Interview:
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA,
which is where I still reside. I love this city. Most people don’t realize how
much there is to do in Pittsburgh. Sports in an enormous part of the city: from
professional, college, and high school to little league athletes in baseball,
football, hockey, and recreational sports.
What inspired you to
write your first book? What genre is it?
The very first book I wrote will never see the light of
day. I actually wrote it after reading an extremely popular series. After I’d
finished reading the final book in that series, I sat back and thought, “I
would have totally written that differently.” That first book I wrote turned
into a seven book series, and if I ever decide to release them, I’ll start from
scratch and rewrite. My first three releases are contemporary romance and I’ll
stick with that genre. I love romance, but I love to put a twist on the
happily-ever-after.
Do you write full-time
or part-time? How do you balance your writing life with your family/work life?
Unfortunately, I have to work full time in order to pay
the mortgage. When I come home from work I basically work another full-time job
writing. Luckily, I have an extremely supportive husband and sons. My boys are
older so they’re independent, giving me the opportunity to get lost in writing.
How did you come up
with the title?
I’m terrible at titling my books. Absolutely terrible.
I don’t know why, but my mind goes blank. I turn to my family, friends, and
betas for help.
Is
there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I belong to the Romance Writers of America. One of the
requirements as a member is each book is required to have a satisfactory
ending. Authors can’t leave readers hanging and you must have some sort of
happily-ever-after. Personally, I don’t go out of my way to convey a certain
message. But each one of my books suggests that you never know what life will
throw at you. That a simple, inconsequential meeting can alter your fate.
Are
experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
I believe every author throws their own life
experiences into their work, purposely or subconsciously. That being said, I
can’t say that the struggles my characters go through are based on a specific
incident or someone I know. So, my work is subconscious.
What books have most influenced your life most?
The books that have most recently influenced my life are
the darker romance novels or great romance series that don’t string you along. When
an author does that, they have me hooked. As a reader I hate to have to read 3,
4, 5 books in order for a plot to resolve. These authors and their series I’m a
rabid fan of and influence my work: J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood
series, Olivia Cunning’s Sinners on Tour series, Jennifer Probst’s Marriage to
a Billionare Series, Lexi Blake’s Masters and Mercenaries series, and Elizabeth
Reyes’ The Moreno Brothers series. I’m really excited to see how they turn
Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl into a movie and what they do with the ending.
What book are you reading now?
The series I just finished is the Undeniable series by
Madeline Sheehan. The series is about a motorcycle club and let me tell you she
holds true to the biker lifestyle. There are no hearts and flowers in this
romance series. She nails it.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
I can’t say anything I’ve read recently is from a new
author. But new to me? Definitely Madeline Sheehan.
What are your current projects?
On January 31st I’m releasing three prequels
to my novel The Boss’s Love. Darren’s story, Derrick’s story, and Courtney’s
story. I had many readers who asked for more after this novel. So in order to
make my readers happy, I delve into the three main characters’ past before they
come together in The Boss’s Love. Darren's story is his struggle to find the
woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with. Courtney's story is her
struggle with being sheltered her entire life by those closest to her, which
unknowingly helps lead her into a relationship she can't break free from.
Derrick's story is his realization that he's actually fallen in love with a
woman who he'll spend the rest of his life trying to protect and shelter from
all that's harmful in the world. All of their back stories leave off at a
particular scene in The Boss's Love.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest
book?
The Boss’s Love is currently going under major edits.
I’m trying to make the novel shorter without taking away from the story. So a 2nd
edition will be out soon after the prequels are released. I’m really excited
about it.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Excerpts
from Darren’s Prequel to The Boss’s Love:
At that very moment, a gorgeous, tiny woman rushed
around the side of the building, her heels clicking off the cement, drawing
attention from all three men. She stopped, giving him a once over then glanced
at Jack and Carl.
Darren stiffened. Stunning didn't begin to describe
her. Enormous blue eyes and long painted lashes grew even wider when she gave
him a second swipe. A grey business suit accented her perfect figure, while
long strawberry-blonde hair sat slightly askew. Oh, lord, those heels she wore.
Closing his eyes briefly, he groaned, imagining those black Louboutins wrapped
around his back. The moment to himself only lasted a few seconds, but it felt
like minutes. Opening his eyes, he found her smiling his direction. Good God,
she was phenomenal.
"Mr. Murphy? I'm so sorry, but Jackie couldn't
make it today, so I'll be showing you the building...if you don't mind,"
the woman said. Her voice was that of an angel. Soft and demure with a hint of
forcefulness, probably from being in sales.
Giving her his most brilliant smile, he held out his
hand. "Absolutely not, Miss...?"
"Millen, Courtney Millen." She took his hand
into hers in a proper business handshake.
Automatically glancing down at her ring finger, hope
registered. Not engaged. Too soon, she took back her hand and pulled out a set
of keys to the empty building. When opened, he held the door for her in the
perfect gentlemanly fashion. Unable to help himself, he placed his hand on the
small of her back in a protective gesture. He didn't notice Jack and Carl give
each other knowing glances.
