Every writer’s path is filled with ups, downs, and the little victories that make the process worthwhile. In this interview with Tiffany Noel, we not only dive into the cozy romance of The Season of Falling but also explore how important it is to celebrate your writing journey along the way. From first outlines to full drafts, Tiffany reminds us that every milestone matters and that joy should be part of the creative process.
Tiffany Noel’s Book & Writing Process
Table of Contents
Q: What is the title of your book, and what is it about?
A: The Season of Falling is cozy “While You Were Sleeping” vibes set in a dreamy Vermont town.
You had me at “While You Were Sleeping.” This sounds like the perfect fall escape, and I’m already picturing warm cider and stolen glances.
Q: Publication date
A: November 01, 2024
Q: What genre is The Season of Falling?
A: Adult Contemporary Romance
Q: What inspired you to write The Season of Falling, and how did you come up with the idea for it?
A: I’ve always wanted to write a book, and actually have a fantasy rough draft that will hopefully be resurrected one day. But for this novel, the inspiration came in two parts.
First, visiting Vermont in the fall. I fell in love and knew I wanted to write a book that was set there.
Second, I may have almost accidentally run into the guy I was crushing on while he was biking to work… Thankfully, I didn’t.
But when I told my friend and she said, “That sounds like it could be in a book,” I took that to heart.
Okay, this is adorable and cinematic, and now I need to know what happens next. Also, shoutout to your friend—great instincts!
Q: What themes and tropes are included in The Season of Falling?
A: Some of the tropes and micro tropes you’ll find in The Season of Falling are:
-Friends to lovers
-College best friends
-Fake dating
-Pottery lesson
-He’s in denial
You just dropped a whole buffet of favorite tropes! Fake dating and he’s in denial? Yes, please.🥰
Q: What’s the one thing you want readers to take away from reading The Season of Falling?
A: I hope there are a lot of things that readers can take away from Kasey and Dean’s story, but especially that love and life take risks. Really, anything worth having takes risk. And it’s okay to step out of your comfort zone and take those risks for the things that matter to you.
Such a beautiful message. The best stories remind us to be brave with our hearts, and you’ve captured that perfectly.
Q: Share a favorite quote or two from The Season of Falling.
A: “Autumn was a time where things appeared to wither and die. The trees lost their leaves and all the green leached from the landscape. But really, autumn was the time of year that showed us that endings can be just as beautiful as beginnings. That letting things go and taking a break was okay.”
“She smiles, and it’s like nothing else in the world matters.”
Wow. That first quote is beautiful. And that second one? Sigh. So simple and swoony.😍
Q: Are you a plotter, pantser, or plantser? Share a bit of your writing process.
A: I’m definitely more of a plantser. I start with character sheets where I jot down all the personality traits and characteristics I can think of for my characters.
Then I start writing down notes about their stories. Who they are, and things that have happened in their lives to shape them.
After that, I write a basic plot outline, but leave the specifics for when I’m actually drafting.
I’m a person who needs a plan, but I like to leave the individual scene details up to the characters, who are sure to let me know as I write.
Plantser gang rise! I love that you give your characters room to surprise you—it makes the story feel that much more alive for the reader, too.
Q: How important are book reviews?
A: So important! Especially for indie authors. Reviews are how other people discover books, so please leave a review.
Honestly, even a less-than-stellar review is good for visibility, just don’t tag the author in reviews with less than 3 stars (we’re people with feelings, too).
Yes! Reviews are reader gold, and I love your gentle reminder that authors are human, too. Be kind, be honest, and review!
Related: How to Write a Good Book Review
Writing Advice from Tiffany Noel
Q: What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
A: Earlier this year, I got to attend the Storymakers Conference in Provo, Utah, and it was incredible! I took so many amazing classes that filled my brain with so many good things that I couldn’t wait to get home and implement.
I highly recommend finding a writing conference near you (or a virtual one) and soaking in all the knowledge you can.
