SAMANTHA: Hi everyone! Thank you to the Jungle Red writers for having me here today, I’m really looking forward to all of your questions and comments.
Last week, my new book He Started It was released. This is my second published book and the first one I wrote under contract. And it was
First, I had to write a synopsis for the book. My first question: What’s a synopsis?
I’ve been writing as a hobby for twenty years. My first published novel, My Lovely Wife, was actually the 12th novel I’ve written. I had never created a synopsis and never outlined my books. But I created a synopsis because that’s what I had to do. After some fine-tuning with my editor, I finally sat down the write the book.
It was terrible.
When I say terrible, I mean it was predictable. For a thriller, that’s a bad thing. It turns out that when I know all the twists in advance, I telegraph them in my writing. So what did we do?
We threw the book out. Yes, the whole book, the whole idea of the book. Everything.
At that point, my editor and I both agreed that writing a synopsis was not the way to go. I’m a pantser, meaning I write without an outline or any advance knowledge about the book. That’s how I’ve always written and it’s what works for me.
The good news: We were on the same page about this.
The bad news: I had three months to write a new book. Three!
Basically, this was me:
But I had to write the book, so I did. After some serious editing, He Started It is now a real book and it’s out in the world! If you have any questions about the book, or about the writing process, I’d love to answer them! I’d love to know what you think about thrillers that revolve around siblings. What do you like or not like about them? Do you prefer a different kind of thriller? I’d love to hear what you all think!
Book synopsis:
Beth, Portia, and Eddie Morgan haven't all been together in years. And for very good reasons—we'll get to those later. But when their wealthy grandfather dies and leaves a cryptic final message in his wake, the siblings and their respective partners must come together for a cross-country road trip to fulfill his final wish and—more importantly—secure their inheritance.
But time with your family can be tough. It is for everyone.
It's even harder when you're all keeping secrets and trying to forget a memory—a missing person, an act of revenge, the man in the black truck who won't stop following your car—and especially when at least one of you is a killer and there's a body in the trunk. Just to name a few reasons.
It's even harder when you're all keeping secrets and trying to forget a memory—a missing person, an act of revenge, the man in the black truck who won't stop following your car—and especially when at least one of you is a killer and there's a body in the trunk. Just to name a few reasons.
But money is a powerful motivator. It is for everyone.
AND HERE ARE A FEW WAYS TO GET IN TOUCH WITH SAMANTHA!
Website: www.samanthadowning.com
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Congrats on getting a book written in three months. That's quite an anceivement. Of course, there was the editing to do as well. I hope parts of the other book you wrote can be used in other things you write in the future.
ReplyDeleteAnd I've got to say, this book sounds intriguing.
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy the book (and I hope I never have to write one in three months again!)
DeleteSorry, that last comment was mine but my name didn't show up!
DeleteCongratulations on your new book, Samantha . . . I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been to have to write a whole new book in just three months! And now, I’m looking forward to meeting Beth, Portia, and Eddie . . . .
ReplyDeleteStories that revolve around siblings are okay . . . I like seeing the relationships [and families are often so complicated]. However, I do not like books about twins [especially good twin/bad twin ones] . . . .
Oh that’s interesting Joan, now I want to hear more about your twin comment
DeleteI just find twin stories disheartening, Lucy . . . most of the ones I’ve read seem to settle for an antagonistic relationship between the twins or they embrace a form of the good twin/bad twin plot. Of course, either scenario works as a dramatic device [which I realize is the whole idea for a mystery story] but neither comes close to being an accurate depiction of twin relationships . . . .
DeleteI find the whole idea of twins fascinating. Especially ones with different birthdays. But I wouldn't like that old good twin/evil twin thing either!
DeleteThank you so much! Interesting discussion about twins...I've never thought about writing about twins.
DeleteI don't think I'd like books about bad twins, either, and I'm not a twin!
DeleteJoan is an identical twin, My children are twins, one boy and one girl, I think that combination of twins would be easier to write more disparate stories. I like stories about siblings, I am an only child so I find them fascinating, since I have no experience with that relationship.
DeleteI completely understand what you mean about plotting. I know that if I know what's going to happen before I write it, I will be terminally bored. And if I'm bored writing it, you're for sure going to be bored reading it. Long live pantsers! Congratulations on sticking with the process that works for you.
ReplyDeleteSiblings offer so much richness for story. This book sounds like a winner.
Thank you so much! And I agree, long live the pantsers. I wouldn't have it any other way!
DeleteCongratulations on your newest book, Samantha, and on finding a process that works for you.
ReplyDeleteSibling stories? The interactions among siblings are complex and often multi-generational. Perfect fodder for a thriller.
Thank you so much! I agree about siblings...lots of material there for a thriller. There's so many directions the story can go.
DeleteOh my goodness, it sounds like a terrible process, but no matter how you did it—and I am sorry for the agony,—this book is astonishing – – I could not turn the pages fast enough. And then… Well, more I cannot say. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteWell wait, there’s more. I hate synopsis writing. It is terrible. It is the worst possible thing. And every time I have tried to write one, it’s so insanely bad! And of course, the final book is never anything like it. Gah.
Thank you so much Hank! And thank you for the wonderful blurb.
DeleteI completely agree about the synopsis, I hope to never have to write another one.
My complete pleasure! And with ya, sister.
DeleteSibling drama! Sounds like a great read already. Congratulations on succeeding as a pantser.
ReplyDeleteI write a "fluid" outline, write the first draft, then write the synopsis.
