Interview with Carys Weldon:
Hi Carys. Thank you for doing this interview. I would like to welcome you to the Romance at Heart Interview and Author Grilling session. *bg* We are interested to find out as much about you as we possibly can, so lets get started...
- Please tell us about your latest book.
My latest release is Pack City which is the third title in the Wanton Werewolf Series.
It’s the story of Fera, a chick that’s born a wolf, but knows she’s a human. It begins with her waiting for her first shapeshift. Through her eyes, you’ll see how Pack City works. And you’ll probably identify with her desire to have a different body. By the time she shifts, and gets “stolen” by Jack, an unnatural werewolf—she is more than ready for love. The question is…can she trust it?
- What can we expect from you in the future?
Lots more werewolf and vampire books, I think. I just signed contracts with Extasy for two vampire tales: Vampirubus, Destra and the Lustpire.
I also signed a contract with Extasy on a historical book titled To Claim a Queen.
- How do we find out about you and your books?
Check out my website! Carys Weldon.Com
- How may readers contact you?
- How many readers contact you?
Seems like quite a lot. I love that, too. So…by all means…email me. Tell me what you like, or don’t like.
- Do your fans' comments and letters influence you in any way?
Definitely. I’ve written books based on what type of hero someone wanted. I suspect that was a request for a hero that looked like the girl’s husband. But, hey…it sounded good to me.
- Do you have a favorite comment or question from a reader?
Yes. It was, “Hey…what did you do that for?”
- Why did you decide to write romance novels??
The girl loves romance. What can I say?
- How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
Well…it might be better to ask, “How much of your fantasies do you put in your writing?” Because the answer to that would be…all of them. Given enough time to write all the books, that is.
- When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?
Long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away. (In my own little world.)
My husband’s the outboard motor on my fishing boat. He stamps the envelopes and takes the manuscripts to the mailbox.
- Generally, how long does it take you to write a book?
Short novellas are only a few days writing, usually. A long one doesn’t take me more than a week. That is, if I can do it without too many distractions.
- What is your writing routine?
*Humming a Beatles tune...* Get up. Get out of bed. Drag a comb across my head.
Then, hit the keyboard.
- Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?
The flow controls me. But, I try and get in front of the computer in the morning, early, every day.
- What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing - or are there constant interruptions?
Ah. That’s life. One long series of this being interrupted and that being disrupted.
- What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
(laugh) Have sex? No. Wait. Nap. Yeah, that’s it.
- What truly motivates you in general? In your writing?
Honestly? Family motivates me. I have obligations as a wife and mother, and I take those pretty seriously.
As for the writing, I do that to entertain myself.
- Where do your ideas come from?
Wicked muses—I guess.
- Do you feel humour is important in women's fiction and why?
Hey. What’s the point in life if there’s nothing to smile about? We HAVE to have humor, even if it is only in small doses. It’s good for the soul.
- What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?
No problemo on that score.
- What kind of research do you do?
Oh. I skim the wild online stores and occasionally let my husband show me something new in the bedroom. That pretty much covers my work in the erotica genre. He is my tutor. (laugh)
Oh yeah. Sometimes I let him drag me to an adult novelty store…just to shock me out of my complacent little bubble. I’m really a pretty sheltered lady who dreams up some crazy things.
- Would you like to write a different genre than you do now, or sub-genre?
Ah. I write it all, really. Check out my list as it grows. I’ve got books in: contemporary, paranormal/vampire/werewolves, fairy tales/fantasy, and now something historical coming out. I’ve also submitted a science fiction novel. So, let’s see how that works.
- What does your husband think of your writing?
He’s gung-ho. It’s his favorite thing to read.
- Do you ever ask him for advice?
You betcha. The guy is a never-ending surprise in the erotica department.
- Please tell us about yourself (family, hobbies, education, etc.)
Lots of kids. Oh. And I have a 3 pound yorkie named Mojo Jojo and some border collies named Mickey, and Zee. Okay, Zee is my son’s dog. Wait. Mickey is my daughter’s dog. And now that I think about it, Mojo belongs to my other daughter. Hm.
