S.R.Claridge writes Mystery and Romantic Suspense novels. Her work has been said to have the energy of Dan Brown, the mystery of Mary Higgins Clark and the humor of Janet Evanovich. Claridge novels will take you to the edge of your seat, keep you guessing until the very end and ultimately warm your heart. It is on the pages of every S.R.Claridge novel that Mystery and Sensual Suspense collide.

For more information on bookings, interviews and upcoming releases, please visit the author website and Facebook fan page.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

ALL THINGS ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

SPOTLIGHT AUTHOR:   SARAH BALLANCE

Before we get started talking about your books, tell us a little about yourself.  Where are you from?  What is your occupation outside of writing? 
I've lived on the mid-Atlantic coast my whole life, which is fitting because my hubby and I love boating and hanging out at the beach.  We've produced six children in nearly 14 years of marriage, all homeschooled.  But kids and schooling aside, I don't "work." *Grin.* I can claim the distinction of being a full time writer, though, so I'll take it.  ;c)

Would you describe yourself as an introvert or an extrovert?
Introvert.  THE introvert.  The people in my computer never believe me, but I am painfully shy and would rather die than have anyone look at me.  Being the center of attention is positively mortifying!

Where is the most unique place you have traveled?
I've been all over the U.S. and have toured Spain, but I think the prize for most unique goes to the Bay of Fundy in Canada.  It was a few years back, but I remember walking across the exposed sand to some rock outcroppings, just looking around in amazement at everything that had so recently been under water.  We were out there just a few minutes, and unfortunately no one turned around.  It seems we stood on a high point, and the tide swept back through so quickly that we had to wade back to shore, water growing deeper with every step.  The power of nature—the force to move all that water—just astounds me to this day.  (I just looked up the stats:  in 6 hrs and 13 minutes, 100 billion tons of seawater flow through the bay—a number topping the flow all of the world's freshwater rivers combined.)

How many books have you written and how many of those are published? 
My first two completed novels, DOWN IN FLAMES and RUN TO YOU, are both published with Noble Romance.  I'm currently working on a series of three suspense novels and a standalone suspense title, but thus far every story I've written (all *both* of them, LOL) has been published.  (You can look over my shoulder as I write by clicking here.) 

Do you have one particular genre that all your books fall under (i.e. suspense, romance, etc.)  or do you write in many different genres?
DOWN IN FLAMES is a romance, but I think I found my niche with my romantic suspense, RUN TO YOU.  I love weaving clues into the plot and coming up with twists and turns for my characters to navigate.  Plus, I think the element of suspense adds a whole new kind of tension to the story. I adore that!

How much character and plot detailing do you plan out before you begin writing a novel, or are you a “pantser” (fly by the seat of your pants) ?
I used to try to plot because it seemed like the right thing to do, but in reality I just jot notes at the end of my manuscript and change them as needed. 

Prior to becoming a published author, how many rejections did you receive?  How did you handle the rejections?
I didn't get a single rejection!  LOL.  DOWN IN FLAMES was my first story and Noble the first publisher I subbed to.  Believe me, no one was more shocked than I when the contract arrived!

How and when do you write? Do you keep yourself on a schedule or do you work while the muse is with you?
I try to carve out at least two hours a day for my writing.  I have to work around the kids—in particular, the ten-month-old baby—but my husband is incredibly supportive.  Not only does he take over house and kid duties every evening after dinner, but he'll even take all six to the store or the park or something just to give me some peace and quiet.  Is he awesome or what?

What's up next for you and your writing?
I'm on a tight deadline for my upcoming romantic suspense series, with a goal of getting all three novels out this year.  If I'm lucky, I'll also take a breath, and I might even amaze myself and get my standalone suspense finished as well, LOL.

Where can we read more about you and your work?
You can visit my website, (http://www.sarahballance.com/)  blog, (http://www.sarahballance.wordpress.com/) follow me on Twitter, or friend me on Facebook.  And – ssshhh – here's a tip.  If you "like" my Facebook Fan Page you are instantly eligible for random giveaways, including gift certificates to Amazon, plus you'll be the first to know about contests and freebies.  Not a bad place to hang out. ;c)  You can also check out my books on Kindle or PDF, EPUB, MobiPocket, and Microsoft Reader.

Thanks so much for letting me hang here for the day! 


