Author Interview – Grace Risata

Author interview today with Grace Risata. 

For me she is a writer of quirky interesting characters and humorous romances. 

There has not been a book of hers yet I have not enjoyed hugely

– The Romance Reading Brit

 

Q1. Please tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Grace Risata and I’m an avid reader of books, lover of dogs, and fan of Zombie movies.

Q2. What led to you deciding to publish? Did you have stories that you wanted to tell for years or was it maybe a case of deciding to give it a go and see how it went with regards to writing? 

 Honestly, I’ve always read library books since I was a little kid.  Once I got a kindle for Christmas, I discovered Amazon and all the thousands of books published by Independent authors.  Some of the plot lines were not my cup of tea (insta-love, billionaires, cheating, accidental pregnancies), so I decided to try to write my own story and see where it went.  I’ve always loved making people laugh, so I made sure to add humour into the stories as well.  I hadn’t written one single story until I decided to write my first novel.

Q2. Do you have a favourite author? Have they influenced you in deciding to write and what you write? 

I have several favourite authors, too many to name actually, in all different genres.  I don’t know that they’ve necessarily influenced me.  I just write the stories that I would personally like to read.

Q3. What has been the best thing about deciding to publish? 

Just learning the writing process in general and meeting so many ‘strangers’ from all over the world that have turned into friends.

Q4. And the worst? (if there is one)

Marketing!  There are thousands of authors trying to get their books into the hands of the reader, and it’s very difficult and time consuming to figure out how to let people know that my books are out there!

Q5. How much of a story do you outline before you start, or is it more that the story evolves as you write it? 

I need to know…who are the main characters, how do they meet, what is their conflict, what are a handful of key plot points, and how does it basically end.  I then let the story lead me to where it wants to go!

Q6. Was it a conscious decision to write romantic comedy, or was it just how the stories flowed for you? 

My favourite genre is romance because I’m a sucker for a love story with a happy ending.  I think life gets bogged down with the stresses and worries that plague us every single day, so I wanted to add comedy into my characters’ personalities.  I look for the humour in the books I read, and I also like to write it too.  I gotta make people laugh or my day is not complete!

Q7. Do you have a favourite character out of any that you have wrote?

Violet from MY DIRTY DETOUR, because she’s me.

Q8. Are any of your heroines based on yourself? Or people you know?

Yes.  Violet from My Dirty Detour pretty much has my entire personality.  I think all of my heroines are based on myself just a little bit.  Whether they do things I’ve done, say things I’ve said, or act in a way I aspire to act, they’re all pieces of me.

Q9. In “Undeniable Request” the hero has a “soft spot” for zombies as they have “a perseverance and never give up attitude” and the heroine has an impressive collection of zombie movies. Are you a fan yourself of zombies, and do you have a zombie plan?

In case the apocalypse ever comes?  Absolutely.  I am a huge zombie fan and definitely have a zombie survival plan!  I think every single one of my books has a tiny reference to zombies because I LOVE them.  I’ve read several zombie books, seen a load of zombie movies, and I’ve watched every single episode of THE WALKING DEAD TV show.  When, not if, the apocalypse comes, I will be ready!

Q10. What advice, if any would you give to someone thinking about writing and publishing their own stories?  

Write what you want to write (what you feel comfortable with) instead of worrying about what you THINK people might want to read.  Everyone has different opinions.  You can’t please everyone all the time.  I would also tell them that marketing and promotion is a LOT harder than they would ever imagine.  You can’t sell books if people don’t know they exist, so promotion is a necessary time suck if you want to get your name out there.  Also, don’t expect to be an overnight success.  This is a marathon, not a spring.  It’s going to be a lot of hard work, but you’ll get there one fan at a time!

