Hi Sandra, so great to have you visit with me again! Multi-published and generally all-round fabulous, you seem to be on a roll. I'm looking forward to catching up with you and your writing - let's get started with the questions…
Thank you for inviting me to your blog, Rachel. It’s lovely. I can’t
wait to meet your friends and tell them about my new release, Common Enemy.
1)
What is the best and worse thing you
have learned from an editor/agent?
Best - Common Enemy was my first romantic suspense. My previous books
were contemporary romance, one hero and one heroine. In suspense I had a third
main character, the villain. He needed as much dimension to his personality as
the other two.
Worse – I’m a southern woman. In the US, southern people have a
different attitude and dialect. I write about southern people in southern
settings, but I’ve been told readers are mainly northern. They don’t appreciate
or understand southern ways. If I want my books to sell, I have to make my main
characters sound and act more northern.
2)
What is your typical day?
I wish I could have typical days. My house is in chaos most of the
time. My husband’s work shifts change. I have children and grandchildren in and
out constantly. I keep track of repairmen, errands, household chores, etc…
I write when I can find quiet time to myself. This means writing
throughout the night and taking a couple short naps per day when needed.
3)
What do you read while in the midst of a
project? Or don’t you?
I’ve had to seriously curb my book addiction. It’s too distracting. I
only buy books I can’t live without. Then, when my own work goes to the copy
editor, I celebrate by taking an entire week to book binge.
4) What
do you do with a paperback once you’ve read it?
A book is never
wasted in my family. We’re all avid readers. Once I’ve finished a print book it
gets passed on to my husband, children, mother, sisters, and then donated to a charitable
organizations. Women’s shelters are my favorite.
5) Are
you nervous about friends reading your book?
Never. I have a
great friend who beta-reads for me. I love sharing my stories. My mother and
twin sister also read my final drafts. They don’t hesitate to let me know if
changes are needed. I appreciate their honesty.
6) What
things inspire you to write? Location, music, film or even in a book?
Anything seems
to inspire me; the bridge of a song, the secondary character in a movie, a news
article, or a conversation overheard in a restaurant.
7)
Share your blurb or short excerpt from
your latest release with us
Jordan Holbrook is the single mother of a
five-year-old daughter. She’s just inherited her Grandmother’s house in South
Florida where she’s hiding from an abusive ex-husband who’s been released from
prison early. A new man in her life isn't part of her plans.
Connor McCrae is a handyman who lives out of his
van. He walked away from a privileged life and loving family after being badly
scarred in a vicious attack. He doesn't believe a woman’s love is in the cards
for him.
What brings them together is a rundown house, a
mutual attraction, and a Common Enemy.
Bobby Ray Butler is cutting a path of murder and
mayhem through south Florida in his quest for vengeance. His sights are set on
his ex-wife and anyone who gets in his way.
Common Enemy can be found at:
The Wild Rose Press - http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=5695
Amazon –
8)
What’s next for you?
I’m currently working on three projects, but the sequel to Common
Enemy will hopefully be my next release. Its working title is Close Enemy. The
two other stories are mysteries, another new genre for me.
Finish with details of
where readers can find you – website, Facebook, Twitter etc
I love hearing from readers and fellow writers.
Sandra is waiting to chat! Questions?? Comments??
What a great interview. I can't believe someone advised you to "sound and act more northern." I AM northern, but I like reading southern. You have a mystique (for want of a better word) down there that is very different from ours up here and it's fun to read what we don't truly understand and sometimes envy.
ReplyDeleteActually, Liz, she said most readers are northern and wouldn't understand. !WHAT! She think people in the south are illiterate? Don't get me on that track or I'm liable to derail.
DeleteBTW, I always think of you as a Yankee with one foot over the Mason-Dixon.
Hi Sandra,
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. Sounds like an exciting read. I am an
Aussie so, southern or northern makes no difference to me. I think the old adage rings true. you have to wirte what you know.
Best of luck
Regards
Margaret
I love reading stories from my friends in Australia, England, Scotland, etc... There's a different flavor to the settings and sayings. It almost makes me feel like I've visited those places. I think most readers appreciate that. Thanks for coming by, Margaret.
DeleteGreat interview ladies! I loved the best/word learned thing from an editor and can appreciate the struggle to curb the reading addiction during projects. Best of luck with your projects.
ReplyDeleteThanks J.C. It's great that you came by. There just isn't enough time in the day to do all the writing we need to and reading we want to.
DeleteI grew up in the Midwest but now live and write about the South. I think using some of the local dialogue adds color to the character's voices, though I try to use widely known speech variations rather than the unusual. Write what you know! Enjoyed the interview - thanks.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you're saying, Ashantay. A character's dialogue has to fit their individual personality. My main characters are intelligent people, but sometimes a secondary character may creep in and add more color than most.
DeleteYour crazy obsession with books shows why your books are so fun to read!! I'm sorry you don't get the chance to read more ):. Loved the interview, very fun and interesting stuff lol.
ReplyDeleteLove, Emi :)
Emi speaks from first hand knowledge. She's interrupted my reading, (and writing) a few times.
DeleteIn case you're wondering, Emi is my sweet and beautiful oldest granddaughter. The bun in her oven will be my first great-granddaughter. She hasn't named that character yet.
Loved the interview Sandra and Rachel. Sandra, I'm a southern writer as well and it causes me and my editor some headaches. LOL... I think, talk, dream, and write in a southern dialect...what is a girl to do? Love your books. Best of success!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Lynda. We GRITS have to stick together.
DeleteYou sound like you keep busy! I mourn the loss of being able to spend hours reading and steal reading time when I can. Enjoyed the interview and hearing about your story. Intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI use reading as a reward for myself now...finish my word count for the day and read until bedtime. I end up going to bed really late. Nice to see you here, Sydney.
ReplyDelete