Fabulous Book Fiends Interview
Interview with the Fabulous Book Fiends!
First question-bit of a cliche-how did you get into writing?
I’ve always loved writing and reading; have been a massive book nerd my whole life. After working in TV for years, creating numerous shows and pitches, I committed to writing fiction. I sat down one September and wrote for an hour or two every afternoon. Six months later, I finished the first draft of a novel. That inaugural book will be released in 2022 as book three in my new romance series…published under a nom de plume!
Do you write full time & if so, have you always done this?
Right now I balance my writing with TV production. They are very different worlds – one frantic and collaborative; the other quiet, with solitude to explore my own creativity. I like the blend of both. It’s a great balance for me.
Do you have a particular writing style or genre that you prefer to write?
I’m firmly in the contemporary fiction niche. I love suspense, although I don’t want to be pigeonholed into writing that all the time.
My TV career has definitely informed my fiction writing. I have a mad love affair with dialogue! It’s my favorite way to explore characters. I’m also big on structure. I’m thinking of each chapter as a scene in a TV show or film and a lot of reviews mention that my stories are very visual. And of course, a good twist is also vital! No one saw the ending coming in my debut novel, Completion and the twists in A Rainbow Like You are also very unexpected.
How do you develop your characters as you write, are any of them based on real people?
I avoid basing my characters on real people. It’s a lazy and dangerous habit. Characters develop as soon as I unleash them on the page. Then, I’m just hanging on for the ride, doing what they tell me.
What was the inspiration behind your book?
Aside from the premise of the story, the macro and micro themes of the book stem from the question: “What does it mean to be a successful musician in the year 2020?” It’s ironic that musicians barely make a living off music sales these days; touring and merchandise revenue are how they survive. But the touring life is a grind. It’s an isolating, nomadic experience, punctuated with extreme highs and lows. Relationships are constantly under strain. I love settings with lots of natural tension and the drama surrounding a band on tour made it the perfect backdrop for a story!
What is your writing process-do you plan it out first? Write a bit at a time?
My stories always start with character. I tend to write a few chapters with a plot idea in mind, but it’s all about getting under the skin of the major players—when they start to interact on the page, they take flight and I understand them better. After that initial writing blitz, I fine tune the plot based on what they’re telling me.
How much of you is reflected in your writing?
There are always little snippets of me or my personal viewpoints coloring the story somehow. I choose not to reveal them, however. It’s better for everyone if I stay behind the scenes!
What kind of research did you have to do before/during writing behind your book?
I know quite a few people in the music industry, and they were generous in sharing their insight and stories. And I have seen over 400 concerts. The live show environment is something near and dear to my heart.
How much attention do you pay to the reviews that you get?
I love reading reviews. It’s interesting how people interpret my work. Authors get demoralized with reviewers who don’t gel with their books. I believe there is something to be gleaned from every review and don’t take anything personally. I don’t expect everyone to love my stories. My job is to provoke a feeling, a reaction, an emotion. It might be that someone doesn’t like what I’ve provoked in them and that’s okay. Writing isn’t a popularity contest.
Are friends and family supportive of your writing?
Yes, they are. My friends especially. It’s been wonderful how they’ve embraced my creative life. I’ve rotated through different sets of beta readers for my two novels and my friends know me enough to be honest about what’s working or not. My sister offers great feedback as I’m hammering out drafts. She’s an English teacher and always finds the grammar errors!
How do you feel leading up to your publication day?
Excited! It’s liberating to finally launch my material into the universe.
Which other authors inspire you or are there any you particularly enjoy reading?
I’m constantly in awe of how prolific the big authors are—King, Grisham, Baldacci etc. I try to read a little of everything, just to keep on top of the market/trends. Although my personal writing bent is far more contemporary and commercial, for some reason I’m drawn to literary works for my own reading pleasure. Go figure!
Finally…what are you working on right now?
I’m heading back into the suspense realm for my third novel. It’s got a killer title and an intriguing premise. I’m working on the twist right now. (I love a good twist!)
My new romance series also launches next year! I am publishing sexy romance under a nom de plume. After finishing my first two novels, I realized how much I enjoy writing intimate scenes. Plus, sexuality is very personal and exploring characters through that prism is as fun as dialogue choices.
