Thank you, Amber, for having me as your guest.
Many readers ask me how I come up with ideas and write
my books. In case you2527re curious, let me explain. Ideas are the easy part. They
bombard me daily. Everything generates a “what if” or “wouldn2527t that have been
better if” thought—overheard conversations, stories on TV, things I read while
researching something else.
my books. In case you2527re curious, let me explain. Ideas are the easy part. They
bombard me daily. Everything generates a “what if” or “wouldn2527t that have been
better if” thought—overheard conversations, stories on TV, things I read while
researching something else.
First, I use a plotting system called Story Magic which was demonstrated by
Robin Perini and Laura Baker. Their presentation at an RWA chapter meeting was
like a lighthouse beacon. This system doesn2527t work for every author but it is a
lifesaver for me. In this method, an author uses sticky notes of different
colors on a science board that2527s been divided into chapters. Hard to explain
without a visual demonstration.
Robin Perini and Laura Baker. Their presentation at an RWA chapter meeting was
like a lighthouse beacon. This system doesn2527t work for every author but it is a
lifesaver for me. In this method, an author uses sticky notes of different
colors on a science board that2527s been divided into chapters. Hard to explain
without a visual demonstration.
I use pink sticky notes for the heroine2527s action, blue
for the hero2527s and various other colors for minor character and the romance2527s
progression. After the plot is worked out, I collect the sticky notes in order
to use them for my outline. So I don2527t forget who has what color eyes and hair
I compile a list of characters and a brief description. Don2527t you hate when
characters change features or names?
for the hero2527s and various other colors for minor character and the romance2527s
progression. After the plot is worked out, I collect the sticky notes in order
to use them for my outline. So I don2527t forget who has what color eyes and hair
I compile a list of characters and a brief description. Don2527t you hate when
characters change features or names?
Next is the research I know I2527ll need. (Something else
always pops up later.) For AN AGENT FOR LYDIA, Pinkerton Matchmaker Book 56, I
was able to research an area that has long fascinated me—the Hole-in-the-Wall,
Wyoming. Most people associate this area with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance
Kid but it was a robber hideout decades before Butch and Sundance. I also had
to research the railroad through Wyoming. Fortunately, timing worked out for
me.
always pops up later.) For AN AGENT FOR LYDIA, Pinkerton Matchmaker Book 56, I
was able to research an area that has long fascinated me—the Hole-in-the-Wall,
Wyoming. Most people associate this area with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance
Kid but it was a robber hideout decades before Butch and Sundance. I also had
to research the railroad through Wyoming. Fortunately, timing worked out for
me.
This is not a long book—about forty thousand words.
Years ago, it would have been called a novella. With people getting busier,
many readers prefer shorter books they can read in one sitting. It is sweet,
meaning no sex occurs on the page. If this turns you off, please try one of my
longer sensual books.
Years ago, it would have been called a novella. With people getting busier,
many readers prefer shorter books they can read in one sitting. It is sweet,
meaning no sex occurs on the page. If this turns you off, please try one of my
longer sensual books.
Let
me share the blurb of AN AGENT FOR LYDIA:
me share the blurb of AN AGENT FOR LYDIA:
When Lydia Wood is left at the altar, she believes
something beyond her groom2527s control has happened. Two years with no word have
hardened her heart. She has to get away from her parents2527 constant urging her
to choose an acceptable husband and wed. Becoming a Pinkerton agent suits her plans.
something beyond her groom2527s control has happened. Two years with no word have
hardened her heart. She has to get away from her parents2527 constant urging her
to choose an acceptable husband and wed. Becoming a Pinkerton agent suits her plans.
Pinkerton Agent Jake Hunter has recovered from
injuries that put him in a coma and a long convalescence. He realizes Lydia
would have been injured had she been with him. He vows to distance himself from
the one person who means the world to him to protect her.
injuries that put him in a coma and a long convalescence. He realizes Lydia
would have been injured had she been with him. He vows to distance himself from
the one person who means the world to him to protect her.
When they are paired for an investigation of bank
robbers they must follow the trail to a dangerous hangout of men on the run.
Can the two successfully pull off their charade and capture the robbers or will
this trip confirm Jake2527s worst fears?
robbers they must follow the trail to a dangerous hangout of men on the run.
Can the two successfully pull off their charade and capture the robbers or will
this trip confirm Jake2527s worst fears?
Here2527s
a short excerpt:
a short excerpt:
Lydia
gazed out the train window at Wyoming2527s desert landscape, recalling how
terrified she2527d been last night in the saloon. The man who2527d wanted to take her
upstairs was huge and smelled as if he hadn2527t bathed in months. He carried a
bottle of whiskey in one hand, some of which he had spilled on his shirt.
gazed out the train window at Wyoming2527s desert landscape, recalling how
terrified she2527d been last night in the saloon. The man who2527d wanted to take her
upstairs was huge and smelled as if he hadn2527t bathed in months. He carried a
bottle of whiskey in one hand, some of which he had spilled on his shirt.
Thank
goodness she had her gun and her knife. Would her little gun have stopped such
a large man? With any luck she2527d never have to learn the answer.
goodness she had her gun and her knife. Would her little gun have stopped such
a large man? With any luck she2527d never have to learn the answer.
