What To Do With Those Old Stories by Sue Ward Drake

What does a writer, do when faced with a closet full of printouts of old stories? Stories she’s slaved over but which failed to make the journey to published book?

There was something about the idea and characters that definitely needs to be explored. Should a writer hope to write another book with that aspect and gain some new readers?

French Quarter, New Orleans, LA

*Recycling situations and themes

Most people lean toward their comfort zones, and most authors have certain situations or themes which fascinate them. These usually appear on the page without conscious thought because they are principles the author finds important. I find myself consistently writing about characters who want to play fair and who aren’t given a chance to prove themselves. This just shows up on my pages without conscious intent.

And what about reading a second story about protective SEALs or soldiers in the same military unit? We love out Alpha heroes, right?

*Recycling characters

I don’t know about other authors, but I’ve recycled incidents from previous, non-selling manuscripts, and characters, too—or some aspect of them. As I’m hearing impaired, that disability is an easy issue to write. Well, not easy, but knowable, anyway. What makes the next hard-of-hearing or deaf character unique in my stories is their life situation and the threat they’re dealing with. And of course, they need a new name like people entering the witness protection program. LOL.

*Recycling tropes

I had a work friend who almost always ordered the same meal every time she dined at a certain restaurant. She knew exactly what she was getting and was never disappointed, unless the kitchen had hired a new chef. A secret baby plot, or a marriage of convenience can be comforting the same way a menu item can.

Stories by different writers featuring one of these traditional story setups have the same interpersonal conflict that are inherent in those situations. The fun is in discovering how the author found a unique spin.

But back to the original question. In my most recent Big Easy Brothers story (released July 12), the recycling is of my own experiences living in, and evacuating from, New Orleans. Fleeing the Storm takes place before, during, and after a Louisiana hurricane. This is Jack’s story. He’s the second oldest of the Guidry brothers, and the third to be featured in his own love story in my BIG EASY BROTHERS series.

FLEEING THE STORM

No matter what else he is, Jack Guidry, former undercover cop turned bounty hunter, is a stubborn cuss who never gives up. He works all the angles necessary to nab his fugitive—even if that means fishing for answers from lovely pastry chef Grace Comstock.

Grace isn’t talking, certainly not to the handsome rogue who suspiciously pops up everywhere she goes. All she wants is to keep her orphaned niece safe, so when a masked kidnapper ambushes them, she flees New Orleans—straight into the path of a dangerous hurricane.

She’s agreed to talk to Jack, not spend days riding out the storm with him. But that’s what happens once he saves her and the baby from drowning. Even though he denies his attraction, Jack can’t help feeling protective of this beautiful, frightened woman. When they wind up fighting for their lives, can Grace trust Jack enough to help him find his fugitive?

Sue Ward Drake

Award-winning author, Sue Ward Drake, loves using her experiences living in a farmhouse in Greece and her years in the French Quarter as fuel for her stories as often as possible. She writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense and speaks at conferences on writing suspense and disabilities. For news of the next thrilling Big Easy Brothers romantic suspense and other romances visit her website or follow her on BookBub.

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