From Idea to Publication: The Journey of a Published Novel
Originally posted in October 2020
Part One: I Have An Idea
When I first started on this journey to publication, I hadn’t realized how much work goes on behind the scenes before the finished product hits bookshelves or virtual shelves. So I thought I’d take some time to talk about the process and pull back the curtain on a very long, but rewarding, process.
SNOWBOUND IN WINTERBERRY FALLS is due to release on November 20, 2020. The idea for the story started back in mid-2018. I’d just finished writing my first novel and had entered it in several contests and submitted it to various publishers. While I was waiting for responses, this idea about a Christmas story was germinating.
INSPIRATION
I love Christmas stories and am known to read them in October right up until New Years, so the idea of a new holiday story intrigued me. I also needed something to focus on while I was waiting for responses. The initial idea was triggered by a Facebook post someone had shared about a hotel that does Christmas all year round in New England. I followed a rabbit trail and discovered a month-long holiday festival celebrated in Middlebury Vermont which starts November 30 and continues right through December 31.
I began asking questions. Having been an event planner for much of my career, I wondered how the event planners would handle things going wrong or disappearing all together. It sure would throw a wrench in the plans! In a place that does Christmas better than any other in New England, why would someone want to destroy the festival or at least the appearance of wanting to destroy it? And who would be able to get to the bottom of the mystery?
What a fun setting and event to work through a story!
I probably have answered those questions quite differently than others would have. You’ll just have to read the story when it comes out in November to see how I handled them!
Have an idea? Start asking questions and see where your story takes you.
Next time, we’ll talk about plotting or pantsing or plansing – whatever turn of phrase you like to use.
Read Part Two HERE