Novel of the week - This Summer
10/11/2013
Name: Gabrielle (Bree)
Member Since: Feb 04 2013
Votes Received: 1,832
1. What does your username mean to you and how did you think of it?
It was originally going to be SilverShadow because I wanted something mysterious but not too dark. That name was taken and I’d just read a really good werewolf book, and was going through that kind of phase, so hence the moon came in.
2. When did you decide to become a writer?
I’ve always liked the idea of writing but was always nervous about showing anyone else my writing. I discovered Wattpad way before I joined and was warming to the idea of it, but was still really nervous. When my friend joined, I thought I’d take a risk and I love writing on here.
3. What made you decide to sit down and actually start something?
Well I guess it’s when I got the idea for my first story and started developing the characters. That’s what really inspired me and I started writing. Looking back at it now I can see how much my writing has developed and my old works are currently under editing.
4. So, what have you written so far? (*Include books, novellas, short stories, poems, blogs, or anything of interest.)
Falling For The Fallen, Revenge On The Bad Boy, The Rebound Boy, Living With Him, Letting Go, Hope, A book of Parodies (by me AND my friend) and This Summer, minus the ones in my drafts.
5. Which writers inspire you?
Well I really like Meg Cabot’s writing style, but many of the books I read are darker more thrilling kind of genres, like vampire or magical ones, and as I write more light-heartedly it’s kinda hard to say. I guess all books I read inspire me in some way, whether the characters have similar personalities to mine, or whether it’s similar writing styles…
6. Can you give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?
I don’t know if you mean for a specific book or just generally but… My main characters are usually fairly normal but have one specific personality trait that makes them different. I usually work into the plotline to make the characters more interesting rather than giving them specific traits though. In one of my books I’m writing in my drafts for example, one girl’s very sarcastic, sometimes they’re stubborn but always sort of one thing that adds to the book in a little way.
7. What genre are your books? What draws you to this genre?
Usually Teen fiction and romance. I like the genre because it’s quite easy to write and I’m usually more involved because I can relate to the characters’ everyday lives. They’re easy to read, light-hearted and happy, but you don’t get bored reading them and I figure everybody loves a romance once in a while.
8. Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?
Well my most recent book would be This Summer and I see Nina Dobrev as Willow, just the facial expressions and the overall sort of essence of Willow’s character really.
9. Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
Hmm, well it depends. I usually do a basic plot, so I know what’s going to happen and so I won’t get stuck, but I very rarely do a chapter by chapter plan, because when I know exactly what I’m writing I don’t tend to improvise and I feel my writing gets a bit… stiff.
10. What is the hardest thing about writing?
Writer’s block definitely. You want to write, and you try, but nothing good comes out and you end up getting rid of the bit you wrote. It’s awful!
11. What is the easiest thing about writing?
Hmm… tricky one…I guess I’d say when you share traits with a character, cause you can feel so much more involved with the writing, and therefore more inspired.
12. How long on average does it take you to write a chapter/Your work?
It varies. If I’m feeling particularly inspired or really looking forward to a chapter then it will be done faster, but if it’s a filler chapter then longer because I can’t sink my teeth into it. In cases where I have writer’s block it can take me half an hour to perfect one sentence, and I usually just leave it after that haha.
13. Do you ever get writer’s Block? Any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?
I think I’ve answered that haha, I do, dreadfully sometimes. It’s been worse lately because I’ve been so busy off Wattpad, and it’s been a while since I’ve written so I’ve sort of lost the flow, but it’s been getting better lately.
Everybody has their own way of dealing with writer’s block, but I sometimes find reading a particularly good book help. Not to steal the ideas obviously, but to motivate. And I guess… keep struggling through it, I mean you may do what I do, write a paragraph then delete it, but at least you’ll know what you want to happen and then you just have to handle the style you write it in.
14. What do you think of “trailers” for books?
I like the IDEA of trailers, but I think people can get carried away with covers and banners and trailers. I mean they’re a great thing to get your book noticed, but the quality of the writing matters more.
15. What is your favourite motivational phrase?
‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts’
16. What is your favourite positive saying?
‘Don’t let insecurity ruin the beauty you were born with’
17. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
You might not get reads or comments or signs that people like your book. But keep going, if you love writing then do what makes you happy, it’s not about trying to make sure you have millions of fans, and you’ll be able to see yourself getting better as you continue to write, and that’s a great achievement.
18. What would you like to say to your readers?
Hi :) If you’ve read this whole interview then I hoped it helped you in some way and that it wasn’t just a waste of your time! If you're on Wattpad, pm me and I'd be happy to chat! :)
