Dear Readers, ILF welcomes today the successful self-published author of ‘Against All Rules’, Summerita Rhayne, part of the Blog Tour hosted by The Book Club. And without any delay we move on to the insightful answers we have been waiting for!
ILF: How did ‘Against All Rules' happen, the inspiration and idea?
SR: Thanks for having me on ILF, Ruchi. The inspiration for this book is a combined spur from all the romances I used to devour during my teenage years. The idea just popped into my mind in the form of this embittered, damaged hero who has got divorced and his secretary who couldn't confess that she was falling for him. However it differed in execution from the vague notions I had while envisaging it.
ILF: What were the challenges faced while writing this book?
SR: The biggest challenge to any author is getting published and getting your book in the hands of the readers. I chose to self-publish because the book didn't fit into any of the moulds of the popular publishing houses for romances. A number of editors told me they loved the characters and the story but some wanted a different setting, some wanted a different feel to the story. I don’t blame them – far from it – since I learned a lot from their feedback. Publishers have their brand image to maintain and this just didn't fit the expectation. The biggest challenge for me was taking the decision to do justice to the characters and the story instead of changing it to fit a certain mould. I want to make it clear though, that it doesn't mean I didn't edit or revise the book. For six months, I took feedback from authors and dedicated romance readers in my circle to fix and refix it before taking the plunge at self-publishing.
ILF: What are the essential steps to be kept in mind after finishing the draft and before publishing?
SR: That is a very good question, Ruchi. Can't say I'm expert on that but what I've learned in the process, I'll share here. The first draft is actually as far from being a complete story as you are from Taj Mahal when you land at Delhi. Or probably even farther. You need to take a good look at the elements in your story and check the points that I’m listing here:
- Are your characters well etched, having an extensive, well-charted history? What has led them to this point where your book starts? All this may not appear in the book but you, the creator, should know.
- Are they behaving consistently? If there is change in their behaviour during the story, is it matched with internal change?
- Is your story logical? Are all the characters having believable motivations for their actions?
- Is your book just a series of events from point A to point B? Or is your story tied up with a theme?
- Have you got it critiqued by people familiar to the genre in which you write and really paid attention to their feedback?
- The list is long but the points above are the things I check out most. Of course grammar check goes without saying, multiple rounds of which are mandatory before publishing. Errors have a tricky way of getting missed, believe me!
- To sum up, be your own worst critic and revise, read and re-revise your book. Do n number of drafts but never be in a hurry to get your book ‘out there’.
ILF: What do you like most and least about being a writer?
SR: Writing is something that allows you complete freedom as long as you are engaged in the world you create. It allows you more than freedom because although the story is of your making, there are always aspects which will make you question even your own choices and that is a kind of illumination in itself. Do I sound completely off the hook? ;)
The worst thing about writing that I find is going around telling everyone about the book when really writing should speak for itself. Marketing is my un-favourite task.
ILF: Upcoming writing projects in the works? If so, when can we expect the fantastic book?
SR: Thanks for the kind words, Ruchi :) For my next book, I'm hopping genres from romance and going for historical. The next story is set in the early middle ages in India. The sizzle factor will be the same as in AAR. However, this story is about a princess who's given to having all her whims fulfilled. When she faces obstacles, especially in her quest for love and desire, will she be able to find a way over them? Follow me at Twitter @SummeritaRhayne to stay tuned for more news about Hidden Passion – a sensual bite of history.
ILF: What’s the one thing about you that might surprise readers?
SR: That I've been published traditionally under a prestigious company but chose to self-publish under a pen name.
ILF: You have self-published this book. Give us some tips for the same.
SR: Amazon has made things amazingly easy for independent authors. However, do explore the market and get a sense of what you want from your writing career. Keep up with latest news. For example, recently the news was going around about Amazon crowdsourcing program. So, publishing is constantly evolving and one has to keep eyes and ears open.
If you think I can help in any way, I'd love to. Authors can get in touch with me at my website www.summeritarhayne.com
ILF: Advice for aspiring authors.
SR: As Stephen King has said, “If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
You need to read before you can ‘get’ the craft of writing. Constantly reading and analysing your favourite authors' works leads you to understand the craft better. You begin to question your story and the charting of story elements – do they work? Are they in place? And it leads to improvement. You shouldn't ape anyone. Avoid being too close to what you have written and try to look at it objectively. Find people whose opinion you can rely on and who honestly tell you the good and bad about your story. Apply their feedback in strengthening your work.
ILF: Thank you Summerita for taking out time and answering our questions.
SR: Thanks. It was a pleasure talking to you, Ruchi J So lovely to visit your blog.
Ladies and gentlemen presenting....
Against All Rules
By
Summerita Rhayne
The Blurb
The efficient PA out of her depth...
Samara knows getting attracted to Tahir is like asking for trouble. Not only is he her boss but he’s got divorced recently and has sworn off any commitment. Short term is not on her list but temptation has never been stronger.
The man who doesn’t have faith in rainbows anymore...
Tahir doesn’t believe in enforcing a code of conduct he cannot follow. But Samara might just make him make an exception! An affair at the office might seem a solution to his troubles but how can he avoid treading uncharted territory…?
Against All Rules
…when fire is set, it’s hard to avoid the blaze
Samara knows getting attracted to Tahir is like asking for trouble. Not only is he her boss but he’s got divorced recently and has sworn off any commitment. Short term is not on her list but temptation has never been stronger.
The man who doesn’t have faith in rainbows anymore...
Tahir doesn’t believe in enforcing a code of conduct he cannot follow. But Samara might just make him make an exception! An affair at the office might seem a solution to his troubles but how can he avoid treading uncharted territory…?
Against All Rules
…when fire is set, it’s hard to avoid the blaze
Buy @
Amazon.com | Amazon.in |
Watch It
More about the Author
Summerita Rhayne loves to write sensual and emotional romance. There's no knowing when some quirky - or sometimes even not so quirky - happening in daily life might trigger her right brain and then she's off craving a new story. She loves writing characters who learn and grow and find their way out of their troubles and emotional hang-ups. Hot, sensual heroes and sassy but sweet heroines mostly fit the bill in her stories. She also believes that a touch of humor never goes amiss in a book.
She divides her time between family, job and writing - and loves winding down with music, movies and the internet!
She divides her time between family, job and writing - and loves winding down with music, movies and the internet!
You can stalk Summerita Rhyane @
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