Kitten in the House -- Author at Work

See the laptop. See the kitten. See the challenge. I'm writing. Sort of. Sparky McGee wants to play. Kitty Peaches and Cream are napping with a do not disturb label. Even Puppy Cooper is snoozing. Our older dog, Jilly, idly lifts her head and Kitty Pavel hides. So I'm it. That's me in the pink shirt with the laptop and this is who I see when I glance down. I took a lot of pics to get one where he wasn't a busy blur. :)

I can't really blame all my writing challenges on Sparky McGee, though. The H&H in my current work --an older YA paranormal time travel romance-- have had their hand on the doorknob for weeks. I've left them standing on the porch of the mystery house while I try to plot out who will answer their knock. Everything hinges on who and what lies on the other side of that door. I have researched various time periods--exhaustively--because I'm not even sure what era we are in yet. And I've schemed different ways this story can go, but I can't make up my mind. It seems to boil down to that inner leading. Sometimes, I just have to open the door and walk through. Only then, will I discover what awaits my characters. Only then, will I know how the story goes. And this is the whole problem with me and plotting. I can only scheme so much. The rest I have to learn. I think I know how this story will go but invariably the characters chart a different course. Fear not, I am prepared. Research helps me jump here or there.

What of you? Plotters or pansters?  Or a combination of both, like me?

Back to Sparky McGee, he has moved on to cruising the bookshelves, furniture, etc, and attacking anything that moves which includes my toes. A thing doesn't even have to wiggle for him to pounce. He's on the prowl.

"I wish I could write as mysterious as a cat." ~Author unknown

"There is no more intrepid explorer than a kitten. "~Jules Champfleury

"Kittens believe that all nature is occupied with their diversion." ~F.A. Paradis de Moncrif

"Who would believe such pleasure from a wee ball o' fur?"~Irish Saying

Sparky McGee below when he's my contented writing buddy in sleepy mode.

Kittens happen.

For more on my work, visit my Amazon author page at: https://www.amazon.com/Beth-Trissel/e/B002BLLAJ6/

New Audiobook--Historical Romance Novel Red Bird's Song!

I am delighted to have the first story I ever wrote in audio! Narrator Paul-Alexandre Petit did a fabulous and painstaking job.

More about the story.

In the Beginning: Years ago, while researching family genealogy, I gained the courage to take the leap from penning non-fiction essays about rural life (I live on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia) and plunge into historical romance novels set in early America. That first story, Red Bird’s Song, (written and rewritten multiple times) is the book of my heart.

"I loved the descriptions...I felt I was there...Many mystical episodes are intermingled with the events...The ending is a real surprise, but I will let you have the pleasure of reading it for yourself." --Seriously Reviewed

“This book touched my soul even as it provided a thrilling fictional escape into a period of history I have always found fascinating.”
~ Laurie-J Reviewer for Red Bird’s Song at Night Owl Romance
Red Bird’s Song is a 2012 Double Epic Award Finalist.

(Image of the Alleghenies taken by my mom, Pat Churchman)

My fascination with Colonial America, particularly stirring tales of the frontier and the Shawnee Indians, is an early and abiding one. My English, Scot-Irish (we called ourselves the Scotch-Irish, but are often corrected, so whatever) ancestors had interactions with this tribe, including family members taken captive. In Red Bird’s Song, I honed in on my early American roots in a story featuring the Scots-Irish and an Indian attack that happened to my ancestors.

My award-winning Native American themed historical romance novel Through the Fire is also based on research into my colonial forebears and the French and Indian War.

Though written to stand alone, historical romance novel Kira Daughter of the Moon is the sequel to Through the Fire. These three novels, plus The Bearwalker's Daughter comprise my Native American Warrior Series.

(Image of family musket, hunting pouch, and powder horn by my mom, Pat Churchman)

Red Bird’s Song (Native American Warrior Series):

Blurb: Taken captive by a Shawnee war party wasn’t how Charity Edmondson hoped to escape an unwanted marriage. Nor did Shawnee warrior Wicomechee expect to find the treasure promised by his grandfather’s vision in the unpredictable red-headed girl.

George III’s English Red-Coats, unprincipled colonial militia, prejudice and jealousy are not the only enemies Charity and Wicomechee will face before they can hope for a peaceful life. The greatest obstacle to happiness is in their own hearts. As they struggle through bleak mountains and cold weather, facing wild nature and wilder men, Wicomechee and Charity must learn to trust each other.~

“With “Red Bird’s Song”, Beth Trissel has painted an unforgettable portrait of a daring and defiant love brought to life in the wild and vivid era of Colonial America. Highly recommended for lovers of American history and romance lovers alike!” ~Review by Virginia Campbell

RED BIRD'S SONG was purchased from The Wild Rose Press by Amazon for republication under their Encore line. Look for it in kindle and print and now audio at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Red-Birds-Song/dp/B07HBBXBT1

RED BIRD'S SONG audiobook at Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Red-Birds-Song-Audiobook/B07HBC72YS