I love talking with other authors and learning about their processes. It's amazing how much I learn about the craft I love so much by meeting and talking with others who have the same dreams and aspirations. Technically, we should be competitors, but instead, I find a community of people who just want to help one another. It was a delight to get to know Rebekah and I hope you enjoy hearing more about her as much as I did! Here's my interview with Rebekah Lyn. You can also find all of her links and details below her interview so get in touch with her! She'd love to hear from you!
Tell us a little about your background.
I’m a native Floridian, but I absolutely adore the time I get to spend in the mountains of Western North Carolina. I have a degree in Communications from Jacksonville University and am indebted to my mentor there, Professor Dennis Stouse for having faith in me and giving me the courage to follow my dreams. I’ve held a variety of roles with a Fortune 500 company in Orlando for almost twenty years and have used many of my experiences from this work in my novels.
Was writing something you always wanted to do or did it come later?
I’ve always wanted to write. I was ten years old when I wrote my first complete story and I have numerous journals and incomplete stories from my high school years. I didn’t get serious about writing until around 2007, though.
How do you come up with your ideas?
Many of my ideas come to me when I’m driving home from work or as soon as I turn the light off for bed. I’ve gotten good at finding the voice record option on my phone or iPad to capture the ideas before they disappear.
Is there a time of day that is better for you to write?
Not really. I work 5:30 am to 4:00 pm most days with an hour commute each way, so during the week, if I can find the energy to write, it would be in the evening. I do a large portion of my writing work on vacations when I will start around 9:00 or 10:00 in the morning and go until I run out of words.
How long does it take you to get through a first draft?
This varies depending on the book. Julianne took ten years, eight of those I wasn’t working on it at all. Winter’s End I completed the first draft in two months.
Any advice for new authors?
I love talking with people who are interested in writing or who have just finished their first book and want to know what to do next. I encourage them to find a stellar editor, build a social support system, and be prepared for whatever may come, good or bad.
Tell us about any novels you have out.
I have four books out in two different series. The Seasons of Faith series has Summer Storms and Winter’s End, which follow the lives of five young professionals in Orlando, FL. They have some romance and suspense alongside a message of hope and forgiveness.
The Coastal Chronicles are more stand alone books each set in coastal locations, reflecting the sense of community found in these small towns. Julianne is set in a fictional town on the North Carolina coast and tells the story of a young woman trying to find her place in the world and fill a hole in her heart she didn’t even know was there until she meets an intriguing new friend.
My new release, Jessie, is also in the Coastal Chronicles, and tells the story of a family displaced from their home on Merritt Island, Florida when the government started acquiring land for what is now the Kennedy Space Center. We follow Jessie’s emotional journey from a young boy enthralled with the rocket launches taking place just a few miles from his home to a young man overcoming many obstacles to pursue his dream.
And what are you working on now?
I’ve been so wrapped up in finalizing Jessie and preparing a market strategy for it that I haven’t gotten too involved in my next book yet, but I have started dabbling on the next book in the Seasons of Faith series. I may participate in National Novel Writing Month again this year to get this book written.
Do you have a writing goal you have yet to reach?
I don’t know if you’d call it a writing goal, but I would really love to do a book signing in Barnes & Noble. For all the news reports of the demise of brick and mortar stores, I will always love B&N. I fell in love the first time I walked through their doors and saw the neatly organized rows of elegant bookcases. If all goes well, by the time this is published I may have accomplished this goal with a book signing for my new release.
We'd love to hear a few quirky facts about you they don't usually come up in interviews.
I am mildly obsessed with my garden, particularly my lemon tree. I visit the back window several times a day just to look out and admire it. I enjoy watching birds visit my feeder, but I don’t want them getting close to me. I had a bad experience in an aviary years ago that has made me skittish when birds get too close. I have a particular path I follow when shopping at Target and get anxious if we stray off that path.
Anything else you want to add?
I love to connect with readers and ask for opinions on my Facebook page. Please feel free to stop and ask questions or participate in the conversations. Facebook.com/authorRebekahLyn. I also blog about my garden and cooking, when it’s not too hot to cook, on RebekahLynsKitchen.wordpress.com and I have gathered a collection of authors that also write inspirational fiction on my website, RebekahLynBooks.com.
Tell us a little about your background.
I’m a native Floridian, but I absolutely adore the time I get to spend in the mountains of Western North Carolina. I have a degree in Communications from Jacksonville University and am indebted to my mentor there, Professor Dennis Stouse for having faith in me and giving me the courage to follow my dreams. I’ve held a variety of roles with a Fortune 500 company in Orlando for almost twenty years and have used many of my experiences from this work in my novels.
Was writing something you always wanted to do or did it come later?
