A behind-the-scenes look at how Heidi’s new Home to Hearts Bay series came to be, including a few lessons learned along the way as she shares her insights about how to create a series readers will enjoy.
It’s All About the Heart-Shaped Rocks
For as long as I’ve been writing novels, I’ve wanted to write a complete series set in Alaska. I started out independently publishing a series set in the fictional community of Emerald Cove, Alaska. Then I entered a contest with Love Inspired and loosely connected a character from my indie books to my first Love Inspired novel, The Firefighter’s Twins. Initially I envisioned this epic story world where all my characters in every book are connected by a common thread.
Well, as it turns out that’s extremely difficult to do when you’re just starting out.
I did not possess the skill or the vision to know what I didn’t know. So I had to rethink that plan. As my publishing opportunities increased with Love Inspired, my dream of writing a complete series became a reality. This time with a new setting and a new cast of characters. When I read a news story about heart-shaped rocks on a beach in southcentral Alaska, the idea for the series took flight. I took that real piece of information and created the fictional community of Hearts Bay. Each story is set on Orca island (also fictional but inspired by Kodiak Island). To me, when Alaska is a setting it also becomes a plot device. An island implies challenges because of the lack of roads/bridges. Alaska is known for its extreme weather as well as its captivating scenery, both of which can easily be used to move a story forward. Brainstorming a series idea with substantial conflict is crucial to your success.
Siblings Equals Drama
My relationship with my sister is amazing, most likely because she’s one of the most wonderful humans on the planet. To be honest, I’m the feisty one who is prone to be overly dramatic. Please don’t tell her I admitted that here, though. 🙂 One of my key lessons that I’ve learned from reading compelling contemporary novels is that readers enjoy some drama.
Juicy secrets. Second chance romance. People who’ve left a trail of heartache in their wake suddenly coming back home to face the people they’ve hurt. Childhood sweethearts reunited to achieve a common goal (or thwart the other’s success to get what they think they want). These are all examples of hooks that readers enjoy.
Since I’m writing inspirational, uplifting romance novels, I have to draw from a slightly different well. Not that people of faith don’t have plenty of drama, because we certainly do. I’m simply saying that the expectations among Love Inspired readers skews conservative, so that influences my creative process. If you haven’t already figured this out, authors and editors at Love Inspired do our best to keep readers happy. We strive to keep readers coming back for more. Siblings as protagonists are often a huge hit. The main characters in my Home to Hearts Bay series are sisters. When the first book begins, it’s revealed that they lost their brother and the oldest sister’s fiance in a tragic commercial fishing accident. Their grief and recovery from those tragic losses is like a ribbon that winds throughout the series. The loss unites their family and helps them conquer the obstacles they face in each novel.
Deliver What You’ve Promised
Readers like series romance for a variety of reasons. It’s our job as authors to tap into their expectations and deliver what we’ve promised. Love Inspired readers like small-town settings, especially Alaska, featuring characters who live in close-knit communities. So far, the stories I’ve written featuring babies and young children, single dads and juicy secrets have sold well. Does that mean I’ll be writing novels with those hooks forever? Who knows. For now, it’s working. Those hooks appeal to my audience. Under the guidance of the Love Inspired team, I’ll continue to deliver on the brand’s promise.
Don’t Be Afraid to Put Your Whole Self On the Page
This is my family (I’m the cute blond on top of the rock) in the late 1970’s. My parents and grandparents bought a lodge on the side of the highway in southcentral Alaska. When the State of Alaska decided to upgrade the highway, two giant rocks were shoved into our parking lot. Based on stories I’ve heard, this created a situation for my family. Heated words were exchanged between people I’m related to and state employees. My grandfather turned the dilemma into a marketing opportunity. Hence, the clever signage. Another person’s questionable decision (shoving boulders into a small business’s parking lot) created an obstacle. Yet our family turned it into a unique opportunity. We took approximately a bazillion photos here. I’m not ashamed to admit I made money off of tourists who wanted to take a picture of a dorky Alaskan kid sitting on a rock.
My point is simply this: don’t be afraid to put your whole self on the page. Pour your heart into the stories you write. Do the deep work required to let your subconscious roam free. Explore the heartache you’ve endured until you find those relatable pieces of your experience that you can infuse into your novels. I promise, the characters will be more life-like and their journey through the story world more appealing. It’s risky. But it’s so worth it.
Thank you for taking the time to read more about how my new Home to Hearts Bay series came to be. The first book, An Alaskan Secret, is available now from your favorite bookseller. After you buy and read your copy, I’d love to hear your thoughts. I’m super easy to find on social media, so feel free to reach out. I love connecting with my readers. If you’d like more behind the scenes content and access to exclusive giveaways, subscribe to my monthly newsletter here.
Blessings!
