Greetings, readers! Today I am welcoming author Kim Cox to The Indie Spot. Kim is sharing some of her experiences as a writer—in her own words! Take it away, Kim…
My Writing Style
Writing Techniques
I don’t think I have any writing techniques. I don’t do any of the things good writers should or are supposed to do. I don’t write every day, don’t set a certain time to write. If there is a certain time, it’s late at night. I seem to be more creative at night, and I’m not a morning person anyway. That may come from working third shift for a while when I was younger.
I don’t have a space where I write. I used to but my home office went away when we made it into a bedroom for my mother-in-law. I think we’d planned to put a smaller desk in my library but my husband is a bit of a pack rat. That room is full of boxes stored with who knows what. Plus, I needed more shelves that my hubby never got a chance to build. Maybe one day I’ll get that space back. But I don’t let it stop me; I write from my recliner in front of the television.
I find that sometimes it takes me a while to get started but once I get started and the muse starts to flow, I also have a hard time stopping. Work gets in the way since I have to get up early. It’s hard for a night person to work days. I’m hoping to retire next year and that won’t be a problem.
Research Techniques
I don’t write the type of books where I need to do a lot of research. Basically, I mainly research places or areas. I do have one book in process that’s set during World War II. I researched that era a long time ago where I published articles for a writer’s resource site. The idea for the site was to have articles on all types of different things from guns and petticoats. My articles were on the World War I and World War II eras. You can find these articles on my website at kimcoxauthor.com.
Anyway, when I’m writing, I mark it on the manuscript where I need to research. I try not to stop when I’m writing the first draft or I’ll lose my flow. Either before or after the second edit, I’ll do the research.
I normally make my towns fictitious but based on actual towns. See the blog article on locations.
To Outline or Not to Outline
No, I don’t normally outline. I did with BEFORE WE WED. I did a brief chapter by chapter outline and it’s the only book I’ve ever done that with—about three-quarters of the way done, I had my first bout with writer’s block. I knew where I was and where I wanted to end but not what to do between. It was getting long and needed to end but there was so much more that would go between where I was and THE END.
It was the first and probably the last time I outline. I normally start writing and around chapter three, I stop and do a short synopsis. I tend to lose interest if I know too much about where I’m going.
Listen to Music or Not When Writing
No. I do have noise going in the background. Sometimes it’s music from the CMT station but usually it’s a television show that I rewind once I’m done writing. I’m a very focused person, so the television doesn’t bother me when I’m writing.
Find Pictures of Your Characters
Yes. But not right away. Usually about the tenth time of having to go back and look for hair or eye color that I decide to find pictures. I have a Character Info file for both of my series. You can also find a Series Casting Board for both on my Pinterest group at https://www.pinterest.com/kimwrtr. Also see my blog article on Hollywood Character casting.
Prefer Writing Single Novels or a Series
I like writing both but only recently started creating series. I have found it easier to jump on the next book when I’m writing a series. I have two series started. One is a romantic suspense series and the other is a paranormal mystery series. The romantic suspense will have at least three books (has 2 now) and the paranormal mystery will have about eight (has 4 now). I also have a few standalone novels started, and I hope to release one the end of this year and one or two more next year, along with book 3 of the romantic suspense series.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Just as Sarah Martin and Jon Clayton say their vows, the police crash the wedding to arrest the groom. Jon is terrified and Sarah is heartbroken. Thankfully, their friends support them emotionally and help find Jon an excellent attorney.
When evidence of John’s guilt is found, he swears he’s innocent. But how can he prove it? As if an arrest and pending trial aren’t bad enough, his ex-wife refuses to let him near their seven-year-old son, and has their shared custody agreement rescinded as part of his bail agreement. But when Jon Jon is injured, Jon breaks the agreement and his bail is revoked.
Sarah sees strange men in Jon’s business one night. One follows her home and attacks her. When Jon finds out, he pushes her way to protect her, but it doesn’t deter her loyalty to him or the attacker’s determination to killer her. Will the enemy get to her?
Is Jon truly innocent, and does he have no idea how the damaging evidence found its way into his business? Are there more sinister people involved? Will Sarah find the evidence she needs to clear him, or will she find out he’s fooled them all? If someone else is framing Jon, who is it and what are their motives?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
An author of Mystery, Suspense, Paranormal, and Romance, Kim Cox lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with her chainsaw artist husband, their West Highland White Terriers, (Scooter and Harley) and an adopted Yorkie/Maltese mix (Candi). She’s also a mother and grandmother.
