Fallen Angel Reviews would like to welcome romance author C. H. Scott. C.H., thank you for taking time away from your writing to chat with us.

No, thank you for allowing me this opportunity!

Could you introduce yourself to the readers unfamiliar with you and your work?

I write steamy contemporary, and sometimes I’ll have a touch of paranormal or humor in them. One of the stories I have with New Concept Publishing – WOMAN SEEKING MAN – is contemporary, but the other I have with them – THE SEDUCTRESS – has a touch of paranormal because it’s in a Halloween Anthology. Also, my upcoming release CRAZY LOVE is a time-travel…which I’m told is also considered paranormal. I enjoy adding humor, also. *grin*

Tell us about your new release with Triskelion Publishing, CRAZY LOVE, which will be released April 2005.

This very spicy story is my first attempt at writing a time-travel. Before I started this story, I wanted to plot out something different than the usual time-travels you hear about every day. I wanted to figure out that great twist in the story that leaves readers gasping. And I wanted to make it so they couldn’t guess the ending. Hopefully, I’ve accomplished that with this story. Here’s a blurb –

Kenya Whitaker is leery about the strange man she meets...and she’s even more skeptical when he explains he’s from the future. She doesn’t want to help, but the sexy man charms her into it, and he shows her what she’s been missing in her relationship with her fiancé.
 
Eli’s very existence is threatened, and he needs Kenya’s assistance. The man she’s supposed to marry has locked his brother in a mental institution. Joshua Montgomery must be released and put in his rightful spot as president of Montgomery Isle. If he fails, he’ll not only lose Kenya, but life will cease to exist.

Your spicy contemporary with New Concepts Publishing, WOMAN SEEKING MAN is receiving rave reviews. Care to tell us a little about Jordan and Brock, and why they are so hot?

I don’t know why they are so hot – they wanted to be, I guess. LOL But seriously, the idea struck me while at work. I know, strange place to get ideas, but I’d been talking to one of the ladies I work with, and she told me about her son, Brock. His sad love-life tugged at my writer’s heart, and he needed a happy ending. Then I met him when he came to get his mother for lunch. OMG! What a hottie! That’s when I knew I needed to write his story. While trying to figure out a plot, I thought of forbidden relationships - the kind that shouldn’t happen…like doctor and patient. BOOM! Here came my story. Let me assure you though, Doctor Jordan Reed doesn’t do anything to jeopardize her profession…although Brock really tries to get her to do something to have her license taken away. Because my hero is so hot in real life…I couldn’t help but make him hot in my story, and when a woman who doesn’t have a sex life meets a man like Brock…FIREWORKS!

Where do you draw inspirations for your characters?

Anywhere I can. I already told you about WOMAN SEEKING MAN, but not all my stories are like that. Sometimes I’ll be watching a movie, and a certain idea will jump out at me. Sometimes I’ll be critiquing one of my critique partner’s stories, and a phrase will trigger my imagination. Sometime I’ll just be at the story in the book aisle, reading the blurbs on the back and playing mix and match. I still have dreams, and that always help, and of course romance songs will help, too.

Is there anyone in your family that you wouldn’t allow to read CRAZY LOVE or WOMAN SEEKING MAN? *grin*

I have two daughters. A few years ago when I first started writing steamy contemporaries, I told my daughters they couldn’t read these books until AFTER they were married. Now my oldest is 19 and I keep thinking that day is closer then it should be. lol I know they’ll read them someday. I’m just not ready for their reaction when they read the love scenes. I can hear them right now – EWWWWW!! My mother wrote this?

You have another book released through New Concepts Publishing, a paranormal anthology. Can we inform the readers about this book also?

Sure! This story was my first attempt at paranormal. I’m still not into vampires, shape-shifters, werewolves and such, so my heroine, Colette McFarland is a half-witch, and can only use her powers with her Zoetan necklace. When a man who wants power and wealth steals her necklace, she has no other choice but to obey…until several years later when she meet his son. Revenge is sweet, but she doesn’t expect her heart to become involved. This story is actually spicier than WOMAN SEEKING MAN. I guess with a title like THE SEDUCTRESS, it had no other choice. lol

How difficult is it to ‘switch gears’ from contemporary to paranormal?

