Christina Freeburn's Writing Process

Over the years, my process has changed. I used to be a solely seat-of-the-pants writer, which meant I sat at the computer knowing the heroines and hero, the basic plot, and an idea of who did it and told myself 'Start'. I did get books completed that way but spent a lot of time reworking them. I always had to go back to begin and do a total rewrite because the beginning never went with the editing as the whole plot shifted and twisted away from me.

I'm trying to 'write smarter' as I have a couple of books a year I need to get done so have started outlining. Now, not the high school kind of outline because ... well ... that seems like 'work' to my brain and then the creative portion doesn't want to cooperate. A few years ago, I started using a software program called The Snowflake Pro. I love it. It gives me a wonderful balance to the seat-of-the-pants style that encourages my creativity and an outline which helps me to focus.

When I find myself stuck at a point in my manuscript, I've learned it means there's something I got wrong. If I go back a few chapters, I'll find the problem and once fixed can move forward. Usually it's the fact that I had the hero or heroine behave in contrary to what I've established and need to either change the action or dialogue, or make the motivation clear.

The biggest help for me in taking writing seriously was how I talked about writing a book. Instead of saying "I dream of writing a book", I started saying "My goal is to write a book". It's funny, but once I used goal instead of dream, I found myself spending more time writing and working toward it. For the most part, dreams happen to us while goals are what we actively work to achieve.

Deciding to write a novel can seem daunting so break up the steps needed to complete your dream into mini-goals. When I was having trouble getting started on a recent book, I went back to this method and found the process easier and more doable. Even after writing a few books, I still at times wonder if I'm able to do it again. The first thing I do is decide what type of book I'm writing. Okay, that's easy right now as I'm writing romantic suspense.

Next, is the theme ... or heart ... of the book. What will be biggest struggle for my characters? Usually once I figure out the 'heart' pains (the romance conflict) the hero and heroine are either working through or clutching for dear life, the suspense part of the plot naturally comes from or weaves into the romance. After that comes the title, as I'm a 'title' girl and need to have one in order to start the book. The title sets the theme and mood for the story so I'll go through a couple before a find the right one. By the time I type Chapter One, I've already completed four steps and find those small 'victories' to give me a boost to go on to the next part.

Turning each chapter into its own separate goal also helps when I'm struggling. Even with an outline, it can seem like an endless task to get to the end of the novel but taking on each chapter as it comes makes the process easier and more doable. I know I can finish the chapter even if I doubt if I can finish the book.

I hope in the New Year everyone who has the dream of writing a book or a short story starts down their path to completing their goal. I can't wait to read your story!

Christina's Journey to Publication

Every path is different to publication so it's best not to judge yours by others. It's easy to get demoralized and question your ability when comparing accomplishments. The times when I sit and stack where I'm at with my writing career against another, I always come away feeling a down and wondering why I am bothering. But I do know why I bother. I can't. There's something inside of me compelling me to write. There are stories in my head that want out and won't quiet until I get them onto the computer.

I have had some ups and downs along the way to publication: a publisher going out of business, two maybes where I spent many months editing a book only to be told no at the end, trying to change my voice and style to please others. I finally found that 'open door' again when I wrote the story I wanted to tell and sent that story to the publisher rather than the other way around.

The advice I wish I had taken to heart a lot sooner than I did was to be true to yourself. Be true to your writer's voice and the story you need to tell. That is when the words come out the most pure and will touch those that read them.

Christina Freeburn's Lost Then Found

Lost Then Found, is the first book in the New Beginnings Series, which features a skip-tracing business that specializes in relocating abused and stalked women.

Blurb:

Skip-tracer Renee Stratford-Knight's life is becoming stable again. Eighteen months prior, the murder of her sister and the soon-to-follow collapse of her marriage left her reeling. She made it through those dark days with the help of family, embracing faith and starting her own skip-tracing business, New Beginnings, which specializes in relocating abused women. Now, her ex-husband -- and former business partner -- Jonas Knight shows up asking about her most vulnerable client.

Jonas knows his ex-wife helped embezzler Gina Howard elude the authorities and plans to bring the young woman to justice. When Renee is threatened, Jonas grows suspicious of his client's reason for finding his niece. In order to uncover the secrets their clients hold, Jonas and Renee must struggle through distrust and the pain of their pasts to work together to save the life of a teenage girl -- and their own.


Excerpt:

Renee locked the apartment up tight and took the stairs. Gripping the rail, she plodded down the steps, each step draining energy. The eventual battle with Jonas weighed down her spirit. She didn't want to relive the painful moments of her life.

She stepped onto the ground floor, tugged open the door leading to the back parking lot and walked outside. A cold breeze played along her skin, drifting against her unprotected neck. The impulsive summer haircut she chose that winter over the hairdresser's recommendations no longer symbolized independence to her but teenage rebellion.

She tugged up the small collar of her leather coat. "Showed him, didn't I."

Hands clapped. Renee halted under the dim lights of the outside doors. Her heart rate accelerated as she looked around the darkening area. Parked in the lot were three cars and a van. She swallowed hard and stared at the windows of the van, trying to make out any figures. Placing her hand into her front pocket, she pressed her thumb onto the keypad of her cell phone. She sent out a heads-up message to her brother.

Jonas stepped into the light, a sarcastic smile stretching across his face. Better to face a known enemy than an unknown one. She typed another message to her brother. False read. Lord, let that work to keep Alex at home rather than charging to the rescue.

"Your skills at deception have gotten better." Jonas loomed over her.

"I learned from the best." Regret tugged at her conscience as the words left her mouth. She pushed it away. If she allowed Jonas to get the upper hand, then she offered an opportunity for his words to steal away her confidence.

