Ask the Author: Z. Allora
Answered Questions (6)
Z. Allora
One of my bestest friends ever sent me a video of Johnny Weir skating to Bad Romance... I was stunned stupid. He was everything and spawned my Blaze Parker. (Thanks Danny B). Hugs, Z.
Z. Allora
I get away from my computer and take my characters on an outing. I go shopping. What would my character think of doing this activity? How would he react to this food/item of clothing? What would he order on this menu? Does he have allergies? How did his mom/dad deal with his dislike of red food? It teaches me about the character and let's me relax. Usually the story will unfold.
Another way is I take drive. Usually the road will help unwind the next scenes. Though I need to be careful because that's also when my muse delivers me more plot bunnies > and once the bunny hutch is opened I'm SCREWED (in every way I enjoy!) Hugs, Z.
Another way is I take drive. Usually the road will help unwind the next scenes. Though I need to be careful because that's also when my muse delivers me more plot bunnies > and once the bunny hutch is opened I'm SCREWED (in every way I enjoy!) Hugs, Z.
Z. Allora
Rocking Thin Ice
Bad assed ice skater & a hot rocker cross paths. Each has achieved their dreams of success but somehow it's not enough to satisfy them.
Bad assed ice skater & a hot rocker cross paths. Each has achieved their dreams of success but somehow it's not enough to satisfy them.
Z. Allora
Identify your priorities as an author.
1) Writing your heart's song.
2) Money.
3) Fame.
4) Benefit others.
5) Best GoodReads rating ever.
6) Endless list of other options.
And yes it would be lovely to have it all but let's be honest that doesn't happen for everyone and usually not with your first book.
Once you have your priorities numbered you know how to judge your success. My priorities can shift from book to book. I'm usually good writing my heart song but there are other times I'd really like my publisher not to see me as a loser so I might write a contemporary. Most times I'm writing my yaoified version of love spiked with BDSM because I'm writing for me.
Extra Credit: Judge your success based on your priority. AKA if I'm writing for me my criteria is: Do I love the story I've written. Did I get everything on the page... I don't look at my royalty check and make a judgment about the book.
Other random pieces of advice:
*Be a beta/critique partner for someone else. (No one has time but it's a way you become a better writer > identifying what you read/correct and apply it to your own work.)
*Listen to feedback. If your betas/critique partners tell you something LISTEN.
*Be part of the genre community you write in.
*A no can be the best thing ever.
*Know your target audience. (No, it's not everyone). Knowing who you should be satisfying allows you to understand who you should be marketing to.
*Satisfy your target audience.
*Reviews can be helpful or crippling.
Many hugs, Z.
1) Writing your heart's song.
2) Money.
3) Fame.
4) Benefit others.
5) Best GoodReads rating ever.
6) Endless list of other options.
And yes it would be lovely to have it all but let's be honest that doesn't happen for everyone and usually not with your first book.
Once you have your priorities numbered you know how to judge your success. My priorities can shift from book to book. I'm usually good writing my heart song but there are other times I'd really like my publisher not to see me as a loser so I might write a contemporary. Most times I'm writing my yaoified version of love spiked with BDSM because I'm writing for me.
Extra Credit: Judge your success based on your priority. AKA if I'm writing for me my criteria is: Do I love the story I've written. Did I get everything on the page... I don't look at my royalty check and make a judgment about the book.
Other random pieces of advice:
*Be a beta/critique partner for someone else. (No one has time but it's a way you become a better writer > identifying what you read/correct and apply it to your own work.)
*Listen to feedback. If your betas/critique partners tell you something LISTEN.
*Be part of the genre community you write in.
*A no can be the best thing ever.
*Know your target audience. (No, it's not everyone). Knowing who you should be satisfying allows you to understand who you should be marketing to.
*Satisfy your target audience.
*Reviews can be helpful or crippling.
Many hugs, Z.
Z. Allora
Yes! The second book in the Made in China series we get to see the Dark Angels. And I still promise Angel & Darius will get their HEA! Hugs, Z.
Z. Allora
((Oops! I just found this section! Sorry for the delay))
Yes, Corey and Jackson will have their HEA as will Erick (<<<< 4 chapters into Erick's story but running into scheduling issues).
I'm glad you're enjoying the series!
Big hugs, Z.
Yes, Corey and Jackson will have their HEA as will Erick (<<<< 4 chapters into Erick's story but running into scheduling issues).
I'm glad you're enjoying the series!
Big hugs, Z.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more