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What’s happening with Christina and her writing?
Autographed Daughter of Montague at Rediscovered Books, Boise ID
New Survey for you!

sung to the tune of “I finished my book!”

I finished my book!
I finished my book!
I finished my book!
I finished my book!

Clap along!

I finished my book!
I finished my book!
I finished my book!
I finished my book!

Have you ever worked on a big project that took much longer than it should because of interruptions, life in general and (for me) promotions? Think gardening, routine appointments, cooking, you know, the normal stuff. That’s been me on this book, which does have a title but for the moment we’ll call Daughter of Montague #3. When I started it, I was way ahead of schedule.

Not anymore!

😵‍💫

What’s next? In my head, I’ve already plotted the next two Daughter of Montague books; in my head is worth nothing, so I’ve got to write those synopses. I usually discover when I start writing out the plot, my subconscious knows more than I realize. Of course, I also always get to a sticking point and that involves some intense thought, sweat, swearing and discussion with writing friends. Sometimes while I talk it out, the solution comes to me and I say, “Thanks!” and they say, “I didn’t do anything!” If that doesn’t work, they say stuff like, “For Pete’s sake, Christina, just do this!” Because of course the solution is easy, I simply need another person’s brain to explain it to me.

Some writers I know whose initials are Jayne Ann Krentz and Susan Elizabeth Phillips don’t plot at all, they sit down and write and pull the words from thin air.

Jayne Ann Krentz: “It’s like setting out on a cross-country road trip and discovering that the GPS is broken and the map is folded funny.”

Me to SEP: I’d be in a complete panic all the time.
SEP: That’s what my writing life is. Panic.

Don’t tell them, but they’ll never be successful authors working like that.
:cough:

On the other hand, pal Susan Mallery writes an 80+ page synopsis. For comparison, I write 10-20 pages. She says she’s actually writing a brief draft. Because she does so much work ahead, when she sits down to finish it takes her about six weeks. Amazing!

Right now I’m not under contract for more contemporary suspenses, but as you know I never say never. Here’s my suspense page sorted by series and clickable covers.

I just counted. Including full-length books, novellas and short stories and not including compilations, I have 33 titles! Wow!

😲

Autographed copies in Boise Idaho!

While in Idaho for The Husband’s 187th high school class reunion, I visited bookstores and when I swung by the friendly and well-stocked Rediscovered Books in Boise, I autographed a trade paperback copy of A DAUGHTER OF FAIR VERONA and two hardcovers of THUS WITH A KISS I DIE. If you live in the area, hop in there and grab them!

Video on Instagram and on TikTok.

If you want any other Christina Dodd titles, ask them to order for you. I really recommend Rediscovered Books. If I hadn’t been traveling, I would have spent sooo much money there.