Interview

Hi Tawny and Welcome! Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to interview you for Romance Junkies.

First, can you let us know what projects you are currently working on?

 

I’m promoting my two upcoming Harlequin Blaze releases, Coming On Strong (4/09) and Going On Hard (5/09) and am really excited about them.  These are connected stories about two best friends and the hot, sexy guys they fall for.  I’m really excited about these books and hope readers have as much fun checking them out as I had writing them.  I just turned in a book that’ll be out in September, titled Feels Like The First Time and am currently working on a Forbidden Fantasy for Blaze that should be out in Sept of 2010. 

 

What does your workspace look like? Do you need absolute quiet when you write or do you need background noise?

 

I work in my family room – My husband built a wall to wall desk on one side of the room for me, complete with cabinets, shelves and lots of light.  I have a lot of plants, color and fairies around the room.  I always write with my headphones on and my iPod playing whatever playlist I’ve created for the book I’m working on.  The act of putting the headphones on seems to work like a signal to my writer’s brain, letting me know its time to get to work. 

 

What are the biggest challenges you have faced as a writer? What inspires you most to write?

 

The biggest challenge is promotion for me.  Trying to figure out how to reach readers, to get word out about my books and to know what form of promotion is going to work.  The writing itself is a constantly evolving learning process.  I seem to focus on something new with each story, be it deepening characterization, tighter pacing or a stronger three act structure.  But with each story and it’s focus, I really enjoy the challenge.  I’m inspired the most by reading.  I’ve met so many amazing authors and love reading their books and simply falling in love with the story.  It makes me want to offer the same to people who read my books. 

 

Have your characters ever taken a turn on you and changed personalities? What was your most challenging character to create and why?

 

My characters change SO much as I’m writing.  I always think I know what they should be like when I start a book, but I’ll write and rewrite the first three chapters over and over until I understand the characters, what drives them, what their fears and hopes and issues are.  Once I have a good handle on those opening chapters, the characters tend to be real to me and stay true to the personalities in the opening chapters. 

 

The most challenging character?  Hmm, that’s a good question.  I think it’d probably be Sierra Donovan, from my May 09 Blaze, Going Down Hard.  Sierra had some ugly secrets in her past, and it was a fine line to write her as both sympathetic and to not let her come across as a victim, even in her own mind. 

 

Have you seen changes in your writing since you began writing? How about in the writing industry? What do you feel are the best changes that have happened?

 

I think my writing has definitely become stronger since I began.  My voice is more well-developed and I’ve learned to embrace the elements that make my writing mine.  The industry has gotten a lot darker, more intense in terms of the books out.  There isn’t nearly as much romantic comedy on the shelves these days.  But I think one of the best changes, for me, is that Harlequin Blaze became its own line.  It’d actually started as a hotter mini-series in Temptation and was so strong and popular, it just grew. 

 

What kind of research do you do for your books? Where is your favorite place to find what you need to know? What is the most interesting thing you have learned?

 

I use the internet a lot.  For instance, in my current manuscript, my hero is a surfer.  I have absolutely no experience with surfing so I researched locations, lingo, etc. Then I contacted and interviewed an author who surfs to get more detailed information.  I think the most interesting thing I learned in this particular research was not to wear a bikini while surfing and that no, it’d be really difficult to make love on a surfboard LOL.  There scrapped that scene idea. 

 

What do you feel it takes to be a writer? What are three elements that are a must to be a writer?

 

Imagination, determination and passion for the stories they have to tell.  I really do think it takes all three to get published and turn writing into a career. 

 

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?

 

Great question!  A must, hmm?  I think a hero has to be sexy, strong and be totally in love with the heroine.  I love writing guys who love women, who appreciate them and understand that a strong woman is not only sexy, but just makes a man stronger.   A must in a heroine is strength.  She might have issues, she might have growing to do, but she’s got a strong sense of self and confidence in at least one aspect of her life.  Really the only thing that drives me nuts in characters is if they act out of character, if that makes sense. 

 

What is one thing that you yearn to learn but haven’t gotten around to yet? What are some hobbies that you have?

 

I’d love to write a paranormal.  I’m a huge para reader and am thrilled that I get to write a Blazing Bedtime Story that will include paranormal elements. 

 

Hobbies – I scrapbook, garden and read tons and tons *g*

 

If your life were a movie, what would you call it? What would the theme song be?

 

Movie:  A Happy Dreamer

Theme Song:  (oh man, this is hard) How about Bon Jovi’s Breakout *g*

 

What is the last book that you read that left a big impression on you?

 

Anna Campbell’s Tempt the Devil.  I was blown away at how strong and deeply emotional the story was, with such sympathetic and powerful characters. 

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MORE FUN…

 

What are your favorite TV shows? Do you have any that you avoid watching?

 

I watch Friends on dvd when I’m exercising, and I love Iron Chef on the Food Network.  But I start writing around 8pm, so I miss more TV than I see.

 

Do you have any websites that you are addicted to and visit regularly?

 

Romance Bandits, Writers at Play and Go Fug Yourself *g*

 

Who would you love to meet? What would your conversation be about?

 

Johnny Depp!!!  I’d probably be drooling too much to talk, but once I got a grip on my wild lust, I’d love to talk to him about life.  He’s not only gorgeous, but he’s got this incredible life-view that I am fascinated with.

 

Do you read the Sunday comics or is there another part of the newspaper that grabs your interest?

 

I love the Sunday comics!

Thank you, Tawny, for spending time with us at RomanceJunkies.  Continued success with your writing!

By Kim Atchue-Cusella

Romance Junkies Publishing Editor

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