Today, we have a guest blogger…please join me in welcoming RHONDA NELSON, who is one of the brilliant bloggers behind The Soapbox Queens. She’s also a brilliant writer with whom I’m sharing shelf space this month in the WITCHY BUSINESS novella collection. She was the brains behind the collection and without her, I wouldn’t have been included, so thank you, Rhonda!
Rhonda and I decided that since we were out in a book together this month, we’d switch blogs. I’m blogging over at Soap Box Queens, so once you’re finished reading Rhonda’s blog and commenting and welcoming her in proper Jungle fashion, please come on over and check out my post for the day!
I can’t remember the first time Rhonda and I met, but I think it might have been over the phone. All I can tell you is that I’d been hearing my editor rave about her and her work for quite some time and I remember the first book I read of hers, THE EX-WIVES CLUB, which I’d thought utterly brilliant. Every time I’m with her, I feel like I just didn’t have enough time to hang out with her–that’s how much fun she is. Time flies! She’s a pure Southern belle in every sense of the word–strong, funny, sweet, sassy…incredibly talented. And to top it off, she shares my love of all things Harry Potter. I’m telling you, this woman is perfection!
And don’t forget to order your copy of WITCHY BUSINESS at Amazon or Barnes and Noble or Booksamillion or even eHarlequin (who actually has a phenomenal site with great customer service.) I have a sneaky suspicion this one won’t be easy to find in stores.
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Thanks so much to the Plotmonkey’s for letting me hang out in their jungle today! I’m thrilled to be here. Does anyone else hear The Token’s The Lion Sleeps Tonight or is that just me?
When Julie and I decided to swap blogs I couldn’t decide what I wanted to blog about. My most recent release? (Witchy Business, with Julie and Mia Zachary.) I loved writing that story, but did I really want to dedicate a whole blog to it?
No.
My November Blaze, Feeling The Heat? (Bad ass bounty hunter from Memphis who is so commitment-phobic he breaks out in hives when he hears the Wedding March. Naturally I asked myself who would be his worst nightmare and paired him up with a Type A wedding planner with an incontinent three-legged dog. I had big fun with that book. Sheer joy from start to finish, one of those books where I never once stopped and asked myself, “Now what, girl genius?” And even better, Jennifer LaBrecque wrote the hero’s brother’s story, The Big Heat, which will be out in December.)
No.
What then? I kept wondering. What topic did I want to tackle? Ultimately, I decided that, rather than sharing a specific book with you, I thought I’d share my process. After all, Halloween isn’t that far away, and it’s pretty damned frightening.
Phase One
So. How do I start? Generally I get an idea delivered on the gilded wings of the Idea Goddess and it’s wonderful. It’s going to be the best thing I have EVER written in my life. Dear God, how will I ever top this? This is freaking fabulous. I love this story. I am WRITER, hear me roar. (Note at this point I think I really know what I’m doing. I am confident in my ability and the blush of confidence this rockin’ story idea has lent me has given me an inflated sense of self and ability. It’s self-delusion in its most potent form…and as the book progresses I will need it. Oh, dear readers, will I ever need it.)
Phase Two
By this point I have finished the first three chapters–sometimes even the first half of the book–and I have come to the sad but inevitable conclusion that this story wasn’t exactly as fabulous as I thought it was. Pull last book off the shelves and realize that it was really a much stronger book than the one I am currently working on. Editor–aka Precious–will hate it.
–Julie here. I get a kick out of how Rhonda calls Brenda “Precious.” She sounds like a cat. Or a teddy bear. Trust me when I tell you that the type of bear our editor can be is not of the teddy persuasion. I love her, you know I do…but Precious? Rhonda…you are just too Southern! Bless your heart! Back to Rhonda…
Heroine isn’t strong enough and lacks depth. Hero is a directionless moron with a large penis and no integrity. In short, I suck and I am screwed. Field call from Precious about the state of current manuscript. Don’t confess problems, merely gloss over the fact that the book is a steaming pile and I am a hack. (Obviously the pendulum has swung in the other direction, of course. Twenty-something books later you would think that I would be used to this process, that I would understand it’s just part of my way of crafting a book and accept the fact that, at the end of it all, I will ultimately be happy with what I’ve written. You would think this and yet…it never happens that way. Thus is the twisted mind of The Writer. Doubt, she’s a shadow it’s hard to shake.) But, moving on…
Phase Three
At this stage of the writing process I suddenly develop the pressing urge to clean the blinds, turn the mattress, redecorate every room in the house, purge the closets of things that no longer fit, move major appliances and clean behind them, reorganize my kitchen cabinets, watch movies and read books under the guise of “refilling the well”–which is important, by the way, but not a good idea when deadline is looming–and generally avoiding anything to do with actually putting my hands on the keyboard and working through the problem. I tell myself that I have to sort it out in my head, that I need the distance to gain better perspective. (And this is true, but still, alas, unproductive.) I tell myself that I am an idiot, that I have done this often enough now that I should be able to sort all this sh!t out beforehand so that I don’t end up in the very predicament I currently find myself in. Friends Jen LaBrecque and Vicki Lewis Thompson will call/email and ask how the book is going. Because I am a good friend and coward I often lie and say that it’s going fine. Naturally, they know better.
