Author Interview With Maddie Paige

 

Today, I’m delighted to have an interview with writing duo Maddie Paige to share with you! I recently read their NA release, A Shot Of Reckless, and absolutely loved it! Buy A Shot Of Reckless here.

Writing duo Maddie Paige bonded over books, shirtless boys and Step Up movies. One lives for her coffee while the other prefers hot chocolate. Both lovers of romance, they tag teamed a manuscript over late nights at Steak & Shake. They live in Atlanta, GA and A Shot of Reckless is their debut.

Given that Maddie Paige is your pen name for joint works, I’m intrigued to know about your writing processes. How do you go about writing a novel together? Are you both present at the same computer whilst writing–or do you alternate chapters, or points of view, between you?

MD: ASOR was written in any and all ways you can think of.  We originally broke it up sort of scene and by scene and then continuously wrote over each other. I think it helped us find their voices faster when there wasn’t any sort of rule about who was in control of which voice.

OP: When we first started we were experimenting and having fun and weren’t sure what would come of it until we realized how much we liked these spunky characters. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be in the shoes of a fun, rulebreaking, college girl? I would love to just go to bars every night and drink and barely get hung over! lol

Were there any parts of A SHOT OF RECKLESS that you argued about or had different ideas for? 

MD: I feel like Roxy came to us fully formed in a lot of ways, which is bizarre. We sort of instantly knew who she was and what was important to her.

OP: No arguing, ever, but we did talk about the characters a lot before we ever started writing them. We wanted our cast to feel real, with real friends because friends are so important, but also friends go through their own problems and issues and we wanted to show that it might take some time, you might be into yourself a little too much, but true friends are forever, and you should work at any relationship you want to keep. It’s something Roxy eventually learns and it was touching to write.

So how long does it take you to draft a novel together? Do you plan excessively or see where your writing takes you?

MD: This is one of those things we are very different in our approaches to writing. Olivia is a ridiculously fast drafter, but I’m VERY slow at it. I think it took us about 6 months to finish the first draft?  It was heavily planned. MANY nights spent at Steak N Shake writing in many many notebooks.

OP: I think it took us longer because there were times we just couldn’t meet up to do it, but when we did we would do like 6K-10K words. Granted it was two people writing at once, but we had so much plotted that it just flowed.

And the characters! I love how strong Roxy is! And Lake is the perfect love interest. Can we expect another novel about them? 

OP: Never say never, but for now we’re focusing on or solo books.

 

Is there a song that perfectly sums up A SHOT OF RECKLESS?

MD: Don’t Care by Icona Pop and Blank Space by T Swift definitely explains Roxy really well. Her brazen attitude is my favorite thing about her. The world is hers for the taking.

OP: Oh man, I can’t tell you how many times we listened to ICONA POP. Even now, that whole album is all about ASOR and I get vivid flashbacks of scenes and dialogue anytime any of those songs loop into my playlists.

What are you currently working on?

MD: Working on edits of a YA thriller right now that will hopefully be out by the end of the year under Alli Hope!

OP: What am I not working on? Aside from the photography side of things (hello pretty ASOR cover!) I am finishing up a few manuscripts hoping to be out by end of the year. Some as early as this summer.

Do you have a writing cave? Can you share any photos of your writing space?

OP: Lately it’s been Starbucks with friends. I can’t seem to accomplish anything at home in my too comfy big chair. Makes me want to nap.

Have you got any advice for aspiring writers?

OP: Read a lot, write a lot, rinse repeat. You can only learn about good writing if you read it and you can only tell what’s good writing if you read a lot. Also, always print out your revisions and read it on paper! Helps to find flow and mistakes you would miss otherwise.