What is your process when planning a book? Whether plotter or pantser, every writer has steps they follow or a brainstorming process. Yes, it might be as simple as having an intriguing idea and opening a blank document. Author Becki Lee shares two questions she asks before beginning a new project.
Becki Lee’s Book & Writing Process
Table of Contents
Q: What is the title of your book and what is it about?
A: Remembering Beau, and it’s a Sleeping Beauty retelling.
Country music sensation Laci Love has it all—fame, fortune, and a heart as big as her voice – or so it seems.
Publication date: September 30, 2024
Q: What genre is Remembering Beau?
A: Sweet contemporary romance; fairy tale retelling
Q: What inspired you to write Remembering Beau, and how did you come up with the idea for it?
A: This series is all fairy tale retellings. I knew I wanted to tell Laci Love’s story, and I knew I wanted to do a Sleeping Beauty retelling.
When I started piecing it together, it made sense for the roles to be reversed—that Laci was the “prince” in the story and Beau was the “sleeping beauty.” Once I got that figured out, the rest just flowed.
Ooh, I love the twist and how you took two things you wanted to do and merged them.
Q: What themes and tropes are included in Remembering Beau?
A: Second chance romance, fairy tale retelling, amnesia, music star/celebrity, clean & wholesome
I love every trope on this list!
Q: What’s the one thing you want readers to take away from reading Remembering Beau?
A: Love finds a way.
Yes! And we need to remember and believe that.
Q: Are you a plotter, pantser, or plantser? Share a bit of your writing process.
A: I’m a big plotter, but sometimes the characters have other ideas, so I’m learning to be a little more flexible.
Lol. Yes, those characters have minds of their own.
Q: How do you deal with perfectionism?
A: I feel like I’m blessed in that I’m not a perfectionist. I put out the best book I can with the skills I currently have, knowing that each book will be better because I’ve learned from the previous ones.
I love this attitude and wish more of us could be like this. Because it’s a journey, isn’t it? We’ll make mistakes and do things we wish to go back and change. But every action and choice creates the writer we are today and the author we’ll become.
Q: What types of questions do you ask when planning a new book?
A: Who are the characters at the beginning of the story and who do they need to become at the end? The rest is figuring out how to get them there.
These are excellent questions. Knowing the answers to both will help to create the character arcs and direct their journeys.
Q: How do you prevent yourself from over-editing?
A: Usually a deadline does this for me, lol.
Lol. Deadlines are powerful motivators!🙃
Q: How do you handle moments when inspiration seems hard to find?
A: Talking to author friends or stepping away for a bit helps.
Yes. It’s surprising how discussing your ideas with someone or simply taking a break can stimulate fresh ideas.
Q: How important are book reviews?
A: They are important in letting Amazon know the book is worth sharing with readers and they let other readers know if the book is right for them.
This is simple and to the point.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of writing and publishing? How did you (do you plan to) overcome it?
A: The most challenging aspect is that writing & publishing are two different sides of the brain. Writing is the creative side, while publishing is the business side. Once the book is drafted, it becomes a business product. Making that shift mentally is challenging.
That’s so true. We can get caught up in the creative process and not think of our books as products. But if we want to get them to the readers who’ll love them, we need to make that mental shift.
Q: How do you use social media as an author?
A: I’m not great at social media. I don’t post regularly, but I enjoy interacting with readers and other authors.
Social media can be challenging, but you’ve figured out how to make it work for you: interacting with readers and other authors.
Q: Have you ever resuscitated a project you’d shelved? What helped it work better the second time around?
A: Not, not really
You’re lucky. It can be painful.
Q: How do you balance the demands of writing with other responsibilities?
A: That has been a challenge, but I try to take weekends off and not write or answer emails until Monday.
Balance is important. I love that you take your weekends off and set boundaries around emails.
Writing Advice from Becki Lee
Q: What risks have you taken with your writing that have paid off?
A: Talking to better-known authors at conferences. Stepping outside my comfort zone and inserting myself into the conversation is uncomfortable, but has led to both breakthroughs and good friendships.
Stepping out of your comfort zone is always hard. I’m glad it paid off for you.
Q: What would you say to an author who wanted to design their own cover?
A: Unless you have design skills, it’s probably best to leave it to the professionals.
Design skills are definitely a requirement for anyone trying to do their covers.
Q: What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
A: Hiring a professional editor and cover designer.
😍
Q: What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
A: The biggest thing that has helped me is to set a timer while writing.
Oh, yes! This is a trick I use too, especially on those days when I don’t feel like writing.
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: I didn’t write as a teenager or young adult. My writing didn’t start until my 50s.
What? That’s fantastic! I’m awed by your willingness to try new things.
Q: What are your suggestions for marketing books and getting them into the hands of new readers?
A: Talk about your books and start an email list as early as possible.
An email list is a key marketing tool, and one I don’t think many of us start soon enough.
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: I don’t celebrate them as often as I should.
I’m with you, but I’m trying to get better at celebrating even the smallest accomplishments.
Q: What is one writing resource that you couldn’t do without?
A: Honestly, Zoom. I write 5 days a week with a friend over Zoom. We keep each other accountable and get so much more done.
Yes! Accountability is a game-changer. I’m glad you have an accountability partner.
Just for Fun
Q: What is your favorite book and why?
A: I love Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen. I think it touches both the structured part of myself and the fun part.
I love this!
Q: If you were not a writer, what would you want to be and why?
A: If I weren’t a writer, I would do something to support writers.
I can see that because your podcast is helping writers even now.
Q: What’s a random fact you learned while researching your book that you can’t stop telling people?
A: While researching for my first book, Finding Dolly, I learned so much about Dolly Parton. I sing her praises every chance I get. Not that she needs me to, but I do.
This reminds me of the movie, Dumpling. There were so many characters who were Dolly fans. They were always quoting her.
Let’s Connect with Becki Lee
Q: What are you working on next?
A: Taming Xavier, a Beauty & the Beast retelling is next to be released; my next series is going to be set in Scotland, so I’m off to research Scotland this month (March).
Ooh, I love starting a new series and love stories set in Scotland. All the best in your next endeavor.
About Remembering Beau
Country music sensation Laci Love has it all—fame, fortune, and a heart as big as her voice – or so it seems. Five years earlier her world was turned upside down when Jamie, her music partner and love of her life, was killed in a car accident. But when a handsome stranger arrives in Nashville from the quiet hills of Montana, is she ready to risk her heart again?
With only a passion for music guiding him, Beau takes a chance on the bustling city of Nashville, hoping to find not just his voice, but the missing pieces of his life after an accident left him with amnesia.
Destiny draws Laci and Beau together and their connection is undeniable. They embark on a journey to uncover Beau’s forgotten past. With every clue they unearth, Laci and Beau’s bond deepens. But when signs point to Beau’s accident not being “accidental,” they realize much more is at stake than just Beau’s memories
“Remembering Beau” is a heartwarming tale of love, memory, and the magic of second chances. Join Laci and Beau as they discover that sometimes, the sweetest melodies are the ones you create together, even in the face of darkness.
About Becki Lee
I am Becki Lee, author of 8 sweet, contemporary romance novels, host of the Literary Escape Podcast (check out the past 136 episodes and see what your favorite authors are up to), and book club host for the past four years.
Connect with Becki Lee on her Linktree | Website | Author Central | Facebook | Podcast