:wallbash:
Phase Four
At this point I have read through the manuscript at least a dozen times, I have layered in important character traits which make my hero and heroine a bit more compelling and real. I am slowly digging out from under the cloud of doubt that descended midway through the book. It’s salvageable. I can make it work. If I just keep plugging along my fickle muse will deliver the secret code of success which will make this book all come together for me.
And she does. (More often than not with the aid of Precious. Have I mentioned that my editor is wonderful?)
The end of the book is finished in a blur of poor hygiene and take-out food, ranting thank-God-this-is-coming-together phone calls to Jen and Vicki, along with the promise to NEVER let myself get into this kind of shape again. While the first half of the book was dragged out a word at a time, the last half literally pours out of me. I don’t sleep and if I do, the laptop is just a couple of steps away. I’m never far from the work. Snippets of dialogue surface out of the blue and the perfect ending emerges from the muddled mass of my distant brain. I immerse myself into the story and I don’t come out of it until it’s done. (Naturally, my family hates this part but have learned that it signals I’m near the end and if they want clean clothes and a home-cooked meal, then they need to leave me alone.) At the end of every book my kids get to take turns typing “The End” for me because those two little words mean they will be getting their mother back. It’s a beautiful thing. )
Which brings me to Phase Five
By now I’ve sent the book in, called Precious and confessed that I struggled, but have managed to pull it together. It is pure crap until she says otherwise, so I generally wait with bated breath until I hear from her. Once she’s given me her thoughts, I can breathe again. The world is bright and wonderful, and for the moment I know that I have created a story that’s going to reach thousands of people and hopefully make them smile. A new idea is already brewing and I’m gearing up–after revisions, of course–to start the whole magically demented process again.
Because, at the end of the day–at the end of the process–I am a writer. And, neurosis aside, that’s pretty damned cool.
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Thanks, Rhonda! It’s always fascinating to see how other author’s work. Unfortunately, my process changes book to book. ::sigh::
Now remember, Plotmonkey readers, come visit me over at Soap Box Queens!
And if you’re interested in winning a free copy of OVEREXPOSED by Leslie Kelly, pop on over to the blog of one of our favorite review sites, Romance Reviews Today. I’m certain our Plotmonkey readers can answer most of those questions with their eyes closed!
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Welcome Rhonda!! Will read and comment later, or I will be awfully late for work!! :wallbash:
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:banana: Welcome Rhonda! :banana:
Oh, the process. Sounds familiar to me except “mine sucks by chapter two”
:happy2:
I know our plotmonkey visitors who are writers love to hear that published authors struggle too. Thanks for visiting! I’m off to see the Queens now … :wave:
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OMG Rhonda, that was hilarious! I’ve read several of your books and just love them (The Getting It series especially). I know a lot of writers struggle, and yet the end result is worth it, I think. Some authors crank out books, but maybe they are not all quality. Knowing that someone goes over the work and agonizes over it seems like they are putting everything they’ve got into making it the best story possible, and that’s really all a reader can ask for.
And a special thanx of appreciation to Precious
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:wave: Ev! Thanks!
Carly, sometimes mine sucks by chapter two as well, but usually it’s further into the story before things go awry.
Thanks, Stacy! Honestly, a tremendous amount of work does go into crafting a story. I’ve get a little burst of energy when I’m done–euphoria–which comes in handy because I inevitably need to to clean my house. :yikes:
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Hi Rhonda! So glad you’re here today to swing through the story canopy with the plot monkeys. :-)
I loved reading about your process and “precious”. Brenda told me about you guys calling her that. It’s hilarious but true. She is indeed a “precious” jewel. I hope to have her for my editor very soon. :-)
Now I’m going to pop over to the Soap Box Queens after a quick stop at the HQ website to buy your book. :banana:
Have a great day everyone,
Cher
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Welcome Rhonda!
