I just finished the first draft tonight, and like I am with all books, I’m really excited. 😀
This didn’t go exactly the way I thought it would when I made the initial outline. The basic premise stayed the same: two best friends pretend to be romantically interested in each other in order to get her parents to back off about her finding a husband. But the way things played out didn’t really follow that outline.
There was a wrench my main characters threw my way that made me toss out 80% of the outline. (I can’t really say what in case I spoil the book.) But what I can say is that there were a few times when I was worried my hero and heroine weren’t going to pull off the romance like they were supposed to. Fortunately, they did in the end, but man, I had my doubts. LOL I am breathing a huge sigh of relief.
I spent most of my time writing by the seat of my pants and hoping everything would work out as I went along. I just can’t do it. I am not an outline type of writer. I know some writers swear by this, but it doesn’t work for me. And I’ve learned that until I’m at the 25,000 to 30,000 word point (which is about halfway) into a book, I can’t sprint it either.
I don’t know if I am scaring my editing team or not since I have another book done, but I wanted to warn them (since they read my blog posts) that I’ll be bugging them about going over this book in August. I’ve been working these poor people hard this summer. There was Patty’s Gamble, The Earl’s Secret Bargain, and A Royal Engagement. And I’m about to come at them with this book.
Ruth Ann Nordin's Author Blog 
Bring it on!!! I’m ready!!
I’m glad to hear it. 😀 I plan to have it ready early next month, which isn’t that far away. Man, this year has gone fast.
Dear Ruth,
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m one of those who can not work with outlines. Years ago I tried. Bought myself a lovely notebook and started outlining the story. By midway I had lost interest. I just could not see the “whole picture” and that’s when all the fun of enjoying the story as I write it, was lost. I’m not sure that this makes any sense, but that’s how I felt. I learned that I have to develop the story walking beside the characters and watching them develop the story. The only thing I do is to make sure they don’t veer off a side road and forget the goal which is the romance and, in my case, the happy ending. Writing books and writing courses can try all they want to drum into my head about the outline. It just doesn’t work for me. So I totally understand your views. I’m excited too that your first draft of “Just Good Friends” is finished. Been looking forward to this story since you published the first two in the series. 🙂
P.S. You asked in your reply to my comment last week about my book in process, “The Girl in Blue Velvet Who Fell From the Stars.” It’s a sci/fi fantasy Romance (under my East Meets West series). As always, I will send you the e-book and paperback when they are ready. And as always, you inspire me to keep on writing. Thank you. 🙂 ❤
What you’re saying makes perfect sense, and it’s just like that. My characters have to tell me who they are before I know what to do in a story. I can’t tell them what to do. They have to tell me what they want me to write.
I buy your books, so you don’t have to send them to me. 🙂 I want to support you. Speaking of which, I need to see if I missed any books.
Such a slave driver! LOL
I feel bad because I’m always bugging you guys. Like you don’t have other things to do with your time. LOL
No way! It’s awesome.
I’m relieved to hear that. 🙂