Tuesday, March 29, 2011

TUESDAY TALKS

SPOTLIGHT AUTHOR:   J O H N    W I L L S

Before we get started talking about your books, tell us a little about yourself.  Where are you from?  What is your occupation outside of writing? 
I was born and raised in Chicago where I attended Catholic schools to include college. I served two years in the Army and then joined the Chicago P.D., where I served for more than twelve years. I left the force to become an FBI agent and retired from the Bureau after twenty-one years. I began to write professionally in my first year of retiremeent in 2004. Since then I've had more than one hundred articles published on the subjects of officer survival, training, and ethics. I've also created a book series.

I also work from my home in Virginia for a company in Seattle that deals in training. I check my emails each day to see if they are sending me to teach a class to police departments or military.

Would you describe yourself as an introvert or an extrovert?
Definitely an extrovert, I don't shy away from people that's how you get information.
 
Do you have any pets?
We have a one year old Cairn terrier named Missy. She has filled the hole in our hearts that was created when our twelve year old Westie, Angel, passed away last year.   (I’m sorry to hear that.  It’s so hard when one of our furry family members leaves us.)

What are your favorite books to read?
I start each day with the greatest book ever written--the Bible. Talk about great stories! (Totally agree!!  It’s the best book, written by the greatest Author!)  Afterward I read a variety of books, thrillers, mysteries, romantic fiction, true crime. I love reading Richard Paul Evans and Dan Walsh. Since I write book reviews for the New York Journal of Books, I have the opportunity to read a myriad of authors and genres.

Where is the most unique place you have traveled?
Tashkent, Uzbekistan. I spent ten days there teaching an officer survival school to their police force. Each morning before work I like to start the day with a run. I got a lot of strange looks from the locals as I ran past their homes and livestock that grazed just outside the front door.

Aside from your successes in the writing industry, what in your life has given you the greatest sense of accomplishment?
Family. My wife and I just celebrated our fortieth wedding anniversary. God has blessed us with three wonderful children and four precious grandchildren. The name, "Papa," has been the crown jewel for me. Whenever the grandkids call my name it's a constant reminder that I am rich beyond belief.

How many books have you written and how many of those are published?  My third book, TARGTETD, is set for an April 6, 2011 release. It's the next book in a series I created, The Chicago Warriors Thriller Series. The first two were titled: Chicago Warriors: Midnight Battles in the Windy City, and, Gripped By Fear.

Do you have one particular genre that all your books fall under (i.e. suspense, romance, etc.)  or do you write in many different genres?
My novels are thrillers, but I've had stories published in several other books, both fiction and non-fiction. Obviously the magazine articles I write are non-fiction, so being able to write thrillers helps me to be creative.

How much character and plot detailing do you plan out before you begin writing a novel, or are you a “pantser” (fly by the seat of your pants) ?
It's actually a bit of both. My books have the same two protagonists, but for each story I have to create a supporting cast of characters. I always have a few in mind, but as the story progresses I create others.

Prior to becoming a published author, how many rejections did you receive?  How did you handle the rejections?
I was fortunate to have discovered a small independent publisher right from the start who liked my work and gave me a three book agreement.

How and when do you write? Do you keep yourself on a schedule or do you work while the muse is with you?
If I'm not on the road I write first thing in the morning at my desk on the second floor. I overlook the peaceful cul de sac where we live and stay at the computer for a couple of hours. If I'm travelling I write in airports, onboard planes, and at hotels. I try to write something every day.

If you have a new release coming out, tell us about it.
TARGETED comes out April 6th, and it actually tells two stories simultaneously, either one of which could be the main story by itself. A sniper is killing Chicago cops, leaving no clues or eye witnesses. At the same time, a Catholic priest is arrested for child abuse. He makes bond and then flees the city to a small town on the east coast. The two seemingly unrelated stories merge in an unexpected violent conclusion.

If you could step into the world of anyone else’s novel or meet with any character, which/who would you choose?
I would love to step into the world that author Dan Walsh created in his first two books, The Unfinished Gift, and, The Homecoming. They take place during WW II, when life was simpler and unsullied by political correctness and technology. Family life was at the center of most activities, meal time was a time for sharing not only food but for telling stories and reinforcing character.

If you could give one piece of advice to writers trying to get published, what would that advice be?  Belive in yourself and in your talent. Be tenacious in your effort to share your work, knowing that someone out there will appreciate what you have created.

