Author Guest Post
My Writing Process
I drive my editor and my writing friends crazy. I don't follow what many writing classes and books say I need to do. I just write. The I clean up.
That might sound like what they say to do as it is the first draft, but I don't even lay out my characters. I let them develop and then I work with them. In a way, I'm backwards that way.
I get an idea of a story and I let it ruminate in my brain. When it can't stay bottled up anymore, I just start writing. I don't know what the characters will look like. I'm not too sure of their personalities yet. I just write and let that all come to me as I go. It is not uncommon to find out that I'm writing them all wrong and have to go back to change several scenes.
My first draft could be just twenty thousand words. I go back and begin playing with characters and plots. It might be twenty drafts later that I am at the point to give it to my editor. During that time, I have gone through scenes, characters, and dialogue. I'll have friends read it over and point out areas they feel are underdeveloped. I'll think on it and a few days later sit down and let it start to flow.
You could say that I let my story tell me what to say. The characters guide me and have me put in scenes and dialogue. They tell me when I'm off course and when I'm not. In one story I'm writing, I killed off a character I really liked. I tried not to, but the characters said it had to be done. I am at their mercy.
I don't expect my drafts to be perfect. They are all messy which gives my editor job security. :)
About The Author
Rebecca Graf worked as an accountant for twenty years before taking a chance at a dream. Starting off with online writing, she began to build a reputation and a number of followers. Now, she has one children's book, A Gift for a Mouse, published with Deep Connections being her first adult novel.
She lives near Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her husband and three children as well as two cats, Oreo and Cookie, and two dogs, Bug and Mocha.
Rebecca has started her own publishing company, Silver Tongue Press, with two partners. Their goal is to help new authors to achieve their dreams.
She also spends her days crocheting and knitting ...
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Book Review
Deep Connections by Rebecca L. Graf
Publisher: Silver Tongue Press
Publication Date: August 7, 2012
Format: Paperback - 300 pages / Kindle - 439 KB
ISBN: 1478291966
ASIN: B0091VONS4
Genre: Romantic Suspense
BUY THE BOOK: Deep Connections
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Virtual Book Tour Cafe.
Book Description:
Book Excerpt:
Brenna’s eyes fluttered open to see a blur of trees flying by. Her head pounded and her stomach began to roll from the pain she felt and the fast-changing scenery. A careful look at her surroundings told her she was in some older model car. She inhaled deeply to calm herself, but confusion set in as her senses were assaulted by unfamiliar smells. Her eyes widened in fright as terrifying memories began to flood her mind. Turning slowly, afraid of what she might see, she gazed at the man behind the wheel of the speeding car. She shivered when she saw he was just as repulsive as she remembered. Who was he and what did he want with her?
Sensing her stare, a pair of dark, soulless eyes turned towards her. A smile appeared on his unkempt face. “Well, well, sleeping beauty awakes.” Brenna’s stomach rolled again as she felt his eyes slide hungrily over her body. She pushed up against the door in an effort to put as much distance between the two of them as she could, but he shook his head in disapproval. “No need to be dramatic.” He turned his attention back to the road. “We both know you won’t jump out.”
She set her teeth and glared at him. Eyeballing her surroundings, she saw that there was no end to the trees that lined the road, no sign of civilization. She assumed they were still in the same state as when he grabbed her from the parking lot of the school where she taught. Deep down inside, she knew death awaited her no matter what. The look in his eye was not merciful. Yet jumping from the car to end her life seemed too selfish. As she was not one to keep such joy to herself, she quickly swung her body around and slammed into her abductor. Might as well let him in on the fun!
The force of her body colliding into his sent the car spinning out of control. She began fighting with all her might to prevent him from regaining control. Two sets of hands fought for control of the steering wheel. Profanities were shouted as the fight intensified. The car spun to the edge of the road where a small depression nestled in the forest. The tire left the ground when it hit the slight downward shift of the terrain, the car flipped and somersaulted twenty feet down the hill. As it took its final turn before slamming into a large pine tree, the passenger door flung open from the movement. Brenna thudded on the forest ground and barely missed a clump of trees. Stars exploded in her head and every bone in her body ached from the impact. She looked up to the fading light and let the darkness take possession.
