THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY
The Extra Series by Megan Walker & Janci Patterson
Get a behind-the-scenes all-access pass to Megan Walker & Janci Patterson's THE EXTRA Series!
***Synopis***
The Extra Series is a rom-com series set in various aspects of the entertainment industry. The first, The Extra, is about a girl who gets a job as an extra on a soap opera set—and finds loads of drama both on set and off.
Ready to Rumba, our upcoming release is a fun, steamy story about two ballroom dancers—think Strictly Ballroom meets How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days. It’s a standalone, so you don’t need to have read any of the previous books, but if you have, you might recognize main character Nix from her side character appearance in Beauty and the Bassist—she’s Allison’s fun-loving sister, who clearly needs to find her own perfect match.
But now, when Nix meets sexy fellow ballroom dancer Marcus, can she trust that he isn’t like all the douchebag guys she’s dated before? She’s pretty sure she has the perfect plan to find out . . .
For fans of romantic comedies that are spunky, sexy, and hilarious . . . get lost in The Extra Series.
How are the books
in the series related?
We currently have 13 books in the series (not counting a prequel novella and an alternate “what if this couple had met in a different way?” novel) Most of these books can be read as standalone, but they are connected in that a side character in one book often will later have a book of their own—and there are lots of cameos of previous characters, so it’s like checking in on old friends!
The books are also related in the entertainment industry aspect. They often take place on movie sets, pop band tours, YouTube conventions, beauty pageants, or various types of reality TV shows—lots of crazy, fun drama to be had from those!
What is the sub-genre and trope?
We generally consider The Extra Series to be within the rom-com sub-genre. Some of the books deal with darker topics than others—mental health issues, addiction, etc—and we always try to treat those topics with the level of seriousness they deserve. But we also make sure that there’s plenty of fun and humor to be had—and, most importantly, all the ROMANCE.
Because we have so many books in the series, we feature a lot of the different romance tropes—second chance, friends-to-lovers, single parent, rock star, Hollywood, soul mates. A little something for everyone!
With many main and secondary characters, how do you keep them separated in your mind? Do you have a story/vision board above your workspace?
Nope, no story/vision board. We do have tons of main and secondary characters between all our books, but we don’t really have a hard time keeping them separated in our minds—they are each so very distinct to us. I think a huge part of that is our method of pre-writing: we use Barbie dolls for each of the characters, and literally play out scenes, seeing what the characters reveal about themselves through that, seeing where they take the scenes and where the book goes from there.
Not to mention, we love gaming these books and characters so much, that we often play them in alternate storylines, just for fun. It really helps us get to know all these characters inside and out.
I know from previous interviews that characters take on a life of their own. Were any of the characters in this series determined to take their own direction instead of where you initially wanted them to go?
Oh, absolutely. They do this to us so often. And we have generally found that when we listen to them and follow their lead, it makes for a better book. They know what’s up.
Series question - Who is your favorite couple and why did you decide on their dynamics?
This is a tough question—we love them all so much! But our favorite couple ultimately is probably Felix and Jenna, from Everything We Are (and their sequel books, The Jenna Rollins Real Love Tour and You are the Story). They have both just gone through so many difficult problems in their lives, and the way they relate to each other and help each other through is something I find beautiful. And I’m a big fan of soul mate romance, and that is definitely these two!
How do you get inside these characters’ heads to find their perfect HEA?
The gaming/role-playing them with Barbies is really how we do that. And once they are in our heads—and boy, it doesn’t take long—we know exactly what their perfect HEA is. Not just in who they end up with, because that’s pretty obvious, but the type of relationship they need with the other person by the end.
Series - Were any of the books harder to write than others?
Most of our books are standalones, but we do have a few sequels in the series—The Jenna Rollins Real Love Tour, My Faire Lady, and You are the Story—and I would say those were a bit harder to write than the others (particularly You are the Story, which is a sequel book for TWO of our couples) I think a lot of that is because these books aren’t about the initial meeting and the road to getting together in a lasting/committed way—those stories, even as different as they can all be told, tend to follow a typical romance book structure.
The sequels, however, are about the struggles of these couples that happens after the commitment that comes at the end (or is solidified at the end) of these books. What happens after you’re married or have been together for years, and you still have issues to work through (because that’s life), and just loving someone and being fully committed to them doesn’t make those issues just go away? I love seeing couples work through these things and become even stronger—to me, it makes their relationship even more beautiful. But from a writing standpoint, I feel like the structure of these types of books is more difficult to get right.
How long did it take you to write this book/series?
Each book in the series takes us generally between 6-8 weeks to write (that doesn’t count the editing passes and such, which we’re busy doing on the previous book while writing the current one). We also have two other series we write as well—the YA urban paranormal series, The Skilled, and the epic fantasy Five Lands Saga, under the pen name Cara Witter—so that takes up lots of our time as well. But I believe we started working together on the first book in this series, The Extra, about four years ago.
