About Lindsey Pogue:
I'm Lindsey – dyslexic author, humanitarian, world-traveller, and cowgirl at heart. I love history, tacos, and a nice cold gin lemonade on a warm summer night. Sunsets feed my soul, rain calms my spirit, and the heroes of everyday inspire my stories.
I completed my first New Adult manuscript in high school and I've been writing tales of love and friendship, history and adventure ever since. When I'm not chatting with readers, plotting my next storyline, or dreaming up new, brooding characters, you can find me wrapped in blankets watching my favorite action flicks with my own leading man.
My husband and I live in Northern California with our rescue cat, Beast.
What inspires you to write?
I had a tumultuous childhood, and I think that's where my desire to lose myself in a world of my own creation stems from. Each one of my characters are special to me in some way and shaped by the people around, whether they be strangers or loved one. If a story is extra special to me, I always include an Author's Note explaining why. After all, it's the experiences in my life that have shaped the person I am and the writer I've become.
Tell us about your writing process.
Oh boy. Well, I'm dyslexic so it's a long and tedious process for me. I have a wine night with a close friend and bounce ideas around to make sure it's an interesting story idea before I even start. Then I outline using Scrivener or Google Docs (which is an evolving process for me; I haven't found "the way" that works best for me yet). I write the first draft in Google Docs, then I revise the full manuscript in Word and send it to beta readers. I revise again incorporating their feedback, send the manuscript to my editor, read through it again when I get it back, and send the manuscript to a proof reader. Trust me, it always needs it. I just have to hope I don't screw anything up going in to make any final changes. Then I finally publish. It takes me months, but I work on other projects while my editor and beta readers have my WIP for a few weeks at a time. I can generally get a couple books out a year, and sometimes a novella too. I have a day job, so my writing time is limited…for now 🙂
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Character development is so important and really difficult for me. So, I create character image boards and playlists to help me stay focused and attentive to them and their needs. Trust me, they always have them 🙂
What advice would you give other writers?
Do it! Whatever is knocking around in your head, get it out. Start with a title page or dedication if you're not sure what else to do. It all starts with a single word and turns into a sentence. No matter how bad you think it might be, it's better than nothing. Writing is a craft that continues to develop, but we all start somewhere. The trick is to ACTUALLY start. It sounds simple but it's true. The crappy first draft is the hardest and most important step. If you can do that, the rest will follow.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I wrote my first manuscript in high school but never did anything with it because I was scared of failure and didn't know what resources were out there. Eventually, I co-authored a story which changed everything. Co-authoring isn't easy, in fact it's REALLY hard trying to meld two personalities and writing methods together for one creative project, but it worked in the end. Having a co-author who was equally bought-in to the project made it less daunting and more fun. We embraced our "failures" together and celebrated our successes. It was the best decision I've ever made because it's led to 12+ books and a popular series that put me on the map so I'm able to write on my own and explore new worlds and characters. Without co-authoring, I might never have published anything. We chose self-publishing knowing we would have way more control over our book, from cover to pricing, release, deadlines, and so on. I haven't regretted it yet.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
The self-publishing world is changing SO quickly, it's hard to say what it will look like in a month, let alone in a year. I've been published since 2013 and it's been a crazy, undulating ride and difficult to keep up with. I know a ton of traditionally published (very well known) authors who have switched to self-pub in order to have more control of their work. That being said, there are more books affordable books for readers, easily accessible, there are less hardcovers though paperbacks will be around for a long while yet, and there's definitely more competition for indie authors to get noticed in a sea of new books, which is good for readers, even if it's difficult for us.
What do you use?: Co-writer, Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: Post-apocalyptic, contemporary romance, historical adventure
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print, Audiobook
Website(s)
Lindsey Pogue Home Page Link
Link To Lindsey Pogue Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on Book Bub
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
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.
