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Kira Brady | The Writing Process
August 9, 2012
A story is a living thing. It starts as a germ, not even an idea really, that
turns into a bug gnawing in the recesses of a writer's brain. As the bug grows,
eating bits of fluff and the words of stranger's conversations, it becomes less
easy to ignore, until finally it wakes us in the dark hours of the morning, fat
and bloated with untapped energy, this thing we must write down or go
mad. And that is simply the original idea. The pressure lets off as the words
hit the page, but the story still grows. Edit after edit. Draft after draft.
Until the finished book only passingly resembles the first bloody words that
affixed themselves to the page. HEARTS OF DARKNESS was
an organic, struggle of a story to write. I started it during National Novel
Writing Month in 2008 and now, almost four years later, have the finished book
in my hand. There are crumbs that resemble my first rough sketches of scenes and
characters, and there are gems that didn't make the final cut. I'd like to share
with you the earliest scrawls of my debut. Desi's character changed in the final
book, but the strength of Kayla and her love for her sister shine through. The day her sister died, Kayla packed all her belongings in a
battered blue suitcase and two cardboard boxes, loaded them into her ancient
yellow Subaru, and headed back west. Grey storm clouds gathered in her wake, an
ominous shower to water the flowers and turn the grave dirt to mud. Every hour
put another eighty miles between her and Philly, with its abandoned row homes
and broken cyclone fences, unwashed children playing in trash-strewn empty lots,
bitterly cold winds that ripped through chinks in the duck-taped window, crack
pipes and doped-up whores. Desiree had left Philly, but Philly never left her.
Now Desi was dead, her dreams of escaping her past laying cold and dead beside
her. With only a one-way ticket to heaven or hell, if you believed in that sort
of thing. But Desi knew hell: she lived in Philly. She'd slept with the Devil
and he owned her soul. He'd welcome her in with open arms, a needle in one hand
and a pipe in the other. Heaven had given up on Desi a long time ago.
Kayla hadn't. She had scrimped and saved to send Desi out west. A new city. A
new start. Kayla had prayed Desi would stay out of trouble. But the ghosts of
the past had followed Desi to Seattle and finished the job they started back on
those streets brotherly love.
Kayla had lived with the fear clenching in her gut for too long not to know,
every time the phone rang, that this one could be it. So she didn't cry when the
police officer called. She quit her job, put in notice to her landlord, and
drove four days across the country. She didn't cry as the plains and prairies
through South Dakota gave way to thick evergreen forests of Montana, the
mountain passes still open before the first snow, then desert in eastern
Washington, with tumbling tumbleweeds. She didn't cry when the horizon finally
gave out to the dark blue water of Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean. Grey snow
capped mountains ringed the city on either side, an encampment in this lone
outpost of loggers and tech geeks. Seattle.
She didn't cry in the coroner's office when she went to id the body. She walked
into the small dark room, metal on the walls and metal on the floors, metal
tables and metal chairs, dead like the inhabitants it kept, and pulled back the
sheet to see her sister.
No, not her sister. Her sister was young and carefree with a wild spark and a
bubbling laugh. She'd say, "Kayla! Let's go!" grab Kayla's hand and run down the
sidewalk, jumping over cracks and weeds like a gazelle, singing Down down
baby, Down by the rollercoaster, Sweet sweet baby, I'll never let you go, Shimmy
shimmy coco puff shimmy shimmy wow...
Her sister had beautiful chestnut skin and chocolate eyes that turned up at the
corner in laughter. Her sister didn't have blue lips and mottled skin, skinny
arms and cheekbones that stuck out, gaunt and malnourished. This person, this
body lying on the cold metal table was someone else, someone who had slowly
taken over her sister's body, like the alien infesting Sigourney Weaver's stomach.
Kayla didn't cry until she left the office and suddenly the fear and pain came
back like a tsunami, flooding her heart and her head until it flowed out her
eyes in big salty tears. She raced to a nearby alley, where she dry heaved
behind a trash bin. There was nothing in her stomach to spit out.
Do you keep every version of your writing? Or do you prefer to remember it only
as it was in the end: pretty, perfect, and polished to within an inch of its
life? I'd like to giveaway a copy of the final version of HEARTS OF DARKNESS. About the Author A native Seattleitte, Kira spent her childhood hiking the rainy forests of the
Pacific Northwest and drying out by the fire with a good book and a mug of
something hot. She graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania,
where she met her real life Prince Charming and promptly dragged him back to
sunless Seattle. She fell in love with historic, haunted cities in graduate
school. Now she writes about the twisted cities of her imagination, where
wraiths and shape-shifters stalk the night and love redeems even the darkest
heart. When not writing, she can be found drinking inordinately large mugs of
Assam tea, knitting wool socks, and raising a wee heroine-in-training. Her
website is http://kirabrady.com HEARTS OF DARKNESS In the first of a dazzling new romantic trilogy, one woman's courageous search
plunges her into a millennia-old supernatural war—and an irresistible
passion... Nurse Kayla Friday has dedicated her life to science and reason. But for her,
Seattle is a place of eerie loss and fragmented, frightening memories. And now
the only clue to her sister's murder reveals a secret battle between two ancient
mythologies...and puts Kayla in the sights of lethally-sexy werewolf mercenary
Hart. He'll do whatever it takes to obtain the key to the Gate of the Land of
the Dead and free what's left of his soul. But seducing the determined Kayla is
putting them at the mercy of powerful desires neither can control. And as the
clock ticks down to hellish catastrophe, the untested bond between Kayla and
Hart may lead to the ultimate sacrifice.
