Ask the Author: Abigail Drake
Answered Questions (12)
Abigail Drake
That is definitely the plan! As soon as I started getting to know Luca's sisters, I realized they'd need to have their own stories as well. You are absolutely right!
Abigail Drake
There will! I'm working on the fifth book in the series right now. :) It's called "The South Side News," and it's finally Anthony's turn to fall in love.
Abigail Drake
Yes, I will! Sorry. I just saw this question. :p The next book is already mapped out. I hope to start working on it soon. It's called The Black Lotus Tattoo Parlor, and it's the story of Cat (the owner of the tattoo parlor) and Luca (an army vet with PTSD). I can't wait to jump back into the world of the South Side!
Abigail Drake
Hi, Monique! Sorry I didn't see this question sooner. There will be more books in The South Side Stories series! The next one will be "The Black Lotus Tattoo Parlor." It's the story of tattoo artist Cat and her love interest, the former soldier, Luca, who suffers from PTSD. I have it all mapped out and hope to work on it soon. :) In the meantime, "The Enchanted Garden Cafe " came out today on audiobook, which is very exciting. I'm so glad you've enjoyed this series, and thanks for your kind words!
Abigail Drake
At this point, I'm so deep into the world of "Rebel Without a Claus" that I'd have to go there! But who wouldn't want to visit the North Pole (even a warped and slightly darker version of it)? But of all the fictional worlds I'd wish to visit, I'd have to say the setting of "Pride and Prejudice" suits me best. Especially Pemberly. Especially if Mr. Darcy is there and climbing out of a small lake soaking wet. Yeah, that would be perfect!
Abigail Drake
Personally, I don't believe in writer's block. Not in the way some people view it, at least.
Everyone gets stuck at times and has something they need to work out. I have certain techniques for dealing with this:
1. I go back and reread what I wrote the day before. This often gets me back into the rhythm, and helps me move on.
2. I go for a long, quiet walk and focus on the problem I'm facing in my book the whole time.
3. I used a guided meditation for writers. My favorites were created by my friend, Madhu Wangu. They're amazing. (https://www.madhubazazwangu.com/publi...)
4. I do a palate cleanse and work on something else. Like answering questions on Goodreads! That's a great way to change your focus, and sometimes a small change is all you need to get back on track again.
Everyone gets stuck at times and has something they need to work out. I have certain techniques for dealing with this:
1. I go back and reread what I wrote the day before. This often gets me back into the rhythm, and helps me move on.
2. I go for a long, quiet walk and focus on the problem I'm facing in my book the whole time.
3. I used a guided meditation for writers. My favorites were created by my friend, Madhu Wangu. They're amazing. (https://www.madhubazazwangu.com/publi...)
4. I do a palate cleanse and work on something else. Like answering questions on Goodreads! That's a great way to change your focus, and sometimes a small change is all you need to get back on track again.
Abigail Drake
My late grandmother, Laura Mae, always told the most shocking stories. One involved her late brother, Dutch.
That wasn't his actual name, but it's what she called him, and she adored him. She said out of all her siblings, he was her closest friend. He was kind and funny and smart—so smart that he invented some little part that was needed by steel manufacturers and patented it. He got enough money from it that he never had to work again.
This, however, wasn't a great thing for my Great Uncle Dutch. Instead of working, he drank. A lot.
One night around Christmas, after drinking excessively at a bar on the edge of town, he wandered into the woods to relieve himself. No one saw him again. Well, not until spring came and the snow melted. The poor guy must have passed out and died of exposure.
The oddest thing about it was this: Within days of Dutch going missing, someone cleaned out his bank account and took everything of value from his apartment.
So did he die because of his alcoholism and the elements, or was he murdered? I guess we'll never know.
That wasn't his actual name, but it's what she called him, and she adored him. She said out of all her siblings, he was her closest friend. He was kind and funny and smart—so smart that he invented some little part that was needed by steel manufacturers and patented it. He got enough money from it that he never had to work again.
This, however, wasn't a great thing for my Great Uncle Dutch. Instead of working, he drank. A lot.
One night around Christmas, after drinking excessively at a bar on the edge of town, he wandered into the woods to relieve himself. No one saw him again. Well, not until spring came and the snow melted. The poor guy must have passed out and died of exposure.
The oddest thing about it was this: Within days of Dutch going missing, someone cleaned out his bank account and took everything of value from his apartment.
So did he die because of his alcoholism and the elements, or was he murdered? I guess we'll never know.
Abigail Drake
Everything! I love being able to create characters and stories, and make them come to life. I adore the whole process, from the first draft to the final completed manuscript. I also like the fact that I can work in my pajamas. That's a definite bonus!
Abigail Drake
Keep writing. It sounds so simple, but it's true. Just like learning to play an instrument, writing requires practice. Also, keep reading as well. The best lessons about writing are found when you analyze the work of others.
Abigail Drake
I'm working on a women's fiction novel called "Writing Mr. Right." It's about four romance writers with failed relationships who each write a description of their perfect man. To their surprise, the men start showing up in their lives. The only problem is that they are showing up with the wrong women.
Abigail Drake
I love creating stories, but I'm also pretty disciplined. I don't wait for the muse to find me, I seek that wench out, and force her to cooperate. Thomas Edison said genius is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. Well, writing a book is very similar. It's 99% hard work, and 1% divine inspiration.
Abigail Drake
My most recent book, "Love, Chocolate, and a Dog Named Al Capone" is a work of fiction, but parts of it were inspired by real life events involving my own dog. Yes, his name is Capone, and yes, he makes very bad decisions.
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