Series question – Did you know in advance that you were going to write this as a series or did one of the characters in book one demand their own story?
As soon as we started with The Extra, we knew that Anna-Marie and Felix needed their own stories—and, even though she was a very small part in that book, Su-Lin was going to have to get a book at some point, too. She just has such a dynamic, fun personality! From there, as we wrote those books, other characters in them started demanding their own books—Alec needed to be redeemed from being the villain in Everything We Are, and the same for Shane from The Girlfriend Stage. Hilarious, goofy YouTube rock climber Jason from Starving with the Stars needed to find his perfect person, and then his producer friend Nate wasn’t about to be left without his own love story . . . and on and on and on, which is why we’re putting out book 14 in the series and have many more that will be following.
Can you give us a hint as to what we can expect next? Whether a new book and series or a sequel to an existing series? Can you share a small tease?
Absolutely! Following Ready to Rumba, our next book will be about a fan-favorite character . . . Ty, the little kid with a big personality from Everything We Are (and its sequels), all grown up and ready for his own love story—with his childhood crush and now fellow counselor at a summer camp for the spoiled rich kids of celebrities.
BIO:
Megan Walker lives in Utah with her husband, two kids, and two dogs–all of whom are incredibly supportive of the time she spends writing about romance, crazy Hollywood hijinks, and magical mafias.
She loves making Barbie dioramas and reading trashy gossip magazines (and, okay, lots of other books and magazines, as well.)
With her co-author and bestie, Janci Patterson, she writes loads of books. So many books.
She does not get enough sleep.
Connect w/ Megan:
(The Extra Series)
(The Skilled Series)
(The Five Lands Saga)
Facebook Group:
Megan & Janci writing under Cara Witter:
Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3GdE9Oz
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20457194.Cara_Witter
Bookbub:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cara-witter
Visit extraseriesbooks.com to join our readers’ group and receive a free Extra Series book!
But as Blake and Kim get to know each other, friendship turns to attraction—and it’s not long before their whirlwind romance makes them the latest Hollywood It couple. A-list status comes with its own pressures, and Blake is afraid he’s not worthy of his fame or, more importantly, Kim.
When We Fell is a prequel romantic comedy novella. It features R-rated sexual content and swearing and contains no cheating. This is a prequel and not a stand-alone. Follow Kim and Blake's story in Ex on the Beach for their swoon-worthy happily ever after.
Check out my review!
https://readingbydeb.blogspot.com/2021/05/when-we-fell-by-megan-walker-janci.html#more
Everything We Might Have Been is a full-length, standalone romance with no cliffhanger, no cheating, and a swoon-worthy happily ever after. It is a reimagining of the love story between Felix and Jenna from Everything We Are, and can be read independently of any of the books in the series. This book features R-rated sexual content, swearing, and references to partying and drug use.
Blurb:
The Jenna Rollins Real Love Tour is a sequel novella to Everything We Are. It’s a continuation of Felix and Jenna’s love story with no cliffhanger, no cheating, no breakups, and continues their happily ever after. We recommend you read Everything We Are first, though these two can be read separately from other books in the series. This book contains PG-13 rated sexual content, swearing, and references to sexual assault, partying and drug use.
Alec & Jillian
Blurb:
Starving with the Stars is a full-length, standalone romantic comedy with no cliffhanger, no cheating, and a swoon-worthy happily ever after. This book features R-rated sexual content and swearing.
My Faire Lady is a full-length direct sequel to The Extra, and has PG-13 rated language and sexual content, no cliffhanger, no cheating, no breakups, and a swoon-worthy happily ever after. While it’s not necessary to have read all the previous books in the series, we do recommend that you read The Extra first.
(sequel to The Girlfriend Stage and Everything We Are)
Felix and Josh may be unlikely friends, but as they navigate new babies, entitled child stars, missing rattlesnakes, and mental breakdowns, they have one thing in common:
You are the Story is a full-length direct sequel to The Girlfriend Stage and Everything We Are. We recommend you read those two first, as You are the Story continues the stories of Felix and Jenna, as well as Anna-Marie and Josh. You are the Story contains R-rated sexual content, swearing, and references to partying and drug use. It has no cliffhanger, no breakups, and a happily ever after for both couples.
Kevin & Maya
Blurb:
How Not to Date a Rock Star is a standalone romantic comedy novella with no cliffhanger, no cheating, and a swoon-worthy happily ever after. It can be read independently of the first books, though a character from book two appears as a side character. There is some R-rated sexual content and language.
Shane & Allison
Blurb:
I've never had something this amazing before, and I'm terrified that I'm going to screw it up.
Shane Beckstrom’s punk band has been topping the charts, and he and his bandmates are sure they have it made—until a freak accident ends their success, killing their lead singer and rendering their lead guitarist too injured to play. Shane is the lone original bandmember to emerge unscathed—except for his severe concussion and the ghost of his best friend JT following him around, both of which make him doubt his sanity and his ability to ever play again.
