(Continued from Part 1)
How long how you been a writer?
I’ve been writing since I was in third grade. I’ve been seriously pursuing publication off and on for years (I took time out to have and partially-raise three babies, get an advanced college degree, and work in a few sales and management jobs—but I happily gave up the corporate world a few years ago to pursue my own business, and, now, writing full-time).
Is being a writer something you've always wanted to do?
Yes, yes, and yes. It’s a dream come true to have four Gardella books under contract (two released in 2007 and two in 2008) and to be writing full-time. I pinch myself and give thanks every single day, because I know from experience how hard it is and how rarely it happens.
What was it like, seeing your work in print for the first time?
I haven’t actually seen it yet, at the time of this interview. I can’t wait, though!
(UPDATE: Click here for pictures of Colleen fondling her new books! Heh heh Heh)
What is a typical day as an author like?
I wish I could say! One thing that I need to get a better handle on as a full-time writer is a regular schedule!
I do tend to be more creative in the afternoon, believe it or not, than the morning, so I usually blog, do email, and maybe some research or a yoga class in the morning. Then I go to or eat lunch, often thinking about what I’ll be working on later, sometimes reading for pleasure to give myself a break…and then I spend the afternoon writing until the kids get home from school, take a quick break, then back to writing until about 6 or so.
Often, I’ll eat dinner or go to an evening meeting (I have lots of them) and then get back on the computer later for an hour or so.
What authors inspire you?
Every single author who writes the best book they can; Nora Roberts to name an obvious one. Her work ethic, her great stories and characters—I really do love her books. I’m a big JD Robb fan in particular!
What characteristics would you say make up the best hero?
Despite whether he wanted to, expected it, or imagined it—ultimately, he’s got to love the heroine more than he’d ever thought it possible to love anyone.
What characteristics would you say make up the best heroine?
She cannot be whiny, bitchy, or too stupid to live. I hate that in a heroine.
Who's your number one fictional hero?
Wow. That’s a tough one. I absolutely love Roarke, from the JD Robb books, and also Ian diVipont from Roberta Gellis’s Roselynde Chronicles (Alinor is his book). I love John Smythe from Elizabeth Peters’ Vicky Bliss books—he’s so smart and rude and unheroically heroic.
I also think Aragorn is a fabulous hero, and not just because Viggo was so hot as him in the LOTR movies, but because of his character and how he put his own desires aside to take on the duty that was required of him. And I love Indiana Jones for his bravery, his fear of snakes, and his sense of humor.
Who's your number one fictional heroine?
I really couldn’t name just one...except, well...Victoria Gardella Grantworth is quite a favorite of mine.
What books would you say are your favorites?
I love Robb’s In Death series, I love the Vicky Bliss books, I love Jane Austen’s work and Mark Twain’s, and Ayn Rand’s...I love The Count of Monte Cristo and The Awakening and pretty much everything by Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Liz Carlyle...I could go on and on.
Any advice you'd like to give to aspiring writers?
Write the book.
Finish it.
Submit it and immediately start writing another one.
And keep going until you sell or give up. That’s it. That’s the secret handshake.
Finally, who did you want Buffy to be with? Angel or Spike? *g*
Heh heh heh. Are you trying to get me to give away something? (Dance Chica: *innocent look* Would I do that? :-P)
Well, even though I’ve used the tag line “Buffy meets Jane Austen,” my series really isn’t a Buffy fanfic (except for the female vampire slayer part), I think I’m safe in answering:
I would love Spike for me, because I think he’s sexy and dry and arrogant and, even though he’s blonde, he’s the one that makes me all hot and bothered. He’s a great character, more well-rounded and multi-faceted than Angel, (at least as he was on Buffy), with a better sense of humor and wit, which I do prize in a man.
For Buffy herself...well, it would have to be Angel. He’s her first real love, she’s his, and they really do belong together. It’s simple.
And besides, that would leave Spike for me. See how neat and tidy that is?
Thanks for being such a great sport. You're now free to go. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Thank you so much for giving me this chance to talk about my books and my series! If you have the chance to read it, I hope you enjoy it!
The Rest Falls Away will be available January 2007. For more information about Colleen or her books, check out her website or her blog, For All the World to See.
