Samantha Young: You Get Better at Writing the More You Do It
Samantha Young is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Hart’s Boardwalk series and the On Dublin Street series, including Moonlight on Nightingale Way, Echoes of Scotland Street, Fall from India Place, Before Jamaica Lane, Down London Road, and On Dublin Street.
She resides in Scotland. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
Samantha Young
Mark Archibald
In this post, Samantha shares what inspired her most recent rom-com, how fast it took her to draft the novel, and more.
Name: Samantha Young
Literary agent: Lauren Abramo
Book title: The Love Plot
Publisher: Berkley Romance
Release date: August 29, 2023
Genre/category: Rom-Com
Previous titles: On Dublin Street, Fight or Flight, Much Ado About You, A Cosmic Kind of Love
Elevator pitch for the book: A commitment-phobe, free-spirited gig worker is hired by a wealthy, grumpy Manhattanite to pretend to be his girlfriend for the summer.
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What prompted you to write this book?
I spent a weekend over Christmas watching a marathon of ‘50s and ‘60s rom-coms. They were filled with fun meet-cutes, tropes, and that wonderful push and pull between the heroes and heroines. I was inspired to write something with that vibe but bring it into the 21st century with a loveable, independent heroine and a cinnamon roll hero masquerading as a grumpy alpha.
How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?
I had the idea Christmas 2021—so around 18 months. There were some minor changes during the writing process but what readers will have in their hands is almost exactly what I had in mind from the start.
Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?
Yes. It was the fastest I’ve written a book in a long time. It only took me six weeks because Rafe and Star’s story just flew out of me.
Usually, I have moments where I question character and plot development, but their entire story was mapped out in my head from the beginning. The Love Plot is book release #55 for me and it’s in my top five writing experiences of all time!
What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
It sounds cliché but I hope Star and Rafe’s story is a reminder to readers to stay true to themselves. Sometimes being who we really are is the bravest thing a person can do.
If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?
To find editors and beta readers who understand your voice but aren’t afraid to challenge and push you. And to write more than one book! Keep writing. Writing is like anything in life, you get better at it the more you do it.
While there’s no shortage of writing advice, it’s often scattered around—a piece of advice here, words of wisdom there. And in the moments when you most need writing advice, what you find might not resonate with you or speak to the issue you’re dealing with. In A Year of Writing Advice, the editors of Writer’s Digest have gathered thoughts, musings, and yes, advice from 365 authors in dozens of genres to help you on your writing journey.