When Shane’s agent convinces him to take over for JT as the emcee of the Miss California Poppy beauty pageant, he meets Allison Mendez, the pageant coordinator who has no patience for arrogant rock stars—especially when she’s already dealing with catfighting beauty contestants with a penchant for overly-revealing swimwear.
Despite Shane and Allison’s bickering, the chemistry between them is undeniable. Allison needs to loosen up as much as Shane needs to get his act together—but will Shane’s rapidly declining mental state get in the way of their happily ever after?
Beauty and the Bassist is a full-length, standalone romantic comedy. It features R-rated sexual content and swearing, no cliff hanger, no cheating, and a swoon-worthy happily ever after.
Brendan & Su-Lin
I probably shouldn’t spend so much time thinking about my best friend naked, even if he is my date.
Reality show star and YouTube sock-puppeteer Su-Lin Liu is madly in love with her best friend and business partner, fellow YouTuber Brendan Pike. From his pink hair to his genius at writing dirty sock jokes, Brendan is perfect for her in every way—except that he’s still reeling from a nasty divorce and doesn’t know if he’ll ever be ready for a serious relationship again.
Su-Lin isn’t about to give up, so she concocts a multi-step plan to get him past his anxiety and her past the friend-zone. At a YouTube convention, she and Brendan take turns setting each other up on dates with other people, all while “casually” dating each other. Su-Lin is willing to deal with anything—her jealousy, his panic attacks, their awkward games of Twister, and even the busty ventriloquist with her eye on Brendan—if it means her plan succeeds. But when one drunken night goes a little too far, Su-Lin knows she can’t keep pretending to be casual when her feelings are anything but.
Su-Lin has always had faith in her crazy plans, but she fears this one may only end in a broken heart.
Su-Lin’s Super Awesome Casual Dating Plan is a full-length, standalone romantic comedy. It features R-rated sexual content and swearing, no cliff hanger, no cheating, and a swoon-worthy happily ever after.
Blake & Kim
I’m going to be starring in a movie with my ex-husband—a man who I am still desperately in love with.
A-list movie star and animal activist Kim Watterson has it all: a spectacular career, two amazing kids, and a growing animal sanctuary she manages in her spare time. Still, she’s better known for being half of Watterpless, a Hollywood super-couple who put Brangelina and Bennifer to shame—and whose divorce generated just as much gossip.
And that’s before the studio for the latest comic book adaptation she’s headlining announces a cross-over film featuring her character—where she’ll be playing the romantic lead opposite her ex-husband, Blake Pless.
Kim’s determined to do the film, even though she’s still in love with Blake, because the alternative is to let the studio replace her with a younger model. She’s sure she can keep her heart and her dignity intact—
But no plan survives contact with the enemy, especially when you’re filming with your ex on the beach.
Ex on the Beach is a full-length, standalone romantic comedy. It features R-rated sexual content and swearing, no cliff hanger, no cheating, and a swoon-worthy happily ever after.
Jason and Emily have been going strong for the last two years, but lately Emily is starting to feel like their relationship is stuck in a rut. She’s ready to take the next step, but every time she brings up their future, it seems like Jason is, well . . . not.
The Real Not-Wives of Red Rock Canyon is a full-length, standalone romantic comedy. It features R-rated sexual content and swearing, no cliff hanger, no cheating, and a swoon-worthy happily ever after.
https://readingbydeb.blogspot.com/2021/05/the-real-not-wives-of-red-rock-canyon.html#more
Nate & Becca
Chasing Prince Charming is a full-length, standalone romantic comedy. It features R-rated sexual content and swearing, no cliff hanger, no cheating, and a swoon-worthy happily ever after.
As Nix grows closer to Marcus, she finds herself wanting more than just a booty call, and it seems that he does too. She can’t bring herself to just walk away, but she’s been broken up with too many times to put her trust in another relationship. So she concocts a plan: she’ll subject Marcus to every stupid habit and quirk that’s gotten her dumped in the past. This way she’ll be sure to get rid of him before she gets too attached, saving them both a lot of trouble in the long run.
With a plan this foolproof, what could go wrong?
Ready to Rumba is a full-length, standalone romantic comedy. It features R-rated sexual content and swearing, no cliffhanger, no cheating, and a swoon-worthy happily ever after.
Then Ty discovers that Ivy will also be working at the camp, and Axel has known all along. Ty is sure it’s going to be a long and painful summer—until Ivy lets on that she’s more interested in him than she ever was in Axel.
This seems like a dream come true, but with Axel jealously watching their every move, the timing couldn’t be worse. What’s more, Ty has committed to not having sex until he’s married, and at seventeen, Ivy’s not prepared to be celibate for years, but she’s far from ready to walk down the aisle.
Is this summer Ty and Ivy’s chance at happily ever after—or would they be better off saving each other for later?
Boxsets available on Amazon!
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