Forcing
herself not to snuggle up to Jake for comfort had been almost impossible. His
presence reassured her. He2527d had several years2527 experience at Pinkerton2527s and
knew how to deflect and defeat combatants.
herself not to snuggle up to Jake for comfort had been almost impossible. His
presence reassured her. He2527d had several years2527 experience at Pinkerton2527s and
knew how to deflect and defeat combatants.
An
older couple sat in the seats facing theirs. Lydia avoided eye contact with the
prune-faced woman across from her. The woman had snubbed her and Jake as if
they carried leprosy.
older couple sat in the seats facing theirs. Lydia avoided eye contact with the
prune-faced woman across from her. The woman had snubbed her and Jake as if
they carried leprosy.
Prune-face
ceased staring long enough to tug on her husband2527s sleeve and whisper, “Horace,
doesn2527t he look like the man on that wanted poster we saw in Cheyenne?”
ceased staring long enough to tug on her husband2527s sleeve and whisper, “Horace,
doesn2527t he look like the man on that wanted poster we saw in Cheyenne?”
Horace
frowned at her. “Hush, Mattie.”
frowned at her. “Hush, Mattie.”
Did
those two think she and Jake couldn2527t hear them?
those two think she and Jake couldn2527t hear them?
Lydia
gestured to the window. “I2527ve never seen so much sand and scrubby bushes.
Barren as it is, it emanates a serene beauty.”
gestured to the window. “I2527ve never seen so much sand and scrubby bushes.
Barren as it is, it emanates a serene beauty.”
“Wait until you see where we2527re headed. I2527ve
heard it2527s picturesque as well.” Jake flashed his bone-melting grin.
heard it2527s picturesque as well.” Jake flashed his bone-melting grin.
No,
thank you, she couldn2527t weaken now. She2527d had the vaccination for that grin2527s
affect. Too bad the inoculation hadn2527t proven very effective.
thank you, she couldn2527t weaken now. She2527d had the vaccination for that grin2527s
affect. Too bad the inoculation hadn2527t proven very effective.
Buy
Link
Link
AN AGENT FOR LYDIA is in KU and is
available as an e-book or in print.
available as an e-book or in print.
About
the Author:
the Author:
Through a crazy
twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was not
born on a Texas ranch. To compensate for this illogical error, she writes about
handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains in a tiny office
her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas
cowboy country where they ride herd on their three rescued indoor cats and one
small dog as well as providing nourishment outdoors for squirrels, birds, and
other critters.
twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was not
born on a Texas ranch. To compensate for this illogical error, she writes about
handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains in a tiny office
her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas
cowboy country where they ride herd on their three rescued indoor cats and one
small dog as well as providing nourishment outdoors for squirrels, birds, and
other critters.
The books she
creates in her pink cave have made her an Amazon bestselling author and won
several awards. She writes sweet to sensual romances about the West, both
historical and contemporary as well as time travel and mystery. Her series
include the Kincaids, McClintocks, Stone Mountain Texas, Bride Brigade, Texas
Time Travel, Texas Caprock Tales, Pearson Grove, and Loving A Rancher as well
as numerous single titles and contributions to multi-author sets. When she2527s
not writing, she loves spending time with her family, reading her friends2527
books, lunching with friends, browsing antique malls, checking Facebook, and
taking the occasional nap. Find her on her blog, website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google+, and Pinterest.
creates in her pink cave have made her an Amazon bestselling author and won
several awards. She writes sweet to sensual romances about the West, both
historical and contemporary as well as time travel and mystery. Her series
include the Kincaids, McClintocks, Stone Mountain Texas, Bride Brigade, Texas
Time Travel, Texas Caprock Tales, Pearson Grove, and Loving A Rancher as well
as numerous single titles and contributions to multi-author sets. When she2527s
not writing, she loves spending time with her family, reading her friends2527
books, lunching with friends, browsing antique malls, checking Facebook, and
taking the occasional nap. Find her on her blog, website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google+, and Pinterest.
Join her and other
readers at Caroline2527s Cuties, a
Facebook readers group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/277082053015947/ for special
excerpts, exchanging ideas, contests, giveaways, recipes, and talking to
like-minded people about books and other fun things.
readers at Caroline2527s Cuties, a
Facebook readers group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/277082053015947/ for special
excerpts, exchanging ideas, contests, giveaways, recipes, and talking to
like-minded people about books and other fun things.
Click on her Amazon Author Page for a complete
list of her books and follow her there.
list of her books and follow her there.
Follow her on BookBub.
To stay up-to-date
with her releases and contests, subscribe to Caroline2527s newsletter here and receive a FREE
novella of HAPPY IS THE BRIDE, a humorous historical wedding disaster that ends
happily—but you knew it would, didn2527t you?
with her releases and contests, subscribe to Caroline2527s newsletter here and receive a FREE
novella of HAPPY IS THE BRIDE, a humorous historical wedding disaster that ends
happily—but you knew it would, didn2527t you?
She loves to hear
from readers at caroline @ carolineclemmons (dot) com
from readers at caroline @ carolineclemmons (dot) com