Author Interview: Welcome Rebekah L Purdy! @RebekahLPurdy @entangledpub

Today we are super excited to welcome author Rebecca L. Purdy to the blog for an interview.

Her most recent book:

Title: Daisy and the Front Man

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Publication Date: June 16, 2015

Blurb:

Hell hath no fury like a fangirl scorned…

When Daisy Morris finds out she’s spending the summer with her dad, bodyguard for Seconds to Juliet—the hottest boy band around—she knows it couldn't be more perfect. But not because she’s a fan. Oh, no. Because ever since front man Trevin Jacobs completely humiliated her by standing her up for homecoming, Daisy is out for a little revenge. Yup, Trevin Jacobs is goin' down...

When one of his bandmates bets Trevin he can't make Daisy—the gorgeous but surprisingly ice-cold daughter of their bodyguard—fall in love with him, it’s a bet he can’t resist. Sure, Daisy won’t give him the time of day for reasons he can't understand, and her dad’s hell-bent against his little girl spending time with a superstar. But the terms are set, and Trevin is determined to make Daisy fall…hard.

But every front man should know never to trust a girl with a pretty face…

This Entangled Teen Crush book contains adult language, sexual situations, and seriously hot boys. It may cause swoony daydreams involving a certain super-cute front man.

I had the pleasure of reading this book and being on the blog tour! I love this series! If you haven't started it, what are you waiting for?

Now let's hear from Rebecca!

Did you always know you wanted to be a writer or did you want to be something else? 

Yes! I always wanted to write or be a police officer or a psychiatrist, a world traveler (LOL). But mostly a writer.

How long does it take you to write a book from start to finish?

It honestly depends on the book. For Daisy and the Front Man, I think it was just over a month to write it. Other books, can take me 3-6 months. It seriously depends on how much world building/research I need to do for it as to how long it’ll take me.

How do you come up with themes for your stories?

Most of my stories kind of come from crazy places. I’ve had stories stem from spam email and this particular book came from a chat on twitter about boy bands with some other authors.

Do you have a schedule of when you write?

Normally I use my lunch hours at work to write. Unless on a strict deadline, I try not to use too much of my family time at home for that. 

How are you able to balance other aspects of your life with your writing?

It’s definitely hard. I have a full time day job and my kids are active in everything from soccer to orchestra and band, to chess club—so I do LOTS of running around (LOL).

What elements do you think make a great story line?

Definitely great characters. I LOVE feeling like I can relate to characters or cheer them on, or in the case of a good villain, really understand their motivation for doing what they’re doing. So for me, it’s all about the characters.

What was the hardest thing about writing a book?

The beginnings! LOL. I always seem to struggle with how to start it. You want it to be interesting, but not so “fast” that the readers feel like they’re not invested in the characters from the get go.

How many books have you written so far? Do you have a favorite?

I’ve probably written close to 20 books, but of those, 9 are published (or will be this year), with a 10^th and 11^th  book coming out next year. AHH…that’s hard to say because I LOVE all my books. But one of my books coming out in 2016: Where There Be Humans is probably my ALL time favorite that I’ve written.

Do you have a favorite character?

Of my own? Again, this is so hard because I love all my characters, some more than others (LOL). But I’d say that I super love my character Ima from My Dad’s a Paranormal Investigator and I really like Kadie from The Winter People and The Summer Marked. And I can’t wait for everyone to meet Pudge and Ivy from Where There Be Humans…

Where do you write? 

Normally in my office at work during my lunch hours. However, I’ve been known to sneak out to my camper to write or sit outside as well.

When deciding on how to publish, what directed you to the route you took?

I knew I really wanted to work with a publisher(s) rather than try to go the publishing route on my own. My first book was published with a small publisher, soon after that I got an agent. There are lots of great self-pubbed books out there, but I knew that that wasn’t the route I wanted to go. For one, I didn’t have all the time it takes to dedicate to the process (hiring my own editors/extra promo stuff/trying to find a cover designer etc).

Have you gotten feedback from family about your book(s)? What do they think? 

My family does read my books. They’re some of my biggest fans. My teens normally get to read everything before my editors do (LOL). I think the funniest thing was when my teen son read one of my books and he was like “Wow, this isn’t that bad—I kind of like it.” Best compliment ever.

What kinds of things do you like to do outside of writing?

Read, watch movies (LOVE the Star Wars movies and LOTR movies), really LOVE camping and hiking, hanging out with my kids and animals.

What kinds of advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing?

Don’t ever give up. If this is something you want to do, keep writing stories and trying to hone your craft. It took me almost ten years to get my first publishing contract, so it’s something you need to be prepared to seriously work your butt off for.

What is your favorite book? favorite author? Do you have an author that inspired/inspires you to write

 OMG, I have WAY too many. But I think the authors that inspired me most as a teen to make me want to write were: L.J. Smith, Christopher Pike, Lois Duncan, R.L. Stine, Jane Austen, and Caroline B. Cooney.

Do you have any go to people when writing a book that help you with your story lines as well as editing, beta reading and such?

I belong to a FABULOUS crit group called YAFF (YA Fiction Fanatics). This group started over 5 years ago—and we’re from all over the world/U.S. There are currently about 12 active members. Also, like I stated, my kids read my books as well, so it’s awesome having their input since my books are about teens.

Are you working on anything now?

Just finished edits on the 2^nd Winter People book. But, I have two books I’ll be working on. One is the 3^rd and final book of the Winter People Series and the other one is an untitled YA .

Thanks so much for stopping by today, Rebecca. It's been great to have you here!

I was born and raised in Michigan (just look for the giant mitten on the map—it’ll likely throw a snowball at you). I spent most of my time in Michigan, but while in the army got to call KS, SC, MO, and CA home for awhile as well. 

As a kid my family moved around a lot. Try spending both your freshman and senior years at new schools (yeah, loads of fun). I could’ve changed my name to “new girl”. 

I love writing for teens because those are the years I remember falling in love with most of my favorite books. Some of the authors I couldn’t put down were L.J. Smith, Christopher Pike, R.L. Stine, Richie Tankersley Cusick, Joan Lowery Nixon, Lois Duncan, amongst several others. 

My husband and I have a large family. There are six kids total! So we have LOTS of fun on vacations (although hours on the road, cooped up in the Expedition is kind of stressful—although we pass the time with MAD LIBS and hoping no one gets carsick).