Ask the Author: Rebecca Drake
Answered Questions (5)
Rebecca Drake
I look forward to seeing you, Judy! My daughter is a reader for me and gave me a lot of good edits for Just Between Us, but she isn't my official, full-time editor--that's a wonderful woman at St. Martin's Press. My writing came first and it definitely influenced my daughter--I think all those dinner time discussions about plot really honed her skills. She's a writer now, too, as well as a filmmaker, and has a great sense of story. But I would say that because I'm a proud mama, lol! Thanks for the question!
Rebecca Drake
The original idea for JUST BETWEEN US came from a conversation I once had with a friend who expressed his loyalty to another, mutual friend, by saying that he'd hide the guy if he committed a murder. I was really intrigued by this--how far are we willing to go to help our friends?
Rebecca Drake
Read, read, read! Read as much as you can and as broadly as possible, both within your genre/interest area and without.
Recognize that writing is a craft, but publishing is a business, and try to educate yourself as much as possible in both areas.
Join professional organizations and attend conferences to learn as much as you can from others and to make friends--being a writer is hard work, and you'll need support along the way.
Recognize that writing is a craft, but publishing is a business, and try to educate yourself as much as possible in both areas.
Join professional organizations and attend conferences to learn as much as you can from others and to make friends--being a writer is hard work, and you'll need support along the way.
Rebecca Drake
Having the privilege of working every day at a job that I love. I might not enjoy each and every minute, because writing is hard work, but it's creative work and it's mine.
And it's also great to hear from readers--it's always a thrill to know that something I wrote affected others!
And it's also great to hear from readers--it's always a thrill to know that something I wrote affected others!
Rebecca Drake
The best way I've found to deal with writer's block is to set a regular writing schedule and to remind myself that it's okay to produce a bad first draft. I like to use a timer and set it for 30 mins. to force myself past that initial hurdle, on days when I just don't feel like I have anything to say. I'll write anything for 30 mins. with the promise of a break at the end. Usually, once I've gotten started, I don't need that break and I re-set for a longer time.
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