Fallen Angel Reviews would like to welcome Erica DeQuaya!!

Thank you for taking the time to answer some of our questions, Erica!!

Thank you – I’m glad to be here!

Would you mind starting off by telling us a little bit about yourself?

Sure – I’m not too different from your average, everyday soccer mom except for a somewhat warped sense of humor and an extreme love of the written word (both reading AND writing). I feel fortunate that I can do both (read AND write, that is). But I like hanging out with my family most of all. I have a fun husband and son, so it’s a real pleasure.

Did you always know you wanted to be an author?

Let’s say I’ve always known I wanted to be a writer and I’ve reached that particular goal. I’ve been writing professionally since about 1981 or so, mostly articles and copywriting. I began fiction writing about a year and a half ago (although I’d been working on my first erotic fiction release, Backstage Affair, for about 14 years, off and on). Any time I’ve tried to walk away from writing in my career, something’s dragged me back to it, so I guess I’m here to stay.

How did it feel when you were published for the first time?

It was a thrill but I was also biting my nails because I really wasn’t sure what to expect. I didn’t know how reviewers or the reading public were going to react, but the response has been pretty positive so far with Backstage Affair. I think the release of Power Play, my second book, attracted a lot of good attention as well. Each release is exciting, mainly because it’s nice knowing there are readers out there who are interested in the releases as well. I’m grateful to all of them and really encourage their feedback and communication.

What do you love most about being an author and what do you dislike the most?

It’s always a thrill to go into a new story and a new set of characters. That’s the best part of writing a book, is coming up with the characters and putting them in “what if” situations. That’s why I did with Mixed Media (which is coming out in December); I put Stephen Lemont – who was the heroine’s best friend in Backstage Affair – in a romance with a journalist, than I asked the question, “what if something awful happened to him that would spark a real problem with their relationship?” That’s where the idea of the sexual harassment suit came from (against Stephen), creating a conflict with Jennifer Wartner, the newspaper editor with whom he’s romantically involved.

Now, having said that, the “polishing” stage – where I edit and edit and edit and edit and edit (get the idea?) is not one I’m happy with. I get pretty sick of the manuscript by the time I’m done with it, and am glad to give it off to the publisher or copy editor.

Is there any one person or author who has inspired you?

I’m such an eclectic reader – one month I could be reading mysteries, the next month, nonfiction. I think a lot of authors inspire me, the one who I’m most impressed with is Taylor Caldwell because her characters have a lot of integrity and honesty, and I like to think I write like that. But I also like Gail Godwin, Margaret Atwood, Janet Evanovich, Sue Grafton . . . did I mention my reading tastes are eclectic?

What is the biggest misconception about being an author?

Working from home always offers misconceptions, the one being that I really don’t work! Actually, I work harder from home than I ever did in any office situation. Also, I think people assume that any kind of writing is easy. They’re right, in a way, though – writing is easy. Editing and polishing are hard work!

What are you working on now and could you maybe give us a sneak peak?

Sure – my release, Mixed Media, comes out very soon (from AQP); beginning of December in e-book format and paperback around the middle of the month. I’m also working on a short book, Critic’s Choice, which is due out in time for Valentine’s Day (it’s a Valentine-related story). Beyond that, I’m not sure if my next romance is going to be about Judith Aldin-Paige, who was the evil heroine in Backstage Affair, or Adam Creighton, who was the hunky goalie in Power Play. I might put that one to the readers .

What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies?

I’ve had some health problems this past summer, so most of my spare time involves getting caught up on work I missed – I’m blessed with some very patient clients when it come to my copywriting and journalism careers. Normally, though, I spend time hanging out with my family. One thing I want to get back into (which I did a lot of last year) is jewelry making. I like working with beads and crystals, so that’s my next step when my work calms down a little.

Do you have any words of advice for aspiring writers?

I’ve always said that success in publishing is a matter of getting the right property to the right person, at the right time and the right place. Authors certainly have control over doing the best they can when it comes to the right property, and doing the research they need to make sure it’s the right place. But everything else – well, that’s tough to call. So basically, I’d say just believe in what you’re writing and keep on pitching it to publishers. Eventually, the right match will click.

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

I’d encourage anyone who has questions about me or my stuff to e-mail me at ericadeq@comcast.net. Mostly everyone who e-mails me knows that I will respond to e-mails and I love to hear from readers!

Thank you for your time, Erica!! If you would like to learn more about Erica and her work, please visit her website @ http://home.comcast.net/~ericadeq/wsb/html/view.cgi-image.html--logo.html.

Interviewed by: Jennifer