 

Check out my reviews for her books:

 

My Dirty Detour

Nights In The Fast Lane

Mowed

Ungranted Wishes

My Dirty Vacation

Teaching The Dom

Her Invisible Soldier

 

 

 

Author Interview re post, Anne Malcom – New Release – Deathless (The Vein Chronicles #2) by Anne Malcom

In honour if the release of Anne Malcom’s new book:

My review Here

And for book 1

Review is Here

I am re posting the one and only author interview I ever did.

Enjoy (and if you have not read this author then you really should!)

(Originally posted July 30th 2016)

It is fair to say I love the series by this author. And it gets better and better with every book. It is so much more than an MC series. So I am super excited to have had the author agree to answer of few question for my nosey old self.

The Sons of Templar Series:

My Review for Making the Cut

My Review for Firestorm

My Review for Outside the Lines

My Review for Out of the Ashes

My Review for Beyond the Horizon

Unquiet Mind Series:

My Review for Echoes of Silence

Author Interview 

Q1. Please tell us a little about yourself.

I’m from a tiny town in the middle of New Zealand where I was lucky enough to have a magical childhood. Though there wasn’t much in the form of entertainment, so I turned into a bookworm after my Mum introduced me to the magic of reading. I’m currently living in Wellington, settling in after being a nomad around Europe for a couple of years. I love coffee, chocolate, wine and shoes. I don’t know what else to say here….I like long walks on the beach and candle lit dinners? This is my first author interview, so don’t judge my awkwardness!

Q2. What led to you deciding to publish? Did you have stories that you wanted to tell for years or was it maybe a case of deciding to give it a go and see how it went with regards to writing?

I started writing because I love reading. I’d devour multiple books in a week, sometimes in a day. One day, I was in a bit of a reading slump and decided to try and write something I would want to read. Gwen and Cade’s story just came to me and it’s gone on from there. I’ve always been a big daydreamer but I never thought of pursuing writing as a career, until now. I still pinch myself every now and then, just because it’s hard to believe I’m doing what I love as a job.

Q3. As an author who lives in New Zealand, do you feel you have a broader audience writing books based in America? Or is it just something that worked more for this particular series?

I think I do have a broader audience in America, which definitely has something to do with this particular series. I’m planning of basing some future books here in New Zealand, so I’m interested to see how my international readers will respond to those.

Q4. Do you have a favourite author? Have they influenced you in deciding to write and what you write?

I have multiple favourite authors. The beauty of being introduced to reading when I was young, was constantly discovering authors who inspire me as I’ve grown. Like many kids, JK Rowling was a total goddess in my eyes. She created magic and had me waiting at the letterbox on my eleventh birthday for my owl. I’m still waiting. Paullina Simons is also someone who I will always look up to, The Bronze Horseman is one of my all time favourite books. Stephen King is a total genius. I know he writes horror which is a little far away from my genre, but he is so incredibly intelligent and talented and every single one of his books hold a little magic. I can only wish to grow into an author who can create such vivid worlds as he does. Oh, and of course, the mother of all alpha males…Kristen Ashley.

Q5. What has been the best thing about deciding to publish?

I have to pick just one? I’m terrible at that! I think connecting with so many amazing readers and fellow authors. Every time one of my readers reaches out to me to tell me they enjoyed my books, I feel so happy. I love that I’m able to give people the enjoyment I feel when I’m reading a good book. It’s surreal, but awesome.

Q6. And the worst? (if there is one)

I honestly think the worst is just the pressure I put on myself. I have SO many stories to tell and I want to write them all as soon as possible. It’s hard to stick to one at a time. I’m still young(ish). There’s time.

Q7. How much of a story do you outline before you start, or is it more that the story evolves as you write it?

I don’t outline at all. Total pantser (fly by the seat of my pants). The story takes on a life of its own as soon as I sit down to write. Sometimes I get snippets of how I want it to end, but mostly I don’t have much control. It’s kind of exciting because I never know where a story will end up, but then I get frustrated at my characters for not doing what I want them to do.

Q8. Related to the above question, did you always plan a Lexi and Killian story?

