Today on Make-Believe Mondays my guest is Devon Matthews.
Devon, first, tell us a little bit about the manuscript you’re working on now.
Devon: Hi Debra! The manuscript I’m currently working on is a Western Historical Romance, which is the genre of my heart. I originally wrote it more than 20 years ago, before I learned “how to write.” (Don’t we all have a few of those?) It’s been stuck away all these years, until a couple of months ago when I finally made up my mind to rewrite it. It’s been in the back of my mind to do this for the longest time because the characters are the most memorable I’ve written, despite the plot holes and weak motivations they had to work with. So, I’m setting it to rights and I hope to send it out and see how it flies before long.
Debra: As you might guess, I have a soft spot for western romances. ;-) So glad you're back to work on it and fingers crossed it flies just where you want it.
For some writers, dreams play a role in creating fiction. Has this been true for you? Have you ever dreamed a scene or an image that later wound up in one of your books?
Devon: The seed of an idea for “Angel in the Rain,” my debut novel, began as a single snippet of imagery that kept replaying in my head. I didn’t dream it, but it would pop in at the oddest times through the day. The image was of a woman with long blond hair standing in the middle of the desert. She wore clothing appropriate to the 1800’s, of course. Then, a dark, mysterious man rides up amid a swirl of dust and sweeps her off her feet and onto the back of his black horse. That was it. From that, I built the entire story.
Debra: Dreaming in the daytime perhaps. Fascinating and mysterious. I can see why you were draw to write about it.
As a child did any particular book or author pull you into their imaginary world?
Devon: Gosh, as a child, I read many of the classics: Robin Hood, Black Beauty, Tales of the Arabian Nights, Grimm’s Fairy Tales, to name a few. ALL of them fired my imagination. I began writing my own little stories when I was very young, and I remember one particular epic poem that I was very proud of at the time. I suspect my mother still has that tucked away somewhere.
Debra: You've listed many of my favorites, though I used to find Grimm rather frightening.
Is there anything else you would like to add about the role of imagination, and dreams in creating fiction? Any other message for our readers?
Devon: I’ve come to believe being a writer is a calling, otherwise, why would we have all those voices constantly clamoring in our heads, trying to tell us their stories. Writing and reading have been the two constants of my life. My dream is to give back as much pleasure with my stories as I’ve been given while reading others through the years.
Debra: I agree, those stories call to us, as readers and as writers. I think of it sometimes as... this story wants to be told.
Devon, thank you for joining us here on this Make-believe Monday to share a little bit of the magic of writing with our readers.
Devon: Thank you so much for having me!
Debra: It's been a pleasure.
www.devonmatthews.entdevonmatthews.blogspot.commyspace.com/devonwritesromance--------------------------
Debra's News/Debra is Watching:
This week I'm working on finishing my tax stuff. Fun fun but it must be done.
www.debraparmley.comWednesday update!!!!!! A very special box arrived from my publisher today!!!! I have been bouncing all day!!! There is nothing like the feeling of holding your first novel in your hands, as a real and tangible thing you can touch. There is no feeling in the world exactly like this one. It is absolutely awesome.
I will be celebrating all day and evening.
Love and Light,
Debra
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