John Hunter is pumped to finish his senior year of college as a football national champion beside his teammate and best friend. The only thing missing is that girl, Olivia Meadows, his best friend’s little sister. He needed to sow some wild oats before settling down with Olivia but now he is ready for something serious with the girl he has always admired.
Be careful what you wish for. John and Olivia find themselves dealing with adult consequences very quickly and wondering if their young love can endure the pressures of adulthood. Will they find deeper love or implode from the pressures of their own making?
Novel Writing at the Crack of Dawn by Natalia Albrite
When I made the amazing decision to write my first romance novel, That Guy and That Girl, I also knew that I would need a designated time that couldn’t be encroached upon by that thing called life. You know, that thing that contains rowdy children, lovely but needy husbands, demanding dogs, etc. I was one determined lady so I decided that I would write weekday mornings, Monday through Thursday from 4:30 am to 6:30 am. Yes, I did say 4:30 am to 6:30 am.
When I explained this to my friends and family, I bet you can predict the responses.They ranged from, “Are you on crack!?” to “Have you lost your mind!?” Neither of those things were true of course--I was just a gal who was determined to reach a goal.
Step One: Write out a pretty solid outline to guide my way through the story. I spent a good two weeks brainstorming and plotting. I’m pretty fastidious when it comes to outlining. My writing history began in writing feature length screenplays and structure is HUGE in that genre (and no, I don’t have any produced movies… yet ;).
Step Two: Give myself a deadline. I love a good deadline. Along with outlining, I also started searching for a developmental editor online that I could hire and lock them in to a date. That process helped me nail down a target I knew I had to reach. After all, I paid her to be on deck for a certain date. Putting money on the line helped me take this process seriously.
Step Three: Commit and stick to my benchmarks. I learned on day one that I could churn out 2,500 words a day and that I liked tackling only one character’s point-of-view at a time. That gave me the information I needed to get clear about my benchmarks. On the conservative side I could expect 10K words from myself each week.
Step Four: Stumble to my computer and write every day that I was committed to. My alarm would go off and I would stumble to my computer in my children’s playroom (the only available space in the house for me to take over). I credit the zombie-like state I was in for being able to just let go and write. I was too fuzzy-headed to critique myself or even drum up any thoughts about being blocked.
And….I did it! My first draft was completed after 30 days of writing. Those were not consecutive days because I did give myself Friday through Sunday off. When it was all said and done I had a 78K first draft that was complete! My draft needed a lot of work and I can tell my revision story another time but I had a draft!
It wasn’t a lifestyle I could maintain forever but it was absolutely perfect for writing a first draft. Probably what I’m most proud of is that I was willing to give myself what I needed to complete something that was really important to me.If I had any takeaways, it would be to encourage everyone to pursue whatever it is you dream of and that the sacrifices are worth it! Oh, and have a plan.
When I explained this to my friends and family, I bet you can predict the responses.They ranged from, “Are you on crack!?” to “Have you lost your mind!?” Neither of those things were true of course--I was just a gal who was determined to reach a goal.
Step One: Write out a pretty solid outline to guide my way through the story. I spent a good two weeks brainstorming and plotting. I’m pretty fastidious when it comes to outlining. My writing history began in writing feature length screenplays and structure is HUGE in that genre (and no, I don’t have any produced movies… yet ;).
Step Two: Give myself a deadline. I love a good deadline. Along with outlining, I also started searching for a developmental editor online that I could hire and lock them in to a date. That process helped me nail down a target I knew I had to reach. After all, I paid her to be on deck for a certain date. Putting money on the line helped me take this process seriously.
Step Three: Commit and stick to my benchmarks. I learned on day one that I could churn out 2,500 words a day and that I liked tackling only one character’s point-of-view at a time. That gave me the information I needed to get clear about my benchmarks. On the conservative side I could expect 10K words from myself each week.
Step Four: Stumble to my computer and write every day that I was committed to. My alarm would go off and I would stumble to my computer in my children’s playroom (the only available space in the house for me to take over). I credit the zombie-like state I was in for being able to just let go and write. I was too fuzzy-headed to critique myself or even drum up any thoughts about being blocked.
And….I did it! My first draft was completed after 30 days of writing. Those were not consecutive days because I did give myself Friday through Sunday off. When it was all said and done I had a 78K first draft that was complete! My draft needed a lot of work and I can tell my revision story another time but I had a draft!
