Fresh Fiction Blog | Donna Alward | Visual inspiration...or distraction?

I'm a very visual person, so when I'm writing a book I tend to have pictures in my head while I'm working. Quite often I'll "cast" my characters so I have a good idea what they look like. Maybe I'll find a house that inspires me for a setting, or a bit of landscape that speaks to me. But then, you know, deadlines are deadlines and I have to get on with writing the book. And as tempting as something like Pinterest is, I have to say NO because I could get caught up there all day!

Which sounds all very good and disciplined, but when I wrote A CADENCE CREEK CHRISTMAS,, I failed UTTERLY.

I blame the wedding.

You see, the heroine, Taylor, is in Cadence Creek to organize her brother's wedding. That's what she does. And it's taking place just before the holidays. Is there really a more magical time than Christmas? And if there is, it's a wedding! Put the two together and BOOM. Really. I found myself locked on Pinterest, looking for dresses, shoes, centerpieces, cookies, ANYTHING really to do with planning a country Christmas wedding. And I repinned with care because this was my inspiration board.

Pine boughs. Ribbon. WEDDING CAKES. Oh my stars, the holiday wedding cakes. I pinned two of my favorites that I thought were simply stunning. A pair of green satin sandals. Pew markers, a flower girl dress, even a fence with twinkle lights with the mountains off in the distance. Bouquets and chair covers and...

Yeah. I did mention I got carried away, right?

Still, it made writing the book so much fun and I really got into the holiday spirit with it. I think it helped that it's the 5th book in the Cadence Creek Cowboys series, because so many of the wedding guests were "friends" from previous books and it felt familiar. Welcoming. It certainly feels welcoming to Taylor, who's lived in the city for a long time now and not used to life in a small town. It grows on her more than she expects - and so does reticent cowboy Rhys Bullock.

You can have a peek at my Pinterest inspiration for yourself. A CADENCE CREEK CHRISTMAS is out now wherever Harlequin Romance is sold. And please pop by my website for the latest news on upcoming releases and appearances.

One commenter will win a copy of A CADENCE CREEK CHRISTMAS.

It's Christmas in Donna Alward's Cadence Creek…

Taylor Shepard has come to Cadence Creek to organize her brother's Christmas wedding. Organizing such a special event might be a little bit stressful—but she can't deny she's swept away by the town's holiday charm…and by brooding rancher Rhys Bullock.

Loner Rhys has been burned far too many times in the past. He's sure he has city girl Taylor all figured out—she'll be hightailing it straight back to the city in a few days! But as the snow starts to fall, Rhys and Taylor embark on a tentative winter romance. Could Taylor be the Christmas present Rhys never even knew he wanted?`

Comments

I love it when stories seem real and the characters like old
friends.
(Dianne McVetty 2:28am November 7, 2013)

I love all things Christmas and this looks like a great book I'd love to read!
(Bonnie Capuano 3:57am November 7, 2013)

It sounds like you had so much fun writing this book. Did writing it ever
seem like work?
(Chris Coulson 5:29am November 7, 2013)

i love christmas stories with romance this sounds really good
(Denise Smith 8:09am November 7, 2013)

Chris - oh yes. There are always times in books that it seems like work. The difference is that I LOVE my job, so even when it's harder work, it's good. :) Books rarely trip off the fingers like magic. But there's a lot of satisfaction when you get to the end. And it helped to have such great inspiration along the way!
(Donna Alward 8:17am November 7, 2013)

Your book sounds wonderful. Thanks for a chance to win. What a combo - romance and Christmas. How great is that?! Best of luck with the book - and all you do.
(Nancy Reynolds 8:52am November 7, 2013)

Christmas stories are the best. I love that you picture your characters in
your head and then start writing. I am amazed by writers and their talents. I
would love to be a winner of this wonderful story. Thank you for the
opportunity.
(Melanie Backus 9:13am November 7, 2013)

I enjoyed this book and the contrasts shown. I did think the character was getting carried away with little touches of décor when a wedding is meant to be about celebrating love! But we could see why she was such a perfectionist.
(Clare O'Beara 9:38am November 7, 2013)

I enjoyed your Pinterest inspiration and am sure this book will be a great read.
(Pamela Jaenke 9:56am November 7, 2013)

I love Christmas romances! They really are the very best of the entire year!
(Vennie Martinisi 10:18am November 7, 2013)

