I have the pleasure of sharing a guest post by author Nora LeDuc, who shares insights...

ELF: What is your writing process?

ND: I don’t have a disciplined writing process. But here is what I do.

Pre-write: An idea sparks in my mind from an article, a movie, a television program, or from out of the blue. I think about it while I’m doing something else, vacuuming, folding the laundry, walking, or supposedly watching TV. In my developing scene, there are of course, characters. Often, it’s a Romantic Suspense, RS, and opens with a crime. It might be a Contemporary Romance, CR, and the heroine or hero meet cute or through a problem or and/or a life-changing event like a relative dying, a surprise visitor returns. I replay the start in my imagination, adjusting the action. I sit at my keyboard and type it.

The Beginning: The setting develops around my characters and their goals, motivation and conflict, GMC. Getting the GMC up front and on the first page is vital. I contemplate where to include the background info and the descriptions as I write. Who is with them? Why are they in the novel and what’s driving them? I ponder if one will have a mentor and when he or she must come in.

I choose the upcoming turning points and where I want them to take place. These are my guideposts that prevent my story from running amok. Minor characters develop as I determine how they connect to the main plot line and each other. I ask myself, how can I deepen the mystery? Should I use a surprise, a wrongdoing, or clue? In CR how do I increase their external and internal obstacles? How do I gradually raise the sexual tension? I reach decisions or and the words flow.

Middle At this time, the h/h act on their attraction for each other in some way. They share a kiss or more. They could simply realize a quality or a piece of history about the opposite major character that brings them closer. Immediately, there’s a mini-crisis. The heroine’s dad could go missing, and this slows the pair’s relationship. In a contemporary romance, an old flame shows up or a secret slips out. These problems heighten the pressure and keeps the protagonists emotionally apart. Everything grows darker and insurmountable. All is lost. We’ve reached the dark moment.

Ending Usually, I know the conclusion. Sometimes, I don’t. I consider many possibilities. I lie on the sofa and stare into space as I wonder who the heck is the killer? How will I finally get the leads to admit the love they’re hiding and overcome the fact he’s shutting down her family’s business (just an example)? Somewhere in my head are the answers.

Once it took me two weeks to write the last two chapters in a RS because I couldn’t figure out why and who had done it. Then the lightbulb went off…it came to me. I saw all the clues and the motivations were already in the manuscript. The conflicts/problems/mysteries are solved. Barriers are gone. The couple get together. I complete my book. I celebrate for a minute. Now I revise and edit.

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Beach Kisses, Sunset Wishes

Nora LeDuc

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GENRE: Contemporary Romance

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NOTE: This book is part of a multibook box set.

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BLURB:

LAST CHANCE BEACH is the island paradise where dreams go to live again and wishes may come true. It’s Summer’s End on the island, and the cottages, condos, hotels, and bungalows are filled to capacity.

There’s still plenty of time to find summer fun and summer love, new romances and second chances; hot alpha males and heartwarming heroes, beach bunnies, dudes, and romance popping up when you least expect it.

Throw a log on the beach bonfire tonight and celebrate LAST CHANCE BEACH: Summer’s End, a special collection of 14 short stories from bestselling authors—all new, never published before—that will thrill the hopeful romantic in you. Some stories are sweet; some are sizzling hot. All will touch your heart and make you want to book a vacation to LAST CHANCE BEACH!

Authors and Titles:

Hot August Night by Joan Reeves, NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Author

Can a chef and a hot dog loving cop resist desire when they’re forced to share the same overbooked beach cottage?

Something New by Liz Flaherty, USA Today Bestselling Author

Their lives are all planned out--until they're not.

I Do…Again by Nancy Fraser, Amazon Top 100 Author

Can they re-ignite what they once had and take a last chance on love?

The Man in Gull Cottage by Caroline Clemmons, Amazon Top 100 Author

Will the solution to her dilemma drive them apart or into one another's arms?

That One Summer by Maddie James, Amazon Top 100 Author

He's the one who got away. She's the one who couldn't commit.

Romancing the Spouse by Jan Scarbrough, Amazon Bestselling Author

Can she turn back the clock to save her marriage?

Blue Sky Summer by Kathleen Lawless, Amazon Bestselling Author

Of all the beaches on the coast, who does she see again? Him!

Hangover Husband by Bonnie Edwards, Amazon Bestselling Author

What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay there

One Last Shot by Marcia King-Gamble, National Bestselling Author

She can run, but can she hide? Will love still find her?

Secondhand Hearts by Kathryn Hills, Award Winning Author

Life takes you down many winding paths. Will theirs lead to love on Last Chance Beach?

Paradise Perfume by Connie Vines, Award Winning Author

Fragrance and love cannot be hidden.

Dreams of the Past by Laura Hunsaker, Award Winning Author

Can dreams of the future erase her nightmares of the past?

Beach Kisses & Sunset Wishes by Nora LeDuc

She wants someone interested in a fling. He wants someone interested in a ring.

Frankie McKinley’s last three relationships went up in flames. Her best bud insists she needs to relax, have a fling. But Frankie’s not into casual hookups. She vows to resist the lure of romantic Last Chance Beach and take a break from men. She’ll concentrate on her dream, opening a gift shop. Or so she’d promised herself until the morning her gaze locks with the handsome Sean Thomas-Michael’s sea-blue eyes.

Can't Buy Me Love by Hannah Rowan

Things aren't always what they seem.

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EXCERPT

His brows shot up with interest. His lips parted slightly. Blue eyes that matched the sea drew Frankie to him and caused a sensation of dizziness to dance in her head. She was aware she was staring, but she couldn’t stop.

The squawk of a bird broke through the scrape of forks against dishes and the murmur of voices. The noises faded away. Even the thud of her heart seemed to pause when he nodded to her.

“Attention, everyone.” A server standing nearby with a carafe of coffee interrupted Frankie’s moment. “MacDyver has been sighted.”

“Quick the food.” Tikki covered their meals with napkins.

Silverware clinked as diners dropped their utensils and popped up their overhead covers–– their futile attempt at protection. As Frankie shoved her chair back to open their umbrella, she peeked at the man.

He picked up his toast and held it for a second. The seagull struck. With one swoop MacDyver grabbed the bread from his fingertips. A hush settled over the throng, and the bird soared heavenward with a snide cackle out the side of his beak and disappeared.

All gazes fell on the stranger MacDyver had robbed as he rose to his six-foot-plus height.

Amazon link to boxed set

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Nora grew up in rural New England where she currently lives with her family. She enjoys visiting and spending time with her friends, the Winettes, in Florida, where she continues to write. Her current book, Beach Kisses, Sunset Wishes is her seventeenth. In October, Christmas at the Easy Breezy will be released. You can find Nora on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook and her website: Noraleduc.com. She also contributes to the Romance Gems’ Blog every month.