Monday, January 28, 2013

How Author's Write- Brandi Schmidt

Today I welcome fellow MuseItUp author Brandi Schmidt. Her debut novel will release this March. Welcome, Brandi!

What do you write?
Paranormal romance

Do you use 1st person, 3rd person, multiple POVs?
1st person

How do you get started with a book? 
I have been blessed that the all my story's just come to me. I believe in a higher power. I never thought I would be a writer, there must of been some divine intervention.

Do you draft quickly? 
I do drafty quickly - I can write a mind map in minutes. I usually write out each chapter's main points first. I will also do a detailed description of my main characters, so that I know them and what they like and how they would react. My first draft is always written from start to finish. I have never been able to write just a scene. Sometimes the story changes or details come out that I hadn't planned. I let the characters tell the story, it seems to work for me. A first draft can take months for me. Only because I work full time and am a wife and mother of 3. It's hard to fit it in, but I do because I love it.

Do you do research before your first draft, during? 
During usually

Do you outline? How?
Yes - chapter by chapter. I also mind map (a form of brainstorming)

Do you name everything up front when you are drafting or do you leave comments for yourself to go back and fill in later so you don't lose the flow of what you are working on?
I name everything upfront, if it changes later then I will go back and edit.

Do you work with CP's or Beta's? How soon into your draft do you let them see your work? 
I have an amazing critique group called "The Lit Ladies". I suggest every writer have one. They read as I go, I take their input and ideas as I write.

What books/websites have you found most helpful to helping you write your best?
I love to read. I like to loose myself in a good story. I also follow many authors and agents. Agent blogs usually have great information and some hysterical stories.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started writing?
HA! I thought - I'm going to write a book - easy right? NO - it's not it's taken me 4 years from start to publication for my first novel THE KINDLING. I'm actually glad I didn't know it would take this long, I may of given up. Sometimes is the idea of success that keeps you going. If you knew you would fail would you continue?

What do you have out now, or coming out? Any upcoming events? A website we can find you and your books at? An author photo? A booktrailer? Anything else you want to share? 
THE KINDLING is coming out March 2013 by MuseItUp Publishing. My first paranormal romance novel. I will be doing a blog tour the month of Feb and March. I will also be attending The Missouri Writers Guild Conference in April, The RT Conference in Kansas City in May and the RWA Conference in Atlanta GA in July. I will also be featured in the RT book Review Magazine in April - "New authors" section.

Keep faith and always do what you dream!
Debut novel by Brandi Schmidt
Represented by MuseItUp Publishing, Release Date March 2013
Genre: Paranormal Romance



Tru Darling is a Sparkler. She didn't choose to be almost electrocuted, inherit otherworldly powers, and fall for the hottest evil guy in St. Louis—but that's exactly what happened. Her power to see true love spark in the eyes of strangers, to watch it flicker with excitement, fuse with it's perfect match, or witness it burn out from despair, is a wonderful curse that drains her emotionally and physically. But she can't afford to be weak while she's hunting down soul mates, saving others' faith in love, and contemplating if her new hot boyfriend is her guardian angel or the angel of death. Being a Sparkler may have its perks; enhanced vision, intuition, and physical beauty. But what of the personal costs that come with Tru's destiny? Constant danger, unbearable pain, and lost souls she just can't save. Tru must choose between a normal life without love or a birthright that comes with great passion, danger, and responsibility.


Mini Excerpt:

            "We are like these branches. They kindle the flame and allow the fire to grow. When the fire can sustain itself, they disappear into the ashes. You can try to start the fire by holding a flame to the logs, but it's a difficult and timely process, if you complete it at all. Most of the time you would give up, exhausted and frustrated." He paused to look deep into my eyes. "You can try to force a fire, pretend it's there, but eventually you will come to know the truth. A pretend flame doesn't have any heat." He stood and moved toward me with his beautiful blue eyes sparkling in the light of the fire that had already begun to blaze beside him. As he neared me, I could feel my heart race and my face flush.

                He knelt at the couch and continued, "You see, we are the kindling for love. We facilitate the fire that burns between two people." He was whispering now, only inches from me. "Can you feel the heat?"

About the Author:

Brandi Schmidt lives outside St. Louis with her husband, three beautiful children, and one loveable Golden Retriever. She is in love with love and admittedly cries at anything sappy. She graduated from Washington University with a BA in Biomedical Engineering Science, but soon found statistics and facts were too confining for her creative mind. Thus, writing became her release into a new and wonderful world of words.


The Kindling is available for pre-order at MuseItUp. I know I'm looking forward to reading this one! You can find Brandi at:


12 comments:

  1. It's great to meet you, Brandi. I agree with your notion of a higher power being involved. I write my best work when I just let go and believe. I like how you outline chapter by chapter. I'm trying that with the sequel I'm writing now. It's taking me a while, though. lol

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    1. Keep it up...I am sure you will work through it. Who knew writing was so hard! LOL...but we love it and that's what matters.

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  2. I like your "Lit ladies' name. I'm sure you meant that in the nicest way.

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    1. We all came up with "The Lit Ladies" together. There are 4 of us ranging from ages 16-43. It's a melting pot of knowledge and inspiration. They are amazing.

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  3. Wonderful interview and I love having a CP that reads my work as I write so I can address issues immediately if I can or note them for revisions later. CPs are invaluable!

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  4. Great interview. I agree critique partners are so important. I love mine. Good luck with your book, Brandi.

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