Interview with Author Crystal-Rain Love

Please welcome author Crystal-Rain Love to In the Hot Seat! :-)

HFP: When did you first decide or realize you wanted to write books?

CRL: I realized I wanted to be an author pretty early. We had the Young Readers program in elementary school where we would write and illustrate books. Most kids wrote a 5-10 page story. In 5^th grade I wrote a whole novella. We had a really mean librarian who everyone hated, but I was her pet because I was obsessed with reading and writing. I read everything I could get my hands on and that combined with the fact I’ve been a daydreamer since the day I was born naturally led to me wanting to create my own worlds and characters.

HFP: What would you claim as your most interesting writing quirk?

CRL: Not sure if it’s interesting, but when I start a new project or really need a boost to get me going again when I’m struggling through the middle of a project I cut my fingernails all the way down to the nubs. There’s something about feeling the keys against the skin without that click-clack of fingernails that seems to make me type like the wind.

HFP: Where do the ideas for your books come from? What inspires you to write the books you do?

CRL: Ideas come from anywhere. Sometimes they come from dreams, sometimes from life, and sometimes from TV or movies, even songs. My latest series, Twice Bitten, was inspired by a mix of David Cook songs, my love of the humor in Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, my love of the paranormal, and the need I felt there was for a heroine who looked more like me and less like the perfect curvy, hourglass shaped woman most heroines tend to be.

HFP: What was the most surprising to you about getting published for the first time?

CRL: The most surprising thing was that once I got published by one publisher, offers started coming in from others. I was signed with Sapphire Blue Publishing and Imajinn Books within months of each other and The Wild Rose Press came soon after.

HFP: What advice do you have for aspiring and or newbie authors?

CRL: With the process of indie publishing so easy now I’m seeing a lot of newbies bypassing the traditional publication process altogether without even trying and I would advise against that. I’ve been indie publishing for several years now because I love having control of my cover art, pricing, and release dates, but I was blessed to be traditionally published first because I learned invaluable skills from going through that process. Other than that, grow a thick skin for the inevitable mean reviews you will get at least a few of, and learn to take and learn from constructive criticism. Write what you love so it’s always a joy to put in the work and PUT IN THE WORK. Series will build your fan base so try for 1000-2000 words a day to keep putting new material out frequently (after editing!). 

HFP: If you could do one thing differently on your journey to becoming a published author what would it be?

CRL: I would have committed to 2000 words a day a lot sooner and I would have read my first contracts closer and made changes to some or passed. Be very careful with any contract you sign! I learned the hard way with one of my publishers.

HFP: What has been your favorite book to write so far and why is it your favorite?

CRL: My most recent release, Vampire Girl Problems, from my Twice Bitten series was my favorite to write because it was so funny. I was literally laughing myself to tears while writing certain scenes and I wrote it pretty quickly because it didn’t feel like work at all. It flowed so well because every scene was a joy to write. Also, I gave the heroine my body (small chest, thick thighs and butt) and the insecurities that come with it because I never see that in anything I read so it’s nice being able to offer a heroine who looks like women like me.

HFP: What qualities do you think make a great story that keeps readers coming back for more?

CRL: Heart, humor, heroines you root for, heroes you fall in love with, and really good plots with some surprises.

HFP: How long does it take you to write one of your books?

CRL: Anywhere between one to three months on average, depending on genre. I still work full-time which gets in the way of writing time, plus I have three teenagers, one of which is homeschooled so that’s just the average. It used to take me a year per book so I’ve come a long way. 

HFP: Okay, this is the fun question, if you could only choose one, would you choose coffee or chocolate and why?

CRL: Chocolate because I am one of those rare people who abhors coffee. It smells great but seriously, how do y’all drink that stuff? ;)

Bio:

Crystal-Rain Love is a romance author specializing in paranormal, suspense, and contemporary sub-genres. 

Her author career began by winning a contest to be one of Sapphire Blue Publishing's debut authors in 2008. She snagged an 8-book contract with Imajinn Books that same year, going on to be published by The Wild Rose Press and eventually venturing out into indie publishing. 

She resides in the South with her three children and enough pets to host a petting zoo. When she's not writing she can usually be found creating unique 3D cakes, hiking, reading, or spending way too much time on Facebook. 

Author Links:

http://crystalrainlove.com
http://facebook.com/crystalrainloveauthor

Twitter: @crystalrainlove

Interview with Author Laura Haley-McNeil

      Please welcome author Laura Haley-McNeil to In the Hot Seat! :-)

HFP: When did you first decide or realize you wanted to write books?

LHM: When I was in high school, I took a creative writing course and fell in love with the idea of making up stories. It was a wonderful feeling to be in control and make things happen the way I wanted them to happen. That doesn’t mean I was writing a good story. I’ve since learned that writing a story is a very complicated process.

HFP: What would you claim as your most interesting writing quirk?

