Writer Routine Wednesday: Rhonda Stapleton

Hey, all!

It's another week of my new blog segment:Writer Routine Wednesday, where every Wednesday from now until the end of August, I will host an author. We'll get to know them better and their books as well as hear them describe their usual writing routine.

Maybe you'll pick up an idea they use for yourself!Lots of great prizes are scheduled too!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, please welcome YA author Rhonda Stapleton today and hear about her writing routine!

BIO: Rhonda Stapleton is the author of a teen romantic comedy trilogy--STUPID CUPID, FLIRTING WITH DISASTER, and PUCKER UP. All are out now with Simon Pulse.

For more information visit: http://www.rhondastapleton.com/

Thanks for stopping by, Rhonda!

Please describe a “typical” writing day for yourself. Usually, I plan ahead what my goals will be: anywhere from 3-6 pages a day, 5 days a week (depending on the production schedule). I can get a book written in 2-3 months this way. I usually write in the evenings or when I can sneak time in during the day. It only takes me about an hour to write 3 pages.

Do you have another job outside of writing? (Being a mommie definitely counts!!) If the answer is yes, describe how you balance the two and how much time you devote to each.

I have a bunch of jobs, LOL. I'm an editor for a legal publishing company. I'm also a freelance editor for Carina Press (Harlequin's new e-publishing imprint). I teach first-year composition at a community college. I have two kids, and I also squeeze in time to write. Basically, I do a lot of time management--when I'm doing one particular thing, I focus on that thing only so I don't feel guilty about not giving it 100% of what I have.

Are you a laptop, PC, Alphasmart, or by hand kind of writer? Totally a laptop writer. I type way faster than I write out by hand.

Plotter or panster? If you’re a plotter, how much time do think you put into plotting before writing. Plotter all the way. I like to plot pretty much the whole book before I write so I don't feel like I'm diving in blind. I still leave room for creativity though.

Some writers make collages or listen to or create music soundtracks for their work-in-progress? Do you do any of those or have you thought about doing one of them? I don't have a soundtrack, per se--I just try to pick songs that evoke the mood I'm going for. I find it highly effective in helping generate that mood in me so I can try to capture it in my pages.

What’s your favorite book on writing? Oooooh I like Julia Cameron's book THE ARTIST'S JOURNEY. It's all about treating yourself well and nurturing the writer in you.

What’s your favorite fiction book you’ve read so far this year? Wow, this is HARD. Um, I don't know if I can pick just one, but I loooooved SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater.

What’s your favorite way to reward yourself after you’ve finished writing a book? Buy a book and go out to dinner. LOL. :D

Thank you, Rhonda, so much for sharing a little of your writing routine and life with us today!

Rhonda's new book PUCKER UP is out now on Amazon and a book store near you!

Here's a little bit about it:

Felicity can't believe her luck. Her longtime crush is now officially her boyfriend, and just in time for prom. Felicity isn't just smitten with Derek, she's head-over-heels in love. So when she learns that her boss at Cupid's Hollow used cupid magic to make Derek fall for her, Felicity is devastated. What will happen when the magic wears off? Felicity has only two weeks to win Derek's heart for real—no matter what it takes!

CONTEST: Rhonda has generously offered to give away a copy of her teen book PUCKER UP.

Please leave a comment below to be entered to win. The giveaway contest will run from now until Thursday 11:59PM (EST). I will announce the lucky winner this Friday!

Good luck and get into your writing routine!