How do you deal with writer’s block? For many writers, even those words are scary. Author Krysten Lindsay Hager shares two tips for clearing writer’s block.
Krysten Lindsay Hager’s Book & Writing Process
Table of Contents
Q: What is the title of your book and what is it about?
A: When Stars Collide in the City. It’s a fake dating YA romance.
From the outside, Olivia Macomb looks like she leads a charmed life. She’s an up-and-coming influencer who is an heir to the Macomb family fortune, and about to start a lifestyle brand with her childhood sweetheart, Jeff.
Then her world gets blown apart by her longtime boyfriend leaving her the morning of their website launch.
Publication date: December 14, 2024
Q: What genre is When Stars Collide in the City?
A: YA contemporary
Q: What inspired you to write When Stars Collide in the City, and how did you come up with the idea for it?
A: I had written the pop star character, Walker Vinton, into my book, Falling for a Star in the City. He was Paige’s ex-boyfriend who got a record contract right after she broke up with him.
My mom felt like Walker’s story wasn’t over yet, so I started writing more and got the idea of putting him in a fake dating situation with Paige’s friend.
That’s fun. I love that your mom was so involved in this story’s creation.
Q: What themes and tropes are included in When Stars Collide in the City?
A: Fake dating, pop star romance, friends to lover. There’s also healing from a breakup and dealing with grief over the loss of a friend.
Ooh, I’m a fan of the fake dating trope. I imagine that the theme of healing from a broken friendship is one that many will relate to.
Q: Who is the ideal reader for When Stars Collide in the City?
A: Anyone who is looking for hope after dealing with a breakup or any sort of loss.
Q: What’s the one thing you want readers to take away from reading When Stars Collide in the City?
A: That what feels like a setback might actually be setting you up for something better.
Yes! Too often we mourn what used to be instead of realizing that sometimes our current loss sets us up for a brighter future.
Q: Share a favorite quote or two from When Stars Collide in the City.
A: “Okay, what’s something that would really bother Jeff?” Walker asked.
I thought for a minute. “He hates when guys call their girlfriends, ‘wife.’ He especially cringes at the use of the word, “wifey,” in particular. Drives him up the wall.”
Walker nodded and got out his phone. A few minutes later I got a notification that Walker had commented on my post from earlier that morning about it being cold. WalkerVinton: Somebody get my wifey some soup, please.
I cracked up. “Nicely done.”
Q: Are you a plotter, pantser, or plantser? Share a bit of your writing process.
A: I’m pretty much a pantser, but because I’m writing standalone books in an interconnected world/series, I need a little idea of where the storyline is going. I write in notebooks first.
I get that, otherwise you’d miss out on the connections and probably put characters where they don’t belong.
Q: How do you develop your plots?
A: I write in notebooks first and then as bits of dialogue come to me, the plot begins to take shape.
When I first started writing, I wrote my stories longhand in notebooks. Now, I use that when I’m working out my ideas.
I find that putting pen to paper helps me connect with the story in a different way than when I’m just typing.
Q: How do you choose your character names?
A: I prefer to use names where I don’t know anyone with that name, but that’s getting harder to do. I can’t tell you how much I hate being introduced to someone with a name I have been already using or hearing someone is naming their baby some name that’s already been in the works.
I started not wanting to use the names of people I know too. But the more books I write, the harder it gets.
Q: What does a typical writing session for you look like?
A: It’s usually me grabbing a notebook and writing down dialogue.
Q: What makes a great story?
A: A character you care about finding something they’ve been looking for.
That’s a succinct description of what makes a story great. Because ultimately, isn’t that why we read? To see the characters who feel like friends accomplish their goals?
Q: How do you manage writer’s block?
A: By watching movies and TV shows and listening to music to get inspired.
This is an excellent idea! When we’re blocked, it’s important to consume media we enjoy to restore our creativity.
Q: How do you deal with imposter syndrome?
A: If you find out, please let me know! I do look at 1-star reviews of books I love and realize no one loves everything.
Lol. Reading one-star reviews of beloved or popular books does help. But one thing that helped me through was an interview with Sandra Brown. After all the books she’d written, she still wondered if her latest book was good. It put things into perspective for me.
Q: How do you handle criticism or negative feedback?
A: I was told once to look at it as, well, the book is not for them, just like a lot of books aren’t my cup of tea either.
Exactly. Each book has its readers who’ll love it and resonate with the story.
Q: How do you use social media as an author?
A: To connect with readers and other writers.
Q: What keeps you writing when you get demotivated?
A: I can’t not write.
I completely understand. When I’m not writing, I don’t feel quite right.
Q: Why do you write?
A: To bring hope and escape for people dealing with things. I want people to feel less alone in the world.
That’s a wonderful goal, Krysten.
Writing Advice from Krysten Lindsay Hager
Q: What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting?
A: Publish something before you put your book out, so you get used to feedback before your “baby” is released. If the first criticism from a stranger is about your “baby” it will hurt a lot.
