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Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Writing Fiction Is Like An Emergency Room

Writing Fiction Can Be A lot like An Emergency Room


When I retired from the ER back in 2009, I figured my unpredictable work had come to an end. I was wrong. Writing fiction doesn’t always unfold the way one might plan. So it was with me any way. I wrote my tome travel, paranormal western, Harmonica Joe’s Reluctant Bride as a lone novel with no sequel, and most certainly not as a series about the Wilding family.  First, that dang homeless rascal, Banjo, kept nagging at me until I had to write his story in the sequel, For Love Of Banjo. Banjo is a powerful character who manages to get his name in every story.

After that, I have written about the Wildings’ children and I’ve managed to get most of them married off one story at a time. But one character kind of bugged me from Banjo’s story—the widow, Penelope Thoroughgood. Even though Penelope’s daughter showed up in a story about another Wilding as a secondary character, I still had not written about the widow, Penelope. Banjo, in defense of his rakish life, once said of Penelope Thoroughgood, she had taught him about love, but he never said how. I left Penelope back there and never told her story or why Banjo said that about her—until now.

For the Christmas anthology, Present For A Cowboy, I wrote When Love Comes Knocking, Penelope’s story and just what took place between her and Banjo. The incident almost ruined her life. She had not had the best of life, but like most strong pioneer women, she managed to carve out a life for herself in spite of everything. She deserved more than just an existence. She deserved a good man and true love.



A lonely widow…an indiscretion…a gift for redemption
Blurb:
Penelope Witherspoon was charmed into marriage by Evan Thoroughgood only to learn she loved a philanderer, who gambled away his inheritance and drank too heavily. It came as no surprise that four months after their marriage, Evan was shot dead for cheating at cards. Since his death, Penelope has come to depend on his older brother, Gil. In fact, she has come to love and respect him. No two men could be further apart in character. But, if Gil learns of her secret indiscretion, he will want nothing further to do with her. What is Penelope to do?

Excerpt:

Penelope sensed that Gil watched Banjo and her as they stood at the door. She tried to maintain a bland demeanor, but her whispered words were desperate. “Banjo, I must beg your discretion. Gil must never know about the night you spent with me…not ever.”
He leaned a little closer and kept his voice low so only she could hear. “I would never betray your trust. You should know that by now, Penelope. I think you care for Gil, and if you do, you need to tell him yourself.” He lifted his hand as if to touch her, but seemed to think better of it what with Gil staring at the two of them.

“I can’t do that. He’ll hate me. He’ll think I was disloyal to Evan’s memory, or worse, suspect there was something going on between you and me before Evan got killed. I would be mortified if he thought such a horrible thing of me.”

“Oh Penelope, you’re a decent woman. Gil knows you wouldn’t do such a thing. Honestly, you’re not giving the man credit.” He glanced toward Gil, then back to her. “I best get along, before he thinks we’re standing here plotting a get-together. You look guilty as hell right now. I’ll come by day after tomorrow to pick up the laundry. Goodnight until then.”

Buy links:

Just as an aside, since I mentioned Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride, the book that started the whole series of Wildings, I ought to mention that, for a limited time, is included in a boxed set of 5 western novels titled, A Cowboy's Brand, at Amazon for the insane price of 99 cents. If you don't take advantage of this sale, you are really missing out on the bargain of the century. Just sayin'.
 Buy Link: 


And just because Prairie Rose Publications likes to do things in a huge way, there is a second boxed set of western novels for 99 cents at Amazon, titled A Cowboy's Heart.

Buy Link:

It’s coming up Christmas soon and I want to give something away. So, I’m going to give away a digital copy of the Christmas anthology, Present For A Cowboy to someone who comments. Be sure to include your email address in your comment for a chance to win.
I hope all of you have a safe, happy, and wonderful holiday season.



Sarah McNeal is a multi-published author of time travel, paranormal, western, contemporary and historical fiction. Her stories may be found at Publishing by Rebecca Vickery and Prairie Rose Publications. Her website: http://www.sarahmcneal.com  
You can also find me at the following places:


HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! 

22 comments:

  1. I just recently read Harmonica Joe and loved it. Gotta catch up on the rest of the Wildings. mango8@msn.com

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  2. Alisa, thank you for reading Harmonica Joe. I am so thrilled that you liked it. I won't be running out of Wildings any time soon. I have generations of them to write about. I'm addicted to Wildings. LOL Thank you so much for commenting. You have been entered in the contest.

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  3. Sarah, you know how much I love your Wildings. I haven't had a chance to read PRESENT FOR A COWBOY yet, but I'm champing at the bit to get to it. Hope you have a very merry holiday, sweetie! :-)

    (Don't enter me in the drawing. :-D )

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    1. I don't know about you, Kathleen, but I'm having a hard time getting to my reading. Seems like every time I get ready to read, something happens, or there's something I have to do. I sure will be glad to have a chance to settle down and get to the books I want to read like your story, Prodigal Gun. and Celia Yeary's new book, Kathleen. There are so many wonderful stories I want so much to read.
      I'll be spending Christmas with Lily and Liberty this year (my dog and cat). The good part of Christmas with pets is there will be no drama or crazy behavior...okay, maybe there will be crazy behavior, but nothing I can't handle with some treats and chew toys. LOL I wish you a happy holiday season, Kathleen. I really appreciate your comment. You're always so supportive of everyone. You're PRP's golden treasure.

