My Writing Process: Blog Tour
Thanks to author Brighton Walsh for tagging me in this blog tour. I know Brighton online and she’s a sweetheart. I also read her novella, SEASON OF SECOND CHANGES, published through Carina Press and loved it! Highly recommend.
About Bright Walsh:
Brighton Walsh spent nearly a decade as a professional photographer before deciding to take her storytelling in a different direction and reconnect with her first love: writing. When she’s not pounding away at the keyboard, she’s probably either reading or shopping–maybe even both at once. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and two children, and, yes, she considers forty degrees to be hoodie weather. Her home is the setting for frequent dance parties, Lego battles, and more laughter than she thought possible.
Her New Adult debut, Caged in Winter, will be published November 4, 2014 from Berkley/Penguin. She is represented by Mandy Hubbard of D4EO Agency.
Find Brighton online:
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Okay, and now for me!
MY WRITING PROCESS:
What am I working on?
I’m currently revising MAKE IT RIGHT, the second book in my Bowler University series published with William Morrow Impulse/HarperCollins. (The first in the series, MAKE IT COUNT, comes out June 3.)
It’s a tough book, because Max, the hero in MAKE IT RIGHT, was somewhat of the antagonist in MAKE IT COUNT. So I needed to take this guy, who readers might dislike in the first book, and turn him around and give him growth and redemption in his book. He has a lot of growing up to do, and I think that’s what I like most about writing New Adult, is the massive potential for character growth.
How does my book differ from other of its genre?
Well, I guess, first and foremost – I’m the writer. It’s my voice. I think my voice tends to be very strong in my writing. I have a specific rhythm and overall fast pacing. Also, my Bowler University series is light and humorous, which might be a slight departure from other New Adult works out there. I’m having a blast writing it.
Why do I write what I do?
Well, first, I love to write. Simple. Period. I love to write romance because it’s what I like to read. And I just love creating characters who make each other better individuals as a couple (I hope that makes sense). I write humor because…that’s my life. My husband is the funniest person I know and makes me laugh to the point of tears often. And I write New Adult because, frankly, it’s fun as hell.
How does my writing process work?
This is weird, but I ALWAYS start with an opening scene. That’s how I get my idea. So I write that opening scene – usually the first chapter – to get a feel for the characters and their personalities. I’m mostly a pantser. But I type up a rough outline so I have a general idea of where the story is going.
If I get stuck, I go for a drive. Or ultimately, I just keep writing. I let the characters decided what they are going to do next. Sometimes I end up deleting scenes and not using them, but it’s like I NEEDED to write that scene to figure out the next one.
I would say a lot of times I don’t truly know my characters until I finish that first draft. I do a quick edit and send it off to my critique partners. They are geniuses and help me with my themes, what works and what doesn’t. Then I get my draft back and heavily revise.
So, yeah. That’s my writing process! It’s kind of messy and slightly disorganized but that’s how I roll!
Follow the rest of the tour and see how others describe their writing process!
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NEXT ON THE TOUR:
Stina Lindenblatt
Born in England, Stina loves to travel, and has lived in England, the US, Canada, and Finland. She spent a semester in graduate school living in central Finland, and a summer during her undergrad degree working in Helsinki, where she cleaned bathrooms and saunas in a recreation center. She has a Master’s of Science degree in exercise physiology and has worked with elite athletes.
In her free time, Stina is a photographer, mother, devoted wife, and loves getting lost in a great romance novel. She currently lives in Calgary, Canada. She is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of the Corvisiero Literary Agency.
Her debut new adult romance, TELL ME WHEN, is available now from Carina Press and its sequel LET ME KNOW, will be released in the fall.
Website Twitter Facebook Goodreads
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Natalie Blitt
Natalie is the author of one young adult book — The Truth About Leaving — and other works in progress. She lives in the Chicago area with her husband Josh and their three boys. Three boys who have no interest in books that feature lots of kissing.
She is represented by Carly Watters of the P.S. Literary Agency