What's up next for you and your writing?
I have an eBook in the pipeline at Cygnus. It wil be an antholgoy of some of my published articles, and sold through the Officer.com website. I am also working on a non-fiction book called: Women Warriors, Stories from the Thin Blue Line. It's a collection of true stories about women in law enforcement, written by the women themselves. I will edit the stories and place them in a format I've created.

Anything else you'd like to share with my blog readers?
Writing has been a wonderful experience for me. More importantly, it's been cathartic to write stories that I've lived throughout my life. A pretty decent writer once said, "In order to write about life, first you must live it." Ernest Hemingway knew what he was talking about.  (Love that quote!!)

Where can we read more about you and your work?
Visit my website: http://johnmwills.com/ I also have a blog: http://chicagowarriorsmysteries.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

TUESDAY TALKS

SPOTLIGHT AUTHOR:   KELLEY HECKART


Before we get started talking about your books, tell us a little about yourself.  Where are you from?  I moved around a lot as a child, but lived in Southern California for most of my life before moving to Arizona.

What is your occupation outside of writing? 
I’m writing full-time right now so I guess that really translates into being unemployed. I was working part of the year the last two years at a tax preparation company, but was unable to work this year.

Would you describe yourself as an introvert or an extrovert? Introvert. I enjoy being a writer and spending time by myself daydreaming.

Do you have any pets?  Yes. I have two dogs. They have names, but I like to make up nicknames for them. Right now I call them Stinky Man and Pretty Polly. Stinky Man is a chi-weenie and Pretty Polly is an American Eskimo. I would say their real names, but I am one of those stupid pet owners that sometimes uses their names as passwords.

What are your favorite books to read? I like to read historical fantasy or paranormal books. I do read straight historicals too. I’m kind of a history geek. My favorite time periods are ancient, Dark Ages and medieval, but I will read pretty much any historical.

Where is the most unique place you have traveled? I hate to travel. We do go to Sedona, AZ a lot because it’s not that far and that is a unique place. I am always captivated by the red rock formations and the beauty of the canyons. 

Aside from your successes in the writing industry, what in your life has given you the greatest sense of accomplishment? I was a musician for about fifteen years before becoming a writer and those were some of the best years of my life. My band played a lot of gigs, we met a lot of people, some famous, some really weird and we spent time in a recording studio. I have some songs that I can say give me a sense of accomplishment.

How many books have you written and how many of those are published? 
*Of Water and Dragons,
*Ravenwolf,
*White Rose of Avalon,
*Cat’s Curse
*Beltaine’s Song
All are published with Awe-Struck. Night’s Daughter and Winter’s Requiem are contracted with Awe-Struck but not released yet. I also have a couple of short stories published-- The Enchanted Meadow (Freya’s Bower) and A Winter Solstice Kiss (Noble Romance).

Do you have one particular genre that all your books fall under (i.e. suspense, romance, etc.)  or do you write in many different genres? I write Celtic historical romance with fantasy and paranormal elements.
  
How much character and plot detailing do you plan out before you begin writing a novel, or are you a “pantser” (fly by the seat of your pants)? I am more of a pantser. I do have character sheets and an idea for the plot, but it always changes. I have a notebook that gets filled with random notes on characters and plot ideas for each book I write. Some books have several notebooks full of crazy notes that are in no particular order. If I have time, I put some of the information into a computer doc so that it makes more sense. For my trilogy, I had to create a timeline so that was pretty detailed. 

Prior to becoming a published author, how many rejections did you receive?  How did you handle the rejections? My intitial plan was to self-publish, but I had no idea what I was doing at the time. And then I stumbled on ebook publishing and small publishers on the Internet. I read about some of these publishers and the first publisher I submitted to rejected me. I tried again and Awe-Struck accepted Of Water and Dragons. I was in shock because I really didn’t think I would get accepted on the second try. I can’t say the same for some of my first short stories that received numerous rejections from various fantasy magazines and remain unpublished. 

How and when do you write? Do you keep yourself on a schedule or do you work while the muse is with you? I want to have a schedule but my Muse doesn’t seem to want a schedule. I attempt writing every day. Some days I get a lot written, some days not so much.

If you have a new release coming out, tell us about it.  My latest release is Beltaine’s Song, the second book in my Dark Goddess trilogy.

Here is a short blurb:
For each of them, spring's song has a different meaning.

