Interview with Karyn Good

First of all thank you for having me. I’m happy to chat and answer some questions with a fellow Canuk.

1. I live in a city - Vancouver - but I often set stories in small towns for the sense of community which echoes what I find in my downtown neighborhood. What about you? Where do you live and where do you set your stories? And why?

I live in the lovely and very friendly city of Regina in the province of Saskatchewan, which is smack in the middle of the Canadian Prairies. Ours is a landlocked province, but we’re fortunate enough to boost a 100,000 lakes. That makes for a lot of provincial and regional parks plus one national park. It also makes for plenty of unique and interesting resort towns. I grew up on a farm and I have many happy childhood memories of days and weeks spent beside the water. I spent two summers working for the Moose Mountain Provincial Park. It’s where I met my husband. 

So, when it came time to choose a setting for my romantic suspense, Backlash, I created the fictional resort town of Aspen Lake. I used two very real resort towns for inspiration, Kenosee Lake and Fort Qu’Appelle. Set in the middle of an aspen grove and on the edge of a beautiful fish-filled lake, my fictional residents enjoy the benefits of living in small town Saskatchewan. Ideal because small towns make for great settings. Everyone knows everyone else and their business. It makes it easy to connect the dots between characters. Because I write romantic suspense I wanted to build on that small town sense of ownership. The protectiveness residents feel for their own and their space. Then I ripped open that very sense of community and the feelings of safety that comes with the comfort of the familiar.

2. What's your favorite book ever and why? I have 2 or 3 books that I read over and over again - including Jane Austen's Persuasion. I love it because the characters are older and their relationship isn't easy, but you know, when they do finally get together, they're grown-ups and they know exactly who they are.

Favorite book ever. Mercy. If I had to pick just one I’d go with To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. After all these years, I’m still in love with Atticus Finch. He’s the ultimate beta hero to me. I think part of the reason why it’s one of my favorites is that I discovered this book in high school. I was undergoing my own transformation from innocent child to someone with a wider world view, like Gem and Scout. I read it at a time in my life when I was beginning to develop my own sense of right and wrong. It was very relatable in that I also lived in a very small town. It was easy to envision a set of circumstances so huge as to be dividing to an entire community. I’ve read it many times with plans to read it in the future.

3. What's the story you've always wanted to write but somehow can't? For me, it's a story about World War I. I'm fascinated by the stories I've read about it but I'm pretty sure I'm never going to write a real war story. I've just finished a book that is set partly during World War I but a very long way away from the battles. I think that's as close as I'm going to get.

I entertain a fantasy where I attempt to write a novel that falls under women’s fiction and has more of a literary feel to it. It’s an idea I’ve titled A Prairie Song about a young woman who is socially mute. However, she’s been gifted with a beautiful singing voice.  The locals, who have created many superstitions around her, hire her to sing to their crops. Her world is very small and very controlled and then something happens that pushes her out into the larger world. Oh well, maybe some day…

4.  Finally, do you have a routine? If so, what is it and how easy/hard is it to stick to it? I try to have one, but because I work as a freelance paralegal and teach paralegals occasionally, my schedule tends to change from week to week, if not actually day to day. I'm always buying lottery tickets, hoping to win just enough money not to have to work and write to a regular schedule though I'm pretty sure that even if I did have the money to write nine to five, I wouldn't, as I've been scrambling like this forever :)

I’m a stay-at-home mom to two teenagers, one of whom has special needs. I fit writing in whenever I can during my day and around everyday life. That could mean writing in the morning, afternoon or evening. Sometimes I fit a little writing time into all three slots. Most importantly I try to write every day. That keeps me in the groove and it doesn’t take as long to get my head in the story, which is a problem if I go too many days without tending my work-in-progress.  

Backlash Blurb

What he’s sworn to protect, she’s willing to sacrifice to save those she loves...

When dedicated teacher Lily Wheeler interrupts a vicious gang attack on one of her students, she vows it won’t happen again. But her rash interference puts her in the path of a cold-blooded killer and the constable tracking him—a man she has little reason to trust, but can never forget.