Immediately, Courtney went into her pitch on the first
floor lobby, giving him a tour of the entire floor, including the elevator,
staircase, and two offices located on ground level. "There are six floors
and that includes the lobby. The sixth floor isn't used for office space. It's
utilized as storage and maintenance. What exactly are you looking for? I'm
sorry, Ms. Sparks didn't have the opportunity to give me much details."
Darren couldn't have been more thrilled that Ms. Sparks
clearly pawned him off onto Courtney. He might have to actually thank the
woman. "I need a place to open a computer business."
****
Totally fixated upon her lips, Darren barely heard a
word she said. The sound of her voice registered in her ears. He knew she was
saying something important, but what, he had no idea. It was a good thing Jack
and Carl would be able to let him know the details of the building.
As they toured the floors, he kept extremely close to
her, continually placing his hand on her back when they left and entered rooms.
He loved the fact she allowed it. Purposely brushing against her, he felt the
need to touch her and take in more of that natural scent.
At the fourth and fifth floors, she showed him the view
that went up Fifth Avenue. She explained it would be a great selling point for
renters, and he couldn't have agreed more. Though she could have shown him a
view of the dumpsters, telling him the benefits and he would agree.
On the fifth floor, when she stepped through an office
doorway, her heel caught on the carpet and she fell face first towards the
doorframe. Quick enough to catch her before she cracked her head open, that's
when he was a goner. While on her way down, she latched onto the front of his
shirt, her small, delicate hands splayed on his hard chest. Perfect. She felt
fantastic in his arms, melting into him as if she belonged there. Fitting
perfectly. Made specifically for him.
"Are you all right?" he asked, his voice
turning husky.
She glanced down at her heel, which had a carpet fiber
wrapped around it. "I'm stuck."
He wished she would stay stuck. Permanently.
Is
there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
I’m a pantser, which means I don’t outline and write
from that. I wish I had it in me to outline, but frankly I enjoy sitting down
at my laptop and letting it flow. But the down side of that is I constantly
have to go back to reference what I wrote. I try jotting down on index cards,
but I tend to toss those around. Hopefully with the bedroom I just converted
into an office this will make me more organized.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Putting it out there after I finished. It’s scary to
open yourself up for people to critique. It would be far easier to write it then
let it sit on my laptop collecting dust. How many writers do that? Many. Too
many. I can sympathize. To take that leap is nerve-wracking.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
If you're passionate about what you're writing, no matter
what the subject or genre is, keep at it. But write within your means. In other
words, find and use your own voice. You don't have to put pressure on yourself
to write the next Gone with the Wind, Great Gatsby, Great Expectations, or
Pride and Prejudice. The Boss's Love is my third release and it wasn't until
then that I truly found my voice. My editor is championing me to stick with
that sub-genre and continue down that path. Find an editor who will help and
inspire that voice. A good editor will. Entertain your readers, and yes, make
it a good read by finding a proofreader and editor, but entertain with your
voice. That's what will make you unique and gain you a following.
Do
you have any advice for other writers?
Always, always, always keep this in mind. We're in the
entertainment industry. Since we've chosen this path, it opens us up for
ridicule and wickedness. That's the price we pay. Just like the movie,
television, and music industry opens themselves up for review, so do we. It's
hard to say develop thick skin. That's impossible. Your work is your sweat and
tears. When someone tries to demean that, it stings. Badly. Find yourself a
group of writers/authors and friends that are supportive and will help you
through those times. Because every single one of us will experience those
moments.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I love the fact that my readers are so passionate about
The Boss’s Love. That they love the story and the twists. I appreciate and love
it when they message me with what they want to see, who their favorite hero is,
and what they took away from the story. Trust me, I take every single comment
into consideration, which is why I wrote the prequels. Because of you and for
you. I love to know that you connected with my work. Thank you, thank you,
thank you!
Do you have an agent or publisher? How did you go about finding one?
I’m self-published. For well over a year I have
submitted queries to publishers and agents and like every other author out
there I’ve received many rejection letters. The industry, specifically the
romance industry, is so saturated that it’s extremely difficult to break
through the doors of a publisher or agent. Which I look at as paying my dues.
But I lack patience. So instead of sitting on my work for years, I decided to
self-publish. For the past year I’ve done the work myself as well as continued
to submit and pitch. My 2014 New Year’s Resolution is to stop submitting to
agents and publishers and pour all my concentration into self- publishing.
Because my time is limited with working full-time, this decision frees up an
area that hasn’t worked for me so far.
If you could live
anywhere, where would it be?
Hawaii. Beach, tropics, warmth all year round. Yep.
Kind of cliché, but still, it’s Hawaii.
If you could have any
super power, what would it be?
Ooooh, if I could transport myself from one place to
another in a blink of an eye, I’d totally relish that power (My commute to and
from work is the reason for this. I lose so much time in the car daily). Is
that a super power? I’m gonna say yes, yes it is.