Short answer, no. I didn’t even realise their romance was going to play such a big part in my books until I was halfway through Out of the Ashes. Then I was like, “I have to give these kids a story.” Turns out they get two. I hadn’t planned on writing a YA book, but I didn’t get much choice. The story came to me and wouldn’t shut up until I wrote it.

Q9. What are the plans for the current series’? We obviously get the conclusion to Lexi and Kilian, but who is up for a book in Sons of Templar? Do Lexi’s band members possibly get a book. And any plans for any new series in the future?

So many plans! Lucky is up next for the Sons of Templar, but I want to give them all a HEA. Gage and Jagger will be getting books at some point in the future too. Yes, the band members are each getting a book in the Unquiet Mind series.

I have a couple of series I’m planning to announce later this year. They’ll feature some characters everyone has been asking about 🙂 One Kiwi hottie in particular.

Q10. Do you have a favourite character out of any that you have wrote?

Oh I don’t know! That’s like asking to pick a favourite child! Killian has kind of stolen my heart lately, before that it was always Cade. My first couple will always be special to me. Bex is someone that I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for, she’s a very complex character and is hard to like at times, but I think that’s why I like her. I’m really deep in her character at the moment and she’s got a lot of substance to her.

Q11. What book or characters story was hardest to tell?

Lily’s. Definitely. As a character, she struggles with a lot of issues that are deeply personal to me. She’s far from perfect and frustrating at times, but she’s real. The characters who have the biggest struggles are always the hardest to portray. And also, Bull. He went through so much and even now, is still developing and healing in other character’s books.

Q12. What advice, if any would you give to someone thinking about writing and publishing their own stories?

I’m totally going to steal Stephen King’s advice. Read a lot and write a lot. Seriously, just go for it. Don’t think too much about what people will think or if it will sell. Just write. If you love the story and the characters, it will evolve from there. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to other indie authors for advice. I found it so intimidating at the start but everyone in the indie community is so supportive and I wouldn’t have been able to stay sane without the love and support of the people I’ve met.

So that is it folks! Thank you again to Anne Malcom for agreeing to answer a few questions, and I cannot wait for the next book.

Author Interview – Anne Malcom, author of The Sons of Templar MC Series.

It is fair to say I love the series by this author. And it gets better and better with every book. It is so much more than an MC series. So I am super excited to have had the author agree to answer of few question for my nosey old self.

The Sons of Templar Series:

My Review for Making the Cut

My Review for Firestorm

My Review for Outside the Lines

My Review for Out of the Ashes

My Review for Beyond the Horizon

Unquiet Mind Series:

My Review for Echoes of Silence

 

Author Interview 

 

Q1. Please tell us a little about yourself.

I’m from a tiny town in the middle of New Zealand where I was lucky enough to have a magical childhood. Though there wasn’t much in the form of entertainment, so I turned into a bookworm after my Mum introduced me to the magic of reading. I’m currently living in Wellington, settling in after being a nomad around Europe for a couple of years. I love coffee, chocolate, wine and shoes. I don’t know what else to say here….I like long walks on the beach and candle lit dinners? This is my first author interview, so don’t judge my awkwardness!

Q2. What led to you deciding to publish? Did you have stories that you wanted to tell for years or was it maybe a case of deciding to give it a go and see how it went with regards to writing?

I started writing because I love reading. I’d devour multiple books in a week, sometimes in a day. One day, I was in a bit of a reading slump and decided to try and write something I would want to read. Gwen and Cade’s story just came to me and it’s gone on from there. I’ve always been a big daydreamer but I never thought of pursuing writing as a career, until now. I still pinch myself every now and then, just because it’s hard to believe I’m doing what I love as a job.

Q3. As an author who lives in New Zealand, do you feel you have a broader audience writing books based in America? Or is it just something that worked more for this particular series?

I think I do have a broader audience in America, which definitely has something to do with this particular series. I’m planning of basing some future books here in New Zealand, so I’m interested to see how my international readers will respond to those.