Comments
48 comments posted.
Re: Kira Brady | The Writing Process
Your book sounds great - and I'd love to win a copy. Even if I don't win, I'll have to get it to read because I am intrigued. Best of luck with it.
(Nancy Reynolds 9:49am August 9, 2012)
Want to read more about Kayla.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 9:50am August 9, 2012)
No I don't keep every version of my writings even the technical documentation that I do for my job. I prefer the final version that looks "supposedly" perfect and polished.
I would love to win a copy of your book.
(Lori Yost 10:02am August 9, 2012)
Kira, I love romantic suspense & hope to win this one. If not I promise to still try your books. Now that I'm retired I prefer to read than watch day time tv. Better than most tv night time too.
(Pat Moore 10:30am August 9, 2012)
Hi Kiera!! On page 116 of Hearts of Darkness. Love it! Story line is very
intriguing and keeps you guessing. I like to keep the final draft of my
story. Makes me feel like it's just right when I'm done :)
(Jill Oswalt 10:31am August 9, 2012)
PICK ME!! PICK ME!! I want to win!!!
(Pamela Faye Howell 10:43am August 9, 2012)
Sounds great! :)
The last time that I wrote anything was in university though... and I only keep the ending...
(May Pau 10:45am August 9, 2012)
This sounds like a great read. My kind of book. Thanks for the blurb.
(JoAnn White 10:51am August 9, 2012)
I am really intrigued! Can't wait to read your book. A lethally- sexy werewolf mercenary...yum!
(Teresa Sullivan 10:53am August 9, 2012)
Enjoyed your blog. Your new book sounds like a great read.
(Sheila True 11:19am August 9, 2012)
I keep everything I write. I like to see the evolution of things.
(Michelle Donaldson 11:24am August 9, 2012)
I'm not much of a writer. But I love to read.
Your new book sounds amazing.
(Pam Howell 11:45am August 9, 2012)
I've heard great things about this book. I'm impressed it
started as a NaNOWriMO project!
(Sara Chamama 12:12pm August 9, 2012)
Hi Kira! This sounds like it'll be a wonderful book!! I love
your description of the writing process - so descriptive and
very true!! I keep everything I write - I love to go back
and look at my earlier drafts - it helps me learn about
myself as a writer and what I was going through at any given
time. I do like the pretty final draft, but I think there
is so much to learn from those earlier drafts as well -
there was so much of myself poured into them that I can't
bear to part with them. I would love to win a copy of this
book!
(Cheryl Beal 12:24pm August 9, 2012)
I loved reading this early and powerful excerpt. I am not a writer but of the things that I do write, I tend to keep my final copy and not the drafts.
(G. Bisbjerg 12:47pm August 9, 2012)
Have not read any books yet in the "werewolf" genre. Maybe I could start with your book......Winning a copy would get me started.
(Shari Santella 12:51pm August 9, 2012)
Hi
I am so excited to read this book. I love to read PNR
series and this one sounds very intriguing. Congrats on
this new release!
Thanks
(Pam Brewer 1:41pm August 9, 2012)
I really want to win this book!!!!
(Charlotte Zimmerman 1:43pm August 9, 2012)
This book sounds really interesting! I look forward to reading it.
(Chelsea Knestrick 2:13pm August 9, 2012)
Final copies only, no embarrassing evidence to be found.
Good luck and happy writing!
(Tracie Travis 2:21pm August 9, 2012)
I have never published anything but I love to write. No one goes through my work with a fine tooth comb so my revisions are usually minor. I keep only final copies.
(Kathleen Yohanna 2:32pm August 9, 2012)
Hmmm... sounds really interesting! Thank you for the chance to win your book!
(Colleen Conklin 2:39pm August 9, 2012)
i will read this one
(Debbi Shaw 2:41pm August 9, 2012)
Your book sounds amazing! The emotion in the excerpt is
palpable, so I look forward to reading the final product.
(Zara Heflin 3:03pm August 9, 2012)
I really enjoy writing. I have kept everything that I have written,
whether it be a random chapter or a scene sample. I like seeing
where I've been and use it to see where I'll go.
