Collaborating Writers, Anyone? Deception in Destin
Give a warm welcome to Sandra Tilley & Suzanne Purvis, authors of Deception in Destin, a romantic suspense.
Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about collaborating writers, Sandra and Suzanne, authors of Deception in Destin!
COLLABORATING WRITERS, ANYONE?
Have you considered collaborating on a book? Ever wondered if there was a key ingredient to working with a partner or multiple partners?
Aretha Franklin knows the secret to successful collaboration: R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Now that I have that song playing in your head, I can explain how RESPECT is vital to all relationships–but extra especially when it comes to writing. We writers can be a sensitive lot. The letters we arrange into words and sentences and paragraphs and chapters become part of us, an entity that grows and matures with each inspiration–like our offspring. And criticism-even constructive criticism- can sometimes expose those nerve-endings of self-doubt.
However, constructive criticism is a crucial part of the collaboration process. That’s where mutual respect comes in. A sincere partner’s motivation bears no malice or subtext. A sincere partner is all in. A sincere partner’s core motivation is to strengthen your alliance and your manuscript.
Maybe you wonder if finding a collaborating partner is worth the effort. Think critique partner with super powers. Like the Mind Meld where bouncing ideas blasts creativity from hidden crevices in your brain and stimulates concepts to fresh and lofty heights. Or senses your struggle and gives you a gentle push to reach your goal.
Our idea to collaborate came after the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The media capitalized on the disaster in story after story. At one of our meetings, an idea hit Suzanne and me. Since we live on the Gulf of Mexico, why not write a book about corruption of BP funds in the tourist town of Destin, Florida? We packed our swimsuits and plenty of wine and went on a week-end writing retreat to Destin. We each chose a POV and plotted and brainstormed until we knew where our story was going. We’d set a timer and pound those computer keys relentlessly until the timer sounded or we’d done a chapter. Then we’d take a break to read our pages and make notes. (And maybe have a small, really tiny glass of wine.). Over a period of two LONG days of writing (and who knows how many bottles of wine), we finished our rough draft.
Then the hard work began. REVISING. REVISING. REVISING.
For months we made the ether net dizzy passing our pages back and forth. We tweaked and edited and revised our manuscript until we loved it.
Although we took our story from the headlines, we added our own brand of romance and intrigue; and our novella was born. After a few years, the small publishing house who published our book was sold; and we requested the control of our rights. We re-revised our book, tweaked the name, designed a new cover, and self-published Deception in Destin. Our baby was re-born–and better than ever.
One important thing I learned is that collaborating makes you want to be a better writer. And I thank Suzanne Purvis for making me a better writer.
Suzanne Purvis is a Canadian transplant. She traded her snow boots for flip flops and can say y’all with the best of us. About seven years ago we met in Pensacola via a bunch of writers we called the Crazy Women’s Writers Group. Living two hours apart, emails were our form of communication. We supported each other’s efforts and began critiquing each other’s pieces and became best friends.
Now that Suzanne has added free-lance editing and teaching at Lawson’s Writers’ Academy to her award-winning writing career, we can only squeeze in meetings about once a month. However, we still manage to email and/or text every day. A day without an email from Suzanne in my inbox, is a day when the earth is askew. And although the key ingredient to collaborating is respect, being BFF’s doesn’t hurt either.
Click on cover to read more or buy!
Tell us a little about DECEPTION i
IN DESTIN.
Forensic accountant Drew Arnoud could be on vacation. Instead, he’s investigating misappropriation of BP’s oil spill settlement funds in the beachside town of Destin, Florida. Having his kayak tipped by head hunting specialist Bree Finley could be a coincidence, or could she be involved? Either way he’s keeping her close, maybe too close. In his search to reveal the truth, he finds his life and his heart in jeopardy.
Bree Finley has been betrayed before by her ex-husband, but is it possible he’s involved her and their company in fraud? Who can she trust? She must decide, but the wrong decision may prove deadly.
You can visit Sandra at SandraTilley.com and Suzanne at SuzannePurvis.com
You can find Deception in Destin on Amazon.
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Deception in Destin!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Deception In Destin, romantic suspense, Sandra TIlley, Suzanne Purvis by Tena Stetler with 23 comments.
