Happy Friday! Today I’m pleased to introduce Author C.F. Francis. I met this amazingly prolific author in an improv group. Where some writers participated occasionally, C.F. contributed every single week, always submitting something exceptional. I’ve read her short stories, and most recently her fourth novel Run River Run. It’s a fantastic romantic suspense, and River and Kevin’s story kept me enthralled. Please welcome C.F. Francis to Help From My Friends Friday ~ Donnell
Where did that come from?
By C. F. Francis
Romantic Suspense Author C.F. Francis
Someone recently asked me how I came up with the idea for the profession of my reclusive protagonist in Run, River, Run. It wasn’t the first time I’d been asked about the masquerade masks, so I thought I take this opportunity to discuss ideas and where they come from—at least with regard to my stories.
Unfortunately, there’s no bright beam of light shining on a story board full of ideas when I wake up in the morning. There’s no voice whispering in my ear as I shower (damn it). Gabriel, the Archangel of Writers, isn’t leaving notes on my desk for me to find. (That’s probably not going to happen considering I spend a great deal of time thinking up ways to kill people.)
Inspiration might strike after reading a news story, watching an episode of 48 Hours, diving into an unsolved mystery, or simply reading a warning label on a package. I often speculate what Dame Agatha Christie would have done with a modern version of one of her stories. In Lovers Key, I took the liberty of using one of her novels to decode a cryptic message. For the most part, though, ideas just pop into my head—so maybe there is a little divine inspiration.
Getting back to River and Run, River, Run, I had written the prologue but had absolutely no idea what came next. River had literally burst onto the page and I knew I had to do something special with her. She was going to be different. That much I knew.
As I only had the prologue, it gave me plenty of options on where to take the story and the characters. I had a protagonist who was reclusive yet didn’t run screaming from a room if it had more than one person in it (well, maybe there was that one time). Her career would have to allow her to work from her isolated mountain cabin or her condo on Sanibel Island.
There were a lot of online jobs River could have done, but due to her traumatic history, she was socially awkward and used any means possible to keep people at bay. She would have to be her own boss as she could not play well with others. I wanted her to have a career that was unique. The book cover also played a part in my final decision. I wanted something which could possibly make a cover “pop” if my graphic artist, Elizabeth, decided to use it. She did, and if I do say so myself, it is an awesome cover.
Briefly, I considered having River be a graphic artist, but I knew it would be too technical for me to pull off. I need to be able to get into my character’s head. There is no part of my brain capable of the expertise it takes to be a graphic designer, therefore, River wasn’t getting that job.
Not long after I wrote the prologue, I attended Heather Graham’s Writers for New Orleans conference. I suspect the location of the conference may have helped inspire the unique Mardi Gras-style masks, although I can’t remember a eureka moment. I purchased a couple of masquerade masks off the internet and studied them. I could do this. The designs for each mask River creates are my own, but God only knows where I came up with the ideas. I’m sure someone who actually designs these enchanting works of art would find flaws in my process, but I do love the jeweled and seashell masks River made.
Run, River, Run was published on June 1 and is the fourth in The James Gang romantic suspense series. The series, which involves a team of current and former Special Forces soldiers, is set primarily on the beaches of Southwest Florida. River’s very patient love interest is Kevin, a Special Forces medic. While his personality developed as I wrote the story, I had the input from one of my physicians and some friends who’d served in the Special Forces. They aided in the technical aspects of his character. Occasionally, we need more than divine inspiration.
So—where do you get your ideas?
(On a side note: If you ever get the chance to attend Heather Graham’s Writers for New Orleans conference https://www.writersforneworleans.com/—don’t hesitate. It is small but one of the best I’ve attended. Its intimacy allows you to get to know everyone there, including the host and her special guests—all who were anxious to talk about their craft. I learned a great deal about writing and publishing at dinner sitting between a NY agent and a Penguin House editor while Heather and her troop of players entertained us with her version of Game of Thrones.)
About Run River Run:
As an adolescent, River Chandler escaped the serial killers who slaughtered her family. Her testimony put them in prison for the rest of their lives. With the memory of her family never far from her thoughts, she’s built a solitary, but successful life – until terror once again targets her.
Seeking peace from the visions of the wounded he’s cared for, Special Forces medic, Kevin Slawter is visiting friends on Sanibel. While spending some time on the water, he is helpless when he sees a woman attacked on the beach. His shouts chase the assailant away, but she refuses further assistance. Determined to discover who is behind these acts, Kevin has to convince River to let him into her life. For a woman who has lost everyone she loves, she’s determined to keep her distance.
About the Author: C.F. Francis is a native Floridian. Born in Tampa and raised on the “gold coast”, she now calls Southwest Florida her home. Her romantic suspense novels take place primarily on Sanibel Island but as she loves to explore, other parts of the state occasionally serve a backdrop for her stories. Francis began writing in 2015 and published her first book, Sanctuary Island, in 2016. Lovers Key followed in 2017 (placing second in a national competition for romantic suspense), Explosive Touch (2019) and Run, River, Run (2021). Her background includes tourism, legislative, law and healthcare. She has a special relationship with several members of the military including Green Berets and Army Intelligence. They volunteer their knowledge to keep her novels honest. https://www.cffrancis.com/
C.F. thank you for being my guest today. The masks you describe in your book were exquisite. The Florida setting as well. And poor River! You really made your heroine suffer–for the good of the book of course. Kevin’s a terrific character.
Thanks, Donnell, for inviting me to this blog. Hopefully, the troubles are over with you website.
Yes, once I latched onto the idea of masquerade masks as a line of business for River, they were fun to create – mentally, that is. I think they gave River joy in her troubled life, as well. She had issues, that’s for sure. Tough but frightened. Her fear for herself and others made her lash out at times. Thank goodness for the patience of Kevin. Question for you: what did you think of the fountain? Creating it, tugged at my heart.
Loved the post, C.F.- you have such great and original ideas for your characters in this paradise setting. Highly recommend each of the novels in this series!
Thanks, Sarah. And thanks for all your support.