The Write Way with Samantha Young

I am a big fan of the On Dublin Street series, so I am over the moon that the author, Samantha Young, agreed to be interviewed for the blog today to talk about her first new adult romance away from that series.  Samantha has allowed me to quiz her over her writing ways.  This interview was carried out before publication of Hero in February.

 1) Your new novel, Hero, is about to be published. How do you feel?

I’m excited but extremely nervous! I’m always nervous about a release, but this one has added a layer of butterflies to the equation. This will be my first traditionally published adult romance outside of the ON DUBLIN STREET world. It has a slightly different feel to it so I’m waiting with bated breath for reader reaction.

2) Can you give me a one line pitch for Hero, so my readers can get a feel for the story?

A smartass, defiant heroine faces off with a brooding, difficult hero and passion, intrigue and danger ensue.

3) Hero is a standalone novel; does it feel weird to be away from the characters in your On Dublin Series?

It is strange to not only be away from the characters in ON DUBLIN STREET but to step outside of Edinburgh. I’m on American soil for HERO as it’s set in Boston. It definitely adds a different feel to the story. With every new ODS book I always had the ‘tribe’ of previous characters to help ease me into the story through their warmth and familiarity. With HERO I was starting fresh from scratch, but that was exciting too. I had such a great time writing and researching this story.

4) Was Hero harder to write than your other books?

I thought it would be harder to write because it had a slightly different edge to it—especially Caine who isn’t your typical hero. But it was the opposite in fact. I savoured the difference. It filled me with anticipation because it was new and exciting. Moreover, I visited Boston and fell madly in love with the city, so that made writing the setting a lot of fun.

5) Are you a planner or a pantser when it comes to starting a new novel?

I am definitely a planner. I write character profiles and chapter summaries in a notebook before I ever sit down to my laptop to start writing the novel.

6) When is your ideal time to write? Morning, afternoon or evening?

It used to be evening but over the last year it has changed. I would say it’s early morning and afternoon. I get up early and write a few thousand words. Then I do all my errands etc and come back in the afternoon and write another few thousand.

7) Do you edit as you go along or do you wait until the first draft is finished?

I do a little bit of editing when I familiarise myself with previous chapters before moving onto the next, but overall I finish a first draft and then I edit.

8) Do you try and aim for a daily word target when writing?

Yup, it’s good to have a goal because it helps keep me focused every day. My daily word target is 5000 words, but I’m happy if I reach 4000.

9) Who are your favourite authors?

There are so many! I love Patrick Ness, Karen Marie Moning, Angela Carter, Margaret Atwood, Richelle Mead, Mia Sheridan, Penelope Douglas, Suzanne Collins, Laini Taylor, Stacia Kane and many more!

10) Do you have any advice for unpublished authors?

Practise writing every day. Simple but true. The more you perfect your art the more ready you will be when the time comes to publish—whether traditionally or self-published.

Hero is published by Piatkus on the 3rd February 2015

Book Summary

Alexa Holland’s father was her hero—until her shocking discovery that she and her mother weren't his only family. Ever since, Alexa has worked to turn her life in a different direction and forge her own identity outside of his terrible secrets. But when she meets a man who’s as damaged by her father’s mistakes as she is, Alexa must help him.
Caine Carraway wants nothing to do with Alexa’s efforts at redemption, but it’s not so easy to push her away. Determined to make her hate him, he brings her to the edge of her patience and waits for her to walk away. But his actions only draw them together and, despite the odds, they begin an intense and explosive affair.
Only Caine knows he can never be the white knight that Alexa has always longed for. And when they're on the precipice of danger, he finds he’ll do anything to protect either one of them from being hurt again…

To find out more about Samantha Young:

Website / Twitter

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