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Penelope Redmont writes fun traditional historical romance, romantic mysteries, and other fiction

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May 7, 2020 By penny Leave a Comment

Writing Fiction: A Quick Beginners’ Tip

Writing Fiction: A Quick Beginners’ Tip

Is there a trick to switching from nonfiction to writing fiction? The nonfiction author who asked this question in our online writer’s group was trying to write fiction during the lockdown.

She found it tough.

“There’s no flow to my fiction,” she told us. “It’s hard. I can get into a groove when I write nonfiction. But my fiction is stilted. My discomfort with it is coming through in my words.”

“You’re trying to hard,” a veteran author responded. “You can’t think your way into a story… You need to dream your way into it.”

When writing fiction, write in a trance

I found a quote from Timothy Ferriss’s book, Tools of Titans (page 575) which describes the mind state for successfully writing fiction:

Because I’m an actor, as well, I always say, ‘Write in a trance and act in a trance.’ You don’t want to think consciously about what you’re putting on the page.

Thinking too much about what you’re writing while you’re writing it ends in disaster. You can think later, when you’re engaged in word-work: that is, when you’re editing, rather than writing.

Access the creativity of your unconscious mind just after you wake up

The best advice I’ve ever heard on how to get comfortable writing fiction comes from Dorothea Brande, whose book Becoming A Writer, was first published in 1934.

Especially this:

… if you are to have the full benefit of the richness of the unconscious you must learn to write easily and smoothly when the unconscious is in the ascendant… rise half an hour, or a full earlier than you customarily rise… (and) begin to write.

She goes on to say: “what you are actually doing is training yourself, in the twilight zone between sleep and the full waking state, simply to write.”

I’ve found this to be so, and so have the most productive writers in our group. Try writing fiction first thing in the morning, in that somnolent, trance-like, nonthinking state.

You’ll soon access that dreamy state automatically

These days, I don’t write fiction first thing in the morning. Once you’ve trained yourself to access the “now I’m writing fiction” dreamy mind state, you can get into it anywhere, at any time.

Try it.

Lady Julia’s Destiny: A Love To Treasure

Lady Julia’s Destiny: A Love To Treasure

eBook: $4.99
Author: Penelope Redmont
Series: The Eardleys Of Gostwicke Hall, Book 7
Genre: Regency Romance
Tag: regency romance

Julia doesn't know whether to be amused or angry when Lord Lyneham decides to find her a husband. He and Julia's cousin take charge of Julia's fortunes. Suddenly, Julia's an heiress and her life changes.

More info →
Buy from Kobo
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Various Book Retailers
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Tara’s Enchantment – Regency Time Travel Romance, Book 1

Tara’s Enchantment – Regency Time Travel Romance, Book 1

$3.99
Author: Penelope Redmont
Series: Time Travel Regency Romance Trilogy, Book 1
Genre: Regency Romance

A Regency time travel romance... What if you could escape across time, and find your soulmate?

Pure evil dispatches gorgeous Tara Ballantine across the centuries, to Regency England. Tara lands on Adam Jervoise, Earl of Hillingworth -- literally -- as he's riding through a bluebell wood.

Hillingworth is handsome, rich, and kind. He's also set to propose to an heiress.

When Tara realizes that she's falling in love with the earl, she fights the feeling.

More info →
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Lady Saville’s Lover, A Regency Romance

Lady Saville’s Lover, A Regency Romance

$3.99
Author: Penelope Redmont
Genre: Regency Romance

She's gorgeous, but hot-tempered, and Scottish heiress Bess Fleming takes the ton by storm. She's refused six proposals of marriage -- will Lord Darius make number seven?

More info →
Buy from Apple Books
Various retailers
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Lady Julia’s Destiny: A Love To Treasure

Lady Julia’s Destiny: A Love To Treasure

Julia doesn't know whether to be amused or angry when Lord Lyneham decides to find her a husband. He and Julia's cousin take charge of Julia's fortunes. Suddenly, Julia's an heiress and her life changes.

More info →
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Buy from Kobo
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Various Book Retailers
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The Lady And The Duke: A Dangerous Season

The Lady And The Duke: A Dangerous Season

Her sister Catherine believes that Elaine's hair tells you everything that you need to know about her. It's flame-red. When Sir Oliver Destry trifles with Elaine, she decides on revenge. Elaine soon discovers the truth of the old saying that if you want to make the gods laugh, just tell them your plans.

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The Lady And The Duke: A Dangerous Season
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Time Travel Regency Romance

Tara’s Enchantment – Regency Time Travel Romance, Book 1

Tara’s Enchantment – Regency Time Travel Romance, Book 1

A Regency time travel romance... What if you could escape across time, and find your soulmate?

Pure evil dispatches gorgeous Tara Ballantine across the centuries, to Regency England. Tara lands on Adam Jervoise, Earl of Hillingworth -- literally -- as he's riding through a bluebell wood.

Hillingworth is handsome, rich, and kind. He's also set to propose to an heiress.

When Tara realizes that she's falling in love with the earl, she fights the feeling.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
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Tara’s Enchantment – Regency Time Travel Romance, Book 1
Buy now!

Molly’s Magic – Regency Time Travel Romance, Book 2

Molly’s Magic – Regency Time Travel Romance, Book 2

At 24, not only is Molly Ballantine stunning, she has two sisters she loves, and a wonderful career. Then her eldest sister Tara vanishes, and her life disintegrates.

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Books from Penelope Redmont

Escape Across Time: Tara, Molly, & Priscilla (Time Travel Regency Romance Trilogy)

Escape Across Time: Tara, Molly, & Priscilla (Time Travel Regency Romance Trilogy)

Love time travel romances and the Regency era?

More info →
Buy This Book Online
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Various Retailers
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Escape Across Time: Tara, Molly, & Priscilla (Time Travel Regency Romance Trilogy)
Buy now!

The Lady And The Duke: A Dangerous Season

The Lady And The Duke: A Dangerous Season

Her sister Catherine believes that Elaine's hair tells you everything that you need to know about her. It's flame-red. When Sir Oliver Destry trifles with Elaine, she decides on revenge. Elaine soon discovers the truth of the old saying that if you want to make the gods laugh, just tell them your plans.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
The Lady And The Duke: A Dangerous Season
Buy now!

The Major’s Gift: A Sweet Regency Romance Novella

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In 1816 England, pretty Eleanor Devayne teaches young ladies at Miss Merryford's Academy. Although Ellie's job scandalizes her family, Ellie is happy, because she's supporting her small sister.

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The Major’s Gift: A Sweet Regency Romance Novella
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Lady Saville’s Lover, A Regency Romance

Lady Saville’s Lover, A Regency Romance

She's gorgeous, but hot-tempered, and Scottish heiress Bess Fleming takes the ton by storm. She's refused six proposals of marriage -- will Lord Darius make number seven?

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Apple Books
Various retailers
Buy from Barnes and Noble Nook
Buy from Scribd
Buy from Kobo
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Lady Saville’s Lover, A Regency Romance
Buy now!

His One True Passion: Everlasting Regency Romance Series

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The relationship between scandalous Lady Hedworth and Major Lord Cambwell has teased and annoyed the gossiping mamas of the ton for years.

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Buy from Scribd
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His One True Passion: Everlasting Regency Romance Series
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