Aedan and Domelch must battle earthly foes—enemy kings and traitorous allies. For the first time, the arrival of spring heralds the sound of a harsh battle horn as their foes close in. Through all this turmoil, can their love survive?  

For their son, Gartnait, spring brings with it the promise of new love and the thrilling sound of the battle horn, putting those he cares about in danger.

If you could give one piece of advice to writers trying to get published, what would that advice be? My advice to writers trying to get published would be to make sure you are submitting your best work by editing and revising until the book is ready and follow the submission guidelines.

What's up next for you and your writing? I should have a new book out soon—Winter’s Requiem is the final book in my Dark Goddess trilogy. I have also started on a new book set in pre-Arthurian Scotland/Pictland with a Saxon heroine and a Pict hero. I’m playing with the werewolf myth. This could turn into a series. 
Anything else you'd like to share with my blog readers? *Waving hi to your blog readers* Yes. I am part of a free read blog with some talented authors called Truly Madly Deeply Romance Authors and we have a free romance read each week plus some contests going on. The link is http://trulymadlydeeplyromanceauthors.blogspot.com/
Susan, Thanks for having me as a guest on your blog.

Where can we read more about you and your work? I can be found all over the Internet. Here are a couple of my links:
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/ Check out my long hair hotties!




Sunday, March 20, 2011

One Word Works

When one word works, don't use two.  Here are some examples of common phrases we use and probably don't realize are unnecessary redundance:

• return back
• progress forward
• forests of trees
• other alternatives
• continue on
• evacuated out
• regress back
• penetrate through
• speeding too fast
• refinanced again
• a human person
• charred black
• reiterate again
• fast forward ahead
• socialize together
• two twin towers

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Getting PASSED the PAST

I have a terrible time using these words correctly.  There is no logical explanation why I can’t grasp how each is used, other than to say I have an obvious mental block.  (probably one developed in my past, that I must learn to pass over!)  The really strange thing is no matter how many times I read the rules, they just don’t stick and I find myself looking them up again.  So… if any of you are like me, here’s a helpful cheat sheet:   

Past – relates to location

The word past locates something in time, and sometimes in space. It can be
used as an adjective, noun, or adverb.
“Past” as an adjective
The first definition which the OED gives for past as an adjective is “Gone by in time; elapsed; done with; over.” For example:
·                       “The days for mourning are now past.”
When attributed to a group of people, past can also mean “Having served one’s term of office; former.” (OED)
·                       “All past presidents of the United States were male.”
And in grammar, we have more examples of past being used as an adjective, such as in “past tense” and “past participle”.
“Past” as a noun
The main meaning for the noun form of past, given by the OED, is “The time that has gone by; a time, or all of the time, before the present.”
·                       “In the past, standards were higher.”
·                       “We cannot live in the past.”
“Past” as a preposition
As a preposition, past can mean: “Beyond in time; after; beyond the age for or time of; (in stating the time of day) so many minutes, or a quarter or half of an hour, after a particular hour.” (OED)
·                       “It is almost half past five.”
It can also be used for location: “Beyond in place; further on than; at or on the further side of; to a point beyond.” (OED)
·                       “My house is the one just past the turning.”
“Past” as an adverb
The first meaning the OED cites for past being used as an adverb is “So as to pass or go by; by.” For example:
·                       “The ball sped past the goalkeeper.”

Passed – a verb in the past tense

Passed is the past participle of the verb “to pass”. It can be an intransitive verb (one which doesn’t require an object) or a transitive verb (one which requires both a subject and one or more objects).
“To pass” means “To proceed, move forward, depart; to cause to do this.” (OED) This can refer to movement forwards in time, in space, or in life (such as “to pass an examination”).
For example:
·                       “The weeks passed quickly.” (Intransitive: subject “the weeks” and no object).
·                       “I passed all my exams!” (Transitive: subject “I” and object “my exams”.)
·                       “He passed the ball well during the match earlier.” (Transitive: subject “He” and object “the ball”.)

When do “past” and “passed” get confused?

