Here's some older questions from another newsletter I did!
What was your favorite book to write?
A: It's so cliché, but it's always the book I'm currently working. To be honest, I have to like it the most because it's the one I'm writing. Those feelings need to seep through the book and to the reader. Plus, if I'm enjoying the book, then my writing isn't a job. It's a passion.
Which one do you think about the most?
A: I don't really think about my books once they're done and you guys have them. I'm very much focused on the next project and I keep it moving. Now, there have been books that I've struggled moving on from and Ryan's Bed was probably the hardest for me. It took me months to really get the 'emotions' of Ryan's Bed out of me so I could totally focus on the next projects, but once I did, --whew, off I was with Bren and the crew.
What keeps you motivated when you start to get overwhelmed?
A: Being and getting overwhelmed is always a good thing to be, but also something that needs to be handled in the right way. I look at it in a good way because when I'm overwhelmed, it's usually from people asking me to write certain books which tells me that I'm doing something right! I think. I hope. If for some reason I start to feel like I'm drowning under deadlines, requests, any other sort of things, I check out. I simply unplug from social media and I stay away for a brief respite. And I write! Writing to me is something I need to do. It's almost like breathing. If I go more than a few days without writing, it's not good for me.
What’s your process for writing?
A: I never really know how to answer this question. I just write? I guess? I need music, a room away from any activity, and something to drink (coffee and water usually.) After that, I let the characters take over and I go.
What do you do when you are stuck?
A: If I'm stuck that generally means I need a break or I'm at the next phase of the book. I'll either rest (take a day or two off) or I'll push through to the next section. If it's a situation where I need to stop and think a little, or let my characters formulate in my subconscious, I'll do that as well. Usually I'm pleasantly surprised when I write whatever that comes next.
Do you celebrate each new release?
A: I should, but I don't. Release days are usually chaotic, which is a good thing! After that, it's promotion, promotion, promotion. And to be honest, I'm usually working on the next project already.
What’s the best thing (to you) about being an author?
A: Just doing what I love. Being a writer for a living is a dream job for so many and I've accomplished it. That right there is enough, but I love being able to work from home, to create visually and make these entire universes and have people read them! I would and will always write, but whether people pay to read is another question. As of right now, that is happening and it's so amazing and so humbling at the same time.
What’s the worst thing (to you) about being an author?
A: Piggybacking off my answer above, I think the worst thing is the pressure. The negative reviews. The doubt if I'm good enough. I think I'm just human in that respect, but I have to maintain the mantra that ultimately I am writing for myself. If people love the book or hate the book, that's on them. No one can take away if I'm proud of a book if I didn't write it for them. If that makes sense?
How do you stay motivated?
A: I'm motivated to write because I have to write. I covered this above, but it's very true. And also, I need to make a living. I'm a workaholic, so finding motivation isn't usually a problem for me.
How do you manage to keep everyone straight in your head?
A: I don't. I'll get emailed questions about why a character did something or other things about a book I wrote years ago, about twelve books ago and I just simply can't answer. My head is stuck in a different book and I would need to pull myself out of that world, then go and reread whatever book they're asking. I would have to then put my head into that book in order to even go and find the answer for them. And that can be detrimental for me, because that takes energy. So to answer the question, once I'm in that world, I remember them and everything. Once I'm not in that world, I don't think of them. It's like walking in and out of a house. You enter the house, you remember where you put your purse. You leave the house, you're on to another building. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but that's how my brain works.
Where is the best place to buy them for international shipping?
A: Either Amazon in your country, or iTunes in your country, or Kobo, or Book Depository!
Favorite book growing up?
A: I think I'll pick the first one that made me love romance. Wrong Way Romance! It's a teen romance. I used to have a physical copy, but I lost it and I'm obsessed trying to find one again.
What are your three favorite quotes from your top three favorite books?
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Are you writing more Antistepbrother, Carter Reed, Cole, A Whole New Crowd, Bennett Mafia, Broken and Screwed?
