Indie Author Summer Extravaganza Feature Friday: Bridget Van Der Eyk
In celebration of this year’s Indie Author Summer Extravaganza (14 July - 17 July & hosted by Hayley Anderton), I’m featuring fellow participating romance authors every Friday! This event has over 80 authors so far and is a great way for readers to find new indie books & authors in a variety of genres!
Bridget Van der Eyk is an up and coming contemporary romance author - “10 Dates” is her debut novel. She lives in country NSW, Australia on a 5-acre property with her husband (Josh), children (Zoe and Max), and dogs (Kevin and Stella).
Apart from being published, her dream for “10 Dates” is to see it be turned into a Netflix mini-series starring Kendall Jenner and Harry Styles.
When Bridget is not working a full-time teaching job or binging Korean zombie shows on Netflix, she is busy writing her next novel. "3000 Words", the sequel to "10 Dates", is due to release at the end of 2023.
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Bridget Van Der Eyk Author Interview
How do you find time to write?
I write at all times of the day, whenever I get the chance, and whenever I have a spare moment. Some moments are less productive than others, but with a newborn and a toddler, I need to make use of any spare time I can get my hands on!
What is the best time of day for you to write?
I find I write better in the middle of the day when I’m not super tired.
How long does it take you to write a book?
It varies! I started “10 Dates” when I was 18 and didn’t finish it until I was 32, but then again, it only took me 3 months to complete the first draft of “3000 Words” (the “10 Dates” sequel).
Does writing energize you or exhaust you?
Writing is a creative outlet for me, so I definitely find myself energized when I’ve been able to put all the creative thoughts in my head down on paper.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
Yes! I’ve found that for me to avoid writer’s block, I need to plan out my plot down to the exact day that I’m writing about in a chapter. For me, once the planning is done the writing just flows.
Have you ever gotten reader’s block?
I actually had a massive case of reader’s block earlier this year. I was reading a lot of contemporary romance while writing my own contemporary romance novel, and I just needed a break. I decided to give romantasy (romance/fantasy) a chance and got addicted to the ACOTAR series. I read all 700 pages of A Court of Wings and Ruin in 2 days!
What’s your favorite under- appreciated novel?
My favorite Nicholas Sparks’ book is The Guardian. It’s not one of his books that’s been adapted into a film, so not many people know about it, but it’s definitely worth reading!
What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
My day job as a teacher. I love teaching, but if I didn’t have to worry about my day job I could get so much more writing done and so many more books published.
If you could tell your younger writer self anything, what would it be?
Get that pesky first draft done! For me, the first draft is always the hardest part of the writing process, which means that once it’s done, everything gets easier.