Often, writers muddle the words past and passed in sentences such as:
·                       “The heroes passed a village on their way towards the mountains.”
It’s common to see this written as:
·                       “The heroes past a village on their way towards the mountains.”
But the word should be passed, as (in this sentence) it’s the past participle of the verb “to pass”. An easy way to tell is to rewrite the sentence in the present tense, as though you’re describing something which is happening currently:
·                       “The heroes pass a village on their way towards the mountains.”
·                       or “The heroes are passing a village on their way towards the mountains.”
However, if you wrote:
·                       “The heroes walked past a village on their way towards the mountains.”
It’s correct to use past. The verb in this sentence is “walked”, and the “past” is acting as an adverb.

Unusual uses of the word “passed”

Most of the time, passed is a verb, as described above. There are a few occasions when it can be used as a noun or an adjective, though. For example:
·                       “Don’t speak ill of the passed.” (noun)
- This comes from the phrase “passed-away”.
·                       “A passed pawn” (adjective)
- Term used in chess.
·                       “A passed ball” (adjective)
- Term used in baseball.
·                       “A passed midshipman/fireman/surgeon” (adjective)
- Someone who has passed a period of instruction and qualified through examination – apparently this usage arose in the navy.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

TUESDAY TALKS

I am pleased to introduce my Spotlight Author:  LORRIE FARRELLY

Before we get started talking about your books, tell us a little about yourself.  Where are you from?  What is your occupation outside of writing?
I'm a Navy brat (born in the Philadelphia Navy Yard), though I've been a West Coast girl most of my life. I'm a graduate of University of California, Santa Cruz -- proud tp be a Fightin’ Banana Slug (well, okay, we’re really lovers, not fighters). Following graduate school at Northwestern University, I began teaching in public schools. I taught art to 4th graders, drama to 8th graders, and finally, math to high school students. (If anybody loses asymptotes, I can probably find ’em...). Though now retired from the Math Department at Ayala High School in Chino Hills, CA, I still enjoy tutoring students. I'm a three-time winner on Jeopardy! (despite forgetting the chemical symbol for sulfuric acid … oh, wait – I never knew that in the first place). I've shepherded wide-eyed foreign exchange students along
Hollywood Blvd
(“As many stars and lunatics as there are in the Heavens”), and happily curried and shoveled as a ranch hand at Disneyland’s Circle D Ranch. I love to stay busy!

Would you describe yourself as an introvert or an extrovert?
Don't even need to ponder that one. Extrovert. Absolutely. 

Do you have any pets? 
Between us and the kids (they all live nearby, so their pets are always over here with ours), we have 5 dogs: Golden retriever Dallas, Jack Russell mixes Dave and Buster, and mini poodles Griffin and Spike. We also have 2 cats: Hobbie and Jack. (Jack was born in a stack of tires in a junkyard and is semi-feral. Even though we've had him 7 years, he remains very timid and lives in a cubbyhole in my desk. He keeps me company while I write, and I keep hoping he'll go fetch me a sandwich, but no.)

What are your favorite books to read?
I love J. D. Robb's (Nora Roberts) "In Death" series. Other favorite authors are Linda Howard, Elizabeth Lowell, Dean Koontz, Robert B. Parker, and Stephen King. I really like Nora Roberts' Circle of Six trilogy and the Chesapeake series. But the book that has meant the most to me, as it has to so many others, is Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird." I reread it often, and am always struck by its brilliance and humanity.  

Where is the most unique place you have traveled? 
Southwestern Ireland, where the modern world and the ancient tumble together. It's wild and beautiful, and the people are lovely. I can't wait to go back.

Aside from your successes in the writing industry, what in your life has given you the greatest sense of accomplishment?
My greatest joy is my family. We not only love each other, we actually really like each other. Don't know how much credit I can take for that, but I'm awfully grateful. I'm also very proud to have won, in 2000, a Presidential Commendation for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics, as well as a nomination for Renaissance Teacher of the Year. 

How many books have you written and how many of those are published? 

I've written 5 books so far. Two are available through Amazon.com (search my name) and a third is coming out soon. The published books are "Terms of Surrender," a Western historical romance, and "Timelapse," a romantic time-travel adventure. "Dangerous," a romantic thriller, will be released in a few weeks. My two unpublished works, a paranormal romance and another thriller, are still in the process of rewriting and editing.

Do you have one particular genre that all your books fall under (i.e. suspense, romance, etc.)  or do you write in many different genres?  I love romance, but I always want more to the story. Mystery, suspense, a bit of the paranormal, adventure -- these are elements that really excite me. Always, though, the heart of any story is the emotional relationship of the main characters.  

