~From Little Red Wagon to Rescuing the Sheriff ~

My writer friend, author Delsora Lowe, writes small town contemporary and ranch-set romances set in Maine and Colorado. Today she is back to tell us more about her life as a writer and give us a few writing tips. And she has a new book out too. The Rancher Needs a Wife.

So take it away, Delsora…

When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book? 

I actually was published in our high school literary quarterly with a story called The Little Red Wagon. It was from the point of view of a kid. I think I was a sophomore, and I had no clue my teacher had submitted the story. Needless to say, I was mortified because I thought no one would get it was a kid’s POV, and they would think that was the way I really wrote. Now I look back, and I am pleased that someone thought my fictional writing was good. Confession: I wasn’t the best student ? I wrote my first book when I was back working as the Alumni Director at that same school some twenty-five years later. It got wiped off the computer and lost forever, when a cable tech tried to fix our cable hook-up and wiped out everything on the computer. Somewhere, packed in a box, there is a print copy. I loved the story. And who knows, maybe I’ll write it again. It was about the mother-of-the-bride finding love at her daughter’s wedding.

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

I do. Usually it comes when I’ve finished one book and trying to get into the next one. Starting a book is always hard, since I am what is known as a pantser – writing by the seat of my pants. I start with an idea, or a scene, or a character and go from there. I usually know the end point, but not what happens between points A and Z. So, there are times when I do bog down. Sometimes, it is a matter of taking off a few weeks and clearing my head. And sometimes, I just need to power through and find ways to ramp up my excitement about a book, especially when I am editing and rereading the same thing over and over and over, and anxious to move on to writing the next story. I do view writer’s block as more a part of my process; of the ebb and flow of my writing regime for each book.

Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?

I think my favorite characters are always the ones I am working on. They are also my most frustrating characters, as I work to get them through their story. It is one reason I enjoy writing books in a series. I can introduce characters in one book, who will have their own story later. And I can bring back characters from the first story to play parts in the next few stories. Carter Peters, a Colorado rancher, is one of those characters. He made an appearance in The Prince’s Son, as the controlling, as in protective, brother of the heroine. Today, he has his own story in The Rancher Needs a Wife, and he will again play a supportive role in Rescuing the Sheriff that will release in 2020. I adore Carter, because he is broken in so many ways. But he tries hard to learn and love. He’s loyal, and yes over-protective, hardworking, serious, and loves deeply, but doesn’t always know how to show it. Introducing Carter in book one of the Cowboys of Mineral Springs was a bit of a fluke. But his strong personality took over. And by writing him into the story, it helped me figure out more about who the prince was and how to make him loveable in the end. Prince Ari and Carter are very similar men. They go from being enemies to be great friends and part of one big family.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

  I sent in a novella to two publishers. One sent back a scathing rejection stating that the editor who looked at the book didn’t even want to finish the first chapter. She hated this and that. It went on and on. I was crushed. The second editor really liked the book and made suggestions on starting it in a different place. She also gave me different editing suggestions and recommended once I rewrote the manuscript, that I should send it along to another editor, since the book fit that line better. I learned something. This business is subjective. Not everyone will like the same thing. And some may not be as kind as others in voicing their opinions. This happened years ago, but for several years, I guest-taught one day a semester in a college creative writing class. I read that scathing letter to a group of wide-eyed students as a lesson in reality. The demonstration was also a lesson in not only learning from criticism, but turning that criticism around into making you a better writer and a better person in learning how you communicate constructive criticism to others.

Do you have a writing tip that has really helped you get published?

The usual advice—persistence and consistency. And by that, I mean if you want to be a writer, you have to write. Maybe not every day, but make a schedule for yourself and keep to it. When I was working ALL THE TIME in several jobs and commuting, I made myself write 100 words every weekday morning and more on the weekend. You’d be amazed that by writing a small amount every day, you accomplish several things. You end up writing a long scene or a chapter each week. And by writing even a few words a day, it keeps the story in your head. I would problem-solve my story as I drove to work or in the shower or while at the grocery store. And jot down notes. It became routine. The other big thing is to write down goals. I do my annual goals and I report those goals to several writing groups. And as a big list maker, I also plan out weekly and monthly what I want to accomplish. Checking something off is great satisfaction. And letting others know that yes, you accomplish that tiny goal, which will lead to the next goal lets you see your own progress. The goals can be small. Post twice a week on your author FB page. Or big, write the rough draft of a novella in thirty days. So yes, persistence and consistency allows you to celebrate each little goal and move ahead.

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WANTED: Workaholic cowboy needs hardy woman to manage household and motley family. “Girly” widows, with small children, who sell naughty lingerie need not apply.

Overprotective big brother and ranch owner, Carter Peters, draws the short straw at a contrived family meeting, to buy his stepmom’s sixtieth birthday present. He never imagines while on the present-buying quest he’ll get zapped with cupid’s arrow by a feisty southern belle, single mom, and lingerie shop owner who is so wrong for him and has off-limits written all over her. He has no time for romance—he has a ranch to run and a father who, despite being “retired,” can’t help micro-manage. Dad insists Carter’s new-fangled ways won’t work.

Lynette Mercer wants nothing to do with the tall, sexy, and slightly bashful cowboy who walks through her door. Okay, maybe just a little. They could be friends. After all, she’s vowed not to date until her four-year old reaches the ripe age of thirty-six. She’s recovering from the death of her husband in a marriage turned bad and starting a new business.

With new friends and Carter’s family determined to marry him off, neither stand a chance against cupid or a town full of caring folks.

Each book in the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series is a stand-alone. Characters from one book will also appear in others. The books do not need to be read in order.

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Available from

AMAZON     |  BARNES & NOBLE   |   KOBO

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  Learn more about Author Delsora Lowe

I love to write about small town heroes from the cowboys and ranchers of Colorado to the game wardens, firefighters, and lobstermen of Maine. A transplanted big city gal, world-wide traveler, and foreign-service brat, I now live in a medium size coastal Maine town and most recently worked at a rural environmental college where I was lucky to interact on a daily basis with real life heroes and heroines. My people oriented jobs in education, non-profits, and hospitality have provided much fodder for my story ideas.

Views of the Maine coast or the mountains of Colorado inspire me. Dealing with dust bunnies and mile-high piles of dishes do not in any way inspire me, so I am adept at turning my back. My fridge is filled with more cheese than chocolate. Although there is a large assortment of every flavor of dark chocolate known to woman, which I dip into when I am delsing: a code word coined by my two grown children (one who lives on the coast of Maine and the other in the mountains of Colorado—see the connection?) meaning mom’s writing – don’t bother her.

My debut, The Legacy of Parkers Point, was released in November 2016, as part of a Maine-based, small town, contemporary romance anthology, Welcome to Serenity Harbor. The Starlight Grille series begins with The Legacy of Parkers Point (August 2017), and continues with Come Dance With Me (October 2017), and Moonlighting (December 2017).  The Cowboys of Mineral Springs series is a contemporary western romance based in Colorado. Book one, The Prince’s Son (April 2019) is followed by The Rancher Needs a Wife (October 2019). Look for books three and four in 2020.

I also write small-town, sweet short stories. Several have appeared in Woman’s World magazine, as 5-Minute Romances.

Author FB Page: fb.me/delsoraloweauthor

Author Website: www.delsoralowe.com

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2nRx1Bs

Books2Read Author Page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe

Author Newsletter signup (only sent out when there is news): http://www.delsoralowe.com/contact.html

Author Blog: http://www.delsoralowe.com/blog

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What is your favorite setting for a romance?

I will be looking forward to hearing from you.

Post your questions and comments below.