What is one of your favorite things about writing?
Freedom. I have the freedom to write when I want. I have the freedom to choose the stories I write. Writing itself is freeing and that’s the thing I love most about it. I can go to far away places or I can stay with my feet planted on the ground. It’s all up to me.
When you’re brainstorming for a new story, what usually comes first for you, the plot or the characters?
It totally depends upon the story. There have been instances where the characters come first and there have been instances where the plot has been laid out before me. Normally, the story or the characters tell me what they want and I just go with the flow.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Definitely a pantser.
When you’re writing, who is more in control, you or your characters?
Usually the characters. I have had to wait until they talk to me if I’ve done something they don’t like.
Can you write sex scenes at any time or do you have to be “in the mood?”
Normally, I just write them but as I get older, I’ve discovered I do have to be “in the mood” for them to come out the way I envisioned the first time.
What do you like best about writing?
That I have always had a passion to do it. It’s not like some jobs I’ve had where I loved the day I started then suddenly couldn’t wait to quit at a later time.
What is the most difficult thing about writing?
Generally, I don’t have any difficulty writing at all. However, sometimes I do have a hard time focusing on just one story.
What do you like about writing series books?
The continuity. I love having the same place because you can develop the world further and make readers fall in love with it as well as the characters.
What is one of your favorite ways to learn about your characters?
I used to do very extensive characters sheets on every character in my stories. Recently, I decided a different approach to a series I’m doing. For it I’m writing the heroine’s diaries for the five years leading up to the start of the first novel. From those diaries, I’m writing a short story to correspond with each month. I love doing this as I am learning so much more about this character than I ever thought I could.
Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
Everywhere. I’m a people watcher from way back. I love observing people, listening in on conversations I’m not supposed to here and just taking in the rich life around me. Now, I know that everyone can observe these things but the trick is to take those observations and turn them into a couple of ideas each week.
Would you tell us about your latest release?
My latest release is Night of the Blue Moon. It’s a werewolf story with a twist. The hero didn’t know he had a whole other family and finds himself reconnected to them in an unexpected way. You can find it here at these ebook retailers:
Kobo ~
What are you working on now?
My agent just accepted a book for a series called The MacKenzie Clan. The first book is titled Loving the Scotsman and I’m working on the second one, Deceiving the Scotsman, right now. Plus, I have the tendency to work on more than one project at a time, so I have about 3 other irons in the fire as well.
Do you have an excerpt from your latest release you would like to share?
Falling back into the kitchen cabinets, he briefly clutched his side. “Damn it, you’re just not going to give up easily, are you?”
“Why should I?” She eyed him cautiously.
“Because I could seriously hurt you.”
“Now why don’t you just give it your best shot then we’ll see just who gets hurt.”
The man slowly shook his head. “All right, now remember, you asked for it.” He threw a punch that landed squarely on the left side of her head.
Cordelia shook it off but it still left her ear ringing. Grabbing his other arm, she charged into his stomach with her head and flipped him over her back. He landed with a resounding thud on the floor next to the table and on top of the broken china. She was only able to stand there a moment, her sides heaving, when she was knocked off balance by his leg making a wide sweep. It almost knocked the air completely out of her but she managed to throw another punch on her way down.
He grabbed her fist and twisted her arm, picking her up and shoving her facedown once again on the table.
“You have no right being on top of me, so get the fuck off.” She gasped for breath, his added weight making it hard to even move a centimeter.
“You know, I think you’re a little bit sexy when you’re pissed like this. I can smell your pheromones. You want me.” He took a long, slow whiff of her, as if to imprint her on his memory.
“I don’t even know you!” She screamed and tried to buck him off her even as her nipples hardened under her. Heat swelled in the V of her thighs and feelings began to overwhelm her. Feelings that she had never felt before in all her life. Not even with her husband. It was like her body already knew this man intimately.
He leaned down into her softness, and she could feel his body coming to life. His hardness pressed into her butt and all she wanted to do was to get herself out of her pajamas. Thank God, she had decided to sleep with them on last night.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say that you like it this way.” He ground his body into hers a little more. “Take that back, I know you like it. I can smell it on you and your wet body is telling me exactly what you want. Your body is betraying you.”
