Q&A with Rebecca Donovan *CLOSED*

[Irma]

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?

[Irma]

Thank you for this amazing giveaway <3

[Elena]

how is your routine as a writer? is it always the same or do you write when you feel like it?

[Erica]

If you were given the chance to meet any author who isn't with us anymore, who would it be?

[Jabberwocky]

Rebecca wrote: "...I'd rather throw 40K words away (and I have) and start again..."

@Rebecca
Oh, wow! I can't imagine throwing away that many words. I know it had to hurt! And I'm curious as to which book that had been scrapped? How many words do you rewrite, on average?

Glad you like my enthusiasm; I hope I don't seem to nosy, lol!

[Rebecca]

Audrey wrote: "Hi Rebecca :) What's the best thing being an author?"

I get to live within a world that I've created, while manipulating emotions with a turn of a page. I am grateful for this life. To know that my words have inspired others to see the world around them differently, that I affected their lives, is... everything. I cannot imagine doing anything else.

[Eva]

Do you have any tips for an aspiring author?

[Reading to Escape]

Which book of yours was most challenging to write and why?

[Victoria]

I'm not sure if you get asked this a lot but I just have to know. Do you know when Igniting Lies will come out? Like beginning of of 2016 or end of 2016? Do you have a month in mind? Sorry but I am obsessed and need to read more about Jonathan!!

[Andie]

Hi, Rebecca, thank you for hanging out with us :)

If you would get a chance to spend a day in one of your books, which one woud you choose and why?

[Maricris]

Hi Rebecca!
What do you do when you're having a writer's block?

[Rebecca]

Jen wrote: "What is your writing process like? And how do you get into the mindset of writing the dark characters you have in some of your books?"

I have to know and understand the personality and motive of every character before I can effectively write about them. They have to be so real in my head, I know what they'd order in restaurant. And that means I have to delve into some dark places sometimes. I have to feel the anger, resentment and disgust in order to put the words in their mouth. But in return, I also experience the pain that those words cause. I live alongside my characters, a witness to their pain and suffering. But I also laugh and fall in love with them as well. The only way I can make you feel it, is if I feel it first. I can only hope that when you reach the last page, you also heard the words that weren't said... and understood the message the flowed between the pages.

[Rebecca]

Micky wrote: "I've had moments of frustration with Emma in the breathing series which I think is all part of the emotions the book elicits. Do you ever get frustrated with characters you're writing? Thank you!"

I do. But I have to stay true to them, even when they make decisions that I know are not good for them. And Emma made every wrong decision, even through her intentions were good. She is a frustrating character, but it's her flaws that make me love her. She, like too many survivors, sacrifice their happiness to protect others. They come last on their list because they do not see the worthiness of themselves... that they are not lovable. And that's why we have to love them that much more... as Evan did for Emma. Love her enough so she could learn to love herself. So thank you for being patient with her. She is worth all the frustration in the end...

[Rebecca]

Charityb30 wrote: "Do you read other author's work? If year, who do you like to read for fun?"

I LOVE to read. Always have. I was one of those children who would hide a flashlight under my pillow so I could read under my blankets at night (even though I now know the blankets did little to conceal the light). I admire authors who could capture my imagination and transport me to the world they created, and make it appear so real in my head, I could smell it. I read so much, I have the hardest time narrowing down my favorites, or anyone specifically who has influenced me. I suppose they all have... every author who entered my life, had left some sort of impression.

But I will share that in my teens, I read thrillers/crime novels (Patricia Cromwell, Jeffery Deaver), and horror fiction (Stephen King, Peter Straub). I read for entertainment. For the twisted plot and heart-palpitating action. I wasn't looking to be taught anything. I didn't need to fall in love and be whisked away. The more it messed with my head, the better. The thrillers and horror novels exposed the darker side of human nature. I was fascinated by how a mind could conjur up these stories. I loved (and still do - especially with movies) trying to see how quickly I could figure out the ending, in attempt to share the authors' mind and expose their plotting.

I started getting more into YA fantasy novels after college (CS Lewis, Philip Pullman). YA fantasy and dystopian are still my favorite genres (Holly Black, Cassandra Clare). I appreciate the messages most of these novels interweave within their stories - shedding light on human behavior and the destructive influence society hold over us. But I also read them because I admire the craft of creation, and the unique worlds that are birthed from their imagination.

Upon meeting many of the Indie authors I am now friends with, I read many of their books. I will reluctantly admit that romance isn't totally for me, but I have a special place for contemporary fiction (Colleen Hoover, Katja Millay) that is beautifully written and laden with emotion. Characters I miss when I close the book.

