In our continuing series on where authors get their ideas, today we feature award-winning author Judythe Morgan. As an Air Force
daughter then an Army wife, Judythe has seen a lot
of the world. She’s been an antiques dealer, teacher, former mayor's wife, and
sometimes-church pianist with some unique experiences to blend into her
stories. Learn more about Judythe and her books at her website.
The Unusual Birth of a Story…
When Love Blooms, Andrew Fitzpatrick and Darcy Clark’s story, came to life
for a story contest.
A very unusual
contest.
Submissions had to
follow a provided synopsis and hero/heroine specifics. The hero was to be
between twenty-five and thirty-five years old, a teacher with a stubble beard,
and one of eight children—specifically four brothers and three sisters. The
heroine had to be between twenty-two and thirty-two, an only child, and a
landscape architect.
There were also
certain plot requirements.
Being a pantster, I
wasn’t sure about that part. Coming up with storylines is rarely a problem for
me. I play “what if?” and listen to my characters. Following an outline, on the
other hand, offered a challenge I felt would build my writing skills. So, I
entered the contest.
Alas, I didn't win. I
wasn’t all that disappointed, though. It wasn’t the way I usually create
stories. I was busy on a new project. I stuffed the contest manuscript away.
Fast forward a few
years, and my critique group asked about the old manuscript. Like me, they’d
liked Andy and Darcy. They encouraged me to do a rewrite, this time listening
to how the characters wanted their story told.
When I pulled it out,
I discovered Andy and Darcy had been waiting for me.
I know if you’re not
a fiction writer, that sounds more than a little strange, but when writing (or
reading), story characters do become real people to me.
You'll notice from
the cover I kept Andy's beard. He remained a teacher, the special education
teacher he wanted to be. Darcy stayed a landscape designer in her family’s
garden shop. The story plot became theirs. This time there’s a touch of
mystery.
An interesting thing
happened during the rewrite process, the seven brothers and sisters began
chattering in my head wanted me to tell their stories. That gave birth to The
Fitzpatrick Family series about the eight siblings. Each novella is a
standalone with brothers and sisters popping in and out of each other’s story.
Book 1, When Love Blooms, is Andy and Darcy's
story. In Book 2, twin sisters, Rebecca and Sarah Fitzpatrick, find their soul
mates in When Love Returns, a story
of second chance love. Brothers Joshua Fitzpatrick (an Army sniper), Samuel
Fitzpatrick (a missionary), and, baby sister Faith (a lawyer) will share their
stories over the next three novellas.
When Love Blooms
After a hit-and-run
accident leaves her mother confined to a special care facility, Darcy Clark
abandons her dream of an art career to focus on the family’s struggling
landscape business.
At-risk students from
her old high school become the labor force on a city park project, and their
teacher, Andy Fitzpatrick shows up to supervise his students. The chemistry
between Darcy and Andy is instant.
But will a secret
link between Andy and her mother’s accident kill the attraction before love can
bloom?
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