Jessie: Pulling on a sweater because the temperatures have turned chilly overnight!
I couldn’t be more pleased to host Anna on the Wickeds today. Her books are delightful as is she. She has a giveaway for a randomly selected commentor so be sure to say hello! Take it away, Anna!
Set in my Ways
It is a truth universally acknowledged that the moment an author believes they have their writing process down to a science, they will be delivered a smackdown in spectacular fashion. This happened to me not once, but twice over the following two years.
In the first instance, I’d somewhat anticipated it. My publisher had asked me to write a historical fiction novel (my first without a mystery) set mainly on the Titanic. In agreeing to take on the challenge, I’d known that I would have to plot far more tightly than my normal loosey-goosey style. I would also have to weave together essentially three plot lines—the known and largely fixed timeline of the events on the Titanic; the known and slightly more flexible movements of my main real-life protagonists; and the story which would connect and make some sense of it all. It was a task that proved to be daunting, but I was ultimately pleased with how it turned out for Sisters of Fortune.
However, once that book was turned in, I thought I could safely go back to business as usual in writing my historical mysteries.
Wrong again.
The trouble was, for my next Verity Kent Mystery novel I’d chosen yet another intricate, timeline restrictive event in history—the Irish Revolution. Of course, when I first chose to send my protagonist to Dublin during the height of the conflict, I didn’t fully appreciate how fascinating and complex the revolution was, or how controversial the subject still proves to be today. As such, I became determined to get it right, or as close to “right” as one can ever be about such a divisive historical event.
This meant once again rethinking my method of plotting. Rather than merely absorbing my research texts and making notes of things I thought would be most crucial for me to include, I instead had to make a detailed timeline of all the events. This timeline included not only stark facts from history books and newspapers, but also notes from memoirs and journals on both sides of the conflict, which included their thoughts and impressions. I also included reference memos, so I could return to the original text while I was writing the novel if I needed more details. Once this laborious task was complete, then I could begin scripting the narrative.
At first, I found myself incredibly irritated by the extra time and effort this method of plotting cost me, but later I discovered it to be well worth it. Because I had everything laid out cohesively in one place where I could easily find it, I could not only write faster, but I also noticed connections that I might not have otherwise. This richened the story and deepened the conflicts.
Furthermore, as I intend to write a trilogy of Verity Kent Mysteries set in Dublin during the Irish Revolution (Books 7, 8, and 9 within the larger series), I already have a framework to build off of. I suppose proving that sometimes growth and adaptability are worthwhile after all, even when, at first, we kick and scream against them. 😊
Readers, is there any method, process, or routine that, to your everlasting annoyance, you’ve been forced to change? Did it prove to be worth it in the end or not?
I’ll randomly select one commenter and send you an autographed copy of my latest book—The Cold Light of Day, Verity Kent Book 7. (Giveaway ends 9/23/24 at 11:59pm ET. US only, please.)
Many thanks to Jessie and all the Wickeds for hosting me! Wishing you all a fabulous day!
Anna Lee Huber is the USA Today bestselling and Daphne award-winning author of more than twenty novels, including the Lady Darby Mysteries and the Verity Kent Mysteries, as well as Sisters of Fortune: A Novel of the Titanic. She currently resides in Indiana with her family. Visit her online at www.annaleehuber.com.
The Cold Light of Day, Verity Kent Book 7
The latest novel in the action-packed historical mystery series featuring Verity Kent, fashionable former Secret Service agent turned intrepid sleuth and high-society darling on her next clandestine mission—from the USA Today bestselling author of the Lady Darby Mysteries. A treat for fans of Jacqueline Winspear and Susan Ella MacNeal.
June 1920, Ireland: The streets of Dublin seethe with revolution as the Irish Republican Army clashes with British authorities. Roving assassination squads mean nowhere is truly safe, particularly for Verity Kent and her war hero husband, Sidney. Given their celebrity as society darlings and intrepid sleuths, they must tread carefully to go unnoticed—nearly impossible when they are called upon to search for Verity’s fellow spy and friend . . .
Captain Alec Xavier has seemingly vanished after traveling to Dublin to infiltrate the IRA at its highest levels. Doing her best to maintain a modicum of normalcy and stay under the radar of both the rebels and British Intelligence, Verity works undercover by day and waltzes through the city’s elite social scene by night. Still, she fears the worst for Alec—until shocking evidence mounts that not only is he alive, but that he has switched sides . . .
