Interview with author of Just Sing
René Gilley
Just Sing was my first
book and I did a rough outline and then starting writing. About a third of the
way through I realized I needed some structure. Around that same time, I went
to the San Diego State Writer’s Conference and in the workshops there, I got a
few good plot tools. After I finished my first draft, I took an intense editing
course and that’s when I discovered the wonderment of a beat sheet. A beat
sheet and a pre-writing checklist are now my go to items for writing. It can be
a bit of work up front, but it’s worth it since it’s like a road map for my
books. With that said, I do have some punster tendencies when I write so I give
myself the artistic license to go back and revise my beat sheet as things come
to me while I’m writing.
I
know every aspiring author hears it every day, but I cannot stress it enough.
Never give up. If your current story doesn’t get you a book deal or an agent or
you feel isn’t good enough to self-publishing, then shelve it and move on. I
shelved Just Sing once and now it’s
getting published. Also, I think that everyone has a different path, and
everyone has to figure out if their path is right for them. Just make sure
you’re okay with that decision. If you want an agent and that’s your goal, keep
trying, if not with your current book then write another one. You can always
come back to that book. If you want to self-pub, that’s great, but make sure
you don’t regret your decision. One of my critique partners always tells me
that you only get one debut, make sure it’s the one you want as your first
impression with your readers.
René Gilley
1.
Tell me about your writing process.
Just Sing was my first
book and I did a rough outline and then starting writing. About a third of the
way through I realized I needed some structure. Around that same time, I went
to the San Diego State Writer’s Conference and in the workshops there, I got a
few good plot tools. After I finished my first draft, I took an intense editing
course and that’s when I discovered the wonderment of a beat sheet. A beat
sheet and a pre-writing checklist are now my go to items for writing. It can be
a bit of work up front, but it’s worth it since it’s like a road map for my
books. With that said, I do have some punster tendencies when I write so I give
myself the artistic license to go back and revise my beat sheet as things come
to me while I’m writing.
2. How do you get
involved or immersed in your story world?
This
may make me sound like a loon, but I seriously think of my story and my
characters so much they’re like imaginary friends. I think my character
development is one of my strengths and I would consider my stories very
character driven. I actually write back-story for my characters and if someone asks,
I can give them my character’s full history. When I wrote Just Sing, I had these characters in mind and I build a world for
them, so I’d say I start with strong likable characters and build from there.
3. What inspired you to
write "Just Sing?"
I
had these characters and built a world for them. Just Sing is a combination of several facets of my life. It’s set
in California, which I lived in my whole life--half the time in Northern
California and half the time in Southern California. I currently live in LA and
have known some people who have had the dream to be a singer and I actually
used to do finances for a Hollywood studio. Lastly, I grew up in a small town
and pulled that small town/ranch feel into my story. You mix all of that up and
poof, my characters, Lily and Aiden, had a playground.
4. Would you share with
me about your publication journey?
I
know every aspiring author hears it every day, but I cannot stress it enough.
Never give up. If your current story doesn’t get you a book deal or an agent or
you feel isn’t good enough to self-publishing, then shelve it and move on. I
shelved Just Sing once and now it’s
getting published. Also, I think that everyone has a different path, and
everyone has to figure out if their path is right for them. Just make sure
you’re okay with that decision. If you want an agent and that’s your goal, keep
trying, if not with your current book then write another one. You can always
come back to that book. If you want to self-pub, that’s great, but make sure
you don’t regret your decision. One of my critique partners always tells me
that you only get one debut, make sure it’s the one you want as your first
impression with your readers.
5. And lastly, are you
working on any new ideas? What are your future plans?
I am one of
those people that has more ideas than time. But next on my plate is a new adult
contemporary. I think it’s an original storyline and I’m hoping to share it
with the world soon. Also, I’m working on the next book after Just Sing, it’s called Going Home.
Just Sing
Book Oneof the
Seven Oaks Series
by
René Gilley
“Follow you dreams, follow your heart, love your family and Just Sing."
Release Date: 5th June 2014
Genre: Young Adult/Performing Arts/Music
Published by: The Writers Coffee Shop
Available from: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and TWCS PH
Summary:
Sixteen-year-old Lily O’Brien has one goal in life—to sing. Her dream is to get into a top notch college vocal program, but the summer before her junior year, her high school cuts their awarding-winning vocal ensemble. She might as well kiss her dreams goodbye.
Sixteen-year-old Lily O’Brien has one goal in life—to sing. Her dream is to get into a top notch college vocal program, but the summer before her junior year, her high school cuts their awarding-winning vocal ensemble. She might as well kiss her dreams goodbye.
When the snobby new neighbors move into their mansion up the hill, Lily is positive summer can’t get any worse, and she’s determined to hate and ignore them—until she meets Aiden.
He’s broken and beautiful, and they become reluctant friends. Through her newfound friendship, she finds the strength to step outside the comfort of her plan and follow her dream.
But when Lily’s family is about to lose their home, she puts her wishes aside and finds the answer to save their generations-old ranch in the last place she expected.Author Bio:
By day, René Gilley works as a portfolio manager for a Fortune 50 company, but her nights and weekends are spent writing young adult and new adult romance books. Her brain never shuts off—always dreaming up new situations her characters can get into. 
Her California home is often the backdrop for her books. Her debut novel, Just Sing of the SEVEN OAKS SERIES, was years in the making. Like her character, René seeing Just Sing being published is a dream come true.
Video Trailer:
Praise:
Just Sing evolves mostly around Lily’s struggle with her family, the reality of her dreams, and her first relationship issues with the neighbors’ son Aiden. Honestly Lily is a truly amazing... She is strong-willed and her loyalty and love for her family is admirable. -Between Dreams and Reality Blog
With the popularity of shows like American Idol and The Voice, Gilley's Just Sing promises to bring high engagement to any YA reader who dreams of the stage, lives the stage, or enjoys the stage as a spectator... -Fictionally Yours Blog
Just Sing was a complete and pleasant surprise. There's not many YA novels out there that can capture my heart and soul wholly. And this book is definitely one of them. -Goodreads Review
Some excellent advice from this author. I wish her all the best.
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