Kelley York - The Right Writing Process + Contest

Enter to win one of 3 eBook copies of Hushed!


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The Right Writing Process
by Kelley York

I attribute a lot of my writing growth to lurking about the forums of Absolute Write. I’ve never been a heavy poster there, but I’ve spent several years reading and reading...and reading some more. The most commonly asked questions I’ve seen crop up are things like: Should I outline? Should I edit as I go? Should I do this, should I do that...

There is no right answer. When it comes to writing...there is no right or wrong way. I know authors who are very fast first-drafters. Authors who have a lot of revision to go back and do when they’re done. Authors who finish a first draft and consider it ‘done’ because they’ve edited every step of the way. I know authors who write their ending first, then go back and start from the beginning. I know those who outline every book before they get a word down and I know those who don’t ever plot a single thing out. I even know authors who don’t write in order!

I’m not a plotter at all. About halfway through my book, I can create a rough outline (usually in my head works better), but getting organized with index cards, multiple files of character data, plot threads, etc, simply does not work for me. For the longest time, I thought I was doing something wrong. That, somehow, my books wouldn’t be as good because I didn’t outline stuff. I even tried outlining thoroughly (with stickies on my wall!) for my third book, but it hindered me more than it helped.

And, yet, I’m someone who edits a lot as I go. Despite my lack of outlining, I’m fortunate I usually have clean first drafts that don’t require huge revision. Everyone’s writing process is different. Whether you’re a rough first drafter or a clean one, whether you write from beginning to end or puzzle-piece it together, or whether you outline or not. Don’t feel like you’re doing something wrong, and don’t try copying other authors because you think their way is the ‘right’ way. Find what works for you, and own it.

PRAISE

'Kelley York delivers in this impressive debut. I was at the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next! Bottom line, this was unputdownable!!!' --- YA Fantasy Guide ---

'How exciting that we live in a time when gay teen protagonists can be just as screwed up as straight ones -- and their stories just as creepy!' --- Brent Hartinger, award-winning author of Geography Club and Shadow Walkers ---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelley was born and raised in central California, where she still resides with her lovely wife, daughter, and an abundance of pets. (Although she does fantasize about moving across the globe to Ireland.) She has a fascination with bells, adores all things furry - be them squeaky, barky or meow-y - is a lover of video games, manga and anime, and likes to pretend she's a decent photographer. Her life goal is to find a real unicorn. Or maybe a mermaid.

Within young adult, she enjoys writing and reading a variety of genres from contemporary with a unique twist, psychological thrillers, paranormal/urban fantasy and horror. She loves stories where character development takes center stage.

Kelley's website

HUSHED SYNOPSIS

He's saved her. He's loved her. He's killed for her.

Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn't protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he's never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn't matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another - Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.

Then along comes Evan, the only person who's ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.

But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer's committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn't get what she wants...And what she wants is Evan's death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.

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