Author's Interview : Chattering "Black And White "
Trapped From All Sides : Checkmate.
Risen From Wattpad To Publishing The "Checkmate"
As I was trying to search for new ways "New Romance", Lisa was there to checkmate me with her mind-blowing revenge romance book.
I am thrilled to tell that I got to interview Lisa Baillie, the author who is rising from Reader's fame "Wattpad" to finally having the book out there in shelves.
Her Book, "Checkmate" is the firt book that she is publsihing. I have been following her since her Wattpad and Inkitt Era, when I found her book, "Checkmate" is finally going to be out there, I knew I have to know the Journey of this whole game. ( The Review is going to be posted on blog on 1st Sept )
This plot is what we call a Block-Buster, the revenge story-line is so grasping that you will be pumping your fists or pressing it down on your lips to stop from *moaning* or squealing like me.
Getting To Know Lisa Baillie:
Q.1 Tell us something about your journey from Wattpad and Inkitt to publishing your book, Achieving this high feat, and having your name out there. After writing so many books on online platforms. What made you decide that Checkmate is the one?
L.B : I have been very lucky to receive great feedback on all my books, across Inkitt and Wattpad, and while my chosen topics haven’t always been ‘on trend’ (and therefore sometimes overlooked), when people did take a chance on me, they loved what they were reading.
However, it was very contained.
With Checkmate, as I was updating chapters, I had people reaching out on social media asking when I would be adding more, telling me that my book had been shared in various groups across social media. That hadn’t happened before.
People who read Checkmate, or were waiting for updates, then started reading my other books, and that made me pay attention. Give the people what they want. After Checkmate was completed, I still had people reaching out for more. I gave the people what they wanted! I just hope they stick around, haha!
Q.2 Can you tell the readers more about “Checkmate”?
L.B : Sure!
So the book follows our four protagonists, Alex, Sophie, Erica and Marcus. In the opening chapter, Marcus finds out Sophie, his wife, is cheating on him with Alex, her boss, and Erica’s husband.
He reaches out to Erica, and the two of them decide to, for lack of a better phrase, f*ck with their spouses. They embark on a fake affair but very quickly develop real feelings.
The book explores themes of karma and revenge, and how the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
He reaches out to Erica, and the two of them decide to, for lack of a better phrase, f*ck with their spouses. They embark on a fake affair but very quickly develop real feelings.
The book explores themes of karma and revenge, and how the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
Q.3 The book hits a perfect spot for the revenge and fake dating trope lovers, What kind of research and work you do to bring life into “Checkmate.” ?
L.B. : During the pandemic, I was spending a lot of time on Reddit (because what else was there to do). There was a story on there about a couple who got together after they realised their spouses were cheating.
That Reddit post lived rent free in my mind because I kept thinking ‘damn that would make one hell of a book!’ I wish I saved the post so I could refer back to it, but unfortunately, I’ve never come across it again. But it definitely heavily influenced Checkmate.
Reading posts online about real people definitely helps me develop my characters. I couldn’t imagine anyone I personally know being as selfish and immature as Sophie. But after spending a bit of time on various forums across the internet, it was easy to bring Sophie to life!
That Reddit post lived rent free in my mind because I kept thinking ‘damn that would make one hell of a book!’ I wish I saved the post so I could refer back to it, but unfortunately, I’ve never come across it again. But it definitely heavily influenced Checkmate.
Reading posts online about real people definitely helps me develop my characters. I couldn’t imagine anyone I personally know being as selfish and immature as Sophie. But after spending a bit of time on various forums across the internet, it was easy to bring Sophie to life!
Q.4 I loved how Erica is that girl who knows what she wants and it makes all this more interesting, Did creating and writing characters like Sophie, Alex and all that plot story lines made you feel in shock and frustrated as the readers felt with so many plot twists?
L.B. : Sophie is my least favourite character in this book. I find her abhorrent. And Alex obviously is an awful person.
I had a plan in mind for this book and these two absolutely derailed it. The original draft on Inkitt and Wattpad barely scratched the surface on their personalities, and there’s a scene between them that had me dropping my jaw when I wrote it. There’s no better way to showcase their selfishness and how perfect they are for each other.
I had a plan in mind for this book and these two absolutely derailed it. The original draft on Inkitt and Wattpad barely scratched the surface on their personalities, and there’s a scene between them that had me dropping my jaw when I wrote it. There’s no better way to showcase their selfishness and how perfect they are for each other.
Q.5 How did you overcome writer’s block and bring out inspiration to write “Checkmate”?
L.B : I am a serious procrastinator. I’d sit down at the laptop and use my reflection to style my hair. It was a real problem.
So I found this app that basically punishes you if you stop typing, it erases all your work. After losing big chunks of writing a handful of times, I quickly learned my lesson. If I sit at the laptop, it’s work time. Anything recreation is done on my phone.
Specific to Checkmate, it definitely helped that readers from Inkitt and Wattpad were excited for additional plot. It’s very motivating to know people are waiting for something you’ve written. I only hope that excitement sticks for unseen books!
