Liv Constantine on How Two Sisters Write Together Without Killing Each Other

I'm lucky (or cunning) enough to have lured yet another successful writer over to my blog for an SAT - Successful Author Talk. SAT authors have conquered the query, slain the synopsis and attained the pinnacle of published. How'd they do it? Let's ask 'em!

Today’s guest for the SAT is Liv Constantine, author of The Senator's Wife, the story of a D.C. philanthropist who suspects that her seemingly perfect employee is secretly plotting to steal her husband, her reputation—even her life.

Are you a Planner or Pantster?

We call ourselves Plantsers. We have a broad outline, we know the main twist, but the rest of it gets written as we go along.

How long does it typically take you to write a novel, start to finish?

Our first draft takes three to four months and then we spend another two or three months going through several rounds of edits. So from start to finish takes anywhere from five to seven months. 

Do you work on one project at a time, or are you a multi tasker?

We concentrate on one fiction project at a time. We like to immerse ourselves in the story world so it’s difficult to have more than one project going. That said, if we are in edit mode in one book, then we have the creative energy to work on something new, especially crafting and scoping out the next story and its characters. 

Did you have to overcome any fears that first time you sat down to write?

There was excitement the first time we sat down to write. However, sitting down to write the book that followed The Last Mrs. Parris and its success, was when some fear arose for us. The sense of freedom we felt when writing the first book was not something we felt as we wrote The Last Time I Saw You, our second book. There was always the knowledge that the bar was now set higher, that The Last Time I Saw You would be compared to and judged against The Last Mrs. Parris. It was definitely a much tougher umbrella to work under. 

How many trunked books (if any) did you have before you were agented?

One. 

Have you ever quit on an ms, and how did you know it was time?

Yes, the book we wrote before The Stranger In The Mirror became lack luster for us after the first draft so we decided to shelve it and start a new book. We may at some point go back to that one, but for now, it’s in a drawer.

Who is your agent and how did you get that "Yes!" out of them?  

We got our first agent with The Last Mrs. Parris through the traditional query route, although we did have a personal referral to her. We met her at Thrillerfest a few months after sending the manuscript and she offered us representation.

How long did you query before landing your agent?  

We spent three years querying agents before finally landing one. The book that we put away was the book we had been querying and we would get close. Agents would ask for a partial, then a full but it was never quite right. Once we shelved that book, we went to work on The Last Mrs. Parris and that’s how we found representation. 

Any advice to aspiring writers out there on conquering query hell?

Perseverance is key as well as the ability to take criticism. Make sure that your manuscript is pristine and in the best shape possible. If you’re able, hire a freelance editor to help you make sure your manuscript is ready for submission. And the old saying…if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. 

How did it feel the first time you saw your book for sale?

It was amazing! We were at Bouchercon in Toronto, and we went to Indigo Bookstore and there it was – prominently displayed on the shelf – maybe ten across. We got chills!

How much input do you have on cover art?

A lot. We’ve been very fortunate with our publishers in that they want us to be happy with the covers and it’s been a collaborative effort.

What's something you learned from the process that surprised you?

How many hands touch your book. There’s such a large team that takes a book from manuscript to finished book. The passion and dedication of our publishing teams have been such a blessing and we’re so appreciative of all the hard work that goes into it. 

How much of your own marketing do you?  Do you have a blog / site / Twitter? (I'll insert the links here)?  

We’re active on social media. We love to interact on Facebook and Instagram, and we also have a Facebook reader group where we do lots of fun giveaways and discussions. We also do giveaways on our newsletter that are exclusive to our subscribers. Twitter

When do you build your platform? After an agent? Or should you be working before?

Definitely before. It’s good to have a website and social media built up well before that first book is on sale. You can build relationships and goodwill by sharing other authors’ news and books, and it gives you a leg up once you have your own book to sell.

Do you think social media helps build your readership?

Absolutely. Social media is a great way to connect with readers, other authors, bloggers, bookstores, and libraries. 

Liv Constantine is the pen name of sisters Lynne Constantine and Valerie Constantine. Lynne and Valerie are Wall St. Journal and USA Today international bestselling authors with over one million copies sold worldwide. They are Library Reads Hall of Fame authors.  Their books have been translated into 28 languages, are available in 33 countries, and are in development for both television and film.  Their books have been praised by USA Today, The Sunday Times, People Magazine, and Good Morning America, among many others. Their debut novel, The Last Mrs. Parris, is a Reese Witherspoon Book Club selection.

Naomi D. Nakashima on Overcoming Self-Doubt: How to Conquer Imposter Syndrome and Write Your Book with Confidence

By: Naomi D. Nakashima

Have you ever felt like a fraud, even when you've achieved success? You ever look at those achievements and diminish them somehow?

