by A.E. albert
@aealbert23
Book Title: Only A Kiss
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Sweet Romance
What inspired you to write your first book?Hi, Aimee! I think like most authors, I’d always wanted to write a book for as long as I can remember. Ever since I was a little girl, I would constantly bring around a notebook and pen so I could scribble down my stories. Those notebooks were carefully chosen too! They had to look pretty and be easy to write in (no unlined sheets, no pages too rough or too smooth—quite obsessive, I admit.) Then I landed a job as an editor for a teen magazine.
I loved it and had the time of my life. But a few cubicles down from me, the publishers were launching a book line. Chick lit was all the rage then and I wanted to beg them to let me try to write a book for them. But the problem was, each book had to have a sex scene. And I knew that was something I couldn’t do! Haha! So I said forget it.
A few years later, when I was pregnant, I was given the chance to edit some of the chick lit books. And thankfully, including a sex scene was no longer required. While reading through the submissions, I started wondering if I could try, just try to write my book.
A few years later, when I was pregnant, I was given the chance to edit some of the chick lit books. And thankfully, including a sex scene was no longer required. While reading through the submissions, I started wondering if I could try, just try to write my book.
I sat down at my computer, faced the blank page, and began writing about what had just happened to me a few moments before: I had broken a glass while washing the dishes. I was able to write around 13 pages before I abandoned it altogether, thinking it was crap.
Three years later, while my daughter was napping, I wandered into a folder on my desktop and found my abandoned story. I decided to take a look and after reading what I had written, I wanted to know what was going to happen next! It didn’t sound like crap anymore (maybe it was the hormones that made me think that all those years ago!). And that’s how my first book came about.
Is there a message in your book and/or books?
I believe my books all have similar messages. The first two are definitely about believing in yourself and trusting in your abilities and talents. Only A Kiss, my current book, is about love and how powerful it is.
Is there anything in your book and/or books based on real life experiences?
I don’t set out to write about real life experiences, but when I do write, they somehow creep into the story. I always change them up a bit or even just use a small part of what actually happened. But I think, as a writer, you can’t help relying on what you have witnessed and lived in order to make your characters and your story more realistic.
What books and/or writers have influenced you the most?
I don’t know if you are familiar with the Sweet Dreams series. It’s a series of stand-alone YA books that were popular in the 80s and 90s. I adored them as a child (and a teen). I reread my favorites over and over. My favorite author from that series was Jahnna Beecham who, I was delighted to find out, was actually a husband and wife team also writing under the penname Jahnna N. Malcolm.
I looked for their books and bought them all! There was something special about their main characters. The girls were quirky and the guys had distinct personalities. And because today, I write mostly YA romance, you could say these authors were my heaviest influence.
Three years later, while my daughter was napping, I wandered into a folder on my desktop and found my abandoned story. I decided to take a look and after reading what I had written, I wanted to know what was going to happen next! It didn’t sound like crap anymore (maybe it was the hormones that made me think that all those years ago!). And that’s how my first book came about.
Is there a message in your book and/or books?
I believe my books all have similar messages. The first two are definitely about believing in yourself and trusting in your abilities and talents. Only A Kiss, my current book, is about love and how powerful it is.
Is there anything in your book and/or books based on real life experiences?
I don’t set out to write about real life experiences, but when I do write, they somehow creep into the story. I always change them up a bit or even just use a small part of what actually happened. But I think, as a writer, you can’t help relying on what you have witnessed and lived in order to make your characters and your story more realistic.
What books and/or writers have influenced you the most?
I don’t know if you are familiar with the Sweet Dreams series. It’s a series of stand-alone YA books that were popular in the 80s and 90s. I adored them as a child (and a teen). I reread my favorites over and over. My favorite author from that series was Jahnna Beecham who, I was delighted to find out, was actually a husband and wife team also writing under the penname Jahnna N. Malcolm.
I looked for their books and bought them all! There was something special about their main characters. The girls were quirky and the guys had distinct personalities. And because today, I write mostly YA romance, you could say these authors were my heaviest influence.
Through the years, I have had several other favorite authors, but because I fell in love with Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartner’s books as a young, impressionable, and highly emotional teenager, I believe they will stay with me forever.
What has been your greatest challenge when writing?
