1. How long did it take you to publish, ‘Moonlight?’
I wrote Moonlight in about 3 months. I had pitched the series idea to my editor and she offered me a contract to write 3 books in the series. They wanted them to be released quickly so I wrote them fairly quickly.
2. If you could choose one thing about the whole work involved from writing your first book, to its publication, what would you say was the hardest thing to achieve?
My first four books, I never tried to get published. They were too rough, too unpolished, and had way too many writing mistakes. My 5th book was the one to get published. Mostly I had to learn the craft and how to bring a story and characters to life.
3. Of all the books you have written, which book did you enjoy writing the most?
I always enjoy most writing the book I am currently working on. If it’s not my favourite, if I’m not enjoying it, why spend hour after hour with the characters?
4. How long did it take you to get your first successful book published?
I started writing in 1990. My first book came out in 1994 under the name Lorraine Heath.
5. If you could give one piece of advice to a new writer, what would it be?
Write what you love to read. Don’t try to follow trends.
6. Many writers are warned about the dreaded ‘rejection letter,’ but speaking from your own experience, what is your take on the rejection letter?
Writing and reading is very personal and subjective. Just because a book is rejected by one editor or agent doesn’t mean that another editor or agent won’t love it. Now if several rejections point out the same flaw or reason for rejecting it, an author might want to consider re-examining the story. But publication is a often a matter of having the right book on the right editor’s desk at the right time. And for what it is worth, I have received far more rejections since I got published than I did before I got published. Sometimes the story doesn’t quite work or they’ve just bought a similar storyline. Although it’s difficult, I don’t think we should take rejections personally. They are part of the process.
7. What would you say is the first steps of publishing?
Learning the craft of writing.
8. If a new and upcoming writer was trying to publish their own novel, how would you recommend they go about it?
He needs to be very honest with himself and be sure that the work is ready for publication. He’ll want to hire an editor, copy editor, proof reader. There are many other steps to take for indie publishing if he wants any sort of success—and even then success is never guaranteed. I recommend his reading THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT INDIE PUBLISHING>
9. We all love writing our own characters, giving them personalities, histories and lives, but if you had to choose two characters from your own books, which two would you say are your favourites?
You’re asking me to choose between my children. My favourite are the ones I’m writing now: Avery and Fletcher.
10. The publishing industry is beginning to get increasingly difficult, with less and less books being published each year, and this year is no exception. Book deals and publications are at an all-time low.
Many writers are turning to Amazon, Smashwords, Nook, etc. and self-publishing their books.
But this choice isn’t for everyone.
What would you say to young, unpublished writers out there who are debating about which route to take?
And had you been starting out all over again, would you still take the same route?
Everyone has different paths. There are pros and cons to both avenues and if you choose the one that will make you happiest. Learn all you can about traditional publishing and indie publishing and understand the adventure on which you are embarking.
The thought of everything involved in indie publishing overwhelms me. I like being traditionally published and would try that route first. I like having partners in the process. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t ever consider indie publishing, but right now traditional publishing appeals to me. I believe I would take the same route if starting over.
I wrote Moonlight in about 3 months. I had pitched the series idea to my editor and she offered me a contract to write 3 books in the series. They wanted them to be released quickly so I wrote them fairly quickly.
2. If you could choose one thing about the whole work involved from writing your first book, to its publication, what would you say was the hardest thing to achieve?
My first four books, I never tried to get published. They were too rough, too unpolished, and had way too many writing mistakes. My 5th book was the one to get published. Mostly I had to learn the craft and how to bring a story and characters to life.
3. Of all the books you have written, which book did you enjoy writing the most?
I always enjoy most writing the book I am currently working on. If it’s not my favourite, if I’m not enjoying it, why spend hour after hour with the characters?
4. How long did it take you to get your first successful book published?
I started writing in 1990. My first book came out in 1994 under the name Lorraine Heath.
5. If you could give one piece of advice to a new writer, what would it be?
Write what you love to read. Don’t try to follow trends.
6. Many writers are warned about the dreaded ‘rejection letter,’ but speaking from your own experience, what is your take on the rejection letter?
Writing and reading is very personal and subjective. Just because a book is rejected by one editor or agent doesn’t mean that another editor or agent won’t love it. Now if several rejections point out the same flaw or reason for rejecting it, an author might want to consider re-examining the story. But publication is a often a matter of having the right book on the right editor’s desk at the right time. And for what it is worth, I have received far more rejections since I got published than I did before I got published. Sometimes the story doesn’t quite work or they’ve just bought a similar storyline. Although it’s difficult, I don’t think we should take rejections personally. They are part of the process.
7. What would you say is the first steps of publishing?
Learning the craft of writing.
8. If a new and upcoming writer was trying to publish their own novel, how would you recommend they go about it?
He needs to be very honest with himself and be sure that the work is ready for publication. He’ll want to hire an editor, copy editor, proof reader. There are many other steps to take for indie publishing if he wants any sort of success—and even then success is never guaranteed. I recommend his reading THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT INDIE PUBLISHING>
9. We all love writing our own characters, giving them personalities, histories and lives, but if you had to choose two characters from your own books, which two would you say are your favourites?
You’re asking me to choose between my children. My favourite are the ones I’m writing now: Avery and Fletcher.
10. The publishing industry is beginning to get increasingly difficult, with less and less books being published each year, and this year is no exception. Book deals and publications are at an all-time low.
Many writers are turning to Amazon, Smashwords, Nook, etc. and self-publishing their books.
But this choice isn’t for everyone.
What would you say to young, unpublished writers out there who are debating about which route to take?
And had you been starting out all over again, would you still take the same route?
Everyone has different paths. There are pros and cons to both avenues and if you choose the one that will make you happiest. Learn all you can about traditional publishing and indie publishing and understand the adventure on which you are embarking.
The thought of everything involved in indie publishing overwhelms me. I like being traditionally published and would try that route first. I like having partners in the process. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t ever consider indie publishing, but right now traditional publishing appeals to me. I believe I would take the same route if starting over.