Writing Process

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Inspires Us

2023-05-03
SE White
Insecure Writer's Support Group Post, My Books, Silliness, Writing Process

It’s the first Wednesday of the month, and that means we can let our insecure author flags fly freely in the wind. That wind rushing by? It’s the sound of our egos, deflating. The IWSG meets once a month on Wednesday to share tips, encouragement, and inflate those egos back up some. Come join! Each month there are co-hosts who keep us on track. This month we thank Joylene Nowell Butler, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Meka James (Hi Meka!), Victoria Marie Lees, and M Louise…

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Breaking Down a Romance Plot

2023-03-15
SE White
Author Toolbox Blog Hop Post, Blogging, Plotters vs. Pantsers, Writing Process

For this post, let’s break down a well known romance plot to see where the story beats are going. This is an exercise I’d really recommend for authors of any genre. Take your favorite story, or movie, and break it down to see how they made everything work. You’ll be surprised how much it helps you break down your own story! And yes, this is the movie I’m turning into plot points, but it still translates to novel form. Beauty…

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So How is Author Life Going, SE?

2022-09-21
SE White
Goals and Hopes, My Books, Plotters vs. Pantsers, Romance Writers of America, Writing Process

I’m so glad you asked. (Literally no one has asked). I did promise to make this independent author journey transparent, though. So you are about to get the update you might not have wanted, but will be interested in anyway. Onward! As indie author SE White I released my novella, Beneath Me, in August of 2021. You will be pleased and proud to know that Draft 2 Digital already had to send me two royalty payments. Yep! A whole $3.20…

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When One Door Closes, Kick Another One Open

2022-06-08
SE White
Blogging, My Books, Query Letters, Writing Process

It’s summertime soon, which means the next book in my Super Love series will be coming out. And guess what, anxiety flavored with impostor syndrome is already starting to kick in. What makes me think I can do this? How crazy do I have to be, to think I can run with the big dogs and not get eaten? My newness will shine out, a giant neon pimple, and everyone will laugh and no one will buy my book. It…

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The Basics of Romance, for Your Author Toolbox

2022-05-18
SE White
Author Toolbox Blog Hop Post, Blogging, My Books, Romance Tropes, Romance Writers of America, Writing Process

*Sings* Do you want to write a romance? If you do, you’re in good company. Millions of books printed and sold every year (and probably hundreds of millions of Ebooks downloaded. I haven’t done the research, but I’m feeling pretty confident with that guess.) Thousands of authors. HUGE part of the publishing market share. But . . . where to start? How is a romance different from any other fiction novel? What defines “romance”? At the basic level: A romance…

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The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Gets Conflicted

2022-03-02
SE White
Insecure Writer's Support Group Post, My Books, Plotters vs. Pantsers, Silliness, Writing Process

As always we are guided in this quest by awesome co-hosts who volunteer their time to make sure the solace spring flows. This month they are Janet Alcorn, Pat Garcia, Natalie Aguirre, and Shannon Lawrence! Visit their links, leave a comment, and keep the conversation going. This group is all about connection. The question for March 2 is: Have you ever been conflicted about writing a story or adding a scene to a story? How did you decide to write it or not? This one…

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In Which the Author Continues Interviewing Herself About Her Books

2022-02-17
SE White
Blogging, Goals and Hopes, My Books, Silliness, Writing Process

Who was your inspiration for Colton Johnson in “Step Into Love?” My youngest sister was partly the inspiration for Colton. She deals with a lot of similar issues in her daily life, although she’s never been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This might be because she absolutely loathes going to the doctor’s office and getting her to tell a doctor how she’s actually feeling is like squeezing water out of a rock. His outlook on life is very similar to hers.…

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#AuthorLife: Tell Me How to Show

2022-02-10
SE White
Author Toolbox Blog Hop Post, Blogging, My Books, Plotters vs. Pantsers, Recommendations, Writing Process

This post was part of the author toolbox blog hop, created and hosted by Raimey Gallant. It has gone on hiatus, but there are still plenty of great posts in Raimey’s archives to help you out! Do you know how to tell, at a glance, that you’re dealing with a new, inexperienced author? Telling. When the writing is chock-a-block full of telling, it’s a gargantuan, neon clue blaring out: This author is still learning. This author is hacking out the…

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