With a new year come lots of new beginnings. Author Georgann Prochaska talks about how she begins a story and how important good beginnings are. Georgann holds a degree in literature, taught high school English classes for 34 years, and has published seven books since 2014.
How does the beginning of a book idea come to you?
I usually begin with a what-if. What would happen if after a woman’s death, her family publishes 20 years of her private correspondence with neighbors to a blog? Or what if a vulnerable person like a migrant worker’s child or a homeless woman who lives in a vineyard holds valuable information about a murder? For me, mysteries begin with discomfort.
What do the beginnings of your stories have to include?
A problem (not necessarily murder), and sleuths to swing into action. I ask myself what determines a character’s response. For example: Madtree begins with a delayed wedding, the arrival of police cars, some guests not what the bride expected, and the groom’s odd behavior. What causes unusual behaviors? Luckily, a posse of friends stands ready to snoop. Continue reading
Curious about what goes on at local author fairs and how you might participate in one? BWW published authors 
BWW member John Maxwell has not published any books yet. He is working on a young adult fiction story about a troubled boy who encounters an old wise man who agrees to take him down river in a canoe so the boy can reach his ailing mother. John is also working on a non-fiction book that shares the lessons he’s learned as a sales training mentor to small business owners. In this interview he shares his thoughts on the unromantic parts of being a not-yet published writer.
Dorothy Winsor is a former English professor at Iowa State University who taught technical writing. She served as editor of the Journal of Business and Technical Communication and won six national awards for her research on the communication practices of engineers. After retiring, she turned her talent to writing for a much different audience. She now writes young adult fantasy books published by U.K.-based Inspired Quill.
Cynthia Ripley Miller brings the past to life through her Long-Hair book series set in fifth century Rome. Miller holds two degrees and has taught history and English classes. Her third book “A Sword Among Ravens” was just published.
Carol Cosman’s first novel “Dissonance” is planned for publication in spring, 2021. The novel traces a young woman’s efforts to save her father from death in a Russian gulag. Carol holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and a Master’s Degree in Teaching. A former educator, she taught creative writing to children and teens.