Finding the time to write! I am a mom to two little girls, a six-year-old and a 15-month-old. They are in constant need of attention and I can only get to write when they’re asleep! And even then, it’s always interrupted by something or other. I long for uninterrupted writing time, maybe in a breezy rest house far away from the city with lots of mango and buko shakes to fortify me.
What are you working on right now?
Right now, I’m writing a short story about the two characters who get married in the beginning of my book Only A Kiss. I meant for it to be a permafree short story to thank those who have read the book or invite others to buy it. But right now, I’m exceeding 10,000 words and it seems to be morphing into a novella.
What has been your greatest challenge when writing?
Finding the time to write! I am a mom to two little girls, a six-year-old and a 15-month-old. They are in constant need of attention and I can only get to write when they’re asleep! And even then, it’s always interrupted by something or other. I long for uninterrupted writing time, maybe in a breezy rest house far away from the city with lots of mango and buko shakes to fortify me.
What are you working on right now?
Right now, I’m writing a short story about the two characters who get married in the beginning of my book Only A Kiss. I meant for it to be a permafree short story to thank those who have read the book or invite others to buy it. But right now, I’m exceeding 10,000 words and it seems to be morphing into a novella.
I have to discipline myself so I can write a proper short story without adding so many elements. I get so carried away! If I do turn this into a novella or maybe even a novel, then I will still write a permafree short story. Just because I already promised my readers. And I like making these goals for myself. They push me to keep writing.
What have you learned and do you have any advice for other authors?
I’ve learned that writing, like any other skill, must be honed. If you want to be good, you have to practice. You have to write every day. You have to keep at it and always be open to improvement. It’s hard to take criticism—especially when you’re a lot older and more seasoned—but if you keep in mind that it will help you improve, then you will accept comments gratefully and graciously.
My advice for other authors (and for myself!) is just to write, write, write. And indie publishing is awesome because now we don’t have to wait for publishers to decide on when (or even whether or not!) to publish our work. We can come out with it as soon as we’re ready! The problem is marketing it. But I believe that if the work is good and abundant (thus the advice to write and write and write!), the readers will come. Fingers crossed. J
Only A Kiss Book Blurb:
When she was nine-years-old, Katie knew she wanted Chris to give her her first kiss. It wasn't because she was in love with him (no way, he was her best friend! Besides, she was in love with his fourteen-year-old big brother), it was because she could make him do anything she wanted.
Besides, it didn't really mean anything. After all, it was only a kiss.
But things started to change. They grew up. They parted ways and went to different high schools. Then other girls and other boys—well, just one particular boy—came into the picture, throwing their lives upside down.
Told from the alternating points of view of Katie and Chris, this love story between two best friends will tug at your heartstrings and leave you thinking about how the simplest things mean so much.
Excerpt from ONLY A KISS:
Katie couldn't get over what she had just witnessed. The kiss Kuya Ben gave her cousin wasn't like the ones she’d seen in movies or on TV. It was quick and it was through a car window, but it was the most powerful one she had ever seen. It was as if he wanted to gift all the emotions coursing through him to his future bride, and the only way he knew how was through a kiss.
Excerpt from NOBODY NEEDS TO KNOW:
But a few weeks later, while he was doing some groceries for his mom after school, something he actually enjoyed because he found it relaxing when there weren’t too many people, someone tapped him on the shoulder. “Haven’t been seeing you around.” He turned to see Iris, looking absolutely adorable in a blue tank top, skinny jeans, and orange Chucks. She had a faded yellow headband on and somehow, it made her entire face light up. He didn’t know how or why, he just noticed that it did. And right then, he knew he was powerless against her. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were avoiding me.” She tilted her head to the side and looked up at him prettily. She knew she was cute, he realized. She knew he liked her. And he didn’t care. She was talking to him, wasn’t she? Did that mean she liked him too?
Excerpt from JUST ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Running into the waves, Katie shrieked as the cold water hit her skin. “Maybe this was a bad idea!” She was about to head back to the sand when Andrew started splashing her with water. “Hey, cut it out!” She splashed him back, laughing. She felt like they were in a romantic comedy, all she needed was a killer soundtrack and they were all set. When Andrew held his hands up and called for a truce, Katie swam up next to him, thinking she was most possibly living the best night of her life—with or without the alcohol dizzying up her brain.
