Cindy Bradford tells us that novel writing is sitting down to tell a story, only on paper

 

Do you have a story that's been bouncing around in your head. Maybe it's time you put it down on paper. Cindy Bradford shares her story:

Every writer has a different inspiration. Tell us about yours

"Novel writing to me is just like sitting down to tell a story, only on paper. And those who know me know how much I love to tell stories and/or jokes, so writing is just a natural extension. I actually wrote Keeping Faith long hand, and it took just a little over a month, but editing took a year. The idea for the plot was a result of a dream--seriously, but only in a remote and vague sense. But with most writing, it just takes a spark, and then a more complete idea emerges. And so it was… creating the general plot, settings, and the characters came to me as easy as grilling and then savoring a good steak. But oh, how I hate the details of editing, especially since I am a terrible speller. (I know I have spell check, but you have to get close enough so that the little guy in the computer knows what word it is!) And although the initial process was easy, once it was all down on paper I wasn't happy with the sequencing of the book, so I moved chapters around three or four times and took out one whole chapter. Honestly, I still don't like the beginning, but I had to show Patrick as a kid, and that was the best way I knew how. Recently, I talked with a true reader critic and he told me he liked the first part best. So, see the writer never knows for sure, and fortunately each reader has different tastes and interest."

What about your novel, Promises Kept?

Promises Kept, which is a sequel, but can also stand alone if the reader picks it up first, took about three months to write, but it flowed and gelled for me right from the beginning. I never changed any chapters, just added some scenes here and there in the final edit to make it more descriptive and engaging. I knew exactly where I wanted it to go and what characters were going to take it to the end. It too was written in long hand. Now, I am much more comfortable using the computer, but it still makes me nervous that I might lose something so I save continuously and back up at the end of each day. Again, I hate all that part. If I could just write and not worry about technology or details, I would be a much happier writer, but as they say, 'the devil is in the details.” I believe it!"