Ask the Author: Natalie Bright
Answered Questions (5)
Natalie Bright
There are so many ideas and projects going, I don't have time for writer's block. With three newsletters, two blogs, a middle grade series, a young adult series, and a nonfiction picture book series about rescue animals, I cannot be blocked. If the words grow cold on your story, write something else. Start an idea journal, write a handful of blogs about your current WIP, or research promotion ideas and write a marketing plan for the next 90 days. Still got nothing, then edit a friend's story. My writing time is for writing, or anything related to writing. Every day do something that keeps you moving forward on your author journey.
Natalie Bright
A nonfiction book about chuck wagons and cattle drives. I've had so much fun researching this topic, spending time in the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum Archives and interviewing today's chuck wagon cooks. This book will include the fascinating history of the chuck wagon, authentic recipes, and photography from a working ranch. Look for it in the Fall of 2020, KEEP 'EM FULL AND KEEP 'EM ROLLLIN'.
My next project in fiction is a new series set in Texas, of course, about a Georgia girl who inherits a ranch and reluctantly has to learn the cow business. My co-author on this new is Denise McAllister. We make the perfect team. She knows horses and the horse show circuit, and I know cattle ranches. It's a fun collaberation. MAVERICK HEART will be western women's fiction with Christian and romance elements, and is the first book in what we hope will be a new series.
My next project in fiction is a new series set in Texas, of course, about a Georgia girl who inherits a ranch and reluctantly has to learn the cow business. My co-author on this new is Denise McAllister. We make the perfect team. She knows horses and the horse show circuit, and I know cattle ranches. It's a fun collaberation. MAVERICK HEART will be western women's fiction with Christian and romance elements, and is the first book in what we hope will be a new series.
Natalie Bright
Write the story or article that burns a hole in your gut. Write about the characters that wake you up at night. Research the ideas that you are passionate about. Do not be afraid to ignore the sparks that ignite in your head. So many books are being published theses days, it seems that most of us are on a hopeless journey never destined to be discovered. Keep your day job, and then write because its what you do. Absolutely learn everything you can about story craft and author branding and book promotion. The realities of publishing today can be dream shattering, but you keep writing because that's what you do and you keep putting your work out there. In the end, I write the kinds of stories that I want to read and I do my best to connect with readers.
Natalie Bright
Everything inspires me to write. Story ideas are everywhere, and I'll never live long enough to write all of my ideas. Spending time with other authors and creative people always inspires me the most. My favorite inspiration is discovering a new author. That's when I can really dig into their words and break down the story to learn more about the craft. The research too gives me tons of inspiration.
Natalie Bright
Several years ago, our son participated in a Texas Celebration at his elementary school, where they discussed westward expansion, pioneers, the frontier, and of course, Texas history. He was very curious about hanging one night at dinner. Obviously a horrible part of our history, but law abiding citizens sometimes couldn't wait for the judge or lawman. I started thinking about ways I could introduce historical information about the Wild West, but make it a fun book too. The town of Justice, Texas started occupying my mind and the TROUBLE IN TEXAS SERIES was hatched. It wasn't that many generations ago when our hardy ancestors settled this land. My grandmother remembers riding in a bumpy wagon piled high with their possessions when they moved from Oklahoma to Texas. I hope this series can be a fun read for families and that the stories will incite some interesting discussions around the dinner table.
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