I’ve always wanted to write. I was ten years old when I wrote my first complete story and I have numerous journals and incomplete stories from my high school years. I didn’t get serious about writing until around 2007, though.
How do you come up with your ideas?
Many of my ideas come to me when I’m driving home from work or as soon as I turn the light off for bed. I’ve gotten good at finding the voice record option on my phone or iPad to capture the ideas before they disappear.
Is there a time of day that is better for you to write?
Not really. I work 5:30 am to 4:00 pm most days with an hour commute each way, so during the week, if I can find the energy to write, it would be in the evening. I do a large portion of my writing work on vacations when I will start around 9:00 or 10:00 in the morning and go until I run out of words.
How long does it take you to get through a first draft?
This varies depending on the book. Julianne took ten years, eight of those I wasn’t working on it at all. Winter’s End I completed the first draft in two months.
Any advice for new authors?
I love talking with people who are interested in writing or who have just finished their first book and want to know what to do next. I encourage them to find a stellar editor, build a social support system, and be prepared for whatever may come, good or bad.
Tell us about any novels you have out.
I have four books out in two different series. The Seasons of Faith series has Summer Storms and Winter’s End, which follow the lives of five young professionals in Orlando, FL. They have some romance and suspense alongside a message of hope and forgiveness.
The Coastal Chronicles are more stand alone books each set in coastal locations, reflecting the sense of community found in these small towns. Julianne is set in a fictional town on the North Carolina coast and tells the story of a young woman trying to find her place in the world and fill a hole in her heart she didn’t even know was there until she meets an intriguing new friend.
My new release, Jessie, is also in the Coastal Chronicles, and tells the story of a family displaced from their home on Merritt Island, Florida when the government started acquiring land for what is now the Kennedy Space Center. We follow Jessie’s emotional journey from a young boy enthralled with the rocket launches taking place just a few miles from his home to a young man overcoming many obstacles to pursue his dream.
And what are you working on now?
I’ve been so wrapped up in finalizing Jessie and preparing a market strategy for it that I haven’t gotten too involved in my next book yet, but I have started dabbling on the next book in the Seasons of Faith series. I may participate in National Novel Writing Month again this year to get this book written.
Do you have a writing goal you have yet to reach?
I don’t know if you’d call it a writing goal, but I would really love to do a book signing in Barnes & Noble. For all the news reports of the demise of brick and mortar stores, I will always love B&N. I fell in love the first time I walked through their doors and saw the neatly organized rows of elegant bookcases. If all goes well, by the time this is published I may have accomplished this goal with a book signing for my new release.
We'd love to hear a few quirky facts about you they don't usually come up in interviews.
I am mildly obsessed with my garden, particularly my lemon tree. I visit the back window several times a day just to look out and admire it. I enjoy watching birds visit my feeder, but I don’t want them getting close to me. I had a bad experience in an aviary years ago that has made me skittish when birds get too close. I have a particular path I follow when shopping at Target and get anxious if we stray off that path.
Anything else you want to add?
I love to connect with readers and ask for opinions on my Facebook page. Please feel free to stop and ask questions or participate in the conversations. Facebook.com/authorRebekahLyn. I also blog about my garden and cooking, when it’s not too hot to cook, on RebekahLynsKitchen.wordpress.com and I have gathered a collection of authors that also write inspirational fiction on my website, RebekahLynBooks.com.
Rebekah's Links:
Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/authorRebekahLyn
Twitter @RebekahLyn1
Blog http://rebekahlynskitchen.wordpress.com
Website http://rebekahlynbooks.com
Google+ https://plus.google.com/112199548267515667048/posts
Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/itsrebekahlyn/
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/AuthorRebekahLyn/videos
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5444665.Rebekah_Lyn
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Rebekah-Lyn/e/B00635OY94/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rebekah-Lyn/e/B00635OY94/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/rebekah-lyn/id585949022?mt=11&uo=4
Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Rebekah-Lyn?store=allproducts&keyword=Rebekah+Lyn
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/RebekahLyn
Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=Rebekah+lyn
Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/authorRebekahLyn
Twitter @RebekahLyn1
Blog http://rebekahlynskitchen.wordpress.com
Website http://rebekahlynbooks.com
Google+ https://plus.google.com/112199548267515667048/posts
Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/itsrebekahlyn/
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/AuthorRebekahLyn/videos
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5444665.Rebekah_Lyn
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Rebekah-Lyn/e/B00635OY94/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rebekah-Lyn/e/B00635OY94/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/rebekah-lyn/id585949022?mt=11&uo=4
Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Rebekah-Lyn?store=allproducts&keyword=Rebekah+Lyn
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/RebekahLyn
Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=Rebekah+lyn
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