"The Wayfaring Widow" in the Making

I took several courses on plotting, story arcs, romance writing, grammar, and editing. 

I created my heroine and hero, their character flaws, and their personal story arcs. 

I also outlined the novel's plot and main scenes based on Isabella's travels in her Englishwoman in America book. 

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The gentleman on the left in the above photo was my inspiration for Harrison. Source.

I wrote whenever I had free time between my paying job and other responsibilities, doing A LOT of research along the way. 

4/3 = 22,000 words

5/1 = 25,700 words

6/26 = 31,760 words

8/22 = 35,940 words

9/27 = 40,388 words

10/30 = 50,279 words

11/14 = 54,887 words

12/1 = complete @ 64,410 words

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The Mayflower steamship in the above photo takes my characters on a stormy trek across Lake Erie. Source.

While the manuscript underwent developmental review and editing, I took a query letter writing course and finalized that piece and the other pieces of the pitch package.

I also extensively researched agents and publishers, compiling a spreadsheet from which I'll focus my querying efforts.

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The above photo is of the 80-foot-tall Biddle Staircase at Niagara Falls. My characters descend it in the book. Source.

While waiting to hear back on my querying efforts, I will be busy working on Book 2 - Georgina's travels with Isabella to the Hawaiian Islands in 1872. 

Additionally, I plan to attend a few industry conferences to learn from and interact with industry experts and successful authors, agents, and publishers. 

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The above photo is a menu from Taylor's Saloon in New York City - one of the few restaurants that would serve unchaperoned women at the time. Isabella and Victoria visit it in the book. Source.