An indie author’s confession about coffee, plot twists, and the mystery of how some writers get so much done.
Can we talk about Freida McFadden for a minute?
Because she’s officially my favorite author right now, and I have one very important question.
HOW DOES THIS WOMAN WRITE SO MANY BOOKS?!
I’m convinced she has 36 hours in her day. Possibly 48. I’m still investigating.
Meanwhile, I spent 45 minutes deciding whether one of my characters should answer the phone or let it ring.
Forty-five minutes.
Over a phone call.
Then I needed coffee. ☕
Next, I went back to reread the scene.
Following that, I decided the phone call could be skipped.
Subsequently, I modified the entire plot.
And somewhere during all of this, Freida probably came up with another twist that nobody will see coming. 😂
As a reader, I absolutely love her books. There’s something wonderful about opening a thriller, telling yourself you’ll read one chapter, and suddenly realizing it’s midnight and you’ve accomplished absolutely nothing on your to-do list.
As an author, though?
I HAVE QUESTIONS.
How does she keep track of everything? How does she come up with those twists? And most importantly...
Freida, what’s in your coffee?!
Because mine is clearly not working hard enough. 🤣
Of course, that’s part of what I love about writing. Every author has a different process. Some seem to have entire novels mapped out before they begin. Others spend an afternoon negotiating with fictional people who refuse to cooperate.
I’ll let you guess which category I fall into.
So here’s my question for you:
Who’s the one author you absolutely cannot stop reading right now?
And if you’re a writer, please tell me you’ve also spent an unreasonable amount of time debating something as simple as a ringing phone.
I could use the reassurance.
Until next time, happy reading, happy writing, and may your coffee be stronger than your plot problems.
🖤 KL Adams