What is one of your favorite things about writing?
Getting to the end. I frequently know exactly what I want the ending to be long before I get there, but I refuse to “put it on paper” ahead of time. It’s all written out in my head, so it feels like a great accomplishment to finally see the words take form.
When you’re brainstorming for a new story, what usually comes first for you, the plot or the characters?
The characters. I normally only have a sketchy plot when I start writing, but I usually have a good handle on who my characters are.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Definitely a pantser. I may have a basic plot in mind, but I find myself switching the story as I write and my characters reveal the real story to me.
When you’re writing, who is more in control, you or your characters?
My characters. The book is their story, not mine, and I have to listen to what they tell me. I may try to influence them one way or another, but I’ve found they have some darn good ideas if I pay attention to them.
Can you write sex scenes at any time or do you have to be “in the mood?”
So far, I haven’t written any explicit sex scenes in my books. I’m not ruling out the possibility it could happen in the future, but the stories I’ve written haven’t needed the details on paper. I make it clear when my characters have sex, but I leave it to the reader to supply the nitty-gritty.
What do you like best about writing?
Discovering pieces of the story that I didn’t plan ahead of time but were somehow foreshadowed. Of course, my characters know what happened even if they haven’t revealed the details to me yet, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.
What is the most difficult thing about writing?
Ignoring everything else and putting the words on paper. I get distracted far too easily.
What do you feel are some of the pros and cons of epublishing?
I think the biggest pro of e-publishing is the ease with which readers can buy books and have them available. The concept of carrying around hundreds of books on one small device is mind-blowing, especially when I think about how much room is taken up by all the traditional paper books I own. But I still love holding a book in my hand and enjoy the act of physically turning the pages. Swiping your finger on the screen isn’t quite the same.
Would you tell us about your latest release?
My current release is Wolves’ Pawn. It’s a paranormal romance, the story of Dot, a lone wolf-shifter who is offered friendship and safety in a pack but leaves again when she discovers her presence threatens the safety of her new friends.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on something very different. It’s more of a mystery with strong romance elements. The working title is The Ghost Who Loved Me. I’m hoping for a June release date, but that’s not set in stone. The main character, Harmony, has been fun to play with, and I’m hoping to write at least one more book featuring her.
Do you have an excerpt from your latest release you would like to share?
Sure. Love to. Dot, my heroine, has been on the run for several years. Her followers have finally tracked her to an abandoned farm house she used as a safe-haven.
“Follow me.” The words echoed in the back of her skull. She looked wildly around, trying to figure out who had spoken.
“No time to explain.” The wolf stepped away. “Follow me.”
Still she hesitated. The wolf moved behind her and pushed her with its nose. “Quickly, unless you want those men to catch you.”
She stumbled, almost fell, but caught herself. The wolf moved in front of her, guiding her away from the road. “My bike!” she said, stopping.
“A friend will take care of it. We need to get you out of here. Follow!” She heard voices yelling nearby. The wolf moved off at a quick lope and she had to run to keep up with it. Its path wound between trees and large stones before it scrambled effortlessly up a rocky slope. It stopped at the top and waited for her to catch up. She was out of breath and paused to rest.
“Not yet. Hurry!” The wolf moved away again, leading her down the other side of the ridge. It splashed into a small creek as it headed downstream. She tried to follow along the creek bank, but there was too much brush and she was forced to move into the water. She thought she knew these woods, but the wolf led her into unfamiliar territory.
The wolf slowed as they entered a cluster of old pines. Its paws made no sound as it padded across a thick layer of pine needles. “Almost there,” its voice encouraged her. Dot hoped so. Her T-shirt was soaked in sweat, her legs were rubbery and close to giving out, and her pulse raced. She didn’t know how much farther she could go. The wolf stopped. “Wait here.”
Her muscles collapsed and she sank to the ground, exhausted. The wolf moved off and she quickly lost sight of it. She closed her eyes and tried to remember the Zen breathing exercises Aunt Mary had taught her. What kind of crazy dream was this anyway?
You can buy Wolves’ Pawn on Amazon at smarturl.it/tyseu6 or http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HVDD1G4.
What makes the hero of Wolves’ Pawn hot?
Gavin, my hero, is strong physically but doesn’t flaunt it. The bit of scruff he normally maintains gives him a touch of bad boy, which women love. But what really makes him hot is that he tries really hard to give Dot the freedom to be who she is. He doesn’t always succeed, but he tries.
Would you tell us about yourself?
What are your favorite genres to read and write? I read almost anything I can get my hands on. Sci-fi, romance, urban fantasy, non-fiction, it doesn’t matter. If it’s a well written book, I’ll read it. My writing also crosses genres, but always has a strong romantic element.
Where can we visit you online?
I’m on Facebook at https://facebook.com/pjmaclayne and on twitter https://twitter.com/PJMacLayne.
Do you have any particular writing habits? (Listening to music, best time of day to write, etc.)
I find that listening to music helps me to keep from getting distracted. Normally I’ll put on either some classic rock or John Denver. Works better if I use headphones to shut out everything else.
Where would you go on your dream vacation?
I don’t have to go far, because my dream vacation is spending time in the mountains, and I live in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. If I want to go farther afield, one of these days I’d like to go to Ireland.
If you could be any kind of shapeshifter, what kind would you be?
Although most of the shifters in Wolves’ Pawn are wolves, (duh!) I think I’d want to be a crow. Nobody pays any attention to crows. The possibilities for infiltrating the enemy camp are numerous.
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