BLOG TOUR
Book Title: That Feeling When
Author: S. M. James
Publisher: May Books
Cover Artist: Story Styling
Genre/s: YA, LGBT, contemporary romance
Length: 77,000 Words/343 pages
Release Date: September 16, 2018 (Available now in paperback)
Blurb
Dance Academy reject, Archie Corrigan, resents the stereotype guy ballet dancers are gay. Because he isn’t. At all. Forced to reassess his life goal at Camp Crystal Cove, it’s by sheer dumb luck he meets Landon Summers, who turns everything Archie was sure of into chaos.
Poor boy turned teen heartthrob, Landon Summers, is the name on everyone’s lips. With his unexpected leap to fame, his agent advises him to keep his bi status on the down low. Not a problem! Until Landon meets Archie.
Their unexpected friendship leads to an inevitable kiss, but their moment is caught in high definition and used as fuel for blackmail. If the truth gets out, Landon’s career could be over, and Archie will be forced to acknowledge the one thing he’s fought to deny.
But how do you go back to your average life once you’ve experienced That Feeling When … you’re finally happy?
Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited
ADVICE FOR NEW WRITERS
One of the questions authors tend to get asked a lot is: “what advice do you have for someone who wants to write a book?”
Let me just say, there are so many answers to this question, it’s kind of hard to know where to start. And even though That Feeling When is my debut novel, it’s actually the fifth I’ve finished—and I’m about to start my eighth. I’ve been at this a while now (probably longer than I want to talk about), which makes me just barely qualified to give any kind of advice.
So below are my top four ‘tips’ for someone who wants to write a book.
- A lot. (*cough* That Feeling When *cough*)
The first thing you should do is read books in your genre. Figure out what you like, what you don’t like. Are there any necessary tropes? Cringe-worthy clichés? What makes the author’s ‘voice’ unique. Start to nail down what it is that makes a book come alive for you.
Then read outside the genre. Push your comfort zone, and focus in on how writers make you feel. Check the pacing, the characterisation. Look at the little details.
Next, read books on craft, and story structure. This part is so important. One of the main critiques I give authors is to check out the seven act structure and create a loose plan for your book around that. If you don’t know what a plot or pinch point is, or what their purpose for your story should be, you might want to check it out. I used to think I didn’t need ‘the rules’. I was wrong.
- Research
You’ve got an idea, right? Or a character? Or just a setting so vivid you need to get it down in words? Great! It’s such an exciting point in a writer’s career—that little nugget of a story that just won’t let you go.
But here’s the thing: everyone has ideas. A lot of people have the same ideas. I know I’m not the first person to write a summer camp romance.
You need to do your research. Check out your intended market, then search what books out there are like yours. Goodreads is great for this because of their ‘tag’ system.
The more information you gather, the more you can make your book unique. Give your world and your characters little details. Have them react to ‘regular’ events in an unexpected way. The more layers you add to your world, the more you make it your own.
- Terribly.
One of the main reasons a book doesn’t get written, is because writers police themselves. I’ve definitely fallen into the trap of getting too far into my head, that instead of writing 1000 words like I planned, I’ve ended up with 100. It’s no fun.
Instead, enjoy the process. Get that first draft written, then go back and apply everything you’ve learnt through reading. Check all those places you wanted to add emotion, or suspense, and make sure it happens. Edit until your writing shines.
- Assemble your team
Once your first draft is finished, you’re only part of the way there. Sorry. Unfortunately, writers become blind to their story’s faults, and that’s where beta readers come in. You need to be very clear around what you want from them, and if they tell you a part isn’t working—get upset for a millisecond—then move on. Not much in this business is personal, but if you’ve ever planning on releasing the book you’ve worked so hard on, you better be prepared for someone to take issue with you, your book, your cat, and your neighbour’s, brother’s uncle or some shit. Point is, not everyone will love your book. And that’s okay. But you need to have a team with the kind of wonderful tough love, who will push your book to be the best it can possibly be. For the record, I love the eff out of my beta readers. And That Feeling When would be NOTHING without them.
So those are the four pointers I started with. Everyone has a different mountain to climb, and what worked for me, might be pointless for you (though I’ve tried to focus on pretty big-picture stuff). The literal only indisputable piece of advice I can give you is: if you want to write a book, write it. Otherwise you never will.
And because I can’t think of an interesting enough segue for some shameless self promo—did you know That Feeling When is out? Woo!
If you’re a fan of fun banter and sweet characters who have to overcome everything—including blackmail—to be together, then check it out.
Landon Summers is into guys. I think he likes you.
And while Meredith didn’t say anything about me, there was something way too
knowing in her look. Everyone else seems too into their own lives to be paying us any
attention, and even when we’re announced winners of the trivia, my celebration doesn’t
crack the surface chill that’s taken over me.
Meredith’s wrapped her arm through mine, and she’s cheering with the others, one hand
in the air.
I’m a week in the past. Watching Landon pull on that stupid costume in the dark. The
spark in his eyes as he thanked me. The brush of his skin on mine.
How was that only a week ago?
Why can’t I go back and enjoy that moment more? Savor my time with him?
Really take it all in, before he went and messed it all up.
SM James in an Australian author who writes books for teens about squishy sweet characters. While not writing, SM is a readaholic and netflix addict who regularly lives on a sustainable diet of chocolate and coffee. Member of SCBWI. Unapologetically dishing out HEAs for LGBT+ characters.
Social Media Links
Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win one of the following prizes:
1 x Paperback copy of That Feeling When (US only)
2 x $15 Amazon gift card (international)
3 x eBook copy of That Feeling When (international)