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    2. I am PRP's nuisance, Sarah, and darn proud of it. ;-)

      Yep -- reading time is in short supply around here, too. :-(

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    3. You can protest all you want, Kathleen, but I know the truth. LOL

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  4. We come from all walks of life. An ER nurse! That is fantastic! I have most of the novels in the boxed sets, but I haven't picked up Present for a Cowboy yet. I think that will be on my "Must Read" list.

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    1. It may sound glamorous to be an ER nurse, Connie, but I assure you, it isn't. The most rewarding time in my career was in Coronary Care. I loved having a real connection with patients and their families at what was often a devastating time for them. It was a truly mind, body, and spirit kind of nursing.
      I jumped on those boxed sets, too, Connie. No way I was going to pass them up. What are you writing now? Are you going to write a short for the next anthology. or are you working on a novel? Thank you so much for dropping by today and commenting.

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  5. Oh, that sweetheart Banjo! I'm so glad he's going to be happy.
    The boxed set looks fantastic, and I know it will sell really well!
    Your analogy about the ER and writing is very true...I can only imagine though, having never been in ER myself, but I have stood by a few beds over the years holding hands. Good blog, Sarah.

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  6. Of course, Banjo won his true love in For Love of Banjo. He almost didn't get to have his happy ending when he was shot down in World War I though. BTW, another little twist took place in Banjo's story--a secondary character from my time travel book, The Violin, showed up on the French battlefield. See how stories can get twisted and take turns you never expected?
    I never had a predictable day in the ER. Every day something different rolled through the door. It's part of what made that job so interesting, but also stressful. As much as I am a plotter when I write, I almost always end up with an unexpected turn.
    Holding hands with someone who needs you is one of the rewards of working in critical care and a rewarding human experience.
    I'm so glad you came to my blog and commented, Celia. It always means a lot to me to see you and receive your kind support.

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  7. I love when secondary characters get a chance at a happily ever after, and it sounds like Penelope desperately deserves one. Can't wait to read the story!

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    1. Kirsten, I have to agree. Some secondary characters just holler,
      "Pick me! Pick me!" Penelope is a hard working, independent woman who certainly has had her share of hardship and hurt. If anyone deserve some happiness, it would be Penelope. I hope you do get a chance to read the stories in Present For A Cowboy and, of course, When Love Comes Knocking. Thank you so much for coming by.

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  8. Sarah, I so enjoyed you comparing your ER experience with writing and it's true. I worked the ER, then ICU for years, then moved into Private sector, finishing with Public Health and Homeland Security with Medical Reserve Corps.. Not only can I agree that every day posed a different problem or occurance, but the relationships with patients and their families I believe gives a true insight to how people react to various situations and why. I've got the boxed sets and am just starting them. And I've got Present for a Cowboy and Wild Texas Christmas. But when te heck do any of us get the time to read so many? Well, I make myself sit and read every evening for an hour--my time--but I also take my kindle to the gym 3x wk.and read for an hr. while on the bike and treadmill. Yeah! I've learned to multitask in order to read the great reads. And I love every minute of it. I too, can't wait to see how Penelope handles her dilemma. Loved the excerpt.

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    1. Bev, I am trying to read a novel. I'm on page 20 after 2 weeks. I am not getting to anything I want to read, so I stand in awe of your ability to multitask the way you do. I don't think I can walk and chew gum at the same time. LOL
      I see you have tried some different aspects of nursing. In the early years of my career I worked in orthopedics (boring), neuro, general surgery and labor and delivery (really awful when a baby or a mother dies). I'm glad I tried all those other avenues first. In the end, it turned out I was an adrenaline junkie.
      I enjoy writing about the Wildings. They feel like my own family. Unlike my real family, I can make them do what I think they should. LOL
      Thank you for all your kind words, Bev. And thank you for coming by. I hope you're working on an interesting project right now. Whatcha working on?

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  9. Some people just invade your dreams, even when awake. Of course we are the recipients, for which I am thankful.

    What a beautiful excerpt. Thank you. Doris

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    1. It is peculiar, Doris, how characters begin to build in a writer's mind and start to take over. After a while they begin to occupy a great deal of one's thoughts. The only recourse is to write their story.
      Are you writing on something right now, or are you taking a holiday break?

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    2. Writing, now that the two ended their quarrel over who was going to tell the story. *Grin*

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  10. It's very true, Doris, that the story has to be told from the right POV, or it's a no go. When I started the plot line for When Love Comes Knocking, I had it start from Penelope's POV. I couldn't get it to come together until I changed it and started from Gil's POV. It ran smooth as silk after that.

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  11. ANNOUNCEMENT!! The winner of the Christmas Anthology is Alisa Boisclair! Congratulations Alisa. I will be getting in touch with you to deliver your prize.

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  12. I love the fact Banjo got his own story. There are just some characters that come alive and we, as readers want to know their story! Thank you!

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  13. Cindy, Banjo not only got his own story, he got an entire novel worth of story. I even snuck in a secondary character from another book, The Violin, which isn't even a western. Just so happens both books were in the same time zone so I brought them together in the French trenches of WWI. Thank you so much for coming to commenting, Cindy.

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