Over-Fifty Romance Next!!

 

It's been awhile but I've not been laying off the writing!  I'm working on the over-fifty romance... still. First, I've never written a pure romance story; I've always mixed it with a mystery so this is new for me. Then add the over-fifty part, and I have to incorporate divorces, older children, exs. etc.  And then there's the angst about becoming involved with someone else since the heart has been hurt so badly.  

I was making good headway when my computer went down. It's still in the shop awaiting a part. Hopefully, all my files will be in tack. I do save files when I travel so I have most of my backups but still, hard to use my Surface without the files. But on I go!! I'm hoping to have my publisher release it for Christmas -- fingers crossed.

I've been watching the coverage of the destruction in Florida. We have friends in Ft. Myers Beach... I hope their place has survived.  IAN was a monster storm.

I will continue to write, paint and weed my gardens as I send thoughts to those in Ian's path.

Till, Judi

PICK UP YOUR COPY - New release!!

My new novel, Treat Me Nice, has just been released! Can you believe it's my seventh novel? And to tell you the truth, it's still so very exciting.  The reviews have been awesome.  I think this novel filled in the characters of Jack and Jamie more and to make it even more interesting, I brought back Jack's old girlfriend Lizz and Jamie's old boyfriend Mike. Mike becomes an interesting character and will definitely show up in the next Oyster Point Mystery. I've found that character development goes hand-in-hand with plot. It becomes a balance between the two... coated with the setting. Anyway, if you're looking for a good romantic mystery, Treat Me Nice (another Elvis song title), could be a great beach read this summer. You can find it on Amazon: https://mybook.to/Treat-Me-Nice.

On to my next project - publisher asked for "an over-fifty romance" so that's what I'm working on currently. I've never written one so this is a very interesting side-journey for me. A writer friend told me that she only writes over-fifty romances so obviously there's a market for them. I'm finding that you need to provide a lot of back story in this type of book. And how big a "bag of rocks" does the main character or the next semi-main character bring to the story? This allows you to develop the story... divorced, widowed, still married, children... etc.  Anyway, a new journey for me and I'm enjoying it. I feel that I'm writing a script for a Hallmark movie!

Once I've submitted the over-fifty manuscript, I'll return to the rewrite of Broken Christmas Promise. If you remember, I received great feedback on that one from producers, but their comment was that it was too short for today's romances... so I'm working on bringing in subplots and other characters.

What have I learned so far on this writing journey? 

First, writing a piece that's good enough for a publisher/agent to accept is tough work. I've written and published a lot of technical papers but transitioning to creative writing is not easy. I have to continually remind myself not to write in passive voice. I taken creative writing classes, been part of excellent writers' groups, taken an on-line workshop with a well-known author I admired. Her class changed the way I write, develop characters and place them in a setting.

The second thing I've learned is character development, plot and setting are equally important. Because I'm also a professional artists, I love painting pictures of the setting in words. But too much can make the reader restless to move on, so I try to mix description and dialogue as well.

Speaking of dialogue,  again, too much or too mundane can cause the reader to skip lines or tire of the mundane. Dialogue needs to move the story forward not just fill up the page.

 

I've also found out that I love writing time travel mysteries... actually I just love writing, creating characters that come to life on the pages, speak to you, make you cry when you place them in certain situations or make you smile, and nod knowing you've been there.

 

As I make progress through this "over-fifty" romance, I'll let you know how it's going.

Best and keep writing, and write me with questions or comments. I enjoy hearing from you.

Judi 

A NEW RELEASE is COMING SOON!!

Well, I know I've been gone for a bit :-) but I have a very good reason - I worked on finishing my latest book, the second Oyster Point Mystery, "Treat Me Nice". I had written about two thirds of it and came to a halt not knowing where to go with it... so as I always do, I switched to writing "Tales of the Silent". That manuscript moved quickly - I loved the story, the characters and the location, my favorite spot, Chinon France. I also loved a time travel part which takes the main female character back to the 11th century. So before I knew it, my publisher accepted it, I worked with my editor and it was released last August! 

So then, I still had "Treat Me Nice" sitting there, staring at me. I'd been away from it so long, I had to reread it. It was pretty good as far as I had gone, but where did I go from here? What I had forgotten was how dogged Jamie was... she would jump right in the middle of these cases and never look back... and so she led me through the rest of the book.  I think this new book ups the relationship between Jack and Jamie as well as reintroducing Jamie's ex-boyfriend and Jack's ex-girlfriend. They are both a danger to the relationship that Jack and Jamie had so carefully built. I also brought in two FBI agents, Kat and Clyde, who played really well off of Jack and Jamie.

