Today we have Bailey Bradford visiting Love Bytes to talk about the release of Off Course
Setting the scene for writing
Hi, I’m Bailey and I’ve got a new series out, Coyote’s Call. Yes, it’s a shifter series. I do love shifters! The first book in the series is Off Course, because Gideon Wells, a bear shifter, finds himself lost and floundering. Miller Hudson, a coyote shifter who can’t shift, finds Gideon, and their lives are forever altered. I hope you’ll give Coyote’s Call: Off Coursea chance.
Writing is different for every author, I’d guess, but can’t speak for anyone else. I’ve seen authors mention playlists, things they do while writing to help them along, and I’m a little envious of the ones who can listen to music and write. I sure can’t. There’ll be a Word doc full of song lyrics if I tried.
Yes, attention span of a gnat here.
So when I’m writing, I have my own scene I like to set. I have the artificial lights off and the blinds open to let in the sun during the day. Fresh flowers in a vase where I can see them, because flowers are beautiful and they make me happy. No music, or TV, because that’s a recipe for writing disaster for me.
An uncluttered desk is a necessity. Nothing there but my notebook with story notes, a pen, and the laptop or desktop, keyboard and mouse. And coffee or water. Sometimes there’s fruit or chocolate for break times.
It’s important for me to have quiet, and as few interruptions as possible. Have you ever been reading a book and had someone interfere in that? And it kind of breaks up the reading flow? That’s how it is when I write. I reckon I write like I read—in great, gluttonous sessions. I can sit like that and write for hours, although I do set an alarm on my phone so I’ll remember to get up and move around now and then.
To this end, my family is great about helping. They make sure I eat, and have human contact—okay, I’m not that reclusive when I write, but it’s a close thing. My friends will tell you I warn everyone I’m on a writing lockdown, and I go Internet silent until I’m done. There is nothing quite like the feeling I get when I finish a book. It’s incredible, like an endorphin high without the exercising, although my fingers and wrists get a great workout. Man, that could be read so wrong. Heh. Also, in case it isn’t obvious, I have a dirty mind. It’s kept me entertained for decades and I’m thrilled to get to share it with readers 😀
That’s my writing method, how I set my scene to accomplish what I set out to accomplish. It may be a bit (or more) odd, but I like it, and I hope y’all like the end results!
Blurb for Off Course:
This is book one in the Coyote’s Call series, see the full series listing here
Gideon’s worst night ever starts out with a bang that will change his whole life.
Gideon Wells has been cast out of his bear shifter clan for being a curse, and he’s inclined to believe they’re right. After all, everything from fertility rates to shifting abilities has gone down the tube since he was born. Then when his car catches fire and mutant scorpions—he thinks they’re mutants, anyway—almost get him, he’s more certain than ever that he’s bad news.
Not that he’s just going to roll over and die.
Ignoring a prophecy might not be wise, but coyote shifter Miller Hudson has seen and heard too many false prophecies to put any faith in the one proclaiming him to be the alpha and—along with a mystery bear mate—the saviour of the now defunct coyote den he grew up in. Besides, there’s no need for the den to be brought back together. None of them can shift, so what’s the point?
The buzzards circling overhead on the far edge of his property lead him to the very last thing he ever expected to find.
Reader Advisory: This book contains references to and threats of assault and rape, scenes of fisting and mild BDSM.
Like the sound of Off Course? Buy it here: Totally Bound
About Bailey Bradford:
A native Texan, Bailey spends her days spinning stories around in her head, which has contributed to more than one incident of tripping over her own feet. Evenings are reserved for pounding away at the keyboard, as are early morning hours. Sleep? Doesn’t happen much. Writing is too much fun, and there are too many characters bouncing about, tapping on Bailey’s brain demanding to be let out.
Caffeine and chocolate are permanent fixtures in Bailey’s office and are never far from hand at any given time. Removing either of those necessities from Bailey’s presence can result in what is known as A Very, Very Scary Bailey and is not advised under any circumstances.
