Carole Brown

I've always loved books. My first attempt that I specifically remember was around my sixth grade year. We were assigned to write a week-long diary of a cave man's family. From there on, it went to short stories, melancholy poems, etc. After I was married, I told my husband that if I was ever going to write books, it was time. Joining writer groups, becoming friends with other writers, going to writing conferences, talking to editors and/or wanna-be-writers helped me tremendously to gain the knowledge, ability and confidence to move forward.

I don't exactly outline, but once I have the idea for a book, I begin writing down all possible scenarios, descriptions of characters and their personalities. I include plot possibilities, ideas for what I'm aiming for. Scenarios, pictures. etc. I keep a folder with all things pertaining to that book. I have an idea of what the person looks like, how she/he will act and respond.

Sometimes I have to hold onto those ideas for a new book until I can get to it. If I'm working on another book or editing or whatever, then doing so will give me a headstart when I'm ready to begin the next book. Also, sometimes I know how the first chapter will go, so I will write that ahead of time which will remind me where and how I want to proceed when I begin the book. It works for me.

Sometimes, occasionally, yes! But I think most of my characters are created from various traits from real people. Taking a trait from this one, something else from someone else, etc., helps me create the character I want.

A. Don't Quit. Discouragement will come. If needed, take a short break, then begin again.
B. Do your research. You'll always come up with something(s) that you'll need to check.
C. Take courses, learn from other writers, take advice and use it when you can
D. Go to conferences, hook up with some good critiquers, take advice as much as possible.
E. Take advice when possible. Be amenable to suggestions.

Oh, it does offer ideas and possible locations of where to set my books. We've had a short visit in Montana, so my Nursery Rhyme Books are set there. My Spies of WWII books are set in Cincinnati, OH (I worked and lived there for awhile). My Appleton WV Romantic Mysteries are set in WV in a fictional town because we've been through and worked there in ministry many, many times. Visiting Mexico several years ago had given me an interest in that country. I include characters from Mexico in my Troubles of the West series. I also have the beginning of a book set in Mexico, that, in time, perhaps, I may decide I'm ready to work on that!

We've sat in American Indian hogans and eaten their foods. I've experienced them coming up to me to touch my clothes as if they were something special, and felt my heart expand with compassion. They've tried to teach me how to make Fry Bread, and laughed at my inaptness. We've seen many, many rivers and waters that help create my own water scenes. We've seen some of Washington state along with Mount Saint Helens and imagined the destruction and terror from it. We've been to Maine with it's rocky coasts, to Boston where we saw the USS Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat, we've seen the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, the Rio Grande river, we've been through the underwater tunnel in Alabama and so, so much more. All of our travels (good and bad) have been valuable, privileged experiences that we cherish.

Traveling has helped me with ideas, with details I've needed in my books. Traveling is expanding your life, your mind, and the experiences certainly do give a writer plenty of ideas to use.

When I came up with the thought of writing books that shadow a child's nursery rhymes, this story thought was the first one. I can't tell you exactly how the idea came to me, but I can tell you that I'm an imaginative person. I'm always coming up with ideas for new books. Catch Me If You Can was one, if not the first, book I wrote. Yet it was several years later that it was published. One of my critique partners has always said it was her favorite of all my books.

I try when coming up with titles to make them interesting, attention-grabbing, and fun. Sometimes they're a little serious, sometimes fun and sometimes they are just appropriate for that book. Doing nursery rhyme themed books made it easy to use that title.

As an ahead-of-time hint, my next nursery rhyme book is titled: A Spider Beside Her, due out late next year. Can you guess what the nursery rhyme is?

I plot ahead of time (of course, there are “surprise” ideas that come to me too) with what I want to happen throughout the book, how to begin the book, and the ending. I write down notes for certain things that I may use throughout the book, Then there's also the whole idea of the book. As in Catch Me If You Can, Boet, the Savannah Cat is one big idea that I used to add a hint of unusualness to the book. He was/is a beloved part of the book. Readers were intrigued by his presence. Not only that, I used him in memes which is an attraction. Creating an American Indian as one of the characters added interest to the book also. He was smart, creative, and helpful. Readers are attracted by his knowledge.