Oh, that’s right. I have a horse. His name is…um…butthead. (No. I’m serious!) He’s in love with me—the squirrelly one-blue-eye sorrel and white paint stud colt.
- Fill in the blank favorites –
Dessert: German Chocolate cake, Betty Crocker Walnut Brownies—I can go on and on here.
City: I’m a Las Vegas chick.
Season: Mm. Fall?
Type of hero: Gimme a real man, a guy that’s tough enough to kick somebody’s butt, or smart enough to get around his enemy one way or another. One that’s got some type of insecurity that will endear me to him.
Type of heroine: I like women with a lot of heart. You know, the type you can care about and identify with.
- What are some of your favorite things to do?
Read? Travel? Eat?
- Do you have a favorite author? Favorite book?
Honestly? My favorite book is The Price of Peace by Jennifer DiCamillo. Can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
- Who are some of your favorite authors?
I’m an old Anne McAffrey fan. But, in the erotica genre? Jackie Rose is funny.
- Who, if anyone, has influenced your writing?
My critique group! They straighten me out continually.
- Are you a member of any author groups - RWA, critique groups, etc.?
Oh yeah. Too many to mention.
- What do you think of critique groups in general?
A writer who is serious has to have one. But, if it isn’t meeting your needs, leave and find one that does. There’s a million writing groups out there.
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
Eating bon bons in a filmy peignoir? Watching the movies of my books on a big screen?
- How long have you been writing - have you always wanted to be a writer?
A long, long time. Yes—I do think I’ve always wanted to be a writer.
- How many books have you written, how many have been published?
I signed twelve contracts with Extasy Books in 2004. And, uh, I dunno…three or four so far this year?
- After you've written your book and it's been published, do you ever buy it and read it?
Yes. I re-read my books.
- Among your own books, have you a favorite book? Favorite hero or heroine?
I love my Dark Lord. He’s so angsty about the woman he can’t find, that he knows is out there.
But, in my Werewolf Series, I think I gotta say that HOOD, who is coming out soon—is so stinking cool. Wait. So is Bark from Pack Taboo. Hm. Leer is awesome, too.
The truth is, while I’m writing that particular story—I’m in love with the guy in it.
- What book for you has been the easiest to write? The hardest? The most fun?
I don’t know. I have a good time with all of them. Pack Taboo was a lot of fun. Letha’s got a wicked streak and she drives the men around her wild…literally.
The hardest? I write erotica. There’s something hard in all of them.
- Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?
A name. That turns into a face, a fleshed out person, and their story appears around them.
- What are the elements of a great romance for you?
Believable characters I can identify with—even if they’re unbelievable like vampires or werewolves. I want to be emotionally involved from early on. Tell me what makes them tick, be consistent on that, and lead me through whatever the ordeals are to a rewarding final scene that gives me some hope for a happy-ever-after.
- What is the hardest part of writing/the easiest?
Ignoring my kids and my husband? (Ditto for the second part of the question.)
- Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?
They are alive on the pages. Sometimes books don’t go where I originally thought they might. But, as the characters develop, I think it’s important for them to make the decisions on how they react to things.
- Have you experienced writer's block---> If so, how did you work through it?
I don’t have too much trouble with that. I mean, occasionally I’ve suffered from it. I usually go to a movie or read a book
- What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?
Hearing people say that they loved my book.
- If you weren't writing, what would you be doing?
Eating…dessert?
- Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?
You can do it if you get serious. Get involved in writing groups. Work on improving your writing. Never quit. Invite me to speak to your writer’s group. I’ll come and motivate you.
- What question would you love to answer that I didn't ask?
Hm. I think you did a great, in-depth, interview here.
Let me thank you for the opportunity to talk about my books. Thanks!
Thank you, Carys, very much for taking the time with us and answering our questions. I really appreciate this interruption to a busy and demanding schedule. Good Luck, and we will be looking forward to the next delightful creation from your talented imagination!
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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