Good morning! Please welcome guest author Kathy L Wheeler. Though I will be away for part of the day, please feel free to leave comments for Kathy and I will post them as soon as I return. Thank you!
~Kate
What is one of your favorite things about writing?
What I love about writing versus reading, is that you, as the author, get to make that hero suffer for that heroine. You get to pick the ending!
When you’re brainstorming for a new story, what usually comes first for you, the plot or the characters?
For me, it is usually the characters. Occasionally, I’ll have story pop in my head whose storie just demands to be told. For example, I was in the check out line a Border’s Bookstore a few years ago (tells you how long ago I wrote the story) when I saw a huge book “Quotationary.” I thought, “wow, what if a introverted, smart girl used quotes to keep people from getting too close to her. Poof! Genna Lyndsey.
On the flipside: When Tiger Woods was going through his scandalous divorce a few years back, there was some kind of headline that made me think, “this would be great for a historical.” I’ve since written that book (plot based) and submitted it to Harlequin. I’m still waiting to hear back!
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I’m mostly a pantser. But I like to lay in bed and picture the story in my head. Then I make statements at the bottom of the document of things that need to happen. So I might be kind of both. At times, I do have to do a timeline—you know, for when you are writing a series.
When you’re writing, who is more in control, you or your characters?
Ha! Sometimes, I think it’s my critique partners!.
Can you write sex scenes at any time or do you have to be “in the mood?”
Oooh, I can write sex scenes anytime.
What do you like best about writing?
The creativity. The voices in my head. You’re almost never lonely.
What is the most difficult thing about writing?
Right now, it’s swimming through all the marketing, emails, twitter, facebook. . .need I say more?
What do you like about writing series books?
I love writing series because you already know the characters, and it’s just a matter of getting it on paper. I’ve written a Cinderella Series where Cinderella’s glass slipper fits her batty-eyed stepsister. Well, then the sisters become friends. And some of the reviewers were wanting to know what happened to the evil stepmother. So. . .now I’m completing the series with her story. (I’m almost finished.)
What is one of your favorite ways to learn about your characters?
Laying in bed at night with everything quiet and just watching the movie play out in my mind.
What do you feel are some of the pros and cons of epublishing?
Epublishing certainly has advantages in getting your work out there. The disadvantage is the amount of work it takes to get your name out there and recognized.
Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
Walking through the bookstore, people watching, traveling to different places, eavesdropping on people’s conversations, reading, watching tv, movies, theater. Critique groups. Have I answered the question?
What are your favorite research resources?
I love historical. It’s just fun to see what you can find on war, peace, terrain.
Do you find it harder to write novels or short stories?
Obviously, novels take longer to write. I don’t find either one harder to write than the other. A story is a story!
Would you tell us about your latest release?
My latest release is the 3rd in my Bloomington Series, Lies That Bind. A modern woman marries for convenience to protect the identity of her child. But a man she once believed herself in love with needs her help to nail a dangerous enemy who’s enamored his younger sister. The tables turn and the mom is in danger. So the hero may save his sister, but at what cost?
I actually had to cut 10,000 words in this story. Periodically, I post those deleted chapters on my website. http://kathylwheeler.com/category/deleted-scenes/
What are you working on now?
As I mentioned before, I’m working on The Evil Stepmother’s story to complete my Cinderella Series. I’m also collaborating with three other authors on a Martini Club 4 Series.
Do you have an excerpt from your latest release you would like to share?
Excerpt: . . .Kelly slid under the water to rinse the conditioner from her tangled hair. Let the heat seep into her sore muscles. She stayed under until she was forced to rise for air.
“Comfortable?”
“What the f…”
“Uh- uh-uh,” Alex reprimanded, wagging a finger.
She sputtered water. “Where’s Taylor?”
“Happily, cleaning the kitchen, on her own.” He grinned, turning her insides to mush.
“You bribed her?”
“Of course not. I told you, she’s happy to do it.” Alex sat on the closed seat of the toilet, legs stretched before him crossed at the ankles, arms folded, holding a piece of paper.
