Welcome to my Writer’s Process Blog Tour. I was invited to participate in the huge tour
by the wonderful Cathy Armato. You can read her post here. She is
the voice of Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them pet blog. Cathy is a champion of dog rescues and has
volunteered at her local shelter for the past five years. She and her husband left their jobs as
corporate employees and now travel between Arizona and New York as business consultants. They have two great dogs, Isis the Siberian
Husky that she has trained as a service dog and Phoebe, a cutie that she
adopted from one of the rescues where she volunteers. She is currently working on a series about
the volunteer work that she does with Isis and a fun series on 100 places to
see with your dog! If you aren’t
currently following her blog, you are really missing out on some awesome posts.
The requirements of the Writer’s Process Blog Tour are that I answer three questions and recommend three other writers to
participate. I’ll begin by answering the
questions.
1.
What
am I working on?
I publish a new blog post every day of
the week. I try to write them all over
the weekend and
give myself the weekdays to work on my third book in The
Returns series. Of course, this doesn’t
always work out as planned and I find myself falling behind on my book. Time management is my major demon, but I am
working hard to exorcise it from my life.
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To read an exert of The Returns, click on the books in my sidebar. |
2. Why do I
write what I do?
This is an easy question for me. I write Barking from the Bayou because I love
dogs. My blog gives me a venue to
introduce great new products to my audience, provide helpful tips, help bring
awareness to shelter pets, and I hope, make my readers smile or laugh. It is also a wonderful way to practice the
art of writing. I write my book series
for a different reason. I love to weave
funny adventures that take the reader out of the ordinary everyday life and
make them feel good. My books are based
loosely on the dogs and cats that I have loved throughout my life. They are not about my pets; I just use them
as a blueprint for my characters. The
stories are about humans that died before their time. They are returned to earth to fulfill their
destiny in the bodies of dogs or cats.
They solve crimes, eat a lot of junk food, laugh, and discover that true
friendship is one of the most important gifts in life. The stories are set in New Orleans and I try
to capture the essence of Louisiana’s most famous city. The truth is that I write both my blog and my
book because it is my true passion. I
just waited until my children were grown and my husband encouraged me to quit
my full time job at a local high school library to pursue it.
3. How does
my writing process work?
The
process for my blog depends on my topic.
I do research on the subject
that I will be featuring whether it is a
product review or tips for pet parents.
Bentley, my Basset Hound, and Pierre, our “granddog” West Highland
Terrier voice most of my reviews. These
are the easiest posts for me, because they speak in my books so I am used to
them “talking.” When I am writing my
books, I use a completely different part of my mind. It can best be explained as going to “my special place” where the story
unfolds. The characters just
tell me the story and my fingers do the typing.
It isn't unusual for me to write a number of pages, only to have to go
back to read them to see what actually happened. I know that sounds weird, but as I said, it’s
a different part of my mind. It’s a very
fantastic place to zone out and visit.
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"Mom, there is nothing weird about me talking to you!" |
That is it, my writing process. I
hope that you enjoyed it. Now, I get to
introduce you to three fabulous friends that are joining me on the Writers Blog
Tour.
My first invitee is Leiah Cooper.
She writes the blog “So I Read This Book
Today.” I met her after she featured a review of The
Returns on her blog. We became fast
friends and she is now my editor. Living
in one of the most beautiful places in America; Golden, Colorado, she enjoys
quilting and spending time with her houseful of pets. Both of us are night owls and it’s not
unusual for us to have a conversation in the middle of the night. Leiah is one of the smartest women that I
know and has lived a very adventurous life.
She is an avid reader and isn’t afraid to speak her mind on books or
anything else. I’m proud to have such an
inspiring friend that has survived breast cancer and other things that would
defeat many people.
Meet my friend & editor, Leiah Cooper. |
My second friend is Emma and her mom from My GBGV Life. Emma is the
voice of her own
blog and is absolutely adorable. *She is Bentley’s cyber sweetie and he can’t
wait to meet her in the fur next year. Emma
not only writes one of my favorite blogs, but she is a published author. Her book, Tales of a French Scent Hound is
available on Amazon. What is a GBGV dog,
you ask? It stands for Grand
Basset Griffon VendeƩn, which is a mouthful, so she prefers GBGV. Emma is also a model and her sweet face is
featured on some pet products at Target among other things. I was thrilled to meet Emma, her sister Bailie,
and their mom Joy at this year’s BlogPaws conference.
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Don't they make a cute couple? |
Last but certainly
not least is Sugar the Golden Retriever.
Golden Retrievers hold a special
place in my heart since I shared life
with our wonderful Tucker for 12 years.
Sugar is the embodiment of the perfect Golden. She is a happy, smart, and friendly dog that
writes a fun blog including some of the most amazing dog recipes I’ve ever
read. We also met Sugar along with her
mom and dad at BlogPaws 2014. I was
thrilled to find them just as sweet and down-to-earth as they appear in their
blog. Sugar also has a fun-filled
children’s book titled, Sugar’s Furry Friend.
You can read my review here. Sugar’s
mom Rosalyn is a great friend and has been exceptionally helpful to me as I get
the hang of the blogging world.
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Flat Bentley brought Sugar some Mardi Gras beads at BlogPaws |
These terrific
bloggers will have their Writer’s Process Blog Tour entry in the next couple of
weeks. Of course, there’s not need to
wait to follow them. You can become fans
today! All three will provide you with
fascinating information and fun. Thank
you for joining me on this exciting Writers’ Process Blog Tour.
