Writing

My Own Take on Flashback Friday

/ Carrie L. Carr / Leave a comment

I’m often asked the usual questions about my writing – when did you start, what made you post it, what inspired certain characters or stories. So, I thought this might be a fun time to answer some of those.

My first story, was Destiny’s Bridge, which was also the beginning of the Lex & Amanda series. Several things came together for this story, including witnessing firsthand how a flash-flood can come out of nowhere.

When I was in high school, we lived atop a hill in a rural area. The road wasn’t paved, but was heavily packed dirt. There was a small, dry creek that we drove across to get to the hill that led to our house. In the early eighties, a massive amount of rain altered our little road, as you can see from the photos. It’s hard to tell from the second shot, but the water had cut out a space that was at least ten feet deep and close to twenty feet wide. So, there’s the “raging creek” from Destiny’s Bridge that brings Lex & Amanda together.

This is the road we traveled to get to our house. We wisely didn't cross the heavily churning water.

This is the road we traveled to get to our house. We wisely didn’t cross the heavily churning water.

Scary sight after the water receded.

Scary sight after the water receded.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for the bridge – well, that’s somewhat of a funny story. Not far from where I now live, is a suburban housing addition called Tara. Yes, like Gone with the Wind. Anyway, somehow, *that* bridge was the one that I saw in my dream, which was where Lex & Amanda came from. My favorite thing was how I had to fight for a covered bridge on a book cover, since my publisher said there were no covered bridges in Texas. Years later, I was able to show her this particular bridge – and gloat. Yeah, I’m like that.

 

Basis for the covered bridge on the Rocking W Ranch.

Basis for the covered bridge on the Rocking W Ranch.

 

So, there you have it. A little fun trivia about Lex & Amanda, four weeks before their 9th book, Beyond Always, comes out.

More to follow!

Naive or Stupid?

/ Carrie L. Carr / Leave a comment

So, last year I had written an “It Gets Better” blog after being contacted from someone from my past. She had written a sweet apology for her hateful remarks when she severed our friendship, once I had come out. With rose-colored blinders on, I happily latched on to the friendship once again, only to find that she had ulterior motives.

While I’m no James Michener, I enjoy writing. And I’m always happy to answer questions or help new writers, even though there are much better teachers out there. But this long-lost “friend” used a fake reconciliation in order to pick my brain about writing – or more to the point, selling books. She had written a book about her near-death experience, and thought getting back into my good graces would give her an edge, I guess. We became Facebook friends, although I found out she had two different accounts – one she friended me on, and another for her friends and family. I should have listened to my gut instinct, but thought I’d give her the benefit of the doubt.

Unfortunately, she didn’t come right out and say this. No, she made a big deal about how sorry she was for her previous actions (telling me rudely that because I was gay, I was dead to her, and no contact for over ten years). She called me and we talked for a while – it was scary for me, but I enjoyed it. Then, in the same phone call, she spoke of her book, and asked me how I marketed my work. I gave her a fairly detailed explanation, but told her she really had to find a good publisher for her type of market. She thanked me, told me to call her during the day at work, since she wasn’t always very busy.

A great start, right?

Not really. The next time I called her, she was busy. I understood, and promised to call back again.

Two more times of this, and I realized that she got what she wanted from me. Not long after that, I had been mysteriously “unfriended” as she deleted her Facebook account that she had added me on. Classy.

Honestly, if she had just written me and asked me questions about publishing, I would have gladly answered. She didn’t have to go through such an elaborate hoax. At least I wouldn’t have been gut-punched twice by her. I truly considered this woman a big sister at one point in my life – and before now, I would have never thought she’d be the type to do something so underhanded. Maybe that’s why I never saw it coming.

In order to give myself closure, I wrote her an email, wishing her and her family a happy life. I told her that while I don’t really understand her motives, I’ll move on. But, deep down inside, there’s always going to be a part of me that feels sick and hurt at her deception. That teenage me who looked up to her as a big sister, and who helped her through two pregnancies when her husband had to work long hours and she needed someone to talk to, or to make sure she ate properly. That person is hurt, and will probably never trust so blindly again.

The Next Big Thing – Writers Discuss New Work

/ Carrie L. Carr / Leave a comment

“The Next Big Thing” – Blog Hop 2012

While I haven’t been too active on my blog as of late, I have been busy. I read a lot, write some, and harass friends online. Anyway, I’ve been tagged by MJ Williamz in “The Next Big Thing Blog Hop”. It’s a chance for different writers and their readers to cross pollenate, or something like that. I know that sounds as fuzzy as the dust ponies under my bed. But, trust me – it’ll all make sense. This is week 27 of the Hop – tons of great authors have participated.

The concept is simple: each writer answers the same questions (although not every writer answers EVERY question) about either a new release, or a work-in-progress. Then, that same writer will point the finger of doom, um, tag other authors to do the same.

And heeeeere we go!

What is the working title of your book?