Finally after much editing, I turned it into my publisher, they accepted it and I'm waiting for the editor to return with the first pass comments. 

So in about another month to six weeks it should be out -- a great summer read!!

Now I'm returning to rewrite, well actually tell the entire story that I started in "Broken Christmas Promise", an eBook that the publisher asked me to write a few years ago right before Christmas. I actually received some great feedback on it which led me to the task at hand, writing Brett and Jenna's entire story.  A screenwriter and producer read it and sent me the following feedback:

"BROKEN CHRISTMAS PROMISE: The setup here is great – a woman running into an ex that basically ghosted her in a high-pressure meeting puts these love interests on interesting footing right from the start. But it doesn’t seem like this shorter novella develops the concept far beyond that, nor does it seem to give us the kind of complex and layered romance that the modern market demands."

I rewrote it, sent it to a friend who is also a published author, for a beta read.  She provided some very good feedback and so I'm buried in thought and words and plots for this next book.

It never gets old and it's always exciting to create characters and places that readers love!

So, that's what I've been up to besides living life and making memories! I hope you are too... life is short!

Till, 

Judi

Memories and Forward Motion

 

Kwajalein, Marshall Islands by Judi Getch Brodman

I'm sitting by the ocean and always, always, I have flashbacks of Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands where I lived and worked for awhile when I was younger.  Something maybe about the color of the water, the sounds of the waves, the sunrises, the soft warm breezes. I've talked about my experience there a few times, but some days those memories are so vivid by the water. It was an experience of a lifetime -- flying to Roi-Namur to work every day, taking meals in the Officers' Club, a shark in the swimming pool, rock fish on the beach.  Friday nights were party nights on my island.  We could take boats out and deep sea fish.  The guys were always jumping into the water and would come out with huge welts on their backs from the immense jellyfish.  

Getting there was a long flight... into Hickham Air Force base in Hawaii and then on to Johnston Island, then a secure U.S. military base, for refueling.  The island, a tiny speck in the Pacific, was a landing strip with a few low lying metal barracks lining it, mounds of sand here and there most likely housing missile sites and one or two palm trees sweating it out on this desolate spot.  As I walked down the stairs from the plane, I remember thinking, how does anyone live here?   The sun was brutally hot and blindingly bright.  The path to an air-conditioned bunker was lined with armed soldiers who were there to ensure we walked to the cinder block house and remained there while the plane was refueled.  I assume they thought we were going to make a run for it?  Even now, that thought makes me laugh – I could run to the edge of the island, a half mile away, and then what?  I guess they were protecting the secrets we didn’t see as we landed.  We boarded and were off to our final destination, Kwajalein, a tiny speck in the middle of nowhere.

Anyway, all these memories come flooding back at the oddest times... good memories!!

And when I'm not waxing over Kwaj, I'm now editing my second manuscript. If you read "Broken Christmas Promise", a short ebook on Amazon (mybook.to/B0826VPM11) and liked it, I think you'll enjoy the longer version of Jenna and Brett's rocky relationship. The short version received a high mark from a Screenplay Adaptation reviewer, who said he loved the setup but there needed to be more "of a complex and layered romance that the modern market demands." So I now have written the first draft of the larger version of that book.

I also went back and worked on the second "Oyster Point Mystery."  That one needs a second reading/editing by me and then I'll submit it to the Publisher.  I'm so lucky they still believe in me and like my works!  

So I'm hoping for two books to be published this year!  That will make eight novels!

So back to my editing.

Hope you are writing and working hard on your manuscripts and also enjoying life!  More memories, I always say.

Till,

Judi

A Merry merry and a safe and healthy 2022!

 

Here I sit on the Eve trying to catch up on all the things I've missed this fall.  You are most important to me. I'm sorry I've been away for so long but I had an accident and needed to recover.  All is well now!! 

I want to introduce you to Harold, my elf.  Harold has been with me since... hmmmm... many years ago when my mother bought three, one for myself and one for each of my two sisters.  Somehow Christmas magic has kept him with me all these long years! Tomorrow he'll be gone. Santa will take him back to the North Pole tonight. I'll miss him but he always seems to be close at hand. I must say he has weathered these years far better than I have... LOL! He's like Peter Pan :-) 

As for my writing, I had interest in my "Broken Christmas Promise" (mybook.to/B0826VPM11) from a Cinematic group. They said it just was too short with little tension past the beginning for a movie.  So with my publisher's consent, I'm rewriting it into a full length book and enjoying the interplay between these two characters and a few new ones.

