Today I welcome guest author Arlene James as she shares about the joys and problems of writing a ten-book series.

My work has always been character driven. In the early years of my career, I would send my publisher a list of scenarios, from which my editors would pick three or four, and I’d go to work. For me, every book begins with characters. Until I have the characters, I really have nothing else. Once those characters establish themselves in my mind, the rest falls into place.

When I first embarked on the idea of writing a book about a praise band entered in a battle-of-the-bands contest, the only character in my head was a flashy, middle-aged promoter named Margaret “Maggs” Marko. She was meant to be a secondary character. This was supposed to be a romance, after all, and according to my publisher at the time, that required younger characters. Maggs kept insisting she had a story to tell, however, and until I gave her the lead, I had no viable story. Enter Wyatt Ogilvie, the long lost husband of my unlikely heroine.

As I began fleshing out the book, adding more bands to the contest, more characters of varying ages naturally popped up. Strangely enough (or not), they all had stories to tell. I decided to put them together in one variety praise band, HOBBY RUN. Suddenly I had ten books whirling around in my head. I can’t quite believe I’ve arrived at Book Ten, THE SINNER’S LOVE SONG.

The final book in this series features quiet, introverted, Stuart “Champ” Champion. The adopted only child of older, now deceased, parents who were themselves only children, he is utterly alone in the world. As each of his bandmates have fallen—or stumbled—into love, he has grown sadder and more envious of his dearest friends. That’s when he lets himself succumb to sin, adding guilt and confusion to his already burdened conscience. Only when he confesses and repents does lovely, innocent Mary Sofia Carter show him the kindness and unwavering friendship he so desperately needs. As friendship grows into deeper feelings, he’s terribly aware how unworthy he is of her and dares not hope for more, but when she most needs someone, he simply must be by her side.

Mary Sofia has always found Stuart more attractive and alluring than any of her brother’s bandmates, but he’s older and sophisticated. Plus, she’s promised herself and God that she’ll bridle her romantic nature, fearing that if she doesn’t do so she’ll find herself embroiled in the obsessive kind of love that led to her mother’s suicide. Wavering between her growing feelings for the man everyone calls Champ and her fear, she tries to keep her distance. Still, a Christian doesn’t ignore a friend’s suffering, and when her protected world is suddenly turned upside down, she knows the one person to whom can turn is Stuart.

How can they possibly overcome his past and her fears to become one?

Only with God’s help.

Getting to know Arlene:

       How would I describe myself in three words?  Dedicated, honest, inquisitive.

       What are some fun or unique things about me? 

              I agreed to marry my husband of 46 years on our first date.

              I have written, staged, and/or directed several plays and short films.

              I’m not interested in writing on deadline anymore. 38 years of that feels like enough!

       What can readers expect from me next?  I will be revising and reissuing several of my earliest books and self-publishing more original novels. I also expect to put together a devotional soon.

COMING SOON!  The Sinner's Love Song

About Arlene:

Arlene James has published more than 100 novels, mostly Inspirational or Christian Romance. Raised on a ranch in south central Oklahoma, she lived 34 years in Texas and has been blessed to see much of the world, thanks to the work of her retired engineer husband. She now lives in NW Arkansas. The mother of sons and grandmother of bright, talented, beautiful granddaughters, she is now completing the 10^th novel in her HOBBY RUN series.

Connecting online:

https://www.facebook.com/deararlenejames

https://arlenejames.com/

https://www.amazon.com/author/arlenejames

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/57184.Arlene_James