Ask the Author: Gloria Clover
Answered Questions (7)
Gloria Clover
Hi, Lila. Thanks for the questions. My books definitely have a Christian element, a spiritual thread that weaves through the romantic leads and the fantasy adventure.
I'll answer your second question literally -- I became a Christian before I became a published author or wrote speculative stories. And, God willing, I will write stories up until I take my last breath on earth. But if I had to give up one, I would give up writing before I gave up Christ.
But if your deeper question is how do my books come across -- I hope and intended for the adventure of the story to carry the day, with the Christian themes deepening the reading experience to tease and challenge your thinking long after you finish the novels.
I'll answer your second question literally -- I became a Christian before I became a published author or wrote speculative stories. And, God willing, I will write stories up until I take my last breath on earth. But if I had to give up one, I would give up writing before I gave up Christ.
But if your deeper question is how do my books come across -- I hope and intended for the adventure of the story to carry the day, with the Christian themes deepening the reading experience to tease and challenge your thinking long after you finish the novels.
Gloria Clover
For the current series I've been working on, the process is a bit more analytical than the "get a spark" process I used to use. Now, I start with an ancient culture (Rome), pick something from that culture that is recognizable to my readers (gladiators), twist it to a modern issue (entertainment), then turn it into a deception ("Ignore painful reality by keeping busy with entertaining pursuits.) Then I figure out which character (hero or heroine) is best suited to fall for that deception. I develop the characters, focusing on internal conflicts. I develop the island setting, including whatever motif I hope to use (waves). From what I know so far, I do a tentative plot outline with 3-5 major plot points, including cute meet and HEA resolution. Then I start to write. If I get stuck, I revisit the plot outline and revise as necessary. All the pre-plotting elements yield to the flow of the story as it unfolds. The above examples are from the first book in my Children of the King series, Washed Under the Waves. It's been working for me.
Gloria Clover
The baby goes down for his nap. Knowing I have a small window of opportunity is great inspiration.
Gloria Clover
A blog tour and book 6 of my Children of the King series. No title yet.
Gloria Clover
Quit if you can. If you can be happy and fulfilled doing something else, do it. But if nothing else meets that internal need the way writing does, then write. Write for the joy of being alive. Don't write to get published. Write because you'll go crazy if you don't.
Gloria Clover
All the different people I get to be. All the different jobs I get to learn. How I don't have to stay any one person, but can become someone else for a short time.
Gloria Clover
If the next scene doesn't come, I revisit the plot outline and see how far off course I may have gone. Then I need to decide what needs to come next. Repeat as necessary.
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