Things are going to start happening to me now...

or maybe not. All the same, I've got several irons in the fire. For one, I have a story that is being published in a new horror anthology in February of 2008 called From the Shadows. That's the name of the anthology, my story is called, Eleven. I think it turned out nicely and I'm anxious to see if horror fans will enjoy it. You can pre-order your copy now by going to http://www.triadpublishinggroup.com.

For my mystery fans out there, I'm still hard at work on the third Rona Shively story. Title to be announced soon!

I'm also still working on the women's self-esteem project, Reaching Higher Ground. I think I will have most of this finished by the end of the year. I had hoped for an earlier launch, however, things happen and sometimes you just have to adapt. ;)

In case you haven't been to my websites lately, I have recently updated all of them to include a link to my newest page for my short romance, Hearts and Flowers. Hearts and Flowers was published several months ago as an Amazon Short and I only recently started thinking that maybe I should have given it its own web page. The story is very sweet and so unlike me, but I think its heartwarming tone is just right for the season. If you get a chance, check it out at http://www.alittleromance.homestead.com. I've posted a sneak peek at the story in hopes of selling copies of the entire download for a whopping $.49 on Amazon Shorts!

All of this while battling the cold that will not die! I seem to have picked up the worst little case of congestion and sinus pressure in my brief history. Bear with me as I try to think clearly through the fog of antihistamines and headache medicine. I promise, once this sinus pressure eases up, I'll have something truly interesting to tell you.

Until next time...

The Evolution of Rona Shively...

The thing I enjoy about some of my favorite authors is that they share the emotional ups and downs of the character with readers. I think it is important for the writer to be able to feel the emotions of the character as they write. If you are scared, angry, happy or sad as you write a chapter, you’ve probably done something right.

As I am in the process of writing the third book in the Rona Shively series, I wanted to talk a little bit about how this character has changed over the course of the first two books. I like the fact that she is evolving and growing with each chapter. I hope that the readers have been able to sympathize with her as she deals with the ups and downs of relationships, financial difficulties, and just plain living.

I plan to put her through her paces in book three by having her face up to things that even I, the author, am not sure I can handle. As I write about some of these things, I feel them in the pit of my stomach and I hope that I will be able to draw upon personal experience to find the right words to capture the emotional intensity of the moment.

When I read a book, I expect to get caught up in the main character’s turmoil. I want to feel as though I am walking right alongside them, figuring it all out. Who are the writers that invite you into their stories? I’m interested in hearing from readers on this one. What significant passages have made you never want to put that book down? I know that for me, I hated to finish reading any of Lisa Scottoline’s books. Scottoline has a way of making you understand where her characters are coming from. She digs in and gives you the details so clearly that you can even smell the food cooking in her stories.

When it comes down to it, that’s what we really want. We need to be there, holding onto our favorite character, making sure that they go in the direction we want them to go. Or, if they don’t we at least know why they chose the wrong way. As I get closer to the end of Rona 3, I am so glad that there has been laughing, crying, nail-biting, etc. Hopefully, it means I’m doing something right.

Until next time…

Rebecca Benston

http://www.theronashivelystories.com

Blog post originally published at http://www.wordpress.com/booksden