What does it take to bring a story from an idea to a published book? From first drafts and self-doubt to revisions, formatting and publishing, and everything in between, the journey can be as challenging as it is rewarding. Alice G. Brooks joins us today to share their experience writing When Death Gives You Lemons, the lessons they’ve learned, and their advice for aspiring indie authors.

Whether you’re an aspiring author, an indie reader, or simply curious about how stories come to life, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

Let’s dive in.

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I spend most of my free time writing my books. My upcoming novel, When Death Gives You Lemons, follows a dead murderer and a grim reaper. Isaac, the murderer, just wants to find forgiveness for his crimes, and Grim is eager to learn about humanity and accompanies him through the living realm. I had an absolute blast writing this book, and I worked on this and my current projects most of my time.

Outside of that, I like to play video games (most recently, The Last of Us), take photos, and draw in my sketchbook. I love the not-so-well-known Broadway musical of Beetlejuice, and I’m into funny earrings.

2. So, you’re quite a write-a-holic... always writing?

I tend to write whenever I have a free minute and when my energy level allows me to. I do work full-time, so it’s not always possible. I wish there were more hours in the day!

3. Yeah... Pitch your book in one or two sentences.

A dead man guilty of the three murders of his closest friends encounters a lovable Grim Reaper who is looking to learn about humanity. Together, they embark on a journey to find forgiveness—if that was ever on the table at all. The book addresses topics of guilt, grief, and what it means to be human.

4. And what kind of readers would love this book?

When Death Gives You Lemons is for those who enjoy the occasional absurd story, who don’t mind a little weirdness in their books. It’s a book for queer people looking for authentic representation, and for those who just want a cute little love story wrapped in a parcel of darkness and humor.

5. Lovely… Now, let’s get a little personal. What’s the story behind your story?

There is none. It may sound dumb, but that’s just how I work; one day, I thought Hey, Murderer x Grim Reaper sounds fun, and that was that. I completed the first draft within a month, and I didn’t need a specific spark for this one. I just loved the concept.

6. You wrote that 300+ page draft in one month? What’s your secret?

For that particular draft, I took days off work just to write. I had a weekend in which I wrote 22k words. I don’t have a secret or a tip; I just write crazy fast, and I don’t let myself be stopped by trying to perfect it right away. I just get it all off my chest. There’s time for fixing later. My usual word count per session tends to be around 1k words, but some days, I just enter hyperfocus and do nothing else. On those days, I forget to eat. Would not recommend doing that one. But the focus does help in getting stuff done.

7. Impressive. What’s that one scene or character in this book that sticks out for you?

I can’t spoil too much, but for me, it’s a scene toward the end of the book where Isaac meets a very important person to him for the last time. It makes me bawl my eyes out every time I read it, and I have reread this hundreds of times during edits. It’s just so real and raw; despite having gone on his journey, it still doesn’t feel quite over yet. There’s a certain pain that comes with this specific scene that I can’t get too detailed with here. It just sticks.

8. I think I know which scene it is. That meet sure was painful. What part of this book gave you the hardest time?

Certainly the edits. I’m a writer through and through, and editing is the bane of my existence. Of course, I do it, and I work hard on every single one of my drafts, as they go through multiple rounds of edits by myself and other people, but it always makes me doubt my abilities. During that time, it’s important to have another easier, fresh writing project to keep your sanity intact.

9. So, juggling among different writing projects makes you feel alive?

I just write whatever I vibe with the most. I try not to set too strict deadlines for myself, although sometimes I do anyway. I like to switch it up from time to time, and I always have a fanfiction going on at the same time. But I will not share my Ao3 username! That stays between me and God.

10. Ohkay, then, what’s one weird or unexpected thing you Googled while writing this book?

Probably, what type of easily obtainable poison could kill a human, how fast it could kill them, and where to obtain it. I might be on a watchlist now.

11. Hahaha, you might be. How has the indie publishing ride been for you?

I’ve been learning new things non-stop. It’s certainly rough, and it’s no easier when you’re writing in a language that isn’t your native, like I am. But I am absolutely in love with this job, and I will continue to work toward this for as long as I possibly can. I love connecting with other creatives, and I believe that every small spark of interaction with readers is absolutely worth the strain that comes with this job.

12. Do you publish books in your native language as well?

I do not. In fact, I struggle to write literature in German nowadays because I am so used to writing in English. Our punctuation and grammar structure differ vastly, so I gotta switch gears if I want to do it right. Besides, I chose to write in English in the first place; not only to reach more people, but also because I love the language, though it gets on my nerves sometimes.

13. Multiple languages do get confusing. Now, what’s one piece of advice do you have for the aspiring indie authors out there?

Write like you’re not trying to be published. If you go into your first ever draft—just you, a computer, and the thought I’ll be a published author—you will ruin the joy. Don’t worry about querying, or self-pub, or editing and sales yet. All that will come soon enough. Take the ride for what it is: a creative outlet, a way to share your heart with the world, and everything else will come later. You got this.

14. Ohkayzz, and where can readers find you and your book?

When Death Gives You Lemons is launching on Amazon in January 2026. You can find and buy all my current and future books right here: https://relinks.me/AliceBrooks

And I am on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok as @alicebrookswrites.

If the book sounds like your kind of read, be sure to check it out! Support indie authors by grabbing a copy and leaving a review!

PS… What’s your go-to writing snack or ritual?

I wish I had one, but I do not. I wing it, all the time, 24/7.

And that’s a wrap.

Want to see more indie author stories? Stay tuned for more interviews…