Welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews Tawny Taylor! Thank you so much for taking the time to interview with us about your new release Wet and Wilde and writing in general.

Thank you for inviting me!

Please tell us about yourself.

Not much to tell :0) I'm 29 and holding (I wish). I'm married, have five wonderful kids ranging in age from 16 to a fetus (due July 17th), and I am a full time author. I'm blessed with a supportive husband who works around the clock to keep me home.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

To be honest, I didn't think about being a full-time writer until after my fourth child was born-almost four years ago. Before then, it would have been impossible. For years, I was a single parent, and my children relied on my income to provide a roof and food. I worked in several different fields. But the one thing I can say, now that I can look back with that famous 20-20 vision, is that no matter where I worked, I always found a way to sneak some form of writing into my work. For fun, I also wrote scripts for a large church that used drama for outreach and during services. Ever tried to write a funny twenty-minute skit about the Beatitudes? It was a challenge.

How did you feel when you first got published?

I was both scared and excited. Getting "the call" is not the end of the road, but the beginning of a new one, with lots of dips and turns and hills to climb. I was realistic, I think. I knew I wouldn't become rich and famous overnight. The problem was explaining that to everyone around me who assumed I would.

Has your life changed since you were first published? If so, how?

In many ways, my life hasn't changed a bit. In others it has. I still sit and write every day. I still have the same insecurities I had before I was published. I still get stuck sometimes and look to friends for help. I still have too many bills to pay :0)

However, there have been changes, both good and bad. Now, I'm also juggling writing with marketing. Some unpublished "friends" are no longer there for support. I get a paycheck every month. I have multiple projects promised to multiple publishers and have deadlines to meet and edits to complete. Writing is work, a career, not a hobby.

And I'm blissfully happy.

How did you celebrate?

My husband and I did something we don't do very often-because we have a houseful of kids-we went out for dinner. Just the two of us. That's about all the celebration I can handle these days. *g*

Please tell us a little about Wet and Wilde due out in April from Ellora's Cave.

I'm very excited about Wet and Wilde! I love the irony in the premise: a woman scared of water falling in love with a selkie (similar to a merman). Jane is a regular type of gal, not a Barbie. She has a wonderful sense of humor and is easy to relate to. Josh is a hunk. He's an amazing lover, has some quirky food preferences, but gently prods Jane to overcome her fear of water. Their story is very special to me.

What are you currently working on?

I'm currently working on a book for a series for Ellora's Cave. It's very different from Tempting Fate and Wet and Wilde. More serious, a futuristic with more plot. I'm both excited about the challenge of trying something new, and scared. Typical me, I can never feel one emotion at a time :0)

I'm also working on a short story for a new publisher. The story's a modern take on Peter Pan. Pete's all grown up, though, and Tina the pixie discovers both the joys and drawbacks of dealing with adult men. Having lived with boys for eons, she's in for a few surprises.*g*

What else can we look forward to from you?

I have several novellas submitted to different publishers. Echelon Press has accepted a historical time travel titled Renaissance Romp. That's due to be released late spring, early summer this year. In addition, I have a story in Ellora's Cavemen IV, titled Body Chemistry, a contemporary comedy. In 2005, you'll see me dabbling in futuristic a bit but I'll also have more contemporary and paranormal comedy releases. I'm branching out, with releases from Ellora's Cave, Echelon Press, and others (Can't say yet where. Don't have contracts.) Finally, I'm also writing a novella for Echelon Press's new Men of Entice program, an exciting collaboration between author, publisher and cover model.

Who are your favorite authors?

This is a hard question for me since it's always changing as I try new authors. At the moment, my favorite is Christine Warren. I love her comedic spin on shapeshifters and vamps.

Do you have a genre you prefer to read? If so, what?

Here too, I tend to pick a sub-genre for a while, read it like crazy then get tired of it and move on. I'm very fickle. *g* Right now, I want steam in a romance novel. Sweet contemporary is out. Give me heat and comedy. Vamps and werewolves are welcome but not necessary.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

Writing! Even the youngest will be in school by then. Won't that be heaven! Otherwise, I don't expect much else to change.

Do you have a set writing schedule?

I wish! I have two small children at home all day. I sneak in writing between fights, lunch breaks, snack breaks, more fights, and general chaos.

When you are not writing, what do you like to do? Hobbies?

I have very little time (and energy) for hobbies right now. In the past, before child number three and four were born, I enjoyed sewing Renaissance costumes. I love interior design, and like watching TV programs like Trading Spaces. And I've been known to paint a mural or two…or more. My surroundings affect my mood, so the happier and brighter they are, the better.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Find a good critique group, one that won't just feed your ego. It might be hard to hear criticism, but it's better to hear it before a book is published than in a public forum, like a review site. Take the time to study the craft. Write every day. Treat writing like a career. And try several different subgenres and writing processes (pants, plot, etc.) to help you find your niche--the combination of voice and subgenre where you fit best.

Is there anything you would like to add to this interview?

I think that pretty much covers it.

Thank you again, Tawny, for interviewing with us. It was a pleasure to meet you!

My pleasure! Thank you!

Interviewed by:
Cindy