Writing Advice From Romance Author Kayelle Allen

Guest Post
By Kayelle Allen

Thanks for letting me come and share my writing journey with your readers, Lyndell.

As I thought about what to share and what advice I might offer, I wondered how my life would be different if someone had offered me the advice I was thinking about. Then I thought, if I could go back in time and give myself this advice, would I even listen?

Probably not. I was headstrong and thought I knew what I was doing. But if I’d listen, this is the advice I’d offer my younger self.

Get more sleep. Killing yourself by staying up late and then getting up early saps your mind of what it needs to be creative. A nap wouldn’t hurt now and then either.

Take better care of your body. Stick with an exercise regimen and eat sensibly. Really, wouldn’t we all tell ourselves that?

Start a newsletter. You want people to feel good about following you. Talk about the book you’re writing. Tell them about the crazy things you did while researching. Talk about why you never write in a coffeeshop. Talk about why you love going to the movies alone. Just anything. But be open and reachable and help readers see how much you honestly treasure them. Let them know they are your heroes. Without readers, you have no reason to be here.

Good for you on creating a blog! Now figure out some topics about things you’re good at, like how to use MS Word or Excel, and share tips on that. Build up followers. Show them the link to your newsletter in every post. Just pop it at the end like a signature.

Awesome job on creating a website. I mean, you rock at that! Keep going with that because no other author is doing what you’re doing with their website. I mean, really, how many authors have a tour of the empire where their books take place? I don’t know of anyone, and I’m talking about this from the future. Keep going with that. It’s seriously awesome.

Nice job using social media, but tone down the number of minutes you spend online. The best way to sell a book is to write another one, not to get on social media. That’s fine to do, but it’s not even close to being a priority. Put that after writing and after blogging and after your newsletter. Turns out you are really really good at blogging and writing a newsletter. Keep using Triberr.com. It will rock your website and blog.

Stop being afraid of stepping out into the limelight. People care about you and they want to know you. Don’t be shy about talking. Ask people about themselves. Don’t offer advice; listen. You are very smart. So are your friends and readers. Let them talk. You listen. Show them how smart they are — don’t try to impress them with your own intelligence. Impress them with your compassion.

Also read: The World’s A Stage for Writers Too

Put this last thing I’m going to share right at the top and do it first. Love your family and make time for them. Once you’re gone, they might have your books, but what they’ll wish they had is memories of doing things with you. Be there for them. Be there with them. Don’t be busy all the time. Chill out and relax with family. And don’t forget your friends. Family and friends are the ones who will share your legacy once you are no longer there. Give them something wonderful to say. Let them get close and be there when they open up to you. Love. Always.

Thank you Kayelle. All right, romance addicts. Check out Kayelle’s lastest book, A Stolen Heart. Read a about it below.

A Stolen Heart by Kayelle Allen

When he rescues a half-human orphan, a glorified space pirate turned entrepreneur sets in motion a chain of events that threatens to topple the powerful Thieves’ Guild he once led.

Multiple layers of conspiracy unfold, reaching all the way to Luc’s immortal ex–the king. Behind each solved mystery looms an unseen foe, undoing the good Luc accomplishes. For the sake of this child, Luc must postpone his own freedom and master his desire for revenge or he will violate an ancient vow. Worse, he’ll put the toddler at risk.

At war with his compassion for the vulnerable child, loyalty to the king, duty to the Guild, and the bright lure of freedom he’s coveted for centuries, Luc seeks the right path. Will he choose liberty and unparalleled success, or restore the Thieves’ Guild to its former glory while overseeing the child’s training?

A hard choice for any man. For an immortal whose inner monster can destroy on sight? Impossible.

A pirate with a monstrous past can never be trusted with an innocent child. Luc must ensure the child is protected, safe, nowhere near danger. Nowhere near him. Even if this little boy has already stolen his heart…

About Kayelle Allen

Kayelle Allen writes space opera with larger than life, unforgettable characters. Come walk in her worlds and meet her misbehaving robots, mythic heroes, immortal gamers, and warriors who purr.

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