Ask the Author: Penny Reid

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Penny Reid
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Penny Reid If you mean writing a romance between two women, then the answer is of course! Yes!! I think all (or maybe most? ... perhaps I'll settle for *many*) authors want to tell as many stories from as many different points of view as possible. As an aside, personally, writing about people who have a lived experience different from mine makes me the most happy.

That said, the stumbling blocks (for me) these days are the answers to these questions: 1) Am I the right person to tell this story? 2) Should I tell this story? 3) Am I capable of telling this story?
If the answer to all the questions is yes, then I'll write the book. If any of the answers is no, then I won't. Or if I do write it, I won't publish it. I then amplify an #ownvoices author instead. <3
Penny Reid Yes!! And my good author pal, Chelsie Edwards just helped me figure out the title, 'Folk Buddy.' ;-)
Penny Reid
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Penny Reid It is based on the Little Mermaid :-)
Penny Reid OF COURSE YES WHAT KIND OF QUESTION IS THIS???!
Also, hi. <3
Penny Reid Hey Liz!!
I have ideas for miles, so I'm always thinking about them.
For example, I know I'll be writing a Des / Ava book (from the Knitting in the City series, Janie's son and Fiona's daughter) and I've been thinking about them, the plot, the conflicts, their growth, their flaws, their strengths for going on 4 years now. But some books / stories hit me like a wave and I'll sketch it out and write it in a burst of a few months. However, usually, I spend years thinking about a book before I write it.

As for my process, it's all gone out the window recently (the last 18 months). I used to write from 11AM until my brain stopped. But these days I don't get to write with any regularity due to the kids being at home all the time. As such, I now wake up super early (4AM) and write until distractions make it impossible.

Once the pandemic is 100% over, it might all change again... <3
Penny Reid Heya Texas ;-)
You are very kind. I know this is my mother-in-law trying to make me feel better about myself. (HI RUTH!) LOL! Kidding.
Okay, to your questions:
1. My personality: I think I exist in all my characters--in some shape, form, thought, or flaw-- but I'm not really like any of them. Cletus was written closest to how my internal thought processes work (when I'm feeling salty) and Fiona when I'm feeling kind (but I'm no ninja).
2. Greg, from the ninja books, is my husband. That's an easy question. He looks like Greg, acts like Greg, behaves like Greg. He is Greg.
Penny Reid It's always a possibility! I wasn't planning on continuing 'Nobody Looks Good in Leather Pants' but I did, and now it's a book. So, I'll never say never.
Penny Reid Thank you!
Usually, my favorite is which ever I'm writing at the time; so, as of right now, Dan O'Malley is my favorite (because I'm writing him).

The most difficult to write was probably Drew. I'm don't have the brain of a poet...
Penny Reid I have a few of the short stories posted in my reader group on Facebook (The Sharks of Awesome).
As to the rest... they need a lot of editing. Maybe if I take a break from writing new content I'll get a chance to update these. I'll keep you posted!
Penny Reid The newsletter version is 28k words and is a complete short story, so you can continue reading that version and never buy the expanded one.

The expanded version is 46k works, contains extra chapters from Luca's POV, additional sections in Anna's chapters, and a two part epilogue at the end. It's longer, but the story is ultimately the same.

So I guess it depends on your preference. If you're happy with the newsletter story, don't feel pressured to pick up the expanded version!!
Penny Reid
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