Welcome fellow Wild Rose Press writer, Brenda Whiteside!



Welcome back to my site, Brenda! So happy to have you here as an author who contributed to the Wild Rose Press' Honky Tonk series - I have just downloaded one of these stories yesterday (by the fabulous Vonnie Davis) and will get yours tomorrow. How did you find writing for a series? I loved being part of the Class of '85 - loved it! Anyway, let's get on with the questions...

 1)   When and why did you decide you wanted to be a published author?

I joined a writers’ group many years ago. Until then, I played around with writing short stories. Hearing others respond to my stories was fun. The natural progression for me was to write longer manuscripts for a larger audience offering me even more fun.

2)   What is the best and worse thing you have learned from an editor/agent?

I wasted a great deal of time once on a short piece because I tried to gear it to that particular publisher as directed by an editor. I should have stopped sooner and submitted to a different publisher that was more suited to my original concept. The best thing I have learned is to listen. I love editors! They improve my work.

3)   Favourite author/s?

Dick Francis for stories around the racetrack, Diana Gabaldon, John Steinbeck, oh there are too many but that gives you a taste of my tastes.

4)   What is your typical day?

I’m up by 6:00am. I spend a couple of hours on email, Facebook and promotion tasks. By 8:30 I’m out in the garden. We have a small farm and there is always lots of weeding to do. Before lunch I try to get in some yoga or strength training. While I’m taking a lunch break, I get back to email and any more promo tasks left undone. In the afternoon, for about four hours, I write. After dinner and one television program, I read or write some more.


5)   Share your blurb or short excerpt from your latest release with us

Oh I’d be happy to. My book, The Morning After, releases tomorrow with a big 4th of July bang! My blurb:

Can there really be love at first sight?

Abigail Martin doesn’t think so. Unless the sexy redheaded stranger she wakes up with the morning after her best friend’s wedding is telling the truth.

Bobby Stockwood fell cowboy-hat-over-boot-heels for the brown-haired beauty, and married her in an impromptu wedding ceremony.  Now he just has to convince his new bride that the morning after can be the first day of the rest of their lives.

But just when Abigail starts believing the fairy-tale is real, she finds out exactly who Bobby is, and the walls of make-believe start crumbling down.

6)   Who would you cast to play your hero & heroine in a movie?

I would love Emma Stone to play Abigail. Emma is so real and could probably do a cute Texan accent.  Michael Weatherly would be great for Bobby, but he’d have to die his hair red. Hot!

7)   Did you plan this book? Or write it as it came?

I’m a pantser all the way!

8)   What surprised you the most when you became a published?

Ah, ha – what surprises us all! The work has just begun – writing the book is the fun part.

9)   Do you have a dedicated writing space? What does it look like?

Yes, I do. I have a nook instead of a room since we’ve moved to Arizona. I have an L-shaped table that houses my laptop, printer, notebooks, all my reference books and framed photos. I need the photos for love and inspiration of friends and family. I have a few of those sayings on plaques too such as “We’re not here for a long time, we’re here for a good time.” And “Dream. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.” Thoreau.

10)                   What’s next for you?

I’ve just finished the first of three books that I hope will get picked up as a series. This is the most complicated romance I’ve written to date. It is a romantic mystery with intrigued, murder and plot twists. It is titled, The Art of Love and Murder. I’ll begin the second book in July, set in Austria.

Visit Brenda at www.brendawhiteside.com.
She blogs on the 9th and 24th of every month at http://rosesofprose.blogspot.com
She blogs about prairie life on her personal blog http://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com/

 Love the sound of where you live, Brenda so different than my little suburban market town in South West England, lol!

Brenda is waiting to chat - questions? Comments?

16 comments

  1. Rachel, I don't think I thanked you for having me today. I'm excited about my release tomorrow and so pleased to share some of with you and your readers. But wait - South West England - now that sounds romantic to me!

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  2. The premise for this book is terrific, Brenda. Can't wait to read it!

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  3. This is such a fun story and I'm so glad to see it released!

    Thank you again Rachel for having us all here!

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  4. Brenda, I can't wait to read this book in full! I've been lucky enough to critique the first few chapters of the story. I think it will be moving to the top of the to-be-read list. Here's to a Hot-Hunky-Filled-Fourth.

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    1. You have a great 4th too and I'll be looking your your book from Melange Books!

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  5. I have been waiting for this release ever since I read the first excerpt. We don't have power yet, but I don't plan on letting a little thing like that stop me from feeding "Madame Kindle" a great story. We'll be out at a wi-fi cafe, I'm sure. Good luck with your release!!!

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    1. Oh thank you Vonnie and good luck with that power thing. Such a pain!

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  6. The Honky Tonks are all sounding like fabulous reads. Good luck with your release,Branda!

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  7. Congratulations on tomorrow's release, Brenda. This Honky Tonk series is getting off to a great start.

    The Art of Love and Murder sounds fantastic!

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    1. I agree, Lynne. The other books sound like fun reads. Thanks.

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  8. Hi Rachel and Brenda! Congrats on your release tomorrow. I'll be buying #4 as soon as I can. Love your writing day. I wish mine had direction and schedules to it. :)

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    1. Thanks, Calisa! Of course schedules are easily disrupted.

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  9. So great to have you here, Brenda and you've had lots of lovely comments :) I love the look of this series, it sounds so much fun. Look out for another Honky Tonk author tomorrow...

    Rachel x

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