Constable Chase Porter returned to Aspen Lake to see justice done, not renew old acquaintances. But when he rescues the woman he once loved from a volatile situation, he realizes his feelings for Lily haven’t lessened over the years.

Now, the dangerous killer Chase has sworn to capture has Lily in his sights. Can Chase and Lilly learn to trust each other again before it’s too late—or will old insecurities jeopardize their future?

Links:

website:  http://www.karyngood.com/index.html

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/KarynGoodAuthor?ref=hl

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/karyngood

Interview with Julie Hughes

I live in a city - Vancouver - but I often set stories in small towns for the sense of community which echoes what I find in my downtown neighborhood. What about you? Where do you live and where do you set your stories? And why?

Hello Kate, and thank you for inviting me over to your place. Community's important to me too. My city, London, is made up of a series of villages, and a sense of individuality still runs through places like Kensington, Chelsea and of course, my home village, Notting Hill. If you ever find yourself down my way, shout out – I'll show you around the most beautiful city in the world. An Explosive Time is very much grounded in London, while A Raucous Time and The Bridle Path are set in the glorious county of Cornwall. In A Ripple in Time the location switches between London, Cornwall and enigmatic Stonehenge, with the closing chapters taking place aboard the Titanic.

What's your favorite book ever and why? I have 2 or 3 books that I read over and over again - including Jane Austen's Persuasion. I love it because the characters are older and their relationship isn't easy, but you know, when they do finally get together, they're grown-ups and they know exactly who they are.

I'm a great admirer of Jane Austen's works too, her insight into character and sly sense of humour appeals greatly. Without trying to side step the question, my favourite book tends to vary according to mood. Since embarking down the self publishing route, I read fiction with a more critical eye. I'll often find myself thinking how has the author managed that? Why does this character work and how did they conjure up a scene with just a few sentences? Consequently, I find reading biographies more relaxing, among the favourites this year has been Conan-Doyle's story, and "How to Survive the Titanic" by Frances Wilson, a study of Bruce Ismay.

What's the story you've always wanted to write but somehow can't? For me, it's a story about World War I. I'm fascinated by the stories I've read about it but I'm pretty sure I'm never going to write a real war story. I've just finished a book that is set partly during World War I but a very long way away from the battles. I think that's as close as I'm going to get.

As for the book I'd like to write someday; Eleanor of Aquitaine is for me one of the most fascinating women in history:  She invented and promoted the concept of "Courtly Love", went on crusade to the Holy Land, and having divorced one king, married the first great law maker Henry II, mother of Richard the Lionheart, and as she signed herself, "by the wrath of god, Queen of England". But to write the novel to do justice to such an amazing woman would mean immersion into the medieval world and mindset, and I suspect supreme dedication.

Finally, do you have a routine? If so, what is it and how easy/hard is it to stick to it? I try to have one, but because I work as a freelance paralegal and teach paralegals occasionally, my schedule tends to change from week to week, if not actually day to day. I'm always buying lottery tickets, hoping to win just enough money not to have to work and write to a regular schedule though I'm pretty sure that even if I did have the money to write nine to five, I wouldn't, as I've been scrambling like this forever :)

I agree with you, it would be heaven to write all day, and not worry about silly little things like money. The masterpieces we could write, sequestered in our ivory towers all day – on second thoughts, it's probably good for writers to live in the real world – after all, that's where we glean most of the traits for our more memorable characters. With regard to routine, I'm currently trying to shift this 'writer's waist' and first thing I take the dogs for a sprint round the local park. Once breakfast is tidied away, I sit down and tap at the keyboard, before taking a break for an hour or two. The afternoon is more unstructured, but I always spend an hour or so in the evening catching up with editing and working out story lines, I'm currently working on a sequel to The Bridle Path with the working title Adverse Canter (which no-one but me likes) and a YA novella – as yet untitled – and of course connecting with other authors!

Julia Hughes is the creator of the Celtic Cousin Adventures, her breakthrough time travel romantic adventure A Ripple in Time has been downloaded 20,000 times in five days during a recent promotion. Don't forget to watch out for An Explosive Time, the third Celtic Cousin Adventure which will be free to download from 5th August, for more details visit Julia's website.