Thank you so much! That's a good idea to write the synopsis after the first draft. I think it's the only way I could do it.
DeleteI feel lucky that Crooked Lane doesn't ask me for a synopsis! I hate them too
DeleteCongrats on the book, Samantha. Three months? I consider myself a fast writer, but I cannot imagine. And as another pantser, I completely understand what you mean about "if I know the answer, I telegraph it." Been there, done that.
ReplyDeleteI think sibling relationships offer a lot for mysteries, but as Joan said, you have to avoid overused tropes.
Thank you! Yes, three months was really hard. Hopefully I'll never have to do that again. Lesson learned!
DeleteWow! I don't know how else to say it: you must really have guts! I think I would have been a quivering mess and never picked up pen and paper again. Obviously your editor knew there was gold in there somewhere. Congrats to you both!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I admit, my confidence took a huge hit. That will stay with me for a long, long time!
DeleteA whole book in 90 days? my goodness, did you sleep? Until I came to this blog I never new that there were plotters and pantsters. Too bad they don't teach this in school.
ReplyDeleteCombining Joan's comments about twins while thinking about thrillers brings to mind a new novel, The Bobbsey twins find a body. It could work.
Yes, a whole book in 90 days. No choice, actually, I had to get it done and make it the best I could! I hope to never have to do that again, it was so difficult.
DeleteAh the dreaded synopsis. I've written them but I never follow them, and my editors have never noticed. It's like a test they give you... and then you have permission to move on. Congratulations, Samantha. But three months? Seriously?? And thrillers are thick and complicated. I am in awe.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Hallie! Yes, it was really difficult. I wish I knew that trick about writing a synopsis and not following it :) I did follow it, and it didn't turn out well. Hopefully, I won't have to do that again.
DeleteYes, Hallie and have the same publisher. A synopsis is always required, and they are always terrible!! I try not to write more than a page, and keep it to characters and setting with not much plot!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your book, Samantha! What an ordeal that must have been!!
Ugh. Making you write a synopsis sounds too much like the teacher requiring an outline for a report. I think stories revolving around siblings can be complex and interesting. Think about it. If you're close in age you probably know all the stupid things your sibling(s) did when young. You can work as a team or you can try to ignore one another, but because there is a family connection it is almost impossible to cut ties.
ReplyDeleteI thank God I've only had to write a few synopses for my publisher, always when I was up for a new contract. The first time I came up with a sparkling idea that turned out to have nothing whatsover to do with the book I eventually wrote. The second time, I pretty much gave them the book's blurb, complete with ending it on "Can they find the killer before he strikes again?" :-D
ReplyDeleteMeant to add my congratulations as well, Samantha. If I had to write a book in three months I'd probably just fling myself into the river. So it's amazing to me - and then to have Booklist say it's "impossible to put down"! Kudos.
DeleteJulia, that's how I end mine, lol!
DeleteSamantha, welcome to Jungle Reds! And Congratulations!!! I am surprised by how young you are. For some reason, I think of authors as being older than we are.
ReplyDeleteDid you start writing stories when you were in kindergarten? In the 5th grade, I remember writing stories and I did not use an outline. I think children's mysteries like Nancy Drew novels were written with outlines?
To answer your question, I have to come clean. Although I am Not a fan of Thrillers as a genre, I always enjoy psychological thrillers by Louise Penny. I find myself reading a few thrillers and liking them to my surprise. Some thrillers are too dark for me.
Cozy mysteries are more to my cup of tea.
Your book sounds intriguing and I look forward to reading your novel.
Diana
Thank you so much! I did write stories as a kid, the first one I remember writing was about a missing golden ring. Even then, I must have liked mysteries and thrillers. Everyone in my family read thrillers so I as I was growing up, they were always around.
DeleteGlad you knew to regroup and work the way that works for you.
ReplyDeleteA question. "Basically, this was me: "
Is something supposed to be there? Or we supposed to provide our own ideas of what fits?
Yes, the picture was in the wrong place! That should have been followed by the picture of the woman covering her face.
DeleteCongrats, Samantha! The was a hard lesson in figuring out your process. I'm a plotter so I can't imagine not having a map, but given the buzz this book's been getting, you're process is a winning one! I have your book on my TBR and can't wait to dive in! Love stories centered around siblings, inheritance, and a mystery person who lurks in the background.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! And I agree, this was an important lesson even if it was a tough one. I feel much more confident in how I write now and have stopped trying to force myself into a different way.
DeleteSamantha, this title and cover have intrigued me since I first saw this book a couple of months ago. Who doesn’t want to know what happens with just the title alone? I enjoy family/siblings stories, especially where an inheritance is involved. I’ve known some real life situations concerning inheritance that have been pretty rough. Thankfully, my personal experience with it has been civil and amiable. The idea of an inheritance that involves a cross-country trip with siblings sounds like a fantastic read. I’m looking forward to finding out just what that title means and how the trip goes.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope you enjoy this dark, twisty book. It was a lot of fun to research all the places they go, along with all the intriguing situations they get into...
DeleteCongratulations on writing a book in three months and having it published! I love stories about siblings and families. The relationships can be so complex - there is a tie that doesn't exist in other relationships. I'm looking forward to going on this cross-country trip!
ReplyDeleteYour book sounds fantastic. Congrats on the new release!
ReplyDeleteI think siblings are a great subject for thrillers because they're such fertile ground for tension. I'm sure you ramped that "normal" tension idea way up, though. :)