Today we have a good friend of mine and a PLRW chapter-mate with us, Tina Gallagher. Thank you for joining me today, Tina! Let’s get started…
What is your brainstorming process for a new book?
I’m definitely what you’d call a pantser. Basically I get an idea and start writing. I do write down character names and descriptions, a little back story, maybe some goal, motivation, and conflict, but it’s not really an organized process.
Can you explain your typical work week day?
My typical work week day is crazy. I get to my day job at 7:00 am…not an easy task because I am NOT a morning person. I work until 4:00pm, then head home. I’m usually out the door again with the kids by 5:00pm, heading to a baseball/softball/basketball game or to some other lesson or activity. We all get home anywhere between 7:30 and 9:00pm. I try to hang out with the kids for a while and around 10:30-11:00pm, I sit down to write.
Tell us about when you made the decision to write.
I’ve always written. At first it was silly short stories, then when I was around twelve or so, my friend Lori and I would make up our own stories for our favorite soap opera couple. I’ve been writing romance ever since. About ten years ago I sat down and started writing a book, just to see if I could do it…turns out I could. Once I had it written, though, I had no idea what to do with it. Lori told me about RWA and I joined PLRW, and the rest is history. ;0)
What suggestions do you have for aspiring writers?
Sit down and write. I can’t tell you how many people tell me they’ve always wanted to write a book or they want to be a writer, but they just don’t have the time. It’s not the kind of thing you learn by thinking about it or wishing for it…you actually have to do it. Yes, you have a job and kids and other responsibilities but it’s not impossible. I started seriously writing with the hopes of getting published when my kids were only two and three years old. Even between work and everything else, I managed to carve out writing time. Since then I’ve had two books and numerous articles published. You can do it, you just have to put your mind to it and make the time.
Tell us about what you’re working on right now and what we can expect from you in the near future.
Right now I’m editing my completed manuscript entitled Misguided which is about a high school sex ed counselor and an over-protective single dad who have a vacation fling and are then forced to face each other in real life. It’s just about ready to submit, so hopefully you’ll see it on the shelves in the near future.
That sounds great! So excited for you!! For those of you who want to know more about Tina and her books, check out her website linked above. Thanks for joining us, everyone! Until next week!
Tina Gallagher writes Contemporary Romance novels that sizzle with passion and always have a happy ending, as well as informative, non-fiction.
Tina was raised in Northeast Pennsylvania and in-between softball, basketball, and music lessons, she and her best friend would create their own “happily ever afters” for their favorite soap opera couples. After a while, the soap operas lost their appeal, but the writing never did. She continues to use her imagination to weave stories about heroes and heroines who share deep, lasting relationships.
Tina is an active member of the Pocono/Lehigh Romance Writers, a chapter of the Romance Writers of America. She and her husband live in Northeast Pennsylvania with their two beautiful children.
Tags: writers on writing
Thanks for featuring me on your blog!
Thanks for joining me, Tina!