Interview with Pauline Lawless

1)   I live in a city - Vancouver - but I often set stories in small towns for the sense of community which echoes what I find in my downtown neighborhood. What about you? Where do you live and where do you set your stories? And why?

I live in Belgium in summer and move to Florida for the winter. Best of both worlds! I was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and lived in the midlands of Ireland from the age of 22 until I retired aged 62 and moved to Belgium (my husband is Belgian). My first book Because We’re Worth It was based in a small Irish town. My second If The Shoes Fit is based in Dublin. The third A Year Like No Other is based in Paris, a city I love and know well. And my current book Behind Every Cloud is based back in Dublin, my home town. It was published on July 26^th 2012. The next one, which I’m currently writing, is set in Florida – where else? I feel it’s very important to write about what you know and the places you know and I’ve tried to do that in all my books.

2)      What's your favorite book ever and why? I have 2 or 3 books that I read over and over again - including Jane Austen's Persuasion. I love it because the characters are older and their relationship isn't easy, but you know, when they do finally get together, they're grown-ups and they know exactly who they are.

Gosh, I have so many favourite books that I read over and over, it’s hard to choose. I enjoy period books based in another time. I have read Gone With The Wind time and time again. It’s a classic and I love the characters and the setting in the south. It describes so well the devastation and horrors of the Civil War. A little known book that is also a favourite of mine is Storyville, by Lois Battle. I love it because it is based in New Orleans around the start of the 20^th century and I became so fascinated by that colourful city that I felt compelled to visit it. It didn’t disappoint!

3)      What's the story you've always wanted to write but somehow can't? For me, it's a story about World War I. I'm fascinated by the stories I've read about it but I'm pretty sure I'm never going to write a real war story. I've just finished a book that is set partly during World War I but a very long way away from the battles. I think that's as close as I'm going to get.

I’m a Francophile and love French history and have a longing to write a historical novel based on Napoleon Bonaparte’s family. They were a crazy bunch! However, I have a large readership base now and they seemingly want the same type of book from me every time. Ditto my publisher! (My writing has been compared to that of Maeve Binchy’s) However, I definitely intend to take a break and write my historical novel when I’ve fulfilled my current contract for six books.

4)      Finally, do you have a routine? If so, what is it and how easy/hard is it to stick to it? I try to have one, but because I work as a freelance paralegal and teach paralegals occasionally, my schedule tends to change from week to week, if not actually day to day. I'm always buying lottery tickets, hoping to win just enough money not to have to work and write to a regular schedule though I'm pretty sure that even if I did have the money to write nine to five, I wouldn't, as I've been scrambling like this forever :)

Working nine-to-five is not for me. It never has been and it’s a bit late to start now. My way of writing is pretty unconventional, I guess. I never plot my stories so I never know how they’ll end. I generally develop my characters in depth first and when I bring them together, they seem to just go their own way. I usually think it out in my head, before I go to sleep, or when I wake in the middle of the night (which I often do). This is my most creative time. Then I usually can’t wait to get to the computer the next day to get it all down. I don’t set myself a schedule but for me, a day without writing is like a day without sunshine! I love it.

5)      And by “it’s a bit late to start now” you mean?

I only started writing at age 63, after I’d retired, and my first book was published when I was 65. I like to think that this might inspire others to start, no matter what their age. I’m proof that it’s never too late. Because I’m retired, I have the luxury of time but strangely I’m as busy now as I ever was, raising five children and running two businesses. I play golf and bridge, I go to the gym and line-dance, I travel a lot but I always find time to write. It has given me a new lease of life.

 

Blurb For Behind Every Cloud

Who would have thought a wine course could be life-changing? But a group of people signing on for wine-expert Sam’s course are about to find out.

Ellie is planning her dream wedding to accountant David who has just been head-hunted by a prestigious firm. She detests social pretensions but he seems overawed by his elite new colleagues. Can they overcome these differences?

