Ask the Author: Mae Wood
Answered Questions (9)
Mae Wood
When I'm doubting what I'm doing, I take a breather. Sometimes that's a walk around the block. Sometimes that means not looking at my work for days at a time, so I can come back to it with fresh eyes.
When I have those moments, I remind myself I need to be kind to myself and give myself the time and space I need to find the words again.
I also turn to my amazing reader group on Facebook. Truly, without them encouraging me and believing in me, I don't think I would have written as many books. (Come join. You're very welcome -- search for Pig & Barley, a Mae Wood reader group.)
When I have those moments, I remind myself I need to be kind to myself and give myself the time and space I need to find the words again.
I also turn to my amazing reader group on Facebook. Truly, without them encouraging me and believing in me, I don't think I would have written as many books. (Come join. You're very welcome -- search for Pig & Barley, a Mae Wood reader group.)
Mae Wood
Hi! Yes, I am at work. Check out my website www.maewood.com for some bonus material.
In the Pig & Barley restaurant universe, Bert's little sister Fischer is getting her own book. And I've got a serial novella of Kenzie (Drennan's older cousin) that's being published on Book+Main.
I've got a standalone project in the works - Genealogy. Hopefully this fall.
(I'm just seeing this. So sorry. Please keep in touch! Best way to find me is via email or FaceBook!)
In the Pig & Barley restaurant universe, Bert's little sister Fischer is getting her own book. And I've got a serial novella of Kenzie (Drennan's older cousin) that's being published on Book+Main.
I've got a standalone project in the works - Genealogy. Hopefully this fall.
(I'm just seeing this. So sorry. Please keep in touch! Best way to find me is via email or FaceBook!)
Mae Wood
Tentatively titled "Surviving Bitsy," the sequel picks up where "Risking Ruin" left off. Marisa and Trip are in the plane on the way to St. George. Let's just say that Trip's unilateral decision to "solve" the problem in their relationship is not well-taken by Marisa at first. I'm about halfway through, including Marisa getting to meet Trip's mom Bitsy and John returning to the story. Marisa's firm has hired John to babysit her and make sure her relationship with Trip doesn't mean that the firm loses Branco's lucrative business.
You'll note that "Risking Ruin" did not end with an "I love you" or an exchange of rings. For me the most interesting bit in any relationship is getting from "Let's date exclusively" to "Can I live without you?" "Surviving Bitsy" follows Marisa as she navigates being Trip's proper girlfriend and them trying to blend their lives together. As for the title, Bitsy is Trip's mom. But this isn't a Monster-In-Law type story. Quite the opposite. I can't wait to get it wrapped up and released late summer!
You'll note that "Risking Ruin" did not end with an "I love you" or an exchange of rings. For me the most interesting bit in any relationship is getting from "Let's date exclusively" to "Can I live without you?" "Surviving Bitsy" follows Marisa as she navigates being Trip's proper girlfriend and them trying to blend their lives together. As for the title, Bitsy is Trip's mom. But this isn't a Monster-In-Law type story. Quite the opposite. I can't wait to get it wrapped up and released late summer!
Mae Wood
Well, today I wrote sitting in a hair salon with my head cover in foils. I take what I can get!
I like to write in about 2 to 3 hour long blocks, but I'm fine with interruption. Typically, this means I write during my child's bath time and her nightly viewing of Peppa Pig and while she's up and down for hour or so after I put her to bed, demanding water, more blankets, less nightlight, etc. (Every parent knows what I'm talking about.) That said, by the time I sit down to write, I know where I'm going. I've muddled through the next steps in my head while driving home and preparing dinner.
I like to write in about 2 to 3 hour long blocks, but I'm fine with interruption. Typically, this means I write during my child's bath time and her nightly viewing of Peppa Pig and while she's up and down for hour or so after I put her to bed, demanding water, more blankets, less nightlight, etc. (Every parent knows what I'm talking about.) That said, by the time I sit down to write, I know where I'm going. I've muddled through the next steps in my head while driving home and preparing dinner.
Mae Wood
My husband detests "Risking Ruin"! He doesn't understand the genres of Chick-Lit or romance at all. He's read through the first sex scene and then just couldn't tolerate it any longer. I don't take offense. I'd rather go on a 10 mile hike in the middle of summer than read the five volume biography of Lyndon Johnson he currently has his nose in. Our tastes in pleasure reading differ and that's fine with me. Nonetheless, he's my biggest cheerleader in this project and extremely proud of me.
My family has no clue I've written a novel. However, my two closest friends I consider family and they read my work as a serial. When I get a few chapters pulled together, they gobble them up and then tell me what they like, don't like, and want more of. It's partially their fault there is so much sex in "Risking Ruin." So blame them if you think it's too much!
As for them asking to read my book, my sister and brother would roll their eyes. They would never ask. My mother would be super supportive and probably really like it. And no one wants their father reading sex scenes they've written! (Okay, probably someone wouldn't mind, but I'm from the U.S. South where daddies and daughters pretend sex doesn't exist.)
My family has no clue I've written a novel. However, my two closest friends I consider family and they read my work as a serial. When I get a few chapters pulled together, they gobble them up and then tell me what they like, don't like, and want more of. It's partially their fault there is so much sex in "Risking Ruin." So blame them if you think it's too much!
As for them asking to read my book, my sister and brother would roll their eyes. They would never ask. My mother would be super supportive and probably really like it. And no one wants their father reading sex scenes they've written! (Okay, probably someone wouldn't mind, but I'm from the U.S. South where daddies and daughters pretend sex doesn't exist.)
Mae Wood
I'm not ready to leave Trip and Marisa just yet. I'm working on the continuation of their story. Right now they are down at Trip's family's cabin on St. George (a barrier island in the Gulf off of Florida) and having a grand time. I'm quite jealous!
Mae Wood
I've been a writer for 20 years, but I never thought seriously about publishing. Risking Ruin is the first time I've put a book out in the world. It has been an amazing adventure. Like the old Nike ads, "Just Do It." Write and solicit feedback. It's a little scary to put something out in the world, but I'm glad I finally took the plunge.
Mae Wood
Write through it. Even if you end up deleting several chapters that turn out to be a blind alley or creating a character only to erase them, at least it's movement. It's easier to edit words than to edit a blank page. So, if you're stuck, just write your way out. That sounds easy enough, but I also imagine myself as the main character and think about what I might do next. I'm not my characters, so I don't necessarily react like they do, but it is a place to start. Just get those fingers moving across the keyboard!
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