As a fan of rockstar stories I was immediately drawn to this intensely emotional story and am honored to bring it to you. Keep reading to get a glimpse of Before He Was Famous by Ms. Wicks and learn about her process in writing a series.
Also keep reading to get my impressions of this book and learn even more about this book. Make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win copies of this book too!
This is the first book in the Starstruck series. What is your process for crafting a book series?
Hi! Thanks for having me on the blog… it’s very warm in here.
So… that’s a good question. There are loads of things to keep in mind when you’re coming up with a series of books. I guess, personally, the first is having a good set of stories in mind. I tried to do something original with mine (the aspect of reality television and the consequences of stardom) that had a chance of standing out.
The last thing I wanted once I’d committed to two or three, maybe even more books, was to get bored with my idea, or to see that someone else had beaten me to it. How much would that suck? didn’t have all the details ironed out, but a general outline set me off to a good start and the little things just spider-webbed from there.
Craft your characters carefully
I knew that having a believable set of characters was important from the start. With Before He Was Famous it took a while before I could think about anyone other than Noah and Chloe (it felt like a breakup when I finished the book!), but I quickly knew Alyssa was someone I wanted to follow next, so I went back and concentrated on crafting her into an interesting character. I knew if I did that, then hopefully people would want to read about her continuing endeavors, whatever they might be. I also tried to craft Denzel and Courtney into people who could pop back up and be remembered easily! You may see them again.
Don’t create unnecessary cliffhangers
I always try to wrap up every plot line… I hate gaping holes or when you’re left wondering, well, what about so-and-so? Everyone in a story should have a purpose, no matter how small. I think, if you’re planning to re-introduce a character later, they should explain that they’re doing something, or going somewhere in the previous novel instead of just disappearing. This creates a sense of excitement at catching up with them again later, rather than annoying an audience with the fact that they just vanished.
Visualize it as a movie
Sounds weird but it really helps. I think of my books as if each chapter is a scene in a movie. It helps me structure them and develop the characters, and also to describe what they’re seeing and feeling in more depth. I think of camera angles and everything! I also think you have to put readers in a situation where they don’t just want, but need to know what happens next.
Jumping from Noah’s to Chloe’s point of view in Before He Was Famous not only creates distance between each of their stories (hopefully keeping you turning the pages!) but it creates tension from both sides. It’s even more frustrating knowing that they both want each other but are too afraid to go and get it. Sure it’s annoying to read at times, but that’s the point. If you don’t feel anything when you’re reading a story, we haven’t done our jobs properly as writers.
The biggest thing to remember when coming up with a series, is that you have to love your characters.
If you don’t love them, no one else will. Of course, not everyone is going to like everything you write, no matter what you do… that’s the way of the world. If you don’t feel a connection, you put it down and find a book you like. Easy. The beauty of it is that there are so many stories and so many amazing opportunities to be swept away into another world. We can all find a book, or a series of books that speaks to us!
MY REVIEW
Becky Wicks puts readers through the emotional wringer with this story of friendship, romance, lost opportunities, and the affect of social media on people's lives. Told in alternating first person POVs you find yourself immediately caught up in the evolving relationship between two lifelong friends whose lives are undergoing big changes due to the hero (and oh, what a sexy hero he is!) winning a televised singing competition.
Fear of change, fear of admitting deep seated feelings, and intrusions from the outside world all conspire too keep two people meant to be together from finally taking the plunge and left me frustrated and heartbroken through most of the story as the rocky road to romance commenced for Noah and Chloe as they braved the spotlight and media attention.
Noah and Chloe are like two peas in a pod, they fit together beautifully and have always been there for the other through all sorts of ups and downs. Though they both want more from the other the time never seems right as relationships with outsiders constantly get in the way.
When Noah sees his popularity climbing it might just be the end of them but fate won't give up on these two and throws them together on the road where obligations and the media onslaught weigh heavily on their delicate connection. Amidst unexpected humor, crazed fans, and a vividly depicted music world readers are left on the edge of their seat rooting for Chloe to put aside her fears and take a chance on what is so obvious to Noah. But as her fear compounds their HEA is left hanging in the balance.
Noah is a drool-worthy hero who knows how important Chloe is to him and doesn't hesitate to say so in words and song. Her support means the world to him as does her heart and he couldn't have been more obvious in how he feels about her. Chloe is clearly the one letting her fears hold her back as she doesn't think she's good enough for Noah or able to fit in to this new world he's found himself in.
She's also scared of losing a friendship that she's become comfortable with and depends on. While I can understand her fears at first, it soon becomes apparent how good they could be and it became annoying for her to continue holding back. Their connection crackled from page one. As they got older the sexual tension oozed off the pages and engulfed me in a sensual haze that kept me rooting for them and their HEA.
Though the themes of this story seem familiar, Ms. Wicks has brought surprising depth and emotional intensity to banter that's witty and characters that are immensely likable. There's a breath of fresh air to this story that kept me engrossed in the story and its to-die-for hero while keeping me on edge courtesy of a self-doubting heroine.
This is my first book by Ms. Wicks but won't be my last as there's great promise in this first book in her Starstruck series and I'm greatly anticipating the next installment as will other fans of rock star stories!
My rating for this is a B+
NOTE: This is a re-posting of an author interview first posted on Words of Wisdom from the Scarf Princess