Enraged, she slammed her head against his nose. “You don’t know me well enough to know how I like it. And you don’t know anything about my body.”
She heard him groan as she cracked his face. Still, he wouldn’t let go.
“It’s not going to be that easy,” he whispered close to her ear. He started to rock his now very hard cock into the gentle curve of her ass as he rained light, feathery kisses on her neck.
God, he almost had her undone. “What are you doing to me?”
“What do you want me to do to you?” he questioned and flipped her over to stare into her face. Reaching down, he placed his hands on either side of her head and pulled her up to meet him. Lips and tongues met forcefully, pulling and tasting and testing. Gently, he nipped at her bottom lip.
He felt so good up against her. Greedily, she put her hands under his T-shirt and felt the muscles. There was no way that she could have beat him no matter how hard she tried. Letting her hands roam up his chest, she plucked his nipples until they were hard, delighting in the sound he made.
“God, woman, you make me crazy.” Reaching for the collar of her shirt, he ripped it down the center, revealing her taut breasts.
“That’s not fair,” she whispered. “Take this off.” Cordelia tugged at his T-shirt until she pulled it over his head. He looked at her for a long moment, before leaning down to take her nipple in his mouth. She could see the bruises spreading across his cheeks and knew she must have some too. The original question of who he was floated into her mind, but at this very moment she didn’t give a damn.
Would you tell us about yourself?
Some days I feel older than dirt and can’t decide what’s for breakfast. Other days, my mind is like I’m 20 again. LOL! I’m a mother and grandmother. I live in Vienna, Austria right now as this is where my husband’s dream job is. We’re in our fourth year of being here and I still hate the muggy summers. I can’t wait to get home to the hot southwest desert where I grew up. I love writing and have been doing it full time for the past eleven years.
What are your favorite genres to read and write?
I love just about everything as far as romance goes but my favorites would be science fiction romance and fantasy romance with a little urban fantasy thrown in. I also love paranormal but have a hard time pulling it apart from fantasy/urban fantasy as to me they are one in the same.
Where can we visit you online?
http://www.lynncrain.com (Website is currently under construction, please use blog.)
http://www.lynncrain.blogspot.com
http://www.awriterinvienna.blogspot.com
http://throughheartshapedglasses.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/XtraOrdinaryRomance/
http://www.twitter.com/oddlynn3
http://www.facebook.com/LynnCrainAuthor
http://www.facebook.com/oddlynn3
https://www.facebook.com/groups/xtraordinaryromance/
http://www.youtube.com/lynncrain
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/684863.Lynn_Crain
https://www.amazon.com/author/lynncrain
https://www.pinterest.com/oddlynn3/
https://plus.google.com/u/1/+LynnCrain-oddlynn3
When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?
Read or talk long walks. There are many beautiful places here in Austria that I love.
How long have you been writing?
Since I was twelve. Started with poetry then decided I was going to write a novel to rival Gone With The Wind.
Do you have any particular writing habits? (Listening to music, best time of day to write, etc.)
I love to listen to music when I write. And it totally depends upon the book as to what I listen to at the time. I love movie soundtracks as well as many, many groups.
What is your favorite season?
It would have to be Fall or Winter. I love them both and obviously have a hard time choosing. LOL!
What book are you currently reading?
Mercenary Instinct by Ruby Lionsdrake
What is the last movie you watched?
Jurassic World
What is your favorite comfort food?
Mexican food particularly enchiladas.
Do you have any pets?
I have five pets scattered over 2 continents. I have a Parsons Russell Terrie named Pup Harry that I got here in Europe. At home, I have three cats (Sam, Cin, and Patches) and one dog (Jasper). I miss them all very much. But Pup Harry keeps me sane and entertained until I can return home again.
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Great interview, Kate and Lynn! Very fun too, to get a peek at what you’re working on! Write on!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for stopping by!
Thanks for stopping by, Fedora!
Glad you like the peek into what I do and my writing habits.
Sounds like we love the same things, Lynn – sci-fi, fantasy and paranormal all with a dash of romance – oh and Mexican food as well! Loved the excerpt – good luck with the writing!
Thanks for stopping by, Nina.
Great minds think alike. We’ll definitely have to do Mexican food when we get together at RT next year!