New Adult Book Club discussion

Alexa Padgett is ready to take any question you might throw at her for the next couple of weeks!

She is the author of theSeattle Sound series, The Magician's Ruins, Moonshine Eyes and many more.

Hi, folks! I'm happy to answer your questions.

What is your inspiration to write?

Marcie's On The wrote: "What is your inspiration to write?" Hmmm. That's a great question. Probably Anne of Green Gables, which I read when I was 7 or 8. I loved that book, that world so, so much.

Hi! What are you currently working on?

What would be your primary advice for an aspiring author?

I'm currently working on a nanny/sungle dad contemporary romance. After that, I'm writing a novel for the Cinnamon Bay series. And...after that, I'm starting a hockey series!

Hi, Ellie! My bet piece of advice is to carve out time to write every day. This helps you find a rhythm and your voice. For me, I try to write (some) early in the morning before my kids get up. Then, after they're settled for their day, I settle in to write again. I've found I'm most productive when I write in sprints, so I shoot for 3, maybe 4 of those throughout the day. Once you find a rhythm that works for you, that you can definitely maintain, do so! I also suggest you track your daily word count. I like to know how feasible a writing goal is (i.e., can I finish this book in two months?) and shows me how I've grown over time. Hope that helps!!!

Hi!
If you could be any book character for a day, who would you chose and why?

Alexa wrote: "Hi, Ellie! My bet piece of advice is to carve out time to write every day. This helps you find a rhythm and your voice. For me, I try to write (some) early in the morning before my kids get up. The..."

That's so awesome! thank you

Absolutely!!! Best of luck.

Elle P. wrote: "Alexa wrote: "Hi, Ellie! My bet piece of advice is to carve out time to write every day. This helps you find a rhythm and your voice. For me, I try to write (some) early in the morning before my ki..."

J. wrote: "Hi!
If you could be any book character for a day, who would you chose and why?"

Oh, wow! That's a hard one...so many great characters...

In all the books I've ever read, I think I'd want to be Madame Bovary. I'd like to better understand the strictures of her society so that I could make major changes to it and help created more equality in the world.

Out of my books, I think I'd like to be Jenna in Deep in the Heart. She's a guitar-maker, which I think would be the coolest job. (I'm only a passable singer, and have stage fright, so being one of the rockstars makes me hyperventilate.) She struggles with anxiety. She's so strong and empathic but also willing to be vulnerable. Plus, she lives in Austin, which is a cool, cool city!

From where do you come up with your romance stories? Are they inspired by real people you know or totally your imagination?

Ashley wrote: "From where do you come up with your romance stories? Are they inspired by real people you know or totally your imagination?"

It's a combination. If my inspiration is from real life, then it's from a story I read or heard. My heroes and heroines are not people I know IRL, though, they, I must admit, they do become real to me over time. Right now, for example, I was asked to write a Nanny Romance for a multi-author project. One of my in-laws suffers from dementia. So, I created characters (my nanny's mother has Alzheimer's) that work through some of the real-life issues we may soon struggle with. My next book's heroine is a fiber artist, and my oldest daughter likes to work with yarn. But that heroine is nothing like my daughter! ;)