. That’s what you want for yourself and your story.
Learn more about
J L Lora, visit her
Website
Blog
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About J L Lora’s
Boss –
Available Now!
Determined to avoid the violence that claimed her family and friends, Carissa Elliott flees her hometown with a dangerous plan. She has proof that mafia boss Calum DeMateo killed her father—now she just has to catch him. To do so, she’ll have to transform herself from small-town ingénue to New York crime boss.
When her path crosses with Alec McLean, the sexy stranger with whom she once shared a steamy nightclub kiss, things take an unexpected turn. Alec heads his family’s criminal organization, the kind of made man Carissa should want nothing to do with. But he also has a plan to take down Calum, and the flames that flicker between them are irresistible.
Will their vengeful quests jeopardize their chance at lasting love?
