New Adult Book Club discussion
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Author Q+A's
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Q&A with Penelope Douglas *CLOSED*
Hi Penelope,My question is, if you're thinking about writing a story for Manny from Punk 57? I just really liked him as a character and I think he deserves a happy ending!! :D
Hugs,
Melina
Hey Penelope♡Huge fan & I've devoured everything you've published and I've had PUNK 57 on the brain since I read it weeks ago. My mind is still blown. Since Devils night and some of the horsemen were brought up in P57.. is this your way of subtly teasing us while we wait for the next corrupt/ horsemen book? I'm dying here ;)
Hi Penelope!What is one genre other than contemporary romance you would love to explore and write?
Greetings from The Netherlands,
San
Hi Penelope, I recently read Punk 57 and I loved it!!! Couldn't put it down, it's still in my head... First book and I will definelty read more!! I love how you write your bad boys...Do you love to write these type of guys?
What inspires you to write your characters and their stories?
Hello Penelope! How did you come up with the character of Jared in bully? I found it really interesting and I've re-read that book several times.
1) What is the best/worst part of your writing process?2) Have you always had an overactive imagination?
3) What was the thing that really got you into writing?
4) In all your books, what did you enjoy writing the most?
5) In all your books, which part was your favorite to write?
6) when you're writing, do you always know what is going to happen or is there a major event that you totally didn't plan?
I have lots of questions. LOL. <3
Hey Miz Pen, I'm guessing you already answered this kind of question before but I'm gonna ask anyway; in what age you're gonna let Aydan read your books? Do you think she'll love them? Does she ever ask or 'demand' to read them now? Thank you!
Do you have any goal that you haven't "get"?
Hi Penelope!Who is the character you're most excited to write about and why?
Hey there! If you could be best friends with any character that you've ever written... who would it be and why?
Thank you for writing all of these amazing characters and stories for us to submerge ourselves into! Best wishes for your continued success!
XOXO!
I loved the dedication in Punk 57, I am a huge fan of The Breakfast Club and pretty much all things John Hughes. So my question is, do you often draw inspiration for your characters from outside sources like movies? Are there any other subtle connections out there that we might know of? Love you, stalking you forever and ever. <3
I loved Corrupt! Who would be your favorite horsemen? Who do you connect with the most? Thanks :) <3
Hi PenelopeHave to say from the minute I picked up Bully I knew I would love the book and have loved every book you've written since.
I see you commented that you would like to write with J.R. Ward, her Black Dagger Brotherhood series is my all time favorite paranormal romance series. My question for you is have you ever considered writing paranormal romance genre and if so would you write vampires, werewolves or some other paranormal world?
Hi Penelope! I love Punk 57 so much and I love all the songs featured in that book. My favorite is Sk8er Boi by Avril Lavigne. Can you tell us what is your favorite song featured in Punk 57? Love,
Abby.
Hi Penelope,What is your all time favorite author and book?
Anna wrote: "Why did you doubt that people are going to hate Ryen? She's so so perfect in her own way with her flaws and imperfections and her doubts about herself."
Thanks, Anna! I'm glad you liked her. I guess I was used to certain reactions regarding heroines, both as a writer and a reader. They're often referred to as doormats or TSTL, especially in the New Adult genre, I find. Ryen was difficult and a bit nasty at times, so I knew it would be hard to love her. I just had to hope readers would stick it out and wait for her growth to come. Besides, I overthink everything by nature, so I worry about everything ;) But it seems it was all for naught. The reaction to her has been great.
xoxo
Secondbite wrote: "If you have to pick one, which one of your books do you wish you could experience for the first time a reader? :)"Hmmm, never been asked that before. I'd say Bully or Corrupt. Jared and Tate's sexual tension, I felt, was great, so I would've liked to have gone into that completely unaware. And then Rika's tension with all the guys was great, too. Interesting dynamics to experience, I imagine.
Thanks for the question!
K. wrote: "Hi Penelope!! Have you ever thought about writing a sports romance? Also what are your favorite go to snacks when you are writing?"
I can't say I have, actually. I've written athletes (racers, basketball players, and I'll be writing football players soon), but where the whole story revolves around a sport, no, I don't really feel drawn to that at the moment. I don't know enough about the inner workings of a sport or a team to be able to write about it. Maybe eventually when I take the time to research!!
And as far as snacks, I munch on gummi bears, crackers, pretzels with jalapeno cream cheese, and gum. I should really munch less ;)
xoxo
Cassie wrote: "Which one of your characters do you relate the most with?"Hi! I used to say K.C. (Juliet), but now I also relate to Ryen a lot. Her story was probably the most personal to me, and I dug into my own experiences for that one the most.
Thanks for the question!
