A Chat with Valerie Massey Goree

Happy Almost New Year, Readers!

Today, we have a new author to Back Porch Reads dinning table. Author, Valerie Massey Goree has penned a romanrtic suspense novel called Dangerous Dalliance, and has come to share her writing journey as well as an inside view of the writing of this book.

Welcome to Back Porch Reads, Valerie. Since you are new to us, please share a little bit about your writing journey and your book.

Can you tell us about your journey to becoming a published author?

My writing journey is not typical. I had several negative experiences in high school which took me a long time toovercome. For instance, our English teacher made us read our essays out loud to the class. The students offered their criticismalong with hers. I seldom received any positive words and the more criticism that came my way, the worse my writing became. I don’t remember that teacher’s name, but I do remember her hurtful words!

It wasn’t until I was in my 40s that I ventured into creative writing. My first attempts needed lots of help. I attended workshops, conferences, and read craft books. I wrote and wrote, and finally landed a contact. Dangerous Dalliance is my 10thpublished novel!

How do you typically approach the writing process? Do you have a specific routine or ritual?

After I develop my characters, as answered in another question, then I definitely follow a ritual or a quirk. I have OCD tendencies and have to adhere to this little ritual. I use a piece of colored copy paper and write the alphabet down the right-hand side of the page. When I choose a name for a character, I place a checkmark to the left of that letter for a first name or to the right for a last name. That way I don’t use the same letter too many times. I also like to use the unusual letters such as Q, Y, or Z. (I haven’t used X yet.) And I make sure to use vowels.

In the space to the left of my list, I write the characters’ namesand their relationship to the plot. Yes, I know there are computer programs that will do this, but I’m old-fashioned and use paper and pencil. A quick glance and I can locate a name. When I have all my basics on paper, then I can get on with the plot.

How do you develop your characters? Are they based on real people or entirely fictional?

My main characters are never based on real people. I use a method devised by author Susan May Warren called the Story Equation to develop my characters. I decide on their professions, their strengths, their weaknesses, their backstory, their wants, and their desires. Sometimes a secondary character is based on someone I know!

Can you share any details about your upcoming projects or works-in-progress?

Last year, I visited England and stayed in a little village called Bourton-on-the-Water. While there, I conducted research for my novel Meet Me Where the Windrush Flows. (The Windrush River flows through the village.) That novel is the first in a trilogy titled: From England with Love…and Treachery. In September this year, I visited England again and stayed in two villages in Yorkshire where the next book in the trilogy is set. I’m busy writing Meet Me In the Yorkshire Dales. The third book in the trilogy is titled: Meet Me in Bath at the Jane Austen Festival. Naturally, while in England I also spent time in the city of Bath and had to participate in the week-long Regency festival because my characters will. Oh, the trials of doing research!

What research did you conduct, if any, while writing this book? How did it influence the story or characters?

I researched different aspects of scoliosis, such as treatments, surgeries, and limitations the person might have to live with. I had to make sure Jan’s daily activities took into account the limitations of her condition and how it affected her childhood.

Are there any specific scenes or passages in your book that you found particularly challenging or rewarding to write?

As a child who was teased in elementary school, describing the feelings Jan experienced as a young child brought back some hurtful memories.

Thank you, Valerie, for joining us today. It was such a blessing to have you with us and sharing with us. I hope this tour is a blessing to you and your book.

Readers, please continue to read about Dangerous Dalliance and Valerie Massey Goree thoughts on the book. Then be sure to enter the giveaway at the end.

Have a happy New Year,

Melissa

About the Book

Book: Dangerous Dalliance (Sisters in Peril Book One)

Author: Valerie Massey Goree

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: July 25, 2023

amaJan’s fiancé, Bryan Buchanan, disappeared a year ago. She has no idea why he left or where he is. Since then, she’s had no interest in romance, but saving a little girl from a playground accident propels her into the world of possibilities.

Hatch, the child’s grateful father, has met many women since his wife’s passing. Jan is the first one to catch his attention, but his instinct to offer counseling to any woman he meets who seems depressed is a big turn-off for her.

Although Jan is flattered by Hatch’s attention, the rest of her life is turned upside down when she receives threatening phone calls, is nearly run off the road, and is shot at.

Can Hatch protect Jan as the men’s threats escalate? If Bryan returns to her life, will she forget about Hatch?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Award winner Valerie Massey Goree resides in the beautiful Hill Country, northwest of San Antonio. After serving as missionaries in her home country of Zimbabwe and raising two children, Valerie and her husband, Glenn, moved to Texas, his home state. She worked in the public school system for many years, focusing on students with special needs.

Valerie began her writing career late in life and has now published 10 romantic suspense novels. Glenn wrote 12 non-fiction books which Valerie edited. Valerie retired from teaching and spends her time writing, traveling, and spoiling her grandchildren. She loves to hear from her readers.

More from Valerie

The Interesting “Task” of Choosing Character Names

I wrote the first rendition of Dangerous Dalliance many years ago. Obviously, it wasn’t published, so I put it aside and continued writing other novels. After publishing my ninth book, I decided to revise the story.

Choosing names for my characters, especially the hero and heroine, is a task I take seriously. I read through my lists and check online sites. I don’t go to that much trouble for my secondary characters, but I have a quirky way to choose their names.

I spent twenty-five years working in the public school system. Many students stand out in my memory for positive reasons. However, I remember a few kids or their parents less favorably. Any teacher will understand. Well, the names of those students or parents often play a role in my stories as secondary characters who don’t leave a positive impression.

The name of a major secondary character in my original Dangerous Dalliance was Brandon. From the first moment my student with that name entered my classroom as a four-year-old with severe allergies, a language delay, and behavioral issues until the day his family moved out of state, his behaviors and antics provided me with giggles and frustration.

Fast-forward several years. I live in a retirement community where we have 24/7 concierge services. When I moved here, the young man in charge was named Brandon. When I revised my original story, I frequently chatted with him. He was such a lovely person and treated us “older” folks with so much compassion.

Now, the name Brandon no longer conjured up images of my student but of the man I wanted to adopt as a grandson. (I found out many residents felt the same way.) I told him about my story and the reason I chose a different name for my guy.

Brandon left a few months later, and in a note he wrote me, he said, he would always remember that I changed the name of a character in my novel because of him, and he hoped he could live up to my high opinion of him.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 19

Stories By Gina, December 20 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, December 21

Simple Harvest Reads, December 22 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, December 23 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 24

For Him and My Family, December 25

Fiction Book Lover, December 26 (Author Interview)

An Author’s Take, December 27

Guild Master, December 28 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 29

Back Porch Reads, December 30 (Author Interview)

Leslie’s Library Escape, December 30

For the Love of Literature, December 31 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Valerie is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

Enter the Giveaway Here

4 Comments

Jodi Hoppe Wresh on December 30, 2024 at 12:02 am

Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed finding out how you name characters!
Sarah Taylor on December 30, 2024 at 2:50 pm

Thank You for sharing This sounds like such a great book! This is a New to me Author! Happy New Year!
Nancy P on December 30, 2024 at 3:43 pm

Terrific interview; peaceful cover.
Roxanne C. on December 31, 2024 at 3:57 pm

I enjoyed the interview, especially about the author’s research for her books.