My guest is author Ally Broadfield, who stopped by to share some insights about her writing career with my readers.
Nancy Lee: Welcome! Tell us about how you became a writer.
Ally: When I first started writing, I was a
total pantser, and I made all the classic newbie mistakes. Though I had a black
moment and a beginning, middle, and end, I started the story in the wrong
place, there was too much backstory, and most of the scenes were full of fun,
witty dialogue and very little conflict. I knew just enough to know my manuscript
was a mess, but I didn’t know enough to fix it myself. So I took lots of online
classes, read many craft books, and most importantly, keep writing. When I finally sold my first book and was able to submit future
projects on proposal, I realized I had to start plotting.
Nancy Lee: I have always had an issue with plotting. What did you learn?
Ally: The first part of a story that comes to
me is always the characters. As soon as they’ve taken shape in my mind, I start
to think about conflict. I determine the internal and external goals,
motivations, and conflicts for the hero and heroine, and make sure their goals
are in conflict with one another.
Once those steps are complete, I use the
information to help me complete a beat sheet based
on the examples in Blake Snyder’s book, Save
the Cat. This
helps me determine the correct place to start the story, the inciting incident,
turning points, and resolution. If you’re not familiar with it, Save the Cat is written in an
entertaining, easy to understand style that makes the information easily
accessible, even to those unfamiliar with screenwriting techniques. (For more
information about beat sheets, see Pat Haggerty’s excellent post about Using Scrivener
to Save the Cat)
Nancy Lee: I recently purchased the book First Draft in 30 Days by Karen S. Wiesner, and it has helped me get the character names, descriptions, and goals set in an outline of the story. Tell us more.
Ally: Once
the beat sheet is complete, it’s easy to create a synopsis if needed for a
submission package or pitch. I’ve also found that I write a lot faster after
completing a beat sheet, but still have the freedom to make changes as I go.
Nancy Lee: What’s next for you?
Ally: I’m currently
working on the first round of edits for a Regency-set romantic suspense that is
the second book of a continuity series with four other authors. It will release
in early 2015. I’m also writing the first draft of a Regency romance with a
dash of mystery that will release this fall. After that I will be revising the
first draft of a single title Regency that is the sequel to Just a
Kiss and will tell Anna’s story. It should also be released in early 2015.
BOOK
BLURB
Charlotte
Lightwood has one season to find a husband or she’ll be forced to marry her
guardian’s loathsome cousin. With no title or dowry, she doesn’t have much hope
of making a good match. Sebastian Wilkinson, the Earl of Marley, has been
the most eligible bachelor on the marriage mart for more years than he cares to
count and is very aware of his duty to marry a woman who will add to the wealth
and stature of his title. Sebastian makes Charlotte an offer she can’t refuse:
he will pretend to court her to help her attract more suitors in exchange for
her advice about which ladies he should pursue. As they work together, their
mutual attraction grows. When they realize they just might be perfect for one
another, they must decide whether to bow to the dictates of society or follow
their hear
EXCERPT from Just A Kiss
“You should also
consider Lady Hoskins. Though she appears quiet initially, you’ll discover
she’s quite intelligent upon closer association. As the daughter of a duke, she
exceeds your requirements.”
He seemed overly
interested in the pattern of the parquet floor and didn’t answer immediately.
“I’ll take your suggestion under consideration.”
Charlotte raised her
eyebrows. “Have you spent any time with her this week?”
“I’m afraid she’s
too…perfectish.”
She stopped and turned
toward him. “Perfectish?”
He lowered his head and
gazed into her eyes. “Yes, perfectish. It’s a clear indication that some
horrible fault will come to the surface the moment you’ve irrevocably declared
your intentions.”
She allowed one corner
of her mouth to curve upward. “Well, then. I guess it’s a good thing I could
never be considered perfectish.”
His eyes darkened as he
leaned closer. “No, you are certainly not too perfectish.”
She struggled to catch
her breath and turned away from his intense gaze. “Where are we?” They had been
walking much longer than should have been necessary. Marley Hall was
exceptionally large, but surely they should have reached the main stairwell by
now.
“In the east wing.”
“I thought you were
concerned about leaving the duke and duchess waiting. Have you lost your way in
your own home?”
Sebastian shot her a
sheepish smile. “They’re not actually waiting. I was the one impatient to get
started, but now that you’re entertaining me, I feel no particular need to
hurry.”
“Odious man,” Charlotte
mumbled under her breath, turning away to hide her smile from him.
Nancy Lee: How
can my readers buy your book?
Ally: Readers
can go to the Entangled Publishing page for Just a Kiss to see all of the
purchase options: http://www.entangledpublishing.com/just-a-kiss/
 |
| Ally Broadfield |
More About the Author
Ally
has worked as a horse trainer, director of marketing and development, freelance
proofreader, and a children's librarian, among other things. None of them were
as awesome as writing romance novels (though the librarian gig came closest).
She lives in Texas and is convinced her house is shrinking, possibly because
she shares it with three kids, five dogs, a cat, a rabbit, and assorted
reptiles. Oh, and her husband. Ally likes to curse in Russian because very few
people know what she's saying, and spends most of what would be her spare time
letting dogs in and out of the house and shuttling kids around. She has many
stories in her head looking for an opportunity to escape onto paper. She writes
historical romance set in Regency England and Imperial Russia.
You
can find more information
about Ally Broadfield at:
And check out her
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