Colleen Young's Blog, page 9

How to pay it forward: Part 1

This two-part series starts off with some quick updates on our writing and then we discuss how you can pay it forward as a writer and be a good literary citizen. We talk about what being a good literary citizen means to us and share 4 specific ways you can get involved in your writing community. 

Tune in to get some valuable insight on how to show up and participate in the writing world! 

Click here for the Episode!

Fighting Prose Interview with Sarah E. Green!

Welcome to my in-depth writers series Fighting Prose. Where I talk to authors in the industry on what their process is like and what it takes for them to keep on creating, through all the odds.

Sarah

Green

is my interview this week!

How long have you been writing?

Oh goodness...I don't remember a time when I wasn't writing. Maybe since I was six years old? I'm honestly not sure when I started, only that I didn't want to stop. I'd write short stories, poems (really bad poems), and songs (horrible, horrible songs).

I was that student in class who looked like they were taking the most thorough notes but was actually writing my own stories instead. I had scrap pieces of papers with a piece of dialogue or description, inner monologue or an entire scene written down whenever I was out with friends or was at work that I wanted to add to my stories when I got home.

But it wasn't until I was in 6th grade writing a chapter for a story that I let someone else read my words. My BFF (who isn't afraid to be brutally honest with me) asked to read it and I was so nervous, watching her with anxious eyes the entire time. When she finished, she looked at me and said, "This is really good." I was hit this euphoric sensation of knowing she connected with my story and characters. In that moment something inside me was like, "This is what I'm going to do."

Of your books, which is your favorite?

This is going to sound like such a cop-out answer, but they're all my favorite in some way. Break Line because it was my first book, my first baby. It's the starting point of my career. Under the Lies because it's my horcux. A piece of my very soul is woven into every page. And then we have my upcoming release, Moonlit Temptation, which was the book I had the most fun writing. That story just poured out of me and was such a joy to get lost in.

What's your favorite genre to read? Write?

I love reading everything but I'm a romance reader to my very core. If there's a swoony romance, I'll read the book no matter the genre. I'm also a HUGE fantasy reader.

And as much as I love writing contemporary I have this dream of writing an epic fantasy and a paranormal romance one day.

How do you get in the mood to write?

I don't know if I have a straight forward answer for this. I definitely don't wake up every day in the mood to write. Some days I don't feel like doing anything but I have to write. Not just because I'm on a deadline or a schedule but because I love it. There's something that just has to get the words out of me, it feels like I'm going to burst if I don't. Writing is my creative outlet and always has been.

How do your characters come together?

So I usually have my characters in my head long before I start their story. I spend a lot of time on Pinterest looking for quotes and images that just *feel* like that character, but I definitely flesh out my characters with each draft. I'm also a big believer that little details carry the most weight so I keep that in mind when it come to my characters. What are the little things about them? Their mannerisms?

How do you get your ideas?

Everywhere. Literally everywhere. Sometimes it's a simple image on Pinterest, other times it's when I'm out with family or friends and see something that makes my writer brain spiral with a story. Other times I'll get the title randomly and the story just explodes in my mind. And sometimes there's a trope I want to play with. But more often than not my stories start with a character and a single scene that spirals from there.

Who do you admire in the writing world?

Oh so many. Literally so many. But I'm really lucky to call some of the people I've looked up to for years my friends. Kandi Steiner is a big one. She's so inspiring to me and always has been. I love that she doesn't hold punches in her writing and writes fearlessly, always staying true to her characters while evoking such strong emotions from a reader standpoint. I also have a huge admiration for Krista and Becca Ritchie. They're writing wizards and are so dedicated to their craft, who also write fearlessly and explore topics that don't always get talked about. But there are so many people I admire and look up to in this industry that we'd be here for days if I started listing them all.

If you're not busy writing, what are you busy doing?

I've recently gotten really into cooking so I'm probably trying out a new recipe. But if I'm not in the kitchen, I'm journaling, reading, traveling. I love traveling. Especially road trips. Anything with exploring I'm down for. There's something about going somewhere new, even if it's in your town, that's magical and always leaves me feeling inspired.

I also play Pokemon Go so there's a high probability I'm playing that too.

Have you always been creative?

