Meet The Member
Meet SoCalRW member: Arianna Quinn (and her characters)
What inspired you to become a writer?
I have to admit that I have always wanted to write. Growing up, playing Barbies with my sister, we made up stories and dramatic relationships between friends and families (not your usual child’s play). Then in high school, I loved writing poetry and short stories I’d share with my friends. The short stories continued into college. I took a creative writing class and unfortunately, one unsupportive professor ended the dream. The reality and pressure of choosing a career in something more reliable had me letting go of the dream, too.
When did you first realize you wanted to write a book?
It’s more of a how did this happen. I always kept snippets of stories I started but never went anywhere. They were scenes or storylines in my head that needed out so I would write them. Years ago, I sent one to my two best friends. They told me it was good, but as besties, they are required to say that so I paid no attention and went about building my career and life.
Fast forward three years later, the three of us are in Brooklyn, where one of them lives, having fun with an adventurous and friendly bartender in DUMBO, and when we get back to the apartment, my friend sets a few bottles of wine in front of me and says, “You have to write.”
My immediate answer was no, no, no. She listed all the things I should do—take classes, join critique groups, take workshops, enter contests, etc. I was adamant. No.
A month later, I explored the idea and continued with the story I started three years before. I took free online classes, workshops, and looked into a critique group. After that I joined SoCalRW (RWA San Diego then), and met my tribe.
What inspired the concept of your latest book?
The fictional band in my Country Stars Forever series, Muddy Boots, were born from the first book I wrote and from my love of country music. The characters had different trajectories, but a few months after I finished that first book, I knew something was off. Two of my characters, Emily and Derek, were friends in the first book. He was always there for her when her relationships ended. For a week I was at home sick, couldn’t get the energy to go to work. Instead, I grabbed my laptop, and started writing a different story.
The final product, Risky Replay, is the fourth or fifth iteration of Derek and Emily’s HEA. I knew they would be a second chance romance, and it included a secret child as well. Derek always being there to console Emily was a natural part of their complicated relationship and why not add a forever bond for them?
What themes or messages do you hope readers take away from your book?
Risky Replay is about a country artist, Derek, and a Latine mama bear, Emily, with a secret child, and second chance trope. It’s about them learning to coparent with Derek’s hectic schedule, while Emily is still finding her footing after losing her husband.
With a secret child trope, there is a huge break in trust and that’s what needs to be overcome. Romance lends itself so beautifully to this theme, about letting go of the past that has left a scar and how to open yourself up to possibilities.
In addition, as a Latina, I wanted to add representation of my culture in my books, at the same time be purposeful in representing those of us who grew up in the US, and not feed a stereotypical immigrant with language barriers or create an image of a foreigner. Emily is of Mexican heritage and there is plenty of food and language as well as some Spanish language songs I love in Risky Replay. These were so much fun to include and write about.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
The most important of all is to find your people. Writing is a lonely art. Unless your friends are writers too, you will need to find others who write. That’s what I found at SoCalRW from the beginning. I showed up curious about what it was about. After several meetings I knew I was around others, like me, who were interested in growing into better writers, creating a sustainable career, and fulfilling long standing dreams.
I also found mentors and friends, like C.J. Corbin, who committed to chatting with me every other week and catching up. Encouraging me to continue with my writing, sharing her own experiences, and becoming one of my closest friends.
For a long time, I thought I needed to focus on getting better at the craft. Which I did and all writers should. But I postponed my debut for a long time, not feeling ready. It wasn’t until I shifted my mindset from being a novice, or learning the craft, to making writing a career. Focusing on all aspects of the author life is pivotal to sustaining a career in a saturated market. I’m starting out, but I know one thing. I don’t give up. And my tribe won’t let me.
Next time your friends put a bottle of wine or water in front of you and say, “You need to write,” make sure you find your people and hone your craft.