I do my best to have different, multiple characters acting strangely and creating suspiciousness for the readers. I want to capture, and work to do so, that breath-holding moments in my books where sometimes readers will hesitate to go to bed at night. :)

Romance usually creates that warm, fuzzy, exciting, and happy feeling. When problems arise between two romantic characters, it brings on that breath-holding moment when readers will ponder: Is this the guy who will love the heroine? Is he really, really in love with her...or is it this other guy. If my readers think...I want it to be him!...then I know I've written the character in the correct way.

There has to be conflicts. There sometimes is confusion or disagreements or even dislikes...at first. But deep within my protagonist, I want them to never (even when they try to hide it) get away from that sweet attraction they have for the other person. And being able to create that relatable person who has a conflict (or not) with their romantic interest, is a great lure to read the book.

Whimsy is a unique element in your writing. How do you incorporate this playful aspect into your stories, and why is it important to you?

I love unique characters. I like to add a touch of something—be it a smart, intuitive Savannah cat, an American Indian who knows more than you'd think, a favorite horse that is sassy in it's own way, a particular odd habit that a certain character has, always adds flavor to a book. Creating primary characters and other secondary characters or creatures adds a touch of interest to a book. Something that will get attention, in a major or minor way, helps develop fascination.

Many times, I will add things that I totally love and connect to, like herbs that will appear in my seventh book of the Appleton, WV series. I love animals, so many times I will add them so that their presence will help create a fuzzy, warm interest. I've used dogs several times in my books. They've connected with young children and adults in the books, they've given comfort to those in need. Who isn't touched by a willful or mistreated dog or a horse who is sassy?

I love plants and flowers, interesting foods (which is great to connect with people who like the same).

Little habits that help create interest work too. Odd characters who are quirky, but not vicious, catch people's attention too. I positively love adding warmth and whimsical touches. Habits, certain jobs, character traits, speech, and so much more can help a writer write some whimsy into their books.

Simple, heartwarming things. Whatever works for the book and atmosphere of the book, is what I try to capture.

OH, my, yes! We've traveled quite a bit to various states and a few countries. It's been and will continue to be one of our favorite things to do. You see so many beautiful landscapes, meet people you've never known, you capture the atmosphere of the land, the habits, the personalities and fodder of each place we travel to.

It's been a great learning opportunity for me. I can incorporate locations, recipes, names, personalities, attitudes, things such as landscapes, language and so much more into my books. Sometimes it's just mere hints of things, sometimes the story will contain quite a bit of information about various things. Locations in the U.S. I've used includes Boston, Ohio, WV, Montana, New Mexico, Tennessee, unnamed states that hint of Southwestern states and more.

Oh, yes! It's quite a bit the same. You plot out your garden, whether flowers or vegetables. You look through catalogs to choose what you want, what will work, what is the most useful or what you do not want. You have to decide whether they will work for your ground (or book), whether they compliment other surrounding plants, and much more. You'll draw diagrams, make notes, take pictures, etc. And if you do the best you can, using your creativity, your knowledge and research, then you will have a beautiful, sucessful garden (book).

Oh, yes! The second book of my Appleton, WV series, the chef was one of the protagonists who created a few delicious meals! Occasionally, I enjoy including a recipe or two in a book, such as an Apple pie recipe in a companion book for The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, or a Hibiscus Tea recipe in the second book of my Troubles in the West series. I like to think of the recipes as a gift to readers, and creating another avenue of interest for readers.

This is my first time to use it, and though I was a little slow in getting involved on my end, I'm enjoying it. You all have been helpful, giving me ideas, and even doing the work in promoting Catch Me if You Can (and inviting me to share too). I've loved the memes. I love that you've asked me to answer these questions. And I really appreciate that I feel no pressure. You give me time to feel comfortable and at ease in participating in things. And, yes, I will be continuing to use AllAuthor.