Fallen Angel Reviews would like to welcome Mardi Ballou!! Hello Mardi!! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer some questions for Fallen Angel Reviews.

I’m thrilled to be here.

Would you please tell us a little about yourself?

I’m an amazingly tall, beautiful woman who turns heads when she walks into a room.

Okay, you want the truth. I’m short, I’m a grandma, and most people are surprised when they find out I write Romantica because I look more like a cookbook author. After spending many years in NJ, I currently live in Northern California with my true hero Consort, Lee, who has great buns, is a tech wizard, and thinks I’m beautiful. I love my family, books, travel (usually to see my kids and fabulous grandson), and being a writer.

Can you tell us what you love most about writing?

My usual response is that writing gives me my only shot at controlling the world -- not that I have control issues or anything. Somewhat more seriously, I love the chance to create a world in which my characters come alive outside my head.

How did you feel the first time your work was published?

Thrilled, amazed, and awed. There was also that bit of nausea, such as when you hear yourself on tape.

What is a typical day in the life of Mardi Ballou??

I stumble out of bed and get on the treadmill for about forty minutes. I can tolerate the treadmill because I read a paperback book while I exercise. After the treadmill, depending on Consort’s schedule, I either have breakfast and make his lunch (or the reverse). Sometimes I shower before breakfast, sometimes after (TMI?). Anywhere from ten to eleven a.m., I first get to the computer. I usually start with e-mail, then quickly (sometimes not quickly enough) move on to my writing for the day. When I’m writing first drafts, I set word count goals for the day. At other times, I might be working on revision or edits. I take a break for lunch. After lunch, I usually call my dad and make any other phone calls for the day. I generally work on my writing (with breaks for e-mail) until about 5:00. After a quick dinner, I head off to the adult school where I teach adult ESL (English as a Second Language) from 6:15 to 9:30 Monday - Thursday nights. I stagger home, have a snack, talk to Consort. Sometimes watch TV, usually check e-mail. I also read on breaks during the day and in bed at night. Glamorous, huh?

Of all of your published work, which story did you find the most difficult to write and why?

Tough, tough question. I’m going to say For Pete’s Sake, which was the second book of my Pantasia series for Ellora’s Cave. It was most difficult because my mom died when I was in the middle of writing the first draft. It took a lot of effort to complete.

Do you ever base any of your characters on people that you know?

Oh, yes. This is one of the most fun parts of being a writer because we get to do so many things to the people we write about, things we could never do in the real world. People who read a lot of my books may notice that female villains have a certain name…

Where do you see your writing career five years from now?

Move over, Nora Roberts. Seriously, five years from now I see myself writing full-time, many genres of romance and women’s lit.

We can only assume since you love to write, you must love to read as well. What authors do you enjoy reading?

I adore reading and am a voracious reader. There are many authors I enjoy reading in a variety of genres -- here are just a few (I could fill up more than the page). These include my good friend Cricket Starr, who does great things with mythological themes; Anya Bast, whose writing is rich and beautiful; Lacey Alexander, great for really hot reads; Karen Marie Moning, who does fabulous time travels; and Sue Margolis, Marion Keyes, Jennifer Weiner, and Cathy Yardley for chick lit.

Are there any authors who have inspired you?

Yes, many. To name just a few: I was a French major in college, and many of the writers I read in my courses inspired and influenced me. The top one lived in the 18th century and wrote only one book. His name was Choderlos de Laclos and his book, which has inspired many movies and plays, was Les Liaisons Dangeureuses. It’s an amazing novel. Other more recent authors who have inspired me are two Irish authors, Marion Keyes and Maeve Binchy. I read everything they write. Another author I find inspirational is Susan Elizabeth Phillips. She “gets it right” in her books. In a sense, I think we writers can learn from every other writer whose work we read.

Can you tell us what you are working on now and maybe give us a “sneak peak” of your next book?

Fangs ’n’ Foxes, a vampire story I’m very excited about, will be released by Ellora’s Cave in the Nibbles ‘n’ Bits anthology on Oct. 27, which just happens to be my birthday. I’m very excited about Fangs ‘n’ Foxes, which is set in Trenton, NJ, near where I lived for many years. Darnell DeLouis, who is tall, dark, and drop un-dead gorgeous, has a very unique problem. Lucky for him that he meets LaLilia Guitry, the only woman in the universe who’s got what he needs…

I’ve just finished the third Pantasia book and sent that to my editor. In this one Nan, the “older” woman Pete hooked up with for a brief but significant interlude, finds romance and way more than she ever dreamed possible… No title yet.

For my next project, I’m planning the sequel to Young Vampires in Love, which just came out in Sept. The sequel will take place in France, home of the Comte, who we met in the first volume.

In addition to these, I’ve got several short stories and other book ideas I’m working on.

Do you have any words of advice for new writers who are trying to get their work published?

Yes, two. First, hook up with other writers and join writers’ groups. There’s so much you can learn working with other writers, and it’s important to have a support network for the various ups and downs most writers experience. There’s a lot of good information available about writing, and there’s no sense trying to reinvent the wheel. Learn what’s out there and then build on it. The only warning here is not to hook up with anyone who’s going to be a negative influence. Also, new writers should be careful to avoid anyone who makes promises and charges for critiques or editing services.

Second, have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish and move toward it. Be persistent and don’t get discouraged. Keep learning and writing. Just like every other skill in the world, you have to keep practicing (which means writing) to be a writer. Good luck!

Is there anything you would like to add to this interview? I’m honored and pleased to be one of the Ellora’s Cave writers. In the year plus that I’ve been with Ellora’s Cave, I’ve learned way more than I would have thought possible in such a short time. I’ve also “met” many wonderful writers and readers, people who are very generous with their friendship and their knowledge.

Thank you so much for answering my questions, Mardi! It was a pleasure speaking with you.

Thank you for asking such thought-provoking questions!

--- If you would like more information about Mardi Ballou and her books, please visit her website.

Interviewed by: Jennifer