Since I don’t usually write paranormal, it wasn’t that hard. If not for the fact that Colette is a witch, the story reads contemporary. Right at the very beginning her necklace is taken way, so she was only able to use her powers there in the very beginning. I didn’t find it hard at all to write this story. Of course, I’ve started another paranormal about a ghost – and this is going to also be a time-travel, so it’s more complicated and will take longer to write.

Is there a genre that is easiest for you to write? Is there a more difficult one?

Historical is more difficult, only because of the research. In the story I mentioned in the last question, SCANDALOUS LOVE, mixing the concept of time-travel with a ghost has been more difficult than I expected…not to mention the fact that it’s going to be humorous, too!

What genres have you not delved into yet, but would like to?

Just recently, I’ve started a romantic intrigue. Never though I could write one – still don’t! lol But it’s fun and I’m receiving help from my romantic-intrigue writer friends, which helps greatly!

How do you balance your writing career with your family responsibilities?

Good question…I don’t know. I try to write every spare minute I can. I go to work from 8-5, Monday thru Friday, and I try to write three hours a night. Sat & Sun I try to write most of the day – doing housework in between and attending my church meetings, too. But when my daughters need something or have a problem, I put my writing aside and concentrate on them. Some months are harder than others, but I must be balancing everything all right. *knock on wood*

Do you have a routine that you follow when writing?

Not really. Before beginning any story, I always find out about my main characters – what will motivate them, their goals, and especially what conflicts they’ll face. Of course, conflicts actually get more complicated while the story progresses. I don’t really outline until I’m a quarter of the way through it.

Does mood music help you concentrate, or do you work better in silence?

When I first started writing a loooong time ago, I put in a classical cd (romantic) and would curl up on the sofa with a notepad and pencil. Now that I’m at the computer, I want SILENCE!!! But my daughters don’t like to give me that very often.

What other projects do you have in the wings? Can we have sneak peak?

I have many on the sidelines. I’d really like to finish my romantic intrigues and see how well they’re accepted…but right now I’m waiting to hear if Champagne Books will accept my romantic comedy 10 WAYS TO MELT A MAN’S HEART. I’ve heard it on good faith that it will be accepted, but I’ve yet to see the actual words in a contract. *crossing fingers* In December, a novella will be released in a Christmas Anthology. My story is titled, IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE MISTLETOE. It will be with Champagne Books, also. These two stories for Champagne Books won’t be as spicy as the others, but they’ll be just as fun and humorous.

What was your reaction when you heard of the sale of your first novel?

When I received my first contract (through email) I was at work. My first reaction was to laugh. I laughed so hard I started to cry. Then I ran around the office and told everybody, whether they wanted to hear or not. (my job isn’t very supportive) Then I called my husband, and when I returned home and told my girls, we laughed and jumped around the front room like teenagers. lol

Do you plan your characters out, or do you sit down and let them write themselves?

When I first started writing, I was a write-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kinda writer. Now that I know more about writing, and the rules, I plan out my stories to a point, then I’ll write the first three chapters and go from there. After that, I let my characters finish the story for me. So far, they’ve done pretty darn good!

What would we find on your bookshelf, or hard drive?

On my hard drive you’d find approximately 26 unfinished stories…or stories that are done but are in desperate need of extensive rewrites. I have bought a few ebooks from writers who I’ve critiqued with, and some I’ve won from contests. On my bookshelf, you’d find a few contemporary books, from Harlequin / Silhouette, but mostly historicals. I have close to 100 paperbacks.

Is there a way that readers can contact you and/or keep updated about your novels?

I haven’t started a newsletter yet. (don’t know how) But they could check out my website that I update every time something new happens. Or they can email me.

Is there anything that you would like to add C.H.?

Although I love talking about myself (what writer doesn’t, lol) I think I’ve said everything. I wouldn’t mind hearing from those who have read my stories whether they’d like a sequel or such. That’s always inspiring!

Thanks again for chatting with us today C.H., readers be sure to check out C.H.’s newest and hottest release with Triskelion Publishing and her two fabulous books at New Concepts Publishing.

Thanks again for allowing me this great opportunity!

Interviewed by: Joletta