IndieView with Alessandra Harris, author of Blaming the Wind

Even with my sparse outline, the story always ends up with a different outcome than I had planned. 

Alessandra Harris – 30 May 2016

The Back Flap

Sophia Douglas can’t shake the fear that she’s in over her head. A spontaneous elopement and a layoff from her high-paying job are stressful enough, but a plus sign on her pregnancy test sends her into a panic. Fearing her husband, Terrence, might leave like her father did, Sophia confides her insecurities to Tara, her friend and mom of three.

Though Tara Fisher encourages Sophia to trust Terrence, she’s hiding her own secret: a handsome attorney is pursuing her, and she’s questioning her commitment to Josh, her husband of ten years. After a devastating career-ending accident, Josh has changed and so have Tara’s feelings for him.

When a crisis arises that threatens to destroy Sophia and Terrence’s young marriage, Sophia must either overcome her fear of abandonment or lose everything she never knew she wanted. Meanwhile, as Tara is torn between responsibility and passion, her imperfectly put together life starts to unravel, and ghosts from her past resurface to haunt her.

As these two couples grapple with secrets, temptation, and illness, only time will tell if their vows are strong enough to hold them together.

About the book

What is the book about?

Blaming the Wind delves into the lives of two couples grappling with secrets, temptation, and illness. Only time will tell if their vows are strong enough to hold them together.

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing Blaming the Wind in 2011.

How long did it take you to write it?

The version of Blaming the Wind that was accepted by Red Adept Publishing was finished in 2014, so it took about three years.

Where did you get the idea from?

For Christmas my dad gave me three easy-to-read novels and said I should write one. I laughed because I didn’t write fiction, but shortly after an idea started forming about two married couples. The characters came first, and the story unfolded once I started writing.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

There were places where I struggled writing the character Tara’s Point of View. At times she isn’t very nice, and she does things that I wouldn’t do and disagree with.

What came easily?

I’ve been told that I wrote Tara and Josh’s daughters well, and since I have four children, writing their characters came easily.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

My characters are entirely fictitious.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Before I even thought about writing my own novel, I read and enjoyed novels by authors like Bebe Moore Campbell and Eric Jerome Dickey that depicted the complexities of relationships in the real world. That’s what I aimed for when writing Blaming the Wind – to show struggles that married couples and friends face and aim to overcome.

Do you have a target reader?

I’ve been pleasantly surprised that both adult women and men of all different ages have read and enjoyed Blaming the Wind. So I wouldn’t say I have a target reader.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I try to write every night when working on a project. Once the kids have had dinner, finished homework, and usually gone to bed, I try to write for a while.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I usually have a general idea of where I would like the story to go, but I do not write a detailed outline. Even with my sparse outline, the story always ends up with a different outcome than I had planned.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I always reread and lightly edit the chapter I worked on the day prior then I continue writing from there.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Yes, I hired a professional editor. After receiving agent feedback, I knew my novel needed work, but I wasn’t exactly sure how to fix it. Hiring an editor was a smart move, and I think it is one of the reasons my novel was accepted for publication.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

I don’t listen to music while I write. Though I’ve learned to block out noise like the TV, I am not able to focus on writing while there is music playing. It would make me want to dance.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I queried agents, and though no one offered representation, I did get great feedback that helped make the novel stronger.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I got burned out with the agent rejection and had actually shelved Blaming the Wind. However, I decided to research small presses and submitted to Red Adept Publishing.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

Red Adept Publishing works with Streetlight Graphics for the covers, and they produce very high-quality, eye-catching covers. I’ve received many compliments for the cover.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I’m not a natural sales person, and I am working on promoting my work more. My marketing plan so far has been focusing on getting reviews and adding people to my email list.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

If you have a story that you want to tell, make sure that you tell it. There are so many publishing options, and it’s best to research what will work best for you and your book.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of Blaming the Wind from Amazon US or Amazon UK.