How much character and plot detailing do you plan out before you begin writing a novel, or are you a “pantser” (fly by the seat of your pants) ? I admit to being mostly a "pantser." While I do plan characters and plot, I also ask the characters to tell me where they are going, and amazingly, they do. (Sometimes they go way off the road, however, and I have to call, "Hey! Come back! What are you doing?")  Often just before I go to sleep, I'll ask characters what they're going to do next, and I'll wake knowing. I keep a pen and notebook by the bed, so those 3:00 a.m. whisperings in my head don't evaporate in the daylight.

Prior to becoming a published author, how many rejections did you receive?  How did you handle the rejections? Because I'm published by Amazon Kindle, some might consider this a moot point. However, like all writers, I've had ups and downs. In one instance, I was about to close a deal for a screenplay of my novel "Timelapse" when the producer told me she intended to remove my name from the work and put hers on. I withdrew the material. I've had editors tell me readers don't like paranormal elements or that a blackhearted character should be "nicer." Despite "Terms of Surrender's" selection as an Orange Rose Award finalist (Orange County CA Chapter of the Romance Writers of America), an editor told me readers wouldn't understand what the Civil War had to do with the Old West. I had a series of agents who did little or nothing for me. I knew my work was entertaining and of high quality, but I grew more and more unhappy having it lie idle in the hands of others. So, I "hired" (actually, drafted) my husband as my manager and agent. Now my books are selling well and receiving excellent reader reviews on Amazon. So I'm very happy! 

How and when do you write? Do you keep yourself on a schedule or do you work while the muse is with you?
I write constantly, though not always books. I write letters, articles, reviews, all kinds of things. When I'm working on a book, though, I tend to work very intensely until the work is completed. I have a hard time stopping once I'm rolling along.

If you have a new release coming out, tell us about it.  My third novel, "Dangerous," will be released in a few weeks. It's the story of a passionate, highly ethical, but dangerously burned-out LAPD officer, Cam Starrett, who imagines his new job (Chief of Police in a small California town) will be a peaceful haven from the violence, grief, and anger that have shattered his soul. He wants nothing more than sanctuary and a little healthy boredom. 
His first day in town, however, finds Cam barreling headfirst into a possible murder and a wild roadside rescue, as well as into the arms of a courageous, conflicted young woman, Merry Hayden. Together, Cam and Merry face an escalating pattern of bigotry and violence that threatens not only their lives, but the lives of everyone in the community.
 
If you have many books already released, tell us which is your favorite and why.
I love all my stories. If I didn’t, I couldn’t write them. My kids say they like “Timelapse” best because it reminds them of “Lightning” married to “Back to the Future.” (Wow, there’s an image.) Still, the book closest to my heart is “Terms of Surrender.” I know the people in that story, and I love them.

A personal history note: I was a very late-in-life child for my parents. At first, my mother thought I was a symptom of menopause. Amazing as it seems to me now in 2011, my dad was born near Atlanta in 1909. Southerners in 1909 weren’t much different from Southerners in 1865. I understood who they were, how they spoke, how they thought and felt, both good and bad.

My father was a career Naval officer, an Annapolis graduate, and in every sense an officer and gentleman. His second career choice, he always claimed, was riding shotgun for Wild Bill Hickok. And even though those days were long past, it never stopped him from telling us stories all about it. 
  
If you could step into the world of anyone else’s novel or meet with any character, which/who would you choose?
How cool it would be to go on a murder-in-the-future case with Eve Dallas, the kick-ass homicide detective in J. D. Robb’s ingenious “In Death” series. The wildly imagined, yet wonderfully familiar, world of Dallas, her every-woman’s-fantasy-mate Roarke, faithful and spunky partner Peabody, and the whole rest of the team is so beautifully realized and fully inhabited that the appealing characters all but leap off the page. Who wouldn’t want to join in?

If you could give one piece of advice to writers trying to get published, what would that advice be?
Look into ALL the publishing options, both standard print and electronic, available now. Be sure your work is well-edited, listen to advice and constructive criticism, and keep writing. Don’t be discouraged. There are many, many creative and profitable avenues open to authors today.

What's up next for you and your writing?
I’m looking forward to the release of “Dangerous” in a few weeks. Then, on to the next book!



Anything else you'd like to share with my blog readers?
I hope you enjoy my books, and here’s to many more happy endings!