Rachel is the beautiful wife of newly elected politician, Carl. Perfect life, perfect home, perfect children – but is anything ever as perfect as it seems? Does Carl have a roving eye and is Rachel too fond of her wine?

Ronan’s marriage to shopaholic Louise is teetering on a knife-edge and, when he loses his job, things go from bad to worse. Then Sam offers him a job in one of his wine shops. But can he get his life back on track?

Zita, who works in television, is fiercely ambitious and has set her sights on Rachel’s husband to further her success. Will she be able to ensnare him?  

Eight weeks later, they know their wines – but everything else has changed out of all recognition.

Find out more at: www.paulinelawless.com

Interview with Heather Thurmeier

1. I live in a city - Vancouver - but I often set stories in small towns for the sense of community which echoes what I find in my downtown neighborhood. What about you? Where do you live and where do you set your stories? And why?

I live in upstate New York but was born and raised in the Canadian prairies. A few of my stories have been set in and around New York City, but I have just as many set in other places. I usually choose a larger community or city as a setting. I like the variety of locations/people/situations it allows my characters to utilize. I've also set a few stories in places I've never been. Whenever I do that, I spend hours online looking at tourist information, real estate listing, city guides and anything else I can get my hands on for research. I find it a lot of fun!

2. What's your favorite book ever and why? I have 2 or 3 books that I read over and over again - including Jane Austen's Persuasion. I love it because the characters are older and their relationship isn't easy, but you know, when they do finally get together, they're grown-ups and they know exactly who they are.

Oh my goodness. I'm really supposed to pick just one book?? This is torture for a writer. LOL. I can't think of just one so I'll share my favorite genres instead. I love reading romance (of course!) but I also love paranormals, chick lit, and dystopians/post-apocolypic.

3. What's the story you've always wanted to write but somehow can't? For me, it's a story about World War I. I'm fascinated by the stories I've read about it but I'm pretty sure I'm never going to write a real war story. I've just finished a book that is set partly during World War I but a very long way away from the battles. I think that's as close as I'm going to get.

I've always wanted to write an epic series that follows the same couple through all of the books. I'm getting closer by writing a couple of different series (Meadow Ridge Romances) and a new reality TV series I have coming soon—the first will be available in August with Crimson Romance. But so far, all of my series books focus on a new hero/heroine combination in each book. I'd love to write a series that focuses just one one couple so we really get to know about them and a bigger section of their lives. No big ideas for that kind of story yet though!

4.  Finally, do you have a routine? If so, what is it and how easy/hard is it to stick to it? I try to have one, but because I work as a freelance paralegal and teach paralegals occasionally, my schedule tends to change from week to week, if not actually day to day. I'm always buying lottery tickets, hoping to win just enough money not to have to work and write to a regular schedule though I'm pretty sure that even if I did  have the money to write nine to five, I wouldn't, as I've been scrambling like this forever :)

I do have a schedule. My full-time job is being a stay at home mom, so when my kids are school I have my writing office hours. When it's time to pick them up from school, I'm back into mom mode. Also, I try to have a daily word count goal to meet and a weekly goal. If I hit my daily goal or better, then I feel I've been successful. The weekly goal allows me some flexibility for when real life as mom takes priority over my word count. So far this system works best for me. It keeps me focused and on track.

Thank you so much for having me!

Heather Thurmeier

~Heart, humor and a happily ever after

website: http://heatherthurmeier.com

twitter: hthurmeier

Facebook: HeatherThurmeierAuthor

email: heatherthurmeier@gmail.com

Heather Thurmeier was born and raised in the Canadian prairies, but now she lives in upstate New York with her own personal romance Hero (aka her husband) and their two little princesses. When she's not busy taking care of the kids and an adventurous puppy named Indy, Heather's hard at work on her next romance novel. She loves to hear from readers. Heart, humor, and a happily ever after.

Love on Landing Blurb:

Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Landing-Meadow-Ridge-Romance-ebook/dp/B0074SS60M/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2

Retail therapy in Paris isn't the only way to cure Tali's broken heart. En route, she meets her family's new pilot, Gavin. When personalities clash at 30,000 feet, the chemistry between them is undeniable.

