About Heather Lin:
I’ve been writing romance and erotica since 2008, everything from sweet contemporary to rough and tumble futuristic to short stories that are nothing but heat! I graduated from college in 2010 with a degree in English Literary Studies, and I settled down with my husband in rural Delaware, where honeysuckle and mulberries are in abundance! We’re expecting our first child in July 2015. I’m not sure how the dog feels about it.
What inspires you to write?
Everything. I love writing things that let me relive a feeling, whether it’s excitement, sensuality, or nostalgia. I’ve been inspired by songs, personal stories, and the stories of screenwriters and fellow authors. Much of my debut novella, Westridge, was inspired by my childhood memories and family.
Tell us about your writing process.
I tend to have a very vague idea of how the story will go before I start writing. I’ll have certain scenes sorted out in my head, and I’ll know how I want it to end. Where to begin is sometimes difficult for me, and I may rewrite the first chapter several times before I decide I like it! However, I always try to stay flexible. Sometimes, my characters take the story places I couldn’t have imagined.
What advice would you give other writers?
Write for yourself and not for success. If success comes, great, but you can drive yourself CRAZY trying to compete with other authors in the field, and you may very well lose what makes you special in your desire to become marketable. Just write for you, the way you love, and be proud! Chances are, readers will love it, too.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
The first story I ever submitted to a contest won in one of the lower-tiered categories. After that, the submission process became a tad addictive! Every rejection was a challenge, and every acceptance a major victory/confidence boost. I decided to submit a novel (The System) and a novella (Westridge) to a small publisher, and they were accepted. However, I could feel myself getting too caught up in trying to make myself marketable, and when the publisher went under I decided self-publishing would be a better choice for me. I could still write and share my work with my readers, but I didn’t have to worry so much about pleasing other people or worrying about a publisher’s reputability. I still very much enjoy the submission process for short stories, but at this point in time, self-publishing works for me.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
Self-publishing through Kindle seems to be the best way for romance authors to kick off their careers at the moment. However, I am a longtime lover of paperback novels, of getting to hold and smell and experience books without the aid of an ereader. I think there will always be people who prefer holding books in their hands, so there will always be a place for the printed page. Sadly, however, there may not be so many opportunities for book stores to stay in business when everything is so accessible online. It’s a truth I still like to deny most of the time.
What do you use?: Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: contemporary romance, futuristic romance, erotica
What formats are your books in?: eBook
Website(s)
Heather Lin Home Page Link
Link To Heather Lin Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on other site
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Twitter
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit, to allow you, the reader, to hear the author in their own voice.