Erica wrote: "Who are some of your favorite authors?"I love J.R. Ward, Amy Bartol, Tijan, Stylo Fantome, and Chelsea Cain. I like romance, but I also love paranormal and thrillers, too.
Latifa wrote: "What do you when you're not writing?"Hey! I cook, shop, clean, and get lost on Pinterest. Looooove Pinterest.
Gina wrote: "What was the most challenging book you've written? What made it so hard?"That's hard to answer. Until You was a pain in the butt, because Jared was a difficult character, he kept changing his mind, and so being in his head for five months really stunk.
But Misconduct was hard, too. I was writing that after the Aflame teaser was released in January 2015, and readers reacted so much worse than I anticipated. My head was a bad place, and to write a book while dealing with that was really difficult. I was completely out of sorts.
But Corrupt was probably the hardest just because the plotting took the most work. Trying to figure out the ins and outs took so much energy and I was drained. I didn't write for three months after that book was released.
Thanks for the question <3
Christa wrote: "Ok. So i am a perv. I loved the scene with Michael, Kia and Rika. Will there be anymore situations like that in Kai's book?"Yes. Lol. Don't assume there will be another threesome, per se, but there will definitely be a scene or two that is pretty kinky and will stretch the boundaries again. I liked writing it, and I feel that exploring these types of situations are natural for the characters, environment, and tone of the stories.
Hope you like it!!
Ashley wrote: "Have you ever thought about writing PNR or fantasy?"Yes, I would love to! I just have to take the time to plan. Those books take longer to write, because you usually need to build a new world around the story. It will be fun, and I'll eventually get to it!
RentasticReads wrote: "Hi Penelope! What stirred you to write Punk 57? What was your inspiration to write such a moving story that everyone can basically relate to? And were you by any chance one of the characters in the..."Thank you! That's exactly what I like to hear ;)
I write a lot of stories about young love and personal growth, because it's where my heart and experience lie. I did a lot of reflection and dreaming at that age, and it means a lot to me when I hear about young people struggling in their environments. I can relate, because it was a hard and horrible time in my life, and it's soothing--and fun--to go back and live vicariously again, except now I can control the situation.
I've been Ryen. I've been in situations where I acted without integrity and tried so hard to fit in but never could. There was a time I let myself be one the numbers, melting into the crowd, because if I couldn't stand out in a "cool" way, I didn't want to stand out in a bad way. I wrote Punk 57 to sort out those occurrences in my past, make sense of them, and yeah, to face the shame a little bit, I guess.
I never expected as many people to relate to her as they did, but it's wonderful. It's good to know we're not alone, we make mistakes, and we learn. A lot of people want to know what Delilah's response was to the letter, but that wasn't the important thing. The important part--the point of the story--was that Ryen wrote the letter. She reached out, she sought forgiveness, and she changed. The rest is for you all to discuss. If you were Delilah, would you forgive her? Would you care? What would you write back?
xoxo
Amber wrote: "Where do you get your inspiration for your books?"Hi!
From my own experiences, movies, songs, other books...Inspiration is everywhere really. Sometimes I'l just see an image on Pinterest, and think "I want to write that picture." and I'll start planning a story around it.
xoxo
~Victoria~ wrote: "Hii Penelope! When you decided to write Kai's story and give him his own book, was it because many fans of Corrupt asked for it or did you personally want to write his story more than Will's?Ps. ..."
Hey! I knew I would write Kai's book about halfway through Corrupt. Actually, I knew all the guys would get a book by then. Their own personalities were just too interesting to let go of.
xoxo
Heather wrote: "Who has been you favorite character to write?"Madoc, I think. He's the most fun, and most of my stories are angsty and tense, so his personality is a relief in a scene. It lightens things up. <3
Elisa wrote: "Hi Penelope! what songs were you listening when you composed punk 57 / Pearl lyrics? :)Love all your books!"
I was probably listening to Bring Me the Horizon. That band was very Punk 57 ;)
But those lyrics came to me one night in bed. I started relating Pearls of Wisdom to an actual string of pearls and how it's a necklace wrapping around your neck but also like a noose or a leash, as well. And thinking about Misha and how his father is overbearing, it started to spin out. I've never written lyrics before, so I just wrote a poem and called it a song. Not sure if it was sufficient, though ;) Lol
Juliette wrote: "Are you participating in the nanowrimo?"No, I should, though ;)
Jeimy wrote: "Hi Penelope! What's your process on writing your novels? Does it flow out or do you plan it ahead of time? Is it easy for you to write in the male's POV?"
Hi!!
No, it doesn't flow at all. I'm more methodical and a plotter. I can't just sit down and write.
First, I start my outlines and thinking maps. I start detailing the plot, what the characters want and how it needs to happen, when certain secrets should be revealed. I build my Pinterest board and playlist, which also inspire the plotting and scenes, as well.