This is an excellent suggestion. It gets the writer primed to receive feedback while exposing them to the publishing process.
Q: What’s the best piece of writing advice you ever received? How has it impacted your life?
A: My writing professor told me to let my characters tell me what to do and not the other way around.
Lol. Love it!
Q: How do you find time to write?
A: I prefer to write when no one is around and the phone isn’t going off with texts and calls.
The phone can be a distraction.
Q: What are your tips for meeting deadlines?
A: Be realistic and block out the world.
Q: If you could go back and change one thing in your author career, what would it be and why?
A: Every step along the way was a learning experience, so I think I needed all the ups and downs to learn from.
I’m with you on that. Our experience created resilience and reinforced the desire to continue with this career.
Q: What is one writing resource that you couldn’t do without?
A: A notebook to noodle on ideas before they go into a story.
😍
Just for Fun
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Why?
A: To be invisible so I could spy on everyone.
Oh, the stories you would write!😂
Q: If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be and why?
A: Nick from The Great Gatsby to see how he changed after everything went down.
Yes. That would be an interesting conversation.
Q: What is your favorite book and why?
A: The Great Gatsby because it really shows the toxic side of the striving and hustle culture associated with the American Dream.
Few people realize there’s a toxic side to the hustle culture, which is why it continues to thrive.
Q: If you were not a writer, what would you want to be and why?
A: I loved being a journalist, but I used to have a secret wish to be a choreographer for music videos and ice skating.
Ooh, that sounds fun!
Q: If you could switch lives with any person for a day, who would it be and why?
A: Danielle Steel because I’ve heard her work ethic is next level.
Yeah, she’s in her 70s and still writing!
Q: What‘s the scariest thing you’ve ever done for fun?
A: Go shopping on Black Friday—haha.
I’ve heard stories. 🤣
Q: If your characters hosted a dinner party, who would cause the most chaos and why?
A: Hayley Braeden (from my Stars in the City Series) who plays Madison on the soap, Charmed Lives. She’s a bit of a pot stirrer.
Oh, dear. I wonder what kind of mischief she’d stir up at a Great Gatsby party.
Q: What’s your writing kryptonite—the one thing that can completely derail your progress?
A: A good television show.
You can always use it as a reward for writing your words.
Q: What’s a random fact you learned while researching your book that you can’t stop telling people?
A: Stuff I learned about athlete injuries that no one wants to hear about.
Now, I’m curious…
Q: If your characters had access to social media, what kind of content would they post?
A: Stuff I learned about athlete injuries that no one wants to hear about.
🤣😂
Q: If your keyboard could talk, what would it say about your writing habits?
A: That I wash my hands before using it because I’m respectful of it.
Aww, that’s a great practice. I’m sure your keyboard appreciates it.
Q: Which character from another author’s book would you invite into your fictional world and why?
A: Jay Gatsby in the Stars in the City Series to show the fake side of status.
Q: What’s the one question you wish I’d asked and how would you answer it?
A: Are you worried you’re getting a little too awesome? I’d answer that I worry about that daily. Haha.
Lol. Yes, keep getting more awesome every day, Krysten.
Let’s Connect with Krysten Lindsay Hager
Q: What are you working on next?
A: The next book in the Stars in the City series. I’m having fun with this series.
About When Stars Collide in the City
From the outside, Olivia Macomb looks like she leads a charmed life. She’s an up-and-coming influencer who is an heir to the Macomb family fortune, and about to start a lifestyle brand with her childhood sweetheart, Jeff. Then her world gets blown apart by her longtime boyfriend leaving her the morning of their website launch. Not only has he left, but the business she created is all in his name and she’s been left with nothing to show for all her hard work. Now she has to pick up the pieces and find out who she is on her own.
Enter Walker Vinton, the indie pop star who used to date Olivia’s close friend, Paige. When their school throws a big event, Paige asks Walker to be Olivia’s date to give to the gossip bloggers something else to talk about other than Olivia’s broken dreams.
Walker ends up coming to Olivia’s rescue in more ways than one at the party, and a twist of events leads to the two embarking on a fake relationship. Walker and Olivia wind up becoming best friends and she realizes he’s the boyfriend of her dreams.
He helps her build both her brand and her self-esteem back up. Walker even helps her start a new business. However, the lines begin to blur as Olivia’s feelings for Walker are very real. The two share intimate conversations and dreams, but what’s real and what’s fake in this starry world?
About Krysten Lindsay Hager
Krysten Lindsay Hager is a bestselling author of YA and contemporary romance. Krysten writes romance because she loves bringing people swoony moments and hope-filled happily ever afters.
Her books are known for making you laugh, cry, and swoon. Along with romance, her novels are also deal with self-doubt, finding where you belong and true friendship, as well as finding your soulmate.
Connect with Krysten Lindsay Hager on her Linktree | Website | Author Central | Facebook | Blog | Instagram
