Today I’m thrilled to host the very talented Rebecca Paula, who I am blessed to have as a critique partner, in celebration of her forthcoming novel EVERLY AFTER. Friends, this is a book that will make you cry, scream, swoon and sigh. I can’t wait for you to journey to Paris with Becka, but in the meantime, let’s get to know her a little better:
- How/when did you start writing?
- I had to write a POV journal for a fifth grade project on Hatchett and then fell in love with creating stories. I was a closet fiction writer after that, focusing on journalism instead. It wasn’t until 2012 that I finally had the nerve to put some writing up online and then I met some incredible people who’ve cheered me on during this crazy writing adventure of mine.
- What’s your writing process like? Are you a pantser or a plotter?
- I’m a total panster. I start with a bit of dialogue or character, and I build off that. At some point I figure out my ending point, but I mostly write and see where it goes. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to be a plotter, and then I usually ignore those notes. Pantsing is chaotic and messy, but it’s 100% my process.
- Any favorite writing tools?
- I make a playlist for each book I write and listen to it on repeat through drafting and revisions. I’m a bit lost without those playlists.
- Any wacky places ideas tend to strike you?
- Usually while I’m running errands. I can be picking up dish detergent at Target and BAM – an idea hits me.
- What was your querying/publishing journey like?
- Well, I don’t have an agent yet, so my querying journey is on hold for now. I’ve decided to self-publish, but only after I received some really encouraging feedback during querying three books. I have what I call “the best rejection ever” hanging up on my pinboard above my desk. That note made the scary decision to go out on my own a little easier.
- Advice for aspiring authors?
- To keep writing. I know that’s cliché, but if I listened to everyone who said I couldn’t be a writer or wouldn’t write a book, then I wouldn’t be here chatting about EVERLY AFTER. So keep at it.
- What’s your favorite thing about your current book?
- I love EVERLY AFTER because it wasn’t easy to write. It pushed me to find the edge of what was comfortable for me as a reader and a writer, and then leap over it.
- Can you share your favorite line with us?
- Hmm, this is tough…but I’ve always loved this line: A church bell rings out in the distance, echoing in the quiet aftermath of Everly’s quick jump into the unexpected.
- What’s up next for you?
- My next New Adult romance, BETWEEN EVERYTHING AND US, will be released January 20, 2015. It’s about a determined art student, Matisse Evans, falling for her college dropout roommate, Beau Grady.
- What is your favorite dessert?
- I could write love letters to the deliciousness that’s lemon gelato.
- What toppings do you order on your pizza?
- I lived in Boston’s North End during college and was spoiled with great brick oven pizza. So it might be boring, but some herbed olive oil drizzled over a quattro formaggi or margarita pizza, and I’m in heaven.
- If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?
- Oh, so many places! I have a serious case of wanderlust. I would love to vacation on the Amafli Coast again, and I would gladly move to Galway if ever given the chance. I fell in love when I visited in 2005. As for new places, India and Thailand are on my travel bucket list.
- What are you currently reading?
- Dangerous Boys by Abigail Haas and it’s so, so good.
- What was the last TV show you watched?
- I don’t watch much TV, but I did just finish Outlander. Jamie Fraser will be my book boyfriend for life. And now that Gilmore Girls is on Netflix, I’m all for watching that again. I ship Rory and Jess so hard.
- What clique/group were you in when you were in high school?
- Hmm, the nerds? I don’t know. I got along with everyone, but I was definitely on the nerdier side of things with taking AP classes and loving Model UN.
- What’s your favorite adult beverage?
- I’m a sucker for a tall glass of Guinness, but if we’re talking fancy drinks, I love a French 75. It’s lemony champagne goodness.
- What does the last text message you sent say?
- I love you – to my husband.
- Are you an early bird or a night owl?
- I want to be an early bird like I want to be a plotter, but I’m most definitely a night owl.
Everly After is available for preorder and releases October 21, 2014:
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00MX5DUA2
B&N: http://is.gd/waAW0w
Kobo: http://is.gd/j5xg6Y
Find Becka on the web:
www.rebeccapaula.com
Facebook Author page: http://is.gd/D9s9iq
Twitter: @beckapaula
Add Everly After to Goodreads: http://is.gd/O2QXhf
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