I’m going to talk about my most recently published work, Heart’s Resolve.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

It’s based extremely loosely on my old memories of working in the Texas State Park system one summer, when I was sixteen. The fictional park in the book is set up very similar to the park I worked at, right down to the spread out campgrounds and large area coverage. Of course, things have most likely changed a lot since 1980.

What genre does your book fall under?

Contemporary romance – I’m a sucker for a happy ending.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
In my head, Delaney Kavanaugh was eerily similar to a bit younger Dana Delany – but maybe that’s because I’m hooked on her latest series. Gibson (Gib) Proctor is a little harder to pinpoint – she’s not the usual “actor” type – so I’ll let the reader try to figure that one out. Usually, I like to let the reader make up their own mind.

What is the one-sentence synopsis for your book?

Park Officer Gib Proctor has all she can handle at her newest assignment, especially when fiery architect Delaney gets underfoot and under her skin.

What is the longer synopsis for your book?

Gibson Proctor, a Park Police Officer for the Texas Department of Parks & Wildlife, has returned after twenty years to the rural area she once called home. She’s able to easily adapt to the slower pace of the farming communities that surround the town of Benton, Texas.  She tries her best to handle the expectations of her family and friends, who never understood why she left in the first place. Gib’s comfortable existence is set into a tailspin when she unwittingly offends Delaney Kavanagh, the fiery-tempered architect who’s in charge of repairing the spillway at Lake Benton.

Although Delaney is currently in a relationship, she can’t seem to get the amiable officer out of her mind. Not used to the type of attention she receives from the chivalrous woman, Delaney keeps waiting for the “real” Gib to show up. Will she ever accept Gib’s acts of kindness as truth, or will she be content to stay in a relationship where she has to fight for everything?

Will your book be self-published, or represented by an agency?

It was released by Regal Crest Enterprises in May 2012 and is available for purchase (plug, plug).

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

About five months; but I was also writing another story (Trust Our Tomorrows, featuring Lex & Amanda, also published by Regal Crest Enterprises) at the same time – not something I’d recommend, by the way. All those voices talking at once!

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

It is actually a “prequel” to a short story I wrote for the Academy of Bards. I had gotten a lot of emails asking about the characters, and decided we needed to “meet” them when they first got together. Then I used my old memories to help add a backdrop to the book, and ended up really liking the characters.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

People seem to be fascinated by anything to do with Texas – I know I am. These two ladies are more like everyday people than the usual protagonists we read. There are no secret agents lurking about, but we do get a chance to see how growing up in southern families can affect women differently. Delaney is the beloved daughter surrounded by brothers, while Gig was raised as if she were a boy – and her old-world gallantry shows it. It’s fun to pit these two different types of women against each other and watch the sparks fly.

And, there you have it. My answers to the age-old (or at least 27 weeks) questions. I hope I interested you in my work, or at least gave you a few minutes of fun. I’m going to try and keep my blog more up to date in the future, so stop in again and see me!

** Next Wednesday, here’s the blogs you just HAVE to check out – I know I will!

ML Skinner – www.MLSkinner.com

Jan Carr – http://jmcarrbooks.wordpress.com/

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Another Fantastic Book Club!

/ Carrie L. Carr / Leave a comment

We took a road trip to Austin this weekend to attend the Third Annual Lone Star LesFic Festival, hosted by the Sapphic Reading Group.

There’s only one word I can come up with to describe the event – FANTASTIC!

Okay, I’m sure there’s quite a few other great words, too – but I’m worn out. LOL! So many great, wonderful women – I’d name them all, but I don’t think I have enough space, or time. Suffice it to say that we met so many ladies, and had a lovely time. Lots of big-name writers were there and the readings were cool. Got to see many of our friends, although it seemed like there was never enough time to visit properly.

We also went to a private dinner party afterward and I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time.  Great food, wonderful company, and I think I’m going to have to drag, I mean, walk the dog around the block all week to work off the cheesecake 🙂

I hope that there will be even more people there next year – if you get a chance, please go. Lots of fun, great writers, and so many super people to meet. Whoo!

I survived!

/ Carrie L. Carr / 2 Comments

Or, more to the point, I didn’t make a complete fool of myself.

Last night was the first time I’d ever made a “public appearance” as the only author. Usually, if I’m doing a signing, there’s a boat-load of other writers to keep the focus off me.

The Jewel Lesbian Fiction Bookclub is an amazing group of ladies. Friendly, intelligent, and just absolutely the best group of women you’d ever want to meet.  The book they read was Piperton, and they asked a lot of excellent questions. I can only hope I answered them well enough to make sense 🙂

Being a self-proclaimed recluse, I was somewhat nervous before the event. But, once we arrived, the wonderful women of Jewel made us feel so welcome, all my fears disintegrated. We had a wonderful time visiting and talking about not only Piperton, but writing in general. And, before you think I’m speaking in “royal-speak”, the we I’m talking about is Jan and myself. LOL! Really, I’m not quite that crazy, just yet.

Anyway, if you’re a writer and are planning on being in Dallas, give the women at the Jewel Lesbian Fiction Club a buzz. They’d love to have you join them, and you’ll be glad you did.