Alexa Donne: “Writing Must-Haves” + Brightly Burning Blog Tour Contest

Okay, admittedly, I’m not a huge fan of the classic Jane Eyre — every time I’ve revisited the story in some form (book, movie, etc.), I find myself frustrated by the same things. But as much as it frustrates me, I’m also fascinated by the story. And whether you’re frustratingly fascinated by Jane Eyre like me, or a huge fan, you do not want to miss Brightly Burning by Alexa Donne — which is a crazy clever re-imagining of the classic story set in SPACE!

Yes … Jane Eyre in space.

Look, I know it seems crazy, but Donne makes it work so well, and the result is a seriously cool sci fi romance that plays off a beloved classic.

Today, Donne stops by with a guest post about her “writing must-haves” — plus keep reading to learn more about how you can enter to win a copy!

Like all great writers, I write without pants. Of course I write from home (if I didn’t; it would be concerning!), and that’s the first must-have for me when I’m writing: I need to be comfortable. That said, I don’t want to be too comfortable—I need just a hint of “this is my job” to kick me in the, err, pants. I write at coffee shops, too, fully clothed, but always comfortable.

Similarly, a beverage is required! I do some of my best writing with a glass of red wine, or with a nice cold brew coffee… I use long sips to take short breaks, to distract myself, to think.

Next, music is essential. I favor movie and TV scores—cultivating the perfect mood and tone for the scene I am tackling, and a bit of white noise. I do have a few playlists with pop music on them, and I can use them if I’m writing a club scene or similar, but for the most part, I do my best work writing to scores.

Otherwise, all I need is my Scrivener open and for my cats not to interrupt me too much—though they always do. What is it about cats deciding they need you to pet them at the very moment you’ve sat down to write?

Seventeen-year-old Stella Ainsley wants just one thing: to go somewhere—anywhere—else. Her home is a floundering spaceship that offers few prospects, having been orbiting an ice-encased Earth for two hundred years. When a private ship hires her as a governess, Stella jumps at the chance. The captain of the Rochester, nineteen-year-old Hugo Fairfax, is notorious throughout the fleet for being a moody recluse and a drunk. But with Stella he’s kind.

But the Rochester harbors secrets: Stella is certain someone is trying to kill Hugo, and the more she discovers, the more questions she has about his role in a conspiracy threatening the fleet.

Available Now: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | TBD | Goodreads

Alexa Donne is a Ravenclaw who wears many hats, including fan convention organizing, teen mentoring, college admissions essay consulting, YouTube-ing and podcasting. When she’s not writing science fiction and fantasy for teens, Alexa works in international television marketing. A proud Boston University Terrier, she lives in Los Angeles with two fluffy ginger cats named after YA literature characters. Brightly Burning is her debut novel.

Alexa is represented by Elana Roth-Parker of Laura Dail Literary Agency.

Website | Twitter | Tumblr | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads

3 winners will receive a finished copy of BRIGHTLY BURNING, U.S. Only.

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Week One:

• 4/30/2018- BookCrushin– Guest Post
• 5/1/2018- A Dream Within A Dream– Review
• 5/2/2018- BookHounds YA– Interview
• 5/3/2018- Book-Keeping– Review
• 5/4/2018- Novel Novice– Guest Post

Week Two:

• 5/7/2018- Eli to the nth– Review
• 5/8/2018- Owl Always Be Reading– Review
• 5/9/2018- JustAddaWord– Review
• 5/10/2018- Two Chicks on Books– Excerpt
• 5/11/2018- What A Nerd Girl Says– Review