Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Starting a New Book

Starting a new book is exciting and daunting. Luckily, I didn't have to start from scratch. Two of the secondary characters from my debut novel are the hero and heroine of this book so I know Fannie and James. Well, sort of. About as much as I know some of my neighbors. We wave, have an occasional conversation at the mailbox, but I have no real sense of what makes them tick.

To get to know James and Fannie, I'm spending time with them. You could say they've moved into my house. I'm meeting their families, discovering their dreams and fears, figuring out how they react, how they think. They're young. They have some growing up to do. And they will. I'll see to that. :-)

My job is to bring James and Fannie to life on the page so readers will care about them. I'll use conflict and crisis, dialogue and action to reveal their faith, stretch them and produce a fast-paced, entertaining read. Or so I hope. The process takes me awhile. My goal is four decent pages a day, twenty pages a week. With time off in December and for a writers' conference, I should type The End and have revisions done by the last of January.

Besides writing a new book, I'll be involved with the finishing touches on my debut novel to be released in September 2008. I can't wait to get the new title, to see the cover once the Art Department is finished. It promises to be an exciting year!

Whenever you can, stop back and see how my books and I are doing. If you have questions, ask. It'll be fun to share the process with you.

Blessings,
Janet

6 comments:

NancyGib said...

Hi Janet!

I really like the name of your blog, A Cup of Faith.

The pictures of Italy are breathtaking! I was fascinated by the little bits of history you put with each picture. Interesting that the gondoliers "inherit" their jobs. It seems that Italy is built on family and deep tradition.
Any chance of an Italian character showing up in one of your books?

Best wishes!
Nancy E. Gibson

Janet Dean said...

Hi Nancy!

Thanks for stopping by! Glad you like the title of my blog. And the pix from Italy. An Italian hero would be fun. I can't see him in this series, but maybe later on.

Janet

Liz Flaherty said...

Well, everything I was going to say, Nancy already did! Although I wouldn't have thought of an Italian character. There is a large Italian-American contingent in the town where I work, though, and they are an interesting culture unto themselves.

I haven't mastered pictures on my blog yet. Nor have I mastered consistent entries. :-)

Janet Dean said...

Liz, Any good Italian restaurants in the town where you work? The way I love pasta, I must have some Italian blood. One of my favorite dishes is ravioli stuffed with seafood.

Janet

Liz Flaherty said...

You know, there really aren't. Not even a chain like Olive Garden. However, the Italian-American Club has a blowout a couple of times a year and I guess it's awesome.

Janet Dean said...

So Liz, tell me about your book. When will it be out in the stores?