Kim is published in novels, short stories and articles. Her published works consist of Romantic Suspense Novels, a Paranormal Mystery series, and short stories.
Besides writing, cover design, and publishing, Kim presently works a full-time position outside the home as MIS Specialist for a Workforce Development company.
She is a graduate of Writer’s Digest’s Writing to Sell Fiction and NRI’s Fiction Writing, and has associate degrees in the fields of Office Systems Technology and Web Technologies.
Go to Kim’s Readers List and visit her at the following sites:
Website: http://www.kimcoxauthor.com
Blogs: Kim’s Musings, Kim’s Author Support Page
Social Media locations:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimcoxauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KimCoxAuthor
Google: https://plus.google.com/+KimCoxAuthor/posts
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/kimcox
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kimwrtr/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimwrtr
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Kim is hosting a giveaway, where FIVE lucky winners will receive one of the following prizes: (1) ebook copy of “ALL THIS TIME” and a $10 Amazon Gift Card or (4) ebook copy of ALL THIS TIME.
“To enter Kim’s giveaway, simply leave a comment anywhere along the tour!”
“The tour sponsored by 4WillsPublishing.wordpress.com.”
Another great post, Kim. We each have our own space where we can shut out the world in order to create a different one. Thanks for hosting, Kim today, Beem.🐨
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Thank you, Sooz
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Oops, left out an “o” – trying again. Thank you, Soooz! 😀
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Thanks for visiting, Soooz!
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It is so interesting to me, the various ways writer’s approach writing. I don’t think I could write in front of the TV and I never write with music in the background. I get too easily distracted. I just finished Haunted Hearts and posted my review. I enjoyed the story and the introduction to Lana Malloy. I am also enjoying your blog tour, Kim! Thanks for hosting, Beem.
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I’m extremely focused to the point of not hearing what’s going on around me. If I get really into writing or watching a movie, it’s pretty hard to get my attention. I have worked in the same office with others and they would say, “Kim, did you hear what I said?” Of course I hadn’t. I always tell them to make sure they say my name first or I won’t hear them.
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Thank you, Jan!
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Thanks for stopping by, Jan. I’m with you. I cannot write with music or the TV going. I need silence. However, there were sections of Jazz Baby that I wrote while listening to old-school jazz down low. It fed the vibe I was trying to create.
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That makes perfect sense, Beem!
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I am really enjoying your blog tour, Kim! I always find it interesting to see how others write. We all have so many approaches to it! I’ve used Mozart if I get stuck that seems to help, but otherwise I do quiet better. I have never put pictures to the characters, might be something I might try. I’d be lost without my outline, even though I change it all the time 🙂 Fun eras you are writing and researching! Thank you for your hosting skills, Beem!
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Thank you, D. L. When I’ve gotten stuck writing, I have reverted back to writing long hand and that seemed to help me simply by slowing down the process.
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Thanks for the visit, D. L. I’m glad you stopped by!
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Great advice, Kim. Thanks for hosting, Beem
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Thanks, John!
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My pleasure.
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Thanks for the visit, Mr. Howell! Glad to see you’re back from jet-setting around the world!
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Not back yet. Still in Scotland.
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I love getting a glimpse of how other authors work. I sometimes will have instrumental music playing in the background when I write but anything else would distract me too much, especially TV. And for the first time (working on a WIP) I’ve started searching out photographs to match up with my various characters. That part is actually kind of fun 🙂
I’ve really been enjoying your tour, Kim. Your posts are so varied and interesting. Hope you’re having an awesome day.
Thanks for hosting Kim, Beem!
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Thank you, Mae! I meant say to someone else above. It’s fun to cast your characters to actors and actresses.
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Thanks for stopping by and contributing, Mae!
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Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.
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Thank you so much for hosting me this week, Beem! I appreciate the supprot.
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Errrrrrr,..I meant “support”
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The pleasure really is mine. I’ve enjoyed reading your post and the comments from those who stop by. Best wishes to you, Kim.
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Reblogged this on Words Can Inspire the World.