(Samantha King 3:08pm August 9, 2012)
Kira,
Even though it took you nearly 4 yrs. to get the final version for this book, it was worth it to get a really good story. I am not a book writer, but I do like writing long letters to people (that are almost books) and love keeping notes on important events, statistics, etc. I enjoy and love reading the werewolf genre and I'd really love to win HEARTS OF DARKNESS and can't wait to read it since, even the scrawl notes were so-o good! Thanks, for sharing!!
(Linda Luinstra 3:18pm August 9, 2012)
I JUST LOVE YOUR BOOKS THEY ARE EXCELLENT. THIS BOOKS SOUNDS
GREAT I CAN'T WAIT TO READ IT TOO. I CAN'T STOP READING YOUR
BOOKS THEY ARE SO GOOD. IT WOULD BE A HONOR TO WIN THIS
CONTEST FROM MY FAVORITE AUTHOR OF ALL TIME AND YOU ARE VERY
MUCH MY FAVORITE. KEEP WRITING THOSE MARVELOUS BOOKS.
(Shelly Caggiano 3:42pm August 9, 2012)
I love books with werewolfs! I've never read any of your books but would love to start! Wouldn't it be something if these creatures really existed!! Keep writing Kira! I'm going to check out B&N today!!
(Melodie Paul 4:12pm August 9, 2012)
This sounds like an excellent book to read, and I enjoy books of this type. Keep writing (and write faster...since this is a trilogy--lol)! Much success with this lst one! I CAN'T WAIT TO READ IT!
(Rich Cook 4:39pm August 9, 2012)
Sounds like a great book. I'll add it to my reading list.
(Marguerite Guinn 5:09pm August 9, 2012)
I love the sound of the book, it sounds so interesting. I love reading books with strong female characters. Thank yu for the chance to win!
(Jane Thompson 5:14pm August 9, 2012)
Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance to win!!
(Natasha Donohoo 5:26pm August 9, 2012)
I just heard of your book yesterday. I have it on wishlist.
(Lisa Garrett 5:57pm August 9, 2012)
Always looking forward to your books. Hpoe i won this one!
(Nancy Gallagher 6:03pm August 9, 2012)
As a poet, I tend to keep only my finished versions of my writing. I have done fiction in the past for college writing courses and kept all of the versions leading up to the final copy on those. Thanks for the chance to win!
(Angie Lilly 6:29pm August 9, 2012)
Who doesn't love a good read in the summer?
(Susan Coster 7:00pm August 9, 2012)
I've always wanted to write, but never had the guts to do so. Back when I could have gone to College, I was discouraged when it counted the most, so I just put that dream away for good. English was always my favorite subject, and the hurt ran deep. Anyway, all of my writings are in my head, and perhaps someday I will put "pen to paper." As for your book, I would have never guessed that it was a supernatural love story!! The excerpt has me hooked, and I'm looking forward to reading it very much!! The artwork on the cover was very well done. It fits the story to a T!!
(Peggy Roberson 7:29pm August 9, 2012)
I like Assam tea, too. And I love the phrase, "wee heroine-in-training." Every women deserves to be heroine in her own romance novel!
(Catherine Lee 7:55pm August 9, 2012)
you now something funny i go by desi ha ha but i like th plot of the story and then that book sound like a great read and will read and bog on it fr you if youlet me
(Desiree Reilly 8:09pm August 9, 2012)
This looks like a great book! Can't wait to read it! :)
(Christina Garner 8:28pm August 9, 2012)
I've got this one on my wish list - I'd sure love to win it. Either way, I've got to read this one, it looks really good.
(Martha Lawson 8:37pm August 9, 2012)
Your book sounds wonderful - look forward to reading it.
(Mary C 8:45pm August 9, 2012)
I imagine that a story goes through so many changes along the way.
(Mary Preston 10:01pm August 9, 2012)
thanks for the fantastic post! I've been *dying* to read this
book :) Congrats on the new release and best of luck for the
future!
(Erin Fender 10:18pm August 9, 2012)
I use to make many changes to business memos - I can't imagine
how many changes get made to a book!
(Diane Sallans 10:34pm August 9, 2012)
I enjoyed the great post. Hearts of Darkness sounds like a fantastic story and
I'm looking forward to reading it.
(Barbara Elness 10:56pm August 9, 2012)
Mmm that excerpt is pretty depressing. I think I'd need to be in the mood for it, though I am sure we get adrenalin or fun later in the story.
I keep the latest version because I am usually correcting an error of fact which I've just gone out and researched. Or I've added a scene which needed to be earlier in the story than the point at which I find myself writing when it comes to me.
(Clare O'Beara 6:24am August 10, 2012)
I love a book cover that can make my imagination start up and being wondering what's behind me or just around the corner. The cover draws you in and the blurb on the back (or inside the front cover) locks the door behind you so you can't get out until you reach the end,
(Donna Holmberg 11:53pm August 10, 2012)
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