Lauren Morill is one of those online friends who I’ve “known” for so long, I’m not even sure how we first found each other. We have a lot in common, though: Tennessee-born writers who were misplaced on the East Coast then recently found our way back to the South, married politics geeks, and are obsessed with athletic pursuits and awesome TV shows like Nashville. We’re even the same age! Lauren also leads a fascinating double life as Mona Mour, roller derby rock star with some impressive battle wounds to show for her exploits. Thus, when Lauren nabbed a three-book deal for a YA series she wrote (my favorite genre, as you know!), I just had to hit her up for a guest post. And you better believe I downloaded it on my Kindle the second it was released yesterday! For all you aspiring writers out there, here’s a glimpse at what a day in the life of a published author really looks like.
No day is really ever the same for a writer (I’m sure Kristin can tell you that!), and these days my life is even more insane. You see, while writing my first two books I was working full-time in admissions at Harvard. I’d work a full day, then often stay late at work, shut my office door, and write for another hour or two. But in July, my husband and I packed up our lives and moved to Macon, Ga. He’s heading up public radio for Mercer University’s new Center for Collaborative Journalism, and I’m now a writer full-time. I’m still trying to figure out what that means. Sometimes it includes a lot of outlining and drafting, but lately it’s been a lot of promo getting ready for the release of my debut YA novel, Meant to Be.
After my social media extravaganza, I usually shower and get dressed like a grown-up. I’m much more productive if I don’t live in my jammies. But after that, it’s back to the Internet. Twitter has become sort of a second home for me. It’s filled with my fellow author friends, editors and agents, and all my awesome readers and fan. I spend some time checking in and catching up with folks. I also have to spend some time going through emails, which usually include my editor, maybe something from my publicist, a whole list of emails from my debut authors group, and book bloggers who are requesting interviews or sending reviews.<12pm. Macon Magazine photo shoot.
Today I have to spend a little time getting gussied up, because a photographer is coming over to take a portrait for an upcoming feature in Macon Magazine. Getting my picture taken is my least favorite part of being an author, but the photographer is a pro. He makes me comfortable, snaps a few photos, and is gone in twenty minutes. Perfect!
Now it’s time for a much-needed break, which usually includes some time spent reading (I’m currently sucked into Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series), or catching up on Hulu. Today it’s an episode of The Vampire Diaries, my newest obsession, followed by Nashville. Anyone else all over this show? I downloaded a bunch of the songs, which are serving as my writing soundtrack for Only the Lonely. And if you’re a Vampire Diariesfan, you should look for me in the background of Episodes 6 and 7. I got to be an extra since the show films in Atlanta!5pm. Actual writing.
I spent my entire day with my author hat on and didn’t get to actually do any writing! So now it’s time to sit down, pen in hand, and work on the draft of Only the Lonely. I do a lot of long-hand writing, something I started after reading Stephen King’s On Writing. He argues that long-hand is good for drafting, because it forces you to slow down a little. I like it because I can type really fast, which means my thoughts and hands are almost always moving at the same pace. When the thought runs out, I’m left staring at a blinking cursor. Writing long hand gives my brain time to plot out the next paragraph as I’m frantically scrawling the last, which means I never have those moments of being stuck.
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LOVE THIS GUEST POST!!!! now i must get my hands on Meant To Be.
This was a really useful insight. I’m trying to write a YA Fiction novel and it’s a struggle. A good struggle that I am going to persevere with, but a struggle nonetheless.
I’ll look forward to reading Lauren’s book!
I like her advice on long-form writing. I am just a fast typist that I also fly across a page and then am left stumped. Perhaps hand-writing (which takes me foreeeeeever) is the answer!
Good luck on your first YA novel! If ever I were to write fiction, that would be the genre I’d want to pursue, as well.
As a journalist currently working on a novel for NaNoWriMo, I LOVED this post! This sounds like me on the days I don’t have to go to my office job (also writing/social media strategizing), minus the photo shoots and chats with publicists haha.
People have asked me before to write my own A Day in the Life, but my day-to-day as a writer/journalist is so boring, I really don’t think they’d want to read about the 717 times I check Facebook…an hour =)
haha right? The life of a journalist is not so glamorous.
“Then I pull a Tom Haverford and scroll through Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook and Instagram, and check in on my Google Reader.” Hilarious! Looking forward to reading the book.
Not only a good writer, but she’s witty, too!
Great guest post! MTB gets great reviews! I’m definitely going to pick it up before my trip to the beach next week. Thanks!
I’ll be at the beach, too, in just five days. I’ve been saving it for then!
I’ve been reading a lot of interview posts lately, (including one I answered myself for another blogger…gulp!) but this is one of the best ones I’ve read in a while. Part of it is the pictures. (Super cuteness!) But also it’s because while I learned something about being a writer, I also learned something about Lauren in the process of learning about a writer, if that makes any sense. Moral of the story, thanks for making me look lame before mine is even published.
Yours will be just as awesome because you’re you. Tell me when you’re ready to write it =)
Great guest post! I like long-hand too because you can jot down notes and write arrows all over the page, something you can’t do with a computer!
I’m not good at long-hand writing (arthritis, blah), but I do like editing with a red pen in hand! If I have long pieces due, I will print them out and tear them apart with said red pen.
Oh man, I JUST READ THIS. I totally would have been there last night at Union Ave. Books! Sorry I missed you, Lauren, but I’ll definitely pick up your book.
Bummer! And by the way, if your job would allow you, I think it would be cool to have you write a Day in the Life post at some point. No pressure, but if you want to do it, let me know!
I don’t think it would be a problem — I’m not sure anyone would find it interesting, though! But if you want, I’d be happy to do it.
Great article! Thank you so much for sharing your typical day, Lauren… you put a smile on my face (especially with those adorable photos, of which I adored the one of you screaming with your manuscript in hand).
I think the life of authors… as well as those trying to get out their first book, can be like living on a roller coaster that never stops. Lucky for me, I like roller coasters!
Best wishes on your books and continued journey as a writer, Lauren.
Glad I found this blog, Kristen… thanks to Andi Fisher’s Tweet. I look forward to future posts of yours, Kirsten.
My Best,
Bellanda
Any friend of Andi’s is a friend of mine! And while I’ve never written fiction, I’ve written 20 or so guidebooks, so I’ve had many of those AHHHH moments Lauren demonstrated above where you just want to hit yourself over the head =)
I think I just found my next holiday-reading book! Any author (or person) that likes The Vampire Diaries and Nashville is someone who is my kind of people! Clearly, I’m meant to read the book!
AH! So jealous she got to be an extra on Vampire Diaries!! My favorite show! One of my secret life ambitions (that I have done absolutely nothing about) is to be an extra on a show or movie that I would actually watch. And looks like I’ve got a new book for my Christmas list; thanks!
This is such an awesome post on so many levels. I’m working on two books: a piece of adult fiction and one for young adults. Both are challenging, but both leave me invigorated once I’ve devoted time to my passion projects. Thanks for sharing!
Loved this interview and now I’m inspired to write in long-hand!!!