How long how you been a writer?I’ve been writing since I was in third grade. I’ve been seriously pursuing publication off and on for years (I took time out to have and partially-raise three babies, get an advanced college degree, and work in a few sales and management jobs—but I happily gave up the corporate world a few years ago to pursue my own business, and, now, writing full-time).
Is being a writer something you've always wanted to do?
Yes, yes, and yes. It’s a dream come true to have four Gardella books under contract (two released in 2007 and two in 2008) and to be writing full-time. I pinch myself and give thanks every single day, because I know from experience how hard it is and how rarely it happens.
What was it like, seeing your work in print for the first time?
I haven’t actually seen it yet, at the time of this interview. I can’t wait, though!
(UPDATE: Click here for pictures of Colleen fondling her new books! Heh heh Heh)
What is a typical day as an author like?
I wish I could say! One thing that I need to get a better handle on as a full-time writer is a regular schedule!
I do tend to be more creative in the afternoon, believe it or not, than the morning, so I usually blog, do email, and maybe some research or a yoga class in the morning. Then I go to or eat lunch, often thinking about what I’ll be working on later, sometimes reading for pleasure to give myself a break…and then I spend the afternoon writing until the kids get home from school, take a quick break, then back to writing until about 6 or so.
Often, I’ll eat dinner or go to an evening meeting (I have lots of them) and then get back on the computer later for an hour or so.
What authors inspire you?
Every single author who writes the best book they can; Nora Roberts to name an obvious one. Her work ethic, her great stories and characters—I really do love her books. I’m a big JD Robb fan in particular!
What characteristics would you say make up the best hero?
Despite whether he wanted to, expected it, or imagined it—ultimately, he’s got to love the heroine more than he’d ever thought it possible to love anyone.
What characteristics would you say make up the best heroine?
She cannot be whiny, bitchy, or too stupid to live. I hate that in a heroine.
Who's your number one fictional hero?
Wow. That’s a tough one. I absolutely love Roarke, from the JD Robb books, and also Ian diVipont from Roberta Gellis’s Roselynde Chronicles (Alinor is his book). I love John Smythe from Elizabeth Peters’ Vicky Bliss books—he’s so smart and rude and unheroically heroic.
I also think Aragorn is a fabulous hero, and not just because Viggo was so hot as him in the LOTR movies, but because of his character and how he put his own desires aside to take on the duty that was required of him. And I love Indiana Jones for his bravery, his fear of snakes, and his sense of humor.
Who's your number one fictional heroine?
I really couldn’t name just one...except, well...Victoria Gardella Grantworth is quite a favorite of mine.
What books would you say are your favorites?
I love Robb’s In Death series, I love the Vicky Bliss books, I love Jane Austen’s work and Mark Twain’s, and Ayn Rand’s...I love The Count of Monte Cristo and The Awakening and pretty much everything by Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Liz Carlyle...I could go on and on.
Any advice you'd like to give to aspiring writers?
Write the book.
Finish it.
Submit it and immediately start writing another one.
And keep going until you sell or give up. That’s it. That’s the secret handshake.
Finally, who did you want Buffy to be with? Angel or Spike? *g*
Heh heh heh. Are you trying to get me to give away something? (Dance Chica: *innocent look* Would I do that? :-P)
Well, even though I’ve used the tag line “Buffy meets Jane Austen,” my series really isn’t a Buffy fanfic (except for the female vampire slayer part), I think I’m safe in answering:
I would love Spike for me, because I think he’s sexy and dry and arrogant and, even though he’s blonde, he’s the one that makes me all hot and bothered. He’s a great character, more well-rounded and multi-faceted than Angel, (at least as he was on Buffy), with a better sense of humor and wit, which I do prize in a man.
For Buffy herself...well, it would have to be Angel. He’s her first real love, she’s his, and they really do belong together. It’s simple.
And besides, that would leave Spike for me. See how neat and tidy that is?
Thanks for being such a great sport. You're now free to go. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Thank you so much for giving me this chance to talk about my books and my series! If you have the chance to read it, I hope you enjoy it!
The Rest Falls Away will be available January 2007. For more information about Colleen or her books, check out her website or her blog, For All the World to See.
Labels: Author Interviews
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