I have not read your books but will have to buy a few.
I love your sense of humor.
Now over to see Julie!
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Welcome Rhonda! I really love your books and love them even more now that I know your writing process(although seems more funny that scary to me, but I’m not a writer). Can’t wait for the November release.
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Welcome Rhonda! Your process sounds very similar to mine. I only have three phases, however. One–pre-sh!t. Two–mid-sh!t. Three–post-sh!t. The worst is obviously number two, but they all sort of stink. My favorite part of writing? Having written. I like it when everything is done, in, approved. I feel on top of the world. Every other moment (which usually amounts to the other 362 days of the year–I write a minimum of 3 books a year and give myself one day per book to feel like Nora/Stephen/Janet) I feel like a hack. Don’t you just love insecurity? On the bright side, it keeps me extremely humble. Can’t wait to pick up the new anthology!
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Hi Rhonda…I have been over at Soapbox Queens, so I know we have chatttd. I am not quite awake, yet, but I am still staring at that cover (that hunk of a man)…welcome!
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Sorry! Just had to have a little icon play there.
:banana: Rhonda! Too funny and sadly true. Writing Process or Tale of Woe? How about Process of Woe? :happy2: I’m only laughing hysterically because it is so similar to my own process.
I’m out of the gate, I’m running with it. I love the story, I love these people and :yikes: I hit the wall. All I can say is thank God for Precious and my writing buds (and the fact that my family (Girl included) doesn’t divorce me at the end of every book. :wub:
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Hi Rhonda! :wave: So glad you’re visiting us here! You couldn’t have started my morning off any better. I’m half way through my current WIP and feel like I’ve hit the wall you talented and successful
writers have mentioned. So it makes me feel like I’m normal hearing from you and I just need to keep at it (after I clean the entire house, of course. Oh, and go back and check the Plot Monkey and Soapbox Queen blogs – over and over again 
) Thanks so much for sharing your phases with us and making this aspiring writer ready to face the process head on!
Oh, and I look forward to reading Witchy Business and Feeling The Heat!
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Thanks, Cher! I don’t know how much Precious appreciates the nickname, but I think it suits her. Jen, do you want to tell everyone your nickname?
:wave: Jeannie and Zoey!
Thanks, Liza! I’ll float on that compliment for days. :grin1:
Kimberly, you’re right. The doubt can be crushing at times. But I wouldn’t want to do anything else. I’m not sure if that makes me brave or a glutton for punishment.
Thanks, Katie! He is
!
Jen, aren’t these emoticons fabulous!!! How did we ever survive before the smiley? And as I’ve mentioned before, this one
is my favorite.
Robin, good luck with your WIP! Published or not, we’re all in the trenches. Keep at it!
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Rhonda–we were separated at birth! My process is almost exactly like yours…lol…right down to the insane rush at the end. We’re so glad you joined us today!! :banana:
And Kim, your quote is just like mine: my favorite part of writing is having written. I love going back and discovering that something didn’t totally suck. But while I’m doing it? Painful!
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I just finished Witchy Business and it was terrific!!! I can’t help but want more. I am such a fan.
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Welcome to the jungle, Rhonda! :monkey
I think you just described most authors’ process. You’d think with each book that we write it would get easier, not harder, but it does. But like Kim, I love having written. It’s agony getting the words on the pages, but somehow, someway (thank God!) it all comes together!
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Les, I would be absolutely screwed without the mad-rush-at-the-end phase.
Janelle, it’s funny, too, because I’m so confident and optimistic going into a project and by the end… Blech. I’m a wreck. :yikes:
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Thanks, Carol! So glad that you enjoyed the book! We had a lot of fun building that world. (And Sedona is absolutely amazing.) It’s funny because ususually when Jen, Vicki and I get together I am the sleep-late queen and they are up before dawn’s crack walking. Er…I’m not a walker and it usually takes me a while to wake up in the morning. Not there. I was always the first one out of bed. There’s just something about the energy in that place. It’s..magical. :wub:
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BTW, Rhonda, I have SERIOUS hair envy. I love your hair. :wub:
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I just love the smileys, especially…
which a BIG part of my world. Now seriously, I truly admire your work and my all time favorite publication by you is THE FUTURE WIDOWS CLUB. I always recommend to friends a must read. Have a wonderful Wednesday.