Kind of like when someone tells you that you’re a good writer and you dismiss it because they’re your friend or your parent or your sibling or partner, so of course they have to tell you you’re good.

Imposter syndrome is an internalized feeling of inadequacy, despite external evidence of success. It's common among high-achievers and can affect writers in particular.

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern in which individuals doubt their skills, accomplishments, and talents and have an internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud. Those who experience imposter syndrome often attribute their successes to luck or external factors rather than their own abilities. Even in the face of  external evidence of their competence, they remain convinced they do not really deserve the recognition or accolades they receive.

For writers, this imposter syndrome often comes with a feeling that they don’t have “the right” to write the story they want to write.

Why it's important to overcome it in writing

As you can imagine, trying to write a story while at the same time feeling like you don’t have “the right” to tell that story can lead to a lot of complications. Add to that the fact that writing often entails a level of vulnerability, and any feelings of imposter syndrome can be exacerbated quickly if not addressed.

Writers often put themselves out there with their ideas and stories, facing criticism and the possibility of rejection. When we believe that we are imposters or that our success is undeserved, we become less likely to take risks and share our work with others. This can hold us back from achieving our goals as writers and hinder our creativity. In order to be successful as a writer, it's essential to learn how to recognize and overcome imposter thoughts so that we can write with confidence and authenticity.

Strategies for Recognizing and Challenging Imposter Thoughts

One way to recognize imposter thoughts is by paying attention to the language you use when talking about yourself and your writing. Do you often use negative self-talk or minimize your achievements?

If so, try challenging those thoughts with evidence that proves them wrong. For example, if you think "My writing isn't as good as other writers," look for positive feedback from readers or editors who enjoyed your work. And remember the phrase “facts over feelings.” Looking at this evidence that your writing is good won’t do you much good if you turn around and rely instead on your “feeling” that it wasn’t deserved for some reason. Instead of focusing on your feeling about the feedback, focus on the fact that you got the feedback.

Additionally, try surrounding yourself with supportive people who believe in your abilities as a writer. They can offer encouragement and constructive feedback that will help build confidence in your skills.

By recognizing these common imposter thoughts and developing strategies for overcoming them or even proving them to be wrong, you can break through your mental barriers and focus on your craft with clarity and confidence. 

Building Confidence as a Writer

Writing a book can be a daunting task, especially when you're plagued by self-doubt and imposter syndrome. So let’s work on some ways to build that confidence back up!

Celebrate your successes

When you’re feeling vulnerable and inadequate, it’s pretty easy to see all the mistakes—the low word count, the lack of writing time, the slow progress on your book. However, it's important to take time to celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem.

Did you finish a chapter? Did you receive positive feedback from a beta reader?

Celebrate these milestones and give yourself credit for the hard work that went into achieving them. Writing is tough, so it's crucial to acknowledge your accomplishments along the way.

Surround yourself with supportive people

Although writing can be a solitary activity, you don’t have to be totally alone. Surrounding yourself with supportive people can make all the difference in your writing journey.

Find other writers who understand what you're going through and can offer encouragement or advice when needed. Join writing groups or attend workshops where you can connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for storytelling.

Learn from hurdles and setbacks

One of the most valuable things you can do as a writer is to learn from your hurdles and setbacks. When something isn't working in your writing - whether it's a plot point that fell flat or dialogue that doesn't ring true - take some time to reflect on what went wrong.

Start by asking yourself some questions: What were my intentions with this scene/character/plot point? What did I hope to achieve? And why didn’t it achieve that? Once you've identified what went wrong, brainstorm some ways you could improve upon it next time.

Other hurdles might include distractions, things like phone calls or family members vying for your attention. 

It's also important not to beat yourself up over mistakes or failures. Remember that every successful writer has encountered plenty of obstacles along the way - it's all part of the journey!

Instead, approach each setback as an opportunity for growth and improvement. By learning from your mistakes and staying focused on your goals, you'll be well on your way to overcoming imposter syndrome and writing the book of your dreams.

Find Your Writing Voice

One of the biggest challenges writers face when dealing with imposter syndrome is feeling like they don't have a unique voice. This can cause them to doubt their abilities and struggle to find the motivation to write.

I’ve been saying for years: some of the best writing ever only comes when the writer is so deep inside their comfort zone that theirs is the only voice they can hear. Embracing your unique voice means being willing to take risks and write from the heart.

Unfortunately, a lot of new authors hate their writing because they’re waiting for it to sound like someone else wrote it—some more authorly writer. Don't try to mimic someone else's writing style or be something you're not just because you think it will make you more successful. Instead, focus on what makes your writing stand out and embrace that as your strength.

Final Thoughts

Imposter syndrome is a common experience that many writers face. It can hold you back from reaching your full potential as a writer, but it's important to recognize that it doesn't have to.

