Katee Robert Goodreads Group discussion

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Ooo!!! Who do you fangirl over BIG time?

Hey Helena! I totally had a OMG fangirl moment when Tamora Pierce signed a book for me. I almost cried. I've loved her writing since I was a kid :D

What moves you to decide writing?

Greselley wrote: "What moves you to decide writing?"

It's like something inside me that I have to let out on a regular basis. Like exercising or something--go too long without it and you start to get cranky.

It's something I'd be doing no matter if I was getting paid for it or now :)

Wow. Well, I wanted to be a writer, really desperate to be one. Lol. Does being a writer has qualifications or skills? How could one write a romance without even experience being in love? Is that possible?

Greselley wrote: "Wow. Well, I wanted to be a writer, really desperate to be one. Lol. Does being a writer has qualifications or skills? How could one write a romance without even experience being in love? Is that p..."

I don't know about qualifications, but writing is like anything else in that you have to practice a bunch. I read somewhere that it takes 1 million words to master the craft, but you kind of evolve as you go.

And I think the only limit you have is where your imagination takes you.

Is there a genre of writing you'd like to try outside of some sizzling romance?

Helena wrote: "Is there a genre of writing you'd like to try outside of some sizzling romance?"

I'm actually really wanting to try my hand at a YA thriller. Totally different realm from my adult stuff!

Katee wrote: "Greselley wrote: "Wow. Well, I wanted to be a writer, really desperate to be one. Lol. Does being a writer has qualifications or skills? How could one write a romance without even experience being ..."

Yes, I witness that "getting better as time passed by" trait of writers because I usually read novels by author.
Imagination? I do know that I have wide imagination but whenever I try writing a romance, it seems flat. I can't put real emotions to the characters. How do you make your characters more real?

Greselley wrote: "Katee wrote: "Greselley wrote: "Wow. Well, I wanted to be a writer, really desperate to be one. Lol. Does being a writer has qualifications or skills? How could one write a romance without even exp..."

A lot of it is hit and miss. For me, I write shallow first drafts. The characters tend to be flatter. It's in the edits that I go back and flesh them out.

So the magic mostly works at the editing part? Yay! Oh, so that's why Wrong bed, right guy is so great!!! Do you edit your own or trust others to do that for you?

I have to say this, I really appreciate your honest answers. I hope I could apply them.

Greselley wrote: "So the magic mostly works at the editing part? Yay! Oh, so that's why Wrong bed, right guy is so great!!! Do you edit your own or trust others to do that for you?"

I go through my drafts at least once after I finish, but ideally I let them sit for a bit first. After that, I have several passes of edits with my awesomer than awesome editor. She makes suggestions and then it's up to me to implement them. :)

Greselley wrote: "Katee wrote: "Greselley wrote: "Wow. Well, I wanted to be a writer, really desperate to be one. Lol. Does being a writer has qualifications or skills? How could one write a romance without even exp..."

If I can add my $0.02, I always make my characters look like someone in my own mind, whether it's a celebrity, a friend, or someone I saw on the street. If they look like someone, they have a unique voice. And if they have a unique voice, it's easier for me to give them a personality, and emotions.

Michael wrote: "Greselley wrote: "Katee wrote: "Greselley wrote: "Wow. Well, I wanted to be a writer, really desperate to be one. Lol. Does being a writer has qualifications or skills? How could one write a romanc..."

Aha! So if I can think of someone I know that is like my character, I would just see things the way she/he sees it? Is that what you mean?

Do you read historical romance?

Greselley wrote: "Do you read historical romance?"

I go through stages where I read a lot of it. I think I'm about due for another one soon, but right now I'm all about YA thrillers. But I have a lot of historical romance on my shelves.

While writing, do you prefer peace and quiet or do you need music to inspire certain scenes?

Alexis wrote: "While writing, do you prefer peace and quiet or do you need music to inspire certain scenes?"

It actually varies from book to book. Some books want to be written in complete silence. Others demand their own soundtrack. :)

What is your favorite historical romance novel?

Greselley wrote: "What is your favorite historical romance novel?"

I don't know if I have a favorite, but I adore Elizabeth Boyle's books.