Like me, Galen Rose has journeyed through many jobs before she finally arrived at her passion: writing. Today she talks about her writing and a her book, A Place to Rest My Heart. Welcome, Galen.
How would you describe your writing process? Do you outline? Let the muse lead you? Or something else?
There are times I swear my muse has taken an extended vacation in Tahiti, but for the most part I am a seat of the pants writer. I only do an outline when I get to the end. I don’t even write the synopsis until I am at the end. I just prefer to sit down, and let the story spill out.
Was there a scene that was more difficult than others? One that you pondered whether or not to include it? Talk about that.
The original first chapter was scrapped because it was seen as too dark. My main character was in such a dark place that she was considering suicide. A sensitive topic and not often touched on in romance novels. Although I removed it from the book, it helped to set the tone for just how lost Laney, the main character was and how much hope played a part in her future.
Is there an aspect of writing that you favor over others, e.g. dialogue, exposition, description of a scene, setting, or character, etc.? Is there one that is more difficult for you?
I enjoy writing action scenes, like the fight scenes in the book. I find it fun to map out the movement in my mind. I have stage combat experience and did fight and sword shows for a few years. This has made it easier to see the “dance” sequence in my mind. I can also ask a couple of fellow “fighters” to walk through the steps so I can see it.
When you get the edits back from your editor, how do you work through that process?
I get grumpy for a couple of days. I am probably far too attached to my work at first, making it difficult to let someone, anyone, critique it. But I re-read the editor notes a few times, and it will finally sink in and make sense. The editors I have worked with so far have been wonderful and open to hearing if I feel strongly about a certain point in the manuscript.
What kind of response do you get when you tell people you are an author?
Most of the time it is a very positive response. I don’t think I have received a negative response yet. Most men think it’s cool but immediately say they don’t read bodice busters. Of course I tell them that I don’t write bodice busters and that is a pretty antiquated way to view a romance novel. One response I received was, “Oh, you write porn?” Again, no, I do not. For all the amazing statistics on the sales of romance books, it still amazes me how plenty of people have no clue the different varieties of romance that are available. But I’m pretty quick to let them know what’s out there and offer a challenge to try reading something different. Who knows, they might like it!
A Place to Rest My Heart blurb:
Sean Muldoon knows trouble when he sees it, and he sees it in Laney Murphy the minute she passes out in his arms. He thinks she’s a con artist, and she thinks he’s just like everyone else, arrogant and judgmental.
Much to Sean’s dismay his family is determined to help Laney and he just doesn’t understand why. That is until he gets to know her and realize under her tough exterior beats a heart of gold.
A Place to Rest My Heart excerpt:
“Move, Ace. You’re in my way.”
“Sweetheart, I haven’t even begun to be in your way.” He leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. “I will not allow you to hurt Tommy or Molly, so why don’t you pack up your schemes and dreams and hit the road. You won’t get a penny from them. I’ll see to that.”
I have never been known for having an even temper but I’ve worked hard to keep it under control, but not this time.
“Look, asshole, I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. You’re delusional if you
think I have any intention of taking a dime from Tommy that I haven’t earned. I pay my way!”
“Sure you do. I ran your fingerprints, darlin’, right off your juice glass from this morning.
You’ve got a nice background there, Laney. Pandering? Breaking and entering? Those are great
ways to pay your way, huh? You got a scam to bilk Tommy, but you might as well hit the road
running, babe,” He smiled, acting quite pleased with himself. “Tommy and Molly all too often
fall for the sob story and feel sorry for the strays that come along.”
I felt that to my core. Stray? Felt sorry for me? The last thing I needed was anyone’s pity.
But right at the moment the only thing I felt was the need to strike back at Sean. “Stray, huh? “Weren’t you a stray too? They feel sorry for you then? Take you in on pity?” I saw his jaw tighten and knew I’d scored.
“Leave now and I won’t tell them your plans to take them for a ride,” he growled.
“My plans? You’re so sure about my plans, huh? Wow, you sure are smart, Sean Michael Muldoon. You ran my fingerprints and so now you know my whole life story in one fell swoop? Look, you arrogant ass, you have no idea what my life has been like and a couple of knocks on a police sheet only tells you what your narrow-minded brain wants to hear. But for your parents’ sake, I’ll go and save you the trouble of making a fool out of yourself.”
I tossed the case of champagne at him. He let out a curse, as he lunged to catch the box and I shoved him hard when I went through the doorway. I heard him hit the shelves, rattling bottles and swearing a blue streak. I heard the case of champagne hit the floor with a thud and the sound of breaking glass.
I know I could have done worse and to this day I still have no idea why I didn’t kick him in the nuts, or flat out deck him. I should have done something other than leave. I wanted to do
anything other than leave, but I couldn’t bear having to own up to some of the missteps I had made long ago.
About the Author:
Galen Rose lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains and is an avid cook, gardener and traveler. Over the years, she has repaired bikes, been a telephone solicitor, a day care aide, managed the order department of a family law publishing firm and for nine years ran her own on-line Celtic jewelry and gifts store. Oh, and you can add in wife and stay-at-home-mom too. A Jill of many trades but not one true color for her parachute, until the day she really sat down to write and kept on writing and hasn’t stopped.
A Place to Rest My Heart is available at:
Visit Galen at:
Blog – http://www.galenrose.com/
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Twitter – https://twitter.com/GalenRose1
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6423084.Galen_Rose