By understanding what imposter syndrome is, identifying your own imposter thoughts, and building confidence as a writer, you can overcome this hurdle and write the book you've always dreamed of. Remember to celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem.

Naomi D. Nakashima is a bestselling author of nonfiction, a ghostwriter with 20 years experience, a trained psychotherapist, and a TikTok writing coach with thousands of followers who attend her coaching events and regular Q&As. Everything I Need to Know About Parenting I Learned from Watching Star Trek, her first book published under her name, became an international Amazon bestseller and stayed on the bestseller list for step-parenting and blended families for three years.

Rebecca Mahoney on Building the World of "The Memory Eater"

Inspiration is a funny thing. It can come to us like a lightning bolt, through the lyrics of a song, or in the fog of a dream. Ask any writer where their stories come from and you’ll get a myriad of answers, and in that vein I created the WHAT (What the Hell Are you Thinking?) interview. 

Today’s guest for the WHAT is Rebecca Mahoney, author of The Memory Eater, the story of a teenage girl who must save her town from a memory-devouring monster

Ideas for our books can come from just about anywhere, and sometimes even we can’t pinpoint exactly how or why. Did you have a specific origin point for your book?

The Memory Eater was the meeting point for a couple different concepts I wanted to write: a town built to hold a monster in, a teenage girl somehow responsible for the livelihoods and well-being of the adults around her, and a community that thrives on supernatural capitalism. But I think if there was an original origin point, it was probably my own tendency to ruminate over memories I’d rather not think about, much like many of us do when we’re falling asleep. It’s very easy to daydream, during those long nights, about the ability to just toss a memory out of your head and out of existence. So in writing this story, I wanted to ask myself – what if that went horribly wrong?

Once the original concept existed, how did you build a plot around it?

I think my plots always come together in concentric circles: I start with the very basics of the idea, then I usually nail down the emotional arc first, and build out the plot and the finer details around it. The Memory Eater’s construction process was a bit messier, since it was the first ever book that I wrote on deadline. With previous manuscripts, I usually wouldn’t sit down to write until I knew exactly what the scene was going to look like, but with TME, I didn’t have as much time for precise brainstorming or self-editing. But in a lot of ways, that ended up being very useful, because when I had to keep pushing ahead, I was able to figure out, in reverse, exactly what I wanted to do with the book. And once I had a clean draft to share with my editor, the basic plot beats of TME actually needed much less work than manuscripts I’ve written before!

Have you ever had the plot firmly in place, only to find it changing as the story moved from your mind to paper?

Oh, all the time! I’m generally a plotter – I always need a fairly detailed outline so I can always be aware of what plot and emotional beats I want to hit, both on the scene level and the chapter level. But I always go into a story very aware that the outline is going to change as I get going in earnest. Sometimes my original idea doesn’t work as well on paper as I thought it would, sometimes one of my critique partners will say something that connects a dot I didn’t realize was there, or sometimes I realize I need a bit more connective tissue to really drive home the emotion in the scene. The basic skeleton of the outline often stays the same, but the fine details grow as the story does!

Do story ideas come to you often, or is fresh material hard to come by?

I would say that I get story ideas fairly often, but they always need a little time to finish baking in my little brain oven. I do occasionally jump into a story idea right away, but my two published books, The Valley and the Flood and The Memory Eater, both came about after percolating in my thought for years. I try to keep a running list of things I want to write so that I can revisit them frequently.

How do you choose which story to write next, if you’ve got more than one percolating?

Because of the aforementioned list, I have a bit of a queue! I’m not someone who does well with working on multiple projects at the same time, so by the time I finish something, there’s usually a project or two that’s been trying to tempt me away from my WIP. Sometimes it’s really difficult to choose what I’ll be tackling next, and sometimes I’ll have my agent, editor, or friends weigh in. But generally the next project is the one that feels the most ready to write. (Although some projects just aren’t going to be fully ready until I dive in!)

I have 6 cats and a Dalmatian (seriously, check my Instagram feed) and I usually have at least one or two snuggling with me when I write. Do you have a writing buddy, or do you find it distracting?

My roommate’s cat, Mouse, can certainly be distracting from time to time! She’s extremely chatty, and if I’m sitting on the couch, chances are that she’s going to want me to put my laptop down and pay attention to her instead. But she’s very cute, so it’s never a hardship to take a break and give her what she wants. And if it disrupts the flow a little, that’s okay – the flow will come back!

Rebecca Mahoney is the author of The Valley and the Flood (out now from Razorbill), as well as the forthcoming The Memory Eater (Razorbill 3/14/23), and the co-creator of independent audio drama The Bridge. Rebecca is a strong believer in the cathartic power of all things fantastical and creepy in children’s literature - and she knows firsthand that ghosts, monsters, and the unknown can give you the language you need to understand yourself.