So I found this app that basically punishes you if you stop typing, it erases all your work. After losing big chunks of writing a handful of times, I quickly learned my lesson. If I sit at the laptop, it’s work time. Anything recreation is done on my phone.
Specific to Checkmate, it definitely helped that readers from Inkitt and Wattpad were excited for additional plot. It’s very motivating to know people are waiting for something you’ve written. I only hope that excitement sticks for unseen books!
Q.6 Do you have favorite lines and characters from the “Checkmate”?
L.B :Marcus is without a doubt my favourite character. Writing him makes me happy because when he loves someone, he gives them his all. When we hear him talk about Sophie and life before she betrays him, it’s clear how much he freaking cherished her.
And then when he talks about Erica… Well. You’ll have to read and see. But it makes an absolute mockery of those feelings for Sophie.
My favourite lines? I have one for each POV.
Erica: “I’m going to stop you there, Alex. You’re responsible for your own actions, and I am not interested in hearing you lay the blame at my feet.”
Marcus: “I wasn’t the one who cheated. I was here, I was present. You f*cked up. You ruined the marriage. You f*cking leave.”
Sophie: “You are my problem. Now, either fire me, or let me get back to work.”
Alex: “Do you know how thrilling it was to shake your hand, look you in the eye, and smell you wife’s p*ssy on my fingers?”
Marcus: “I wasn’t the one who cheated. I was here, I was present. You f*cked up. You ruined the marriage. You f*cking leave.”
Sophie: “You are my problem. Now, either fire me, or let me get back to work.”
Alex: “Do you know how thrilling it was to shake your hand, look you in the eye, and smell you wife’s p*ssy on my fingers?”
Q.7 Tell me about the cover page, I loved how detailed it is and how the theme makes one curious about the whole thing unfolding as the plot line is so unique
L.B: Let me tell you, this cover has been on a journey. Even on Inkitt and Wattpad, I had three different versions. When it came to publication, I struggled to find the ‘right’ fit. I made some perfectly okay covers, but none I was in love with.
And that’s the thing, I make my own covers, so I was learning on the job what did and didn’t work. I was annoying my partner constantly showing him change after change and asking for input. Even if that change was minimal. Ha, I was a bit of a monster.
In the end, after looking at other covers in the genre and speaking to people in book groups on Social Media, I realised that having a person on the cover no longer worked. Nor did having something illustrated. I messed around with various chess pieces and colour schemes until I eventually settled on the current cover. I think I still have a lot to learn about cover design and what I can do to elevate them. But I look at my proof copy of Checkmate and it feels like a book cover.
I’m quite proud of it.
Q.8. Any Teasers For Your Readers?
Q.9 Can you tell us anything about your upcoming books?
Q.10. ‘Karma is a bitch’ that’s the out-loud message this story portrays, I also was so pumping my fists when Erica just got up and had such a badass personality that I could not put the book down, What other message you want your readers to pick out from the novel ?
It was the pleasure to go through this journey of "Checkmate." The Video Meet is going to published soon on the blog for the smae. So stay updated, We are going to have a blast,
Till then follow and share for more lietrary teas.
And that’s the thing, I make my own covers, so I was learning on the job what did and didn’t work. I was annoying my partner constantly showing him change after change and asking for input. Even if that change was minimal. Ha, I was a bit of a monster.
In the end, after looking at other covers in the genre and speaking to people in book groups on Social Media, I realised that having a person on the cover no longer worked. Nor did having something illustrated. I messed around with various chess pieces and colour schemes until I eventually settled on the current cover. I think I still have a lot to learn about cover design and what I can do to elevate them. But I look at my proof copy of Checkmate and it feels like a book cover.
I’m quite proud of it.
Q.8. Any Teasers For Your Readers?
L.B : I think that first of all, I want to tell any returning readers that this isn’t a direct copy from the Inkitt and Wattpad version. That book sat at just over 90,000 words. The new published book has over 130, 000. There have been weaker scenes removed and the flow of the book is so much better. The reveals are that much more heart wrenching. And the revenge is so f*cking satisfying.
With that said? A teaser.
God, who saw this coming?” “What do you mean?”
“I thought I was too angry to feel sad anymore,” he admitted. “I thought the fact I could see a future beyond Sophie meant I was over it.”
“Marcus, it’s barely been two months since you found out. It’s okay to still grieve your relationship. I do. All the damn time.”
“Yeah? You still love Alex?”
“Of course I do. I just hate him, too.” She discarded her burned-out cigarette in the ashtray, shifting closer to him. “And yeah, I see a future beyond Alex. But right now, while I’m still in the trenches, that future feels unattainable. Right now, I am a knotted ball of anger, hate, and heartache.”
“But you think it will get better?”
“I know it will get better. It already is because I have you and your warmth.” She reached for his hand, curling her fingers around his.
“We’re partners in crime, you and I. Two broken souls coming together to help each other heal.”
“By fucking over those who wronged us.”
“Exactly,” Erica said, grinning at him. He tightened his grip on her hand.
“Erica, I—”
“Marcus, why the fuck do you never answer your phone? My card got rejected right in the middle of fucking Harrods and you never—”
Sophie burst through the door, the key still in her hand, brandishing it in Marcus’ direction, as though she imagined ramming it in various places.