Where can we read more about you and your work?
Please visit my website:

Find more information and reader reviews of my work on Amazon.com. (Please search for me by name.)
Lorrie Farrelly, Author
Terms of Surrender
Timelapse

Thank you for visiting with me and sharing your work.  Best of luck with your upcoming release.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

SPECIAL Thursday Edition of TUESDAY TALKS

SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW:  BRONWEN EVANS


Before we get started talking about your books, tell us a little about yourself.  Where are you from?  What is your occupation outside of writing?  Hi Susan, thanks for having me. I live in Wellington, the capital city of Aotearoa (New Zealand), the land of the long white cloud.  I have lived in New Zealand all my life except for the seven and a half years I spent living in London, England, when doing what we kiwis call our big OE (overseas experience). With a country of only 4.5 million people, stuck down the bottom of the world far from everywhere, (it’s a three hour flight to our nearest neighbour, Australia) most New Zealander’s feel the need to explore the wider world. Through my grandparents, I’m lucky enough to hold a British passport, along with a NZ.

It was during my time in England, I visited Chawton, and sat in the garden of Jane Austen's house reading Pride and Prejudice. I contacted Mills and Boon and my drive to become a romance author began.

While waiting for my writing career to take off (it was a long wait) I worked in corporate marketing and general management roles. I have a marketing and business degree from Victoria University in Wellington, NZ. Currently I work part-time as Executive Director of a small professional surgical association in New Zealand. This allows me plenty of time to write while keeping an interest in the business world.

I am one of five sisters, one is my twin sister, (no she doesn’t write but she paints and is very artistic), and I’m not married – yip I’m still waiting for Mr. Right (I know he’s out there).

Would you describe yourself as an introvert or an extrovert?
I’d have to say extrovert. I enjoy meeting new people, visiting new places and I love life in general. I’m definitely not shy and I’m not scared to offer an opinion (some of my employment positions probably impacted my inability to keep my mouth shut).

Do you have any pets?  If so, what kind and tell us their names.
I love animals, I grew up on a farm when very young and animals have always played a part in my family’s lives. Unfortunately, I am allergic to cats and dogs – except dogs with wool coats such as poodles or poodle crosses etc. My mother has a gorgeous black and white poodle bechon freise cross called Jazz. I want a dog but not just yet. I am not home enough and I travel most weekends – not fair on a dog.

What are your favorite books to read?
I love just about any book except those about murder of children or grisly crimes etc. The world’s ugly enough without having to enter that environment in a book. I love people stories – books like Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont. I also love biographies; I’ve just finished The Fry Chronicles by Stephen Fry an English comedian, writer and intellect extraordinaire. I love romance books – all genres but historical in particular. There is something so un-politically correct about history that allows you to have staunch alpha heroes matched by strong never give up heroines. This environment offers conflicts and plots to die for.

Where is the most unique place you have travelled?
When I had my big OE in England, I took the opportunity to travel widely. I spent three years working for a few months then travelling for a few months. There is not many countries in the world I have not been – I’ve been everywhere except the south of South America. One place I found fascinating was in Southern Tunisia in the Sahara. My twin and I went on a three day camel safari and visited the area where the very first Star Wars was filmed – an area with people called Troglodytes. They build their homes directly into the earth. If you walk around at night you have to be very careful or you could fall about thirty feet into a big hole – the courtyards of their houses. Rooms have no windows but all lead off an open central courtyard. Beds are carved out of stone. In one of the homes I saw a woman grinding corn and she had a tattoo on her chin that looked almost exactly like the ‘ta moko’ the Māori’s (natives of NZ) have on their chins. It made me realize that somewhere along the path of history we are more closely related than I’d considered.

Aside from your successes in the writing industry, what in your life has given you the greatest sense of accomplishment?
Hmmm – simply being healthy and content is not to be overlooked. But I guess one of the things (other than being published) that I am most proud of, is that I started my own e-commerce company when I returned to NZ from England and in 2000 I listed it on the NZ Stock Exchange and sold it in 2005.

How many books have you written and how many of those are published? 
I started seriously writing in 2006 but fell into the new writer’s trap of starting and stopping and then starting another book. I was a serial non-finisher. Then my critique partner and patient friend reminded me I can’t sell what I have not finished. So I buckled down and finally finished a book – and sold it!