Don’t want to miss
being a part of the Pet Parade this week. I co-host with my friends Rascal and Rocco, Basil the Bionic Cat,Jan’s Funny Farm,
and Love is being
owned by aHusky. We don’t have any rules, just fun!
Wow, that is really interesting how you describe your writing process for your book... I used to write chapter books when I was a kid and loved it. I sometimes do the same thing when I'm trying to go to sleep or something, but of course I'm not typing when that happens...
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann. My characters often talk to me as I am trying to fall asleep. My husband has gotten used to me grabbing my Iphone and typing notes in the middle of the night. I've learned the hard way that I don't remember what they said the next morning. Haha!
DeleteI often think the best thought appear in twilight sleep as I call it - that time when you are not quite awake and not quite asleep - but then of coarse when they do appear - you are suddenly wide awake and have to write them down. Good look with the book :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. You are exactly right. ♥
DeleteReally loved this little interview.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm glad that you enjoyed it. ☺
Deletevery good interview and how cool you met sugar
ReplyDeleteretro rover
I appreciate it. Yes, Sugar is a sweetie!
DeleteGreat post and thank you again for asking us. It is fun to hear how you come up with your book ideas.
ReplyDeleteThanks Emma! I'm so glad that you are participating. ♥
DeleteI always wondered how people wrote books; what their writing process was like. I wish I could write a book...but I'm not sure there is one in me. LOL I am sorry I didn't respond to your email about this...it got lost in the shuffle. However, someone else found me and asked me for next week...so I guess I need to tell my "story". This was an awesome post, MK! Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteHi Oz! I don't know if others write this way, but when I first started and opened that part of my mind it just happened. I completely understand the email shuffle! I'm just glad that you are joining. ♥
DeleteThat was great! SO cool to learn what other people do in their writing process!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, and you chose some wonderful bloggers to join in the tour!
į¦ husky hugz į¦ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Thanks Jenna! I loved you Writers Process blog too!
DeleteI love how the writing process differs for everyone! I'm also glad I'm not the only person who easily hears other voices in my head. lol
ReplyDeleteHahaha! I guess in some circles it might be considered crazy, but all writers are a bit insane! ☺
DeleteBetween the book and blogging and hearing your process, it sounds like writing comes very quickly and naturally to you! Even with just a blog I experience writer's block and/or lack of enthusiasm to write.
ReplyDeleteWriting does come naturally, but not always as quickly as I'd like. I certainly don't run out of thoughts, only time.
DeleteAbsolutely love reading about everyone's process, everyone is so different and it makes it that much more interesting. I was invited by Jenna, but you know me...just not enough time!
ReplyDeleteI know how busy that you are 24/7. I enjoy your writing style no matter how you go about it. ♥
DeleteI definitely enjoyed learning about your writing process. I promise you that you often make me smile or laugh, especially when the boys do a review....those are my favorites. I especially loved your description of your book writing process....your "special place". It sounds so interesting, and I imagine no one can talk to you when you're in that zone? Sometimes when I'm writing my blog my husband will come in and talk to me and later I'll tell him I have no idea what he said!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great group you passed this on to as well!
Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
I'm so glad that you enjoy the boys' reviews. They always make me laugh. No, I don't like being interrupted when I'm writing. It causes me to come crashing down from my special place. Haha!
DeleteWe loved learning about you and your process! We know Sugar too! Not in the furs of course. (Did you know Oprah even knows Sugar?) Sugar is famous! Great post!
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Thanks Murphy! Sugar was definitely a rock star at BlogPaws! She is such a sweetheart. ♥
DeleteWe LOVE Emma and Sugar! And it's nice to meet your editor too!
ReplyDeleteOur mom has different writing "demons" (ha) - and yes, she has to go to her "special place" when she writes scripts for her shows. Speaking of which, we think we're losing her this weekend to a deadline. Hiss!!!
Ugh! Deadlines would stress me out completely. Of course, if a publisher contacted me with big bucks, I think that I could learn to cope with one! LOL!
DeleteI think it is so awesome that you write books. I always wished I had that creative ability. Loved getting to hear a little more about your process and great choices to keep the chain going!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelsie. I appreciate your sweet words ♥ I'm so glad that you stopped by to visit.
DeleteI'm happe to read more! And I can't wait till you meet Emma :o)
ReplyDeleteLove all the pics of your fur friends. I enjoyed reading about your writing process. Happy Parading this week! ~RascalandRocco
ReplyDeleteWow - wish I had a "special place" to go to while I write! I gotta pull all those words outta the ol' brain. My characters do "talk" to me at night as well when I'm trying to sleep. Sometimes I just want them to shut up already! But instead, I usually grab a notebook and jot down some notes in the dark that i can barely read the next day! :)
ReplyDeleteLoved reading about your writing process. I try to do a bunch of posts in advance too so I can catch up reading and commenting on others but too doesn't always work like that. Good luck getting your third book finished.
ReplyDeleteTried write post on the weekend ... most of the time its not working :-( Can't believe you are writing your 3rd book. I've changed the tone of my blog ... sometimes its Sugar but most of the time "me" as a pet parent. Golden Thanks and we will post our writing process next week. Golden Woofs
ReplyDelete