Shannon here: Ellen E. Withers shares insight into her writing process. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for a paperback copy of her May release, Romantic Mystery, Show Me Deceit. Winner will receive the book May 15-20. Deadline: March 30th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Ellen:
The second book in my Show Me Mystery series debuts in May of this year, titled Show Me Deceit. It’s a dual-time series with both a contemporary and historical mystery, set in my hometown of Mexico, Missouri. The historical storyline in Show Me Deceit takes place during the Civil War.
I have three basic components in my series. The first is a mystery (contemporary and historical) based on an existing historical structure in my hometown. So far, I’ve featured a Victorian style home built in 1893, which is now a bed-and-breakfast, and a Classic Revival style Italianate home built in 1857, that is a major museum for the local historical society. The third book in the series will feature a historic stable, the oldest building in the United States continuously devoted to boarding and training champion American Saddlebred horses.
The second component revolves around characters. In the contemporary storyline, the same main characters move forward with each book. They become involved in solving a new mystery. I craft original lead characters specifically for the historical segments in each book. They interact with real people from history or are molded by the actions and policies of historical figures.
A romance is the third component I have in both time frames of the book. The historical characters get a chance for love within the parameters of that storyline. The contemporary main characters have the entire series for their romantic story to unfold. Crafting a relationship that spans across multiple books is harder than I expected, but still incredibly enjoyable.
Two of my contemporary main characters, Liesl Schrader, and Kurt Hunter, were high school sweethearts who broke up when Kurt betrayed Liesl. In many small towns, my hometown included, high school romances that endure a lifetime are not uncommon. Anne of Green Gables and Albert come to mind as a cherished story of long-time friendship that leads to romance.
The first book showed the struggle between Liesl and Kurt to be friends again. Liesl had to put her heart on the line and allow herself to trust Kurt. He had to prove that he was now trustworthy. In the meantime, Liesl dates a fellow named Justin who seems to have all the qualities that make a former boyfriend jealous.
Show Me Betrayal caused readers to take sides in Liesl’s romantic love life. They formed into “Team Kurt” and “Team Justin,” which surprised me. Some readers were so passionate about their preference that they took the time to write to me about it. I took this as a sign they were emotionally involved in the story. Emotional involvement is exactly what you want your readers to experience.
When I’m writing romance, I pull inspiration from my favorite love stories of all time. Jane Austen wrote several of them. Pride and Prejudice, where Mr. Darcy loves Lizzy so much that he spends over half of his year’s income to save her good reputation from the actions of a silly sister who was going to bring ruin upon the family. Sense and Sensibility, where one daughter gives her heart to a man not worthy, and another daughter can’t have the man she loves because of his earlier promise to wed someone else. Both women end up with the right man and we relate to the struggles they had to get there.
A less known work by Jane Austen is Persuasion. I’m addicted to its theme of everlasting love. I also adore the historical Christian romances written by Janette Oke. Her leading men are strong and silent, yet gentle and loving, once you get to know them.
As a writer, I do my best to create unique characters I love. Once I’ve accomplished that, then I hope readers fall in love with them, too. I fell in love with George Hunter, a character I created for a Civil War era novella titled Carving Out Love, which was included in a Christmas novella collection published as A Gift for All Time.
I added George as a minor character in Show Me Deceit because I adored him and his personality, and the historical era was during the Civil War. George is brave, honest, and self-sacrificing. He also fell in love during the novella and has another opportunity in this book to express the importance of love.
Throughout the rest of this series, my goal is to keep the romance interest flowing between the characters while retaining believability. I’ve had fun writing Show Me Deceit and advancing the romance between Kurt and Liesl and Justin. If I’ve done my job well, I’ll be getting more communication from readers about “Team Kurt” and “Team Justin” while I write the third book in the series.
Question for Readers: What is your favorite romance novel or film and what are the reasons it rises to the top?
About Ellen: Ellen Withers is an award-winning fiction writer, freelance writer, and retired insurance fraud investigator. Her mystery dual-time series, Show Me Mysteries, set in her picturesque hometown of Mexico, Missouri, is published by Scrivenings Press. Show Me Betrayal, was published May 2023 and Show Me Deceit, will publish May 2024.
Scrivenings Press will publish Ellen’s nonfiction book to help writers win writing contests August 2024 titled, Magic Words: Enchant Judges & Conjure Contest Wins for Novels, Short Fiction, and Nonfiction.
More information about Ellen, her books, writing tips, and highlights of guest authors is on her website. Learn more & connect:
Ellen’s Website Ellen’s Facebook Ellen’s Instagram
Ellen’s Goodreads Ellen’s Bookbub
About the book – Show Me Deceit:
Take a walk through time with Show Me Deceit, book two of the Show Me Mystery Series. Mexico, Missouri is the setting of the mysteries where death encompasses two eras, Civil War and contemporary. Liesl, Nicole, and Detective Kurt Hunter have previously put a killer behind bars. Now they must combine their skills and work together again to stop the plunder of local charities and solve the mystery of a Union soldier’s death. Can Liesl and Kurt work together again as friends, putting aside their former romance to solve these mysteries?
Interested in Book 1 of the series or Ellen’s other titles? Get your copy/copies now!
Come back March 29th for Amy R. Anguish!
Jenny Carlisle says
I pondered this question and couldn’t get my mind off the romances in my own novels. Ha! A little pre-occupied. My childhood favorite was the Cinderella fairy tale. Not so much because of the rags to riches story, but because the heroine feels overlooked. With magical help, she is noticed by the Prince, who chooses her over all of the most glamorous, elegant ladies in the land. Swoon worthy.
Ellen Withers says
We give birth to our written romances and they almost seem real to us because we are writers. I love Cinderella, too❤️
Shannon Taylor Vannatter says
Glad to have you back, Ellen. A tie between The Convenient Groom and Driftwood Bay. Both by Denise Hunter. The conflict on why they can’t be together but the feelings they have anyway are palpable. For movie, The Seven Year Hitch. I’m a suckered for friend’s to romance.
bn100 says
pride and prejudice
kim hansen says
Maid in Manhattan (Movie) Cinderella themed.
Ellen Withers says
Yes! I love that movie, too.
Cherie J says
One of my favorite romantic films is the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice. The acting was superb and really reflected the book well.
Ellen Withers says
I agree! The series was excellent and stayed faithful to the book.
Shannon Vannatter says
I have a winner! DeAnna Penning won the drawing. I appreciate Ellen for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.