I am loving this blog series.
I love telling you about how I came up with the ideas and what the process was like in my brain... Because, of course, it doesn't always make sense.
I hate summer.
Literally my least favorite season, yet I decided to write a Summer Love series... Does it make sense? Ask Jim -->
I started off with the idea that I wanted to write about a girl having to fight for her father's affection when she finds out he's remarried and has a daughter her age. That part was simple. I was actually inspired by the Bratz doll and New York Minute for the name Roxie. It was different; I had liked the name since I was little.
Then Peter... That name came along from Peter Pan, which I had watched around the time I was writing this.
This book ended up being a favorite for most of my friends and family. They liked the friendships that Roxie developed, the love for her family, and the big life-altering twist for Roxie and Peter that shows her dedication to her family and friends. It was a difficult book to write, but it was a beautiful love story and taught a lot of lessons that I felt any young adult should enjoy reading about.
Now... Why a Series? And How Does it Work?
When I finished the book, I realized as I was writing I was coming up with other love stories. But none of them had a lot of plot to fill a huge novel. At the time, that was my goal. I wanted to write a novel that was as long as After We Fell by Anna Todd. (Still a goal, but I need characters I love enough to write about for that long.) And I found that giving myself only three months to make a couple was a lot easier! I have a hard time writing slow burns (which my friend Rachel would tell you is a lie. See SL: NYC for more info...) After I thought about it, I decided I wanted to write a series that took place in all 50 states... and a few special places I have wanted to visit.
The Summer Love Series is an anthology series, meaning you can pick one up in whatever order you'd like, and you do not have to read ALL of them to understand the book. I did this because I wanted to be able to stretch genres if needed, and it allowed the series to develop with me over time. Summer Love: Wilmginton is Young Adult, while Summer Love: New York City is New Adult (aimed at readers 18+).
UPDATE (10/01/2023): It is hard for me to announce, but there will NO LONGER be a Summer Love Series! It was a very ambitious attempt for me, however, I have found it hard to write unique situations that will also keep me entertained for a summer roamnce. Super big bummer, but who knows... maybe I can sneak one in eventually? But for now, please look forward to some Stand-Alones coming soon!
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