Blog Tour: Interview + Excerpt || Two Outta Three by S. Briones Lim

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

          Books have been my favorite thing ever since I could remember. I’ve always loved reading and I think this love of reading only added fuel to my “writing fire.” I remember writing poems and stories as soon as I learned how to write! It’s been a long time :)

How long does it take you to write a book?

          It really depends on the story. There are some that just flow out of me and in a blink of an eye are written. Then there are others that take a bit of nurturing and calming of my mind before I can get my story across. I’d say anywhere from one month to six :)

Where do you get ideas for your books?

          A lot of my story ideas came from dreams. Others from the people I meet, songs I hear or things that catch my eye.

What do you do when you're not writing?

          I am either reading, or just spending time with my family and dog.

What does your family think of your writing?

          They have been so supportive! They buy every book and are as excited as I am about each one!

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

How often I used certain “pet phrases.” My editors rock! Who knew I liked to say “eyes bugged out” so many times in a span of six chapters? Haha

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

          I have written 11 full manuscripts (10 published) and am currently 98% done with another one, 50% done with a second one and about 33% finished with about five more. What can I say? My must never sleeps!

          If I had to pick my favorite one it would be Palace Hills. It was the first story I outlined from start to finish (though it was the fifth book I wrote) and a story that’s been with me for almost nine years. It was also the book that landed me my publishing contract with Limitless Publishing.

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

          I hear from readers here and there on my social media accounts. It’s really fun hearing what they have to say about certain stories and how they feel about my characters. It is because of my readers that I have decided to write a sequel to Palace Hills!

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

          I learned that sometimes when you get writer’s block, a little time off, some good music and good company is all you need to jump back on the horse.

How did you come up with the book title?

          Two Outta Three is a play on a group of 3 best friends in which 2 are in love, and also a play on a mini love triangle.

Is there anything you would like to change in your latest book?

          As a writer there are always things I’d like to change about a book even after it was published. I often find it hard to reread my books for that reason. So the answer is yes, but just little things.

Are there any story behind the cover of your book? What are they?

          No big story, but just the love between Rocky and Jesse :)

Can you describe your writing process?

          I love writing with music playing in the background. Certain songs actually develop the mood of a scene, making it more raw, real and emotional.

Do you have writing inspirations? Who are they?

          God, my favorite authors, family—they all inspire me in different ways. I couldn’t have written any of my books without them.

What's your favorite genre?

          Currently I love New Adult, but I read everything!

What's next for you?

          I am finishing up the 2nd book to the Two Outta Three series, “One and Done” as well as the final book for the Caught Inside series, “On the Outside.” After those two, let’s just say I have a laundry list of books to complete.

          The old-fashioned bells my dad refused to take off the front doors rung as the glass door opened. Seeing as we weren’t due to open for another thirty minutes, I could only guess who had walked into the door. My beating heart certainly knew.

          “Mr. Rossi?” The familiar voice was like a melody. It reminded me of an old favorite song that you hadn’t heard in years, but were still able to recite line by line with ease. Despite the years of silence, I still knew that voice so well.

          “Over here, Jesse.”

          My palms instantly moistened. Taking a deep breath, I wiped them against my faded jeans, unsure of what to do with myself. Trying to appear calm, I leaned my forearm against the counter and shifted my weight so my hip was sticking out. Realizing how stupid I looked, I straightened myself and crossed my arms over my chest.

          “What the hell am I doing? Am I drill sergeant?” I shook my head, reminding myself he was just an old friend. Granted, a best friend I used to love, but still. Finally relaxing into a somewhat decent pose, I looked up in time to see him round the corner towards us.

          He instantly took my breath away.

          It had been five years since I had last seen him. Having always been the conspiracy theory type, he never even owned an online profile and believe me, I looked! For the last five years I had relied solely on my memory whenever I thought about him. In my mind, the name Jesse conjured up images of a handsome boy—tall, skinny, with a flop of messy dark hair. The man standing in front of me was not the Jesse I recalled. He was much, much better.