Welcome fellow Wild Rose Press author, Grace Hood!

Today, I have Wild Rose Press author, Grace Hood joining me. I must admit, I have not read any of Grace's work but will rectifity that by downloading Coming Undone once we are finished here. Sounds like a great read! Let's get started with the interview...

1) Who is your favourite author and why?

Hi Rachel, thanks for inviting me to your blog.

Gosh, my favourite author changes with the latest book I’ve read. I loved Teresa Madeiros’ Goodnight Tweetheart. Fabulous premise and an ending that makes you feel all warm inside. My go-to for historical romance is Terri Brisbin. For something hot and different, and I mean hawt, Cara Carnes is smokin’!

2) When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I said “I’m a writer” out loud to friends and neighbors when I sold my first book, Where There’s Heat, from TWRP. Until then only my immediate family and best friend knew, along with my online writing buddies of course.

3) Describe your writing space?

I sit at my grandmother’s old drop-front desk in the back corner of our dining room. I have two windows, one faces a giant Maple tree, and the other faces the back garden where my hens tear up anything that’s not fenced off.

4) What are you reading now?

Right now I’m re-reading craft books. I find that’s best when I’m writing. If I read fiction I can’t help but compare my writing to the published work, and that’s neither productive nor healthy.

5) How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?

I’ve written about a dozen stories, half full-length and half novella. They’re in various stages of polished brilliance, except for the first one, which will remain buried deep on my hard drive until the end of time. I’ve sold two novellas, the second of which was released on November 16 by TWRP, titled Coming Undone. My favourite is usually the one I’m currently working on, in this case a Victorian set spicy historical.

6) What comes first, plot or characters?

The characters come first, at least the bare bones. I flesh them out as I discover the plot. I’m a pantser/plotter hybrid so I write a few chapters, pause to figure out where I’m going, then write a few more chapters. Along the way I learn what makes my characters tick, and what really pisses them off.

7) Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?

I don’t think of it as writer’s block, but I do get stuck on occasion. Then I pull out Donald Maass’ Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook and do a few exercises. That usually gets my muse juices flowing.

8) What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

When am I not writing? LOL Well, I love to cook and bake, and really enjoy trying new recipes. I read new cookbooks cover to cover. We put in a vegetable garden every spring and I like to putter around with that. Our sweet peppers did really well this year. I have enough frozen that I doubt I’ll have to buy any all winter. The beets were a disaster.

9) Tell us about your latest book?

Coming Undone was released November 16^th from The Wild Rose Press. Here’s the blurb:

Career-minded Lara doesn't find forty all that fabulous. Her carefully plotted path to success is on target and she isn't about to let romance derail her. Except the hot, new advertising whiz steers her libido into overdrive.

Ryan lives to shake companies up and do whatever it takes to meet his goals. But the saucy affirmation-chanting minx challenging him awakens a more carnal desire.

A battle of wills may be what she wants, but he intends to push her boundaries until her inhibitions come undone.

10) What’s next for you?

I recently pitched two stories at the New Jersey “Put Your Heart in a Book” Conference, and got requests, *squee*. I’m putting the final polish on those stories before sending them out into the big, scary world.

The link to the buy page is:

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=4688

The shortened version is:

http://bit.ly/rqDb0F

My meager, ignored website is:

www.gracehood.blogspot.com

I’ll give away a free download to one lucky commenter.

Thank you, Rachel, for letting me visit with you and your readers today. I’ll be happy to hang out and answer any questions. And I’ll award a free download of Coming Undone to one lucky commenter!

The pleasure is all mine, Grace! I love the sound of your spicy Victorian historical - just my sort of thing. Fabulous. Huge good luck with your pitch submissions too! Loads going on...

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