Good morning readers,
I found some great interview questions, some of which I think I’ve answered before when I was interviewed, but several answers have changed, and I got some new questions. I thought I’d give you a behind-the-scenes peek into my head! BEWARE. Actually, you should all probably run screaming from the room right now….
Oh, still here? Well, aren’t you the brave one. Well, here it goes. A (sort of self-)interview with me!
- What project are you currently working on?
I’m currently on a bit of a writing hiatus. But my WIP is Adirondack Avalanche, a sequel to Break Through the Ice which focuses on Lexi “Lex” an actress trying to change her image, who gets snowed in with Clark, a man dedicated to helping underprivileged youth who can’t stand the prima donna prissiness of an actress.
- What is your favorite snack?
POPCORN! I have a rampant popcorn addiction, and my (almost) husband and I have a legit homemade popcorn popper machine.
- I have heard from numerous authors that chocolate is the staple of their diet. Is it in yours?
Of course it is. I’m a woman, aren’t I? As favorites go, I LOVE brownies. And other forms of chocolate like that as well as regular chocolate bars like Twix.
- Will electronic readers ever take the place of the humble paperback?
Maybe in 50 years. But not just yet.
- If you could be one of your characters – Who would you be? And why?
I really love damaged characters and ones with really big flaws. So I’m not sure I could be any of them, because I know what all of their issues are. But I wouldn’t mind Layla Morgan’s life. She was the heroine of An Affair Across Times Square. A lawyer with a large trust fund and a true wild side. I could live that life. I love to argue, so trying cases would be right up my alley. In fact, in my day job, I work at a law firm. ;-p
- Who or what influences you when you write?
EVERYTHING. Any book that I’m reading when I write a book can influence the way I see the book and also the writing style. I’ve found myself coming up with new spinoff ideas from the books I’ve been reading through the course of the creation of the new novel. And sometimes if I start a new book in the middle of writing a manuscript, I have to go back and fix consistency issues because I started writing a character one way and then switched halfway through.
- When you have writer’s block how do you break free?
I don’t believe in writer’s block. I believe in getting it done. I’ve had really piss poor word counts this year, but as I’ve been working two new jobs in addition to my author job, and planning a wedding (which is TWO weeks away), I haven’t had a lot of dedication to my writing this year. It’s been the longest hiatus since I started publishing in 2012, but that will be one of my new focuses as soon as the honeymoon is over.
- Is there a genre of book you would like to write but haven’t yet?
I want to write an erotic romance that is also a murder mystery. I don’t know as if anyone has ever blended those genres before, but I’d really like to. I’ve never written mystery before, so I think that would be really challenging. Honestly, I want to write everything! If only there were enough hours in the day.
- What is your favorite movie of all time? The one where you can watch it and still get affected at the same spots each and every time?
Drop Dead Fred. I love it. I just watched it again the other night for the millionth time. It’s hysterical. And sweet. And just wonderful. “What a pile of shit.” – makes me laugh out loud every time, and it’s in the first two minutes of the movie.
- Who would you want to be tied to for 24hours?
Vin Diesel – no contest! He’s incredible. I’ve been in love with him for years. Could we go with fuzzy leopard-print handcuffs though?
- What is your favorite way to relax after a hard day working and writing?
Reading. I love to read, even when I’ve been surrounded by words all day.
- What is the one era you would love to go visit and why?
The 20’s. I know it’s really idealized by modern culture, and I’m sure it wasn’t really the way we all idolize it, but I would adore experiencing it for myself.
- Do you believe in love at first sight?
Yes. Maybe. Lust at first site, absolutely. Love… maybe a special kind of love. Like the initial oh, my God moment where you can picture yourself in a big white dress staring into their eyes at the end of the aisle. But the deeper friendship connection that I think we need to sustain love… not so much. That has to come later and be built on memories, on experiences, kindness, support, life. I will say that I fell and fell hard and fast for my future husband, but it wasn’t quite love at first site.
- Have you ever been nervous over reader reaction when a new book comes out?
All the time – but it’s usually before the book comes out. My mom beta reads almost all of my titles before they come out. I’m always nervous about her reaction. Her last beta read of To Sir came back with “Liz isn’t damaged enough… fix her.” And she was right, of course.
- How much does reader response mean to you over your books?
A ton. I’m a people-pleaser at heart. I love to hear from readers that they enjoyed the book or that they took something away from it, whatever that may be.
- What is the nicest thing a reviewer has ever said about one of your books?
Not a reviewer – but a fan said that my book kept them up until 4 a.m. even though they had to go to work the following day.