by Donna Cook
My first idea for this story actually came as I developed the series as a whole.
The Beautiful Rivers series is about three siblings who inherited a luxury resort on the California coast when their parents passed away suddenly.
(Their cousin, who was practically raised with them, gets her own book in Beautiful Dark.)
The resort appears in my first series, The Firework Girls, and I loved the idea of another series taking place there. It’s so romantic!
What Kind of Woman Would Capture His Attention?
Rayce is the oldest sibling, and the most serious and responsible one. The Rivers family is rather prominent in that town, and their resort is known around the world, so Rayce takes it upon himself to be the steward of the Rivers family image.
We see hints of this in the first three books, and his concern about reputation really comes to a head in this one.
He’s a bit of a playboy, so I was fascinated to think about what kind of woman would capture his attention and bend his heart to hers. I’ve loved writing each book in the series, but this is probably my favorite love story yet.
In the Midst of the #MeToo Movement, I Adjusted My Plot
When it was finally time to start working on this book, the #MeToo movement was just ramping up. A subplot was originally going to involve a false accusation of sexual harassment, and I felt the heavy responsibility of writing something like that in the middle of that movement.
Too often people assume a woman reporting sexual harassment is lying, and I was not willing to give any sort of voice to that prejudice. It’s hard enough for women to come forward in situations like that as it is, and the fear of being called a liar does not help.
I made some adjustments to the subplot to remove the sexual harassment allegations. That seemed challenging at the time, but that was nothing compared to what I had to do to unfold the central story, which involves a forbidden workplace romance.
It was very challenging to walk that tight rope between consent and the thrill of illicit love affairs.
Burnout Made Me Worry I’d Never Finish the Book
I started this book just a few weeks before I suffered a hard burnout that lasted nearly a year.
Usually I can write a romance novel in a few months, but this one sat dormant for a long time. Over the last six months of my recovery, I made little bursts of progress here and there, but I was balancing that with trying to get back on track with editing work for clients, too.
By the time I was finally all the way back to myself and could finally write at my normal pace, I hadn’t gotten very far. About a month later, when I was at about the halfway point, the fact that I’d started that book a year ago but was only halfway done was playing strange mental tricks on me.
It created an almost out-of-body sensation where I was convinced I would never, ever finish that book.
That I would be writing that book forever.
You know the feeling if you’ve ever driven through Texas. You eventually get to the point where you legitimately believe that you will never not be driving through Texas.
That’s exactly how I felt for probably two solid weeks. It was incredibly discouraging, but I kept on.
I think that’s the best you can ever do as a writer, or in life. Just keep going. You’ll get there eventually.
The “High” We Writers Chase
Every book is such a creative journey. There are always puzzles to solve, challenges to be met, and victories to enjoy.
But what stands out most for me about this one, honestly, is when I finally finished it and knew it was the best romance I’d written yet. To go from the utter despair of thinking I’d never finish another novel, to the triumph of knowing I’d met my personal goal to get better with each book?
It was almost as exhilarating as when I finished my very first novel, Gift of the Phoenix. And let me tell you what, that’s a high writers chase for the rest of their careers. It was fantastic.
Why Writers Must “Always Protect the Talent”
The burnout I experienced was a pivotal event in my life. It taught me the importance of taking care of myself at a deeper, more meaningful level. The challenge of changing my mindset and altering my daily routines was both eye-opening and exhilarating. Of course, it impacted me as a writer as well.
I’ve come to embrace the advice to “Always protect the talent.” I am the talent, and as the owner and operator of my independent publishing company, it’s my job to take care of the talent.
Having a career as a writer is a long game. We will inevitably hit black ice from time to time as we go through life. So I’m doing my best to take that into account when I make business decisions. I’m trying to prepare for the next time life goes sideways and demands my full attention.
This experience also made me realize that I can overcome whatever challenges I may face as a creative person. It’s been very empowering.
No Matter How You Look At It, Writing Matters
Like so many other writers out there, writing isn’t just something I do. It’s something I am.
Nothing in life fulfills me as deeply as sinking into the creative act and letting the power of imagination takeover. The world disappears. I almost disappear. Except I am never as fully present and satisfied as I am what I’m getting lost inside of story.
Whether you call that a spiritual practice or something else is not really important. The point is, it matters.
Advice for a Young Writer: Don’t Believe the Lie that You Don’t Have Time to Care for Yourself
Now that I’ve been through this process, my advice to other writers is this: Don’t believe the lie you tell yourself—that you don’t have time to take care of yourself. You will pay that time one way or another. You will also pay the price with your physical, mental, and emotional health. Ultimately, your writing will suffer.
Tell yourself that you’re worth however much time you need each day, each week, each month, and each year, to be healthy and whole.
You’re not being lazy. You not being self-indulgent. You’re protecting that creative power within you, so that both you and your readers can enjoy it for many years to come.
(Read Donna’s previous post on Writing and Wellness here.)
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Donna Cook is an author, editor, and publishing consultant. She’s published several contemporary romances under a pen name, and her epic fantasy adventure, Gift of the Phoenix, has won several awards.
When she’s not working with clients or writing her next novel, she spends her time chasing the kids, exploring delicious eateries in downtown Boise, and dancing with her talented husband. She’s a sun-worshipper, tea-devourer, and word-slaying ninja.
For more information on Donna and her writing, please see her author and editor websites, or connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, LinkedIn, and Google+.
Beautiful Deep: I swore I’d never let a man take advantage of me again… then I met him.
I’ve been down this road before. I’m broke and vulnerable; he’s rich and commanding… and my boss. Just like before.
I may work for Rayce Rivers, the powerful owner of the Rivers Paradise Resort, but I’m determined not to make the same mistake twice. I stand up for myself and draw the line.
He steps right over it.
Soon I’m doing things I swore I wouldn’t and wondering why this time, it all feels different.
His touch turns me to butter, his kiss demands that I yield, and his boyish smile makes me believe him. The words. The promises. The lies.
Because just when I convince myself he loves me, I’m proven wrong.
Again.
He swears his love for me is true, but I refuse to listen. I’m done making mistakes.
No matter how much my heart wants to believe him.
Beautiful Deep is a standalone in the Beautiful Rivers contemporary romance series. Jordyn White concludes this steamy, heartfelt series with a powerful tale of love, passion, and redemption.
Thanks so much for letting me share this story with your readers. I think we all need reminders to take care of ourselves, myself included. 🙂
So true, Donna, and thank YOU! :O)