How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
The number of books I’ve written is different from the number of books I’ve published or have forthcoming, but no one needs to know about the files living permanently on my computer (there are at least seven!). Rewrite the Stars, my debut novel, was published in 2021, and The Weight We Carry followed in 2023. Both are contemporary fiction (women’s fiction in many circles), and I have a third, The Marriage Debt, that will be released sometime in 2025. The books all have served different purposes for me, so it’s difficult to say which is my favorite. I love the storylines, the characters, and the lessons the characters learn, so I think I’ll answer that with the title of one of my favorite children’s picture books: You’re All My Favorites. I also write under a pseudonym (see the answer to the next question), and I’ve published three books under that name. I can’t say which is my favorite there, either.
Have you ever considered writing under a pseudonym, and why or why not?
As I mentioned, I have a pseudonym, and she’s published three books and counting! Her name is Keely Stephens, and right now, she’s focused on steamy romance. But she’ll have a line of sweet romance at some point as well. For years, my writing group told me to try my hand at romance because most of what I shared with them was laced with romantic elements. It wasn’t until I was going through a hard time in life that I decided to take the plunge. Reading romance had always given me great joy, and I figured that writing full-on romance might do the same. I was right! Slipping on my alter-ego of Keely was a little like being someone else. People expect different things from Keely, and she has fewer responsibilities. For me, writing under a pseudonym has been freeing, but I don’t think it’s for everyone.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Sometimes people ask if ideas find you or you find ideas. In my case, ideas find me. They catch me at the grocery store, when I’m doing dishes, while I’m dropping off my kids at school, and just about everywhere else. One moment I’m not thinking of anything writing related and then, I see something or hold a conversation with someone and the light bulb in my brain illuminates. All of my (and Keely’s) books stem from an idea born from real life.
How long does it take you to write a book?
Stephen King talks about writing a draft in three months, and I’ve participated in writing challenges that encourage writers to finish a draft in one month (see next answer for more). But those drafts are, for lack of a better phrase, not good. Those not-good drafts are very useful for me, though, because my writing process is a years-long process. And by years-long, I mean several years. Six, seven, even eight years in the case of Rewrite the Stars. Much of my process involves allowing my characters to steep inside my mind for a while. I also like to think about plotlines, conflicts, story structure, and more for a long time before, during, and after writing. Because romance writing is a little more predictable than my other work, Keely’s books take less thinking time. But I always, always make sure to have beta readers, editors, proofreaders, etc. work their magic on my books so they are the best stories they can be when they do finally see the light of day..
Do you participate in writing challenges on social media? Do you recommend any?
I’ve participated in writing challenges since 2015, and like I said above, I find them useful. They allow me to have a draft to work on for the year. They’ve taught me a lot about balancing my writing life with my working life and family life. They’ve helped me understand my anxieties and eccentricities, and they hold me accountable. But unlike many others, I don’t utilize the community component. My challenge is for me only. I don’t write with others who are working on a challenge, nor do I announce that I’m doing anything.
Challenges are useful for many people, and the comment I hear the most often is that writers like them because they help with accountability. My suggestion to writers considering a challenge is to do your homework and find a group or challenge that fits you. If it’s not a good fit, it won’t be any fun, and what’s the point in committing to something that doesn’t bring you joy?
Do you have any suggestions to help someone become a better writer? If so, what are they?
I love this question because someone might say, Can’t you just look that answer up on the internet? Well yes, you can, but it’s always good to hear suggestions directly from someone who has been there. These are my top four.
- Chuck your pride to the side. Even if you’ve been told all your life that you’re a talented writer, your pride can get in the way of learning. And writing, like almost any other endeavor in life, requires learning.
- Read widely. Most writers will tell you this, so it sounds cliche, but it’s so true. The more you read, the better you become at writing. So read whatever you want! Fiction, nonfiction, magazines, etc. You can take something useful from every genre and form. And while some might disagree with me, I find reading poorly written works very useful. It helps me identify traps in my own work.
