Review: DRIVE by Stephanie Fournet
I have loved everything I’ve read from Stephanie Fournet, and DRIVE did not disa[...]
Today, Jennifer Echols is here to kick of ABaaL’s “How I Write” feature! Jennifer is the author of YA romantic comedies and dramas, such as Love Story, and Such a Rush (click for my reviews). Many thanks to Jennifer for participating! Check out her Q&A, and then enter the giveaway for a chance to win your choice of one of her books (that’s in print)!
About the author:
Jennifer Echols was born in Atlanta and grew up in a small town on a beautiful lake in Alabama—a setting that has inspired many of her books. Her nine romantic novels for young adults have been published in seven languages and have won the National Readers’ Choice Award, the Aspen Gold Readers’ Choice Award, and the Booksellers’ Best Award. Her novel Going Too Far was a finalist in the RITA and was nominated by the American Library Association as a Best Book for Young Adults. Simon & Schuster will debut her adult romance novels in 2013, with many more of her teen novels scheduled for the next few years. She lives in Birmingham with her husband and her son.
Are you a planner (outline, etc.) or “pantser”?
I used to be a planner, but the more I do this, the pantsier I get!
What time of day do you find you write best? Or you enjoy more?
I get up at 4:30 a.m. to write because that’s when my brain works best. My favorite time is a little later when I can take my coffee and my laptop outside and enjoy the birds and the morning.
What kind of mood are you typically in when you write (happy, sad, etc.)?
I would say I’m not in a mood, or I pick up the mood of the book. It’s a lot like acting.
What resources do you recommend for new writers?
Well, since we’re talking about NaNoWriMo, No Plot? No Problem! by NaNoWriMo’s founder Chris Baty is really terrific, and everybody should read it for inspiration before they get started. I also love Goal, Motivation and Conflict by Debra Dixon for explaining the basics of plotting. Once you’re done with your book, everybody should read 78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published and 14 Reasons Why It Just Might by Pat Walsh, an editor. I wish this book had been available when I was first submitting my manuscripts to agents and editors.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received for writing?
Write the book you want to read.
Have you participated in NaNoWriMo before?
I have participated in NaNoWriMo, won it, and loved it. The first time I wrote a book I call The Book I Love So Much That I Will Die If It Doesn’t Sell. It didn’t sell and I didn’t die. I’ve still got my fingers crossed for it, though. The second time was last year, and I wrote more than half of my first adult romance coming out next February, Star Crossed. I would participate every year if I could, but now that I have more books to write, I’m likely to get interrupted with a revision or a copyedit for a different book.
Books by Jennifer Echols
More “How I Write” Q&As!
I find it interesting that most writers start out as planners but when they get more comfortable with the process they get less worried about planning everything out.
I haven’t read any of her books as of yet but I’ve had Such a Rush on my wishlist!
I love her advice on writing the book you want to read — that is such good advice! Don’t write something that’s already been done but write something that you would want to read, including characters and plot line
I’ve only read The One That I Want, but I really enjoyed it! Going Too Far is on my wishlist. 🙂
Angie @ Pinkindle recently posted..[Review] Kiss of Death (The Morganville Vampires, #8) by Rachel Caine
Twitter: TTLGreviews
says:
Very helpful interview questions! I will definitely check out some of those books to help with my writing! Thanks for the awesome interview and giveaway!
Sara H. recently posted..Interview with Kimberly Sabatini & Giveaway!
Great interview! I’m participating in NaNo, so it couldn’t come at a better time! 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter) recently posted..It’s NaNoWriMo Time! Get your pens! Get your paper! Start writing!
Twitter: bookandlatte
says:
I didn’t know you were doing NaNo! What’s your username, I want to buddy you! I’m bookandlatte if you want to find me.
Jen recently posted..Chris Howard: How I Write & Giveaway
Thanks for the interview!!!! 😀
My favorite book of hers would be THE BOYS NEXT DOOR and ENDLESS SUMMER. Or SUCH A RUSH. I can never chose. 🙂
I still have not read any of her books. I need to get on that!
Fortunately, Jennifer Echols books never get tiresome. They’re not always hits, but you can definitely expect something interesting each time. My favorite book, by far, hands down, is GOING TOO FAR. There is just nothing and no one like the romance. And Officer After. Oh, yes, nothing like him at all. I’m really excited about SUCH A RUSH, though. I’ve heard many people say enough great things about it to shed my skepticism 😉
Princess Ash @ Paranormal Indulgence recently posted..Hotly Gratifying: THANKS for GIVING Us These Beauties Edition
4:30?! I’m not even functional at that time, let alone writing.
Thanks for sharing!
Andrea @The Bookish Bace recently posted..{REVIEW} TORCHED by ANDREA LYNN COLT
That’s a great list of books she recommends! I will have to check them out to help me through NaNo 🙂
Christa recently posted..Book Review: Beta by Rachel Cohn
Twitter: fakesteph
says:
LOVE the advice. Also… I can’t imagine waking up at 430 to write…. I wake up at 530 to get to work and I have trouble just brushing my hair.
fakesteph recently posted..Book Blogger Hop: November 2-8, 2012
Hey guys, thanks so much for your kind words about my books! Just popping in to say that I AM doing NaNo this year and I would love for you to add me as a writing buddy. My username over there is JenniferEchols.
Many thanks to Jen for the interview!
Twitter: bookandlatte
says:
You’re so welcome! I hope NaNoWriMo is going well for you! I’m on target with word count so far *phew*. I’m heading over to add you to my buddy list. I’m bookandlatte, I know, so original. 🙂
Jen recently posted..Chris Howard: How I Write & Giveaway
[…] Jennifer Echols (Such a Rush) talks about how she writes and gives some writing advice over on A Book and a […]
Jennifer, It is difficult to choose just one of your books as my favorite, because I have read quite a few and loved them all. You are one of my favorite authors. However, if I have to choose a favorite, it would be between, The Boys Next Door and Endless Summer 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
Twitter: whirlwthoughts
says:
Loveee the giveaway 🙂
To be fair, I’ve only read one of Jennifer’s books so far (Such a Rush). But I can honestly say that it absolutely BLEW ME AWAY. I love love loved it! I have been seriously anxious to get my hands on more of her books. I’d love to grab them all and just have an Echols readathon!
Tiffany Drew recently posted..Review: Perfect Bait by Michael Fowlkes
Oh I love going too far and the boys next door :)) I almost read all of her ya books..
Twitter: Haveitcani
says:
The only book I’ve read is Such a Rush, and I loved it! I’ve heard great things about her other books though!
I’ve only read Going Too Far, but I plan on getting the others soon, because I loved it so much.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I haven’t read any of her books yet but they sound amazing and are high up on my TBR list!
[…] Jennifer Echols: “How I Write” & Giveaway […]
Great interview! The book recommendations are really useful, thanks guys. 🙂