Looking Out the Window: Brooke Williams Talks About After the Final Dandelion, Book Three in Her Series Based on Reality TV. She'll Give Away an E-book
A Warm Welcome to Brooke Williams
Brooke will give away an e-book of EITHER After the Final Dandelion (Book Three) OR Dandelions on the Road (Book Two) in the Dandelion Series. Winner's choice. To enter to win leave a comment and an e-mail address below.
Hi Brooke, first, tell us a little about yourself.
I was born and raised in Iowa, but somehow landed in Nebraska after college. I spent a decade in radio before I had my first little girl. At that time, I segued into freelance writing and the novel bug bit me. I began writing romantic comedies and haven’t stopped since. You can find some of my work in these titles: Wrong Place, Right Time, Accept this Dandelion, Mamarazzi, Backwards Christmas, Dandelions on the Road, and After the Final Dandelion.
Lots of writers loved to read as children. Were you an avid reader as a child? What did you read?
Oh yes. I used to memorize books before I could read and then “read” them to people to impress them. I loved Beverly Cleary books and Berenstein Bears.
Let's talk about your writing. Why do you write?
Because I can’t NOT write. Writing is like breathing to me. It’s good for me. As a mother to two young girls, I don’t get much that is just for me. Writing is. It’s my break, my stress reliever, and my fun away from being a mom!
Tell us about your latest book.
After the Final Dandelion is the third book in the Dandelion series. In the first book, we see a couple come together. Book 2, a second couple comes together. In the third book, we get to see what happens after these two couples have a happy ending. Here’s the blurb:
After Renee Lockhart appeared on the local TV dating show "Accept this Dandelion" and found the love of her life, she thought she was done with TV. But when she hears that the entire city has bets on how soon she and her fiancé will break up, she is determined to show that their love is meant to last. When Mike, the KETO producer, approaches her about airing the wedding live, she jumps at the chance. Once she is set up with a famous wedding coordinator, plans take a turn for the worse and the simple wedding they wanted becomes the event of the year. In the meantime, Eva Merida is dealing with her own life changing opportunity. Though she’s in love with her boyfriend, who she met on the second season of the dating show, she can’t turn down the chance to investigate a Hollywood TV show when offered a position. When she runs into an old flame, she questions the stability of her current relationship. Will Renee be able to prove her love for Ben to the city before her wedding falls apart? Who will Eva choose on her own emotional roller coaster? Hilarity ensues as the wedding of the decade melts into the disaster of the year. Because everyone knows weeds take over every garden…
Where do you get ideas for your books?
Lately, reality shows. I’m fascinated by the type of people who go on these shows and I always wonder what it would be like if someone crazy like me was on there. But I get inspiration for the little elements from daily life, clutzy people around me (hey, dad!) and just from my insane imagination!
In three words describe your style of writing.
Silly, light-hearted, fast
How do you get to know your characters?
I get to know them through their stories. I’m not good with character names, but their stories come to me and as they reveal more about what happened to them, their nature comes through.
What themes do you write about?
Love in a real way, somewhat. I mean, what real love story doesn’t have some embarrassing episodes behind it, right? My characters want love, but they get there in a real way that includes clumsy incidents and bumbles along the way! You’ll also see a theme of imperfection in my books. My characters are flawed. But the strongest ones are those that KNOW they’re flawed…and they’re OKAY with that!
What is your writing schedule and where do you write?
I am a full time mom first and foremost. But my older daughter is in elementary school and my younger daughter still naps. So I get 1-2 hours in the afternoon to work with when one is in school and the other asleep. I use that time to do my freelance writing for clients and, sometimes, to write fiction.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
It might feel hard to break into the writing industry and it is. But I guarantee you that you will NEVER break into it if you stop trying. Never give up. The right publisher is out there. It’s up to you to find them. Also, write because you love it. IF you enjoy it, keep at it. Do it for yourself. Readers will be able to feel how much you love it.
What would you be doing if you weren’t writing?
Taking a nap with my daughter.
Buy After the Final Dandelion here
Connect with Brooke on Facebook
and her web site
Comments
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Love the idea of "Dandelions" for your series and your line of, "weeds in every garden." LOL
Very nice interview, and it's great to meet you. Wishing you the best in your writing!
Gail, wonderful and informative post as always!
Thanks to both of you!