Writer Routine Wednesday: Tricia Mills

Hey, all you writers and readers!
It's another week of my new blog segment: Writer Routine Wednesday, where every Wednesday from now until September 8th, 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!
Yes, only two more authors left! What will I do with myself after this blog segment is done? We'll cross that bridge then. :)
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Please welcome author Tricia Mills today and hear about her writing routine!

BIO: I began writing romance when I was in college, but I got serious about writing and trying to get published when my local RWA chapter was formed in 1996. It took me 11 years and lots of manuscripts before I finally sold two young adult novels to Razorbill in July 2007 (written as Tricia Mills) and two contemporary romances to Harlequin American in October 2007 (written under Trish Milburn).
In the years leading up to selling, I finaled in RWA's Golden Heart contest (the top award for unpublished romance novels) eight times, winning twice. My second Harlequin American, Her Very Own Family, recently won the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, which was very exciting.

FMI please visit her website.


Thanks for stopping by, Tricia!


**Describe a “typical” writing day for yourself. For example: Do you get up have your coffee, check e-mail, then write to a certain time? Do you have a set word or page goal when you do write?
I'm not normally a crack-of-dawn riser, so I typically get out of bed around 8 when my husband goes to work, fix my breakfast (typically some fruit) and sit down to read e-mail and read/comment on blogs until around 9. I just recently joined the YMCA, so depending on what I want to do there on that day (certain classes at certain times), I work around that. For instance, if I go to the noon yoga class, I might get in a couple of hours of writing/editing and then check e-mail again for anything pressing before I head to the Y.
Really, after that first hour of my day, the rest of the day is flexible depending on what I have to do -- write, edit, freelance work, yard work, house cleaning, travel, RWA board duties, etc. I typically take a lunch break and watch something I've recorded on my TiVo while I eat.

**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.
Until early 2005, I worked as a magazine writer and editor. I still do freelance work for them, but I mainly work on my fiction writing. We don't have kids, so no mommie duties.

**Are you a laptop, PC, Alphasmart, or by hand kind of writer?
Laptop. It's kind of funny, but I do most of my Internet, e-mail, blogs, Facebook, etc., on my desktop computer, but I don't write on it.

**Plotter or panster? If you’re a plotter, how much time do think you put into plotting before writing.
I'm somewhere in between. I have to plot some because I have to do outlines and partials to sell to my publishers.

**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 do like to collage. And I didn't think I would, but I did one at a retreat I was at once and loved it. I don't typically listen to music when I write. I'm too easily distracted. I love movie and TV soundtracks though, and those can inspire story ideas.

**What’s your favorite book on writing?
Hmm, it's been awhile since I've read one, but I'd say Stephen King's "On Writing".

**What’s your favorite fiction book you’ve read so far this year?
Can I mention three? :) Lover Mine by J.R. Ward, New Blood by Gail Dayton and Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. That's two paranormals and a young adult post-apocalyptic.

**What’s your favorite way to reward yourself after you’ve finished writing a book?
Going to the movies (I love seeing movies on the big screen) and getting a massage (to get out all the kinks from sitting at the computer).



Thanks so much, Tricia! I think I'm about due for a massage too! :)

Guess what? Tricia has a new YA release this month!

It's set in Alaska and is entitled WINTER LONGING.

Here's a little bit about it:

Winter Craig finally gets up the nerve and tells her long-time friend Spencer that she likes him as more than a friend. The best part? Spencer likes her as more than a friend too. With the perfect boy to love and be loved by, she begins her senior year at her small Alaska school and indulges in the dream of becoming a costume designer for the movie industry.
Life is perfect — until tragedy strikes.
Winter’s perfect life turns upside down as she deals with an unbearable loss, doubts about her future, a best friend whose home life is getting worse by the day, and unexpected feelings for an unexpected boy.


Check out the trailer!



Available at Amazon.com


CONTEST: Tricia has generously offered to giveaway a copy of her first YA book HEARTBREAK RIVER to some lucky commenter!






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 own writing routine!