Today I am speaking with Rayne Forrest.

Hi Rayne! And welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews! It is a joy to have you with us today. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer some questions. The readers would love to hear something about Rayne Forrest.

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to talk a little bit about my novels and myself. Fallen Angel Reviews is a wonderful web site. Everyone works hard on it and it shows.

Rayne, I noticed on your website you have a huge range of books. Why not start off telling the readers about your exciting line and what you are working on now?

I’ve always heard that you were supposed to write what you like to read. I like to read all genres of romance so I’ve been writing futuristic, contemporary, and now I’m delving into paranormal. Although I must confess, futuristic is probably my favorite.

My next release should be a futuristic entitled simply, HERO. I hoping it will be out in July or August 2006. After that I have a paranormal, a futuristic and a contemporary all set for early 2007.

I try to space out the releases, really I do, but publishers put you in their schedules where they want to.

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?

Oh absolutely. It was a futuristic novel with my ideal hero. He’s still my ideal hero. (I share my pillow with him, most nights. Don’t tell my husband.)

I’m waiting for just the right time, and the right publisher, to introduce him to everyone. I wrote that story just for me. It’s very special and I won’t have it shortchanged by publishing it too soon.

What do you believe is the biggest misconception about being an author?

That writing is so glamorous. I like to write in my pajamas or in sweats, so no, it’s really not very glamorous. Some mornings it can be downright scary.

Have you always had a desire to write?

I certainly always had the desire to read. My mother read Black Beauty to me when I was just a little child and I think it instilled in me the knowledge that reading was the doorway to the world.

The writing was a different matter. I used to joke with my mother, the romance novel queen, that I could write a story just as good as what she was reading. When I finally did string a hundred thousand words together on a whim, she and my honey challenged me to keep going. So I did.

Is there any special ritual that you do that puts you in the mood to write?

I’ve finally got everything out of my home office that doesn’t pertain to the business of writing. Just stepping into the room usually does it for me.

I joke about being in “my cell” but the room is really a haven for me. I’ve got so many items that have sentimental meaning to me in here. My great-grandfather Forrest’s desk. A hurricane lamp my grandmother treasured. My father’s dresser from when he was a boy holds paper, office and mailing supplies. A lot of small treasures friends have gifted me with are sitting about. It’s truly my space.

Plus it has two large windows that give me great views of my backyard and the sunsets.

Where do you get the name for your books or characters?

Really original titles are kind of hard to come up with. Sometimes readers don’t really “get” the title.

I have a paranormal (ghost) story that I titled Skipping Heaven. If you’ve ever watched biography on A&E channel you know that when they’re doing a biography about a deceased person, the cover photo is always in black-and-white. So we did the cover of Skipping Heaven in black-and-white. Couple that with what are ghosts doing except skipping heaven, and I think the references might’ve been too oblique for most people. Which is a shame because it’s a great little story of hope.

The names of characters are easier. There are dozens of websites for names. I go through the lists and look for a meaning that matches some characteristic of my hero or heroine. But then sometimes I just see a name I love and I use it, like Kiana. Or, a name just comes to me out of the blue which is what happened with Talyss. I’ve no idea where I got that one but I love it. Talyss is my favorite name of all my heroines.

Do you have any bad writing habits?

Oh sure. I let myself get distracted by the Internet. When I sit down to write, I have to force myself and not to go online, not to think about what could be in my e-mail. My personal email loop is always hopping. I can’t allow myself any little breaks until I’ve finished whatever scene I’m working on because when I take a break, I’m done for. I get very annoyed with myself over it, too.

Of all the individuals you have created, do you have a particular favorite that appeals to you more than others?

I love all my characters. It’s really hard to pick a favorite. Each one has something totally unique, totally special about them.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you absolutely need to survive?

An inexhaustible supply of dark chocolate, a computer system with a satellite connection, and Gerry Butler. (Sorry you’re last Gerry. A girl has to set priorities.)

Has your life changed much since being published?

Not as much as you might think. I still have my day job. I still have all the responsibilities I’ve ever had, I’ve just added to them. I probably work a lot harder these days. I have a lot less leisure time.

What would your readers find on your bookshelf?

Books. Lots and lots of books. And some CDs. A few bowling balls and a bowling pin (the one I missed). A few Terry Labonte #5 diecasts from 1996. My vinyl albums. I have a section with beer steins my late father brought back from Germany. My honey built my bookcases to house a lot of my little “collections” of junk that requires dusting.

Rayne, when you find time to relax, what is your secret to some peace and relaxation?

I have the most incredible little corner of the planet to call my home. I live out in the woods with no visible neighbors. My honey has turned our back yard into a private little paradise. All I have to do is step through my back door. It’s wonderful. He’s pretty wonderful, too, for creating it.

Is there anything particular you look for in a good book?

Likable characters and a plotted story.

The characters should do things believable to them, including making love. Some couples would never dance naked in the rain so don’t force them to.

When it comes to plot, I like a story to stand on its own merit. Then add the romance, mixing it in and threading it through, until it lifts and enhances the story and makes it sparkle like diamonds.

If you could go anywhere, be anyone, do anything for 24 hours, what would it be?

I’d like to go three hundred years into the future and see what we’ve become.

Do you have a secret indulgence?

If I told you, it wouldn’t be a secret. Actually, I will admit to having a jewelry fetish. My latest craze is watches. I was recently in New York City and I saw so many great watches.

For Fun: What’s your favorite comfort food?

Hershey’s dark chocolate.

You have a lovely website. Is this the only one you have or do you have another that you would like to share with your readers? http://www.rayneforrest.com/

Thank you. It’s not very fancy, but then neither am I. I maintain it myself, so I keep it pretty simple. I do share a web site with a few other authors. http://www.amorousauthors.com. We’re a small group that originally bonded together for support and to help each other out. Now I’m having way too much fun with them - Monica M. Martin, Ann Cory, Twyla Dawn McNight, and Brenda Williamson. They are really cool ladies and have out some good books, too. We have a blow-out contest in the planning stages and an anthology coming so stay tuned.

Thank you so much for sharing time with us, Rayne. Anyone interested in reading more about Rayne and her spectacular books, please visit her website to read more about her incredible works. It has been a pleasure Rayne, and I wish you success with your writing.

Thank you.

Interviewed by: Linda L