Robin Stone's Blog, page 6

In my first article about my writing process, I described how I plan a book project by deciding if the book is a standalone or a series. I’m starting a new series, and I’ve made some notes about characters and scenes.

The next thing I do is plot my book using the Save the Cat Method on index cards. Save the Cat is a book by Blake Snyder. Blake was a screenwriter who used his method to write movie scripts, but the method can also be used for books. 

The method breaks each story down into 15 beats, so I take out 15 index cards. I write a few sentences on each card. The first beat is the opening image, so I write notes about the main character and where he or she is when the story begins.

The rest of the beats detail events like the catalyst (an event that throws the character into the story with the love interest), the midpoint, the black moment (when everything is terrible), the finale (how things get resolved), and the closing image.

In a couple of weeks, I’ll share how I start writing.

I’ve joined with some authors to give readers a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card.

Follow some of your favorite authors (and discover some new ones) on BookBub for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card! Click the graphic to bring up the giveaway.

I’ve started work on the first book in a new series to come out this year. I’ve made some notes about the plot, and I wanted to share a little about how I start a book project.

First, I have to determine if the book is a standalone or a series. I want to start a new series, so I have to decide how the books will be connected. The heroes will be men who work with their hands, of course! I don’t want the men to be related, or to work for the same business, so I decided they all hang out at the same bar in town.

Next, I decide which plot device to use. I’ve been wanting to write a book where a wealthy woman asks a working man used to jeans and t-shirts to accompany her to fancy work functions. It’s kind of a fish-out-of-water story, which is really fun.

I like to write in one of my notebooks at this point. I jot down character names, a plot device (or two), and start making notes about scenes I want to include.

In my next post, I share how I plan my book’s plot.

I’ve joined with other authors in a giveaway for ten Karen Marie Moning paranormal romance novels. If you’d like a chance to win 10 of her popular books, click the graphic to be taken to the giveaway.
Giveaway ends July 12th.

My M/F novella Toy With Me is on sale for only .99 for a limited time! Grab it while you can.

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If you’re a newsletter subscriber, check your inbox! I sent a link to a simple ten question survey. I’m looking for a little input from YOU!

If you fill it out and send me an email letting me know you’ve done so by midnight, Sunday April 14th EST USA, you’ll be entered to win one of five prizes:

One signed paperback copy of The Landscaper series 

One signed paperback copy of The Blue Collar Box Set (when it’s ready, soon-ish.)

One Amazon Gift card for $10.

Your choice of one of my box sets in ebook form.

Your choice of two of my single books in ebook form.

Remember, 2 steps! Take the survey, then send me an email, or you won’t be entered to win any prizes since the surveys are anonymous! Thanks.

According to Kobo (a Canadian bookseller I use), people have downloaded my free book or bought my books from the following countries:

Canada – 73
USA – 34
Australia – 10
United Kingdom – 8
Germany – 3
Kenya – 3
Nigeria – 2
India – 2
Trinidad & Tobago – 1
Sweden – 1
New Zealand – 1
South Africa – 1

A special thanks to all my international readers!

Amazon **US only** has The Landscaper Box Set in paperback on sale for only $4.57! (Regular price is $13.99). Free shipping if you have Amazon Prime.

I didn’t mark the price down, so I’m not sure how long it’ll last!

http://bit.ly/LandscaperBoxSetUS

Landscaper Kyle starts a fling with sexy customer Tracy Dawson, a rich housewife. When Tracy admits her husband was watching, Kyle gets ready for a beat-down. But Mr. Dawson makes Kyle an offer he can’t refuse. Kyle begins an intense relationship with the married couple. But when jealousy flares, Kyle wonders if they can resolve their differences and stay together forever.

Get this box set now in paperback to refresh your memory of books 1-4 before book 5 comes out!

“…explosive sexual tension…” – Shannan, Wicked Reads

“…In addition to sex so hot it made me squirm in my chair, I was impressed with Stone’s clean, slick writing…” Patient Lee, Writerotica

“…My emotions ran the gamut from heartbreaking fear to utter joy… Tumultuous at times, but always sensual. The conclusion was the only viable ending, and it was a stunner!” – Lori, wee bit o’ whiskey

http://bit.ly/LandscaperBoxSetUS

“If you’re looking for characters that jump off the page, storylines that drag you in, and sex that leaves you hot and bothered, one click now.” – Katherine, Goodreads

“These blue collar fantasies are a far cry from the billionaire cliche, and I found them refreshing and entertaining.” – WT, Booksprout

“Needed to take a cold shower after this box set. The stories were crazy good, with smoking hot characters and steamy scenes to burn up the pages!!” – Lisa, Amazon

“Each story is well written and the pages seem to turn themselves. If you love some steamy romance – you will love this collection!” – j m, Booksprout

“I fell in love with Robin Stone’s writing when I read her Landscaper series. Now, four of her best – and sexiest – stand-alone romances are available in this delicious box set, and I’m in Romance reader’s heaven. Stone’s spare and evocative prose tells four sexy, sweet, and spicy stories of love discovered, or re-discovered, with all the feels and all the heat that a reader could ask for…” – Melanie, Amazon

The Blue Collar Box Set ebook contains my four standalone novellas: Delivery Man (M/F), Toy With Me (M/F), The Painters(M/M/F), and The Carpenter (M/M)

Amazon | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon AUS |Barnes & Noble |iBooks | Kobo

The Blue Collar Box Set ebook includes my four standalone novellas:

Delivery Man (M/F) – Package Delivery Man Derek falls for Ella, a customer on his route.

Toy With Me (M/F) – Contractor Greg buys a set of sex toys to spice up his marriage to Anna, his wife of twenty years.

The Painters (M/M/F) – Rachel invites sexy painters Ben and Alex into her bed for a little experimenting.

The Carpenter (M/M) – Ex-lovers Adam and Grant are stranded in a cabin during a blizzard and rekindle their relationship.

Each book is a standalone story with a Happy Ending.

Amazon | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon AUS

Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo