INTERVIEWED: April 2007
Please introduce yourself
A: This introduction is a two-for-one special ~ Adriana Kraft is the pen name for a married couple writing erotic romance together!
How did you become a writer?
A: Both of us are college teachers and have done lots of academic writing, but we’ve always dreamed of writing fiction, so we decided to follow our dreams and started writing. We write what we love to read: strong women, men who deserve them, hot sex whether m/f, f/f, ménage or more, and believable characters facing the ups and downs of real life (well, except for our paranormal characters!).
Which genres are your favourites to read and write?
A: To write? Contemporary erotic romance, often with paranormal features, including gods and goddesses, ghosts, time travel and Shamanic journeying. To read? Erotic romance, romantic suspense, historicals, biographies. We both read widely outside the genre we’re writing ~ anything and everything can feed into what we write.
Please tell us about your publisher(s).
A: We have erotic romance e-books out at three publishers and one under contract with a fourth. Silk’s Vault, eXtasy e-books, Twilight Fantasies, and Whiskey Creek Torrid.
What are the accomplishments you are most proud of and why?
A: In our fiction? It’s hard to beat the rush of a perfect review for our very first published erotic romance: Colors of the Night, reviewed at Two Lips Reviews (View)
In our lives? Following our dreams, and never giving up no matter what life throws at us. We need fantasy for escape as much as our readers do!
What is your experience with readers?
A: We love talking with readers in settings where there can be conversation and not just promos. Readers ask great questions that make us think and help us write, and getting a reader response that says they were moved by something we wrote is the ultimate.
What do you love and hate about writing?
A: Love? The freedom! It’s so open ended. We can go explore places we’ve never been (in person or in cyberspace), delve into careers we’d never have pursued, throw our characters into impossible situations and watch how they thread their way out, and on and on. Hate? The very final round of editing. One of us works as a free lance editor and loves editing in general, but crunching up against a deadline and knowing there’s no turning back from what’s finally on the page ~ that part’s not much fun.
Any advice for aspiring authors?
A: Most important: follow your dreams! Make a commitment to your writing ~ devote time to it, invest in learning how to improve it, believe in it. Keep writing and keep sending it out. Either it’ll get picked up and published, or you’ll get feedback that will help you improve it for next time; entering contests can help with this. Develop a tough skin. Hang out with other authors. Join writers groups, especially in your genre, and on the web look for blogs or e-groups where real conversations go on and be a part of them.
Please tell us about any upcoming books.
A: We’re WAY excited for Twilight Fantasies release May 16th of Seducing Cat, the first in a five book series of erotic romance novellas called Meghan’s Playhouse. We wrote it as an erotic romp, but also to explore what happens when characters from two different social classes get together. Here’s the blurb: What could college English professor Caitlin Shanahan ever have in common with the brash carpenter Kurt Davis? Meghan Keenan, that's what. The twenty year old sprite has taken it upon herself to bring the unlikely pair together through sharing her sexual delights with each of them. They never have a chance, and town-gown relationships have never been better…
What we didn’t know when we wrote it was that Meg’s hardly finished! Turns out she has a kind of career in front of her getting other folks together, sort of a present-day Aphrodite, so she earned her very own series, and we’ll have to wait to see if she ever finds a true love of her very own!
Where do you hang out on the net?
A: Bryn’s Book Group, Talking Two Lips, CJ Says Follow your Dreams, Beth Wylde’s Yahoo Group, Twilight Fantasies ~ places where we can really meet readers and other authors for conversation. Links to all are on my website Links page.
Apart from writing, what do you do?
A: We still have day jobs as part time college teachers and freelance consultants, with a long range goal of earning our living from our fiction. For fun? We love to travel, to be outdoors hiking or cross country skiing or just watching a prairie meadow put itself to bed, to play with our four boxers, to join friends for quiet conversations, and to commit time to causes and campaigns that will help the world be a better place.
Do your family and friends know that you are a published author? What has been their response?
A: Selected friends and family! Not everyone is accepting of the explicit sexuality we love to read and write. We respect those differences and don’t flaunt our choices in their faces. Those who know what we do love it and have given us great feedback on some early drafts.
Where can we find out more about you, your books and anything else you've got going on?
A: Three places:
(1) Our website http://www.adrianakraft.com
(2) Our monthly newsletter, where we always have a special contest just for subscribers. To sign up, send us an email at adrianak@adrianakraft.com (without the spaces) and put “newsletter” in the subject line; it’d be nice if you also put in the body that you saw us in Elizabeth ’s Newsletter!
(3) Our MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/adrianakraft
Sunday, 27 April 2008
Mary Winter
INTERVIEWED: April 2007
Please introduce yourself :)
A: Born and raised in the Midwest, I live with my partner, a menagerie of animals, including an opinionated horse and a cat who was a dog in his past life. My parrots constantly give me orders, or laugh at inopportune moments, and I wouldn't trade a minute of it for anything. I enjoy writing, creating my podcasts, nature and the outdoors, and if I'm not at my computer writing, I usually can be found out at the barn.
How did you become a writer?
A: I discovered romance novels when I was twelve and suddenly realized that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to bring these wonderful, heart-warming stories to people. I began writing, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Which genres do you write? Are you thinking of braching out?
A: I write erotic contemporaries, including M/M, fantasy, futuristic, and paranormal. I am dabbling with a few historical ideas, but otherwise, I'm quite happy with what I write.
How do you gain inspiration for your writing?
A: Life. I love to people watch. I love to make up stories, and I love a happy ending. Put them all together, and that usually means there's a novel brewing somewhere in my mind.
Please tell us about your publisher(s).
A: I currently write for three publishers, Ellora's Cave, Changeling Press, and Loose-Id. I've been with Ellora's Cave since December of 2002, and my first print book came out last June with the publication of StarMyst 1: Prodigal Son, which is available in both electronic and print forms. I participated in the Dreams of the Oasis III anthology, which also is available in print and electronic format. The rest of my titles are in electronic format only. Changeling Press launched my Elemental Elves series, with Elemental Elves 1: Horse Play, and I've got a couple of very hot stories coming out from them later this summer/early fall. And Loose-Id has agreed to release Sexual Healing, a book previously published with Venus Press.
Have you received any nominations for any award?
A: Two of my titles were nominated for Ecataromance Reviewers Choice awards, and the Dreams of the Oasis III anthology won the 2006 CAPA for best erotic romance anthology.
Do you have any mentors?
A: I do have several writers I find as inspiration, or who I want to be when I "grow up." (grin!). One of the best things about this business is that for the most part everyone is willing to help out everyone else. There's always lost of encouragement, congratulations, and answers when you most need them.
What do you love about being an author? Is there anything you dislike?
A: I love creating stories that take readers away from their ordinary lives for a little while and give them a nice escape. I also like to blend some of my concerns, such as the environment, into my writing to share them with readers. I can't think of anything I dislike, really.
What could you tell aspiring authors?
A: Keep trying and tell the story of your heart, not the story you think will sell.
Please tell us about any upcoming books, events or chats.
A: As part of the Night Whispers Authors group, you'll find me on the 12th of every month on the Ellora's Cave chat loop for our Night Whispers list mom day. I also hold a DeLurk day once a month on my own chat list. I have several titles contracted, and look for new releases around August.
Where do you interact with readers on the net?
A: My chat loop and message boards. As a member of Night Whispers Authors, I also play on their chat loop. And, I also try to play on my publisher's chat lists, my space, and other romance reader loops.
Do you have a 'day' job?
A: Yes. I work from home though which makes it easier to keep up with my ever-growing "to do" list of writing-related things.
Do your family and friends know that you are a published author? What has been their response?
A: Yes, they know. They're very happy I'm working toward achieving my dreams and have been very supportive.
How can we find out more about you?
A: My website is http://www.marywinter.com. I also have a myspace page - http://www.myspace.com/mary_winter you can also visit my series websites - http://www.elementalelves.com and http://www.dangerousspirits.com to learn more about these series.
Where should we go to stay up to date with whats going on in your world?
A: Lots of places.
Newsletter - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marywinternews
Chat list - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marywinterchat
My blog - http://www.marywinter.com/blog.html
My podcasts - http://podcasts.marywinter.com/
Please introduce yourself :)
A: Born and raised in the Midwest, I live with my partner, a menagerie of animals, including an opinionated horse and a cat who was a dog in his past life. My parrots constantly give me orders, or laugh at inopportune moments, and I wouldn't trade a minute of it for anything. I enjoy writing, creating my podcasts, nature and the outdoors, and if I'm not at my computer writing, I usually can be found out at the barn.
How did you become a writer?
A: I discovered romance novels when I was twelve and suddenly realized that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to bring these wonderful, heart-warming stories to people. I began writing, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Which genres do you write? Are you thinking of braching out?
A: I write erotic contemporaries, including M/M, fantasy, futuristic, and paranormal. I am dabbling with a few historical ideas, but otherwise, I'm quite happy with what I write.
How do you gain inspiration for your writing?
A: Life. I love to people watch. I love to make up stories, and I love a happy ending. Put them all together, and that usually means there's a novel brewing somewhere in my mind.
Please tell us about your publisher(s).
A: I currently write for three publishers, Ellora's Cave, Changeling Press, and Loose-Id. I've been with Ellora's Cave since December of 2002, and my first print book came out last June with the publication of StarMyst 1: Prodigal Son, which is available in both electronic and print forms. I participated in the Dreams of the Oasis III anthology, which also is available in print and electronic format. The rest of my titles are in electronic format only. Changeling Press launched my Elemental Elves series, with Elemental Elves 1: Horse Play, and I've got a couple of very hot stories coming out from them later this summer/early fall. And Loose-Id has agreed to release Sexual Healing, a book previously published with Venus Press.
Have you received any nominations for any award?
A: Two of my titles were nominated for Ecataromance Reviewers Choice awards, and the Dreams of the Oasis III anthology won the 2006 CAPA for best erotic romance anthology.
Do you have any mentors?
A: I do have several writers I find as inspiration, or who I want to be when I "grow up." (grin!). One of the best things about this business is that for the most part everyone is willing to help out everyone else. There's always lost of encouragement, congratulations, and answers when you most need them.
What do you love about being an author? Is there anything you dislike?
A: I love creating stories that take readers away from their ordinary lives for a little while and give them a nice escape. I also like to blend some of my concerns, such as the environment, into my writing to share them with readers. I can't think of anything I dislike, really.
What could you tell aspiring authors?
A: Keep trying and tell the story of your heart, not the story you think will sell.
Please tell us about any upcoming books, events or chats.
A: As part of the Night Whispers Authors group, you'll find me on the 12th of every month on the Ellora's Cave chat loop for our Night Whispers list mom day. I also hold a DeLurk day once a month on my own chat list. I have several titles contracted, and look for new releases around August.
Where do you interact with readers on the net?
A: My chat loop and message boards. As a member of Night Whispers Authors, I also play on their chat loop. And, I also try to play on my publisher's chat lists, my space, and other romance reader loops.
Do you have a 'day' job?
A: Yes. I work from home though which makes it easier to keep up with my ever-growing "to do" list of writing-related things.
Do your family and friends know that you are a published author? What has been their response?
A: Yes, they know. They're very happy I'm working toward achieving my dreams and have been very supportive.
How can we find out more about you?
A: My website is http://www.marywinter.com. I also have a myspace page - http://www.myspace.com/mary_winter you can also visit my series websites - http://www.elementalelves.com and http://www.dangerousspirits.com to learn more about these series.
Where should we go to stay up to date with whats going on in your world?
A: Lots of places.
Newsletter - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marywinternews
Chat list - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marywinterchat
My blog - http://www.marywinter.com/blog.html
My podcasts - http://podcasts.marywinter.com/
Sierra DaFoe
INTERVIEWED: February 2007
Hi Sierra! Many thanks for agreeing to be this month's featured author:)
Please introduce yourself :)
A: Hi, Elizabeth ! Thanks for having me. And hello, everybody! I'm Sierra Dafoe, a writer of women's erotic romance and adventure. I'm also a mom, with one grown boy (who hasn't brought me home any grandkids yet, darn it!!!) and a very tolerant husband!
How did you become a writer? Was it always been something you wanted to do?
A: Well, it was simply always something I did. I mean, since, oh, second grade or so. But oddly enough, I never thought of myself as a writer. I just did it around everything else in my life. It wasn't until I was in my thirties that I stopped and said, wait, I've been doing this for almost a quarter of a century -- maybe it's time to think about doing it professionally. I never claimed to be particularly quick on the uptake, LOL!
Which genres are your favourites to read? Do you write in these fields yourself?
A: My reading tastes are very eclectic. Or maybe 'omnivorous' would be a better word. Fantasy, sci-fi, romance, humor, horror, suspense, historical fiction... So in fact I think my writing is kind of a distillation of everything I love. And I love exploring new things, as a writer -- in fact, the next series I have coming up, Shifter Sisters, could probably be best described as paranormal chick lit! The title of the first book in the series is Sex and the Single Werewolf -- that'll be out in April. This month, we have Dragon's Desire, which is a fantasy action-adventure about (yup) shape-shifting dragons. I love my dragons!
Please tell us about your publisher(s) and how you came to write for them.
A: When I had first written Devarian Exile, I started looking around at the erotic romance publishers, talked to authors, researched the market... Every author I knew who worked with Changeling was very enthusiastic about their relationship, and I have to admit Changeling is wonderful! They've been very nurturing, incredibly supportive, and I have learned so much working with Sheri, the editor in chief, and Chrissie Henderson, my own editor -- she's the best! It's been a fabulous phase in my growth as a writer.
What are the top 3 things you want to accomplish and why?
A: Solve world hunger, end poverty in our lifetime, kick Congress in the head till it wakes up... Oh wait, wrong list! As a writer? I'm looking to add another publishing house to my roster, and start writing longer books. I love the novella format, I love the flexibility of it, but I also want to write novels. Partly because (goal number three) I want to start looking at the print market. Epublishing is light-years ahead of where it was even four years ago. There are epublishers out there, like Changeling, that are every bit as professional in their approach and in the quality of the books they produce as a traditional publishing house. But the largest audience is still print readers, and I love my stories and want them to have as large an audience as possible! So eventually, that means print.
What has the reader response been to your books? Do many readers tend to get in touch?
A: I have been so fortunate. I have, for a writer whose first book came out less than a year ago, the best fans on the face of the earth! For example, in the Preditors and Editors Reader's Poll, my fans, my readers, catapulted The Dragon's Daughter (the first book in the Dragon's Heir series) to the #2 Romance book of 2006! I mean, that's staggering. That's incredible. They really are the best!
Please tell us about any awards or nominations you have received (I know there are a few! *g*)
A: Well, there, I mentioned one! In addition, The Dragon's Daughter picked up a CAPA nomination from The Romance Studio for best Erotic Fantasy Romance of 2006, and a Reviewer's Choice award from Road to Romance. Devarian Exile (the first book in my sci-fi series) was also a CAPA nominee for best BDSM, a Staff Pick at Love Romance and More, and a Recommended Read from Road to Romance. The other two books in the Devarian Trilogy, Devarian Uprising and Devarian Revolution, are both Ecataromance Reviewer's Choice award nominees, and -- well, enough! :) It looks ostentatious after a bit.
What is your favourite thing about being an author?
A: Getting paid to write! Absolutely. Getting to share these stories and put them out there for people to enjoy.
What could you share, from your experience, with aspiring authors?
A: Do not get into this for the money. It took me two decades of writing to become a very small-scale 'overnight success' -- for God's sake, it only takes twelve to become a doctor! Eight to become a lawyer. And doctors and lawyers make waaaay better money!
If you're serious about writing, join a critique group. I've belonged to seven or eight over the years, moderated two, founded one of my own (which is still going strong, I'm proud to say.) Listen. Learn to evaluate criticism -- if you can't listen gracefully to what your fellow writers have to say, you're going to have a miserable time when you finally start working with an editor!
Read Stephen King's On Writing. Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones is another really good one. I wouldn't bother with the formulaic "How to Write a (fill in the blank)" books unless what you want to write is formula. But that's me. :)
Learn the basics. Conflict, dialogue, stakes, character... and then write. Write a lot. Write five stories, take a look at them, see what the recurring problems are. Write ten more. Repeat the process. Like anything else, the more you write, the better you'll become -- if you stop occasionally and look at what you're doing.
Do you have any upcoming books or chats (etc) you would like to tell us about?
A: Actually, I'd like mention Devarian Pleasure-Slave, which just came out in February. I love the world of the Devarian books; they're set about 700 years in the future, and human society has evolved into a structure where all men are slaves, a real role-reversal. The trilogy (Exile, Uprising, and Revolution) tells the story of how one woman fights to free the pleasure-slave she's fallen in love with. Great stuff! Big, epic, action tale. Devarian Pleasure-Slave is a prequel to the trilogy, so it reads very well on its own. It tells the story of Merkun, a pleasure-slave who longs to be free, and how he captures the heart of the Regent of Porto, the planet where the best pleasure-slaves in the galaxy are sold. I did mention this is erotic romance, right? It's very spicy stuff -- there's some male-male interaction in it, a couple of ménage scenes, an orgy... just so you're warned! But it's a great introduction to the Devarian universe.
Where do you hang out on the net?
A: Well, there's my yahoo group, The Sierra Club (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Sierra_Club ), which is a lot of fun, and my website, http://www.sierradafoe.com (built it myself!). On the second Tuesday of every month, I'm at Coffee Time Romance's exotic loop (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/karendevinkaren/) hosting what I have dubbed Hot Erotic Tuesday, with lots of spicy excerpts! Plus, if you check the calendar at http://www.sierradafoe.com you'll usually find a few other things going on every month.
When you are not writing, what are you likely to be found doing?
A: When I'm not writing? Umm... I just asked my hubby, he answered, "You're always writing!" Hee! Well, I also maintain my website myself, and I love spending time on the yahoo groups when I can. And I love taking my puppy for hikes -- considering the time I spend in front of the computer, I need the exercise desperately!
Do your family and friends know that you are a published author? What has been their response?
A: Oh, yeah! They're very supportive. My son (he's 23) thinks what I write is a riot -- he won't touch it with a ten-foot pole, though! Thank God. That would embarrass me!
Where can we find out more about you, your books and anything else you've got going on?
A: Join the Sierra Club, and my newsletter! Among other things, I give away a free eBook every month to one of my Club members and one of my newsletter subscribers, if you need a bit of incentive! Joining the newsletter is easy: just email newsletter@sierradafoe.com!
Thanks for joining us!
And thank you for inviting me, Elizabeth!
Hi Sierra! Many thanks for agreeing to be this month's featured author:)
Please introduce yourself :)
A: Hi, Elizabeth ! Thanks for having me. And hello, everybody! I'm Sierra Dafoe, a writer of women's erotic romance and adventure. I'm also a mom, with one grown boy (who hasn't brought me home any grandkids yet, darn it!!!) and a very tolerant husband!
How did you become a writer? Was it always been something you wanted to do?
A: Well, it was simply always something I did. I mean, since, oh, second grade or so. But oddly enough, I never thought of myself as a writer. I just did it around everything else in my life. It wasn't until I was in my thirties that I stopped and said, wait, I've been doing this for almost a quarter of a century -- maybe it's time to think about doing it professionally. I never claimed to be particularly quick on the uptake, LOL!
Which genres are your favourites to read? Do you write in these fields yourself?
A: My reading tastes are very eclectic. Or maybe 'omnivorous' would be a better word. Fantasy, sci-fi, romance, humor, horror, suspense, historical fiction... So in fact I think my writing is kind of a distillation of everything I love. And I love exploring new things, as a writer -- in fact, the next series I have coming up, Shifter Sisters, could probably be best described as paranormal chick lit! The title of the first book in the series is Sex and the Single Werewolf -- that'll be out in April. This month, we have Dragon's Desire, which is a fantasy action-adventure about (yup) shape-shifting dragons. I love my dragons!
Please tell us about your publisher(s) and how you came to write for them.
A: When I had first written Devarian Exile, I started looking around at the erotic romance publishers, talked to authors, researched the market... Every author I knew who worked with Changeling was very enthusiastic about their relationship, and I have to admit Changeling is wonderful! They've been very nurturing, incredibly supportive, and I have learned so much working with Sheri, the editor in chief, and Chrissie Henderson, my own editor -- she's the best! It's been a fabulous phase in my growth as a writer.
What are the top 3 things you want to accomplish and why?
A: Solve world hunger, end poverty in our lifetime, kick Congress in the head till it wakes up... Oh wait, wrong list! As a writer? I'm looking to add another publishing house to my roster, and start writing longer books. I love the novella format, I love the flexibility of it, but I also want to write novels. Partly because (goal number three) I want to start looking at the print market. Epublishing is light-years ahead of where it was even four years ago. There are epublishers out there, like Changeling, that are every bit as professional in their approach and in the quality of the books they produce as a traditional publishing house. But the largest audience is still print readers, and I love my stories and want them to have as large an audience as possible! So eventually, that means print.
What has the reader response been to your books? Do many readers tend to get in touch?
A: I have been so fortunate. I have, for a writer whose first book came out less than a year ago, the best fans on the face of the earth! For example, in the Preditors and Editors Reader's Poll, my fans, my readers, catapulted The Dragon's Daughter (the first book in the Dragon's Heir series) to the #2 Romance book of 2006! I mean, that's staggering. That's incredible. They really are the best!
Please tell us about any awards or nominations you have received (I know there are a few! *g*)
A: Well, there, I mentioned one! In addition, The Dragon's Daughter picked up a CAPA nomination from The Romance Studio for best Erotic Fantasy Romance of 2006, and a Reviewer's Choice award from Road to Romance. Devarian Exile (the first book in my sci-fi series) was also a CAPA nominee for best BDSM, a Staff Pick at Love Romance and More, and a Recommended Read from Road to Romance. The other two books in the Devarian Trilogy, Devarian Uprising and Devarian Revolution, are both Ecataromance Reviewer's Choice award nominees, and -- well, enough! :) It looks ostentatious after a bit.
What is your favourite thing about being an author?
A: Getting paid to write! Absolutely. Getting to share these stories and put them out there for people to enjoy.
What could you share, from your experience, with aspiring authors?
A: Do not get into this for the money. It took me two decades of writing to become a very small-scale 'overnight success' -- for God's sake, it only takes twelve to become a doctor! Eight to become a lawyer. And doctors and lawyers make waaaay better money!
If you're serious about writing, join a critique group. I've belonged to seven or eight over the years, moderated two, founded one of my own (which is still going strong, I'm proud to say.) Listen. Learn to evaluate criticism -- if you can't listen gracefully to what your fellow writers have to say, you're going to have a miserable time when you finally start working with an editor!
Read Stephen King's On Writing. Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones is another really good one. I wouldn't bother with the formulaic "How to Write a (fill in the blank)" books unless what you want to write is formula. But that's me. :)
Learn the basics. Conflict, dialogue, stakes, character... and then write. Write a lot. Write five stories, take a look at them, see what the recurring problems are. Write ten more. Repeat the process. Like anything else, the more you write, the better you'll become -- if you stop occasionally and look at what you're doing.
Do you have any upcoming books or chats (etc) you would like to tell us about?
A: Actually, I'd like mention Devarian Pleasure-Slave, which just came out in February. I love the world of the Devarian books; they're set about 700 years in the future, and human society has evolved into a structure where all men are slaves, a real role-reversal. The trilogy (Exile, Uprising, and Revolution) tells the story of how one woman fights to free the pleasure-slave she's fallen in love with. Great stuff! Big, epic, action tale. Devarian Pleasure-Slave is a prequel to the trilogy, so it reads very well on its own. It tells the story of Merkun, a pleasure-slave who longs to be free, and how he captures the heart of the Regent of Porto, the planet where the best pleasure-slaves in the galaxy are sold. I did mention this is erotic romance, right? It's very spicy stuff -- there's some male-male interaction in it, a couple of ménage scenes, an orgy... just so you're warned! But it's a great introduction to the Devarian universe.
Where do you hang out on the net?
A: Well, there's my yahoo group, The Sierra Club (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Sierra_Club ), which is a lot of fun, and my website, http://www.sierradafoe.com (built it myself!). On the second Tuesday of every month, I'm at Coffee Time Romance's exotic loop (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/karendevinkaren/) hosting what I have dubbed Hot Erotic Tuesday, with lots of spicy excerpts! Plus, if you check the calendar at http://www.sierradafoe.com you'll usually find a few other things going on every month.
When you are not writing, what are you likely to be found doing?
A: When I'm not writing? Umm... I just asked my hubby, he answered, "You're always writing!" Hee! Well, I also maintain my website myself, and I love spending time on the yahoo groups when I can. And I love taking my puppy for hikes -- considering the time I spend in front of the computer, I need the exercise desperately!
Do your family and friends know that you are a published author? What has been their response?
A: Oh, yeah! They're very supportive. My son (he's 23) thinks what I write is a riot -- he won't touch it with a ten-foot pole, though! Thank God. That would embarrass me!
Where can we find out more about you, your books and anything else you've got going on?
A: Join the Sierra Club, and my newsletter! Among other things, I give away a free eBook every month to one of my Club members and one of my newsletter subscribers, if you need a bit of incentive! Joining the newsletter is easy: just email newsletter@sierradafoe.com!
Thanks for joining us!
And thank you for inviting me, Elizabeth!
KL Bjork
INTERVIEWED: January 2007
Hi! Many thanks for agreeing to be this month's featured author :)
Please introduce yourself to our readers :)
A: Hi everyone. I am K.L. Bjork. I've been writing for about 3 years now and have been published since October 2005. I write mainly vampires, demons, witches, and other types of mystical creatures. Lately, however, I've been branching out with sci-fi and futuristic. I am published with Ocean's Mist Press, Silk's Vault and soon to be Mardi Gras Publishing and Twilight Fantasies.
I live in Arkansas with my husband and my two small children who keep me very busy most of the time. Once the sun goes down and the lights go out, that's when I usually get to pull out my laptop and let my characters run the show for a little while.
Could you please tell us about how you became a writer? Has this always been something you wanted to do?
A: Becoming a writer was something always set in the back of my mind. Once I read Christine Feehan's Dark Magic book and then devoured the rest of the Carpathians, I set my pen to paper and started creating my own characters. I can't remember how I stumbled upon writing.com, but that is where I met up with a few other aspiring authors. They introduced me to eBooks and opened up a whole world I had no idea even existed. Those ladies don't realize how much I appreciate their hard work and guidance.
Do you enjoy your work (writing plus any other jobs you may have)?
A: Oh yes. It's funny, because in my day job I am a telecommunications analyst, which requires a lot of technical knowledge. So I always look at my writing as a way of exploring the other side of my brain. LOL. I enjoy both very much and I hope to continue to do them for a long while.
How do you gain inspiration for your writing?
A: I love this question, because I can find inspiration in just about anything. The way the sun peeks through the trees at a certain angle can spark a whole new world, a conversation with a friend can spark a personality for a character. I also use songs, shows (mostly from the science channel LOL) and really draw inspiration from all around me.
Do you have any mentors? If so, who are they and why?
A: Yes, I work with two ladies right now that have just been a fantastic source of help. Together we have created a yahoo group called the Eclectic Erotic Sirens (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eclectic_erotic_sirens). Their names are Melinda Barron and Jade Buchanan. I also get a lot of help from Cassidy McKay and Trista Bane. It's just great having these ladies to talk with. I have been surprised at how well authors work together and I have found nothing but wonderful support.
Which genres are your favourites to read? Have you attempted to write in these fields yourself?
A: Oooo, I love paranormal. Absolutely adore reading about a sexy vamp in a complicated world. I love to read historicals, too. No specific time period, just anything dealing with some sort of myth or truth from the past.
I do write paranormals, but I don't think I would ever attempt a historical. I just don't think I could do the past justice and I love creating my own worlds.
Do you have any writing experiences to share with us that impacted you in some way, or made you laugh or discover something about yourself?
A: I took a class before I got published at http://www.thescriptorium.net/. I learned a lot of helpful information for making the story believable that I hope I've been able to incorporate in my work. I was also part of a workshop group at www.writing.com. I got some very helpful critiques and also enjoyed spending time with the people there. It was fun and entertaining. They would always hold contests and play games. It was great.
Please tell us about your publisher(s) and how you came to write for them.
A: I got an email from one of my friends telling me that Ocean's Mist Press was a new company opening up and looking for submissions. I decided to finally try my hand at getting published and worked up my query and other information and sent it off. I couldn't believe how fast they responded with an acceptance. Then in the last three months of 2005, I had a book released in October, November and December. I enjoy working with OMP very much.
The next publisher was Silk's Vault. And like with Mardi Gras and Twilight Fantasies, I knew someone there that encouraged me to send in a story for them. I feel very lucky to be published at these houses. Each one of my publishers seem a little bit different, but each are run professionally and with a lot of encouragement for their authors.
What are the top 3 things you want to do before you die and why?
A: The first is to go to Ireland or Scotland. I want to be part of all that mysticism over there. I want to see a fairy mound and walk through a cool damp castle corridor. I want to feel the magic that so many books are inspired by.
My next thing would be to get a book published in print. Just once (actually more than once) I would love to see my name on a bookshelf. LOL
And last but not least, I want to learn to play the violin or fiddle. Just something quirky I want to do :)
What has the reader response been to your books? Do many readers tend to get in touch?
A: I was actually really surprised at the turnout of people getting in touch. I am also a reader and have been encouraged to talk to other authors to tell them how much I enjoy their books. I now know how much a quick email can mean to an author. I love receiving them and each email encourages me to write my next book in a series or my next single title. It's great to know people are out there enjoying what you write.
Have you found writing to be a fulfilling and enjoyable endeavor? Please explain.
A: Oh yes. It's very fulfilling when you get to those last few sentences and everything you have dreamed up and created is finally at the end point where it all turns out okay. Nothing is better for me than a happily ever after. There is just too much in life that is sad and disappointing and I would hate to give that to my readers. I want them to smile, laugh or sigh, knowing that the hero and heroine will live together always.
What could you share, from your experience, with wanna-be writers?
A: Well, once being a wanna-be-writer, whenever I come across someone now I just make sure that I'm encouraging. I can't express enough how much it helps to have people out there who want to read your stuff or will look at it to if anything is missing. I just try to be there for them when I can.
If you could do anything over, what would it be?
A: Nothing really. I've always tried to live my life the best I could without making decisions that I would regret. So far so good. LOL
Do you have any upcoming books or chats (etc) you would like to tell us about?
A: I have two, hopefully three, more books coming out this year. Twilight Fantasies picked up my story Finding Her Place. It's about a military woman who no longer has a war to fight and must figure out where in the world (or worlds) she fits in. Never having had a successful relationship, Cameron Cabot has shied away from getting close to men. Then she finds herself and her friend crashing down on an unfamiliar planet. A planet where spirits soar the skies and want to take over the planet for themselves. Cameron doesn't realize that when she gives into her pleasure with both Mars and Noah, she'll be the one to bring their planet peace. Finding Her Place has a tentative release date of July 4th.
My next book coming out this year is Witch at Mardi Gras Publishing. Witch is about Isabella. She has been locked away by her High Priestess to be handed over to an evil demon. But when her friend Peter hands her a slip a paper with the key to escape, she finds herself in another realm and with a devilishly handsome man. This book will be expanded for those readers who might have read it already. The world will be expanded and hopefully we'll know more about the characters.
Hi! Many thanks for agreeing to be this month's featured author :)
Please introduce yourself to our readers :)
A: Hi everyone. I am K.L. Bjork. I've been writing for about 3 years now and have been published since October 2005. I write mainly vampires, demons, witches, and other types of mystical creatures. Lately, however, I've been branching out with sci-fi and futuristic. I am published with Ocean's Mist Press, Silk's Vault and soon to be Mardi Gras Publishing and Twilight Fantasies.
I live in Arkansas with my husband and my two small children who keep me very busy most of the time. Once the sun goes down and the lights go out, that's when I usually get to pull out my laptop and let my characters run the show for a little while.
Could you please tell us about how you became a writer? Has this always been something you wanted to do?
A: Becoming a writer was something always set in the back of my mind. Once I read Christine Feehan's Dark Magic book and then devoured the rest of the Carpathians, I set my pen to paper and started creating my own characters. I can't remember how I stumbled upon writing.com, but that is where I met up with a few other aspiring authors. They introduced me to eBooks and opened up a whole world I had no idea even existed. Those ladies don't realize how much I appreciate their hard work and guidance.
Do you enjoy your work (writing plus any other jobs you may have)?
A: Oh yes. It's funny, because in my day job I am a telecommunications analyst, which requires a lot of technical knowledge. So I always look at my writing as a way of exploring the other side of my brain. LOL. I enjoy both very much and I hope to continue to do them for a long while.
How do you gain inspiration for your writing?
A: I love this question, because I can find inspiration in just about anything. The way the sun peeks through the trees at a certain angle can spark a whole new world, a conversation with a friend can spark a personality for a character. I also use songs, shows (mostly from the science channel LOL) and really draw inspiration from all around me.
Do you have any mentors? If so, who are they and why?
A: Yes, I work with two ladies right now that have just been a fantastic source of help. Together we have created a yahoo group called the Eclectic Erotic Sirens (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eclectic_erotic_sirens). Their names are Melinda Barron and Jade Buchanan. I also get a lot of help from Cassidy McKay and Trista Bane. It's just great having these ladies to talk with. I have been surprised at how well authors work together and I have found nothing but wonderful support.
Which genres are your favourites to read? Have you attempted to write in these fields yourself?
A: Oooo, I love paranormal. Absolutely adore reading about a sexy vamp in a complicated world. I love to read historicals, too. No specific time period, just anything dealing with some sort of myth or truth from the past.
I do write paranormals, but I don't think I would ever attempt a historical. I just don't think I could do the past justice and I love creating my own worlds.
Do you have any writing experiences to share with us that impacted you in some way, or made you laugh or discover something about yourself?
A: I took a class before I got published at http://www.thescriptorium.net/. I learned a lot of helpful information for making the story believable that I hope I've been able to incorporate in my work. I was also part of a workshop group at www.writing.com. I got some very helpful critiques and also enjoyed spending time with the people there. It was fun and entertaining. They would always hold contests and play games. It was great.
Please tell us about your publisher(s) and how you came to write for them.
A: I got an email from one of my friends telling me that Ocean's Mist Press was a new company opening up and looking for submissions. I decided to finally try my hand at getting published and worked up my query and other information and sent it off. I couldn't believe how fast they responded with an acceptance. Then in the last three months of 2005, I had a book released in October, November and December. I enjoy working with OMP very much.
The next publisher was Silk's Vault. And like with Mardi Gras and Twilight Fantasies, I knew someone there that encouraged me to send in a story for them. I feel very lucky to be published at these houses. Each one of my publishers seem a little bit different, but each are run professionally and with a lot of encouragement for their authors.
What are the top 3 things you want to do before you die and why?
A: The first is to go to Ireland or Scotland. I want to be part of all that mysticism over there. I want to see a fairy mound and walk through a cool damp castle corridor. I want to feel the magic that so many books are inspired by.
My next thing would be to get a book published in print. Just once (actually more than once) I would love to see my name on a bookshelf. LOL
And last but not least, I want to learn to play the violin or fiddle. Just something quirky I want to do :)
What has the reader response been to your books? Do many readers tend to get in touch?
A: I was actually really surprised at the turnout of people getting in touch. I am also a reader and have been encouraged to talk to other authors to tell them how much I enjoy their books. I now know how much a quick email can mean to an author. I love receiving them and each email encourages me to write my next book in a series or my next single title. It's great to know people are out there enjoying what you write.
Have you found writing to be a fulfilling and enjoyable endeavor? Please explain.
A: Oh yes. It's very fulfilling when you get to those last few sentences and everything you have dreamed up and created is finally at the end point where it all turns out okay. Nothing is better for me than a happily ever after. There is just too much in life that is sad and disappointing and I would hate to give that to my readers. I want them to smile, laugh or sigh, knowing that the hero and heroine will live together always.
What could you share, from your experience, with wanna-be writers?
A: Well, once being a wanna-be-writer, whenever I come across someone now I just make sure that I'm encouraging. I can't express enough how much it helps to have people out there who want to read your stuff or will look at it to if anything is missing. I just try to be there for them when I can.
If you could do anything over, what would it be?
A: Nothing really. I've always tried to live my life the best I could without making decisions that I would regret. So far so good. LOL
Do you have any upcoming books or chats (etc) you would like to tell us about?
A: I have two, hopefully three, more books coming out this year. Twilight Fantasies picked up my story Finding Her Place. It's about a military woman who no longer has a war to fight and must figure out where in the world (or worlds) she fits in. Never having had a successful relationship, Cameron Cabot has shied away from getting close to men. Then she finds herself and her friend crashing down on an unfamiliar planet. A planet where spirits soar the skies and want to take over the planet for themselves. Cameron doesn't realize that when she gives into her pleasure with both Mars and Noah, she'll be the one to bring their planet peace. Finding Her Place has a tentative release date of July 4th.
My next book coming out this year is Witch at Mardi Gras Publishing. Witch is about Isabella. She has been locked away by her High Priestess to be handed over to an evil demon. But when her friend Peter hands her a slip a paper with the key to escape, she finds herself in another realm and with a devilishly handsome man. This book will be expanded for those readers who might have read it already. The world will be expanded and hopefully we'll know more about the characters.
Maya Banks
INTERVIEWED: December 2006
Hi Maya! Many thanks for agreeing to be interviewed during this very busy time of the year:)
Please tell us something about yourself and your writing.
I always dread this question the most because basically I'm a dull, boring person, and somewhat of a recluse :) I live in south Texas. Definitely a die hard southerner. Can't imagine living anywhere else. I live close to the beach so we spend a lot of time there swimming and fishing and being all around beach bums. We also have great hunting and spend most of the fall at the deer camp.
My writing, hmm. I started out writing historicals. Definitely my first love. Along the way I decided to merge some of my favorite elements of adventure and lots of action and wrote my first adventure historical. Eventually I wrote some contemporary romantic suspense, but it wasn't until I started infusing my love of the south and southern characters, blending sexy, steamy themes with these settings/characters that I sold and found a readership. I currently write for Samhain Publishing and Berkley. Since selling, I've also found a home for those adventure historicals with Samhain as well :)
How did you become a published author, and was being a published author something you always wanted to do?
Hard work, perserverence, patience (I hate that word) and luck. Oh and I can't forget timing, which for the most part I've always sucked at. But finally I got the timing aspect down and 16 contracts later I'm writing away. While I've always wanted to be an author, it isn't something I ever concentrated on until a few years ago when I decided to become serious and try my hand.
What has the reader response been to your books?
In a word, phenomenal. I've been blown away by all the reader emails and the response to my stories. It's very awe inspiring because I still get a ridiculous thrill every single time I get a reader email. Totally makes my day.
How does an author (and you, yourself) measure their success?
I can't speak for other authors. I do know it's impossible to measure your success by how well *another* author does. I set goals for myself and I consider it a success when I reach them.
Do you have a writing process, whereby each story is developed in the same way?
No two stories are created in the same way for me. Sometimes I write in a notebook because it's the only way I can unlock my brain and let the scenes flow. Other times I'll work on my laptop. Sometimes I zoom through the opening and get bogged down in the middle. Sometimes I have the ending worked out and no clue how to begin. It definitely keeps me on my toes.
Which of your books is your favourite and why?
My favorite is my first adventure historical that I'm publishing in January under my real name Sharon Long. It's called Her Majesty, My Love and it will always have a special place in my heart. It's full of all the things I love about a story. Lots of action, adventure, intrigue and romance. Thus far, most of your books have been stand alone stories.
Do you have any plans to write connected tales in the future? Have readers been clamoring for secondary characters to have their own book written?
I never go into a book thinking series or connected characters. I've had many many readers ask if I planned to write stories for secondary characters from Seducing Simon. When I first started receiving the emails, I was baffled because it honestly never occurred to me. I do have a set of connected novellas, the first of which will be releasing in December (19th) They can definitely stand alone and can be read without having read the others in the series. They merely have characters that carry over from one story to the next.
When your books reach the editing process, what goes through your mind?
At that point, nothing. I make darn sure I turn in a book that is as clean and tight as possible so usually, the editing process is fairly painless. I haven't had any rips and tears and requests to do major rewriting yet. Please tell us about your working relationship with your publisher, Samhain. I love Samhain and I love my editor. She has been fantastic! She gives me a lot of leeway in what I can write. I've gone to her twice after contracting a story because the focus and direction, not to mention the plot, changed drastically in the planning stages, and she was completely open to the new direction in both cases. She's very encouraging, and she's not vetoed an idea of mine yet. That kind of freedom is priceless.
Do you have any plans for the next year or so, life-wise and writing-wise?
I have a very full writing schedule in 2007. Im completely booked under both pen names I write under with Samhain and I also have a two book contract with Berkley with my first book coming out with Berkley in September 07. I have a single title to write, four novellas and another book length story and I'll also have proposals to write in between. So I'll be very busy in 07 :) In addition to what I have to write, I have four Sharon Long novels releasing from Samhain, 5 titles from Samhain under Maya Banks and also my first Berkley release.
What are your favourite genres to write, and which are your favourite to read?
I love writing anything action adventure. Throw in some intrigue and I am happy as a clam. As for reading, my only requirement is a good story. I'm completely open to just about anything. Are there any genres you would love to have a go at in the future that you haven't yet attempted? Hmm no, not at the moment. I'm pretty happy with what I'm writing. But I'm completely idea driven, so if I got hit by a really wonderful idea in a genre I hadn't written in, I'd certainly give it a go.
What can readers look forward to from you in the future?
From Maya Banks, more contemporary erotic romance, particularly southern set romances with the flavor of the south :) From Sharon Long, adventure historicals and I have a contemporary action/adventure novel coming out at the end of 2007.
Is there any advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Not really. I'm not one of these authors that was suddenly gifted with knowledge once I became published. I'm still pretty much as clueless as I was back then. Only difference now is that I'm a published clueless person :) I've still got a lot to learn. Thank God for my agent because I'd be floundering in my ignorance. Ok well, I guess that could be my advice to aspiring authors. Hire an agent!
Hi Maya! Many thanks for agreeing to be interviewed during this very busy time of the year:)
Please tell us something about yourself and your writing.
I always dread this question the most because basically I'm a dull, boring person, and somewhat of a recluse :) I live in south Texas. Definitely a die hard southerner. Can't imagine living anywhere else. I live close to the beach so we spend a lot of time there swimming and fishing and being all around beach bums. We also have great hunting and spend most of the fall at the deer camp.
My writing, hmm. I started out writing historicals. Definitely my first love. Along the way I decided to merge some of my favorite elements of adventure and lots of action and wrote my first adventure historical. Eventually I wrote some contemporary romantic suspense, but it wasn't until I started infusing my love of the south and southern characters, blending sexy, steamy themes with these settings/characters that I sold and found a readership. I currently write for Samhain Publishing and Berkley. Since selling, I've also found a home for those adventure historicals with Samhain as well :)
How did you become a published author, and was being a published author something you always wanted to do?
Hard work, perserverence, patience (I hate that word) and luck. Oh and I can't forget timing, which for the most part I've always sucked at. But finally I got the timing aspect down and 16 contracts later I'm writing away. While I've always wanted to be an author, it isn't something I ever concentrated on until a few years ago when I decided to become serious and try my hand.
What has the reader response been to your books?
In a word, phenomenal. I've been blown away by all the reader emails and the response to my stories. It's very awe inspiring because I still get a ridiculous thrill every single time I get a reader email. Totally makes my day.
How does an author (and you, yourself) measure their success?
I can't speak for other authors. I do know it's impossible to measure your success by how well *another* author does. I set goals for myself and I consider it a success when I reach them.
Do you have a writing process, whereby each story is developed in the same way?
No two stories are created in the same way for me. Sometimes I write in a notebook because it's the only way I can unlock my brain and let the scenes flow. Other times I'll work on my laptop. Sometimes I zoom through the opening and get bogged down in the middle. Sometimes I have the ending worked out and no clue how to begin. It definitely keeps me on my toes.
Which of your books is your favourite and why?
My favorite is my first adventure historical that I'm publishing in January under my real name Sharon Long. It's called Her Majesty, My Love and it will always have a special place in my heart. It's full of all the things I love about a story. Lots of action, adventure, intrigue and romance. Thus far, most of your books have been stand alone stories.
Do you have any plans to write connected tales in the future? Have readers been clamoring for secondary characters to have their own book written?
I never go into a book thinking series or connected characters. I've had many many readers ask if I planned to write stories for secondary characters from Seducing Simon. When I first started receiving the emails, I was baffled because it honestly never occurred to me. I do have a set of connected novellas, the first of which will be releasing in December (19th) They can definitely stand alone and can be read without having read the others in the series. They merely have characters that carry over from one story to the next.
When your books reach the editing process, what goes through your mind?
At that point, nothing. I make darn sure I turn in a book that is as clean and tight as possible so usually, the editing process is fairly painless. I haven't had any rips and tears and requests to do major rewriting yet. Please tell us about your working relationship with your publisher, Samhain. I love Samhain and I love my editor. She has been fantastic! She gives me a lot of leeway in what I can write. I've gone to her twice after contracting a story because the focus and direction, not to mention the plot, changed drastically in the planning stages, and she was completely open to the new direction in both cases. She's very encouraging, and she's not vetoed an idea of mine yet. That kind of freedom is priceless.
Do you have any plans for the next year or so, life-wise and writing-wise?
I have a very full writing schedule in 2007. Im completely booked under both pen names I write under with Samhain and I also have a two book contract with Berkley with my first book coming out with Berkley in September 07. I have a single title to write, four novellas and another book length story and I'll also have proposals to write in between. So I'll be very busy in 07 :) In addition to what I have to write, I have four Sharon Long novels releasing from Samhain, 5 titles from Samhain under Maya Banks and also my first Berkley release.
What are your favourite genres to write, and which are your favourite to read?
I love writing anything action adventure. Throw in some intrigue and I am happy as a clam. As for reading, my only requirement is a good story. I'm completely open to just about anything. Are there any genres you would love to have a go at in the future that you haven't yet attempted? Hmm no, not at the moment. I'm pretty happy with what I'm writing. But I'm completely idea driven, so if I got hit by a really wonderful idea in a genre I hadn't written in, I'd certainly give it a go.
What can readers look forward to from you in the future?
From Maya Banks, more contemporary erotic romance, particularly southern set romances with the flavor of the south :) From Sharon Long, adventure historicals and I have a contemporary action/adventure novel coming out at the end of 2007.
Is there any advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Not really. I'm not one of these authors that was suddenly gifted with knowledge once I became published. I'm still pretty much as clueless as I was back then. Only difference now is that I'm a published clueless person :) I've still got a lot to learn. Thank God for my agent because I'd be floundering in my ignorance. Ok well, I guess that could be my advice to aspiring authors. Hire an agent!
Beverly Rae
INTERVIEWED: November 2006
Hi Beverly! Thanks for being this months featured author.
Hi Elizabeth! I'm so happy to be your featured author. Here I am sitting in my home office, bored to the point of contemplating cleaning the house (Now that's BORED!), just wishing for something fun to do. And what happens? I get your interview questions. Yay!
Please tell us a little about yourself.
A: Really? Just a little? I am such a talker, but I'll try to keep it to a minimum. I came to writing via a path of various jobs including teaching, singing professionally, and being a computer salesperson. Finally, I've managed to find the perfect jobs for me: wife, mother, and writer. Along with taking care of my human family, I take care of three lovable dogs, too.
When did you first begin writing? Was writing something you always wanted to do?
A: I started writing late in life, as I said, after many other occupations. But through it all, I always wrote songs and stories for my own enjoyment.
My hubby, who has encouraged me from Day One, talked me into writing my first book in 2001. After I'd finally finished it, I left writing for a little while and didn't return to it until a year later.
Did it take you long to get published? What were your feelings when your first book was contracted?
A: Well, it seemed like a long time to me! But it really wasn't - only about 4 years. In 2005, Triskelion Publishing contracted the second book I'd ever written, Love Times Seven which is a funny twist on the musical, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, mixed with the television show, Bewitched. I was elated when I received the email saying Triskelion Publishing wanted it. I remember showing the email to my hubby to make sure I wasn't dreaming.
Do you have a writing process or does each book emerge in a different way?
A: An idea for a book just comes to me either from something I hear or see. From there, I start envisioning the whole story in my head, like a movie. Then I write the synopsis which is the hardest part for me. But once I have the synopsis down, I'm ready to rock and roll. Writing is the fun part for me.
Which of your characters are your favourites and why?
A: My favorite characters are always the ones in my current work-in-progress. However, I tend to love quirky, unusual, fun secondary characters. For instance, I adore Blair, the gay shifter in Kissin' in the Moonlight. He's a riot!
Do you prefer to write stand alones or connected tales, and is there a reason for this?
A: I prefer to write stand alones because I like to think a reader can pick up any book and understand what's going on without having to buy the first in the series. However, with that said, I like writing continuing characters or series where each book focuses on a specific character. For instance, Devlin Morgan (shifter) was the primary character in Dancin' in the Moonlight. But his brother, Mickale, was such a great character he had to have his own book, called Kissin' in the Moonlight. A reader can read either book first, but will love following the characters throughout both books.
What do you think of the editing process?
A: Ooh, great question. Editing is a love-hate process. I hate getting my edits back from my editor. However, I love the book more once I've learned from the edits and reworked the book through the editing process to create an even better book.
Where do you get the inspiration for your stories?
A: The ideas for my books just pop into my head. For instance, I may see a commercial on television and think "What if..." and then the idea for the story just takes off for me.
Who is/are your publisher(s), and what are they like to write for? Did you choose them, or did they choose you?
A: My main publisher is Triskelion Publishing. They contracted my first book and have published most of my others in either ebook format, print, or both. Triskelion will always have a special place in my heart. I also write for a few other publishers including Silk's Vault Publishing (novellas) and Twin Souls Publications (Midnight Showcase). I recently signed a contract with Samhain Publishing. Samhain is a great publishing company coming up very fast and strong in both ebook and print. I guess you could say I chose my publishers by submitting to them and they chose me by contracting my books.
If there was just one more thing you could do before you die, what would it be?
A: It's funny you should ask that. That's actually the reason I wrote my first book, Touch Me (Samhain Publishing, Spring 07). I simply wanted to achieve the goal of writing a book before I died. But now that I've accomplished that goal, my only other goal is to see my child all grown up, happy, healthy, and living life to the fullest. If she happens to become a very famous, wealthy doctor who will take care of her poor, aging mom, then that's good, too.
Are you able to read the same genres as you write or do the trials of writing your own books put you off?
A: I love anything paranormal. Unlike most of my books which are funny, light, contemporary paranormals, I'll read almost any kind of paranormal, even the dark and scary ones.
Are there any genres you stay well away from, in either reading or writing?
A: Oh, shoot, Elizabeth, I'm old enough to never say never.
What do readers tend to get in touch with you about?
A: My readers are wonderful! I chat with them on the yahoo loops and in online chats. Plus, they email me from time to time to say how they enjoyed my books. I really appreciate those emails!
Is there any advice you can give to anyone who would like to become a published author?
A: Wow! I'd give them tons of advice. Here's just a few bits of "wisdom" --
1. Never, ever give up. This is a hard one to follow. I know since I've given up once. But I came back and that's what counts.
2. Write. Writing is like exercise. It's harder to get back into it if you stop for a day or two. Having said that, is anyone in the market for a treadmill clothes hanger?
3. Don't worry about the money. If you're writing what you love, then write it. Don't write if you think you're going to make a bunch of money.
Hi Beverly! Thanks for being this months featured author.
Hi Elizabeth! I'm so happy to be your featured author. Here I am sitting in my home office, bored to the point of contemplating cleaning the house (Now that's BORED!), just wishing for something fun to do. And what happens? I get your interview questions. Yay!
Please tell us a little about yourself.
A: Really? Just a little? I am such a talker, but I'll try to keep it to a minimum. I came to writing via a path of various jobs including teaching, singing professionally, and being a computer salesperson. Finally, I've managed to find the perfect jobs for me: wife, mother, and writer. Along with taking care of my human family, I take care of three lovable dogs, too.
When did you first begin writing? Was writing something you always wanted to do?
A: I started writing late in life, as I said, after many other occupations. But through it all, I always wrote songs and stories for my own enjoyment.
My hubby, who has encouraged me from Day One, talked me into writing my first book in 2001. After I'd finally finished it, I left writing for a little while and didn't return to it until a year later.
Did it take you long to get published? What were your feelings when your first book was contracted?
A: Well, it seemed like a long time to me! But it really wasn't - only about 4 years. In 2005, Triskelion Publishing contracted the second book I'd ever written, Love Times Seven which is a funny twist on the musical, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, mixed with the television show, Bewitched. I was elated when I received the email saying Triskelion Publishing wanted it. I remember showing the email to my hubby to make sure I wasn't dreaming.
Do you have a writing process or does each book emerge in a different way?
A: An idea for a book just comes to me either from something I hear or see. From there, I start envisioning the whole story in my head, like a movie. Then I write the synopsis which is the hardest part for me. But once I have the synopsis down, I'm ready to rock and roll. Writing is the fun part for me.
Which of your characters are your favourites and why?
A: My favorite characters are always the ones in my current work-in-progress. However, I tend to love quirky, unusual, fun secondary characters. For instance, I adore Blair, the gay shifter in Kissin' in the Moonlight. He's a riot!
Do you prefer to write stand alones or connected tales, and is there a reason for this?
A: I prefer to write stand alones because I like to think a reader can pick up any book and understand what's going on without having to buy the first in the series. However, with that said, I like writing continuing characters or series where each book focuses on a specific character. For instance, Devlin Morgan (shifter) was the primary character in Dancin' in the Moonlight. But his brother, Mickale, was such a great character he had to have his own book, called Kissin' in the Moonlight. A reader can read either book first, but will love following the characters throughout both books.
What do you think of the editing process?
A: Ooh, great question. Editing is a love-hate process. I hate getting my edits back from my editor. However, I love the book more once I've learned from the edits and reworked the book through the editing process to create an even better book.
Where do you get the inspiration for your stories?
A: The ideas for my books just pop into my head. For instance, I may see a commercial on television and think "What if..." and then the idea for the story just takes off for me.
Who is/are your publisher(s), and what are they like to write for? Did you choose them, or did they choose you?
A: My main publisher is Triskelion Publishing. They contracted my first book and have published most of my others in either ebook format, print, or both. Triskelion will always have a special place in my heart. I also write for a few other publishers including Silk's Vault Publishing (novellas) and Twin Souls Publications (Midnight Showcase). I recently signed a contract with Samhain Publishing. Samhain is a great publishing company coming up very fast and strong in both ebook and print. I guess you could say I chose my publishers by submitting to them and they chose me by contracting my books.
If there was just one more thing you could do before you die, what would it be?
A: It's funny you should ask that. That's actually the reason I wrote my first book, Touch Me (Samhain Publishing, Spring 07). I simply wanted to achieve the goal of writing a book before I died. But now that I've accomplished that goal, my only other goal is to see my child all grown up, happy, healthy, and living life to the fullest. If she happens to become a very famous, wealthy doctor who will take care of her poor, aging mom, then that's good, too.
Are you able to read the same genres as you write or do the trials of writing your own books put you off?
A: I love anything paranormal. Unlike most of my books which are funny, light, contemporary paranormals, I'll read almost any kind of paranormal, even the dark and scary ones.
Are there any genres you stay well away from, in either reading or writing?
A: Oh, shoot, Elizabeth, I'm old enough to never say never.
What do readers tend to get in touch with you about?
A: My readers are wonderful! I chat with them on the yahoo loops and in online chats. Plus, they email me from time to time to say how they enjoyed my books. I really appreciate those emails!
Is there any advice you can give to anyone who would like to become a published author?
A: Wow! I'd give them tons of advice. Here's just a few bits of "wisdom" --
1. Never, ever give up. This is a hard one to follow. I know since I've given up once. But I came back and that's what counts.
2. Write. Writing is like exercise. It's harder to get back into it if you stop for a day or two. Having said that, is anyone in the market for a treadmill clothes hanger?
3. Don't worry about the money. If you're writing what you love, then write it. Don't write if you think you're going to make a bunch of money.
Judith Rochelle
INTERVIEWED: October 2006
1.) Please tell us a little about yourself.
A: I live in the Texas Hill Country between San Antonio and Austin, so far out in the hills our friends think we're in the witness protection program. We're surrounded by a herd of white tail deer, which we feed, and have three adorable cats. Our kids are all out on their own, thank goodness! I've always wanted to write full time and used to make up stories all the time when I was a kid. Like the time when I told everyone I was going to Hollywood to write a movie. I've been a reporter, a fundraiser, a rock band manager and lived in four different states. I love country music, everything from Willie Nelson to Toby Keith. And I’m a chocoholic.
2.) Can you describe your feelings when you received your first contract?
A: Dazed and amazed. I had it sitting on my computer desk and my daughter had come over. I kept looking at it ever two minutes and she finally said, Mom, it isn’t going to change. Honestly. But I kept it in front of me for weeks! I could hardly believe someone actually, finally, wanted to buy something I wrote.
3.) What do you love most about writing - and what do you like least?
A: I love creating the characters and telling their story. They become real people to me and sometimes I can’t write fast enough to get them down on paper. The other thing I love is having someone read the finished manuscript and tell me they love it! What do I like the least? That’s easy. Proofreading!
4.) Which of your books did you find most challenging to write and why?
A: I think they’re all challenging, but my second one, The Hired Wife, was a real challenge because it has a lot of emotion in it and I wanted to be sure it came across to the reader as real, not phoney.
5.) Which of your characters do you like the most and why?
A: I’d have to say two of them: Paige in Love With the Proper Rancher, now available from Triskelion and Kate in Run For Your Life, no release date yet. Both are running from terrible experiences that could defeat them, yet both find the spunk and the guts to throw it back at life and move forward. Especially Kate, who’s running from killers. She finds an inner strength she never knew she had that is what makes her survive. I love women who can handle adversity.
6.) Did you find any characters hard to develop? If so, is there a reason for this?
A: Hmm, let me think. No, I don’t think so. I actually have my character profiles before I flesh out the plot, because the characters speak to me and tell me their stories. Even the villains!
7.) Do any of your books hold a certain fondness in your heart and, if so, why?
A: Run For Your Life. It was the first book I wrote, I finished it in two weeks…and it was awful!!!! I have so many rejections letters in that folder I could make a book of them. But each time the editors were kind enough to send details rejection letters and I soaked everything up. The version I finally sold was #23! I had it with two houses actually, and the one that had it the longest I finally gave a deadline to, because by then I’d signed with Triskelion. The deadline passed, I gave my Triskelion author the okay and not an hour later the other publisher called with an offer. You don’t know how good it felt to say, Sorry! And I’m glad it worked out this way, because Triskelion is very, very good to me.
8.) Where do you get the inspiration for your stories?