Already disillusioned with the British government, the news leaves Verity and Sidney reeling. Worse, they learn of a conspiracy within Dublin Castle, where personal vendettas are being carried out and sanctioned by British Intelligence under the cover of revolution. With the distinction between friend and foe never more blurred—or the margin for error narrower—Verity and Sidney cannot turn a blind eye. Especially when a familiar adversary appears, bringing a threat almost too terrifying to confront—even in the cold light of day . . .
https://www.annaleehuber.com/books.php#the_cold_light_of_day
The Wickeds 
Welcome, Anna Lee! That kind of plotting is daunting, but it paid off for you. By nature I am a very minimal, three-scenes-ahead plotter, but my editor asks for a synopsis of the next book before I start writing it. I grumble and gnash and whine (to myself) while I’m writing it, but having that plan does come in handy if (when) I find myself a little bit stuck as I write.
LikeLike
Our editors always seem to know what we’ll need, even when we’d like to deny it. lol!
LikeLike
Our editors always know what we need, even when we’d like to disagree. lol!
LikeLike
I remember when we got a new computer system at work. Despite lots of training it was quite daunting to actually switch over to the new system and use it. In the long run it was a much better system and easier to navigate.
LikeLike
Oh, yes! That’s a good one. Sort of like every time Microsoft comes out with a new version of Office. I drag my feet about updating in case I won’t like it. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh yes! That’s a good one. Sort of like when Microsoft sends an Office update. I always drag my heels about updating in case I won’t like the changes. lol!
LikeLike
The first personal thing that comes to mind would be the one concerning my mom. For years, I told folks my job was helping and taking care of my folks. Living 40 miles apart, I use to go to town once during the week and then we both went on the weekend. As years went by, the number of trips during the week increased to 3 days a week and then both on the weekends. After my dad died, is when it became every day. It meant maintaining the inside and outside of two homes. After working all day at mom’s, I’d come home to do it all over again. After mom had cancer surgery and what appeared to be the onset of Alzheimer, she came to stay with us on what she stated was temporary. We were able to convince her to finally sell and just remain with us. We had always made preparation for my folks to possible move beside us, but hadn’t given thought to them living with us. Adjusting to not having our home to ourselves was a big adjustment. Things had to become more regimented with meals on time, getting up and going to bed had different routines and may other adjustments. Although rough at times, I won’t change a thing. Having mom here gave me more time to spend with her and less time riding the interstate. Even going through the rough battle of Alzheimer, I won’t take for a moment of it. I cherish the time we had with both my parents and the time of mom living with us. My advice is don’t take your loved ones for granted because they may just not be around one day. Then you can miss them the rest of your life while you treasure your memories.
Also, not being technology challenged, every time we have computer problems, which always means a new computer is in our future, the idea of change terrifies me. Having finally learned the old computer means I was able to do what I needed to with no problems. I just went through the steps to get what I wanted done that I had memorized. Then wham, it’s all Greek again to me. Nothing is the same. They had to go new and improve it on me. If not for hubby’s help, I’d never get it. I’m definitely not a read and learn person. I’m more of a show me over and over and then it finally sticks. It usually proved out that the change was a good one, with many more advantages than the old one. I will finally get the new steps memorized and be off and running – eventually.
Thank you for the fabulous chance to win a copy of THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY! Love the cover, which is not only eye catcher beautiful, but it also tells the the era this book is wrote in, which is my favorite. It’s on my TBR list and I can’t wait for the opportunity to read and review it.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
LikeLike
That is great advice about cherishing the time we have with loved ones despite the aches of adjustment. I’m glad you were able to be there for your parents in all those many ways.
And thank you for your excitement about The Cold Light of Day! I hope you love it.
LikeLike
I am so excited for the new Verity. After 3 years of retirement, I’ve pretty much kicked all of my well honed organizational skills that kept me at the top of my game in the legal field. I’m not sure that’s a good thing.
LikeLike
Thank you! lol! It is rather easy to let that stuff go when we don’t have to use it. 🙂
LikeLike
Welcome, Anna! The book sounds fascinating.
Like Edith, I tend to plot three scenes ahead. But the last book I wrote in my Homefront Mysteries series overturned all of that as I wrote the end, then the beginning, then had to stitch it all together.