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Hair envy? Thanks, Janelle! (Although I don’t think you would envy it right at the moment. I’ve got end-of-book-clip-thing going on. )
Thanks, Ginger! You know, I just loved that book. I was so much fun!
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Crap! :wallbash: I meant “it” It was so much fun.
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BTW, if anyone has read WITCHY BUSINESS…this was posted at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Witchy-Business-Rhonda-Nelson-Zachary/forum/Fx1PET4KMG891W/Tx1L03ROUL2LWZA/1/ref=cm_cd_dp_tft_tp/002-4900171-9698446?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=books&cdAnchor=037383716X&asin=037383716X&store=books
Someone is asking for recommendations. Feel free to post!
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Humph! Rhonda is Princess. Precious is…Precious. Me? I get tagged with PITA. Uh-huh. Pain in the A$$. I am not feeling the love, people.
Janelle, I’m personally mired in serious skin envy regarding Rhonda. That girl’s got some seriously nice skin.
She swears she found an enlarged pore one time with this superduper X10 magnifying mirror that I left on the bathroom mirror at a retreat once, but I believe it to be a lie fabricated so those of us lacking flawless skin would envy her less. 
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Hi Rhonda, It’s great having you as an honorary :monkey today, although I’m sure your monkey is wearing a tiara. :happy2:
I’ve ordered Witchy business and can’t wait to read it!!
Thanks for sharing your process with us, its gives all us aspiring (struggling) authors hope!
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Jen, your PITAness is part of your charm! We love you! (We love you so much we’ll make a 5 hour round trip back to airport to get your correct luggage, remember?
)
RE: the 10X mirror–Jen takes this on EVERY RETREAT. I have decided it’s the tool of the devil. Nobody looks good that close.
Tina, like I said earlier, published or not, I think the process is all the same. Writer’s write. And doubt. And tear their hair out. It’s a wonderful thing, really.
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I haven’t read your books but if your sense of humor is in them, I’ll have to pick a few up!
Totally related though because as a newbie writer, I’m experiencing something much like what you described. I finally figured out how to get out of Phase 3 and into Phase 4 so maybe one day I’ll have twenty books, despite the craziness of the process.
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Hi Rhonda, Welcome to Plotmonkeys! I am glad that you are visiting us today. Recently I read The Ex-Girlfriends Club, loved the website name: bennetwildersucks.com! I always love some good humor in my books along with a
sexy man!! Reading about the writing process all of you go through is interesting, those of us with no talent for writing can’t imagine that you are so insecure. I, for one, am happy that you are writing despite the struggles. :flower4you: Keep up the good work.
I’m going to go check out Soap Box Queens! :wave:
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Janelle: According to UPS, Joel’s out for delivery :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:
Guess what I am reading to-night? Sorry to interrupt…. 
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Leslie.. Book #2 Overexposed with my Amazon order.
Carly..Book #2 Cross My Heart ” ” ” ”
Janelle.. got 2 BORNE TO BE WILDE too. (1 for my save pile 1 to read)
the rest in my order
sandra hill rough and ready,
erin mccarthy my immortal,
dark possession christine feehan,
harmony’s way, tanner’s scheme and megan’s mark by lora leigh
and picked up nymph king by gena showalter.
only other book I buy before vacation is Witchy Business
I looked at Borders and am gonna believe Julie and order on line.
well vacation reading is looking good.
me.
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Patricia, my books are always romantic comedies. I tried to write a serious book with no wise-cracking comments, but couldn’t pull it off.
Donna M, thanks for the welcome. Ah..The Ex-Girlfriends’ Club, better known as THE BOOK THAT ALMOST KILLED ME.
I’m so glad that you liked it. By the time I was finished with that one, I had absolutely *no* perspective left. Reader response has been fabulous though, so I am very thankful. 
Katie, no worries! A good book is always something to celebrate.
Jeannie and Zoey…wow! Your vacation reading sounds out of this world. I’m so envious!
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Hey Rhonda, just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your books. I love the cover of Feeling the Heat and it’s going on my list of books to buy. Do you live in Alabama? (I hope I’m not getting you mixed up with somebody else.) I had already read a bunch of your books when I found this out and I was thrilled that one of my favorite authors lived in the same state as me.