Sandra Tilley, Author of The Ghost and Mrs. Miller
Give a warm welcome to Sandra Tilley, author of The Ghost & Mrs. Miller!
Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler or there’s a pitcher of fresh lemonade on the counter. Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie are on the plate beside the pitcher. So let’s find out a little about Sandra and her guests, Eli Anderson and Libby Carlisle Miller of The Ghost and Mrs. Miller.
Eli, how about you go first? Tells us about the real you. What event in your past has left the most indelible impression on you?
Freshman year at the University of Alabama, tore my ACL in a freak accident playing flag football with a bunch of sorority girls. Lost my scholarship and my dreams of the NFL. Thought that was life-changing. Until I had to identify my best friend’s body. Changes your perspective on everything.
What do you most value?
Family.
What is the type of woman you want to spend the rest of your life with?
That’s easy. I knew in kindergarten Libby Carlisle was the only girl for me. But she ended up marrying my best friend.
What do you consider most important in life?
I’d have to say honor. If you don’t stand for something, what’s your point? If I tell you I got your back, you don’t need to turn around and look.
What is your biggest secret?
Never told. Never will.
Awww…. you’re no fun! Well, Libby, you’re next. Who are you really?
Are you talking yesterday or five minutes ago? Thought I knew who I was–until Neil betrayed me.
Who were the biggest role models in your life?
My mom and dad. Mom could be a little overwhelming at times. Of course with three daughters, I totally get it. But Dad could jump into the middle of a three-ring sister argument, start his clowning around and make us all laugh. We knew the clown had another side, though. If Mom needed backup, he was strong, too.
What kind of man do you want to spend the rest of your life with?
Do I have to choose right now? Neil and I married right out of high school, and I literally went from living with my mom and dad to living with my husband. Now that he’s gone, I want to be in charge of myself for a while.
What kind of man would you never choose?
Never choose a bully.
What is most important to you in life?
My children.
What is your biggest fear?
Neil finding out that I lied.
LIbby and Eli, thank you so much for being here!
Sandra, just a couple more questions. Tell us a little about writing this story. Was it fun or difficult? Do your characters always act as you expect? Are you a plotter, or fly (write) by the seat of your pants?
I’m basically a plotter, but I do love it when the characters take over. This story began as four short stories; and after eights year and seven name changes, it became The Ghost and Mrs. Miller.
Wow, those are a lot of changes.
Sandra, Wwat is The Ghost and Mrs. Miller all about?
Libby Miller is a good Southern girl, and good Southern girls know the rules. But Libby forgot about fate. And fate has no rules. On Libby’s nineteenth wedding anniversary, she catches Neil cheating with his assistant; and fate whips up a tornado of turmoil. But the storm’s not over until the karmic gods have finished playing and Neil’s flipped his BMW and his ghost is swinging from the chandelier. How is Libby supposed to grieve and raise their teenage children with Neil’s ever-present, meddling ethereal presence? She wants to move on with her life, if only Neil will transition to where ever it is he needs to go. And adding to the karmic soup are two men from Libby’s past–both of whom want a second chance.
Can we have a peek between the pages?
“I was your high school sweetheart and husband for nineteen years. I’ve only been dead for two months. Why aren’t you despondent with grief? Or at least sad?”
The weight of his words pressed down, pinning my eyes to the ground. I felt his eyes digging into my skull, but I couldn’t lift my head to meet his accusation. I removed a flip-flop and swatted at a line of ants traveling inside the groove of grout between the stones. “The therapist says we handle grief in our own way.” I turned my head to the side. “How can I be sad if you’re still here?”
You can find The Ghost and Mrs. Miller at The Wild Rose Press and Amazon.
Wow. A little more about Sandra:
She grew up in a small town near Birmingham, Alabama, where friends always entered through the back door and where everyone spoke the same language—Southern. After a successful teaching career, she packed up her pearls and headed toward her inspiration: the sugar-white beaches of Orange Beach, Alabama, on the blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Follow Sandra on Facebook at Sandra Fetner Tilley-Author and on Twitter @SandyFTilley. Or stop by her web page at http://www.sandratilley.com/
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with The Ghost and Mrs. Miller.
Views: 483
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged ghosts, Paranormal, Romance, Sandra TIlley, The Ghost and Mrs. Miller by Tena Stetler with 26 comments.