“You should respect my privacy.”
“I am. I’m sitting over here, aren’t I? When I’d rather be in there.” He pointed. “With you. Besides, I brought you more coffee.”
“You did?” She’d forgive him anything for that. Her irritation shifted to gratitude.
Alex handed over a new cup to her outstretched hand. One glance, showed he’d doctored it. Most likely perfect. His eyes, burning with heat, never lifted from the water.
“Did you want something, barging in here?” She eyed the paper he held warily.
He looked up quickly, clearing his throat. “Oh, yes. I…I wanted to ask if you were all right?”
“I’m fine,” she said. “Thank you for asking.”
“And I want to talk to you about Sa…”
“We don’t have to talk about sex.”
“Sex?” he echoed. Alex shook his head, drawing a quick smile from her. Apparently, he’d been as affected as she. “No, I want to talk about Eckert, as in Samuel Eckert.”
“Now?”
“Can you think of a better time?” He leaned forward and dropped a kiss on her lips. “You’re naked, warm.”
Her cheeks flamed. “What’s that in your hand?”
“This?” Alex waved the paper in the air. “Colorado marriage requirements. I just printed them. Off Colorado’s state site.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she snapped. “We are not getting married. I told you last night, we could just say we did it back then.”
“Did it?” he repeated, narrowing his eyes on her.
That bland tone might land him in the lake, she fumed. Or the creek. It didn’t matter to her.
“Kelly, think of Taylor. If Eckert saw you with her, he might put the timeline together. Maybe demand a DNA test. If we were married, no one would question anything. No one has to know we just made the union legal. People will think what we want them to think. Even that bastard. Better yet, Taylor can’t slip up and say we aren’t.”
Damn it, he had a point.
What three words would the hero of your story use to describe his love interest?
Reserved, Skittish, Brave
What three words would the heroine of your story use to describe her love interest?
Relentless, Protective, Fierce
If the main characters in your latest release were invited to a masquerade party, what costumes would they wear?
Kelly might wear sheet and go as a ghost. She would prefer staying out of the limelight. Alex would wear a suit of arms complete with spear and dagger.
What makes the hero of Lies That Bind hot?
His ability to shift gears when confronted by Kelly’s over-the-top, outspoken five-year-old daughter.
Would you give us a sneak peek at one of your upcoming releases?
Of course. I don’t have a title yet (I might host a contest for that). Anyway, I’m writing the evil stepmother’s story, the last of my Cinderella Series. And I have to admit, I’ve learned several things tackling this story:
1) where Esmeralda, the batty-eyed sister’s (The Surprising Enchantress ~ book iii) affliction comes from.
2) why Pricilla, the sister with the larger foot (The Unlikely Heroine ~ book ii) is terrified of small enclosed spaces .
And perhaps most importantly 3) why the Hilda, the evil stepmother was so horrid to Cinderella (The Wronged Princess ~ book i).
Here is a small excerpt: Hilda took in a deep breath and slowly leaned back against the mountain of pillows. She closed her eyes against the obvious shared affection between her daughters and that pariah who stole Prince Charming out from under her darling Esmeralda’s nose.
A slight breeze tickled the air and Hilda’s eyes shot open, over to the lace curtains—the windows were shut. Another wave of rage roared through her blood. “Esmeralda,” she bit out.
“—who is Pierre, Stepmamá,” Cinderella stepped forward, interrupting her. “Tell us about him.” She eased down into a nearby chair.
For a moment, Hilda fought to hold on to her anger, but images from the past filled her weary brain. She closed her eyes again. “He was. . .” her voice clogged with emotion. She cleared her throat with a cough. “He was tall, like a. . .a Viking. So brave, he was. Broad, blond, ready to take on the world. Take on—my father.”
Forty-five years prior
In love. She was in love. Tomorrow they were to meet again. Quickly brushing the straw from her skirt, she straightened the bodice of her brown frock before sneaking in through the servants’ entrance round the back of the house.
