Joining us today on Wisdom Wednesday is Hope Toler Dougherty.
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Latest Novel: Rescued Hearts
Writing Tip:
Freewriting is a tool I use when I’m beginning a new story or when I’m stuck. I also used it when I taught to show my students that they could get words on paper.
In freewriting, you allow yourself to write without editing, write without thinking about commas or misspelled words. You write for about ten minutes or so without stopping for anything. If you get stuck, write, “I’m stuck. I’m stuck,” until another idea comes to mind. Keep the pen or your fingers moving.
I use this technique to interview my characters sometimes, too. I pretend to be my character and type whatever he or she wants me to know.
When you’re not concerned about the mechanics, your mind is free to explore ideas, and you get words on paper. They might be awful words, but once they’re on paper (or in a laptop document), you can fix them. You can’t fix an empty screen. (Find more information and an example of freewriting on the Resources page of my website.)
This is the way that I have to write my stories. I sit at the computer or wherever I’m writing and just write. I don’t edit at all. If I do start editing, I will never finish the story, I will just try to get it perfect and not go anywhere. I have to make myself wait till the story is finished before I edit a single word.
Favorite Writing Tip for New Writers:
Read, read, read. Read in your genre and read craft books to hone your writing skills. I have a list of good writing books on my website. Write every day. Join writing groups and attend writing conferences.
The is great advice, and one that I tell others as well!
Children’s clothing designer Mary Wade Kimball’s soft spot for animals leads to a hostage situation when she spots a briar- entangled kitten in front of an abandoned house. Beaten, bound, and gagged by the two thugs inside, Mary Wade loses hope for escape when a third villain returns with supplies.
Discovering the kidnapped, innocent woman ratchets the complications for undercover agent Brett Davis. Weighing the difference of ruining his three months’ investigation against the woman’s safety, Brett forsakes his mission and helps her escape, the bent-on-revenge brutes following behind.
When Mary Wade’s safety is threatened once more, Brett rescues her again. This time, her personal safety isn’t the only thing in jeopardy. Her heart is endangered as well.
Find Rescued Hearts on Amazon
Hope Toler Dougherty holds a Master’s degree in English and taught at East Carolina University as well as York Technical College. A member of ACFW, RWA and SinC, she writes for Serious Write. Before writing novels, she published non-fiction articles on topics ranging from gardening with children to writing apprehension. She cheers for the Pittsburgh Steelers, ACC basketball, and Army West Point Football. Hope and her husband, Kevin, live in North Carolina and look forward to visits with their two daughters and twin sons. She has three published novels.
Thanks for joining me today, Hope! I’ve enjoyed having you on the blog this week, and Rescued Hearts is on my reading list!
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