Ask the Author: Kenzie Reed
Answered Questions (11)
Kenzie Reed
Hi Paula! I'm so sorry. Could you send me a quick email at kenzie@kenziereed.com? I'll email you a copy. Sorry about the link. It's since been corrected!
Kenzie Reed
That's a good question! I honestly don't know, maybe because it's up for pre-order and isn't live on Amazon yet? I don't have any way to make Goodreads allow the "want to read" feature for my book, unfortunately.
Kenzie Reed
I literally JUST uploaded the paperback edition! Like, 15 minutes ago. Hoping it goes live quickly.
Kenzie Reed
Well, I'm seeing this question SUPER late so I'll just tell you what's on my reading list right now.
Diane Ackerman: A Natural History Of The Senses
Wine Folly: The Essential Guide To Wine
Christina Lauren: In A Holidaze
Diane Ackerman: A Natural History Of The Senses
Wine Folly: The Essential Guide To Wine
Christina Lauren: In A Holidaze
Kenzie Reed
I was watching "Mr. Selfridge", and thinking about how much I missed going to department stores like Macy's, and the story started forming itself in my head.
Kenzie Reed
It's more like I'm compelled to write. Ideas form in my head, adventures are ready to be experienced, my characters are clamoring to be heard, and the only way to give them life is to write their story.
Kenzie Reed
I just finished up a rom com called "(Not) The Boss of Me", about a smug, sexy billionaire who owns a luxury department store, and the frazzled personal assistant who's throwing a monkey wrench into all of his plans, and that goes live tomorrow. Then, I've got several ideas batting around in my head that I will wrestle into submission over the next few days.
Kenzie Reed
The best thing about being a writer is actually the same thing that's the best thing about being a reader. I get to go on these fun fictional adventures and for a little while, I live in a world where everything works out the way it's supposed to in the end, and everyone gets what they deserve. The good people get the HEA, the villains get their come-uppuance. (That's probably why I don't read much horror!)
Kenzie Reed
I have a couple of friends I can bounce ideas off of. When I have writer's block, for me, it's when I can't figure out what needs to happen next in a story. It does help that I'm writing in a specific genre - romance - which means there are certain story beats I need to hit. A meet-cute, a reason why the hero and heroine think they can't be together, then some romancin', some conflicts that up the tension, an all is lost moment, the triumphant overcoming of their problems, and then the wrap-up/aftermath/epilogue. So that helps me when I'm plotting.
Kenzie Reed
1.) Read a lot. Read in a variety of genres, and also read in the genre you want to write.
2.) Study the best-sellers in your genre - their books, their blurbs, their covers, the tropes that they use.
3.) Join author's forums and author's groups where you can ask questions.
4.) Find good beta readers who will critique your book, and don't take critiques personally. If a lot of people have the same issues with your book - starts too slow, hero or heroine is dislikeable, drags in the middle, or whatever - they are probably right and it's something that needs to be addressed.
5.) Use an editor. I am a former newspaper reporter, and I've made the mistake of thinking I could edit my own work. Ha! Ha, I say. Character's eyes changed from blue to brown. Commas were forgotten or misplaced. People who were already standing, stood up. The reviews reflected that - deservedly. I say again: use an editor.
2.) Study the best-sellers in your genre - their books, their blurbs, their covers, the tropes that they use.
3.) Join author's forums and author's groups where you can ask questions.
4.) Find good beta readers who will critique your book, and don't take critiques personally. If a lot of people have the same issues with your book - starts too slow, hero or heroine is dislikeable, drags in the middle, or whatever - they are probably right and it's something that needs to be addressed.
5.) Use an editor. I am a former newspaper reporter, and I've made the mistake of thinking I could edit my own work. Ha! Ha, I say. Character's eyes changed from blue to brown. Commas were forgotten or misplaced. People who were already standing, stood up. The reviews reflected that - deservedly. I say again: use an editor.
Kenzie Reed
(Not) The Boss of Me will have an audiobook! i am planning more books in the Fake It Till You make It series later this year - I still have to tell Naomi's story. Thank you for asking!
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