Excerpt from MAKING MY WAY:
When Katie entered the living room in her midnight blue gown that showed off her shoulders and clung to all the right places, places he had never noticed before, his breath caught in his throat. Her hair was all wavy and loose down her back but it looked like she had done something to it because it looked shinier. And she was radiant. Her eyes were sparkling, her lips were glossy—it could have just been the illusion brought on by makeup, but still, he felt as if he were standing next to someone else. Someone he had asked to the ball, not because she was his best friend, but because there was something about her that he wanted to get to the bottom of—because there was something about her that was slowly reeling him in. And at that moment, he realized he wasn’t just anticipating the hype, he was already living it.
Excerpt from LIKE NOBODY ELSE:
Katie took a deep breath, touched up her makeup, and stepped out of the stall. She had to see Chris sooner or later. Even if she had no idea how she felt about him anymore. But then again, what did she expect? It wasn’t as if he was still her best friend. Feeling like she had lost something (her mind, maybe?), she swiped on some lipstick and decided it was time to face the music. No matter what song was playing.
Book Reviews:
Only a Kiss is a story about love—the joy of first love (and a first kiss!), the pain of heartbreak, the possibility of a new beginning, love for family and friends, and most especially, love for that special someone. I love how the author weaved the stories of her different characters together and how we saw them grow up and grow in love. I enjoyed reading this book because it reminded me that love comes in so many forms and that there is always hope for a happy ending. I highly recommend it! —Angela
What have you learned and do you have any advice for other authors?
I’ve learned that writing, like any other skill, must be honed. If you want to be good, you have to practice. You have to write every day. You have to keep at it and always be open to improvement. It’s hard to take criticism—especially when you’re a lot older and more seasoned—but if you keep in mind that it will help you improve, then you will accept comments gratefully and graciously.
My advice for other authors (and for myself!) is just to write, write, write. And indie publishing is awesome because now we don’t have to wait for publishers to decide on when (or even whether or not!) to publish our work. We can come out with it as soon as we’re ready! The problem is marketing it. But I believe that if the work is good and abundant (thus the advice to write and write and write!), the readers will come. Fingers crossed. J
Only A Kiss Book Blurb:
When she was nine-years-old, Katie knew she wanted Chris to give her her first kiss. It wasn't because she was in love with him (no way, he was her best friend! Besides, she was in love with his fourteen-year-old big brother), it was because she could make him do anything she wanted.
Besides, it didn't really mean anything. After all, it was only a kiss.
But things started to change. They grew up. They parted ways and went to different high schools. Then other girls and other boys—well, just one particular boy—came into the picture, throwing their lives upside down.
Told from the alternating points of view of Katie and Chris, this love story between two best friends will tug at your heartstrings and leave you thinking about how the simplest things mean so much.
Excerpt from ONLY A KISS:
Katie couldn't get over what she had just witnessed. The kiss Kuya Ben gave her cousin wasn't like the ones she’d seen in movies or on TV. It was quick and it was through a car window, but it was the most powerful one she had ever seen. It was as if he wanted to gift all the emotions coursing through him to his future bride, and the only way he knew how was through a kiss.
Excerpt from NOBODY NEEDS TO KNOW:
But a few weeks later, while he was doing some groceries for his mom after school, something he actually enjoyed because he found it relaxing when there weren’t too many people, someone tapped him on the shoulder. “Haven’t been seeing you around.” He turned to see Iris, looking absolutely adorable in a blue tank top, skinny jeans, and orange Chucks. She had a faded yellow headband on and somehow, it made her entire face light up. He didn’t know how or why, he just noticed that it did. And right then, he knew he was powerless against her. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were avoiding me.” She tilted her head to the side and looked up at him prettily. She knew she was cute, he realized. She knew he liked her. And he didn’t care. She was talking to him, wasn’t she? Did that mean she liked him too?
Excerpt from JUST ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Running into the waves, Katie shrieked as the cold water hit her skin. “Maybe this was a bad idea!” She was about to head back to the sand when Andrew started splashing her with water. “Hey, cut it out!” She splashed him back, laughing. She felt like they were in a romantic comedy, all she needed was a killer soundtrack and they were all set. When Andrew held his hands up and called for a truce, Katie swam up next to him, thinking she was most possibly living the best night of her life—with or without the alcohol dizzying up her brain.
