Ask the Author: Ruby Blaylock
Answered Questions (6)
Ruby Blaylock
I knew I wanted to feature Brandon more in this story because I love his sense of right and wrong, plus he's such a good guy, I wanted to put him in the rather uncomfortable situation of waking up next to a dead woman. How would Mandy react to her new beau's situation? How would Brandon prove his innocence? It's fun to write more inside his head than Carly's for once.
Ruby Blaylock
I swear, I think maybe I was dropped on my head a lot as a kid because I just get completely random ideas that don't always make sense until I piece them together into a story. Maybe all writers are like that, but I know that I can see something as innocent as a paper cup lying on the ground and my brain translates that to the remnants of a poisoning, the victim having been dragged off and buried out in a field, and the cup is the only clue to the whole thing.
I think I have an overactive imagination...
I think I have an overactive imagination...
Ruby Blaylock
I'm currently working on the fourth Carly Keene Cozy Mystery, though really it's more of a Brandon Sparks cozy because he's the main character in this one. It's called 'Can't Beat A Dead Horse' and it involves Brandon, a dead racehorse and a murdered rich girl. It will go into more on Brandon's relationship with Mandy, Shell and Pete's deepening romance, and, of course, Carly will be snapping pictures and spending time with Tucker!
Ruby Blaylock
Don't give up on your writing dreams, but don't give up your day job, either. It's difficult and demoralizing pinning your financial hopes and dreams on a book that sells a handful of copies.
Even the best authors have to learn how to market their books or they won't earn a thing.
Keep some way of earning money while you're working on that novel, or if you have a full-time job, make sure you force yourself to do something with your writing every single day, even if it's just ten minutes' worth of writing. Every little bit adds up, and eventually you'll have a whole book in front of you.
Even the best authors have to learn how to market their books or they won't earn a thing.
Keep some way of earning money while you're working on that novel, or if you have a full-time job, make sure you force yourself to do something with your writing every single day, even if it's just ten minutes' worth of writing. Every little bit adds up, and eventually you'll have a whole book in front of you.
Ruby Blaylock
I love seeing the stories in my head come to life on paper or on the computer screen. When somebody reads my books and tells me that they enjoyed escaping into the story for a bit...that's the best!
Ruby Blaylock
I don't usually suffer from writer's block, but sometimes I find it terribly hard to focus long enough to get my thoughts out of my head and onto paper. When this happens, or when I hit a brick wall in my story, I just take a break, go get a snack, do something brainless, anything to relax my mind and let it work itself out.
Reading helps, too. Sometimes, I'll read something in a story that triggers a thought in my head that just unleashes something. That inspiration can be priceless!
Reading helps, too. Sometimes, I'll read something in a story that triggers a thought in my head that just unleashes something. That inspiration can be priceless!
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