Writers At Work: The Authors Of The Dangerous Attraction
Boxed Set
How long does it take you to write a book?
Lori Ryan: Once I sit down to write, I generally get a
draft out in thirty days and then it takes another month or so of going back
and forth to beta readers and editors. My editors do a content reading and then
two read throughs for copy editing and proofing. All told, it’s typically three
to four months.
Jill Sanders: If I'm undisturbed, I can
write a 50k+ word book in around 9 days. Yes, that's fast. If I wasn't slowed
down by my fingers and computer, I'm sure I could shave a few hours off. I do
go over it several times, tweaking the story after. I also slow down during
basketball season when my boys are playing and I'm at their games.
Patricia Rosemoor: It depends on how much of
the plot I have worked out. The more details/scenes/plot points I know when I
start, the faster I write. But truthfully, it takes me 10 weeks for shorter
books, at least 12 for longer. I probably revise every scene a dozen times
before I'm done.
Kaylea Cross: It depends entirely on
the word count I’m shooting for, and how much research is involved. For a full
length book (85K words and over) it might take me three months. For a 50-60K
word book, it might take me a month and a half. I’m not a fast writer and never
will be, so that’s something I’ve just had to accept about myself. The danger
is when you start comparing yourself to others and being disappointed with your
output! That kills the muse in a hurry.
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When you’re in the middle of writing a book,
what is your daily writing routine like? Do you set word count goals per day or
just write until your eyes are crossed?
Rebecca York: I try to write ten pages
a day. Some days it may take me only
three or four hours. Other days, I may
still be trying to finish those pages at midnight. I find that if I write five pages and take a
break to cook lunch or dinner, I come back to work with renewed energy. If I write more than fifteen pages in a day,
the next day I will probably get very little done, so I make myself quit, even
if I’m clicking along.
Marie Astor: I try to have a schedule, but I find that
it is best not to force your inspiration. I don’t have a specific time when I
write: one day it may be early in the morning, and the next day I may be up
past midnight finishing a chapter. There are days when I write 8,000 words and
there are days when I write none. As long as the plot is moving along, I’m
happy.
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Can you tell us where you write and what your
habits are? Do you use a PC or mac? Do you like google docs or word? Do you
edit in hard copy or only on the computer?
Dana Marton: I write on a PC. I bought a Mac laptop this
summer, but so far all I could figure out is how to turn it on. I need to hire
a teenager to give me some pointers. I edit the entire manuscript twice on the
computer, then twice in printout before it goes to friends for input. I rewrite
it one more time, then to the editor, then I rewrite it again.
Debra Burroughs: I write in my home office
with the door shut, trying to block out any distractions. Fortunately, my kids
are grown and gone, so my husband, who works from home, is the one who most
likely distracts me. I write my books on a PC in Word, and when I edit, I only
edit on the computer.
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Do you have any interesting writing quirks?
Toni Anderson: Quirks? LOL. Maybe. I
have a favorite mug from Highland Stoneware which fits my hand just perfectly,
so I like to use that when I am writing fresh pages. I create soundtracks for
each book. It conjures a certain unique mood for each story. And I have to turn
off the internet to achieve my daily word count--not sure that is a quirk so
much as a weakness.
Sharon Hamilton: I like candles if at
night. I write to music and have special things I listen to for love scenes, or
action scenes, heartbreak scenes, etc. I’m getting a vintage Airstream trailer
for my writing cottage. I overlook acres of woods and my flower and vegetable
gardens. But I can work in public places with earphones.
Excerpt from THREE DAYS IN SEATTLE by Debra Burroughs
The keys jangled as Ryan unlocked the door and
let Kate into his condo.
“Make yourself at home. I’m just going to
change.” He ducked into his bedroom.
She stood in the middle of the large space,
admiring the architecture and design. The place reminded her of a photo shoot
she did in Malibu for an architectural magazine—the same clean lines and
voluminous space, earthy colors and natural elements.
“Is there any place in particular you’d like to
go to tonight?” Ryan called out from the bedroom.
From where Kate stood, she could peer into part
of the bedroom and see Ryan, bare from the waist up, searching his closet for
something else to put on. The sight of him, his chiseled upper body exposed and
his pants unfastened, made her heart skip a beat. Heat rose in her cheeks and
flowed down her body.
“Um, yes, well...that place we went to the
other night, Yellowfin’s, sounds good.” Kate stepped toward the wall of windows
so Ryan wouldn’t catch her watching him undress.
He slipped up behind her, now fully clothed,
and wrapped his arms around her waist. She let out a nervous giggle at his
surprising nearness. The comfort of his arms filled her with warmth and she did
not resist.
“What a stunning view,” she said, looking out
at the city lights, leaning her head back on his chest.
“Yes, stunning,” he agreed. They stood together
enjoying the view for a moment. Brushing her golden hair back with his hand, he
gently kissed the side of her neck.
A tingle rushed through her from her neck to
her toes. She turned around and looked up into his green eyes. He caught her
gaze for just a moment then lowered his face. His lips covered hers and she
felt the passion from that kiss pulse through her body.
“Oh, Ryan,” she heard herself sigh. The
intensity of it all overwhelmed her, leaving her intoxicated. Her head was
spinning, and she wondered where this was going to lead.
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Christina Hoffman was born in London, England. She moved with her family throughout Canada and the US, and has finally put down her suitcase, for now, in San Francisco.
