HelenKay Dimon

December 24th, 2007

Christmas is almost here. I’ve spent the days shopping, eating, wrapping, eating and finishing a book (while eating). The book is a novella for the 2008 Brava Christmas anthology, TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT with Donna Kauffman and Jill Shalvis. I saw on Jill’s blog that she just finished up her novella as well. She said:

I can’t explain why, but sometimes the stories come easy and sometimes it’s like pulling teeth. Without drugs. With a rusty set of pliers.

I absolutely agree. For Jill, this holiday novella fell into place easier than most. I had a similar experience…well, sort of. I wrote the novella twice. The first time, I got it wrong and had many days with those rusty pliers. I knew it was wrong, tried to force it and had a “this is not working” moment. Then, I took a step back, inhaled a few times, spent some more time thinking about what I wanted to go and say and started again. The second time was a dream. Like Jill, I knew who these people were and what they wanted. Writing it wrong let me figure out how to write it right. After that, the words came fast and free. I wouldn’t say the novella wrote itself because I really don’t get that phrase. But, this one came close.

I once read something Linda Howard wrote about one of her MacKenzie books (Joe’s story, I think) where she wrote it and decided the story was not good enough for the characters. In other words, they deserved a better story and she re-wrote it right before deadline. The second time worked. I didn’t fully understand what Linda was saying then. Now I get it.

So, for those wondering about next year’s holiday antho, here’s the back cover copy:

DONNA KAUFFMAN
Unleashed

When Emma Lafferty is hired by a billionaire CEO to watch his pets over the holidays, she expects to enjoy a quiet Christmas in opulent surroundings. What she doesn’t expect is to spend the week trapped in the mansion with the CEO’s sexy great-nephew—and heir—whose motives are as shady as his desire is crystal clear….

JILL SHALVIS
Finding Mr. Right

Brilliant chemist Maggie Bell has a knack for choosing Mr. Wrong, and with yet another lonely Christmas looming, she decides it’s time to alter the equation—and seek out someone who seems totally wrong for her. Enter Jacob Wahler, the rough and rippling contractor who’s about as far from Maggie type as he could get. But suddenly what’s wrong for Maggie seems oh-so-right….

HELENKAY DIMON
Can You Hand Me the Tape?

Natalie Pritchard is desperate. It’s a week before Christmas and she’s lost the naughty tape she made for her now-ex-boyfriend. She’s so desperate, in fact, that she’ll turn to her nemesis Spencer Donovan for help. The sexy criminal defense attorney would be only too happy to assist—but can Natalie afford his price?

I’m so excited!!

This entry was posted on Monday, December 24th, 2007 at 12:43 pm and is filed under About Authors, About Books, About Me, About My Books, About Writing. You can feed this entry. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

12 comments to “Christmas Writing”

You know HelenKay, that’s very good advice. I have a story that I’ve been having a hard time with and I wasn’t sure why. I think I just need to step back and do the very same thing and start over, setting here looking at my screen hasn’t been doing me much good..LOL.
Your new antho sound’s great, I can’t wait…*Yummy*
Merry Christmas!!!

by Robin Renee December 24th, 2007 at 12:59 pm

2	The new anthology sounds great! by Estella December 24th, 2007 at 1:55 pm

3	Wow–that sounds terrific, and congrats on how well it’s gone! Have a wonderful Christmas! by Fedora December 24th, 2007 at 7:00 pm

4	Wow, another new book! When’s this coming out in 2008?! Cant wait to grab a copy of this one! by Nicole December 24th, 2007 at 10:42 pm

Wow Helen! You sure can crank out the stories fast! What is your secret? Inspiration sure takes a while to hit me sometimes.

Oh this book sounds awesome! I can’t wait to get myself a copy! Woot-woot!

I send you many blessings for a fantastic Christmas and a very prosperous New Year!
Many good wishes for many more book projects in ‘08!

Hugs,
Michele L.

by Michele L. December 24th, 2007 at 10:55 pm

6	I can’t wait for this book! It sounds fabulous! Merry Christmas! by Stephanie S. December 25th, 2007 at 8:05 am

7	All 3 stories sound fun and naughty – my kinda Brava. Can’t wait. It’s on my list for ‘08. by Stacy ~ December 25th, 2007 at 9:11 am

8	This anthology sounds so good – it is already on my list. Thank you for sharing. MERRY CHRISTMAS!! by Cryna December 25th, 2007 at 12:44 pm

9	I can’t wait for this book! Three of my favorite authors in one book! by Susan December 25th, 2007 at 3:05 pm

10	I’m looking forward to reading it!! Happy Holidays!! by Theresa N. December 26th, 2007 at 5:01 am

11	Hi HelenKay~ thanks for sharing your writing woes. It really helps us aspiring writers. The new antho sounds great! I look forward to reading it. by Robin December 26th, 2007 at 10:59 am