Louisa George talks about WAKING UP WITH HIS RUNAWAY BRIDE!

After we meet and celebrate with an author for the release of their debut books, we do want to know how they start on their second book. What are some of the hurdles they faced? So I asked debut author Louisa George to come by and share with us and here she is....

Hi Riya! Thanks for having me here today!

Louisa with First Sale ribbon!
 Things are winding up on my blog tour now and I’ve just about exhausted everything I can say about my debut book One Month to Become a Mum.

 When I completed it and finally got the call I was so thrilled I couldn’t actually see past getting this first book out. BUT- the editor had offered me a two book contract! As this was the first ever requested FULL manuscript I’d ever done I was a bit stumped as to where to even begin for book two. I didn’t have a pile of old manuscripts in a cupboard that I could dust off, I had to start from scratch and now with the added pressure of a deadline.

 I have to confess that I panicked. Could I even write a second book? Would my editor like it? Would she want to buy it? NB- there is a big difference between having a contract and the publisher actually buying the book!

 I worked my way through the common romance tropes trying to work out which appealed. Eventually I hit on best friends to lovers. I’ve read a few of those and liked the idea. However, it soon became apparent that Mim, the heroine- had far too many issues to grapple with and a best friend wasn’t going to cut it. But a jilted lover would be perfect! And so Waking Up with His Runaway Bride began!

I wrote the first three chapters in a couple of weeks then nervously emailed them to my editor. She wasn’t particularly impressed with the sparkle as their ideologies rather than their emotional conflict was too apparent. NB- writers beware! Emotional conflict is KEY to romance. Nothing else matters.

So, I took her suggestions for toning down the disputes but ramping up the emotional conflict – the fact Mim ran out on Connor three years ago- and why she did it and made that the central force. After that the words just flowed- I wrote the last ten chapters in 23 days. When my editor bought it I was totally thrilled- it seems I didn’t have that mystical ‘Book Two syndrome’ that writers sometimes get when they struggle (although I thought I came close!)

I had such fun writing this- the characters are savvy and sassy and sizzling hot! The heroine was inspired by Natalie Portman (image from www.pixieforever.com).



The hero is based on Paul Sculfor (yummy!!). (image from www.googleimages.com)


Here’s a sneak peak at the back cover blurb:



Their make-or-break reunion...

Mim McCarthy needs to focus on saving her clinic—not her insufferable yet outrageously sexy ex Dr Connor Wiseman. He might have grown into those cheekbones, but she knows he won’t have forgiven his runaway fiancĂ©e so easily! Yet it’s impossible to deny the sparks between them – their fights used to be legendary, but their making up might be even more momentous…



There’s no cover as yet- but as soon as I get one I’ll post it on my website. You all know that by now? www.louisageorge.com or connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.



Waking Up with His Runaway Bride is available from July 1st. Mark it in your diaries!



Also- breaking news- One Month to Become a Mum will now be available on Kindle from Amazon.com from 1st May!



Thanks so much for following me on this blog tour- the final stop is at Romance Book Haven on Friday 27th and I’ll be announcing the winner of the Amazon.com $50 voucher!



Cheers!

Louisa x




Just look at this Australian edition cover of One Month To Become a Mum. Gorgeous! Love the toddler!

38 comments:

  1. Both the books sound terrific. I think Mim has some work in front of her. :)

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  2. Great post, Riya! I loved the tips on toning down the disputes and ramping up the emotional conflict. Thanks Louisa. I'll get your book. It sounds awesome.

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  3. I love Natalie Portman's pixie cut. I've had it that short before, but prefer it just a tad longer. :)

    I'm glad you had an easy time with book two, Lousia! This sounds like another great read. Emotional conflict is one of the reasons I pick up romance novels. The ups an downs of a heroine's life sucks me in and keeps me reading.

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  4. Wonderful post. Thanks for sharing your experience, Louisa. Congrats on both books. I love the cover for the first one.

    Thanks for hosting Louisa, Riya!

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  5. I love your cover! And thanks for sharing about your dreaded second book. Very encouraging for those of us still looking forward to that.

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  6. Hi Jemi! Thanks for your lovely comment! Poor Mim does have her work cut out- both with Connor and her failing business- but she also has fun along the way!

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  7. Hi Robyn! Thanks for popping in! Glad you found the the post helpful- hope you enjoy the book!

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  8. Hi Emily! I had a pixie cut too, years ago when I got married, and it suited me then. Unfortunately I tried it again fairly recently and it doesn't suit me now!!!!! I've grown it a bit and think I'll leave the short hair to those that do it justice! Your hair is fab in your gravatar!

    I wouldn't say book two was easy (I didn't mean to give that impression!)- but it was easier than I thought it would be- after four sets of revisions and a few tweaks with book one I'd have settled for anything less than that!

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  9. Hi Lyn! Thanks for your lovely comments! I can't wait to see my book two cover and I'll share it as soon as I get it.

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  10. Hi Imelda! Very best of luck to you, and thanks for coming to read my blog post!

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  11. Thanks so much for sharing your journey, Louisa! Great post!

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  12. Loving the sound of your books! And also loving your heroine. I've also used Natalie Portman as my inspiration for my heroine :-) great minds think alike ;-)

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  13. Ah, that emotional conflict thing. Where have I heard that before? *grin*
    Your story sounds wonderful, Louisa.

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  14. Oh, a jilted lover sounds wonderful for your next hero, Louisa! Wishing you much success!

    All the best!

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  15. Wow! Louisa, seems like you are having a fab time chatting with all of Riya's friends!

    And Waking Up With His Runaway Bride sounds a wonderful read!

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  16. Louisa, thanks for sharing your story about the process. I always have that moment of hesitation before I begin a new manuscript. Do I still know how to write one?

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  17. Sounds like you've had quite a tour, Louise. I don't suppose writers ever get over the 'Can I really get it done' syndrome.

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  18. it really isn't the dnd of the end of the story once a writer gets the call, is it? There are so many milestones - first book, second book and so on. Great post, Louisa! Well done.

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  19. Writing a second book sounds really hard--there's not just the usual process of trying to write a book people will like, but also living up to their expectations!


    The Golden Eagle
    The Eagle's Aerial Perspective

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  20. I loved reading through all these comments!

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  21. Hi Sharon! Thanks for your comments!

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  22. Hi Samantha! Natalie's so beautiful isn't she? Great inspiration!

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  23. Hi Shelley! Yes- the old emotional conflict raises its head again and again!

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  24. Hi Theresa- you and me both! And- will it be good enough?

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  25. Hi JL! It's been busy, that's for sure!

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  26. Hi Clee, thanks for your comment! The editor comes up with the blurb...

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  27. Hi Maria! The Call is just the beginning of a whole new journey! I'm learning new things about the publishing process every day!

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  28. Hi Golden Eagle! Oh heck, yes- there's a whole different set of worries now! LOL!

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  29. The books sound great. I love the pictures you've based the characters from.

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  30. Thanks so much for sharing! The book sounds like a great read, and I appreciate the tips on emotional conflict!

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  31. Hi Louisa and Riya

    Louisa, Book Two sounds really good and I like the Australian cover of One Month to be a Mum.

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  32. Yummy pictures. I just won Louisa's One Month to Become a Mum. Can't wait to dive in.

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  33. What a great, unexpected surprise with the request of a second book. And I like both of your character inspirations.

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  34. Can't wait for book 2- it sounds like a winner;-) and sexy and sassy is just my kind of read- can't wait...

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