A: I have to say – everywhere. Television, books, newspapers, songs, b its and pieces of conversations. They all rattle around in my brain and then. When I’m in the shower, they come racing to the forefront. I tell people I’m the cleanest person in Texas because I take so many showers!
9.) Who is/are your publisher(s), and what are they like to write for?
A: My publishers are Triskelion Publishing, The Wild Rose Press, and I just sold my first manuscript to Ellora’s Cave. I’ve just started with EC so I can’t say much except they got back to me right away and sent me a great acceptance letter. But Triskelion and Wild Rose are more than wonderful to work with. They have their act together and take wonderful care of their authors. I would give each of them ten on a scale of one to ten.
10.) If you could be anyone in the world (or universe), who would you be and why?
A: I’d be Kathryn Ross because she’s married to my all-time hottie, Sam Elliott!
11.) What is your favorite genre to write and why?
A: That’s so hard to say. I’d say whatever genre I’m writing at the moment is my favorite, because if I weren‘t in love with it I wouldn’t be writing. And I find I can switch easily from one to the other.
12.) Which genres would you like to try your hand at in the future? Are there any reasons for these choices?
A: Paranormal, just because I haven’t done it and because I’m really getting into shapeshifters
13.) What is your favorite type of story? Any reason for this?
A: Probably romantic suspense, because I grew up reading mysteries. And because four years ago I read Cry No More by Linda Howard and that was the book that really inspired me to write. But I’m pretty eclectic in my tastes. I love Vince Flynn’s political action thrillers, and Shiloh Walker’s hot, hot, hot romances, and Jennifer Crusie’s books crack me up.
14.) Who/What are your favorite:
- authors Lordy, I’m sure to leave someone out. Okay. Linda Howard, Suzanne Brockmann, Joan Johnston, Diana Palmer, Melanie Atkins, Gail Delaney, Linda wisdom, Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, Robert K. Tananbaum, Karen Rose, Shiloh Walker
- books Watch Over Me by Gail Delaney, Melanie Atkins’ detective series, Mac’s Law by Sarah McCarty, and what I call an adult fairy tale, Trustee From the Tool Room by Nevil Shute. Everyone should read it.
- holiday destinations these days, home. We’ve been every place we want to!
- foods anything chocolate; pizza; Chinese food; steak
- colors blue, any shade
- other? I’m addicted to the television series 24, I’m probably the most fanatical football fan in the country, and I love to read. When I’m not writing, I’m reading.
15.) What advice would you give to anyone who would like to become a published author?
A: Join a writers group and find a critique group. I’m a member of SARA, the San Antonio Romance authors, and they are a wonderfully supportive group. The critique group within SARA has been the most valuable tool for me. I was grass green when I joined, and they showed me how to turn raw material into a saleable manuscript. I owe much of my success to these wonderful women. Talk to other writers and ask what they do and how they do it. But most of all, write!!! Get those ideas on paper and start writing. Enter contests. Keep knocking on doors. Eventually one will open. And never, ever, ever give up.
1.) Please tell us a little about yourself.
A: I live in the Texas Hill Country between San Antonio and Austin, so far out in the hills our friends think we're in the witness protection program. We're surrounded by a herd of white tail deer, which we feed, and have three adorable cats. Our kids are all out on their own, thank goodness! I've always wanted to write full time and used to make up stories all the time when I was a kid. Like the time when I told everyone I was going to Hollywood to write a movie. I've been a reporter, a fundraiser, a rock band manager and lived in four different states. I love country music, everything from Willie Nelson to Toby Keith. And I’m a chocoholic.
2.) Can you describe your feelings when you received your first contract?
A: Dazed and amazed. I had it sitting on my computer desk and my daughter had come over. I kept looking at it ever two minutes and she finally said, Mom, it isn’t going to change. Honestly. But I kept it in front of me for weeks! I could hardly believe someone actually, finally, wanted to buy something I wrote.
3.) What do you love most about writing - and what do you like least?
A: I love creating the characters and telling their story. They become real people to me and sometimes I can’t write fast enough to get them down on paper. The other thing I love is having someone read the finished manuscript and tell me they love it! What do I like the least? That’s easy. Proofreading!
4.) Which of your books did you find most challenging to write and why?
A: I think they’re all challenging, but my second one, The Hired Wife, was a real challenge because it has a lot of emotion in it and I wanted to be sure it came across to the reader as real, not phoney.
5.) Which of your characters do you like the most and why?
A: I’d have to say two of them: Paige in Love With the Proper Rancher, now available from Triskelion and Kate in Run For Your Life, no release date yet. Both are running from terrible experiences that could defeat them, yet both find the spunk and the guts to throw it back at life and move forward. Especially Kate, who’s running from killers. She finds an inner strength she never knew she had that is what makes her survive. I love women who can handle adversity.
6.) Did you find any characters hard to develop? If so, is there a reason for this?
A: Hmm, let me think. No, I don’t think so. I actually have my character profiles before I flesh out the plot, because the characters speak to me and tell me their stories. Even the villains!
7.) Do any of your books hold a certain fondness in your heart and, if so, why?
A: Run For Your Life. It was the first book I wrote, I finished it in two weeks…and it was awful!!!! I have so many rejections letters in that folder I could make a book of them. But each time the editors were kind enough to send details rejection letters and I soaked everything up. The version I finally sold was #23! I had it with two houses actually, and the one that had it the longest I finally gave a deadline to, because by then I’d signed with Triskelion. The deadline passed, I gave my Triskelion author the okay and not an hour later the other publisher called with an offer. You don’t know how good it felt to say, Sorry! And I’m glad it worked out this way, because Triskelion is very, very good to me.
8.) Where do you get the inspiration for your stories?
A: I have to say – everywhere. Television, books, newspapers, songs, b its and pieces of conversations. They all rattle around in my brain and then. When I’m in the shower, they come racing to the forefront. I tell people I’m the cleanest person in Texas because I take so many showers!
9.) Who is/are your publisher(s), and what are they like to write for?
A: My publishers are Triskelion Publishing, The Wild Rose Press, and I just sold my first manuscript to Ellora’s Cave. I’ve just started with EC so I can’t say much except they got back to me right away and sent me a great acceptance letter. But Triskelion and Wild Rose are more than wonderful to work with. They have their act together and take wonderful care of their authors. I would give each of them ten on a scale of one to ten.
10.) If you could be anyone in the world (or universe), who would you be and why?
A: I’d be Kathryn Ross because she’s married to my all-time hottie, Sam Elliott!
11.) What is your favorite genre to write and why?
A: That’s so hard to say. I’d say whatever genre I’m writing at the moment is my favorite, because if I weren‘t in love with it I wouldn’t be writing. And I find I can switch easily from one to the other.
12.) Which genres would you like to try your hand at in the future? Are there any reasons for these choices?
A: Paranormal, just because I haven’t done it and because I’m really getting into shapeshifters
13.) What is your favorite type of story? Any reason for this?
A: Probably romantic suspense, because I grew up reading mysteries. And because four years ago I read Cry No More by Linda Howard and that was the book that really inspired me to write. But I’m pretty eclectic in my tastes. I love Vince Flynn’s political action thrillers, and Shiloh Walker’s hot, hot, hot romances, and Jennifer Crusie’s books crack me up.
14.) Who/What are your favorite:
- authors Lordy, I’m sure to leave someone out. Okay. Linda Howard, Suzanne Brockmann, Joan Johnston, Diana Palmer, Melanie Atkins, Gail Delaney, Linda wisdom, Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, Robert K. Tananbaum, Karen Rose, Shiloh Walker
- books Watch Over Me by Gail Delaney, Melanie Atkins’ detective series, Mac’s Law by Sarah McCarty, and what I call an adult fairy tale, Trustee From the Tool Room by Nevil Shute. Everyone should read it.
- holiday destinations these days, home. We’ve been every place we want to!
- foods anything chocolate; pizza; Chinese food; steak
- colors blue, any shade
- other? I’m addicted to the television series 24, I’m probably the most fanatical football fan in the country, and I love to read. When I’m not writing, I’m reading.
15.) What advice would you give to anyone who would like to become a published author?
A: Join a writers group and find a critique group. I’m a member of SARA, the San Antonio Romance authors, and they are a wonderfully supportive group. The critique group within SARA has been the most valuable tool for me. I was grass green when I joined, and they showed me how to turn raw material into a saleable manuscript. I owe much of my success to these wonderful women. Talk to other writers and ask what they do and how they do it. But most of all, write!!! Get those ideas on paper and start writing. Enter contests. Keep knocking on doors. Eventually one will open. And never, ever, ever give up.
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