When I sold my first book it was a two book deal so I suddenly had to write and finish another. I have completed two fully edited Regency historical books – Invitation to Ruin (release 1 March 2011) and Invitation to Scandal (release date early 2012)

I have several others almost complete. Three more in the ‘Invitation to’ series, another historical series called The Disgraced Lords started, and a category romance.

Do you have one particular genre that all your books fall under (i.e. suspense, romance, etc?)  Or do you write in many different genres?  I write very strong alpha heroes so definitely suit historical genre and also Modern Presents in category.

How much character and plot detailing do you plan out before you begin writing a novel, or are you a “pantser” (fly by the seat of your pants)?  I am a definite plotter. I plan out a full book before starting it. I use Karen Wiesner’s – First draft in 30 Days planning techniques and then Schivener for building and plotting each scene – action plot, emotional plot, villain plot and sex plot for each scene.

I find I need to do this because I was spending too much time re-writing and when you suddenly have book submission deadlines, re-writing takes too long. If it’s good enough for Stephanie Laurens the queen of Regency Romance writing then it’s good enough for me.

Prior to becoming a published author, how many rejections did you receive?  How did you handle the rejections?
You are all going to hate this but my first published book, Invitation to Ruin, a Regency historical, was my first ever submission – mainly because it was the first book I’d finished. I submitted it on 1 December 2009 to 3 agents and 2 editors and signed with an agent on 3rd January 2010 and sold it on 7th January 2010 to one of the editors I had submitted to. One agent did decline, so I do know how rejection feels. I’ve also taken knocks in my business life but you can’t give up. Learn from your experiences and grow. An experience or rejection is never bad unless you learn nothing from it. What I also tell myself is that not everyone will like my voice (competition results have shown me that) so there is a huge element of luck in submission – the right story, in the right place, at the right time to the right editor is a bonus.

How and when do you write? Do you keep yourself on a schedule or do you work while the muse is with you?
I work at a set time each day but because my book is plotted out I usually write the scene that happens to be in my head. Each morning I usually awake with my characters racing inside my head, directing me to the scene I should write and I normally follow their lead. I also give myself a deadline to have the book finished and track my word count each day. I belong to a small group of romance writers in NZ, some published, some agented and the rest unpublished. We have a yahoo group called Book In 50 Days and about three times a year we run exactly that – a book in 50 days. We all have to post our daily totals and we support, critique and drive each other towards the goal of getting books finished, submitted and sold. Since we set up last year over 6 of us have found agents and over 6 of us have sold. Joining a good writers group, I feel is a necessity; otherwise you’re stumbling in the dark.

If you have a new release coming out, tell us about it.
My first book Invitation to Ruin was released on 1 March.


One Good Lady is About to Go Bad...

The only thing Miss Melissa Goodly has ever wanted out of a marriage is love. But any hope of that dissolves one wild night, when she loses herself in the arms of the most irresistible-and unobtainable-man in all of England. For when they are discovered in a position as compromising as it is pleasurable, she has no choice but to accept his proposal.

Avowed bachelor Anthony Craven, Earl of Wickham, never meant to seduce an innocent like Melissa. Yet now that the damage is done, it does seem like she'd make a very convenient wife. After all, she is so naive he won't have to worry about ever being tempted. Or so he thinks, until the vows are spoken and they are left alone-and his new bride reveals a streak just as brazen and unrestrained as his own...

If you could give one piece of advice to writers trying to get published, what would that advice be?Learn your craft! Like any job, those that hone their skills and persevere, and have determination, will succeed. I analyzed my areas of weakness and took loads of romance writing courses from character development, conflict and plot, editing etc I am still learning and always will be.

But most of all never give up. Keep writing and grow as a writer. Read loads of authors in your genre. Take their books apart and learn how they build their characters and story.

What's up next for you and your writing?
I’m waiting to see how sales of my first book goes, to see if Kensington will pick up the option for book 3 and 4 of the ‘Invitation to’ series. But I am hedging my bets and my agent, Melissa Jeglinski at The Knight Agency has approved my new idea for a Disgraced Lords series which will consist of six books.  I am about a third of a way through the first book, A Kiss of Lies.
Where can we read more about you and your work?I have some excerpts of my books on my website. I also love hearing from other writers or readers. You can contact me via my website www.bronwenevans.com or my blog http://www.regencyseductions.blogspot.com/
I’m also on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home
It has been a pleasure getting to know you and your books today, Bronwen.  Thanks for dropping by!