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Hi Rhonda – I have to confess I haven’t read any of your books but you are now on the list to go get. I’ve just finished “Born to be Wilde” and loved every page – it was worth the wait, Janelle!!!
As for the writing process…like so many others have said…I get so frustrated and wonder what in the he!! ever made me think I could write. I’m still not sure, and I’m still pretty sure I suck, but I’m still writing because I can’t not write! :wallbash:
Hope everyone is having a great day!
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Thanks, Sue! Crap is one of my favorite words. It’s gets frequent use in Chez Nelson.
Claudia, so glad that you enjoy my books. And the cover for Feeling the Heat–wow! The art dept did a fantastic job. I just told them to put a hot guy on all my covers and I would be happy.
I *am* from Alabama. I have complained royally about the heat, but can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Thanks, Jodie! I can’t ot write either. Whether good stuff or dreck, I have to put it down on paper.
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Rhonda, that was a very fun blog. I read The Ex-Wives Club and enjoyed it immensely.
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Ok, home from work!! Spent the day in the kids section and never did get to look for any of your books.
The way you write a book is the same way I used to write papers for college (and that was just 2 years ago. Again.) About 2 days before deadline, I would start. I would research. Write. Revise. Write again. Cross my fingers. And usually get an A. If I actually did them over a period of time- they sucked. :happy2:
And to the plot monkey icon guru- whoever that is- why the heck can’t we insert the new icons?? :wallbash: No matter where the cursor is, they go to the end. :cursing:
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All hail, Plot Monkeys!! I was born in the Year of the Monkey, so I feel right at home here in the jungle.
Rhonda, that was hysterical. Just what I needed as I launch myself into 30 days of deadline hell. I tell you this so you’ll be prepared for the frantic phone calls.
I agree with Jen, Plot Monkeys have great icons! I want to steal this one :banana: And this one :flamer: And most especially this one
I’ve been AWOL all day while my darling daughter tried to fix what ails my computer, and I was standing by wringing my hands and sobbing because I wanted so much to be online today, of all days!! Okay, maybe not sobbing, but definitely pacing.
I can hardly wait to read Witchy Business, because I watched Rhonda research it, first hand. Cool title, great premise, wonderful writers. What more could you want?
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Vicki, glad your daughter fixed your computer problems, can’t wait to hear all about Paris
Ev, I’m glad it’s not just me….I’ve been wondering
is up with the icons popping in at the end and not where I click them :wallbash:
Leslie, I’ve started Overexposed :flamer: Can I just say its been a while since a book has sucked me in like this from page 1!!!! I’m loving it :love:
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Thanks, Estella! So glad that you love the book!
Ev, too funny! I don’t know why that happens with the icons.
Yay! Vicki’s back from Paris and her computer is fixed! Woot! Vicki, we’ve missed you so much! I will happily be there to field the phone calls during your deadline heat. (And I too have emoticon envy!)
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Jeannie and Katie — I’m so glad that Joel finally arrived for both of you! Enjoy! :banana:
Jodie — Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
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Great to see you here, Rhonda–very interesting reading today! :grin1:
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I’m reading WITCHY BUSINESS right now. :flamer: Both Julie and Rhonda have hot hot hot heroes! Just started reading Mia’s contribution.
Love the blog today.
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Welcome to the jungle, Rhonda. I’m a bit late getting over here tonight but I loved your blog. It’s great to hear that authors who have written as many wonderful books as you still struggle with the process.
Not that it’s great you struggle but that for us yet to be published (yes, that’s my new term instead of unpubbed)
to know that it’s not just us feeling these things.
Your books are amazing. Oh, and I love the fact that you call Brenda Precious. That’s…well, it’s priceless.
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Thanks, Fedora!
Thanks, Patti! I did love that hero. (And I would love to give his sister a story, too. She was fun. )
Vicki, she *is* Precious! And to think I was terrified of her the first time I met her. She was my first ever editor appt. I’d been to the how-to-pitch workshops, had said pitch all ready on the notecards and she says, “Why don’t you just tell me about the book?” Mouth is dry, hands are shaking and I’ve got this frozen smile in place and I’m thinking, “If I could simply tell you about the book, I wouldn’t have these notecards.” She ultimately stopped my babbling with a “Just send me the book.”
Thanks so much to Julie and the Plotmonkeys for having me here today! This has been so much fun! Now it’s back to the book.
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hi rhonda. love the interview. hot covers girl
see u over there.