A: As of right now, I have no plans to write more books from any of these series or standalones! It's not that I don't want to, it's that either these characters aren't just talking to me anymore (even after I've tried for a full year to force a few of them) or it's because I don't have time. I am completely booked out for writing projects for the next three years. (Pun not intended.)
What was it that got you into writing?
This will make me sound crazy, but it really was because I was going to go nuts if I didn’t. I never considered myself a writer, but I had these characters and worlds and storylines in my head. They just kept coming, more and more. So, one day I was at my family’s cabin and I couldn’t take it anymore. I turned my dad’s old computer on, not even knowing if it would work, and then I started typing. As soon as I began, it clicked with me. I knew that I had to be a writer. I was as surprised as everyone else!
What is your inspiration for new books and characters?
A: Anything. A feeling. A thought. If I'm pissed about something. Driving through an intersection. Or if a book is legit just haunting. I've had a few of those. Can be just anything for inspiration!
Do you base any of your characters on people you know?
I used to not do this, but I've had a few recent books that have real life inspiration in them. Sections of Hate To Love You were very very very loosely based on a couple real people in my life and also in Teardrop Shot, but in both books, those characters quickly morphed into their own person so that's why I say very very very loosely.
What book was the most emotionally hard to write?
A: Ryan's Bed was emotionally hard to write, but also Teardrop Shot was too.
Is there going to be a book about Nate?
A: Yes! I can't say anything else, but yes. No, that's not true. I will say there are people in Crew Princess that are tied to Nate's book, but readers won't know until Nate's book actually comes out.
How do you come up with your story lines?
A: Man. Who knows! I don't even know myself. For real. I rarely plan them out. If I do outline, the book and characters tend to take me elsewhere and I generally let them by now.
What is your all time favorite song?
A: Sail by AWOLNATION is probably a favorite. There's a lot, but that song was on a constant loop as I outlined Fallen Crest High and as I wrote the book.
What type of character is your favorite to write about?
A: Hmmm. I don't know. I enjoy the funny characters, but I enjoy writing the dark characters too. I like the crazy ones too. I don't think I have a favorite favorite.
What is your favorite vacation memory?
A: Probably when I started writing. I was on a week vaca at my parent's lake cabin and that's when I started writing for the first time. I loved it. I wrote all day long, went on really long runs/walks, and I drank so much coffee. Perfect vaca for me at the time.
What songs did you listen to writing Teardrop Shot?
A: I listened to upbeat techno music for Teardrop Shot. Then the random Kansas, House of Pain, P!nk, and OneRepublic, and The National. I listened to a bunch of random music for Teardrop Shot.
What NBA team did you cheer for?
A: Okay. I'm laughing as I type this because Charlie is somewhat like me about sports. I loved watching sports, but I didn't really 'let' myself watch sports the last couple years. I don't know why, but suddenly I had this new wave of obsession. And I'm talking football, basketball, soccer. Maybe it's because I was getting ready to write some books more based on those sports, but I had a whole new wave of fandom come over me this last year. But to answer your question, I'm a Warriors fan. I think I'm just a latecomer to them. And I'm actually a Mahomes fan, so I'll be watching the Chiefs this next year.
A typical day of writing for you and where's your ideal writing place?
A: I don't have a typical day of writing. Some of it will be promo stuff. I might have a whole day just doing promotion things. Or creating my covers/graphics. Or writing. I write in the evenings, in the mornings, in the afternoons. I don't have a set schedule anymore. And my ideal writing place is a desk with a view, headphones for music, and coffee next to me. I think I struggle writing with lots of activity around me, though. But sometimes I'll have to go to a Barnes and Noble or coffee place to have some books come to me. It just all varies.
Would you ever consider doing one about baseball?
A: Yes, but I would need to watch baseball more for that. I'd have to go to games (which I enjoy), but I'm a workaholic, so I don't get out much. I could completely see that coming down the pipeline some day.
Skating, volleyball?
A: I probably wouldn't write a book about skating, but maybe to volleyball. That's the sport I know most since I played it for a long time, but I don't have any characters speaking to me right now. If I did, it'd be years from now.
If you're new to me, a few other sports romances from me!
