I'm always interested to find out how other writers get the words down. Do you write every day?
No. And yes. Let
me explain.
In 2014 I’ve
written a first draft roughly every other month, and used the other months to
edit, do promotion, plan other stories. When I’m writing a first draft I like
to try and stay with the story as much as possible, not leaving it for more
than 2 days without writing. I did Nanowrimo in 2014 and wrote 61,000 words
over 13 days, spread over three weeks. So when that’s happening, I do try to
write every day. But when I reach the end I often take a week or so off from
this sort of writing, because it’s exhausting. Then I plan, plot, do other
things.
When I’m not
drafting I’m always doing other parts of *writing* making notes about ideas,
planning character biogs, going to my local writers group of the Romantic
Novelists’ Association London Chapter meetings to talk to other writers. So
even when I’m not sat at my laptop writing, I’m still thinking about writing,
reading about writing, so when I do get back to the laptop I’m usually raring
to go.
Do you find writing fun while you're doing
it?
I love writing;
everything about it – plotting, working out characters, getting the ideas,
first drafts, http://www.liamlivings.com/blog/my-writing-process-blog-tour even getting edits back and working with an editor to improve the story. I love
it all. I’m not creative in any other ways – I can’t sing, draw, paint, dance
(ballroom dancing, I can certainly throw some shapes on the dance floor of a
night club, but that’s not for now) so being able to express myself through
writing is a wonderful gift. Even when I’ve gone through very dark times,
writing has helped me through them, just putting a few sentences together on a
screen or a piece of paper helped me through some difficult times earlier in
2014 http://www.liamlivings.com/blog/grief-is-the-price-we-pay-for-love-1-of-2 and http://www.liamlivings.com/blog/grief-is-the-price-we-pay-for-love-2-of-2
Who is your favourites(s) of your
characters in And Then That Happened?
Dominic was
interesting to write. I wanted to have a character who had experienced mental
health issues, particularly depression, just as I have. I wanted to include
that in his story to show it’s all around us, it’s something people live with
on a daily basis. I think it’s important to cover these sort of issues in what
many people think are just lightweight fluffy romance stories, because they’re
real issues. I aim to make my characters as real and three dimensional as
possible, with the imperfections and problems real people have.
Gabe was such fun
to write – his grab life by the balls attitude is wonderfully refreshing. He
just dives in and thinks later. I’m not at all like that. It was such fun to
see how Gabe’s impulsive nature gets him into certain situations, and write
about how that affects him, behind all the bravado, and smiles.
And Then That
Happened
Should you settle for a nearly
perfect happiness or put your heart on the line for more?
It’s 1999 and 28-year-old Dominic’s carefully planned suburban life with his boyfriend Luke is perfect. His job as a nurse, his best friend Matt, his relationship with his parents, everything is just right. He and Luke have been together ten years, seen each other through friends’ deaths and their parents’ ups and downs, and even had a commitment ceremony.
Gabe isn’t happy with his boyfriend, but he stays with him, because, well it’s complicated.
Fate throws Gabe into Dominic’s life. And then that happened. Gabe’s open relationship, impulsive nature, enthusiasm for life and straight talking advice are fascinating to Dominic. They’re friends, they click over a shared love of Goldie Hawn and Gabe shows Dominic there can be more to life than planned and safe. So why can't he take his own advice?
And Then That Happened is about finding a new kind of happiness, even when what you have is already perfect. And how sometimes perfect isn’t quite what it seems.
It’s 1999 and 28-year-old Dominic’s carefully planned suburban life with his boyfriend Luke is perfect. His job as a nurse, his best friend Matt, his relationship with his parents, everything is just right. He and Luke have been together ten years, seen each other through friends’ deaths and their parents’ ups and downs, and even had a commitment ceremony.
Gabe isn’t happy with his boyfriend, but he stays with him, because, well it’s complicated.
Fate throws Gabe into Dominic’s life. And then that happened. Gabe’s open relationship, impulsive nature, enthusiasm for life and straight talking advice are fascinating to Dominic. They’re friends, they click over a shared love of Goldie Hawn and Gabe shows Dominic there can be more to life than planned and safe. So why can't he take his own advice?
And Then That Happened is about finding a new kind of happiness, even when what you have is already perfect. And how sometimes perfect isn’t quite what it seems.
It’s available on Amazon.com
and Amazon.co.uk
You can connect with Liam:
Twitter @LiamLivings
