Ask the Author: Rhonda James
Answered Questions (10)
Rhonda James
My gut reaction is to tell you if you're feeling a story, and the ideas are flowing, get them on paper and then step back and take a look at it. Does the plot flow? How is your grammar? Does the story draw you to the edge of your seat and put a smile on your face? If the answers to those questions are YES, then take a chance and publish. But, before you hit that publish button I would highly suggest you've reached out to blogs and actively participated in reading groups because they will greatly impact your book's success. It's much harder to get noticed today than it was even 2 years ago. Having a release marketing plan is critical in today's indie world. I also highly encourage lining up an editor. Skip the high dollar cover photos (stock always works great) and spend that money on editing and marketing.
Just my two cents. It's a tough world out there and there are a lot of authors struggling to keep their following. Good luck! Who knows, you may write the next best seller!!!
Just my two cents. It's a tough world out there and there are a lot of authors struggling to keep their following. Good luck! Who knows, you may write the next best seller!!!
Rhonda James
Laci, my deepest apologies for not answering this question sooner. To be honest, this is the first I am seeing it. My Mom passed away not long after 21 released and I haven't been on social media to check these things.
There is another story in The LIST Series. 13 is up on Goodreads and it will be releasing May 11th. I am so excited for you to get to know Hawk and Sophie better. Their love is beautiful and fun and a little quirky. By far, they are my most favorite couple I've written to date!
There is another story in The LIST Series. 13 is up on Goodreads and it will be releasing May 11th. I am so excited for you to get to know Hawk and Sophie better. Their love is beautiful and fun and a little quirky. By far, they are my most favorite couple I've written to date!
Rhonda James
Dani, Thank you so much! It was a blast!
Rhonda James
Claire, first of all, thank you so much for taking the time to read my book! I love hearing that others enjoyed my story. Being a writer yourself, I am sure you can appreciate how it is to fall in love with your characters. I must admit that I wanted to bring Sebastian home with me (even though he already lived in my head! lol).
Now, that is a very good, and valid question. Let me start by saying it was very hard. To be honest, the first book I wrote was very steamy, and I love that story, but with the type of job I have it made it hard to release something of that nature under my name. They had a conversation with me about it and I left angry, and feeling dejected. I went to bed two nights later and dreamed the whole story of Sebastian and Brooke. Having them live thousands of miles apart, and romancing from afar, helped make the lack of steamy scenes easier, but I still wanted more.
The sequel, Miles Apart, addresses the lack of steamy scenes without explicit details. Let's put it this way, there is no denying that something is happening this time around. Their characters actually were very intimate in the first book, I just left the reader wondering.
I think it was wise to ease into it slowly, and test the waters. You should have every confidence to write what you feel you're led to write. If you want to test the more steamy stuff then write a novella and put it out there as an ebook and see how people react. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. That stuff seems to always be on the Top 100 list of Amazon!
Can't wait to read your book. Keep in touch, I would be interested to see what direction your writing takes. Sleep on it, another dream may be just the push you need to start typing ;)
Now, that is a very good, and valid question. Let me start by saying it was very hard. To be honest, the first book I wrote was very steamy, and I love that story, but with the type of job I have it made it hard to release something of that nature under my name. They had a conversation with me about it and I left angry, and feeling dejected. I went to bed two nights later and dreamed the whole story of Sebastian and Brooke. Having them live thousands of miles apart, and romancing from afar, helped make the lack of steamy scenes easier, but I still wanted more.
The sequel, Miles Apart, addresses the lack of steamy scenes without explicit details. Let's put it this way, there is no denying that something is happening this time around. Their characters actually were very intimate in the first book, I just left the reader wondering.
I think it was wise to ease into it slowly, and test the waters. You should have every confidence to write what you feel you're led to write. If you want to test the more steamy stuff then write a novella and put it out there as an ebook and see how people react. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. That stuff seems to always be on the Top 100 list of Amazon!
Can't wait to read your book. Keep in touch, I would be interested to see what direction your writing takes. Sleep on it, another dream may be just the push you need to start typing ;)
Rhonda James
That varies. Often times I have an idea come to me in a dream, or I may hear a song or something that someone says. I have lots of ideas floating around in my head, just not enough hours to get them all down on paper.
Rhonda James
I usually listen to music while I write, I have specific artists that inspire the mood. While writing my series, The Not So Bad Boys of Rock, I was heavily influenced by Lifehouse, Three Doors Down, and Daughtry.
When I found myself stumped I would pull back and switch up my music, throwing in some Elle Goulding and Taylor Swift. That usually helped me through the rough spots.
When I found myself stumped I would pull back and switch up my music, throwing in some Elle Goulding and Taylor Swift. That usually helped me through the rough spots.
Rhonda James
For me, it's getting lost in the characters and the story they are living out. It can be both exciting and dangerous because you have to remind yourself that you are, in fact, a living and breathing human being and they are only fictional.
I think that when you write a story, and fall in love with the finished product, it is very easy to start thinking of the characters as real. While writing Across the Miles, I often found myself in the middle of a situation and asking myself "What would Sebastian or Brooke do?" That was usually a clue that I needed to take a break and interact with my family!
I think that when you write a story, and fall in love with the finished product, it is very easy to start thinking of the characters as real. While writing Across the Miles, I often found myself in the middle of a situation and asking myself "What would Sebastian or Brooke do?" That was usually a clue that I needed to take a break and interact with my family!
Rhonda James
A dream, actually. I went to sleep on a Thursday evening and woke up with the full story all there in my head. I started writing immediately and finished in exactly two months. The entire series presented itself to me, though books 2 through 4 haven't written themselves as easily as the first. I'm dealing with some tougher issues in the second book, so those take more time to think through and carry out in a manner which the reader, who has hopefully already fallen in love with the characters in book one, will believe and appreciate.
Rhonda James
The second book in my series The Not So Bad Boys of Rock
Miles Apart is the continuation of Sebastian and Brooke's love story, and it promises to capture your heart, just as its predecessor, Across the Miles, did. I am hoping to have this book released by June of 2015.
Miles Apart is the continuation of Sebastian and Brooke's love story, and it promises to capture your heart, just as its predecessor, Across the Miles, did. I am hoping to have this book released by June of 2015.
Rhonda James
Stop being afraid. For years I dreamed of becoming a published author, yet I feared the whole process of getting my work accepted by a publisher. Now, thanks to the wonders of self-publishing, all you need is a computer and the patience to follow the correct formatting guidelines. Amazon KDP makes it super easy, and when you combine it with the the team over at Createspace for print-on-demand, you are all set!
Make the time to fulfill your dreams. These days the only one holding you back is yourself.
Make the time to fulfill your dreams. These days the only one holding you back is yourself.
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