Then I break it down chapter by chapter, what needs to happen in each scene. The outline always changes and I never complete it before I start writing, but I need a jumping off point. I need a foundation and line of sight to were the story is going when I start.
And then I begin. I write, change my outline a little, write some more, rearrange my outline, write more, cut and add things, write more, and eventually I'm done with the first draft. My editor goes through it and we do several rounds of changes and rewrites, and then it goes to more editors and a formatter. From story-mapping to formatting, it usually takes me 6-7 months to get a book done.
And yes, male pov is pretty easy. I don't know if I do a good job, but I find it refreshing.
xoxo
Lena wrote: "Hi, Penelope!There was an interesting tidbit in the end of Corrupt about Damon hiding in St. Petersburg. I have a feeling that Russian mob is going to be involved. Am I right?"
Hey!
Damon's heritage will definitely be a factor in the books, but I'm not sure the mob is the direction I want to go in, actually. I think it's kind of been done, and I'd rather explore something more my style. Shootouts and guns blazing aren't something I'm good at. Lol.
But I can't wait to see what Damon is up to and what he's planning ;)
xoxo
Shannon wrote: "hi pen!...so I was kinda wondering what Damon is up to in Russia ☺"Damon's in Russia? Oh, yeah, his passport was tracked there, wasn't it? Well, okay, I guess that's where he is then.
*walks away whistling ;)
Betul wrote: "Hi Penelope!!!Would you ever consider writing a fantasy or paranormal book??"
Already am considering it! I have ideas, but it just takes time to write them. There's a lot more planning for those books.
xoxo
Adri wrote: "Hi Penelope! I was wondering how you cope with writers block?"Hey!
I need alone time. I take a shower, take a walk, go for a drive...do something monotonous that lets my brain work uninterrupted.
And I put myself on a deadline. When you're crunched for time, you'd be surprised how fast the ideas come.
xoxo
Alicia wrote: "I just finished Punk 57 last night. Not sure if the cameos were supposed to be a surprise but they were for me. Was the plan always to have the two books connected?"Not at first! But I realized I wanted the Cove to be in the Devil's Night series, so it made sense to join worlds. And then everything fell together easily. You'll see the Cove again as it will be very important to Will.
Thanks for the question!
I love the Fall Away series! I feel like I know these individual characters as if they're real people I've met in the flesh. Absolutely brilliantly written! Did you have a specific muse or inspiration for the Fall Away series? What birthed the idea of the storyline and chararcters?
Hi, Penelope! You are amazing! So my question is, how did you become so amazing? Lol, just kidding! Adore your books <3 My question is: from all of your characters who would be the first one to die in a horror movie?
Hello,Do you have a hard limit that you absolutly hate to write about?
I love all your books! You are my favorite author so THANK YOU for writing such amazing books!! xo
Hi Penelope! I so want to read Jason and Katherine's story. Will you ever write their story? A full length book for them?
Hi Penelope!I have some of your books on my TBR but sadly haven't gotten to read yet, so my question is....what book of yours would you recommend that I read first?
Hello Penelope! Love Corrupt sooo much. I can't wait for Kai's books. Siriusly! *stares*What's your biggest challenge to write Devil Night's series and divided into 4 books?
Penelope!!!!I seriously need to calm down. I really love your writing and your books are my go to for love-hate stories! It was exciting to read your replies since most of my questions were already asked. So I will just ask this, if you are not a writer right now what do you think you'll be?
And do you plan on watching Magic Mike live in Vegas next year???? :D
Hi, Penelope. Besides music, what else inspires your story/characters? Also, what's your all time favorite book?
Thank you for sharing your gift of writing with the world!
What's a TV show that you had to give more than one chance and ended up really liking? :) Aaand, same goes for books obviously :P
Hi Penelope!Thank you for taking your time to spend with us this week. I am pretty new to your work but so far I really enjoy what I've read.
My question for you is:
Where do you get your ideas or inspirations for each story?
Thank you again for your time.
Loyda
xoxo
Hi Penelope. What it's feel like when you get your ideeas? Where from do you get them?
JewelsyGoolsy wrote: "Hi Penelope, I loved seeing the Corrupt characters guest star in Punk 57. Was it always your plan to have Punk 57 as part of the Corrupt universe? And who was your character inspiration (or closes..."
After I started writing the book, yes, I decided to join worlds. I wanted to use the Cove later in the Devil's Night books.
And I don't really have a muse for Misha. What's on my Pinterest board is about it. I try to be careful about putting faces for my leading men. I've lost interest in reading books if there's a pic on the cover I don't like. I'd rather leave it up to the reader! He's better in your head anyway ;)
xoxo
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New Adult Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Misconduct (other topics)Corrupt (other topics)
Punk 57 (other topics)
My question for you is,,, what's your favorite read this year? AND who's your go to Author?
Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.