CLP Blog Tours Interview and Excerpt: Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda by Tara Lee Reed
**Interview*
When did you know writing was for you?
It was sort of a fluke that I wrote a novel at all. It wasn’t so much that I wanted to be an author as I had a concept I was really excited about, which just happened to involve writing a book.
Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda is…complex. It combines choosable path novels like the ones you might have read as a kid with dating advice books and culture. Based on research from dozens of books and articles written by experts and individuals, the story arcs are comprised of hundreds of choices, each one a modern courtship conundrum. Assuming the role of protagonist, Elle Masters, you direct the love story between you and your new prospect, Nick Wright.
I was so caught up in the design mechanics that I never really thought of it as writing a book. And it took a long time to call myself a writer. Even after I’d finished the 529 page manuscript, I still didn’t feel like one. And while it sounds pompous, it was only after I received multiple publishing offers from top houses that I realized people would even take me seriously.
I enjoyed writing, feeling more confident with each stage, but it wasn’t until I sat down with the final paperback–professionally produced from top to bottom and inside out–that I realized, not only was I writer, but I wanted to be one.
Why was an interactive book one that you wanted to write?
Because I’m a sadist.
Had my idea been for a linear story, it’s unlikely I would have written it. I’d initially pictured it as a more of story book. “See Jane Date.” My brother convinced me to do a novel, which was the right call. It was harder, most definitely, but it made so much more possible in terms of depth and scope.
I hope to do an enhanced ebook soon, making it even more interactive, adding deleted scenes, sidequests and Easter egg content. Interactive books are catching up to film and television in terms of extra content. In fact, Century 21 Fox recently purchased an original Choose Your Own Adventure novel from the ‘80s for development. My guess would be for an Amazon Prime original series given the neat tie-in to selling the books.
How did the plotting work for you? All I imagine is post-it notes and index cards everywhere with all the different options readers can choose!
I think my hair has finally grown back – grayer.
As mentioned above, I researched a nutty number of resources, so I had notebook after notebook of Do’s and Don’ts, common dilemmas, and suggested solutions. I took the strongest candidates and wrote them on index cards, which I arranged as best I could in a “dating chronology” order. The rest was like a puzzle.
On any available surface, I slid and swapped around cards until I’d found a delicate balance of conflict, angst and butterflies that would be relatable to a wide group of women. The story was plotted before I’d even thought of characters. I just made it up as I went, letting the rigid structure and the end goal for each scene guide the story. It’s totally Jenga, so watching each stream for consistency in overlapping plot details is critical. If you figure out too late that concurrent storylines don’t jive, you may have to gut an entire stream, totally toppling the blocks.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
I don’t know when to stop. I’ve never really thought of myself a perfectionist, but maybe I am. Or, far more likely, I’m just insecure and afraid I’ll be giving my editor something awful. I definitely got stuck in this cycle on Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda. I couldn’t figure out why everything was taking so long until I went over my process with my editor who all but smacked me upside the head, reminding me I was paying her for a reason. Things went a lot smoother (and quicker) after that. You’ll always want to tweak something – even years after you write it, I’m sure – but I’m trying to stick to the rule that if it doesn’t correct a mistake or clear up confusion, you just have to live with it and move on to the next book.
What are your favorite genres to read?
I like a little bit of everything and tend to binge on a genre obsessively for a couple of months before moving on to the next. I’m a sucker for a love story – no matter the genre. Memoirs and biographies take up a big chunk of my reading time. I love true stories as they’re always richer than fiction. I’m a big fan of Rob Lowe’s Stories I Only Tell My Friends, and recently finished Patience Bloom’s Romance is My Day Job, which instantly became a favourite.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
It’s important to me that readers don’t see Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda as a “dating book.” Or an advice book. Or me as a dating expert. Yes, it’s about dating, but it’s not an instructional guide, it’s not telling you to get married (or standing in your way if that’s what you want), and there are no right or wrong answers. It’s just an adventurous, off-kilter, romantic romp.
And I think advice books are a great, anonymous way to get insight into matters of the heart, but I also think we’re too unique as individuals for any particular philosophy to be The One. It’s our personal experience that affects our choices and actions, as well as how we react to others’ actions. We also need to keep in mind that the same goes for the guys we date. So get all that advice, check in with you, and then pull a little from here and a little from there until you’ve got a method that works for you. It should be fun, not frustrating. Or at least frustrating in a fun way.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
That’s a tough question. I think it’s incredibly important for all authors, especially independent publishers, but from my professional experience in public relations, I don’t think most go about it the right way. I see too much blatant self promotion and too little engagement with readers. It’s wonderful and imperative to connect with other authors, but it’s only when we engage with prospective readers and make genuine connections based on things that have absolutely nothing to do with our original work, that we’re using it effectively.
I created an interactive social Eco-system with character-curated Pinterest boards, along with character-inspired playlists and an Unofficial “Official” Soundtrack on Spotify. There are also a series of original ecards with quips from the book (and matching cross-stitch patterns), as well as grown up versions of your favourite grade school games, like Fortune Tellers. I love it as it gives me opportunities to interact with readers while doing something I would do anyway. It’s also incredible for character development, and a large part of the reason I decided to move forward with a full series using the same cast of characters, but giving each one her own feature title with a different theme.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Just get over yourself and do it! (And I mean that with love.) It gets easier with every page. If you’re not ready to develop a plot or characters of your own, try fanfiction for a TV show you love. You probably already know the characters and environments really well and (if you’re like me you) spend a lot your waking hours predicting plot or saying you would have done it differently. It’s a perfect outlet for that. (It’s also a great way to practice writing love scenes. Just sayin’.)
