Blindsided Guest Post & Giveaway!!

Blindsided by Em J Bakker

The Queen Series Book 1

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Guest Post

How long have you been writing?
I have been writing on and off throughout my life but never really took it further than scribbling down plot lines or haphazard scenes. But then I published my first children’s story in 2020. I figured after this achievement I would try my hand at more adult writing and that lead to Blindsided.

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
I generally have a good understanding of who characters are and what their purpose is in the storyline before I begin to write as character development is a big part of my planning phase for a book. However, can they turn around and start doing their own things whilst I am writing? Most definitely and I have had side characters absolutely shock me in particular as to where their story arcs led to.

Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
I love reading. I am a sucker for romances, paranormal and dark taking the lead for my personal preferences. However, I have been known to enjoy an excellent horror or two.

Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
Noise, and primarily music. I just like to find the vibe that fits whatever scene I am attempting to create at that time. It helps to be able to immerse myself in the vibes while writing.

Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?
Several at a time. Whilst I was writing my trilogy I was already researching and plotting another two works in progress. I generally have at least two on the go at different stages in my loose production line of how I see them. So I can be planning one, writing another, editing another, having beta readers and editors work on another and be getting artworks commenced for all of them at the same time as well as building social media presence for the works in progress.

Pen or type writer or computer?
Pen and computer. Pen is always my go to for my first drafts; I will write the entire book before any of it touches the computer. Once I have written the story, I will then look to begin typing it out where I can pick up on errors, find plot holes and add or subtract details as I go, sort of like the very first time editing the storyline. I will then print it out, and go through it line by line before sending it onto my line editor.

Advice they would give new authors?
Read, often. Write, regularly. Enjoy feedback. Be patient and believe in your work, people want to read your stories, you just need to believe in that.

Describe your writing style.
I try to enjoy an engaging and immersive writing style, I hope it captivates readers with intricate twists and turns. I lavish in creating vivid, breathtaking world-building that transports the audience into new realms. I write to combine romance and fantasy, hopefully keeping readers eager to discover what happens next through my compelling plots that leave them wanting to know what happens next.

What are they currently reading?
I am currently reading books by Marissa Gilbert, The Perfect Luna and The Luna Trails. I feel in love with her writing when she was posting on paid chapter books, and now that she has brought out her writing on amazon, I couldn’t help myself but to reread it again.

What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?
I tend to have an idea come to me for a scene, and that’s where I will start my book. Ill also incorporate researching anything I need too as I continue writing while it is fresh. I will then often go back to the beginning and find the most suitable way to commence the plot line I am building as most scenes that come to me are very rarely the first lines in the finished product.

What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Believing they can’t do it and that they will never finish. It’s a very big trap within their own minds.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
Definitely original. I like to pride myself on stories that I have fallen in love with while I have been writing. Unfortunately, if you attempt to please one person, you will fall short with another. Therefore I write what I enjoy and I know others who are of the same mindset as I am will also enjoy what I produce. Unfortunately, one book cannot fit every single niche or every persons tastes, to try and deliver something that does would, I believe, result in the disappointment of the author.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Don’t quit, I know I wanted to so many times. I even took months off when I just wasn’t connecting to the work. I would definitely tell myself not to stop writing. Write anything else if you can’t connect to your current work. Start something new, but don’t stop the pen moving on the paper.

What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
Having to be okay with specific friends and family of the opposite sex reading those passages to check what I have written to see what their perspective and take on the situations within the book look like from their side to ensure they come out as authentic as possible so more readers can relate to the characters they connect with.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?
On average, 😂 my trilogy has so far taken me 5 years. Other books I have dabbled with but not published, 6 months. It really just depends on how much inspiration I have at the time and whether I am looking for as close to perfect as possible for actual publishing. The book I spent 6 months on will be needing thorough changes should I go to publish it and it will turn from 6 months easily into a year or 4 😂.

Do you believe in writer’s block?
Absolutely. I believe in writer’s block as a genuine experience that many writers face at some point in their creative journey. It can stem from a variety of factors, both within and outside the writer’s control. I believe it can sometimes be a sign that a writer’s mind needs a break or a change of perspective. Overcoming it often involves patience, exploration of new ideas, or stepping away briefly to return with fresh eyes. I think it’s a very common part of the process.

Blurb

A world of danger, desire, and heart wrenching secrets. Turning 18 is a milestone for members of the pack, marking the age when they meet both their inner wolf and their fated mate. But when Nyx comes of age, she is thrust into a chaotic world of romantic and physical trials, forced to navigate the uncertainty and heartache of being fated-mates with five powerful alphas while training to become the perfect Luna.
Driven down a path of heartbreak and rejection that threatens to tear her apart, Nyx is haunted by her mates’ secrets and the hidden truths behind the prophecies that bind her to an unknown and ever-watching intruder. In a tale woven with passion, intrigue, and mysticism, Nyx’s destiny unfolds in ways she never imagined.
Will she unite her mates and fight to fulfil her destiny, or will the rejection and shadows consume her?

About the Author

Em J Bakker is a passionate romance writer based in Victoria, Australia, where she draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the countryside. With a deep love for romantic narratives, both in her own life with her doting partner and within the pages she reads and writes, Em has dedicated the past 5 years to craft her debut trilogy.
Known for her eclectic writing style, Em J Bakker’s projects span from light-hearted comedic romances to gripping tales of the underworld. Her writing reflects a blend of creativity nurtured by the serene landscapes and outdoor adventures she enjoys, including days on the lake, exploring snowfields, and off-road journeys through picturesque terrain alongside her loved ones.

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