Q&A with Kelly Abell discussion

Let's chat about this great new trilogy set in Monticello, FL about three sisters facing tremendous challenges and finding love along the way.

Mabe's Burden
While being threatened by the mob, a hot-headed barkeep goes toe-to-toe with a real estate developer who wants to save her and falls head-over-heels...until she learns he's been keeping a horrible secret.

Kelly, in writing a trilogy how do you find a stopping point? And more importantly, how do you start the book. That is my worst enemy. Deciding where to start my story.

Hi Dawn. Great question. I am a planner so I always do a rough outline before I start writing. I find that gives you a more polished book in the end. So I've planned out the entire series. I know what each book will basically be about and the basic outline. For me, the characters sometimes take things in a way I hadn't planned which is really cool, and then I just incorporate it into the plot line or personality of my character. I knew I wanted Saving Shenanigans to be just a trilogy about three sisters who faced some pretty life altering challenges and how they found love through the process. Then my muse took off from there. When you are planning your story think about how you want to hook your reader within the first paragraph if possible, the first page at the most. Then figure out what your character wants and what they will face throughout their journey. I'm betting it will start to fall in place after that.
Thanks for asking!

Since I have three sisters, I'm the fourth, I like the idea of three sisters facing challenges together. How far out are your plans for these three sisters, and do you have some big surprises coming up?

Hi Kathleen. Wow! Three sister? That's a lot of girls in one family. I plan to take this series out until Meg's Story and Mara's story is complete. I do have some pretty interesting surprises planned especially for Mara. Meg is facing some tough decisions and tough times ahead, but she will have a lot of support. Jake and Mara will continue to spar over the pub. I'd share more but don't want to spoil anything. :)

Sounds intriguing. I'll be looking forward to reading all your books.

Thanks! I hope you enjoy them.

Working hard on the second book in this triology, Meg's Secret. Should be released this spring!