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An Interview with an Interesting Character
One technique authors use to get familiar with their characters is conducting an interview. Posing a variety of questions and imagining how a certain character would respond helps to develop a complex, believable hero or heroine. Instead of interviewing a fictional character, I’m going to share few questions from an interview I recently did. I hope you discover something new about me!
How long have you been writing?
Five years.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?
It is very difficult when you’re writing for deadline. I always go outside. Nature always helps me relax and to slow my brain from spinning.
Tell us something about your newest release that is NOT in the blurb.
My newest release has a terrorist plot. I’ve consulted with a national terrorist expert who consults with the CIA. My family is worried that either the FBI or CIA are going to come for me over my Google Searches and emails.
Are you working on anything at the present you would like to tell us about?
As I finish Women Under Fire, I’m making notes for my Regency release, part of The Code Breakers Series. A Cantata of Love. I find when I’m stressed about my writing, I love making up the next book’s plot.
What are you reading now?
Mary Balogh’s latest release The Escape and Julie Garwood’s Hotshot. I’m always reading several books at once.
What is your favorite food?
My favorite food is kale salad. I also love seafood, so it’s convenient living in Seattle.
Where are you from and what do you love best about your hometown?
I’ve lived in Seattle for so long, I consider it my hometown. Seattle is physically outstanding with water and mountains on all sides. Love my city and have made it a character in my Grayce Walters Series.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done in the name of research?
I love all the things I do for research: go to Gay Bingo, work with Seattle’s Fire Department, go to museums in Paris, but probably the weirdest is I’m ALWAYS listening to people’s conversations. I want to hear how people are talking to each other. I once stopped and tied my shoe for 5 minutes to hear a couple argue.
Jacki Delecki is the author of Regency and contemporary romantic mysteries. Her most recent release is Women Under Fire, Book 2 in the Grayce Walters Series.
Seattle and Washington State home to bestselling romance authors
In 2013, the estimated annual sales value of romance was $1.08 billion, according to BookStats. Some of the bestselling authors contributing to this number hail from here in Seattle and across Washington State. Here are a few of the well-known romance authors representing the Pacific Northwest.
Debbie Macomber (Port Orchard)
Lisa Kleypas (Bellingham)
Kristin Hannah (Bainbridge Island)
Julia Quinn (Seattle area)
Jayne Ann Krentz w/a Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle (Seattle area)
Washington state is also home to six RWA chapters. For a comprehensive listing of romance writers based in the Pacific Northwest, visit the membership listings for these chapters.
Inland Empire Chapter (Spokane)
Peninsula Chapter (Washington)
Who is your favorite Washington State romance author? Or, if you’re a writer from Washington State, tell us what you love most about living in The Evergreen State!
Salestember: The Readers Are Back!
I heard this term for the first time a few weeks ago. An author friend mentioned she was releasing a new book just in time for Salestember. I thought I had misunderstood her, but then she explained that some authors see a spike in sales come September—after the children return to school and moms have time to read.
I think Salestember is an interesting concept, and it made me wonder about a few things. I’d like to pose a few questions—some for readers, some for authors—in hopes that you’ll share your own Salestember experiences with me.
Dear Reader, can you tell me…
- Have you noticed yourself buying more books recently or do you plan to buy more books?
- Do you actually have more time to read in September?
- If you’re on the lookout for new books or authors, where do you find them? GoodReads? Amazon reviews? Recommendations from friends?
Dear Author, can you tell me…
- Have you intentionally scheduled a new book release for September to avoid the summer doldrums?
- Have you personally experienced a Salestember spike in sales?
- Do you find readers to be more engaged on social media in September?
Maybe Salestember is nothing more than an urban myth. Maybe there is a little truth to it. Whatever you call this month, here’s wishing well to readers and authors!
Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
We have a winner for A CODE OF LOVE audiobook!
I had a great response to the contest offering an audiobook version of A CODE OF LOVE and want to thank everyone who entered. The randomly selected winner is Chanda Charles Allen. Congratulations, Chanda! Please contact me with your email so I can send your prize.
Remember, you can listen to an audio excerpt from A CODE OF LOVE or view the trailer on my website. The links are listed on my home page.
Thanks for being such great fans!
Cover Reveal ~ WOMEN UNDER FIRE
Check out the cover for WOMEN UNDER FIRE (Book 2 in the Grayce Walters series).
The first glimpse of a new book cover is both thrilling and nerve-racking for authors. There is always a moment of fear and panic when we worry that the cover artist failed to grasp our concept and we’re going to end up with the worst romance cover of all time.
I’m happy to report that Kim Killion has once again exceeded my expectations and created a cover for WOMEN UNDER FIRE that strongly conveys the romance, intrigue, and mystery on Seattle’s Waterfront in Book 2 of the Grayce Walters series.
WOMEN UNDER FIRE is in the final stages of production and will be available in early September.
