| FEATURE AUTHOR | Longing wrote itself in about a month at a rapid fire pace. I can also go months without writing at all. However, I am always working out ideas in my head all day long, which I still consider writing, regardless if others may not. So far, I’ve only written one novel which was almost a ten year process. I wrote the first draft in less than 6 weeks working on it evenings and weekends; it was an adaptation of my awardwinning solo show. The book adaptation definitely took on a life of its own. I then spent months collecting feedback and rewriting, then more months of submissions and rejections to agents and publishers. Then I decided to take a break from the novel and co-wrote and produced a web series (Dumpwater Divas), then I was hired to go to Australia twice over two years to work on a play (Burying the Dead). After those two years I went back to the novel and unfortunately hired the wrong editor, whose notes were so brutal I couldn’t look at the manuscript for another two years. I then went on to make a few short films (Jamie, Leash and Details), worked on a TV series (Tommy Wiseau’s The Neighbors), produced a bunch of film and theatre projects for other people, starred in a few plays and didn’t really think about the book. Finally, I was convinced to go back to the novel and self-publish it just to get the book to the finish line as a completed piece of work. So, to answer your original question, I guess it can take me anywhere from 6 weeks to a decade to write a novel! Do you prefer ebooks, audiobooks or physical books? Are you reading anything now? 88 | UncagedBooks.com
I’m totally old fashioned, I love a real paperback or hardcover book. I try to avoid screens as much as possible when I’m not working. Just like I’m always writing more than one thing at a time, I’m always reading more than one thing at a time. I’m usually reading a novel for pleasure, a philosophical or inspirational book that I start my day with and a play or script to keep my acting muscle flexing. I just started the urban fantasy novel Secret Sky by JP McLEan, Hagakure The Secret Wisdom the Samurai is my current morning inspiration and I’m making my way through a Sam Sheeperd collection called Seven Plays. What would you like to say to fans, and where can they follow you? I would like to thank you all for checking out my work, I really hope you enjoy it and would love to hear your feedback!
Enjoy an excerpt from Year of the What? Year of the What? Jennifer Lieberman Romantic Comedy Six months after Dana’s first break-up she is single and heartbroken in New York City. At 25 she is a virgin once removed and navigating the Manhattan dating world is daunting. Having only been intimate with one man, Dana feels ashamed of her desires and keeps trying to squash them in order to be a ‘good girl’. With the help of Kelly, her unabashedly promiscuous roommate, Dana embarks on an outrageous adventure of sexual discovery while looking for love, ultimately finding her power and confidence.
