From nothing but an idea to holding the book

As I've mentioned, I'm a seat-of-the-pants writer. I don't make a detailed outline of my next book. I don't fill out file cards of my characters lives from birth to present. I don't draw diagrams and mark off chapter breaks, the climax, blackest moment or turning point.

The truth is, I couldn't if I wanted to. I tell stories the way I hear them in my head and I don't want to know how the book ends. That would spoil it for me. I would feel as if I had no reason to write it since I know what happens. What fun is there in that?

But as you may have guessed that makes it hard for us "pantsers" when asked to write a synopsis or give the art department an idea what to put on the cover -- before we've written the book.

So tonight I'm brainstorming. Not the plot. Or the characters. But fun places that might be in the book I'm about to write, places and scenes that might make a good cover. I need exciting spots in my part of Montana where I can kill people. Where my characters might find themselves trapped -- or where they could make love. Scary places. Dramatic places. Visually pleasing places. Sexy places.

This is not what I'm good at -- imagining what's on the cover. That probably explains why few of my ideas have ever been snatched up for the artists. Also it's a bit difficult since I haven't written the book.

However, I spent the morning thinking about my characters. I can't tell you what they look like right at the moment, but I know enough about them that I have a feel for them. With that comes pieces of the puzzle. I also did some research based on what I know about them and their "problems." That gave me more insight into them and the story.

So now I think I can start seeing the overall setting of this story, some of the places my characters will take us and why we have to go there. I get there by asking...Where is the last place my heroine would like to find herself? Where will my hero go when all seems lost? Where would you go to make love knowing there were killers after you?

There are other considerations. The time of day. The season. The weather. Not to mention what my characters are wearing, all things the art department needs to know.

The book comes out next June so I like the book to be set in June. The weather? This is Montana, it can be anything from snow to warm sunshine and blue skies. My characters attire: they're involved in some sort of danger. Usually that means jeans, boots and a nice western shirt. But this time maybe they have to dress up to go undercover or attend a party to scope out a suspect.

At this point, anything goes. I can let my mind run like a wild horse across the prairie. I can feel the wind in my face. There are no limits. All I have to do is give my imagination free rein and ride it out. Eventually the muse will catch me and rein me back in.

All of this helps me get started on this road from an initial idea to a finished book complete with the best story possible and a cover.

It's all part of the process.