Hello June, How Are You?
Jun 05, 2024 12:15 pm
The Muse is Amusing.
I often began writing a story based on an image, and I get married to the thought of what if? This month I will show you how I pull it all together from image to concept to book cover creation.
My next Mail Order Bride comes out in September with a trip to Iowa, the home of the Marvel character, Hawkeye. (Yeah, random fact). I had a cover in mind, but for the preorder, I had to go with a generic cover, my first time ever and I will show you why.
The title is solid. The puppy is a given, which is critical to the story, but the character I wrote, didn't match the initial muses for the story. This is the original cover. I thought this was great, but I ran into the issue of not being able to find more images of either character.
I also thought she looked too young for him. There are situations in the story that just don't match or feel good when I look at these characters and the scenes and interactions I wrote. Therefore I had to return to the drawing board.
I needed a more seasoned woman to handle a more seasoned potential partner in Macalister Fontaine. I like her as Kylie West.
Okay, I also don't have to rewrite any of the physical descriptions in the book. Her eyes have more life and she could give as well as she gets in the story.
Now on to him.
It is important that He matches the character of Macalister Fontaine. You remember him; the redhead with blue eyes. I searched. I looked. I searched a bit more and found this image. Yeah, I said the same thing.
However, when I put them together on a cover, it doesn't work. Also, his eyes are too young to be the seasoned man I wrote in the book. Therefore I chose a different image of him being more serious.
Yeah, it feels icky. He may be man enough to handle all that sexy, but he doesn't feel manly enough. I needed more seasoning, back to the drawing board. I continue the search and run across this fella.
Oh heck yeah! The intensity of the stare. The solid form. I think he can handle the visual imagery painted when writing Macalister Fontaine. Let's try it out.
Close, but she is looking a bit unhinged in this image. Back to the drawing board one more time.
I think we have a winner. The interactions in the story between these two finding their way to creating a family works well with these images.
This is the final cover of Hawkeye, Goldfinches, and the Farm.
Portable Printer Wireless for Travel
No more fighting to get to the business center to print out something. It does print on thermal paper, and only in black and white.
Check it out here
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Now available on Audible!
We go back to the beginning. I will roll out a new audio book in the series each month.
Come home to The Man, Sharon, and Rocky and see how it all started. You're introduced to Gabe, the blue mailbox, and so many details which created the best-selling, award winning series.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Lemon Asparagus
Get the recipe here. 
Hawkeye, Goldfinches, and The Farm
Blurb:
Hope surged through Macalister Fontaine as he clicked the arriving message from the match-making agency, opening the missive to see his latest match. A woman, in trouble, who inherited a farm, right in Iowa, less than two hours away. A woman, expecting a child, with no immediate family, nearly broke. She needed a hero, but he needed to know the compatibility percentages on paper.
Kylie West found herself in an unfortunate situation, but she loved the farm in Iowa left to her by Grandpa Ollie. It was her birthright. In her abdomen was the next generation of Wests to till the land. Only one problem, she needed help, in the worst way.
Pack your bags as we load up the wagon train for a roll to Iowa with Macalister Fontaine, Kylie West, Hawkeye, Goldfinches, and the farm.
https://books2read.com/u/mY9GZV
Journal with Me, July 18th, with Creative Conversations @ The Greater Augusta Arts Council. Space is limited. Reserve your slot now!
Free for members of the Arts Council, All others $10.
Bring your journal to learn great tips and techniques.
https://www.ogaines.com/post/upcycling-the-old-into-the-fancy
https://www.ogaines.com/post/ten-journaling-prompts-to-start-your-day
https://www.ogaines.com/post/autograph-collecting-at-conventions
Up next, the Rocky Mountains. Join me in this virtual Challenge. https://www.theconqueror.events/r/CC96636
Join my group Olivia's Hikers. Invitation Code OLIVIA1158 Password readwalkslay.
