Author Spotlight: Zoey Derrick

February 18, 2016 • News

1) How did you get started as an author and what made you want to pursue that field?

That would be my love of reading. I fell in love with reading years ago but stopped doing it until I discovered the Twilight Books. Then from there it was all downhill. **laughs** It turned to a love Mystery/Suspense/Conspiracy theory stories which ultimately lead me to Fifty Shades of Grey. From there I discovered the wonderful world of Indie Authors and their amazing books. With each new book I read, the more stories came to mind and that is ultimately how I started writing.

I wanted to pursue writing because it was a fun challenge for me and I never imagined it would turn into my dream job.

2) What hurdles have your overcome while striving towards your goals?

Learning to edit what I write.  I can’t say I’ve overcome this issue, but it is something that I work on every day that I do write. There are also the hurdles of story arcs and finding conflict for my characters. Sometimes their stories are so pure and innocent that I struggle to find something for them to argue over. I guess in my mind, if they’re not going to argue or fight or have drama in their lives then the story isn’t worth telling.

3) Which novel has been your favorite to write and why?

I honestly can’t answer this question because each story I write becomes a new favorite story. Though I have personal reasons for why I particularly like that story.

For example, Defining Us: 69 Bottles #6 was a challenge I wasn’t prepared for. I hadn’t a clue what I was getting into with Calvin and Eric and the deeper I got into their story the more heartbroken I got. The more challenging it became not to throw my hands up and say f*ck it, no more drama, they’re going to be happy from this point on. I couldn’t possibly do that. Not with those two and their history.

Finding Love’s Wings will always hold a special place because it was my first book. While One Week holds a lot of myself inside those pages, including real life experiences.
And The Reason Series because it was fun to let go of the norm and write a paranormal story.

I could go on and on about what each book means to me, but asking me what my favorite book to write is/was, is like asking me to pick a favorite child. Not going to happen.

4) For those looking to become an author, what advice would you give them?

Write… Write… and Write some more.

I heard some advice from a very successful author about becoming an author. She told aspiring writers to write their first book, and then set it aside, write their second book and set it aside, then when you get to your third book, go through the motions, reread it, edit it, cover it, market it and sell it.

Knowing what I know now, this advice is very true. By my third book (we go with One Week – despite it being my 7th published book, it was the first book outside of the same characters I’d been writing about. One Week was a book that I thought was 1000 times better than anything that had come before it. I’d learned a lot about writing and the process of writing before I’d gotten to this book and with that, One Week turned out to be the best book I’d ever written (in my opinion of course.)

So I will add to the advice I received. Write the first book and throw it away (not literally – but put it somewhere that you either A- can’t find it or B- can easily ignore. Repeat the process for your second book. Then with book three – proceed with it. Get your beta readers, an editor a cover designer, everything you need in order to make that book marketable and push publish when it’s ready. Then move on to your next and your next and your next… If after you’ve written a few more books, those first two stories are vitally important to you, write them again. No, don’t go back and rework what you’ve already written, re-write them.  I guarantee that the re-write will be MUCH better than your original.

5) Favorite motto?

Carpe Diem – Live in the now not in the tomorrow.

6) In one word, how would you describe your writing style?

MADNESS!!!

7) Which author inspires you the most and why?

To be honest, I have a few of them. Some of them I’ve made no secret of their inspiration; E. L. James, Sylvia Day. Others I admire and get inspired from afar.

As to why they inspire me, I think it has to do with their ability to go for whatever it is that they desire and they don’t let anyone stand in their way.

8) What is your writing process like?

I’m what they call a pantser. I write by the seat of my pants. I write whatever comes to me from my characters. They talk and I listen. I am also a linear writer meaning I have to write the book from beginning to end. I cannot jump ahead scenes or chapters because when I finally get to those pre-written scenes, they no longer fit into the story and I end up rewriting them.

I am not a planner or a plotter. I am pretty sure I could never truly collaborate with someone because of my inability to plan things out. I don’t know how many times I see a story going one direction and it goes 180 degrees in the opposite direction. Which of course I love!

9) Goals for 2016?

I have a minimum of 6 books to publish in 2016, so my goal is to write them and publish them.

Get all the awesome photos I’ve purchased into covers and onto their books. **giggles**

Other goals are pretty personal. **winks**

10) What new projects are you currently working on?

Currently I am working on the 2nd book to the Finding Submission Series, it’s called Caden’s Command and it follows the characters from Aryn’s Desire.

I also have the third book of the Bold Security Novels in the works that I cannot wait to share more about really soon.

11) Any final thoughts you would like to share with the CJC Photography readers?

Thanks for stopping by to check out my interview with Christopher. I’ve had a wonderful time and I cannot wait to hear what you all think of Aryn’s Desire. It was an honor to feature Christopher John himself on the cover and I look forward to sharing his next cover, Caden’s Command, with all of you as well. Thanks Christopher john for having me. <3

I want to thank Zoey so much for joining me in this exclusive interview on CJC Photography. You are a pleasure to work with and I can’t wait to share with my readers all the other projects we have in the works for 2016.

Arn’s Desire is now available and can be purchased here!

Stay up to date on all of Zoey’s latest releases by following her on Facebook.

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