She tilted her head back and locked onto his storm-cloud gray eyes, standing in place even though her neck muscles ached. She promised herself not to ever allow a man to make her feel powerless. The streetlights allowed her to see her reflection in his eyes. As he studied her face, his gaze softened. He reached out, fingers lingering by her cheek.

The air between them crackled. A shiver raced through Renee and she fought the instinct to lean those few inches toward his touch. They were divorced. They no longer meant anything to each other. She drew back but not before awareness crept into his gaze. He knew. He sensed it.

Time to end the silent duel, and leave. Now. She held in a frustrated sigh as she asked the question Jonas silently demanded. "What do you want?"

"Gina Howard's location."



Find out more about Christina at her website: http://www.christinafreeburn.com/
Be sure to leave a comment on any of Christina's post's this month for the chance to win a copy of Lost Then Found!

Christina Freeburn Interview & Giveaway

Joining me this month is fellow Desert Breeze author Christina Freeburn. Be sure to comment throughout the month for a chance to win her new book, Lost Then Found, which releases today. In case you can't wait until the end of the month to see if you won, you can purchase it from our publisher, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and most online bookstores. Here is the blurb and cover.

Skip-tracer Renee Stratford-Knight's life is becoming stable again. Eighteen months prior, the murder of her sister and the soon-to-follow collapse of her marriage left her reeling. She made it through those dark days with the help of family, embracing faith and starting her own skip-tracing business, New Beginnings, which specializes in relocating abused women. Now, her ex-husband -- and former business partner -- Jonas Knight shows up asking about her most vulnerable client.

Jonas knows his ex-wife helped embezzler Gina Howard elude the authorities and plans to bring the young woman to justice. When Renee is threatened, Jonas grows suspicious of his client's reason for finding his niece. In order to uncover the secrets their clients hold, Jonas and Renee must struggle through distrust and the pain of their pasts to work together to save the life of a teenage girl -- and their own.

Doesn't it sound great? Okay, on with the interview.

[Anne]Name one of your favorite books as a child.

[Christina] Black Beauty

[Anne] Do you have a favorite author?

[Christina] I always get stuck on this question. So many of my friends are authors that I hate to pick one as my favorite. It would be like choosing a favorite child.

[Anne] Out of all the books you’ve read, which one comes immediately to your mind? If there is a favorite scene you remember, please share.

[Christina] What Happened at Midnight (Hardy Boys #10) by Franklin W. Dixon. There's a scene where Joe is kidnapped and Frank does everything he can to find his brother. I always loved how warm and caring the relationship of the brothers was portrayed.

[Anne] Your favorite vacation spot (whether you have been there or not)?

[Christina] Disney World

[Anne] Which would you rather have: A custom closet or a custom kitchen?

[Christina] Custom kitchen

[Anne] It’s Saturday afternoon and you’re home alone. What are you wearing? And yes, you must have clothes on.

[Christina] Yoga pants and a t-shirt

[Anne] What’s your favorite dish?

[Christina] Mozzarella and tomato salad, especially with balsamic dressing and a nice, warm roll on the side.

[Anne] Other than writing, what do you enjoy doing?

[Christina] Quilting

[Anne] You’ve just landed a multi-book contract with a major publisher! Which vehicle would we be more likely to see you driving after you’ve collected your huge advance: a Hummer, RV, truck, muscle car, or BMW?

[Christina] BMW

[Anne] What’s your favorite television show? Movie?

[Christina] American Idol, The Man From Snowy River

[Anne] You’ve won a talent show! What act did you perform?

[Christina] I'd have performed a reading of The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe. My singing and dancing abilities are best left in the privacy of my home, or to perform if I ever want to embarrass my teens.

[Anne] Would you rather have the power to be invisible or be able to fly, and why?

[Christina] Fly. Then I'd be able to travel more as my costs would be lowered. I could go to Disney World every month!

[Anne] What was one of the most surprising things you learned during your journey to publication?

[Christina] The path for everyone is different and there isn't a right way, just a right way for each writer. So many times, we close ourselves off to possibilities and ways to achieve our goal of publication by setting out on a very narrow path and never even pausing to take a look and see if there really is only way to get to where we want.

[Anne] What was the most interesting research you did for a book?

[Christina] Participating in a citizen's police academy.

[Anne] Where do you go when you need to get inspired to write?

[Christina] Hanging out with other writers. There's something about being around other authors and taking part in shop talk that inspires me and makes me excited about writing.

[Anne] Do you have any writing quirks?

[Christina] Sometimes I act out the fight scenes I write with Rescue Heroes figures. I want to make sure it looks right and is possible. When my son outgrew them, I kept some to have on hand for research purposes. Okay, I'll admit that I also kept some Matchbox cars. Those are great for chase scenes.

[Anne] What do you think makes a good story?

[Christina] Characters who feel and act like real people rather than characters in a novel.

[Anne] What are you working on now?

[Christina] Led Astray, the second in the New Beginnings series

[Anne] What's one of the more interesting experiences you've had with one of your readers?

[Christina] When I used to attend a critique group at a bookstore, there was one woman who'd always stand nearby when I was reading. I didn't think anything of it until the other members pointed out she always came near when it was my turn to read and left when I was done. I was amazed that she wanted to know what was going to happen in the new book so much, that she visited the critique group every week for months to find out what was going to happen.

[Anne] Complete this scene: It was raining. The man came out of nowhere, and before I knew it...

...his bicycle careened out of control, heading straight toward the barrier that kept pedestrians from venturing onto the private property owned by ... no one was sure and have ever dared to find out.