LHM: I don’t know that this is a quirk, but because my husband and I live in a very tiny house, I don’t have an office. Instead, I’ve taken over the family room which used to be the breezeway between the laundry room and the garage, so it’s a tiny room, but large enough for a couple of armchairs and a footstool. I sit in the chair that faces the row of windows overlooking our patio, which is beautiful in the spring and summer as I’m an avid gardener. I balance my laptop in my lap and start writing my stories. My husband bought me a music stand so I stack my notes and a water bottle on the ledge. The room isn’t heated, but we did install a gas fireplace so that keeps me warm in the winter. In the summer, I use a fan to keep cool.

HFP: Where do the ideas for your books come from? What inspires you to write the books you do?

LHM: I love  to read romantic suspense which was the first series I wrote. My father grew up on a ranch near Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and I’ve always been a fan of horses and the mountains. I wanted to write about romance, suspense and  cowboys so the Crystal Creek Series was born. I’m an avid reader. I’ll read everything. I’ll be searching information on some topic and read something else that’s interesting so I’ll research that item which can lead me to something else. I tell myself it’s part of the writing process. I also meet people or hear about an interesting situation and try to incorporate that person or situation into a story. Of course, by the time the story is complete, the situation or person is unrecognizable. The person or situation has to fit the story, so changes need to be made.

HFP: What was the most surprising to you about getting published for the first time?

LHM: Publishing my first book was exciting but also surprising at how much work was involved in promotion and marketing of the book. It’s more than writing the story and moving on to the next one. It took a lot of studying and trial and error, and I’m still learning, but one thing I know is that marketing is a big part of writing and writers need to constantly promote their books. It’s uncomfortable because most writers aren’t used to self-promotion. It’s a new way of thinking for us.

HFP: What advice do you have for aspiring and or newbie authors?

LHM: Have fun and enjoy it. You’re writing because you enjoy stories. Write the story you love and tell the best story you can and when  you’ve done everything you can for that book, move on to the next one.  Your fans will get to know you when you write more books. The more you write the better you’ll be at telling stories. It’s like everything else. It takes a lifetime of practice and you’ll always want to write a better book with each story you start. You can do it!

HFP: If you could do one thing differently on your journey to becoming a published author what would it be?

LHM: I wish I’d been more disciplined. Writing takes constant focus, but  when you’re young, there are so many distractions.  If you can  ignore the distractions, you’ll meet your goal sooner. I couldn’t say no to social invitations. I still can’t, so my journey has taken longer.

HFP: What has been your favorite book to write so far and why is it your favorite?

LHM: Probably the book, as yet untitled, I’m writing now is my favorite. I’ve always been a fan of fairytales and when those fairytales can be incorporated into a contemporary romance that makes me smile. I’ve just started writing this latest book so I’m not sure where this will take me but I’m excited to see where the story goes and how it will end—happily ever after, of course!

HFP: What qualities do you think make a great story that keeps readers coming back for more?

LHM: For me, I remember a book by how it makes me feel. If it digs deep into my emotions, that’s the book I want to read.  Many years ago, I discovered an author who wrote emotion driven stories and her style made such an impression on me, that to this day I try to write my stories in that way. I’m not as adept as she was, but I keep trying. It’s something to work toward.

HFP: How long does it take you to write one of your books?

LHM: Because I work on several books at once it’s hard to say how long it takes to write one. I write a draft and clean it up as best I can and then send  it to the editor. While she’s editing it, I start writing another book. When the editor returns the draft for my previous book to me, I feel like crawling into the corner because I have so many changes to make, but eventually I work through them and send that draft to the copyeditor. While the copyeditor has the story I return to the previous book. When the copyeditor returns the manuscript to me, I’m not quite as bruised and make the changes and send that draft to the proofreader. In the meantime I’m working with the cover designer and setting up marketing. If I recently published a book, I promote that book as well I’m not good with downtime so I try and  do something every day that involves my writing. It may take me a year to six months from start to finish in completing a book depending on how complicated the plot is and how long the story is.

HFP: Okay, this is the fun question, if you could only choose one, would you choose coffee or chocolate and why?

LHM: No doubt about it, I’d choose the chocolate. In fact I’m eating chocolate as I answer these questions.

Cheers and have a wonderful holiday!

You too Laura, thank you so much for being on In the Hot Seat! :-)

Bio:

If you wanted to know a little more about me, this is the place. I’m always curious to know a little more about the authors who write the books I love. I’m constantly flipping to Wikipedia for information on anyone even slightly well known. No, I’m not listed in Wikipedia, but for anyone who wants to know why I wanted to write, and why I write what I write, then read further. If this summary doesn’t answer your questions, then feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. I’ll do my best to answer them.

I started out in San Diego, California, and though I’ve lived several places, I’ll always consider myself a Californian. More than anything, I miss the ocean, miss its lulling rhythm, watching the waves crash against the sand, and hearing the seagulls call to one another. Though I consider California home, I’m happy to be living in Colorado, an outdoor mecca for cyclists, runners, skiers, and those who just want to go for a walk and enjoy Colorado’s abundant sunshine.

I met my husband, the true hero of my life, while living in Colorado, so this is a place that holds a special spot in my heart.

Even as a child I loved to daydream. My parents were beside themselves when my teachers told them I daydreamed in class instead of paying attention. I tried to concentrate on lessons, but knights in shining armor whisking me away always held more interest than comma usage, which I should’ve paid attention to now that I’m a writer, and why a+2b = y(x)³. I have no use for that.

