Ask the Author: Arell Rivers
Answered Questions (11)
Arell Rivers
Awesome question!! I think the biggest mystery I'd love to have solved is the family "lore" that my grandmother was Jesse James's niece ~ I really want that verified! Keep thinking I'm going to write a story about a bank robbery.......
How about you?
How about you?
Arell Rivers
The cat's tail flicked to the side as she jumped out of the way of the blade intended for her mistress. She meowed and hurled herself at the intruder, waking Jayne, who turned her head on the pillow.
Arell Rivers
Mmmmm.....great question!! I would probably dive head first into JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood world! It's so fully developed with rich characters! Of course, I'd avoid the baby powder. ;)
Arell Rivers
Hmmm.... over the summer, I read and LOVED Interception and Intermission by Lisa Suzanne ~ and I'm not a love triangle reader!! I also read and enjoyed Second Act by Nancy Herkness and am currently starting Jordyn's Army.
Arell Rivers
I am currently writing the next book in The Hold Series. This will be a standalone, full-length novel that follows two of the characters you've previously met - Wills and Emilie. I never thought that I would fall in love with anyone more than Cole and Rose, but ... while my heart will always remain with my first loves, these two are quickly taking up residence in my heart!
Arell Rivers
Deadlines, lol! I tend to get inspired to write when I set goals and then tell people about them. This month, the NJ chapter of Romance Writers of America is doing a 30k word challenge. Since I report my word counts daily, this is a great motivator!
But I guess the question is about what inspires me.... Music. I love to write to music. And photos - especially of the muses for Cole Manchester, Adam Levine and Nick Bateman. :)
But I guess the question is about what inspires me.... Music. I love to write to music. And photos - especially of the muses for Cole Manchester, Adam Levine and Nick Bateman. :)
Arell Rivers
I woke up with Cole! lol....
At the time, I was not a writer. I literally was getting dressed and all of a sudden I had a vision of a man - a rock star - broken, empty and with no idea how to find love. After a few days, some of the pieces of his life started to fall into place as I thought about this poor guy. So, I decided to write down these ideas to exorcise them from my brain. Only Cole stayed - and brought friends!
At the time, I was not a writer. I literally was getting dressed and all of a sudden I had a vision of a man - a rock star - broken, empty and with no idea how to find love. After a few days, some of the pieces of his life started to fall into place as I thought about this poor guy. So, I decided to write down these ideas to exorcise them from my brain. Only Cole stayed - and brought friends!
Arell Rivers
Writer's block is real! I think I've encountered two different types.
First, sometimes I'm writing a scene and all of a sudden I have no more words. Nada. I keep trying to move forward, but it's as if I'm pushing against a brick wall. When that happens, I start from the beginning of the chapter and reread, hoping that new words will come. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. When I'm still blank, I review my outline to see what I meant to include in the chapter and that may trigger some words. Other times, I need to reevaluate whether anything more is needed in the scene. Usually, this analysis will move me forward, one way or another.
Second, there are times when I want to do ANYTHING but write. The grout needs cleaning? I rush for my toothbrush. Haven't talked to a certain friend in a while? I spend 2 hours catching up. This writer's block is more like procrastination. When I realize what I'm doing, I sit down at my keyboard and just start writing and soon I'm immersed in the story. Also, setting daily word count goals helps me stay on track.
If I'm truly stuck, it helps to look at what I'm writing from a different character's point of view. I might have started writing from the wrong POV. Or, I'm trying to force the story to go where it doesn't want to go and my characters are trying to tell me I'm wrong. I try to get in touch with my inner muse to figure out what I'm doing wrong. Either that, or drink wine. Wine always helps!
First, sometimes I'm writing a scene and all of a sudden I have no more words. Nada. I keep trying to move forward, but it's as if I'm pushing against a brick wall. When that happens, I start from the beginning of the chapter and reread, hoping that new words will come. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. When I'm still blank, I review my outline to see what I meant to include in the chapter and that may trigger some words. Other times, I need to reevaluate whether anything more is needed in the scene. Usually, this analysis will move me forward, one way or another.
Second, there are times when I want to do ANYTHING but write. The grout needs cleaning? I rush for my toothbrush. Haven't talked to a certain friend in a while? I spend 2 hours catching up. This writer's block is more like procrastination. When I realize what I'm doing, I sit down at my keyboard and just start writing and soon I'm immersed in the story. Also, setting daily word count goals helps me stay on track.
If I'm truly stuck, it helps to look at what I'm writing from a different character's point of view. I might have started writing from the wrong POV. Or, I'm trying to force the story to go where it doesn't want to go and my characters are trying to tell me I'm wrong. I try to get in touch with my inner muse to figure out what I'm doing wrong. Either that, or drink wine. Wine always helps!
Arell Rivers
Goodness! I have so many favorites!!
I love Myrna and Master Sinclair from Backstage Pass by Olivia Cunning. They both are strong characters on their own and together they explode off the pages.
I also love Nox and Charli from Aleatha Romig's Infidelity series. Both characters are flawed, but they help each other grow and become better people.
So, I guess it's strong, passionate characters who capture my heart!
I love Myrna and Master Sinclair from Backstage Pass by Olivia Cunning. They both are strong characters on their own and together they explode off the pages.
I also love Nox and Charli from Aleatha Romig's Infidelity series. Both characters are flawed, but they help each other grow and become better people.
So, I guess it's strong, passionate characters who capture my heart!
Arell Rivers
The best thing about being a writer, for me, is to be able to explore different worlds and experience issues/feelings through different characters. I love the freedom to see life through another lens! I feel so free when I'm writing; it's like my heart is singing. :)
Arell Rivers
My advice for aspiring writers is to read books and blogs about craft. Attend conferences. Join Romance Writers of America and go to the meetings.
When I started writing my first book, No One to Hold, I just wrote down the story as it came to me. I was so excited when I finished the first draft, thinking it was ready to be published! Then, I won a critique from a very experienced editor, who spent literally hours on the phone with me going over all the novice mistakes I had made. Instead of getting angry, I took her advice to heart and started delving into something I had never heard of: craft. I probably spent the better part of a year learning, revising and changing my manuscript.
While my path to publication took much longer than I had anticipated, I believe it was worth it in the end. And I continue to go to seminars and learn all I can to improve!
When I started writing my first book, No One to Hold, I just wrote down the story as it came to me. I was so excited when I finished the first draft, thinking it was ready to be published! Then, I won a critique from a very experienced editor, who spent literally hours on the phone with me going over all the novice mistakes I had made. Instead of getting angry, I took her advice to heart and started delving into something I had never heard of: craft. I probably spent the better part of a year learning, revising and changing my manuscript.
While my path to publication took much longer than I had anticipated, I believe it was worth it in the end. And I continue to go to seminars and learn all I can to improve!
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