Excerpt from MAKING MY WAY:
When Katie entered the living room in her midnight blue gown that showed off her shoulders and clung to all the right places, places he had never noticed before, his breath caught in his throat. Her hair was all wavy and loose down her back but it looked like she had done something to it because it looked shinier. And she was radiant. Her eyes were sparkling, her lips were glossy—it could have just been the illusion brought on by makeup, but still, he felt as if he were standing next to someone else. Someone he had asked to the ball, not because she was his best friend, but because there was something about her that he wanted to get to the bottom of—because there was something about her that was slowly reeling him in. And at that moment, he realized he wasn’t just anticipating the hype, he was already living it.
Excerpt from LIKE NOBODY ELSE:
Katie took a deep breath, touched up her makeup, and stepped out of the stall. She had to see Chris sooner or later. Even if she had no idea how she felt about him anymore. But then again, what did she expect? It wasn’t as if he was still her best friend. Feeling like she had lost something (her mind, maybe?), she swiped on some lipstick and decided it was time to face the music. No matter what song was playing.
Book Reviews:
Only a Kiss is a story about love—the joy of first love (and a first kiss!), the pain of heartbreak, the possibility of a new beginning, love for family and friends, and most especially, love for that special someone. I love how the author weaved the stories of her different characters together and how we saw them grow up and grow in love. I enjoyed reading this book because it reminded me that love comes in so many forms and that there is always hope for a happy ending. I highly recommend it! —Angela
I've been excited to read this book ever since I bought it. Not only was it very pretty to look at but I have also been following the author's works, all of which I've I enjoyed reading. I haven't read for a while now and Only A Kiss was just the right book to get me to start reading again. I enjoy reading love stories, especially those that make your heart ache a little, give you a good cry, yet still leave a smile on your face and the feeling of being in love after. You will experience all these with this book. It even made me wish that I had a guy bestfriend too :p Others may say that this is yet another predictable love story, but who doesn't love happy endings? I know I do and I wouldn't mind reading them over and over again. —Wella Javellana
I LOVE THIS. I LOVE THIS. I LOVE THIS.
It was cute, then funny, then it got serious, and sad, and painful, and EVERYTHING IS WORTH IT IN THE END.
I like it that the story was told in a way that shows the growth of the characters, both physically and emotionally. I so love the lessons about life and love that were shown in the book. There were a lot of quotable quotes, too.
What do I love the most about this book? It's sense of reality. The characters do what real people would do in real life. It's like I'm reading a story told to me by a friend. Everything felt natural.
I love how the characters saw their lives as children and how their lives changed as they grew older.
PLUS: I AM IN LOVE WITH THE COVER!!! —Elline Faye Sebastian
I finished this book in one sitting! I couldn't put it down. I loved the dialogue between Katie and Chris. I loved "watching" them grow up. Parts of the story made me laugh out loud. Parts of it made me teary eyed and all mushy. Having both the giggles and the sniffles, for me, are signs of a good book! I'm so so soooo glad I bought this book! —KC
About The Author
She is the former editor-in-chief of Candy and K-Zone magazines and a former high school and college English and Literature teacher. She is also a wife and mom and blogs about the many challenges and joys of motherhood at theeverydayprojectblog.com. She has recently launched The Author Project, a section in her current blog devoted to the stories in her head.
Social Media Links:
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/inesbautistayao
Twitter and instagram:
@inesbyao
Website: http://theeverydayprojectblog.com/inesbyao-author-project/
Purchase Links:
Amazon:
http://goo.gl/G1AV43
Buqo.ph:
http://www.buqo.ph/Shop/Book/954a811b-eed6-4658-84f9-ab52ef27e35f/only-a-kiss
Promotional Dates:
At 99 cents:
Website: http://theeverydayprojectblog.com/inesbyao-author-project/
Purchase Links:
Amazon:
http://goo.gl/G1AV43
Buqo.ph:
http://www.buqo.ph/Shop/Book/954a811b-eed6-4658-84f9-ab52ef27e35f/only-a-kiss
Promotional Dates:
At 99 cents:
January 10 – February 14
About A.E. Albert
About A.E. Albert
Contact me if you are interested in an author interview.
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