It wasn’t a lifestyle I could maintain forever but it was absolutely perfect for writing a first draft. Probably what I’m most proud of is that I was willing to give myself what I needed to complete something that was really important to me.If I had any takeaways, it would be to encourage everyone to pursue whatever it is you dream of and that the sacrifices are worth it! Oh, and have a plan.
“Hey, I’ve missed you and I’m really glad to see you,” he says as he looks deep into my eyes. Simple words that say everything I want to hear right now. This is exactly what we need: to keep it simple and direct.
I want him to kiss me and I want him to do it now. I want to say ditto so we can get to the good stuff faster but just as quickly I decide to be as clear as he was, “I’ve missed you too and I’m so glad you’re here.”
We both stare at each other for a few seconds and then eventually smirk. He nods and says, “I’m gonna kiss the shit out of you now.”
I nod as he pulls me in closer. One arm moves to my lower back. I place my hands back on the pecs I want to appreciate more fully. He touches his lips to mine so gently. In some ways I want him to rush. I want him to deepen things quickly. But in more ways, I want him to take it slow and let this burn slow between us. It feels like forever since we have appreciated each other in this way.
He is clearly taking the slow route and eventually adds the slightest bit of tongue to his kisses. It’s subtle and I both love and hate the slowness in escalation. I involuntarily moan quietly. He knows how to build the tension. He pulls back and looks into my eyes again, “I love you.”
I want him to kiss me and I want him to do it now. I want to say ditto so we can get to the good stuff faster but just as quickly I decide to be as clear as he was, “I’ve missed you too and I’m so glad you’re here.”
We both stare at each other for a few seconds and then eventually smirk. He nods and says, “I’m gonna kiss the shit out of you now.”
I nod as he pulls me in closer. One arm moves to my lower back. I place my hands back on the pecs I want to appreciate more fully. He touches his lips to mine so gently. In some ways I want him to rush. I want him to deepen things quickly. But in more ways, I want him to take it slow and let this burn slow between us. It feels like forever since we have appreciated each other in this way.
He is clearly taking the slow route and eventually adds the slightest bit of tongue to his kisses. It’s subtle and I both love and hate the slowness in escalation. I involuntarily moan quietly. He knows how to build the tension. He pulls back and looks into my eyes again, “I love you.”
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ReplyDeleteDo you have any ideas for a sequel to the book?
ReplyDeleteI do, I do! I'm starting with a prequel but I guess technically, I won't be writing a sequel. It's more that you'll see these characters again in subsequent books.
DeleteI love best friend's little sister stories!
ReplyDeleteMe too! Part of it is that I was raised as an only child (I have half and step siblings) and I always dreamed of having an older brother. The great part about writing a book is being able to play out all sorts of fantasies!!
DeleteAnother great book to discover. Thanks so much for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! Hope you enjoy it!!
DeleteGreat excerpt!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It's a tender moment, for sure!
DeleteI liked the excerpt, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rita! That's actually towards the end when they're mending things...
DeleteThanks for sharing the excerpt. Sounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to read it! Much appreciated!
DeleteThat guy and that girl sounds like a good read. Thank you
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! Thanks for taking the time to read about it!
DeleteThis has a unique and flattering cover. I enjoyed reading the excerpt and find this sounds like a good read
ReplyDeleteThanks for the cover compliments! I really love it myself and tried to match it when I created the cover for my bonus content. If you decide to check it out on my website, you can see what you think ;-)
DeleteMy question for the author is: Do you have any special music that you use in order to get inspired with your writing?
ReplyDeleteIn this case, it was all about 90s hip hop! All the old classics from my youth like Arrested Development, Boyz II Men, Vanilla Ice, etc.! Usually I write without music though.
DeleteThat earlier reply was me (Natalia). Trying to fix it now!
Delete4:30 am to 6:30 am ..... seriously??I totally understand though as I would have done the same :)
ReplyDeleteYep, and it's weirdly addictive. I jumped right into the next novel when I felt a crazy momentum kick in. However, I quickly learned that I wasn't really prepared to start that one and those hours were making me a zombie by the end of the day. With two kids, that's not really an option! So now I know to use that routine wisely and only when I'm fully prepared!
DeleteBummer, I'm facing some technical difficulties over here. The earlier reply was me (Natalia).
DeleteI loved reading about this book! Im so excited to read this one.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that! I hope you do read it and it's everything you need it to be!