I have! So I grew up being really athletic. I've done every sport under the sun almost but spent many years dancing. I love the artistry and storytelling that comes with it. Me and my friends would always make up (really horrible) dance routines and make all our parents watch them at parties. Me and my best friend also used to co-write self-insert fanfiction on her father's computer. Honestly I did so much growing up that fed my creative soul like baking, learning how to play the oboe, any random craft I'd find at the art store. I was also a huge scrapbooker. But writing is where I really feel the most satisfied creatively.

Have you ever had writers block? If so, how did you get out of it?

Oh yes I have. But I always try not to let it slow me down. Sometimes I'll jump into another project that's at a different stage (like plotting or needs edits), but I've come to discover that, for me, writers block is usually tied to burnout so I'm really mindful now not to get to that point because it's not a fun place to be. Another case of writer's block, for me, could be that I took a wrong turn in the story and have to go back and figure out where and how I'm going to fix it.

When you sit down to write, is it easy or hard? If it's hard, what makes you keep showing up?

It depends on the day. Some days I'll crank out super high word counts in a matter of hours and feel so energized. Other days it's like I'm pulling teeth and would rather be anywhere but at my laptop. But I'm super stubborn so I think it's my stubbornness that keeps me going on the hard days.

For a writer starting out what advice would you give them?

Never stop reading. It sounds easy but the more you get lost in your stories and deadlines and publishing, reading can often fall to the wayside and, for me at least, reading is such a huge part of the creative process. I really notice a difference in my process when my creative well is full versus when it's empty. And spoiler: I'm so much better when it's full. Also read outside your genre. It's amazing how much you can learn about writing from reading different genres.

What is your dream writing location?

A cabin in the snowy mountains with a roaring fire.

In reference to your books, what question do you get asked the most?

When's the next one coming out? Is there going to more books set in this world? My answer? I promise I have a lot planned and coming!

If you could bring one of your characters to life who would it be? Why?

THIS ISN'T FAIR! Oh my God. Honestly every single one of my characters jumped into my head right now, but I think I'm going to pick Xavier from Break Line. He's this huge world traveler and always down for an adventure. I'd love to go on a trip with him. I think we'd have the best time.

What do you think makes a good story?

I don't know if I'm qualified to answer this question, but for me it starts with the characters. I have to care about them and their story to stay invested in 300+ pages of reading.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I've always wanted to be an author and I'm so incredibly thankful I actually get to do this.

Links to SarahInstagram I Website I Facebook










Break Line

By Green, Sarah E.


















Under the Lies

By Green, Sarah E.

“Thank you for letting me interview you and Good Luck with everything Sarah! ”

— Colleen

If you happen to know an author that would be great for my Fighting Prose series be sure to send them my way!

Thanks for reading!

XoXo- Colleen

Episode 5 Pencil Me In

This is the first episode in which Nikki and I finally let our personalities out. We tried to keep it professional up until now. I hope you enjoyed hearing the “real” us….

Here’s the Episode.

Most common writing mistakes

This month we played our grab bag game where each person got a slip of paper and had to write down three items Genre, Verb and Noun. Then we passed them out. We had a great amount of spontaneous story telling that was created from this activity and that made it so exciting!

We didn’t get a lot of time to go through this list to learn from other writers mistakes but everyone found it immensely helpful.

What are your thoughts? What mistakes do you find yourself making?

Episode 4 of Pencil Me In

COMING SOON

Coffee stains equal hard work in the editing phase of my first draft! I'm happy to announce my fifth book The Life We Share will be coming your way in June!!!

Fighting Prose Interview with Kristen Granata!

Welcome to my in-depth writers series Fighting Prose. Where I talk to authors in the industry on what their process is like and what it takes for them to keep on creating, through all the odds.

Kristen

Granata

is my interview this week!

How long have you been writing?

I've written stories, journals, and poems since I was 5 yrs old, but I self-published for the first time in March 2018.

If you've written several books, which is your favorite?

"Collision" will always be my favorite! It's the first book I ever wrote, and I wrote it during a very dark & difficult time in my life. I poured my emotion out onto those pages and the main character, Merritt, is a piece of me. That book will always be my baby.

What's your favorite genre to read? Write?

