Laura Bradford | When a Bludgeoning (or a strangling…or a poisoning…or a…) Just Won’t Do
February 18, 2010
It started just like any other story I’ve ever written. I was in the car,
driving my kids to school, when a ten-second newsbyte on the radio caught my
attention.
A decades-old letter was found behind a desk in a Pennsylvania post office--a
letter that went undelivered for forty plus years. I imagine the radio guy said
something else, that he filled in a few more facts...but if he did, I didn’t
hear him.
Because I was stuck on the letter...
What if the letter had carried news of an inheritance or condolences over a lost
family member? What if it had been a cry for help?
Before we reached the school parking lot, I knew I had the makings of a new
book. As a writer, you just know these things.
Over the course of the next few months, the story percolated in my mind. What
should the letter say? Who sent it? Who was the intended recipient? What
happened as a result of it not arriving at its intended destination?
I considered characters--good guys and bad guys. I considered potential motives.
I even gave thought to murder weapons.
But no matter how hard I thought about the letter or how many cool ideas I came
up with, I had one problem I couldn’t ignore.
No one wanted to die.
No one.
As a mystery writer, that’s a problem. A very big problem.
Even worse, that little writer voice that calls the shots in my life demanded I
write it as a romance.
A romance!
Now don’t get me wrong, I respect romance writers. They’re a talented group of
people who can twist the basic "boy meets girl" plotline in amazing ways.
But I wasn’t a romance writer.
And, truth be told, I wasn’t really a romance reader, either.
Yet the voice continued, gnawing at my ever thought for months.
Write a romance, it would say.
Uh...no, I would say.
Write a romance, it would say.
Uh...hello? Didn’t you hear me the first time, I’d say.
Fortunately for me, I got tired of fighting.
I sat in front of the keyboard and wrote a romance that surrounds a decades-old
letter--a letter that had been lost behind a desk in a post office. And as I
wrote, I became hooked...
On the writing...
And the story...
And the genre...
Just last month, Kayla’s
Daddy debuted with Harlequin American Romance. It earned a 4 ½ star
"Top Pick" from RT Magazine and was selected to kick off the line’s
"Babies and Bachelors" year long series.
My book.
My romance.
And it’s all because the voice knew...
And I finally listened.
Bio: In addition to Kayla’s
Daddy, Laura Bradford has two more books on the immediate horizon with
Harlequin American. A Mom For Callie will debut in July, Miracle Baby in November.
When she wears her other hat, Laura is known as Elizabeth Lynn
Casey--author of the new Southern Sewing Circle Mystery Series with
Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series, Sew Deadly, debuted in
August and was a national bestseller. The second book, Death Threads, will
release on May 4th.
To learn more visit: www.laurabradford.com and/or
www.elizabethlynncasey.com. Or become an Elizabeth Lynn Casey fan on Facebook
to keep up on all the latest news!
Comments
14 comments posted.
Re: Laura Bradford | When a Bludgeoning (or a strangling…or a poisoning…or a…) Just Won’t Do
Outstanding blog, Laura! You're a fabulous writer, whether it be romance or mystery! I'm proud to be your friend! (Sharon Galligar Chance 1:50am February 18, 2010)
I found the idea of a newscast giving you and idea for a book interesting. So often authors are asked where they get their ideas. Your experience proves they get them in just all sorts of unexpected ways. (Gladys Paradowski 4:47am February 18, 2010)
I dearly love books with humor included and it sounds like I would find it here. It is true: Laughter is the best medicine! (Gladys Paradowski 4:59am February 18, 2010)
What a fabulous premise for a story! And while it's a romance, I think you're still exploring the greatest mystery of all time--how two hearts, and two lives, become one. (Joe Richardson 9:09am February 18, 2010)
Laura, I think it is pretty awesome that you ventured into an uncharted territory and came out not just on top but with lots of stars! :-) (Nikki Bonanni 10:38am February 18, 2010)
I often talk about "the book that wants to be written." And when it wants out, there ain't nothing you can do but let it.
Great news! (Jd Rhoades 11:51am February 18, 2010)
I enjoy hearing where ideas come from. Sometimes a conversation overheard is enough to set the mind racing and stewing. (Alyson Widen 1:45pm February 18, 2010)
I guess you have to listen to the voices in your head. If a book needs to be written, you'd better do it. Sounds like it will be a good series. (Patricia Barraclough 9:06pm February 18, 2010)
See there, just cause you hear voices in your head-it's not always a sign you're crazy. (Lisa Richards 12:59pm February 19, 2010)
I'm hooked!! (Robin McKay 5:28pm February 19, 2010)
The letter would have stuck in my head too. (Mary Preston 6:13pm February 19, 2010)
I loved the letter! (Brenda Rupp 8:48pm February 19, 2010)
I guess this was good luck for us romance aficionados. I don't mind some suspense in my books, but, uh, bludgeonings, slashings, etc. are definitely not on my list of favorite things. My heart or my stomach is too tender. (grin) (Sigrun Schulz 9:50pm February 19, 2010)
Romance can be in murder stories and murder can find its way into romance. A good author is a good author! :>) (Karin Tillotson 12:13pm February 20, 2010)
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