“Hildegard Marit Olsson! Stop right where you are.”
Do you have a favorite character or characters you feel especially close to?
Yes! I have two. One is Lady Pricilla of The Unlikely Heroine ~ book ii. She does not care to marry or bare children. She has brains and intends to use them.
And then there is Lorianne Gentry of Maybe It’s You. This is book 2 of my Bloomington Series. Lorianne grew up on the streets and is tough on the outside. But she harbors deep insecurities despite her beauty and outgoing personality.
Would you share one of the sexiest or most romantic lines from one of your books?
From Maybe It’s You: Another groan escaped. “No. I really have something for you in my pocket. My jacket pocket,” he clarified.
What are a few of your favorite book covers that have been done for your books?
I love the Cinderella covers from Jimmy Thomas.
If you could meet one of your characters, which one would it be?
Ashton Turner III from Maybe It’s You. He’s had a hellacious life.
Do you prefer writing your heroes, your heroines or do you like writing both equally?
I think it’s really fun to write the heroes. They really have to work hard to win the heroine’s love. <*sigh*> It’s a pattern. I know!
If you could step into one of your books, which one would it be?
I think it would be fun to be a character in Quotable.
Would you share a favorite quote from your latest hero, heroine or villain?
From Kelly, the heroine in Lies That Bind:
“If I were to kiss you, that would be considered erratic behavior . . . for me. And could only be attributed to the moon. . .” Her voice trailed off in a whisper.
Would you tell us about yourself?
Well, I recently left my job of fifteen and half years as a computer programmer. So technically I’m writing full time. I love the NFL. I have season tickets to NBA Thunder Basketball, and the Oklahoma Civic Center Broadway Series. Oh, and I love to sing—but that’s relegated to karaoke.
What are your favorite genres to read and write?
Historical to read, definitely. But I’m writing some. I also love to read and write contemporary, all with a twist of suspense.
Where can we visit you online?
When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?
Um. . .well, we are smack dab in the middle of basketball season.
How long have you been writing?
I joined RWA and OkRWA in March of 2007. I started writing in November 2006.
To you what makes a great romance hero?
A hero who fights like hell for the woman he loves.
To you what makes a great romance heroine?
A heroine who does not give in too easy, whether that turns out to be her journey or just part of her personality.
Do you have any particular writing habits? (Listening to music, best time of day to write, etc.)
No! I write when I can. I can sit at a bar and tune anyone out around me.
Where would you go on your dream vacation?
Ireland for an unlimited period of time.
Name three fictional characters (not your own) that you find hot. They can be from books, movies, or TV.
Robin of Loxley – Robinhood, Prince of Thieves
Kevin Tucker – This Heart of Mine (Susan Elizabeth Phillips)
Ben Lewis – Heart of Fire (Linda Howard)
If you could be any kind of shapeshifter, what kind would you be?
Something that could fly.
What is your favorite season?
Summer! I hate the cold weather. Water, sun, heat and I’m good.
What book are you currently reading?
I’m re-reading for the 6th or 7th time Sharp Edges by Jayne Ann Krentz
What is the last movie you watched?
Hmm. I think my critique group made me watch “Lawless.” It was to help set the mood in this new collaboration my critique partners and I are doing. To their utmost disdain, I don’t watch movies much because I have so many running through my head in real time. Of course, I think they all watch too much tv.
What is your favorite comfort food?
Eek. I’m not eating comfort food at this time. Really, since November 13th of last year. There is no comfort food for me. . .You know what I’d really like? A Braum’s soft serve chocolate yogurt in a waffle cone. Large.
Do you have any pets?
I do. An adorable cat that hunted my husband down during a terrible cold spell back in 2009. She had a huge hole in her side where gangrene had set in. FYI: She’s in perfect health now and she’s a demanding little thing! We love her.
Oh what a beautiful Kitty… glad she found a wonderful home! Enjoyed learning about you through this interview.