Honestly, I admire every author who is dedicated to their craft, who transform words into art and leave a piece of their soul in every story they write.

[Rebecca]

Marife wrote: "Hi Rebeca! As a person who haven't read any of your book, what can I expect to experience in reading your Breathing series? Thank you."

Honestly, the best people to answer that question are those who have read it. It is a story that will make you uncomfortable, exposing you to an array of emotion, and leave an impression - that does not mean you will love it. You may not. Not everyone does. But you will be feeling something at the end. And that's all I really wanted.

[Rebecca]

Tiffany wrote: "Have you ever considered writing a novella about Jonathon or Cole?"

Jonathan is getting his own trilogy - The Burning Series. I am currently creating it.

Cole... as much as I adore him, he's just not complicated enough to write about. Ha!

[Rebecca]

Laura wrote: "Do you have any images that you used while you were writing (or since) to represent Emma and Evan?"

Emma was purely my imagination while writing. But there are some great pictures on my Pinterest page of who she might be...

And I did find an image of Abercrombie model to help me describe Evan - which can also be found on that page. (pinterest.com/becdonovan)

[Rebecca]

LeAnn wrote: "Hi Rebecca! I'm wondering, who was your favorite character to write and why?"

I loved creating Nyelle from What If There are so many layers to her... she's extremely fascinating and unexpected. I had fun with her unpredicatable personality, and her crazy adventures. She and I have quite a bit in common actually. ha!

If I were to ever write a novella, I would want to show the different sides of her character more. There is a lot going on with her on the inside. And I could do a lot with her spontaneous, quirky side. She would be a very interesting read. But... it's not in development. I'm just sayin...

[Rebecca]

Aleksandra wrote: "Hi, Rebecca! Love your books! If you could spend one day with one of your characters, who would yoou pick and why? :)"

Other than Evan? haha!

Sara. We could go shopping, then to a concert together. Guarateed to be an unforgettable day!

[Rebecca]

Cami wrote: "What gets you out of writer's block? if you ever get it"

Did I mention I was superstitious? haha! I don't say "those" two words...ever. It's like cursing myself. I might say, I need to connect with my words. And if I'm not writing, it means that the story isn't ready to be told. Or I need to find a better way to tell it. So I let the characters develop in my head longer. I listen to music for inspiration. I go for long walks, sit in front of the ocean and clear my head. I basically do ANYTHING needed to find their voices until their speaking to me loud enough for me to capture them on my computer screen. This may be the reason I release one book a year (so far)... ha!

[Rebecca]

J. wrote: "Thanks for the chance <3 Loved this series <3

Here is the question: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? :)"

I have a list of places I want to go and things I want to do in my life. It keeps getting bigger the longer I live, which is probably going to make it challenging to experience it all. But one of the oldest things on that list is white water rafting down the Zambezi River. I was told it was the best white water rafting river in the world... so of course I have to do it! And since I'm in Africa... I might as well experience a safari too. (Another check on my list.)

P.S. Yes, I am a "list" girl, just like Nicole and Richelle in What If. I have TONS of lists. Hmm... I wonder where they all are now... and how many checks they would get.

[Rebecca]

monica ♪ wrote: "Hi Rebecca! I love your books. I've read ALL of them ♥
I have a question for you: What makes you write such emotional stories?"

I'm not sure I would know how to write any other kinds of stories...

I want whatever I write to leave an impression. To be able to manipulate emotion with a turn of a page. To make readers think. To be powerful enough that they need to be talked about or shared with anyone who will listen. I want to create stories that become history on a shelf, for new readers to be able to experience the same emotional journey for years to come. That is why I write. To make you feel... and in return, to hopefully make a difference.

It is up to you to determine if I have... even if it's in the way you see the world around you.

[Rebecca]

Zili wrote: "What inspired What If? I love this book!!"

That makes me extremely happy to hear! I love What If too. And I hope more readers will find it and feel the same way as we do!

It was inspired by a song: Girls Like You by The Naked and Famous

I wanted to write about the girl who was perfect on the outside. The prettiest, most popular girl. But what would happen if she really wasn't. What if who the world saw was just a mask. Then who would she be if she took it off the mask... Would she even know?

P.S. You should post your "What If" on my wall!! (whatif.rebeccadonovan.com)
It's not about regret. It's about recognizing the moments in life that change everything. Share one of your What If moments!