Candy Hearts Author Judy Davis Visits

Today I’ve got Candy Hearts Romance author JUDY ANN DAVIS, author of SWEET KISS with me, talking about how she “digs up” ideas for her writing. Judy began her career in writing as a copy and continuity writer for radio and television in Scranton, PA. She holds a degree in Journalism and Communications and has written for industry and education throughout her career.

Over a dozen of her short stories have appeared in various literary and small magazines, and anthologies, and have received numerous awards.

When Judy Ann is not behind a computer, you can find her looking for anything humorous to make her laugh or swinging a golf club where the chuckles are few.

She is a member of Pennwriters, Inc. and Romance Writers of America, and lives with her husband in Central PA.

AT the end of the blog is a link to enter the WILD ROSE PRESS RAFFLECTOPTER for a chance to win a KINDLE FIRE.

Here’s Judy:

                         Digging Up Story Ideas

One of the many questions people ask when they know I‘m a writer is: How do writers come up with a story ideas? Ideas abound all over and are all around us. They spring from various sources such as our dreams, books and newspapers we’ve read, movies we’ve seen, television shows and current events we’ve watched, and writing groups we belong to. But many writers find that their own experiences and people watching are two of the best ways to get inspiration.

In “Sweet Kiss,” my novella for The Wild Rose Press “Candy Heart Romance” series, the first thing I chose, after selecting the title “Sweet Kiss,” was the setting. Where do I want my characters to live and work and play? I knew I wanted the hero to be a marina owner, and I knew I wanted the heroine to be a small business, coffee shop owner. Because I’m familiar with New Smyrna Beach in Florida, a small town below Daytona Beach on the west coast, I decided to fashion my town after it and call my fictitious town, “Little Heron Shores.”

Let me add that I personally love to write romance with a touch of mystery—and if possible, a little comedy, at least in the dialogue. I believe humor keeps the storyline from falling flat. And who doesn’t like to chuckle or laugh?

Knowing that I wanted some comedy, I decided a quirky and ditzy post mistress called Eva May Poole would be my so-called “villainess” who could mix the plot, hound the hero as she searched for a third husband, and aggravate the main character, Kate Clark. I also decided Kate would need to have a prior relationship with—or prior connection to—Tappe Vanderberg, the hunky Dutch hero. Also, they would have had to share a “sweet kiss” when they were high school sweethearts.

And thus, the story begins to take flight inside what we call the bizarre brain of the writer. After laying the foundation, I usually let my characters do some talking and walking on their own…unless they get overzealous. Then, I sit down and outline to rein them in.

I’ll end with this. For those who want to try writing piece of fiction, just do it. One of my favorite authors, who could spin a tightly-written, clean and interesting tale, was Louis L’Amour. His advice to those who want to write was: “Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”

Sweet Kiss ( A CandyHearts Romance)

Blurb

Hard-working Kate Clark opens a thriving coffee shop that quickly becomes the local hang-out for students and the community. Her one wish is to eventually buy out her sister’s share of the old Florida home they inherited. However, Violet is in desperate need of cash and has other plans.

Tappe Vanderberg, Kate’s childhood friend and high school sweetheart, has sold his lucrative internet security business to return to Little Heron Shores and fulfill his dreams of owning a marina. Now the handsome Dutch-born businessman is making waves with single women all over town—including loony, post mistress Eva May Poole who’s in search of husband number three.

But it’s Kate Clark who’s wreaking havoc with Tappe’s heart, not Eva May. Can he find a way to shake the dingbat post mistress and convince Kate to give him a second chance and the sweet kiss he remembers from an earlier time?

Excerpt:

Tappe picked up the grimy jar of candy hearts. “No way! I can’t believe Fay saved your candy hearts.” He twisted off the lid and shook one into his hand.

“Neither can I. Don’t you dare put that into your mouth. Those candies are over a decade old!”

“So? Sugar doesn’t spoil.”

“Okay, go ahead. Eat it. Poison yourself. Why should I care?” Kate said drily. “Just don’t call me in the middle of the night.” With a shake of her head, she turned back to the stove, took out a cold plate from the freezer, and plopped a teaspoon of the liquid from the bubbling pot on it, then ran a finger through the mixture to see if the jam stayed parted and stable, refusing to run together. She removed the pot from the stove, set it on the table, and started filling the pint and half-pint jars.

“You don’t mean that.” He dropped the candy back into the jar, and came up behind her. He started nuzzling her on the side of her neck.

“Do you realize I’m working with hot liquids?” She tried to be stern as she squirmed away still holding the hot pot. She could never quite pull off reprimanding

Tappe, especially when he was on a roll. And he was on a roll.

“Not as hot as you are. Want to make out?”

Kate looked at him askance. “Now? Here? Are you sane?”

“Yes, I’m fairly lucid. But if your answer is a no to making out, then can I lick the pot instead?”

“If you promise to quit licking my neck.”

Buy Links:

Amazon     Wild Rose press

My review of SWEET KISS is here:

Find Judy here:

Website/   Blog/   Facebook Author Page

Twitter /  Goodreads/ The Wild Rose Press/

Amazon Author Page /  Newsletter FB Page

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