Tracy Grant
@tracygrant.bsky.social
Writer of the Rannoch Fraser Mysteries, historical spy mysteries (SOUTHCOTT JEWELS out 11/21/24); rep'd/pubbed by NYLA;
Merola Opera Program Dir. Inst/Indiv Giving ; proud mummy
Merola Opera Program Dir. Inst/Indiv Giving ; proud mummy
That's a very cool feeling to write spontaneously!
November 29, 2025 at 9:52 PM
That's a very cool feeling to write spontaneously!
Even though I don't usually change where I start a book, I have definitely fiddled a lot with opening paragraphs! I've also added prologues, though Chapter 1 would remain essentially the same.
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Even though I don't usually change where I start a book, I have definitely fiddled a lot with opening paragraphs! I've also added prologues, though Chapter 1 would remain essentially the same.
Oh that's interesting! I definitely hear mine as distinct voices - which of course don't match when I read it out loud!
November 28, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Oh that's interesting! I definitely hear mine as distinct voices - which of course don't match when I read it out loud!
That is cool - scent is such an evocative sense and I think writers tend to use it less than sight and sound.
November 28, 2025 at 11:17 PM
That is cool - scent is such an evocative sense and I think writers tend to use it less than sight and sound.
I love reading over the holidays! It's great when kids can help out - M and I cooked together yesterday - not only did we get it done way faster, it was a lot of fun!!
November 28, 2025 at 11:16 PM
I love reading over the holidays! It's great when kids can help out - M and I cooked together yesterday - not only did we get it done way faster, it was a lot of fun!!
It's interesting how thing change book to book. I've revised a lot of things in various books - but oddly I realize my opening scenes tend to stay more or less the same.
November 28, 2025 at 11:15 PM
It's interesting how thing change book to book. I've revised a lot of things in various books - but oddly I realize my opening scenes tend to stay more or less the same.
It's a juggling act for sure, but connecting the reader to the MC/s is really vital.
November 28, 2025 at 11:13 PM
It's a juggling act for sure, but connecting the reader to the MC/s is really vital.
That would simplify it!
November 28, 2025 at 11:13 PM
That would simplify it!
Do you have the main conflict and character in mind before you sit down? Or do you think of that just as you start?
November 28, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Do you have the main conflict and character in mind before you sit down? Or do you think of that just as you start?
It was very cool! First time anything like that has happened!
November 28, 2025 at 6:14 AM
It was very cool! First time anything like that has happened!
I do find winter weather really conducive to writing!
November 27, 2025 at 7:18 AM
I do find winter weather really conducive to writing!
That is a lovely way to start a book - I love that as a reader, jumping into a world.
November 27, 2025 at 7:18 AM
That is a lovely way to start a book - I love that as a reader, jumping into a world.
That would definitely solve the dilemma!
November 27, 2025 at 7:17 AM
That would definitely solve the dilemma!
Yes! I usually try to move on from the opening chapter and not edit it much until I have more of the book written. In your variations did you change when the scene actually occurred or which scene you started with?
November 27, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Yes! I usually try to move on from the opening chapter and not edit it much until I have more of the book written. In your variations did you change when the scene actually occurred or which scene you started with?
That's usually what I do - write scenes like that as I plot. This time more of the mulling is happening in my head. I'm hoping more gets written this weekend and that it will be easier because of all the thinking time. We'll see...
November 27, 2025 at 7:15 AM
That's usually what I do - write scenes like that as I plot. This time more of the mulling is happening in my head. I'm hoping more gets written this weekend and that it will be easier because of all the thinking time. We'll see...
That is fascinating! Do you figure out perfumes and soaps and things that they use?
November 27, 2025 at 7:14 AM
That is fascinating! Do you figure out perfumes and soaps and things that they use?
Hi! Great to see you! And that is super exciting that you are so close to your goal!
November 27, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Hi! Great to see you! And that is super exciting that you are so close to your goal!
Thank you! Very excited it's out and it was actually the number 1 new release on Amazon in "espionage thrillers"!
November 27, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Thank you! Very excited it's out and it was actually the number 1 new release on Amazon in "espionage thrillers"!
M: neither. T: harder at first (like now) because of the flurry of activity. But I have two weeks off at the end of the year and I always count on those to get a major amount of writing done. I think "writing when you can" applies more than ever at this time of year. #momswritersclub
November 27, 2025 at 2:40 AM
M: neither. T: harder at first (like now) because of the flurry of activity. But I have two weeks off at the end of the year and I always count on those to get a major amount of writing done. I think "writing when you can" applies more than ever at this time of year. #momswritersclub
M: I tend to focus on jumping into the action right away. T: ditto. I try not to over explain and to use questions the reader may have about what's going on and who these people are as a way to pull them into the story. #momswritersclub
November 27, 2025 at 2:34 AM
M: I tend to focus on jumping into the action right away. T: ditto. I try not to over explain and to use questions the reader may have about what's going on and who these people are as a way to pull them into the story. #momswritersclub
M: I usually just start in the main character's POV, but sometimes I change that. T: usually whichever of my MCs has the largest role in the scene. But I have sometimes started from the POV of a minor character observing. It depends on the mood I want to convey. #momswritersclub
November 27, 2025 at 2:28 AM
M: I usually just start in the main character's POV, but sometimes I change that. T: usually whichever of my MCs has the largest role in the scene. But I have sometimes started from the POV of a minor character observing. It depends on the mood I want to convey. #momswritersclub
M: well in one of my stories I removed a flashback and changed the POV and edited the dialog. But for most it's just tiny edits. T: I revise a lot but weirdly my opening scenes don't tend to change much beyond wordsmithing. #momswritersclub
November 27, 2025 at 2:21 AM
M: well in one of my stories I removed a flashback and changed the POV and edited the dialog. But for most it's just tiny edits. T: I revise a lot but weirdly my opening scenes don't tend to change much beyond wordsmithing. #momswritersclub