One night in bed isn't enough to quell the fireworks between Tali and Gavin, and when tempers erupt, Tali's ex-boyfriend is there to pick up the pieces. But she's finally realized what she really wants in life… and it isn't her ex or the life her father has planned back home.

Now all Tali wants is the man who loved her enough to tell her what she didn't want to hear, but can she win his heart on the trip home and find Love on Landing?

Interview with Silver James

1. I live in a city - Vancouver - but I often set stories in small towns for the sense of community which echoes what I find in my downtown neighborhood. What about you? Where do you live and where do you set your stories? And why?

I was a “serialized small-town girl” growing up—living in a variety of places in three states. As an adult, once my husband’s military career ended, we returned to his hometown—Oklahoma City. We now live in one of the suburb cities which is Very Small Town™ but has all the benefits of the big city nearby. My stories are set all over the world. I’m a cross-genre writer so I have small-town contemporaries, time-travel/reincarnation paranormals, and a new series about a group of ex-military werewolves. To me, the setting enhances the story so I plop my characters wherever the story needs them.

2. What's your favorite book ever and why? I have 2 or 3 books that I read over and over again - including Jane Austen's Persuasion. I love it because the characters are older and their relationship isn't easy, but you know, when they do finally get together, they're grown-ups and they know exactly who they are.

This is always a tough question for me. My “chicken soup” read is J.D. Robb’s NAKED IN DEATH, the first in her Eve Dallas/In Death series. I realize that’s an odd choice but given my background in the fire service and law enforcement, I’m not too surprised. Andre Norton’s BEASTMASTER is a childhood favorite. Finally, I always return to the first two books I checked out of the adult section of the library when I was ten: Mary Stewart’s THE MOONSPINNERS and Ian Fleming’s THE SPY WHO LOVED ME. Each of these books touch me in some way—language, theme, nostalgia. I lost my copy of BEASTMASTER in a flood and I’m still trying to replace it. I have first editions of the others and treasure them.

3. What's the story you've always wanted to write but somehow can't? For me, it's a story about World War I. I'm fascinated by the stories I've read about it but I'm pretty sure I'm never going to write a real war story. I've just finished a book that is set partly during World War I but a very long way away from the battles. I think that's as close as I'm going to get.

I started writing a book in 1994. It’s still not finished. It’s a horror story and getting into the antagonist’s head freaks me out a little. Okay, a LOT! I work on it when things in my life are really dark. I’m sure Freud or Jung would have a field day psychoanalyzing me because of that. UNINVITED may truly be my “trunk book”, even though I still find the story and characters fascinating all these years later.

4.  Finally, do you have a routine? If so, what is it and how easy/hard is it to stick to it? I try to have one, but because I work as a freelance paralegal and teach paralegals occasionally, my schedule tends to change from week to week, if not actually day to day. I'm always buying lottery tickets, hoping to win just enough money not to have to work and write to a regular schedule though I'm pretty sure that even if I did have the money to write nine to five, I wouldn't, as I've been scrambling like this forever :)

When I worked full-time, I wrote at lunch and in the evenings while dinner cooked. I’m retired from the real world now so writing is my job. I get up, have breakfast (or at least coffee! Must have coffee!), and settle into my desk chair. I spend about an hour dealing with the business of writing—emails, blogs, etc. and then I spend the day writing. Or thinking about writing. Or running the vacuum because I’m stuck in a scene. When I’m really stuck, I clean the toilets. Stop laughing. I’m serious! When I have a new Work in Progress (WIP), I try to write at least 2000 words a day, hopefully before noon. After noon, I deal with revisions, marketing, and other tasks related to finished projects in edits or already published. You know, looking back at my schedule I sound all efficient and stuff. I wish! I’ve been known to burn dinner because inspiration hit and I had to get the idea down before Iffy, my Muse, got to it with her scissors. Yes, she runs with scissors. It gets really ugly around here sometimes. ;-)

Thanks so much for hosting me. I’ve enjoyed the interview.

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BLOOD MOON Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Moon-Moonstruck-ebook/dp/B0080UST5K/