Interview With Author Trina Watters
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Trina Watters, a queer author writing contemporary romance that blends cozy warmth with emotional depth and a just-right edge of steam. Hard to Hold is my fourth published short romance in the Stepping It Up series, with more projects currently in the works. I have also published about a dozen non-romance fiction stories ranging from shorts to novels under another name.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest release is Hard to Hold, a steamy, emotionally grounded step-sibling romance about second chances and the terrifying courage it takes to let someone truly see you. I wanted to write a story where the tension isn’t just about whether the characters are attracted to each other, but whether they can push through years of internalized self-protection to believe they’re actually worthy of love.
It’s also my return to romance after a long hiatus, so it carries a lot of personal meaning about coming home to writing.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Jumping from idea to idea like a grasshopper on speed…?
No, seriously – I think my biggest writing ‘quirk’ is that I am not exactly a “pantser” (just start writing and go on ‘by the seat of your pants’), but not exactly a “plotter” (create careful outlines before doing any writing).
If I write a proper outline, I end up paralyzing myself with ‘but how do I *get* there?’ and nothing will flow.
If I write no outline, it *reads* more like stream of consciousness with horrible pacing, disjointed scenes, and tons of plotholes.
After much trial and error, I’ve found the best method for me, is to making a general high level plot arc, then identify the *major* beat(s) a scene needs to hit, and then ‘pants’ my way through writing the actual scene.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh, goodness, there are so many! Insofar as romance, my tops are probably Outlander and Black Dagger Brotherhood. I also have a deep love for sci-fi, with Glory Season by David Brin being my all-time favorite book.
What are you working on now?
I just started on the first of a new “standalone series” that will be focusing on workplace romances. Also, in the background, working on a long-time project of a sweeping epic speculative fiction book.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly, the marketing/promotion landscape is so different after my hiatus than it was when I was previously active, that I’m essentially having to start all over. So – I don’t really know yet!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
You don’t have to write like anyone else to be valid. Your process, your pace, and your voice are entirely yours—and that’s the magic. Also: finish the thing. A messy, imperfect finished draft teaches you far more than a perfectly polished first chapter that never goes anywhere. You can edit messy, but you can’t do much with a blank page.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best is the enemy of the good.
What are you reading now?
Re re re (and probably a few more re’s) reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
What’s next for you as a writer?
Ultimately, just continuing to write. That, and figuring out the best strategies to get my books to my potential audiences.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Glory Season by David Brin
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
And the best survival guide I can find!
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