Romance is my favorite genre to read and to write, though I add a lot of drama/mystery to my romance stories - I love when a love story is more than just a love story. Growing up, I didn't read romance. My favorites were: "The Partner" by John Grisham, and "Fahrenheit 451," by Ray Bradbury. I was also a huge fan of Shakespeare.

How do you get in the mood to write?

I need absolute silence & prefer to write when I'm home alone. (But those quiet days are far & few between!)

How do your characters come together?

My characters are always floating around in my brain, having conversations. I don't plan. I don't make character sheets. I simply get an idea and write. The characters basically write themselves.

How do you get your ideas?

My ideas come from my head, but I feel the most inspired when I listen to music. A song will give me a feeling, and then that feeling will transform into a character with a story.

What do you admire the most about the writing world?

I admire Colleen Hoover, for all the good she has done with her success, and for the kinds of real-life stories she has shed light on in her stories. Kandi Steiner is also a huge inspiration to me because of how she gives advice to new authors. It's rare to see popular authors reaching out to unknown authors to help them.

If you're not busy writing, what are you busy doing?

Teaching. I am a full-time teacher, as well as a wife and a step-mom. So basically, I rarely have time to write because I'm so busy doing necessary things like working & cleaning!

Have you always been creative?

I've been creative my whole life. I always loved to write, but as a kid I was in dancing school and took art classes. I've always needed creative outlets to express myself and feel fulfilled.

Have you ever had writers block? If so, how did you get out of it?

I wouldn't say I've had writers block, but more like I've felt stuck on certain scenes. I haven't experienced not knowing what to write, but I've been frustrated with HOW to write it. I can get stuck in my own head, and self-doubt blocks me from getting where I need to go until I can push through it.

When you sit down to write, is it easy or hard? If it's hard, what makes you keep showing up?

Writing comes naturally for me. If it were hard, I'm not sure I'd get as much enjoyment out of it as I do. I've always been a "good writer," according to teachers in school growing up, so I received a lot of praise for it, and that fueled me to keep going. Expressing myself through words is SO much easier for me than speaking them! I'm not a confrontational person, and I'm an introvert, so writing is how I can get everything out.

For a writer starting out what advice would you give them?

KEEP GOING! Starting out is scary, because you don't know what you're doing. I did a TON of research on literally everything about self-publishing. There are highs and lows in this industry, so you have to buckle in and hold on. Keep going. Don't let anyone, or your own self-doubt, deter you from doing what you love to do.

What is your dream writing location?

I'd love to have my own writing office in my house. A comfy chair, a pretty desk, inspirational quotes hung on the walls, and a pretty window to look out while I'm daydreaming about my characters. I write in my kitchen, so it's not glamorous AT ALL.

In reference to your books, what question do you get asked the most?

I always get asked if what I write is a true story - especially "Collision." Everything I write has a personal touch to it, taken from experiences or emotions from my life, but the stories aren't actually true.

If you could bring one of your characters to life who would it be? Why?

TJ from "Fighting the Odds." Didn't even have to think on that one! He's probably my most-loved character by readers, and I created him because we all need someone as inspirational and uplifting as him. Plus, he's hot as hell.

What do you think makes a good story?

Heart. If you write a story that comes from your heart - honest, raw, real - then you can't go wrong. Also, you need to know some basic grammar so it's not difficult to read.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to help people. I've always wanted to be famous, whether it was through acting or writing, because I knew that those careers would give me a platform that I could reach people with, and money to help people with. My mission in life is to help the people who are suffering in this world, and I'll do whatever I can to make that possible.

Links to KristenInstagram I Website I Facebook








The Collision Series Box Set

By Kristen Granata
















Back to You

By Kristen Granata

“Thank you for letting me interview you and Good Luck with everything Kristen! ”

— Colleen

If you happen to know an author that would be great for my Fighting Prose series be sure to send them my way!

Thanks for reading!

XoXo- Colleen

Goal-Setting & Accountability

Today we are talking about how we did The Artist’s Way program last year, the way we are setting intentions in 2020, and how we make those word count goals happen.

Click here to find Episodes!

Fighting Prose Interview with Caz May!

Welcome to my in-depth writers series Fighting Prose. Where I talk to authors in the industry on what their process is like and what it takes for them to keep on creating, through all the odds.

This weeks interview is with Caz May! How long have you been writing?