In high school, I took a creative writing class and knew that I had found my destiny. I wrote short stories and plays and children’s books and everything in between. I found a class where I wanted to pay attention, and I found a class where daydreaming was allowed and encouraged, and where I had time to write my daydreams. I would have pursued this as my career, but my parents had other ideas. They were too familiar with the starving artist, and were concerned a career in writing wouldn’t provide for me as would a more serious career. I’m sure they were right, but my heart wouldn’t let me settle into career that though it would’ve provided, it brought me no satisfaction. My interests lay in the arts. I had studied ballet and piano, again fields that provided a living with great difficulty.

After graduating high school, my parents gave me a choice: get a job or go to college. I wasn’t that enthralled with working so I chose college. That should have set me on a path to a career, but it failed. Even after college I still couldn’t forget my love for writing.

Writing was a muse, a siren, who wouldn’t set me free. Finally, I gave in. No matter what, I had to write. Even if I couldn’t earn a living at writing, I had to write. So write I did. Though I still needed to work, I fit writing into every moment I could find. When I learned about indie publishing, I was in heaven. I could write whatever I wanted and publish whenever I wanted, which also means as soon as my book was finished, it was online waiting for buyers. I’m enjoying my life as a writer. This is something I’ll be able to do when I’m old and gray, which isn’t that far away.

I hope this answers some of your questions about me. If you have anymore, please feel free to drop me a line and I’ll do the best I can to answer them. If you’re a writer, too, then I’m sure you can identify with what I’ve written here. Writers have to write. It’s as important to us as air and food.

I hope you enjoyed my introduction. As time goes by, I’ll be adding other stories about myself so stay tuned.

Thank you for stopping by!

Author Links:

Website: https://laurahaleymcneil.com

Newsletter: https://laurahaleymcneil.com/newsletter/

Interview with Author Regan Walker

"Walker stuns with her gift for storytelling, magically entwining historic fact and fiction to create a thought provoking, sensual romance, one that will stay with you."
 – Chicks, Rogues & Scandals

HFP: When did you first decide or realize you wanted to write books?

RW: I came late to writing novels. At a time in my life when I had much time on my hands and was reading a lot, including historical romance, which I love, my best friend encouraged me to write one. That was in 2010. In 2011 I wrote Racing with the Wind. It was published in 2012 and, since then, I’ve written 14 more.

HFP: What would you claim as your most interesting writing quirk?

RW: Well, I don’t plot. I let the history and the characters lead me. I always love those reviewers who compliment me on “an intricate plot”. Ha! It’s kismet. And in recent years, I also write from a Pinterest board I do for each book. I’m very visual so it keeps me on track.

HFP: Where do the ideas for your books come from? What inspires you to write the books you do?

RW: Generally a character might come to mind and then I place that person in history. What would he do in such an era? What kind of a woman would she be in this place in history? And that leads me to my stories.

HFP: What was the most surprising to you about getting published for the first time?

RW: It was such a delight to see my first book published. I didn’t have years to go after an agent and a publisher so I was thrilled when a publisher wanted my book.

HFP: What advice do you have for aspiring and or newbie authors?

RW: The most important thing is to finish the book, but not before learning something of the craft and the genre you want to write in. Then get some neutral eyes on the manuscript. A critique group of writers who write what you do can be very helpful.

HFP: If you could do one thing differently on your journey to becoming a published author what would it be?

RW: I would have started earlier in my life.

HFP: What has been your favorite book to write so far and why is it your favorite?

RW: I think it is The Red Wolf’s Prize because it was set in medieval England and deep in history of William the Conqueror. I love my hero and heroine in that “enemies to lovers”

story. It won the RONE award and it’s been very popular with my readers. It was the first of the award-winning Medieval Warriors series.

HFP: What qualities do you think make a great story that keeps readers coming back for more?

RW: I like characters who draw you into their lives and I like some adventure and action. A little mystery is always good, too. Good writing without an intriguing story falls flat.

HFP: How long does it take you to write one of your books?

RW: When I can concentrate on my writing, six months. A novella might take two months. But now that I’m working again, writing is coming more slowly. It might be a book a year for a while.

HFP: Okay, this is the fun question, if you could only choose one, would you choose coffee or chocolate and why?

RW: I love dark chocolate, but caffeine in a hot drink is essential. So, it would have to be coffee. A mocha is a nice combination of both!

Bio: 

Regan Walker is an award-winning, bestselling author of Regency, Georgian and Medieval romances. Her stories often feature a demanding sovereign who taps his subjects for special assignments. Each of her novels includes real history and real historical figures as characters. And, of course, adventure and love, sometimes on the high seas!

Author Links:

Regan's website: http://www.reganwalkerauthor.com/

Regan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/regan.walker.104

Regan Walker's Readers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReganWalkersReaders/

Pinterest Storyboard for the book: https://www.pinterest.com/reganwalker123/a-secret-scottish-christmas-by-regan-walker/

Thank you for being on In the Hot Seat Regan! :-)