In, The Conqueror, your character Constance is a woman to admire. Where do you get the inspiration for your characters?

Sometimes I get them from real life and sometimes they just come to me. The Conqueror came about during a rocky period in my marriage. My husband and I knew we loved each other deeply but we sort of ‘lost touch’ with why we fell in love. So one night, I started writing and just let it flow. Some of Constance’s characteristics came from me and the others are characteristics I wish I had. As for Kieran, I based him entirely on my husband. I’m not what you’d call svelte (I am a part time plus size model) so when I met my husband, I naturally assumed he would have nothing to do with me. He’s 6’3” of Nordic descent, handsome and charming with a body like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Then, one day he asked me out. After we got to know each other and fell in love, I asked him why he chose me because after all, I considered my self fat. He said he loved me no matter what size I was. It didn’t matter to him. Several times I threatened to call off the wedding because I thought he deserved better but he threatened to kidnap me and marry me against my will. He was that determined. So, therefore Kieran was born. That night I wrote the character, I recalled all of these precious memories and looked past what was wrong to find what was right. Since then, we’ve been happily married for 7 years, together for 10.

Do the characters tend to take over your life while writing their stories?

Oh yes! Sometimes they’ll say to me: “I wouldn’t say that. Take it out.” Or perhaps “I’m not that rough for pity’s sake! Re-write the scene!” Other times, I’ll wake in the middle of the night with the perfect scene in my head and have to come down to my computer and put it in. As for the sex scenes, they come to me during intimate moments. I pray that once I remember my own name, I’ll remember the scene as well.

Historical Romance is a very popular genre. What is it about this era that inspires you to write?

I’ve always been a very big fan of history. All the while I was growing up, I was never without a book of some aspect of history in my hand. My favorite is the medieval but I like to cover the gamut of periods. To me, history is very interesting and very useful today. Just as one great philosopher said: “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Through my research and my books, it’s my ‘time-travel’ portal back to the past or the past as the way I see it.

Out of your published books is there one in particular that was the hardest to write? If so, why?

I think that Viking Seduction had to the hardest to write. I put both characters into situations I’d never been in so I had to explore all their emotions. Erik was fairly easy but Morgana was a little tougher. Erik wasn’t really out of his element but she was so it took a little bit of ‘self-exploration’ to find those necessary emotions. I did have one help on this character. It was my best friend, Dorothy. I’ve never met a stronger human being in my life. She’s weathered most things not most people have to, including losing two of her children. I myself would have been utterly insane but her iron strength helped to keep her family together and raise four children to adulthood. All of them respect and adore her as I do. Her light and beauty as well as strength are an important light to all who know and love her.

Have you ever suffered the dreaded “writer’s block”? If so, what have you done to get through it?

I don’t think there’s a writer alive who can say they’ve never had it. I suffer from it on a regular basis since my work schedule is bad. What I normally do to get through it is to carry a notebook with me and start asking myself questions about the scene I’m working on. What is the purpose of the scene? How does it advance the story? What is the hero thinking at this point? What’s the heroine’s take on all of this? Gradually, I pull myself out of the black pits of writer’s block and continue on.

Some authors began writing at a young age. Did you start early on?

Oh yes! I wrote my first story at five. My mom thought it was great (especially for a five year old) and so did my dad. It was about a lost cat. Then, as I grew, I thought about a writing career. I’d pen little stories here and there that had strong romance overtones (this was getting into my teen years and long before I learned how to write) and tuck them away. One of those stories turned into my first novel. I’m in the midst of re-writing that book and sending it along to my current publisher who is anxiously awaiting for it.

Would you consider yourself a “go with the flow” author or one who tends to stick to an outline?

I’m a little bit of both. If the story demands that I go with the flow, that’s what I’ll do. If it’s more of a complicated novel, such as Wings of Desire, then I’ll have to plot it out. In that novel, my heroine is an FBI agent who must undercover a drug and money laundering ring in the quiet town of Collier, Colorado. The only thing standing in her way is the handsome half Native American doctor who not only sends her blood boiling but could be the main ringleader. This one is going to require more thought and planning as well as research than others might. So it honestly just depends.

Has your life changed after being published?

Yes and No. I’m still the same person I’ve always been with the exception of being an author. People actually ask me where they can buy my books and if I’ll sign them once they’ve bought them. Also, they seem a little more interested in me and want to know what I’m writing next. My family, on the other hand, is scared to death I’m going to write a tell all book about them. I merely told I would change the names to protect the guilty (snicker). All in all, I think my parents as well as my husband are proud of all my accomplishments.

Most authors love to read. Are you an avid reader? If so, do you have any favorite authors?

Most definitely! I read anything by Clive Barker, Stephen King, Jackie Collins. My favorite thing to do is to try and find new authors I really like. I’m not trying to toot my publishers horn but I’ve found quite a few authors at their house I absolutely love. Among those authors are Jaide Fox, Ellen Fisher, Myra Nour, Celeste Anwar, Kerry Orchard as well as Anne Manning, Karin Huxman, Ann Patrick, Eden Robins, Autumn Dawn. There’s a few more books I haven’t read but I’m sure I’ll love all of them.

Congratulations on your new release, Viking Seduction, coming out soon! Can you give our readers a little background on this story?

Morgana, the Princess of Wales, leaves her homeland because she’s forced into an arranged marriage with the horrific King of England. She wants nothing to do with it so she boards her ship and heads to the sea to find her destiny. What she found was a surly Viking with more than just slave designs on her. Despite her apprehension at her capture, Morgana is drawn to Erik and his pain, finding sheer bliss in his arms. Only one problem arises. When her brother arrives to take her home, she has only one choice to make.

Actually, those are the same names in the movie, The Vikings, starring Kirk Douglas, Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis. It was sort of the inspiration for this story except that Einar and Erik are brothers of the same parents and are not fighting over Morgana. Sometime down the road, I plan on writing Einar’s story and redemption for his sins against Erik.

Are you currently working on any writing projects?

Of course! I’ve got quite a few projects in the works: The Warlord's Woman: a re-write of my first book (medieval)

Passionate Surrender: The pre-quel to The Warlord's Woman (medieval)

Caribbean Splendor: Set in the island of Martinique during the French occupation and the American Revolution.

Yours For a Sesaon: Set in New England during the American Revolution

Souther Rhapsody: Set during slavery days in the deep South.

Of course I’m not working on them all at one time but I alternate sometimes when my main focus novel is bogged down. I’m hoping to finish them all and send them to my publisher before the end of the year.

What would you like to accomplish with your writing career?

To be a stay at home wife and be able to bring the type of stories out that I like to see and I’m sure others want to read as well.

Would you like to offer any suggestions for others out there hoping to break into the writing business?

1.)READ:If you want to write romance, read A LOT of books of authors whose style you like. It will help in the development of your own unique writing voice.

2.)JOIN: Become part of the online community. Join a critique group and learn the craft of writing.

3.)Never stop learning about your craft. To keep from getting stale in writing, keep learning new tricks and styles. It will help in the long run.

4.)NEVER PAY A PUBLISHER TO PUBLISH YOUR BOOK:A true publisher will publish your book at no cost to you. Before accepting any offer, research the publisher as well as getting the contract before an attorney who specializes in that field. It will save you in the long run.

Do you have anything to add?

I want to thank everyone for taking the time to read the interview. I had fun answering the questions and getting to know my readers a little better. If anyone has any other questions for me, feel free to e-mail me at Tracy Ransom. I’ve had fun and hope you did too.

Thank you very much for taking a few minutes to interview with us.

Interviewed by: JoAnn