One would think writing a story meant sitting before the computer and creating words on the screen. Well, yes it does. but there is so much more.

For instance, this week I had to come up with title suggestions for a new series slated for release in 2012. My working title for the series was Wanted: A Few Good Men and I named each story after the hero and heroine. Not very original but I don’t get married to titles. After some back and forth the title for the miniseries is Three Brides for Three Cowboys and the first book is The Cowboy Tutor.

Then there is coming up with art fact information that goes to the art department for the creation of a cover. The cover has to reach out and grab a reader. It has to portray the theme and feeling of the story but not necessarily the exact details. The more precise information I can provide, the better the cover. Maybe. Though I’ve had no complaints about the Love Inspired Historical covers. I think they are great.

So my January book, Dakota Father, shows the little girl with the hero and heroine on the Dakota prairie. 

My March release shows a farmer/rancher and his little girl. It’s a very nice cover and does show the spirit of the story–an independent little girl and a father who loves her.

I’ve been asked to do a Thanksgiving novella to be released Oct. 2011. First I do a proposal–synopsis and first chapter. When it’s approved I can submit the complete manuscript. Again, you’d think it simply meant writing the story and sending it. Sort of. But first I do all the editing I can do. Make sure the story is sound. Try to eliminate repetition. Make sure I haven’t started something I didn’t finish. Then the boring stuff. I use a program called Autocrits that analyzes repeated words, poor sentence structure, etc.

I get a chart something like this:

Overused Words       Found       Suggestion

Could                        9               Remove about 3 occurrences

It’s an excellent process for me and makes me tighten my writing but oh, it is tedious.   My last step is Textaloud–a program that reads my story to me in a boring flat tone. It takes a great deal of concentration to follow word by word. But I always find things to change…sentences that need tightening, explanations that need fixing, etc. I have to make myself do it.

Then I print out the manuscript and take it to the courier. It is sitting at my elbow waiting for the trip tomorrow. That is if I can get out after the winter storm we are in the grip of.