Are you a plotter or a pantser?
It’s funny, but over the years I’ve realized that I can’t be as devout a pantser as I used to be without knowing a bit more about the characters. I find myself choosing a character, then immediately I have to know who the worst potential match for this person is, and why? And how the heck are they going to get through the jungle I’m going to put them in and have a happy ever after if they don’t belong together?
When you’re writing, who is more in control, you or your characters?
Oh, I have absolutely no control over my characters once I start writing. Sometimes I’ll have an entire movie scene for the story rolling in my head, and it’s perfect, and I fire up the ol’ computer and start tapping away, and suddenly the characters are saying or doing something that was completely off script. It’s like they don’t even care.
What do you like best about writing?
This may sound weird (hey, I’m a writer), but I LOVE writing myself into a corner. Timmy’s in the well, Lassie got shot, and the lava from the volcano is about to pour right over Timmy’s head. What to do, what to do? I toss on my shoes, go for a walk, and plot, plot, plot. I should NEVER get dementia at this rate, not the way I stress the old brain cells.
Would you tell us about your latest release?
My newest is called EVER SINCE, and is a spin-off from CRAZY LITTLE FLING. While you don’t *need* to read the first, and they weren’t intended as sequels, I felt so bad for Cora after the first book that I knew she needed her own story. Plus, you get to enjoy the cameo of Gunner and Carla when they pop in at the end. It’s an HEA for everyone. J
Do you have an excerpt from your latest release you would like to share?
Love to! In this early scene, Matty is back in Skaneateles, NY, for the holidays. Cora’s grandmother had just invited him to play for their big annual New Year’s Eve party.
Two hours later, Matty rolled his eyes at his cousin Davey, barely a year younger in age but a full ten in spirit, as evidenced by the fact he couldna get his arse moving. “Have ye na packed yet, ye lazy bugger?”
“Bugger off, coz. Ye know I got all I need right here.” And he grabbed his bollocks through his kilt and gave a rogue grin.
“Ye’ll no be causing mischief at the Foote house. That woman raised me as kith and kin.”
“Then she should know ye got naught but tuppin’ on the brain.”
Nah. Matty hadna been with a woman since the day he made the biggest mistake of his life. “Doona confuse yer actions with mine, ye blighter. I’ve a heart o’ pure gold.”
He got a scoff and smile in reply.
Matty grinned in turn and gently double-checked his suitcase and pipes, making sure he had all he needed. His Da and Mum knew Matty wanted to rectify things with Cora so they let him go with little fuss. The problem was, Grandmamma Foote said nothing of Cora being home this week.
Home.
Matt wasna sure if any place would be home again if he couldna win Cora back.
Baby steps, Grandmamma Foote would say. Start with baby steps.
What makes the hero of EVER SINCE hot?
- He’s Scottish. With a brogue.
- He’s the top bagpipe player in Europe, touring with the hottest band. (Think Riverdance.)
- Did I mention he wears a kilt?
- He will do everything in his power to gain Cora back.
When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?
My hubby and I love our TV shows and going to the movies. We’re big movie buffs, and we have an extensive collection of DVDs in our media room. Our friends refer to it as the “Mini Blockbuster.” Did I just date myself?
How long have you been writing?
Professionally, since 2013, when I got picked up by Crimson Romance. Having said that, my mom kept the first book I ever wrote. She showed it to me a few years ago. It involved crayons and construction paper. (And the plot was really weak. Needs major editing.)
Do you have any particular writing habits? (Listening to music, best time of day to write, etc.)
When I need to work on a plot point, I go for a walk. I’m lucky that I live two blocks from the Erie Canal, so I can pop over and I go for about 3 miles. Downside is that it’s not plowed in the winter, so I invested in a treadmill, which is a boring walk but tends to accomplish the same thing.
Where would you go on your dream vacation?
Sun, surf, sand. Everything else is merely details.
Name three fictional characters (not your own) that you find hot. They can be from books, movies, or TV.
Hooboy, I’d have to go with Rafferty from Deb Cooke’s Dragonfire series. His book was called Darkfire Kiss. He’s calm and confident and oh, yeah, a dragon shapeshifter. Then there’s Lachlan MacKenzie from Arnette Lamb’s Highland Rogue. Total swoon-worthy alpha male. And Julia Quinn’s Gregory Bridgerton in On the Way to the Wedding. Not alpha at all, but desperate to do whatever he can to win the woman of his heart. They all “did it” for me, in a big way.
If you could be any kind of shapeshifter, what kind would you be?
Dragon. Like they say, always be yourself, unless you can be a dragon. I’d be a dragon. Teal, methinks, or amethyst. Something sparkly colored.
What book are you currently reading?
I don’t normally read non-fiction, but while hubby and I were at a flea market, I stumbled on this book called Harry Potter and Philosophy: If Aristotle Ran Hogwarts. It’s a psychological breakdown of the archetypes and characters of the famous J.K. Rowling’s series, and the ramifications of their interactions. Fascinating read, especially when the authors get into Voldemort’s personality and his parasitic rise to power.
What is the last movie you watched?
We made it to 2 this weekend. The first was Arrival, where Amy Adams plays a linguist who learns to communicate with benign aliens. It’s a “tame” sci-fi, no action, only drama, but from someone who loves language, it was really interesting. And then Hidden Figures, where African American women working at NASA on the Space Program dealt with segregation while in an arms race with Russia to get the first man on the moon. From a social commentary perspective, both are a scary testimony to the state of the human race. Panic reigned in the first one, and fear and angst in the second.
Do you have any pets?
It’s more like: have I ever NOT had pets? I am currently surrounded by my kitties, and my dogs like to pen me in at my desk to make sure I stay put. My husband and I also foster kitties for the local humane society from spring to fall. To date, I think we’ve fostered about 100 cats and kittens. It’s so rewarding to watch the little babies grow up (we usually receive them at 4 weeks, and keep them about as long), and then know we’ve prepared them for their new homes. Love doing this and knowing we’re making a difference.
About the Author:
Dorothy Callahan is one of those authors who annoys other authors by refusing to be tied down to one genre. If a tale demands to be told—even if she’s never read a single story like it—she’ll find a way to write the book of her heart. This is the only way to quiet those demanding characters begging to be heard.
She lives in New York with her wonderful husband, a pride of demanding cats, and two loyal dogs, all rescued from shelters (well, not the husband). Her love of both animals and writing prompted her to start READ AND RESCUE, an organization where animal-loving authors and readers can find one another. The unique aspect to this group is that each author pledges a portion of proceeds to his/her favorite animal cause.
When Dorothy is not writing, she enjoys shopping for antiques and renovating their pre-Civil War house. If you are interested in learning more about Dorothy or how to help other animals in need, please visit her at dorothycallahan.com, dorothycallahanauthor@gmail.com, Facebook at Dorothy Callahan Author, or Twitter under Dorothy Callahan@Callahanauthor.
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