What is your favorite and least favorite part of being a writer? (With Lorie Langdon!)

Author Lorie Langdon is back with us today! If you like historical young adult fiction, I highly recommend her latest release, Olivia Twist. Here’s a bit about the book:

Olivia Brownlow is no damsel in distress. Born in a workhouse and raised as a boy among thieving London street gangs, she is as tough and cunning as they come. When she is taken in by her uncle after a caper gone wrong, her life goes from fighting and stealing on the streets to lavish dinners and soirees as a debutante in high society. But she can’t seem to escape her past … or forget the teeming slums where children just like her still scrabble to survive.

Jack MacCarron rose from his place in London’s East End to become the adopted “nephew” of a society matron. Little does society know that MacCarron is a false name for a boy once known among London gangs as the Artful Dodger, and that he and his “aunt” are robbing them blind every chance they get. When Jack encounters Olivia Brownlow in places he least expects, his curiosity is piqued. Why is a society girl helping a bunch of homeless orphan thieves? Even more intriguing, why does she remind him so much of someone he once knew? Jack finds himself wondering if going legit and risking it all might be worth it for love.

It’s such an excellent and creative retelling! Today’s panel question is:

What is your favorite part of having the job of writing books? And what is your least favorite part of the writing job? 

Lorie: It’s so hard to pick just one favorite thing. This career is my dream job! Telling stories that inspire readers, help them escape the hard parts of life, and bring them hope is what I was created to do. I also love interacting with readers and aspiring authors.

My least favorite part is the uncertainty. The next book deal is never guaranteed…at least I haven’t reached that point in my career yet. So, it can be quite stressful not knowing where your next paycheck is coming from or when.

Stephanie: My favorite part is the actual writing stuff. I love brainstorming, drafting, editing, all of it. I have even learned to enjoy some of the marketing pieces of being an author. 

My least favorite part is making decisions about managing my time. I have a ten-year-old, seven-year-old and two-year old, so it’s very difficult to figure out how to do All The Things.

Shan: My favorite drafting moment happens when the story begins to write itself. The characters and the world and the plot are fleshed out enough that the writing takes on a lighter feel. It’s exciting to come back to the page as opposed to daunting. This usually happens for me toward the end of my first draft. Edits are much more fun for me. Especially if I’m working with insightful feedback. Writing to an edit that inspires me is very satisfying.

My least favorite part is all the waiting. SO MUCH WAITING. We hurry to write, to edit, to develop. And then we wait. It’s a necessary evil, but it is evil.

Jill: My favorite part is coming up with new ideas and brainstorming it all out. I love that creative process so much. (Which is why new ideas are so tempting!)

My least favorite is finishing that first draft, especially of a first book in a new series. I love starting the book, but somewhere in the middle to end, it gets messy and hard and I want to push forward and finish, but I’m often stuck and frustrated that I’m stuck. It’s hard work, and I’m always so excited to be done so I can edit. (Editing is my second favorite part.)