I recall being a single, 20-something woman (and early thirties, too!) sitting alone in my apartment in a big city (Boston for law school; Manhattan after that) and wondering how it will all work out. Love. Career. Everything. I actually found great comfort in reading Helen Fielding, Emily Giffin and Jennifer Weiner. If my chick lit novel can offer as much laughter, the same sense of hope and, in my case, perhaps a new way of thinking about life after death, I will be thrilled and my purpose fulfilled. Actually, not entirely fulfilled. I have a few a more books in me that need to be written.
What do you find most challenging about the writing process, and how do you deal with it?
Well, the easy part is getting it out of me and on paper (or on the screen). The hardest part is going back over it (and over it and over it again) and turning it into something that is enjoyable and easy to read and tells the story I’m meant to tell. I recently interviewed author Kristin Hannah and I asked her if, during the writing process, it ever feels unwieldy and she said always! That made me feel better. I suppose it’s okay to have a mess to clean up, instead of nothing to clean up at all. As the saying goes, you can’t edit a blank page.
When and where do you do your writing?
Any time of day, on my laptop, on my bed.
What have you learned about promoting your books?
Not surprisingly, how important reviews are. I recently created a meme that says “Now that I’m published and I know how important reviews are to authors for a myriad of reasons (algorithms, rankings, etc.), I wish I could go back in time and write a review for every book I’ve ever read.”
What are you most proud of as a writer?
All of the feedback that says “I couldn’t put it down.” After all, we are in the entertainment business and it’s so satisfying to know readers aren’t bored with Better in the Morning.
If you could have dinner with any writer, living or dead, who would it be and what would you talk about?
I would love to interview Liz Gilbert one of these days. I’m trying! I would ask her if she would change anything about her Eat, Pray, Love journey and if she would change anything about the book. I have a feeling I know the answer but I still want to hear her say it because I know it will be eloquent and life affirming.
Author Bio
Fern Ronay was born and raised in Belleville, New Jersey. She is a lawyer and CPA as well as a writer, reporter, and blogger. After six years in Manhattan and six years in Chicago, she now lives in sunny Los Angeles with her husband.
In addition to writing novels, Fern authors the blog Stop and Blog the Roses and is a co-host on AfterBuzzTV. When she is not writing, reporting, or blogging, Fern can be found eating something, reading something, or running.
Website: www.FernRonay.com
Blog: http://m.blogher.com/myprofile/fern-ronay
On Facebook www.Facebook.com/FernRonay
On Twitter @FernRonay
On Instagram @FernRonay
On SnapChat @FernRonay
On Red Adept: http://bit.ly/RAPBetterMorning