Q4. Do you have a favourite author? Have they influenced you in deciding to write and what you write?

I have multiple favourite authors. The beauty of being introduced to reading when I was young, was constantly discovering authors who inspire me as I’ve grown. Like many kids, JK Rowling was a total goddess in my eyes. She created magic and had me waiting at the letterbox on my eleventh birthday for my owl. I’m still waiting. Paullina Simons is also someone who I will always look up to, The Bronze Horseman is one of my all time favourite books. Stephen King is a total genius. I know he writes horror which is a little far away from my genre, but he is so incredibly intelligent and talented and every single one of his books hold a little magic. I can only wish to grow into an author who can create such vivid worlds as he does. Oh, and of course, the mother of all alpha males…Kristen Ashley.

Q5. What has been the best thing about deciding to publish?

I have to pick just one? I’m terrible at that! I think connecting with so many amazing readers and fellow authors. Every time one of my readers reaches out to me to tell me they enjoyed my books, I feel so happy. I love that I’m able to give people the enjoyment I feel when I’m reading a good book. It’s surreal, but awesome.

Q6. And the worst? (if there is one)

I honestly think the worst is just the pressure I put on myself. I have SO many stories to tell and I want to write them all as soon as possible. It’s hard to stick to one at a time. I’m still young(ish). There’s time.

Q7. How much of a story do you outline before you start, or is it more that the story evolves as you write it?

I don’t outline at all. Total pantser (fly by the seat of my pants). The story takes on a life of its own as soon as I sit down to write. Sometimes I get snippets of how I want it to end, but mostly I don’t have much control. It’s kind of exciting because I never know where a story will end up, but then I get frustrated at my characters for not doing what I want them to do.

Q8. Related to the above question, did you always plan a Lexi and Killian story?

Short answer, no. I didn’t even realise their romance was going to play such a big part in my books until I was halfway through Out of the Ashes. Then I was like, “I have to give these kids a story.” Turns out they get two. I hadn’t planned on writing a YA book, but I didn’t get much choice. The story came to me and wouldn’t shut up until I wrote it.

Q9. What are the plans for the current series’? We obviously get the conclusion to Lexi and Kilian, but who is up for a book in Sons of Templar? Do Lexi’s band members possibly get a book. And any plans for any new series in the future?

So many plans! Lucky is up next for the Sons of Templar, but I want to give them all a HEA. Gage and Jagger will be getting books at some point in the future too. Yes, the band members are each getting a book in the Unquiet Mind series.

I have a couple of series I’m planning to announce later this year. They’ll feature some characters everyone has been asking about 🙂 One Kiwi hottie in particular.

Q10. Do you have a favourite character out of any that you have wrote?

Oh I don’t know! That’s like asking to pick a favourite child! Killian has kind of stolen my heart lately, before that it was always Cade. My first couple will always be special to me. Bex is someone that I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for, she’s a very complex character and is hard to like at times, but I think that’s why I like her. I’m really deep in her character at the moment and she’s got a lot of substance to her.

Q11. What book or characters story was hardest to tell?

Lily’s. Definitely. As a character, she struggles with a lot of issues that are deeply personal to me. She’s far from perfect and frustrating at times, but she’s real. The characters who have the biggest struggles are always the hardest to portray. And also, Bull. He went through so much and even now, is still developing and healing in other character’s books.

Q12. What advice, if any would you give to someone thinking about writing and publishing their own stories?

I’m totally going to steal Stephen King’s advice. Read a lot and write a lot. Seriously, just go for it. Don’t think too much about what people will think or if it will sell. Just write. If you love the story and the characters, it will evolve from there. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to other indie authors for advice. I found it so intimidating at the start but everyone in the indie community is so supportive and I wouldn’t have been able to stay sane without the love and support of the people I’ve met.

 

 

So that is it folks! Thank you again to Anne Malcom for agreeing to answer a few questions, and I cannot wait for the next book.