That kind of creative recharge is priceless. Conferences are magic, and you leave with new tools and writing friends!
Q: What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
A: I love to snack while I write, so there’s usually some kind of snack next to me. But the most important thing for me is the 2005 Pride and Prejudice soundtrack. It’s so beautiful and romantic, and it helps set the mood for me.
Instant mood-setter! I love that you have a mood-setting soundtrack, and I fully support snacks as both sustenance and motivation.
Q: If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?
A: If I could go back, I would tell myself to pay more attention to all those grammar rules I learned. They’re important!
Don’t forget them, and keep practicing. It’s better than having to relearn them all later.
Preach. Past-me never even thought about grammar—turns out it’s the secret sauce of clarity. Live and learn, right?
Q: Do you celebrate milestones? How important do you believe it is for authors to celebrate when they meet their goals or hit milestones?
A: Yes! It’s important to celebrate as you go, because it helps you keep the joy of writing. If you don’t, writing becomes all work and no play, which isn’t what you want.
I will admit, I do need to be better at this, though. It’s easy to get into the trap of thinking that you can’t celebrate until the book is published.
But creating a solid outline? Reason to celebrate!
Finishing the first chapter? Reason to celebrate!
Finishing the first draft? Reason to celebrate!
Sent it off to beta readers? Definitely a reason to celebrate!
And my personal favorite way to celebrate is with a little sweet treat.
Absolutely! Every step is a win worth savoring, especially if chocolate is involved. Joy keeps the creative fire burning.
Just for Fun
Q: If your keyboard could talk, what would it say about your writing habits?
A: Definitely that I spend way too much time scrolling on social media when I’m supposed to be writing…
But also that I almost never use my pinkies when typing. I’m not sure why, since I absolutely learned how to type correctly when I was in school.
Your keyboard and mine would have a lot to talk about. Social scrolling = research, right? And hey, if it works without pinkies, no judgment!
Q: What’s the one question you wish I’d asked, and how would you answer it?
A: Do you do any location research for your books?
Answer: YES! And I absolutely love it. I love to travel and experience new places. And one of my goals in my books is to help my readers experience the magic of some of the places I’ve been.
My first book is set in Burlington, Vermont. I visited there and fell in love with it! It was so dreamy, and many of the locations and activities in my book are actual places I went or things I did.
My second book takes place in Savannah, Georgia, and I loved my trip there as well. The history, culture, architecture, and, of course, the food, were all incredible!
This is such a gift to readers! You’re not just telling a story, you’re inviting us into a place you’ve genuinely fallen in love with.
Let’s Connect with Tiffany Noel
Q: What are you working on next?
A: The Season of Falling is book one in the Heartlines series, so I’m working on giving the whole friend group their own stories.
I also have plans to write a book that’s essentially like a Hallmark dating show that takes place on a privately owned Christmas-themed island, so you’ll definitely want to keep an eye out for that!
Okay, an entire friend group getting their time to shine AND a Christmas island dating show? Love it!
About The Season of Falling
Kasey Whiting has been falling for her best friend since the day they met. When Kasey’s romance-loving younger sister convinces everyone that she and Dean are dating, Kasey is left with a choice: come clean or live out a years-long dream.
Dean Ellis has seen how romance can ruin a friendship, and he’s determined not to let anyone or anything come between him and his best friend. But when an accident lands Dean in a relationship he can’t remember, he must discover whether love is worth the risks.
As the fake-dating continues and Kasey falls even more for Dean, she worries how he’ll react when he learns the truth. With his amnesia fading, Dean must decide whether Kasey’s lie will mark the end of their friendship or be the start of a future he’s always wanted.
About Tiffany Noel
Tiffany is a simple girl with a love of all things fiction. She grew up surrounded by books and good stories, and it was only a matter of time before she wrote down one of her own.
When she’s not reading or writing, Tiffany loves to travel and explore the world, and she can’t wait to take you to the places she’s been all within the pages of a book.
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