Monday, February 6, 2023

The sun rises on the Wyoming sunrise series -- And Subplots

 

Forged in Love releases THIS MONTH.

Today will be 

The first ever in the known universe giveaway of

Forged in Love!

It releases February 28th. So just BARELY this month. But if I get my books and GET MOVING I might get the winner of my drawing, the book before it releases!!!

Forged in Love


Forged in Love!

When sparks begin to fly, can a friendship cast in iron be shaped into something more?

Mariah Stover is left for dead and with no memory when the Deadeye Gang robs the stagecoach she's riding in, killing both her father and brother. As she takes over her father's blacksmith shop and tries to move forward, she soon finds herself in jeopardy and wondering--does someone know she witnessed the robbery and is still alive?

Handsome and polished Clint Roberts escaped to western Wyoming, leaving his painful memories behind. Hoping for a fresh start, he opens a diner where he creates fine dishes, but is met with harsh resistance from the townsfolk, who prefer to stick to their old ways.

Clint and Mariah are drawn together by the trials they face in town, and Clint is determined to protect Mariah at all costs when danger descends upon her home. As threats pursue them from every side, will they survive to build a life forged in love?

Leave a comment to get your name in the drawing for a signed copy of Forged in Love

I'm writing, always working on what comes next, of course, and I am having an interesting experience as I write this future, as-yet untitled book.

I was quite a way into it when I realized I hadn't been developing the subplots I needed.

I blame this on Erica, because we found a place halfway between our houses and met there for a writer's retreat. She brings out the best in me, word count-wise. Not sure why, especially considering how much time we spend talking, but I always do well writing with Erica.

BUT I blame her because I was just starting a book and really pushing for word count, and also really setting up the opening action and such, all those first things, and I just powered through ten thousand words in four days. But it was straight forward. Then, since I really got rolling, I just kept on with it.

Full speed ahead. Then about five? Days ago I realized i wasn't weaving in the subplots I needed. 

So now I'm at TWENTY THOUSAND WORDS and yikes. Gotta go back.

So here's the part that's an interesting experience. I'm finding the subplot more compelling than the main plot. And I'm sort of USING that fact to push myself hard with the main plot to keep it entertaining. It's fun. And I'm delighted my subplot is weaving in nicely and is going to be really cool.

I HOPE.

So do you put subplots in your books? Tell me how you weave them in. Are they just secondary characters right there with your main characters? Or, as if my case, is the subplot, characters introduced in book one and now those folks are having their trouble where they are and my main characters have left and are having trouble elsewhere.

Tell me about subplots. (or just say HI!) And maybe win a book!

29 comments:

  1. Hi Mary, good to hear from you. Subplots and secondary characters are my bread and butter and always spin off into another book in the series. I swear I couldn't write a stand-alone to save my life. It's my own fault because I make friends with my secondary characters really fast, and I'm always thinking "What if."
    I tend to go with secondary characters that have their own adventures in the next book, but leave enough of an imprint in somebody else's book that it's common sense I give them their own adventure. That's what happened with "Redemption's Hope," when Jenny Thatcher was a secondary in "Westward Hope" and "Settlers Hope." By the third book, she was screaming for me to tell her story.
    The key for me is taking the "long view" with secondary characters and not treating them like window dressing, while avoiding going into a full Charles Dickens rampage with secondary, minor and walk-ons everywhere you look.
    Good post Mare.
    Kathy Bailey
    Your Kaybee
    Majoring in the minors in New Hampshire

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    1. Love this, Kathy. Yes, I like to have secondary characters have their own story later. that's my usual series set-up

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  2. I live all your books!

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  3. Mary, I am looking forward to your new series. Please put me in the drawing. In my book about the tornado, I have several main characters whose stories weave together. But I have also included some secondary characters who I hope to put in future books in the series. I don't know if I really have subplots, though.

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    1. I love interwoven characters like that, Sandy. We might mean the same thing but be using different terms.

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  4. i believe i have read every book, you have written , and love them all. Can't wait to start this series. Thank you so much for all your wonderful books. Keep it coming

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    1. Hi Anonymous. Come and check in on the weekend edition to find out if you've won

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  5. I love wonderfully woven subplots and connections that you aren't expecting as a reader! Thank you so much for sharing your talents and gifts so we can all enjoy new places, new adventures, and wonderful inspiration!

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    1. Thanks, Kathleen. I've read several books lately with like....two stories in one book. It struck me as interesting and strange. Two not all that complex stories, both resolved.

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  6. Hi Mary! This new book of yours sounds like a winner, but then of course it is because all of your books are so much fun to read. I have an introverted, people watcher, empath sort of personality so I love to write secondary characters. In an either or situation such as go out and socialize or sit home and creat plots with imaginary people. No contest!

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    1. Aw, amie, thanks. I'm an introvert myself. I totally relate to the ground hog going back underground for six weeks.

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  7. Mary, sounds like a great story! Great that you and Erica have found a way to connect and write! Sounds like you're writing this current story differently than usual. Do you normally write your stories in the same way, or is each one written in a different way? Like for this one, sounds like the subplot is getting put in later. In other stories, did you know more about a character than you did where the story was going, or in another story know more about what some of the action scenes were going to be but not so much who the characters were yet? Or do you have everything planned out from the beginning and just start writing?

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    1. Sally I've gone back and woven the subplot it. It's only different because I didn't think to do that from the beginning, which was not usual. But I've caught the subplot up to the main plot now and will continue in a more normal method. If writing is EVER normal!!!

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  8. I especially love it when a subplot spawns a novella later!

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    1. Leah, I haven't written a novella i a while. i miss those simpler stories!

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  9. I’m so excited to read this book!

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  10. I love good subplots because it usually means a next book. More books, more happy! :P Sometimes, I when I am writing the subplots just show themselves and other times, I have to be very intentional. The life of a pantser! Can't wait to read Forged in Love, Mary!

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    1. I like the way you put this Gena. They just happen...or they have to be more intentional. Nice.

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  11. Congrats on this series, Mary, and all the wonderful subplots! Love Inspired stories are shorter so we don't have much room for involved subplots. Although that doesn't mean that we don't weave some secondary characters into the plot and have their lives change within the pages.

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    1. The subplots do add to the word count Which is helpful in longer books.

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  12. Yay! A new series from Mary!

    I love watching subplots develop. I often write the first 20K without subplots - just getting the main plot line started. But when I go back to add depth to the story, I add interesting side characters and the subplots start to pop up. When I discover one I love, I go back to the beginning of the story and weave it in.

    Looking forward to reading your new book!!!

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  13. Good to hear there's a new Connealy series on the horizon, Mary!

    My writing style is so haphazard, I can't give you a definitive answer about the subplots that would remain consistent, LOL. I've notice lately that when a new character enters the scene and they intrigue me enough to find a way to use them, I tend to go back to the age-old device "Why?" to get their story.

    Truth be told, secondary characters are much easier to work with for me. They aren't shy, they're determined to keep their place in the novel, and they'll spill all secrets just to keep their foot in the game.

    Audra, the Anonymous

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  14. Hi Mary, I'm excited that we have a new Mary Connealy book to look forward to! I love the subplots that develop into another book of a series!

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  15. I would love to be entered to win this book! Super excited for this new series.

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  16. I wish I was to the point where I could write subplots! That's too advanced for me. But all the best books have them, so I guess I should start learning how to do them. Maybe I'll try in my next story...

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  17. Looking forward to reading this!

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