LikeLike
I’m always fascinated by authors who don’t write their books in a linear fashion. I know some who write a scene here and then a scene here and then have to wrangle it all together. Though, your most recent doing this was in miniature. 🙂
LikeLike
I did have a process at work that changed a couple of years ago. But I was thrilled because it actually made things much much easier. (No need to enter me in the giveaway.)
LikeLike
It does make it easier when it’s something we want to change, doesn’t it. 🙂
LikeLike
My limited experience writing historical mysteries has been a cycle/spiral type of development: idea – research – more ideas – more research – weeding out failed or dead-end threads as a result of research – more research – more ideas, etc. It feels a bit like traveling down Dorothy’s Yellow Brick Road ( ;
I enjoyed this post (and loved the photos). Thank you.
LikeLike
Ha! I like that analogy.
LikeLike
I had to change my routine when I retired. I was going to work at 2 AM, so I was getting up at midnight. It was harder than I thought it would be to sleep to a normal person’s time. Now, I’m going to bed at midnight.
LikeLike
Wow! That is a major change!
LikeLike
Hello Anna Lee! I love your historical mystery books, and just bought the Kindle & audible version of SISTERSOF FORTUNE, which I am so looking forward to enjoying! Your next Verity Kent adventure also sounds incredibly fascinating and intriguing, especially after all the research you have to do! As to changes…After I retired, I joined a group of businesses that met at 6AM about an hour away from my home, so that meant getting up at around 4 AM to attend their breakfast meeting…all this so that I could get business from the members and grow my new travel business. As it turns out, after a year, all the early rises and payment of fees and breakfasts did not even produce enough business in return, so I discontinued my membership…I was able to get even more business from outside sources who were indeed buyers instead of “browsers” like the members in that organization who made me do so much research, but then they did not buy anything. I am happy to rise at 5:30AM and do hour exercises and read my emails including The Wickeds and author newsletters every day while on my elliptical! JOY! Luis at ole dot travel
LikeLike
Thank you so much!!!
And yikes! To go through all that and not get even a return on investment. We definitely live and learn. Glad you’ve found better resources and uses of your valuable morning time. 🙂
LikeLike
You are the randomly selected winner of my giveaway! Please message me at info @ annaleehuber.com (email broken up in this post to avoid bots. 🙂 ) to claim your prize and I’ll mail you an autographed copy of The Cold Light of Day. Cheers!
LikeLike
I had to add working out to my schedule. I really hate exercising, but it does seem to be beneficial.
I love the historical details in your books. I feel like I learn so much. I can’t wait to see Verity and Sidney again!
LikeLike
Hi Anna Lee. I loved meeting you earlier this year in Perrysburg, Ohio. Thank you for coming to the book signing. I have learned to live with my disability. It is hard not being able to walk on my own without a walker. I can no longer walk long distances or stand for long periods of time. I have been blessed to be able to obtain an electric wheelchair to get around. It is still hard when you encounter people who are not considerate or are not watching where they are going. I am still working on that issue of acceptance. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
LikeLike
Thank you!!! That event was a lot of fun. 🙂
That is certainly an adjustment. And you’re right. I feel like we all could be a little more considerate and understanding of others’ situations. God bless you, too!
LikeLike
I am trying to downsize so that is an interesting project. I do a little at a time so it taking time. I do like being organized and I have collected lots of stuff so that is a major change for me. Thank you Deborah
LikeLike
This is something I’m working on in our house, too. Especially with my girls’ toys. They’ve outgrown a number of them.
LikeLike
I have some organizational projects I am working on, and I have tried to learn new ways to be more efficient. It has been difficult, but I feel in the long run it will be worth it.
LikeLike
I’m sure the effort will! Thanks for commenting!
LikeLike
I am really looking forward to reading this most recent book. I always enjoy your writing. Your characters are very well drawn and the sense of place is very realistic.
LikeLike
I adore Anna’s novels!
LikeLike
now that Jacqueline Winspear has published her final Maisie Dobbs book, I am so glad to see that Verity Kent continues.
LikeLike
It always seems like we are in such a rush, hurrying here and there, but we must never forget our parents. One day you will look up and they will be gone and what you wouldn’t give for one more conversation, one more shopping trip. Make time to cherish the memories and you will be glad you did.
LikeLike