Quinn Anderson on the Challenges of Writing and her latest release, ‘Hotline’ (author guest post and giveaway)

Hotline by Quinn Anderson
Riptide Publishing
Cover art by L.C. Chase
Read an Excerpt/Buy it Here

Hello, everyone! This is Quinn Anderson, author of the Murmur Inc. series, and I’m here to share some inside information about, Hotline, coming out October 31st. Stay tuned to hear about where I get my ideas, writing comedy, and how I went “undercover” as a sex worker to research my novels. Leave comments on the tour posts for a chance to win a $10 Riptide Publishing gift card! 

What about Writing is Easiest vs. Most Difficult?

by Quinn Anderson

I’m very fortunate. Two of the things that many authors consider to be the most difficult are the easiest for me. 1) Coming up with titles (I often think of a title before I’ve even conceived of a book to go with it), and 2) actually sitting down and writing every day. I don’t always write much—a thousand words here or there—but I do it whenever I have a spare moment. Even when I’m taking a break from writing, I have a little voice in the back of my head that’s always urging me to get some work done. I also don’t get writer’s block, or at least, I haven’t yet. Knock on wood. I plan out my books in their entirety long before I start typing. They don’t always end up how I planned—in fact, they seldom do—but I always know the general direction in which I’m headed. It makes it a little more difficult to get lost along the way.

The hardest parts for me are staying in character and actually communicating my thoughts. I don’t usually write about my personal experiences, so I often have to rely on my characters to guide me through whatever scene I’m writing. That can be difficult if the character and I don’t see eye to eye on what should be done. I’m an outgoing person, so writing shy characters in particular is frustrating for me, because I want to write them standing up for themselves and stickin’ it to the man, but I know that isn’t always (or ever) what they’d do. It’s hard to watch them get passed over or mistreated and not be able to do anything about it! The other issue I have is that I often want to communicate a very specific emotion or idea, but I’ll want to do it in a way that’s far too convoluted. I’ll get notes back from my editors saying, “I get what you’re going for here, but this idea is too clunky” and then I end up staring at it in frustration until I decide it’s not worth it and delete it.

Bonus round: I consider writing angst to be very difficult. It makes me all squirmy. If you’re a fan of my work, you’ll notice my books are often very low angst. I just don’t want anything bad to happen to anyone! And I’m holding the pen, so thankfully it’s my call. Although, I think I put my character through a fair amount of grief anyway.

About Hotline

Zack never intended to become a phone sex operator, but with half a college degree and a smart mouth, his options were limited. It helps that he has a knack for thinking on his feet and a willingness to roll with whatever his clients throw at him. Sure, he gets his fair share of creeps and unconventional requests, but it pays the bills, and he’s in no danger of breaking his one rule: never fall for a client.

Until a man named “John” starts calling, and Zack finds himself interested in more than a paycheck. It’s not just that John has money, or that his rumbling baritone drives Zack wild. He’s everything Zack isn’t: educated, poised, and in total control of his life.

A twist of fate brings them face-to-face, and now that they’ve seen each other—and spent an unforgettable night together—they can’t go back to the way things were. A sex worker and a trust fund brat . . . It’s like Romeo and Juliet, but with less stabbing and slightly fewer dick jokes. Hopefully they can pull off a more successful ending.

Hotline is available from Riptide Publishing. http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/hotline

About Quinn Anderson

Quinn Anderson is an alumna of the University of Dublin in Ireland and has a master’s degree in psychology. She wrote her dissertation on sexuality in popular literature and continues to explore evolving themes in erotica in her professional life.

A nerd extraordinaire, she was raised on an unhealthy diet of video games, anime, pop culture, and comics from infancy. She stays true to her nerd roots in writing and in life and frequently draws inspiration from her many fandoms, which include Sherlock, Harry Potter, Supernatural, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Buffy, Marvel, and more. You will often find her interacting with fellow fans online and offline via conventions and tumblr, and she is happy to talk about anything from nerd life to writing tips. She has attended conventions on three separate continents and now considers herself a career geek. She advises anyone who attends pop culture events in the UK to watch out for Weeping Angels, as they are everywhere.

Her favorite television show is Avatar: the Last Airbender, her favorite film is Tangled, and her favorite book is Ella Enchanted. She can often be spotted at conventions, comic shops, and midnight book releases. If you’re at an event, and you see a 6’2” redhead wandering around with a vague look on her face, that’s probably her. Her favorite authors include J.K. Rowling, Gail Carson Levine, Libba Bray, and Tamora Pierce. When she’s not writing, she enjoys traveling, cooking, spending too much time on the internet, screwing the rules, finding the Master Sword, guided falling, consulting for the NYPD, guarding the galaxy, boldly going, and catching ’em all.

Connect with Quinn:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorQuinnAnderson/
• Tumblr: quinnandersonwrites

Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Hotline, one lucky winner will receive $10 in Riptide credit! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on November 5, 2016. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!