The Parts of a Book

 

By Bethany Maines

 

Recently, we’ve added Harry Potter to our daughter’s bedtime story reading.  Once we’ve completed a book, we watch the movie version.  But then, of course, she wanted a wand and an owl. There’s not much I can do about the owl, but a kindly auntie did provide a wand for Christmas and a potions “class” with dry ice and tea that turns blue.  (Butterfly Pea Blossom Tea if you’re interested, but be forewarned, don’t google the Latin name if you’re at all prone to laughing at dirty jokes.)  But now, she wants the fancy potions bottles.  So after some quick youtubing around and going Dr. Frankenstein on a recycling bin test subject, I’m prepared to have an afternoon of magic potion bottle making. 

None of which has anything to do with writing, except that plotting out how to turn something random into magic is pretty a good definition of what it a writer does.  There was even the “oh shit” part where I was pretty sure I screwed it up and it was going to be a disaster.  I believe that every book I’ve ever written has featured that part. 

In fact, there are many parts to writing a book that don’t get discussed in English classes.  For instance, the “Oh Shit” part is sometimes followed by the Drinking part. Which is often then followed by either the Dawn of Inspiration or the Damned Recycling Bin of I Hate You.  And my next paranormal romance featured the three week long Hiatus of Indecision.  My personal favorite part is the Shining Hope of a New Project.  Sadly, it’s frequently followed by the Hopeless Disillusionment phase.  But if you’re lucky you can make it through the Weary Slog to the End part and end up with a book full of characters that you love and a feeling of accomplishment that the story got told. 

If you’re interested in seeing how the Hiatus of Indecision resulted in a story about vampires that don’t glitter and a shifter wolf who got a little more than he bargained for on his way to rob a bank, you can check it out below.

MAVERICK: Maverick Lacasse, shifter wolf, bank robber and rebel didn’t mean to take Deya Jasper with him on his way out of Littleton Texas, but fate had other plans. But as the two flee for California, vampires dog their every step, and both Deya and Maverick find themselves questioning if the unexpected bond they feel can withstand the dangers they face.

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Maverick takes place in the Supernatural world of the 3 Colors Trilogy, but is a stand-alone novel.

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Bethany Maines is the award-winning author of the Carrie Mae Mysteries, San Juan Islands Mysteries, The Deveraux Legacy Series, and numerous novellas and short stories. When she's not traveling to exotic lands, or kicking some serious butt with her black belt in karate, she can be found chasing her daughter or glued to the computer working on her next novel. You can also catch up with her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.