Ask the Author: Tudor Robins
Answered Questions (12)
Tudor Robins
No matter what I do in Book Five, we'll definitely hear from Meg one way or another. Meg is actually in a couple of short scenes in the book I co-wrote with Mara Dabrishus - In Search Of. Those scenes tell a bit about her life. *Important note to anyone thinking of reading In Search Of - it's not a Young Adult novel. It's a small-town romance. I don't want to be recommending it to really young readers.*
Tudor Robins
Before Meg came to the island she rode Hunter / Jumper, however, now that she's on the island I think of her more like Amy Fleming on Heartland - in that she'll try anything now. Her focus has definitely shifted from showing to learning more about horsemanship by trying different things.
Tudor Robins
I definitely have a plan for a fifth book in the series. Before I start writing it, it's hard to say for sure which POV it will take, but I want it to go ahead in time a little bit and tell about what's happening to Meg and Jared, so chances are good it will be Meg's POV!
(I just have to find the time to write it)
(I just have to find the time to write it)
Tudor Robins
Thanks so much for asking! I wish I could give you an exact date, but I can't quite yet. However, I will say I'm in the active editing stage. Like VERY active. Like it's the main thing I think about.
I really want this book to be out before Christmas. That's my plan and my aim. Once I get just a little bit farther along in edits I'll have a much better idea of the exact release date, and I'll post it on my Facebook page, the Horseback Reads Facebook page, and anywhere and everywhere I can!
It's tempting to rush to get this book out quickly for all you great readers who are asking me about it, but I really want it to be as good as I can make it first. I know many of you love Appaloosa Summer and Wednesday Riders, and I want Join Up to live up to your expectations.
I really want this book to be out before Christmas. That's my plan and my aim. Once I get just a little bit farther along in edits I'll have a much better idea of the exact release date, and I'll post it on my Facebook page, the Horseback Reads Facebook page, and anywhere and everywhere I can!
It's tempting to rush to get this book out quickly for all you great readers who are asking me about it, but I really want it to be as good as I can make it first. I know many of you love Appaloosa Summer and Wednesday Riders, and I want Join Up to live up to your expectations.
Tudor Robins
I'm glad you like it Devynn! You can ask questions here, if you like, or on Twitter (you know where to find me, but for those who don't its @TudorRobins) or email me directly - tudor (at) tudorrobins.ca - whatever's easiest!
Tudor Robins
Hi Devynn, the title of the third book is "Join Up" - I always get a little panicked about titles, but at some point during writing a good title usually comes to me. In this case, I'm really happy with Join Up - I think it matches the tone of the book.
And, a cover, well ... I can't wait to see it either! It's in progress, and I'll reveal it when I can.
Thanks for the question! If there's anything else you're wondering about, feel free to ask - I'll be featured on the Horseback Reads Horse Lovers Book Tour on Saturday and will answer reader questions there if any come in before now and then :)
And, a cover, well ... I can't wait to see it either! It's in progress, and I'll reveal it when I can.
Thanks for the question! If there's anything else you're wondering about, feel free to ask - I'll be featured on the Horseback Reads Horse Lovers Book Tour on Saturday and will answer reader questions there if any come in before now and then :)
Tudor Robins
Well, at the most basic level, it's getting to do something I love. Except, not just love, but am compelled to do. I have to tell stories in my head, and then they only feel complete if I write them down. I had one particular story that ran in my head for about four years straight when I was a kid. Whenever I was alone, or had quiet time, I'd pick up where I left off, or even go back a little bit in the story to review it, and maybe make some subtle edits. When your brain works like that, I think you have to be a writer!
More recently, as a published writer, the most amazing thing has been connecting with people from all over the world and seeing the effect my words have on them depending on their background, and what they're experiencing in their lives when they read my books. It's very eye-opening to see how different people interpret the same words.
More recently, as a published writer, the most amazing thing has been connecting with people from all over the world and seeing the effect my words have on them depending on their background, and what they're experiencing in their lives when they read my books. It's very eye-opening to see how different people interpret the same words.
Tudor Robins
Really, the best advice I can give is to finish your first project. I mean really finish it. Write it to the end, and then read it critically, and re-write, and revise it until you're as happy with it as you can be.
There will be times when you'll need to put Project #1 aside for a while to think about it, and reflect on how to improve it. During those times, start Project #2.
