New Year's Resolutions and a Third Novel

I can't believe that my last post on this blog on Dec. 11th, 2011 was the sharing of the first three chapters of my most recently released novel, The Time Heiress. Now, I'm proclaiming the exciting news (for me at least) that I'm three chapters into my third book in the series, The Time Contessa!

The process of beginning a new novel is indeed an exciting one. Though my research isn't quite completed (since I'm hoping it will include an actual trip to Italy) it's at a point where I can begin to intelligently write about the time period in which The Time Contessa will take place, Renaissance Italy - Siena, to be exact. I'm not going to give the plot away just yet because it may change as I go along. I'm always surprised at how I think my plot is set when I start writing a book, and how it often it changes significantly before the final product is revealed. Sometimes that's a result of suggestions by early readers, usually my husband, sisters or other close friends, or sometimes it's just an inspiration I get for a better idea.

I love getting to know my returning characters better, and meeting new characters as I introduce them. Writing a novel is as fun to me as reading one that I enjoy. I don't always know what's going to happen next...I tell myself the story as I go along, based on a central outline. Often things surprise and delight me as I go. I love when I laugh or cry at something I'm writing, or get titillated at the sexy bits. This is when I know I'm writing for me. I've come to realize, being the author of two successful e-books, that not everyone will like what I write. So I have to remind myself as I start this third creation that, as much as I want my audience to enjoy, even love, what I write, the most important thing is that I love it.

So what's my new year's resolution? Well, I don't need a resolution to keep writing. It pours out of me like water from a fountain. Perhaps I will resolve to be more involved with causes that I support, or to make a deeper commitment to the environment - both things I do already, but could always do more of. What's your resolution? Comment, and let me know!