It was only as she looked up and saw them, still hand in hand, that she shut up.
“Sophie,” Erica said, a smirk spreading across her lips. Oh, this timing could not have been better. “Nice to see you. Shopping went well then, yeah?”
Alex cheating on her and causing so much misery was almost worth it, just to see the stupid look on Sophie’s face.
Almost.
But Erica wasn’t above poking the bear. Not when the bear was a conniving bitch who deserved everything coming for her.
God, who saw this coming?” “What do you mean?”
“I thought I was too angry to feel sad anymore,” he admitted. “I thought the fact I could see a future beyond Sophie meant I was over it.”
“Marcus, it’s barely been two months since you found out. It’s okay to still grieve your relationship. I do. All the damn time.”
“Yeah? You still love Alex?”
“Of course I do. I just hate him, too.” She discarded her burned-out cigarette in the ashtray, shifting closer to him. “And yeah, I see a future beyond Alex. But right now, while I’m still in the trenches, that future feels unattainable. Right now, I am a knotted ball of anger, hate, and heartache.”
“But you think it will get better?”
“I know it will get better. It already is because I have you and your warmth.” She reached for his hand, curling her fingers around his.
“We’re partners in crime, you and I. Two broken souls coming together to help each other heal.”
“By fucking over those who wronged us.”
“Exactly,” Erica said, grinning at him. He tightened his grip on her hand.
“Erica, I—”
“Marcus, why the fuck do you never answer your phone? My card got rejected right in the middle of fucking Harrods and you never—”
Sophie burst through the door, the key still in her hand, brandishing it in Marcus’ direction, as though she imagined ramming it in various places.
It was only as she looked up and saw them, still hand in hand, that she shut up.
“Sophie,” Erica said, a smirk spreading across her lips. Oh, this timing could not have been better. “Nice to see you. Shopping went well then, yeah?”
Alex cheating on her and causing so much misery was almost worth it, just to see the stupid look on Sophie’s face.
Almost.
But Erica wasn’t above poking the bear. Not when the bear was a conniving bitch who deserved everything coming for her.
Q.9 Can you tell us anything about your upcoming books?
L.B. : So my next book is already up for preorder! The Observer was previously labeled Obsession on Inkitt exclusively, and I had shared about 10 chapters.
Of course I am no longer writing on either Inkitt or Wattpad, and the book has, once again, had a complete revamp. It’s a stalker romance and a little bit darker than Checkmate. It’s been in the back catalog for a while but I was always nervous about writing.
Beyond that, I am hoping to release another Inkitt book for Christmas. A short festive tale called Merry F*cking Christmas, which is a enemies to lovers theme.
And finally in February I have Virtually Yours coming for Valentines day which is a book told through the emails shared between two strangers, Jesy and Brian.
After that? Well, watch this space. But believe me, I going to be a very busy girl!
Of course I am no longer writing on either Inkitt or Wattpad, and the book has, once again, had a complete revamp. It’s a stalker romance and a little bit darker than Checkmate. It’s been in the back catalog for a while but I was always nervous about writing.
Beyond that, I am hoping to release another Inkitt book for Christmas. A short festive tale called Merry F*cking Christmas, which is a enemies to lovers theme.
And finally in February I have Virtually Yours coming for Valentines day which is a book told through the emails shared between two strangers, Jesy and Brian.
After that? Well, watch this space. But believe me, I going to be a very busy girl!
Q.10. ‘Karma is a bitch’ that’s the out-loud message this story portrays, I also was so pumping my fists when Erica just got up and had such a badass personality that I could not put the book down, What other message you want your readers to pick out from the novel ?
L.B: That the grass isn’t always greener.
Sophie gives up a man who would do anything for her, because she thinks there is something better out there. Alex allows his lust for another woman (and the idea of a different kind of sex life), to completely derail his marriage.
There’s also a scene in which Erica is discussing divorcing Alex. She tells Marcus that the easier the divorce the better. She didn’t want to fight Alex for assets because they were material items and her priority was her mental health. A clean break was more important to her than who gets the car.
Now, she was in a position to be able to do that, and not everyone else has that luxury, which I completely understand. However, the overall message, that I do think is important, is that you can fight for things that don’t matter, or you can prioritise the things that do.
Q.11 Where can readers learn more about you and your writings? (i.e. website, Goodreads, IG, Facebook page, Twitter. )
There’s also a scene in which Erica is discussing divorcing Alex. She tells Marcus that the easier the divorce the better. She didn’t want to fight Alex for assets because they were material items and her priority was her mental health. A clean break was more important to her than who gets the car.
Now, she was in a position to be able to do that, and not everyone else has that luxury, which I completely understand. However, the overall message, that I do think is important, is that you can fight for things that don’t matter, or you can prioritise the things that do.
L.B. : Search Lisa Baillie author and you’ll find me. I have a Facebook page and author specific profile.
I dabble in Tiktok and Twitter, and I absolutely have a Goodreads.
It was the pleasure to go through this journey of "Checkmate." The Video Meet is going to published soon on the blog for the smae. So stay updated, We are going to have a blast,
Till then follow and share for more lietrary teas.
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