So, my advice is write - but not JUST write - also see projects through to the end. Do this for a while, and you'll be surprised how your portfolio grows!
There will be times when you'll need to put Project #1 aside for a while to think about it, and reflect on how to improve it. During those times, start Project #2.
So, my advice is write - but not JUST write - also see projects through to the end. Do this for a while, and you'll be surprised how your portfolio grows!
Tudor Robins
Well, I have to say, I'm always inspired to write - it's finding the time that's challenging. I have so many ideas lined up, I don't think I'll ever get to all of them.
However, to give a very specific example, there was just a local news story which got a fair bit of coverage over the last couple of days. This morning, while I was out running, my brain started working on it and turned it into a short story.
I think this has rearranged my writing priorities for the next little while - I was going to spend next week working on a book, but I think I need to write a short story about this particular story first, and maybe release it for free - sign up for my newsletter (http://tudorrobins.ca/newsletter-signup/) to be sure to get any freebies like that!
However, to give a very specific example, there was just a local news story which got a fair bit of coverage over the last couple of days. This morning, while I was out running, my brain started working on it and turned it into a short story.
I think this has rearranged my writing priorities for the next little while - I was going to spend next week working on a book, but I think I need to write a short story about this particular story first, and maybe release it for free - sign up for my newsletter (http://tudorrobins.ca/newsletter-signup/) to be sure to get any freebies like that!
Tudor Robins
I guess I'm from the "keep going" school of thought ... I really don't believe in writer's block. Of course, I fully expect to throw out a lot of what I write on any given project, so maybe where others are too smart to write on certain days, I just go ahead and do it, and have to edit it out later!
It might be because I went to Journalism school that I don't think of writing time as a luxury - rather, there are deadlines, and they need to be met, so you sit down and write. My profs made that very clear to us!
So, my advice is don't believe in writer's block and maybe it won't happen to you ... maybe?
It might be because I went to Journalism school that I don't think of writing time as a luxury - rather, there are deadlines, and they need to be met, so you sit down and write. My profs made that very clear to us!
So, my advice is don't believe in writer's block and maybe it won't happen to you ... maybe?
Tudor Robins
Thank you for the question Lynette, and for reading (and enjoying) Appaloosa Summer. I loved writing it.
It's a great time for this question because I'm sending Book Two (working title "What the Heart Wants") to beta readers this week. This is a big step, and means I have a completed manuscript, however, I also need to work hard to try to make sure you like this book as much as APS, so there's still lots to do. Accounting for beta reading, revisions, time with my editor (lots more revisions) and then formatting, etc. I'm hoping to release the second book in early spring - roughly March 2015.
In the meantime, you can read a chapter that was deleted from APS in the very last round of edits before publication, by clicking the "Read Excerpt" button on the Goodreads page.
I'm also getting a second deleted chapter ready to release, and am working on a podcast of APS - to be posted one chapter a week for free on iTunes.
For information about all this, and to be notified when future books release, you can always sign up for my newsletter - http://tudorrobins.ca/newsletter-signup/.
Thanks again for reading and asking!
It's a great time for this question because I'm sending Book Two (working title "What the Heart Wants") to beta readers this week. This is a big step, and means I have a completed manuscript, however, I also need to work hard to try to make sure you like this book as much as APS, so there's still lots to do. Accounting for beta reading, revisions, time with my editor (lots more revisions) and then formatting, etc. I'm hoping to release the second book in early spring - roughly March 2015.
In the meantime, you can read a chapter that was deleted from APS in the very last round of edits before publication, by clicking the "Read Excerpt" button on the Goodreads page.
I'm also getting a second deleted chapter ready to release, and am working on a podcast of APS - to be posted one chapter a week for free on iTunes.
For information about all this, and to be notified when future books release, you can always sign up for my newsletter - http://tudorrobins.ca/newsletter-signup/.
Thanks again for reading and asking!
Tudor Robins
I always have lots of projects on the go / in progress / rattling around in my brain, and on my laptop but RIGHT NOW ... right this minute ... I'm working on the sequel to Appaloosa Summer. I've been touched and amazed by the response to APS, and lots of people are asking "when can I read the next book?" - well the answer is "As soon as I can make it happen!" I'm working on it ...
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