**Excerpt**
SECTION 53
From section 77
The week after you met Nick, you were all the clichés wrapped into one. You were walking on air, then on sunshine, all the way up to Cloud 9.
When a week passed and you hadn’t heard from him, you had the blues, were down in the dumps, and looked like you’d just lost your best friend.
By week three you were seeing red, mad as a hatter, and fit to be tied over the fact adults still take a person’s number with no intention of calling them.
Friday rolled around and you jumped at Rachel and Val’s invite to Mix after work, ready to pick yourself up and dust yourself off. You had no intention of meeting someone new, but Rachel still shoved a couple of condoms (one regular, one large) in your purse, insisting that if you do decide to get back on the horse, you won’t be going bareback.
And now here you are.
“How about him?” asks Rachel, nodding toward a spiky-haired guy across the bar. He’s cute – light brown hair, tall, dressed in black. The studded leather bracelet on his wrist isn’t really your thing.
“Nah,” you tell her and sip your drink. “Not my type.”
“Not for you, selfish – for me.”
“Oh. In that case, absolutely.”
She’s considering making her move – of standing there and waiting for him to come to her – when you spot Valerie on her way back from the ladies room. You know something’s off from her hurried pace and wide eyes.
“What’s eating you?” Rachel asks when she reaches you.
Val speaks quickly. “Nothing. Just bored. Hate the music. Should we go somewhere else? Let’s go somewhere else. Cab’s on me.”
“I was about to set a trap,” says Rachel. “Can you keep your panties on long enough for me to figure out if I want to take mine off?”
Val adjusts her glasses and steals a sidelong glance to her left. “We’ll get stuck in a line. Now’s a perfect time to go.”
“You’re extra weird right now,” you say. Rachel curses under her breath and you notice her eyes locked in the same direction Valerie keeps looking. You turn your head and curse, too – but not under your breath.
Nick. Right there in living color. And he’s walking toward you. You’re torn between meeting him halfway and cursing him a blue streak or getting the hell out of Dodge, but you can’t move. Before you know it, he’s in front of you. Looking sheepish. And gorgeous. Mostly gorgeous.
“Ladies,” he says with a half-smile, looking only at you. He rubs a hand over the back of his neck.
“Hey, jerk,” says Rachel, earning an elbow from Valerie.
Nick winces, but doesn’t waver. “Can I talk to you in private for a minute?” he asks you, clearly uncomfortable. Good. “Please. Just for a minute.”
“Here’s an idea,” says Valerie, always one for the benefit of the doubt. “I’m going to buy Rachel a strong drink and you two can chat.”
And then they’re gone. You don’t know if you want to kiss Valerie or kill her.
“Hey,” he says softly, resting a hand on your arm.
You exhale. “Hey.”
“I’m so glad you’re here.”
“And here I was worried you were using the ‘wait three weeks to call’ rule.”
He drops his hand to his side. “I went to call you the next day, but your number was incomplete.”
You roll your eyes. You entered your number in his phone yourself. He pulls it from the inside pocket of his suit jacket, hits a few buttons and holds it up to you. There’s your name and most of your number – it’s missing the sixth digit. You feel a flutter of hope, but there’s also a voice telling you to tread carefully.
“You could have just deleted a digit.”
He shakes his head. “I didn’t. I swear. I called eighteen people hoping the missing number was either the first or last one.”
You study his face hoping for a clue: a twitch, lack of eye contact – something. But this is the same confident guy you met a few weeks ago. He could be telling the truth, but how would you know? This could be a routine he and his buddies use on girls all the time.
“Look, you hardly know me, and you’ve got no reason to believe me, but I’ve been here every week hoping you’d show up.” He’s got the eye contact thing down, you’ll give him that. “We had a good time, right? I really want to see you again. Please?”
You’re torn.
You don’t know if you want to kiss him or kill him.
If you want to give him the benefit of the doubt, turn to section 314.
If you doubt he’s telling the truth, turn to section 259.
Author Bio:
Tara Lee Reed is the accidental writer from Toronto, Canada, not that chick from Sharknado. When her career in public relations was forced into hiatus by a jerky plot twist, she wrote the first in a series of interactive novels. When she received offers of single and multi-book deals from top houses, she turned them down to publish independently. Because she’s crazy.
She was voted Most Sarcastic Female at her high school prom, which she went to alone. (Not that she thinks about it.) She can fit her whole fist in her mouth (which makes the prom thing surprising), and she can sing with her mouth closed, but she can’t do both at the same time.
Her tweets on The Bachelor have been aired in a live broadcast and picked up by national media. She once appeared on the cover of a romance novel with her longtime partner, who has done 79 more – with other women. She thinks that’s qualification enough to write this book.
Connect with Tara!
Website www.doorflower.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoorflowerCo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CouldaWouldaShouldaBook
Google + https://plus.google.com/u/0/?tab=mX
Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/DoorflowerCo/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/doorflowerco
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