- Be open to feedback. This goes along with the first point. You will never become a better writer if you don’t examine the feedback you receive and try to work through it. You don’t have to agree with everything a reader/editor says, but different points of view allow you to view your own work differently, which is useful in revision.
- Choose your readers wisely. I cannot overstate the importance of constructive criticism. You want a critique that points out the good, the bad, and the ugly. If you choose readers who only point out the good (and there is something good to be found in almost every piece of writing), you won’t grow as a writer. All work can be strengthened in some capacity, so find critique partners who fit the bill.
What’s your favorite and least favorite part of publishing?
My favorite part is the writing, and my least favorite part is the marketing. I can be a cheerleader for anyone else and not feel strange, but to toot my own horn? That goes against how I was raised. It’s been a long road to understanding that a balance exists, but I still have major trouble in promoting my own work without feeling self-conscious.
What’s your favorite writing snack or drink?
I tend to write most in the morning, so after my bowl of Cheerios in the early morning hours, I usually continue with coffee and a sweet snack during midmorning. (Since I love to bake, sweet snacks are plentiful at our house.)
Who has had the greatest influence on your writing and writing life?
Two people come to mind, and it’s important to mention both.
My mom raised me as a reader and encouraged me as a writer, even though I didn’t find out until a few years before her death that she also had dreams of writing her own work. When I think about why I followed through with writing and publishing books, much of it comes back to her. She didn’t have the support, confidence, or courage to fulfill her dream, and I often reflect on all the unrealized potential that was lost, first with her dementia diagnosis and then with her passing. She made me realize that personal dreams are important, and working toward those dreams is something to strive for. It may take months, years, or even decades to get where you want to be, but hard work, determination, and perseverance often pay off. Rewrite the Stars is dedicated to her, and I hope she understood what that meant when I told her years ago.
The second person is my youngest daughter. She also has an interest in writing (she’s far ahead of where I was at her age), and thanks to that interest, she often checks in on me. She asks me a lot of questions, such as “Did you write your words today?” or “How’s the story coming?” but she’s also willing to listen to my ideas or help me brainstorm. I dedicated The Weight We Carry to her because if she hadn’t kept at me to finish the story, it would not be available today.
Why did you choose to publish with a small publisher, and do you have any tips for others who might need to make decisions about publishing?
A few weeks ago, I spoke at a friend’s Advanced Fiction Writing class on participating in writing challenges, and someone asked about my decision to pursue a small publisher. It’s a question I get asked often because many people know nothing about small publishers. When I was growing up, I had no idea they existed, and if you look at the selection of books in libraries and bookstores, you might not recognize the smaller publishers either (at least as far as fiction is concerned). The story about my choosing a small publisher is a long one, but I’ll concentrate on only the highlights here.
Before I knew about small publishers, I queried over 100 agents, thinking that someday, my book would be with a (then) Big 5 publisher. I got some full requests on a book that really wasn’t quite ready (that was my fault), but nothing panned out. When said book really was ready, I didn’t have too many folks left who might represent my book, and I looked into several small publishers. At that time, my kids were all still at home, my parents had moved to a facility near me, and I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my career (I taught at the college level for almost twenty years and was just plain exhausted). So much weight perched on my shoulders, and I sat back and examined what was important to me. It didn’t take long for me to identify what I wanted: for my story to find a home. That’s it. I wanted my book out in the world so other people could read it. Since then, I ask the same question each time I finish a book. What do I want?
My answer has changed slightly since then. I want to educate and entertain readers. I want to make them feel less alone. I want to be happy while I’m writing, after I’m finished writing, and when I’m contemplating my next project. I don’t want absolute deadlines and agents and editors breathing down my neck. I don’t want to have to produce a quality product every year. That timeline might work for some, but it doesn’t work for me.
My biggest tip to writers, then, is to ask yourself, What do I want? So many publishing options exist right now, so take the time to find the answer and try it out. See how the option fits into your life, or doesn’t. If you don’t like it, then try again with the next book.
Website: https://christinaconsolino.com/
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BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/christina-consolino
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3859078.Christina_Consolino
Keely Stephens Website: https://keelystephensauthor.com/