When you put the two best elements together - Weddings and Christmas, you have a book that's sure to warm your heart when you read it!! One topic standing alone never fails to disappoint, so I'm waiting now with baited breath to get my hands on this book, so I can immediately sit down and start reading immediately!! This book goes to the top of my TBR list, because with the cold spell we're under now, all I need is this book to start my Christmas spirit!! I'm ready to slowly start my decorating for the Holidays!! This book sounds like it's going to be the best Christmas read yet, and after you did all of that research, it's going to be the best Wedding book, too!! Congratulations!!
(Peggy Roberson 10:21am November 7, 2013)

Sounds like a book that my wife would love! She's really into Christmas stories!
(Richard Proctor 10:44am November 7, 2013)

Christmas & cowboys, what a great combination! Congrats!
(Maria Proctor 10:55am November 7, 2013)

I am so addicted to Pinterst and could totally see how it would work in crafting the wedding in the story.
(Pam Howell 11:13am November 7, 2013)

This sounds really good. I love Christmas books.
(Gail Hurt 11:38am November 7, 2013)

I enjoy when an author's words bring a character to life... that through their words I get an image of everything... love Christmas stories!
(Colleen Conklin 11:52am November 7, 2013)

Wow, thank you everyone!:) I was out to a Remembrance Day assembly this morning and came back to all these lovely comments! :)
(Donna Alward 12:33pm November 7, 2013)

I get caught up in Pinterest too. Lol Can't seem to help myself. Planning a
wedding and having Pinterest? Beyond distracting! Surprised you managed
to hit your deadline! I wouldn't have!
(Michelle Schafer 2:57pm November 7, 2013)

Christmas, a wedding and a brooding rancher make a winning combination.
(Anna Speed 5:21pm November 7, 2013)

My husband and I got married before Pinterest existed, but I know what you mean about getting carried away. Christmas is my favorite time of year. We got engaged on Christmas Eve, and got married two weeks after the following Christmas. So many beautiful things to think about! Congratulations on A Cadence Creek Christmas - it sounds wonderful! Thanks for the chance to win!!!
(Linda Brennan 7:20pm November 7, 2013)

Wow, Congrats on your new book: A CADENCE CREEK CHRISTMAS. I
love the pretty book cover too! I know that I would love
your new book because I grew up on a large farm in Kansas
and we had lots of snow and yes romance and Christmas would
be wonderful too. I would love to win and read your new book
this winter and it would make a great Christmas gift too.
Thank You very much. Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 7:47pm November 7, 2013)

Would love to read this, as I just read A COWBOY TO COME HOME TO (from earlier in the series, of course). Since I fell in love with Coop from that story, does that mean I'll fall in love with Rhys too? Sure hope so!
(Elaine Seymour 10:29pm November 7, 2013)

It's good to have familiar characters in a book. It makes getting to know the new characters so much easier. I haven't joined pinterest yet since I know I'll get sucked in to spending way to much time on it, too.
(Laura Gullickson 11:36pm November 7, 2013)

Book sounds great! Absolutely love Christmas stories!!
(Cindy Hamilton 3:44pm November 8, 2013)

That's it! Those fabulous green shoes and the four tiered wedding cake have set me off--not to mention a SNOWY CHRISTMAS wedding setting away from cities!!!!! I am COMPLETELY inspired to read this holiday story! So the response is INSPIRED, of course!
(Carla Schuller 7:24pm November 8, 2013)

I love Christmas stories, I can't wait to read it.
(Rita Wray 11:22am November 9, 2013)

The holidays and wedding make a perfect backdrop for a story.
Now that cold weather is hovering, I want to curl up with a
good book, like this one, and warm up for the season.
(Alyson Widen 12:14pm November 9, 2013)

Christmas is just such a perfect time for romance and weddings.
(Sue Farrell 6:21pm November 9, 2013)

I love the Cadence Creek stories. I haven't gotten on Pinterest for the same reason you tried to stay away. I'd find myself spending way too much time there...for no good reason. LOL
(Marcy Shuler 9:51pm November 9, 2013)

I love Christmas stories and this sounds like a good one. I'm looking forward to reading this book.
(Carol Woodruff 6:14pm November 10, 2013)

I get into the holiday spirit when I read Christmas stories.
(Mary Preston 8:30pm November 10, 2013)

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