A day in the life of the author
I’m an early bird, so I usually wake up around seven a.m. I make myself a cup of tea (I’m not a big coffee person) and dive right into the writing or editing process. I like to do this first thing in the morning, because that’s when I have the most creative energy. If I try to write later in the day, I can’t focus and my mind wanders, because it’s already too cluttered from the other information I’ve consumed that day.
If I’m in the first draft phase, I set a timer for twenty minutes and write nonstop. Then I take a quick break—get a snack, stretch, etc.—before I do word sprints for another twenty minutes. I’ve tried a lot of productivity methods, but this works best for me. I use a timer I bought on Amazon that has no other functions. I used to use my phone, but that was too distracting, because every time I pick up my phone to start/stop the timer I end up scrolling through social media.
If I’m in the editing phase, I work chapter by chapter instead of setting a timer. I have three self-editing phases: 1) structural edit, where I add/cut out/change scenes and fill in plot holes, 2) stylistic edit, to polish the language and eliminate filler words, and 3) proofread for typos and grammar. After I finish self-editing, I send the manuscript to my beta readers, edit the manuscript based on their feedback, then send it off to a professional line editor and proofreader for the final polish. The structural edit takes the most time, and I usually have to do two or three passes at this before I move on to a stylistic edit.
I set goals of writing or editing three chapters a day. That’s my minimum. Once I hit that goal, I’ll either keep writing (if I’m in a flow) or work on other aspects of my business (if I’m burned out creatively for the day). Other aspects include working on my newsletter, social media, marketing strategy, and so on.
After I finish writing/editing for the day, I’ll take a longer break to read books outside my genre. I try to not to read romance stories when I’m in the first draft process so I don’t accidentally pick up character traits/plot lines for my own work, but I’ll reach for women’s fiction, thrillers, fantasy…anything except horror, really (I’m too much of a scaredy-cat for horror).
Finally, I end the day with a Netflix and ice cream session to relax!
About the author:
Ana Huang is an Amazon best-selling author of Young Adult, New Adult, and contemporary romance. Her books often feature strong heroines, sexy heroes, and Asian American characters.
The daughter of Chinese immigrants, Ana started writing stories at age five to improve her English skills (thanks to her mom’s encouragement). She picked up her first romance novel at age twelve by happy accident and never looked back.
Besides reading and writing, Ana loves traveling and learning about new cultures. She majored in international relations and her travels often inspire her story settings. For example, her novel If We Ever Meet Again was inspired by her own study abroad adventures in China.
Ana lives in New York, where she prefers cafe-hopping, exploring the city’s hidden gems, and binge-watching Netflix with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s over taking advantage of the city’s nightlife. She doesn’t drink coffee (gasp!) but absolutely lives for matcha and chai lattes.
Author links:
https://twitter.com/authoranahuang
https://www.facebook.com/authoranahuang/
https://www.anahuang.com/
https://www.instagram.com/authoranahuang/
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ana-huang
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5758632.Ana_Huang
If We Ever Meet Again
by Ana Huang
(If Love series, #1)
Publication date: June 30th 2020
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
One year, two opposites, and a love that will blindside and, ultimately, shatter them.
She’s an aspiring interior designer who dreams of falling in love.
He’s an ex-football star who thinks love is a con.
She’s a virgin, and he doesn’t do virgins.
He’s cocky, infuriating, and not her type.
She wants the fairytale.
He wants freedom.
Blake and Farrah shouldn’t have fallen for each other the way they did: totally, completely, and irrevocably.
Because they’re studying abroad in Shanghai, and they only have one year.
Because forces at home threaten to rip them apart, even if they don’t know it yet.
And because, eventually, they must face the most heartbreaking lesson they’ll ever learn: sometimes, even the greatest love can’t conquer all.
WARNING: This is the first book in a duet. It’s a full-length novel and there are no sudden cliffhangers, but Blake and Farrah’s story continues in book two, If the Sun Never Sets (due out July 2020), which takes place five years later. HEA guaranteed in the second book!
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53245720-if-we-ever-meet-again
Purchase:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3e6bnkV
Thanks for being on the tour! 🙂
Sounds really great
I like the cover…. it got my attention.
great book cover