Today I am speaking with Carol McPhee.

Hi Carol, thanks for taking time out to talk to Fallen Angel Reviews today.

Carol, I love the cover of your latest release Natural Persuasion. Why not share something about your release with us.

Her best before date fast approaching, biologist Julie Reagan wants a baby and responds to a rancher's personal column plea for an heir. Although artificial insemination is what Julie has in mind, once he meets her, persuasion to the natural course is Jordan McIntyre's intention.

What is your favorite type of genre to write?

Contemporary romance is my favorite genre to write--sensual not graphic.

When you are deciding your genre, do your characters decide for you?

Most definitely. I may start writing a contemporary romance, then the characters suddenly take the story to a different level incorporating suspense that I hadn't planned.

What prompted you to seek Internet publishing?

A writer, Lydia Hawke, who had just received a contract with Wings ePress, suggested I send a manuscript she had critiqued to them. It was accepted for publication as were the seven manuscripts that I sent them over the next two years.

What did you do when you received the call that you were being offered a contract?

I called our four children and some supportive friends with the news, then my husband and I went out to dinner to celebrate.

Do you have problems promoting yourself? What are some of the avenues you've used and do they work?

I'm not an extrovert so promoting myself is difficult. Selling my books at quality craft markets has worked well, as has word of mouth, speaking engagements, interviews, local newspaper coverage, and class instruction.

If you had the opportunity to speak to a "budding" author, what advice would you give them, and what pitfalls would you share?

Write every day would be at the top of my list. Be persistent with your dream, join writing groups and especially find trustworthy people to critique your work with their fresh eyes. Avoid like the plague those who give negative vibes regarding your desire to write.

There is a lot of talk about the value of obtaining "reviews" of your work. How do you feel about having your own books reviewed and what value, if any, do you get from them?

I put great stock in getting reviewed. It gives the author a chance to put her work out there, attracts readers, is a challenge in itself to override the rejection fear, and reviews provide interesting opinions on the author's ability to convey an entertaining story.

If you could change one thing about the way you write, what would it be?

I would like to use flowery language with lots of adjectives. My critiquers would have fits.

What is your favorite part of writing? What about your least favorite part?

My favorite part of writing is when an idea comes to me that practically writes itself. Undercover Trouble was very much this way. It flowed naturally each time I sat at the computer with no outline in mind beforehand. My least favorite time is when I can't string six words together to make a sentence.

Do you miss your characters when you are finished with their tale? Any that you wish you could write about again?

I do miss the characters but only for a day or so because I like the stimulation of introducing new characters and seeing their personalities develop before my eyes. I would love to write a plot for the parents of the hero and heroine in Jeweled Seduction.

Do you belong to any groups? Have any unfinished projects sitting around?

I belong to the Atlantic chapter of Romance Writers Of America and to two online writing groups--WePublish and Women’s Fiction Writers Exchange.

Carol, do you have another website other than http://www.geocities.com/carolmcphee2003 that you would love to share with us?

My publisher's website: www.wingsepress.com

What about the one habit you have that you know you'll never change?

My habit of using more words than necessary to get across a thought will probably always depend on others demanding that I make my sentences crisper. At least that's what those who critique my work tell me. I, on the other hand, believe that since the words are there why not use them? (tongue in cheek)

Carol, I appreciate you taking time out to spend with us today, and I wish you the best in your writing career with all your wonderful works.

Thank you, Linda.

Interviewed by: Linda L