"Tales of the Silent" (mybook.to/TalesoftheSilent) was well received when it was released in August. I plan a second "Dr. Amelia Davis" mystery.  I'm almost done with the sequel to "She's Not You" (mybook.to/Shes_Not_You)! So it appears that 2022 will be a full year of writing for me. 

As I look back on 2021, I see loss in our family to Covid, disease onset to one of our little ones, accidents and recoveries, tears and smiles.... In spite of it all, I'm thankful for so many many things in my life.

May you all have a wonderful Christmas and a safe and healthy 2022. I'll be back after the 1st!

Till, 

Judi 

Updates on my newly published book and my next one!

 I wanted to update you to what's happening with my newly released novel, Tales of the Silent.  The reviews so far have been terrific: 

"Amazing story. I could hear the characters throughout the whole process."

" My benchmark for books (and I devour books) is a character that stays with me— and Amelia has been with me all afternoon."

"The visual translation from words to images - when I saw Judi Getch Brodman just released her latest book I couldn’t wait to read it. The book kept my interest from first page to last. So much so I read it in 12 hours. It was like watching a Hallmark movie. The visualization was incredible. The story concept and execution was so creative and I loved the little unexpected details that were woven throughout the book. E.G brand names of clothing the characters wore including colors and patterns. This just added to the readers ability to visualize the setting and story line. Certainly kept my interest and attention. I’m looking forward to reading The Looking Glass Labyrinth which I just ordered. The author is not only a masterful writer but also an extremely talented two dimensional and prolific artist. Congratulations on a great book."

"I loved this book - the characters, the setting all drew me in and kept me entertained till the end! The characters talked to me the entire way and the beauty of the French countryside made me feel like I was there. Can't wait for the next Dr. Amelia Davis novel! Soon please!"

"I read Tales of the Silent in two nights -- a page-turner, for sure. The setting was exotic yet authentic; I could easily visualize the Chateau and the vineyards, all the walls, etc. Great descriptions and the archaeology was a clever way to have the reader envision everything. I found your dialogue fast-paced and true to the characters. I was glad that you handled the translations so adeptly (my French is a little rusty). I particularly like the development of the secondary characters, especially Juliette. (I was quite partial to her.) Everything about the book is a good read...  Overall, CONGRATULATIONS on Tales, I hope you'll think about a filmscript. I think it has great potential for film."

These are a few comments that have been posted and I'm certainly extremely pleased with this feedback.

I'm back to writing my next "Oyster Point Mystery" dealing with an interesting cold case.  Investigation of a case involving a young woman's body that had been uncovered leads Jamie to believe there is a serial killer on the loose.  I've had to do a lot of research in different areas which I think you'll enjoy.  Also where's the Jack and Jamie relationship going?  You'll just have to wait.

I want to say a few words about the 20th anniversary of the Twin Towers... I lost a fellow consultant who was on-board American flight #11 which left from Boston headed for LA.  We all travelled on these flights with clients on the west coast... but this day was certainly different.  Please, never forget.  I won't because she will always be the face of 9/11 for me.  RIP all who lost their lives on that day... 💔

Till,

Judi

So Exciting - "Tales of the Silent" was released this week!!!  Available on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CRH7GJ6/

I received terrific prerelease reviews - "A very well written and compelling story," "Very intriguing." "An amazing story" 

Hoping to continue with Amelia in the next book... she's such an interesting character and of course, who could resist Étienne!!  I'll give you a tease:

I'm now in the marketing/promotion mode which is taxing... I'd rather be writing and finishing the sequel to "She's Not You" with Jack and Jamie, but soon.  I'm waiting for a call from one of the Morning Shows to talk about my book and background... LOL!!!

Alright, enough of that.  I also had a first since the last time I wrote.  I was asked to be a "beta reader" for another author.  I've read other pieces by friends who are authors, but this was different.  I filled four plus pages with comments and editing corrections.  My editor said about my manuscript that it was WELL written.  I found that not all authors release edited and well written pieces out of their control.  I always try to make my manuscript the best, the very best that I can.  If it isn't, why would anyone publish it???  So lessons learned all, edit and reread and edit until you're so sick of the story that you can't tell  if it's good or bad anymore.  Then send it off.

Well, I'll having a book signing the first Friday night in October... I hope.  With this virus, no one can make definite plans!

Please stay safe, write and make wonderful memories... I am!!

Till,
Judi