S.M Lumetta Q&A

[Nicola]

This week we have the lovely S.M. Lumetta back with us Taking your questions. S.M. Lumetta is the author of Fox, Doc (Bodhi Beach), You Are Here

Leave your questions for this lovely lady below

[Maria]

From where do you draw inspiration?
What music do you listen to?

[Ann]

Have any of your books been inspired by someone who you know?

[Megan]

What are you writing next?

[Latifa]

Was there a book that was hard to write?

[Nicole]

Who are your favorite authors?

[Katrina]

Which of your books would you like made into a movie?

[Marcie's On The]

What inspired you to write romance? Favorite authors?

[Shannon]

Maria wrote: "From where do you draw inspiration?
What music do you listen to?"

Oh, everywhere, but a lot comes from music — the emotion and the lyrics. I love to interpret music into my own story. When I was younger, I created music videos in my head... now I just write those down. LOL

My tastes vary, but some of my favorites are Radiohead (they have inspired A LOT, particularly my first book, You Are Here), Curve (oldschool shoegazers <3), Florence and the Machine, BRMC, Johnny Cash, NIN, Rufus Wainwright (so much emotion in a lot of his music, plus his voice is AMAZING), Tom Waits (good for taking you out of your comfort zone and mixing things up), The Black Keys, Nina Simone, Billie Eilish (<--she features heavily on a current WIP), so many...

Thanks for your question!

[Shannon]

Ann wrote: "Have any of your books been inspired by someone who you know?"

Why, yes, they have... in Doc, Nora (the heroine) is based on my best friend. Her personality, history, and a few personal anecdotes, but the story/plot is not hers at all. Regardless, I've instructed her never to read it. ;P

[Shannon]

Megan wrote: "What are you writing next?"

At the moment, I have three active WIPs. Not my ideal, but sometimes I get inspiration for a scene from one book, then the next day, an idea for another. So, I just leave docs open so that I can add or binge-write a scene so it's out of my head.

One in particular, I'm focusing on to finish the first draft this month. It's an NA romcom... another beach-based, but on the Atlantic coast this time. I'm so excited to finish it!!

The other two skew more angsty, particularly the one I'm working on for a serial in my newsletter. That will debut sometime soon — I'm aiming for early-mid September!

[Shannon]

Latifa wrote: "Was there a book that was hard to write?"

That depends on how I'm looking at it, I suppose. I felt like Lollipop turned out to be more difficult than I anticipated, only because it was a novella, and I had so much of it written, but to put it all together took a lot more time and consideration than I thought it would. It was frustrating. Ultimately, though, it took the time it needed.

You Are Here took a long time because it went through many versions and hardcore edits. It was also my first novel, so I was learning a lot about how I needed to work. :)

[Shannon]

Nicole wrote: "Who are your favorite authors?"

SO many. Hmmm... Neil Gaiman, Andrew Vachss, Toni Morrison (RIP <3), Margaret Atwood, JK Rowling. Romance specifically: Helena Hunting, Sierra Simone, LJ Shen, Season Vining, CD Reiss, Nina Bocci, Alessandra Torre, Skye Warren...

[Shannon]

Katrina wrote: "Which of your books would you like made into a movie?"

ALL OF THEM, hahaha...

I would love to see the Bodhi Beach books on screen — perhaps a miniseries or Netflix series :D.

But most of all, I've always felt that You Are Here would make a great movie.

[Shannon]

Review wrote: "What inspired you to write romance? Favorite authors?"

I've always adored love stories, so when I get ideas to write, they've always centered around a romance. Though when I read my first romance — The Promise by Danielle Steel (found it at a garage sale when I was around 12, I think?) — I never expected that I would write it, even though I always felt the urge to write creatively.

[Emily]

Do you like to snack while writing? What's you're favorite thing to eat?