Sensing her stare, a pair of dark, soulless eyes turned towards her. A smile appeared on his unkempt face. “Well, well, sleeping beauty awakes.” Brenna’s stomach rolled again as she felt his eyes slide hungrily over her body. She pushed up against the door in an effort to put as much distance between the two of them as she could, but he shook his head in disapproval. “No need to be dramatic.” He turned his attention back to the road. “We both know you won’t jump out.”
She set her teeth and glared at him. Eyeballing her surroundings, she saw that there was no end to the trees that lined the road, no sign of civilization. She assumed they were still in the same state as when he grabbed her from the parking lot of the school where she taught. Deep down inside, she knew death awaited her no matter what. The look in his eye was not merciful. Yet jumping from the car to end her life seemed too selfish. As she was not one to keep such joy to herself, she quickly swung her body around and slammed into her abductor. Might as well let him in on the fun!
The force of her body colliding into his sent the car spinning out of control. She began fighting with all her might to prevent him from regaining control. Two sets of hands fought for control of the steering wheel. Profanities were shouted as the fight intensified. The car spun to the edge of the road where a small depression nestled in the forest. The tire left the ground when it hit the slight downward shift of the terrain, the car flipped and somersaulted twenty feet down the hill. As it took its final turn before slamming into a large pine tree, the passenger door flung open from the movement. Brenna thudded on the forest ground and barely missed a clump of trees. Stars exploded in her head and every bone in her body ached from the impact. She looked up to the fading light and let the darkness take possession.
My Book Review:
Brenna is a high school English teacher who recently moved to the small town of Whitewater. Just when she is starting to enjoy the town and making connections with the townspeople, including two men vying for her attention, a mysterious person is obsessed with her and starts to stalk her. Who is stalking Brenna and why? What kind of trouble lurks in the small town of Whitewater?
Deep Connections is a chilling romantic suspense thriller with a paranormal twist that will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat. Written in the third person narrative, this fast paced and riveting story has enough suspense, drama, mystery, dark secrets and romance to keep you guessing. Rich in detail and vividly graphic descriptions, this story is creepy good, it gave me the willies. As the story unfolded, I seriously found myself getting goosebumps, note to self: do not read this novel in the middle of the night! The author weaves a gripping tale that has so many twists and turns, I found myself so caught up in the suspense that I couldn't put the book down. I loved how the author mixes the dark mystery with a romantic love triangle, both of Brenna's love interests are determined to protect her, and I was thoroughly intrigued by the differences in their desire for Brenna.
The author creates an intriguing cast of characters who are realistic and complex people. The character development is fantastic, the author provides the reader with some really good detailed descriptions of the characters, and along with their interactions and dialogues, it feels like you get to know each one of them. I loved the love triangle between Brenna, Native American attorney Slaton Lightfoot, and policeman Eaton Somerfield. I found myself swaying back and forth between who I liked better, but I must admit that Slaton was my hands down favorite! I also loved how the entire Lightfoot family embraced Brenna, and their family history and supernatural abilities was fascinating. As for the stalker known as Creeper, he is pure evil and his obsession for Brenna and plans for her completely creeped me out.
Deep Connections is a riveting romantic suspense thriller that will captivate you from the beginning and hold you captive until the end. If you like a scary novel with a twist of paranormal and romance in the mix, then this is the book for you. This is the first book in a series, and the end will leave you hanging and wanting more, only to make you wait for it to be continued in the next book of the series, Dark Connections.
RATING: 4 STARS ****
Thank you so much for hosting me and for the wonderful review.
ReplyDeleteHi Rebecca! Thank you for the opportunity to read, review and host your virtual book tour event. I loved the book, even though it gave me willies! lol I look forward to reading the sequel. :)
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