Rebecca’s Comments (group member since Feb 19, 2014)

Rebecca’s comments from the Ask Rebecca Cantrell group.

Have you ever looked back on a book you've written and wished you could change the story?

I do the best I can with my books and let them go, so I don't really regret the storyline of any of them. They were the best books I could write when I wrote them. I would write them differently now, maybe, but I had to write those books to learn what I know now.

Who is my biggest critic, me or my editor?

The biggest critic of all my work is always me. Nobody else comes close, even snarky Amazon reviewers.

My first book was a mystery set in Arizona with an identical twin who hated his brother as a protagonist. His mother was a CIA spy. It was 40 pages, written in longhand. I have in 7th grade, and it was never published, although it read it years later and found it had some very funny lines.

I'm still learning on the marketing front. BookBub has been really effective for me, as has my newsletter. Facebook and twitter are also somewhat effective.

What works for you?

I usually re-read the last book (or two) in a series before I write the next one to submerge myself in that world, but other than than, I don't really have a template for the books going forward. I might know certain elements that are coming up in the next book or in the series overall (or where I want the series to end).

So far as I know, I can use services in the States. I'm still a citizen, have a bank account, pay taxes, vote, etc.

I didn't think there was a hardcover option either. Just wanted to make sure.

My CreateSpace paperbacks look great though. I'm really happy with the quality.

That said, the vast majority of my sales for the self pub stuff are ebook.

Thanks, Drew! I think you are much more experienced at this than I am, so I appreciate you stepping in!

If you don't mind me asking YOU a question. Who does hardcovers, if anyone?

I've lived here before, so I'm not experiencing too much culture shock. It's definitely wonderful to be in the middle of Europe so I can travel around to the locations in my books. I don't think my writing has changed, but wonder if I would be a good judge of that.

I used CreateSpace because it seemed like the easiest option. I did have to order a couple of page proofs to make sure that they got it right. Other than that, no problems.

Sounds like you guys have a great system!

Jim lives in California and I live in Berlin, so we only get to go out for beers when we tour. Probably makes us get more work done, even if it's less fun.

I'm thinking about Thrillerfest. I'm still not sure. Maybe/probably.

It's a great event though, and I highly recommend it! I have a blast every time--meeting amazing writers and lots of terrific fans. Highly recommended.

How are you and your writing partner handling the collaboration?

I met Jim at the Maui Writers Retreat. I was in his class, workshopping a thriller. We stayed in touch over the following years and one day he called me out of the blue asking if I'd like to work with him on a project.

The share of writing is tough to quantify. We both write stuff and edit each other's stuff. We turn in work on Fridays, then Skype on Monday to go over it. We're trying to make it read as if it were written by one writer, not two, so we don't alternate chapters or characters (although that's probably a lot easier to do).

I think it might be best to create a new discussion so people can find it more easily. So, if you create it, I'll pop over and answer soon.

My mystery series is also often reviewed as a thriller. It's set in 1930s Berlin. The first one is A TRACE OF SMOKE. My self pubbed book is a thriller and is set in the modern day tunnels under New York City--THE WORLD BENEATH.

Or, if you're into vampires, I co-write a vampire thriller series with James Rollins. The first one of those is THE BLOOD GOSPEL.

I'd say read a bit of each and decide which one speaks to you the most.

My average day goes like this: I get my son off to school and head out to a cafe. I write there until lunch. If I'm lucky, I hit my page count--5 pages. If not, I delay lunch until I do. Then I head home (or to a restaurant) to get lunch and write some more. Once my son gets home from school it's time for homework and dinner. After that I'll do social media stuff, interviews, emails, etc. I usually takes me 6-9 months to write a book, but I'd like to be faster.

Thanks for the great question!

Hi E.J.!

I entered the first five pages of my manuscript in the Maui Writers Conference Manuscript Marketplace and my agent contacted me.

I struggled with the thought of self publishing myself, and ended up taking the plunge with my newest series, starting with THE WORLD BENEATH. I'm having great fun with it!