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Thanks for sharing, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Jennifer!
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Well I got a jump on things this time. I’m visiting right on time.lol
Hi Kim. Your posts are all so interesting. I have your books on my radar now. Good luck.
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Thank you, Shirley! Enjoy!
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Thank you for stopping by and showing your support, Shirley!
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Hi Kim! I write all over the house, too. Right now I’ve plopped down in my recliner and the hubby’s tv is blasting from his “man cave” (so much for taking my writing seriously). Beem’s questions were good ones and I enjoyed your answers! Continue to enjoy your week!
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Hi, Linda. So glad to see you’ve stopped by to support Kim today. I wish I could take credit for the questions, but those are all Kim’s. She just knows what readers might want to know!
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Thank you, Linda. My recliner is my favorite spot. 😀
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Fantastic blog tour, Kim! Thanks so much for sharing, and I wish you continued success.
Thanks for hosting, Beem, and for the warm welcome, as always. 🙂
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Thank you, Natalie!
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Thanks for showing your support for Kim, Natalie!
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I enjoyed learning about your writing process, Kim. I also keep photos of my characters as I’m inclined to forget their eye color! Silence is a must for me. I can’t write with any kind of distractions. Thanks for hosting, Beem.
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Thank you, Michelle! You just have to learn to tune it out. Of course my loss of hearing help these days too. But I’ve always been that way. I just focus so hard.
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Thanks for visiting, Michelle.
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Great to read more about your writing process and that you have a WIP that will be set in WWII. Hope the research for that is going well and I’ll certainly be looking out for it when it is published.
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Thank you, Gordon. It is one of the first books I ever started. It begins at or near the end of WWII in France and then moves to the United States. I titled it Shattered Hearts and added a short 4 line poem of sorts. I wrote something like (don’t have it here with me and it’s been a while):
The heart is like a mirror
When it breaks it shatters
To continue on in life
All you need is pick up the pieces
My critique partner said, “If you use a quote you need to cite the person who wrote it.” I said, “I wrote it.” 🙂
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I would go with that as part of the description tag. ‘The heart is like a mirror’ is great! You could always cite one of your characters as the person who said it.
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Reblogged this on shirleyharris-slaughter and commented:
I had to reblog this because I want to take a closer look at what you are discussing. Good luck Kim!
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Ha, ha, Kim! the writing rules don’t go well with me too. 🙂 I don’t observe any of them. I write only when I am moved to write, and I don’t when I have nothing to write about. To me, writing is a hobby, not a drudgery. It is something I take pleasure in doing, and not something that stresses me out. Enjoy your tour. Thank you, Beem, for hosting her.
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Thanks for contributing, Joy. I’m like you, I write when I am in the mood. I don’t force it.
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Thank you, Joy! And that’s the way it should be.
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Reblogged this on Rhani DChae and commented:
This is a great post by Indie author, Kim Cox. I had to share. 😀
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Thanks for the share! 😀
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GREAT post, Kim! I reblogged it.
Thanks, Beem, for hosting this stop.
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Thanks for stopping by, Rhani. I always appreciate finding your comments here.
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Thank you, Rhani!
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Another great post, Kim! Thanks so much for hosting, Beem!!
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Thank you, Mar!
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Thanks for stopping by to visit, Mar!
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Thank you, Beem, for hosting me this week. You’re much appreciated.
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This was truly my pleasure and honor, Kim. I am wishing you nothing but the best.
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Informative post, Kim! 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by and supporting Kim, Bette!
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Another great post!! It is interesting to note that we have almost identical writing habits. I write when i have something to say which can be every day or months in between and I don’t outline in the true sense of the word. God bless post its! It’s nice to know there’s another wacky writer up at 3 AM scribbling on a yellow legal pad or tablet–in bed!! Hey, whatever works right?
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Thanks for adding your two cents, Micki. I, too, am a fan of Post-It notes!
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Great post, Kimmy. I’m so excited about your new book and the covers are gorgeous. Hugs.
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Hi Kim,
That’s so cool of how you write without following the rules, but you’ve found your own path which works for you. Every writer has to find what works for them.
Beem – supprtive as ever!
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Thanks for stopping by, Wendy.
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Reblogged this on Stephen Geez Blog and commented:
Thoughts from the esteemed Kim Cox!
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