This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Rachel Gibson is the New York Times bestselling author of many awesome books, including See Jane Score and Sex, Lies and Online Dating. Her latest book ANY MAN OF MINE is out now!
Enjoy…
1. Can you tell us a little about your average writing day?
The best thing about my job is that I can sleep as late as I want. I don’t have to set an alarm clock. Yeah, pretty sweet.
So my typical day begins with me waking up around nine a.m., grabbing a pot of coffee and walking upstairs to my office. I work in my pjs until around noon, then I stop to shower and eat lunch. After lunch, I head up to the office again to write some more. Some days the writing is easy and I get five to seven pages. Some days it’s like hitting my head against the wall and I delete those five to seven pages.
2. When you are writing, do you use any celebrities or people you know as inspiration?
I do use personality traits of some people I know, and I use conversation I’ve actually had with friends. Several years ago, I used my mother in a book I wrote, Daisy’s Back In Town. Also, I use the traits of people I don’t particularly like. I usually give those characters really bad hair.
3. What is your favourite Women’s Fiction book of all time and why?
Gone With The Wind. The book was just so rich in description and characterization. Mostly though, I loved Rhett Butler. He was smart and clever and loved Scarlett until the bitter end.
4. What is your writing process? Do you plan first of dive in? How many drafts do you do?
I totally write by the seat of my pants. I sit down everyday with just a vague idea of what I’m going to write. I wish I could stick to an outline It just seems more sensible, but if I outline a book, it feels like I’ve already written it and I’m bored.
I write one draft because I rewrite so much. Today I’m writing chapter ten and rewriting chapter one at the same time. So when I finish a book, it’s done.
5. What was journey to being a published author?
I was not born with a burning desire to write. I was a mediocre student much more interested in keg stands than grades. Then one day when I was about thirty, I just sat down and started to write. I wrote five completed manuscripts and received something like twenty-five rejection letters from editors and agents before selling my first book, Simply Irresistible .
6. What do you think is the biggest myth about being a novelist?
That writing a book is some sort of mystical magical process, and that I write in a flowing, frothy gown and pearls like Barbara Cartland
7. What advice can you give to our readers who want to write a novel of their own?
Really simple stuff. Sit in the chair and write. You can’t sell something that you haven’t written. Write what you love and keep one eyes on the publishing market.
8. What are you working on at the moment?
At the moment I am writing a book set in a small Texas town. The hero is a retired Navy SEAL who is trying to find clarity in his life . You might recognize him if you read Any Man of Mine.
Thanks Rachel!