DeleteLove this excerpt sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I really enjoyed writing this book so it feels great to hear such generous compliments!
DeletePutting on my TBR! Nice cover too
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you, Jennifer! I really appreciate that and hope you enjoy it!!
DeleteWOW this looks amazing, love the cover and the title
ReplyDeleteAmazing is a really awesome compliment so thanks for that! Hopefully what's inside matches the cover ;-) (I happen to love it too!)
DeleteSounds like a great read!!!
ReplyDeleteThe goal: unputdownable. As these things go, it does depend on your taste though ;-)
DeleteSounds like an amazing book.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find it to be amazing! Or at least a fun read!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRomance Novel Giveaways, thanks so much for hosting me! This has been a fabulous experience! I apologize for being a day late! I hate a date mixup along with some challenging technical difficulties. I'm patting myself on the back for figuring out that I needed to use a different browser. Bit by bit, I'm learning!
ReplyDeletehate = had (I can't leave that unedited!)
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt, I loved it! Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome! thanks so much for taking the time to read it! For reals!
DeleteI love the excerpt and the cover. Adding this to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks! Really appreciate that! I hope you take advantage of the $.99 price. It will stay $.99 until at least 6/10.
DeleteSounds like a fun read.
ReplyDeleteI hope it strikes a balance between fun and real. Some stuff gets serious but there's always hope and happy following it!
DeleteThat definitely took dedication, whoa! (I'm not a morning person...)
ReplyDelete--Trix
I've become a morning person over time but there was definitely a time when you never could've convinced me I'd become a morning person or that I'd EVER be willing to get up so early. The reason I do it? It works for me better than anything else I've tried.
DeleteI love the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It was tricky to choose which sections felt like good representations of the whole so thanks for that!
DeleteSounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly meant to be! It's a genre I happen to love but I know we all have our quirks and faves.
DeleteInteresting cover -- makes me want to read the book.
ReplyDeleteThat's good to hear! I know hot bodies are hot but I really like the idea of creating your own vision with the written descriptions of the characters to build from too. I didn't want the cover to get in the way of that.
DeleteLove yhe book cover.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Me too! Wish I had those skills!
DeleteLove the excerpt can't wait to read this book.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much and I hope you do read it and love it!
DeleteThanks for the insight to your writing.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! It was really special to look back in that way and think about the whole journey from a new perspective!
DeleteIf John is five years older than Olivia, how did they end up college seniors at the same time? I should probably just read the book.
ReplyDeleteHe's only a year older. I'll have to hunt back and see where that impression came from--hmmm. But in the meantime, feel free to read it ;-)
DeleteOh young relationships. I'm not really a big YA reader, but I just wanted to say, "full-figured Corgi" had me in stitches! xD
ReplyDeleteI hear ya--we all have our favorites so I totally get it. My girl, Francesca, is more than a little food obsessed. We are working on trimming down a bit. She's actually an enthusiastic walker so bit by bit hopefully!!
DeleteExcerpt was well written.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that! It's challenging to pull bits when the whole seems so important. I appreciate you saying that.
DeleteI love finding new authors! Look forward to reading your book.
ReplyDeleteIt's the best, right?!?!! I love the discovery process so much!!
DeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
Deletethanks sounds like a great book
ReplyDeleteAppreciate it! I worked hard on it so I appreciate all the positive vibes!
DeleteThis sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteI hope that it is. If it's your thing, I think it can fly by!
DeleteI am a sucker for these types of stories since my first boyfriend was my brothers friend.
ReplyDeleteLove it!! I grew up as an only child and always dreamed of having an older brother!!
DeleteIt sounds like they have a complicated story.
ReplyDeleteYes and no. In some ways, their eventual relationship was inevitable and it also may never have happened. I like playing around with that idea.
Deletegreat excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks! That's toward the end of the book when they were finding their footing again.
DeleteIt's a cute cover, I love they kept the sporty aspect there.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I think the designer did an excellent job including the images without being heavy-handed.
DeleteLove the colours of the cover.
ReplyDeleteMe too! I don't know that I would have picked them on my own but I sure love what she did. It was one of two choices and this one really stood out to me!
DeleteThe cover is very eye catching.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Funny enough, I wrote a blog piece today on the value of book covers! I really enjoyed the process of picking this design!
Deletesounds like a fun one
ReplyDelete