In the Sheriff’s Sights Book 2 of Rangers Romance Series by Susan Payne
Jean Grant
Welcome back, Susan. What are we talking about today?
This is the second series I have written with a purpose. The first one I wrote without realizing it. The same characters kept showing up and (shoulder shrug) what else could I do?
Maybe, I best begin with the fact I am a ‘pantser’ which means I don’t use a long drawn-out format or outline. I begin where my characters dictate and pretty much act like a stenographer from there on. They usually have their own names already picked out even after I explain I just wrote a book about another Becky or whatever – they don’t care. It’s a done deal.
Also is the selected spouse-to-be. For both of them. Thank goodness they have always agreed on that even if one or the other have complicated things by already being engaged to someone else. That’s part of why they come to me. To help them out of where they are at and into where they wish to be.
Sheriff Josie Heinz knew Texas Ranger Ben Crocker would be trouble – just not the kind he turned out to be. He matched her in strength, intelligence and passion. Not a bad combination if she had wanted to trade in her badge for a wedding ring. Find it on Amazon.
I used to be afraid to mention the voices in my head, but after reading about other authors having mental arguments with their characters, which sometimes slip out into the ‘real’ world, I don’t feel so badly about. One daughter thinks I channel long dead couples, another just thinks I come up with interesting stories about people in ‘olden’ times. Either way, I am given little choice in the subjects or what they want in the end – a happy ever after life with their chosen love.
So as a pantser, I often am as surprised at the outcome as my readers. I mean we all know that romance is about finding ‘the happy ever after” and finding the man/woman of their dreams. They know they aren’t perfect. They know there are things that get in the way, but by the end, everyone is happy and in love and looking forward to a long life together.
That brings me back to the origin of this blog. My first series, The Sweetwater Series, was due to the characters reappearing like TV show cameos. Sometimes they had complicated messy lives and other times they were unforgettable characters that had to find their place. The second series, Midwest Mail Order Brides, centers on women from the Midwest states going west where their whole life changes in a matter of days. The Rangers Romance Series begin with a female sheriff wanting a life which includes a mate. While I was writing that, other lawmen came forward asking their stories be added so I now have a fourth Lawman Loves Series.
I feel blessed to have this bevy of possible couples line up to wait their turns for me to put their stories down on paper. I enjoy the story as it unfolds and I hope I do their words justice. My pleasure is to please my readers and tell the character’s stories as best I can. I hope not to disappoint.