Interview

Hi Sapphire and Welcome!

 

How do you balance family, being an actress, and writing and keep it all together? What does your writing schedule look like?

 

Very busy. I write during the day, during the week mainly. Oh, if something is due, I will write in the evening hours and on the weekend too, if need be. As for acting haven’t done it in couple years, though my agent did email me to audition a couple months ago for a nation-wide television commercial. At the audition, I suspected families or kids were more needed. Haven’t done stage acting in over a year—though went with my local theatre group to NYC this past July, just for a trip. As for family, my husband supports me and is behind me to write. Our adult son lives with us at this time and he knows I write—has copy of the nonfiction ghost book, Haunted Richmond, Virginia, I published with Schiffer Books ( http://wwwschifferbooks.com )   as Pamela K. Kinney.

 

Where do you get your ideas for your stories? Do you have to do any research for them? What is the most interesting thing you have learned?

 

From my head. I guess I have a big imagination—always have, in fact. I can watch a movie or TV show, or read something, or see something while driving, and suddenly, it hits me an idea for some characters and a storyline. If something needs researching, then yes, I do research. For BEAST MAGIC, I went online and read books on African lions and on South Africa, especially the Bushveld. Since I have never been to South Africa, I had to do this. Same thing for my first male/male romance story, The Dark Man, in FORBIDDEN LOVE:   SACRED BANDS anthology, being a heterosexual woman is a far cry from   understanding a man having sex with another man.

 

Are you pretty open minded when it comes to critics or praise of your writing?

 

Yes, I am. After all, I have done reviews for Romance Divas when they did reviews, plus done reviews on my blogs. Everyone’s tastes and what they like are all different and everyone is entitled to their opinion.

 

Do you remember the day you were told that your book was being published? Can you take our readers through that day?

 

Depends on which pseudonym…LOL. I was in shock. Wanted to dance. Literally it was a high. First person told was my husband. After that, my supportive friends. I still get a high on anything, whether print book, e-book, short story, or poem. I feel humbled that others are able to read what comes out of my mind.

 

What do you feel is a must in a hero? How about a heroine? Is there anything that drives you nuts about a hero/heroine when you read?

 

That’s a good question. I hope each of my heroes and heroines are different from the last one. That maybe they can change. Like Branigan Darkman in Soul Seduction in FORBIDDEN LOVE:   BAD BOYS. He was what I call a real bastard of a bad boy—a fairy. The Love Talker, seducer and ruination of females, both immortal and mortal. But yet, falling in love with a human made him want to change for her, to become mortal. The ultimate sacrifice.   What drives me nuts on a hero/heroine I read—take Anita Blake, who is a strong woman in Laurell K. Hamilton’s books. I didn’t care about the sex or such in the later books, what bothered me was taking this strong woman and making her into a Charlie Brown. She didn’t grow, but downgraded. I still read them, and Laurell’s other books, but this woman was strong and had her opinions and suddenly she becomes wishy-washy.

 

You have had a few different jobs, have you ever incorporated any of the people you have met along the way in your stories?

 

Most of what I write is all in my imagination, even my romantic heroes. But I did do a horror story using real people and a real plasma donation center in it. The people were all interesting, super characters in real life, perfect for a story. And have contests, in which a fan won to be a character in my story.

 

You have workshops for other writers, what kinds of workshops do you have? Have you taken any classes to hone your skills?

 

I have done panels at conventions and even done one on promoting your book. As for me taking classes, I have done in the past. Not so much writing, like I did years ago, but the promoting and getting published ones these days. Last one I took on writing that was super was “Writing a hook”.

 

How did you meet your husband?

 

He was in the Navy back in ’77 and I volunteered Christmas eve at the Armed forced YMCA in San Diego. He came in with some other sailors and kept following me around. He asked me to meet him day after Christmas, and after that we dated a lot. Got married March 12, 2007, and still married to each other.

 

What is the most romantic thing you have done for each other?

 

Making sure we do go out together on a ‘date’. By the way, we still hold hands, and he calls me on his cell everyday from work to say I love you.

 

What age is your inner child and why did you pick that age?

 

10? I was still a child—not super young, but had fun and was adventurous.

 

What is one question that you would love to answer but no one has asked you yet?

 

If I could be any of my characters who would I be?

 

MORE FUN…

 

What characteristics do you love in a person? Which ones do you despise?

 

Being honest, kind, considerate, and funny. Saying nasty things about someone behind their back.

 

What do you feel is the sexiest feature on a man? How about the least sexy?

 

The eyes. That’s what attracted me to my husband and all past boyfriends. If the man is gross in his manners and acts rude to others.

 

What is the most interesting acting job that you have taken?

 

The supporting role in this independent film, Penance.

 

What is your all time favorite movie?

 

I love Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Day the Earth Stood Still, The Christmas Story, and the POTC films.

 

What about TV show, is there one that you just can’t miss?

 

Supernatural, Stargate: Atlantis and Heroes for the current ones. Past ones: Babylon 5, Star Trek classic and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

 

Thank you so much, Sapphire, for spending time with us today, and best of luck with your writing pursuits.

By Kim Atchue-Cusella

Romance Junkies Publishing Editor

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