Sandy James | Storytelling

I always remember what agony it was as a child to have my father tell me his "stories." You know the ones I'm talking about... They usually began with In my day or When I was a kid. Those kinds of stories. I usually hunkered down to wait out the storm because nothing in my life could ever be as bad as my father's childhood growing up during the Great Depression.

Funny, but now that I've been writing for a while and have started mentoring new writers, I'm sounding a lot like my dad. Back when I started writing... When I tell stories like that, I'm hoping to spare some newbie author the same agony I went through when I began this process. Since this is one of those stories, just so what I did when I was a kid and dad started in. Pretend to listen.

Back when I started writing, I didn't realize the value of letting other people read my work. Oh, I had such aspirations! That first book was clearly a masterpiece. It would be snapped up by the first publisher. It would have a Fabio cover. It would quickly rise to the top of the New York Times Bestseller list.

Ha ha ha...snort.

I have a hard time believing I was ever that naïve. But I was. Most newbies are. At least I had the sense to ask for help.

My father-in-law is a writer. He was thrilled I was writing since none of his children were writers. It gave us common ground, and when I finished that first "masterpiece," I printed it out, shoved it in a binder, and begged him to read it. God bless him, he did. Then he did me the biggest favor anyone has ever done in my writing career.

He critiqued it.

I imagine he went through at least three red pens making comments. Oh yes, it was THAT bad. I forced myself to absorb every suggestion, despite the fact that I could sometimes only look at a page or two before tears would cloud my vision. After so many rewrites that I lost count, I'm proud to say that book—TWIST OF FATE—was released by BookStrand.

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank him for that help. He not only taught me more about writing than I ever imagined, he also taught me another more valuable lesson. You have to share you work. You have to get feedback. If you don't, you'll never improve.

I've been blessed with great critique partners. Right now, I critique with Nan and author Cheryl Brooks. I couldn't survive this business without their help. Nan and I exchange several chapters a week. She's been wonderful with telling me when things are "wrong." It took her a while to get to that point. Not because I'm a fantastic writer whose work was beyond reproach. (Sorry, dissolved into another laughing fit there...) But she was hesitant to tell me about things that could improve because I was published and she wasn't. After quite a bit of encouragement and scolding, I finally convinced her that EVERY author needs critiquing. Another set of eyes can catch things that ever the best writer might miss. Character inconsistencies. Missteps in plot. Crafting a heroine too-stupid-to-live.

Now that she's my critique partner, I'm never going to let her go. Not only does she spot all sorts of things I do wrong—and trust me, there are plenty to keep her on her toes—but I get to read her work. You're all in for some fantastic stories now that she's published!

So...thanks, Nan. Don't know what I'd do without you.

About Sandy

Sandy lives in a quiet suburb of Indianapolis with her husband of thirty years and is a high school social studies teacher. She and her husband own a small stable of harness racehorses and enjoy spending time at the two Indiana racetracks. She is published through Forever Yours, Carina Press, and BookStrand, as well as self-published. She has been an Amazon Bestseller and has won numerous awards, including two HOLT Medallions. Look for a new contemporary romance series--Ladies Who Lunch--from Grand Central Forever Yours beginning in February 2014! The first book--THE BOTTOM LINE--and the second--SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED--are now available for pre-order!

THE VOLATILE AMAZON

Sarita Neeraj has never felt like a real Amazon. Compared to the obvious strengths of her sisters, her Water powers seem small as her stature. She's determined to prove herself--unfortunately, all that gets her is captured by an enemy.



Ian serves a twisted goddess, preferring this to an empty afterlife. He's taken Sarita hostage to coax the other Amazons from their safe haven. But in his ancient Scottish castle, the passion and love Ian finds for Sarita resurrect his honor, until he chafes at the dark will of his mistress.



Sarita has finally found happiness--but before she can enjoy it, she's "rescued" by her furious sisters. To save Ian from destruction at the hands of the Amazons, Sarita must risk wielding magick that could change her very nature. Only then can she prove the Water Amazon is the strongest of the four--and save them all from destruction.