Since I was in high school, but more seriously since December 2017

If you've written several books, which is your favorite?

I love them all but Book three of my Always Only You series 'Feelings Don't Play Fair' is definitely a fave. Travis is a great character.

Some of my upcoming releases in my other series are pretty special to me as well.

What's your favorite genre to read? Write?

Fave genre to read is definitely romance-pretty much anything with a love story really. And my fave genre to write is romance-contemporary or suspense. And set in Australia.

How do you get in the mood to write?

Music-all my books have playlists. And I don't force the words.

How do your characters come together?

They scream to me in my head...and I always write slow burn romance full of angst and drama. Even if my characters have a strong connection from the start they will have a drama filled ride. I usually get their name in my head, and find some character inspiration and songs for their playlists on google and youtube/spotify and then I develop their stories making sure they're full of drama and angst.

How do you get your ideas?

From life experiences, from being overly observant and music mainly. I've gotten so many random ideas from things as simple as a name popping into my head or taking my cat to the vet.

What do you admire the most about the writing world?

There isn't one particular author or person I admire, but simply every indie author who just like me has put themselves out there despite rejection from traditional publishers.

If you're not busy writing, what are you busy doing?

Watching Netflix/TV, reading, at work or sleeping.

Have you always been creative?

I've definitely always been creative, and it definitely has always been writing, but I also do some scrapbooking and colouring/drawing.

Have you ever had writers block? If so, how did you get out of it?

Writer's block comes and goes. I just ride it out and write a different chapter or story. Or plan a future book. My characters eventually talk to me again. I don't ever force the words.

When you sit down to write, is it easy or hard? If it's hard, what makes you keep showing up?

I'd have to say it's neither easy nor hard. It's a balance and on the days it's hard I think of my amazing readers who are waiting on reading my stories. They keep me going.

For a writer starting out what advice would you give them?

Just write. Get the idea and the words down. Try a platform like Wattpad and be active on it. You only get out what you put in. And take risks if you believe your story is good and you love your characters your readers will to.

What is your dream writing location?

I don't really have one. I love writing in bed snuggly in pjs in winter with my coffee or at my local Gloria Jeans coffee shop.

In reference to your books, what question do you get asked the most?

Do I have to read them order? And the answer is yes...they're interconnected and follow a continuous timeline. If you don't read them in order you'll be confused.

If you could bring one of your characters to life who would it be? Why?

I honestly don't know. Most of my characters are based around people I know, so they are kinda already alive. I'd probably have to say one of my characters babies so I could love them as my own because our battle with infertility is still ongoing.

What do you think makes a good story?

A book that has well developed characters, and it plot driven with dialogue. I prefer 1st person and like multiple povs most of the time. I like drama, and realistic books. But ultimately a good story shows the reader what's happening-with a bit of telling thrown in for backstory.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

A teacher (which I am) and an author!

Links to Caz MayInstagram I Website I Facebook








Roommates Don't Kiss & Tell (Always Only You)

By Caz May
















Friends Don't Say Goodbye (Always Only You Book 2)

By Caz May

“Thank you for letting me interview you and Good Luck with everything Caz! ”

— Colleen

If you happen to know an author that would be great for my Fighting Prose series be sure to send them my way!

Thanks for reading!

XoXo- Colleen

Chapter 1: What's holding you back?

What an exciting month for The Write Place! We had 2 brand new members and 3 returning members, on top of my regulars that have been coming and supporting the program since it’s infancy. My little group has grown so much and I’m happy that people are finding refuge in this community of fellow creators.

This month’s topic was Starting Your Book and what’s holding you back. Many of the members have great ideas but fear of making the first chapter strong and powerful seemed daunting and caused them to shut down entirely. Choosing to not even start a project, overwhelmed by this fear.

We talked about a few different options of conquering this. I gave them some sourced material from the web —> (click here and here ) but overall advice from the veterans in the room was that the beginning, while vital for the reader and the novels success, can only be written after the concept of the book is fully created. Therefor - start to write and write and write and after you finish the book, go back and hone in on the first chapter following all the guidelines and rules that you’ve learned from various sources to make it as strong as possible.

What are your thoughts on this? Are you a writer? Do you have any good advice for that daunting first chapter?