Romance at Heart Magazine Author Interview: C.J. Winters

Interview with C.J. Winters:

Hi C.J.. 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.

A Dazzing Spring, Book 3 of the Autumn in Cranky Otter series, continues the generational love stories of an American family in the 20th century. In 1963-4, Dannie, a rising young TV actress, is newly engaged to her leading man, Tyle, when she meets Zane, an older history professor-novelist with a polio limp. Dannie hopes to be cast in the TV production of Zane's novel, which means getting to know him. Turned on by the fey, high-strung actress, but mindful of her engagement, Zane courts her privately in his unique way. Although a strong bond develops between them, Dannie's extreme ambition threatens to destroy the relationship...

- What can we expect from you in the future?

Autumn in Cranky Otter, Book 4 of the series, will soon be available, as will Mai's Ties, a mainstream romance. Three scheduled anthologies include some of my short stories, and I'm working on two novels, an historical western romance and a mystery-suspense.

- How do we find out about you and your books?

To read a chapter of each of my eight published novels and check the already-published anthologies in which I have stories, go to cjwinters.com. From there are links to my publishers.

- How may readers contact you?

There's an email address on my website.

- Why did you decide to write romance novels?

When I started writing, the only writing group I knew about was romance-based. I found the stories fun to write (I like Happily Ever After), so I kept it up, adding cozy mystery and lots of ESP to the mix.

- How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?

Not much except that my heroines and heroes are earthy people, most with rural or small city roots.

- When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?

I started writing romance novels in 1985, and submitted the first one as soon as I finished it. Surprise--no one was interested in a romance set in 2025! My second novel was set in Rwanda. Talk about bad timing!

- Generally, how long does it take you to write a book?

Months, usually, for the inital draft, but I continue polishing it as long as it's in my hands

- What is your writing routine?

That I don't have one. Invariably, though, I begin by going back over previous pages and polish. I'm a born editor and can't stop. Fortunately each subsequent going-over improves the product.

- Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?

No set schedule, although morning and late afternoon seem best for me.

- What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing - or are there constant interruptions?

We're three adults, and being a former advertising copywriter, interruptions rarely bother me. The resident Dalmatian isn't afraid to put his paw my shoulder and lick my ear when his dinnertime is only an hour or two away.

- What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?

Travel! I've visited nine foreign countries and most of the states in the U.S. I love visiting friends in the Ozarks.

- What truly motivates you in general?

I'm happiest when I'm creating something.

- In your writing?

While I enjoy artistic craftwork, something draws me to the computer to entertain myself through creative writing.

- Where do your ideas come from?

Usually a tiny thought. Sometimes I ask the Universal Mind for ideas--and generally receive some. I start plotting a story around a specific location, which then becomes a character in the story.

- Do you feel humour is important in women's fiction and why?

Love it! We all want and need to laugh as much as possible. We Three--my husband, our adult daughter, and I--have survived many health crises with the help of our dark humor. An outsider might be shocked at some of the things we say to each other!

- What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?

I enjoy writing them, or I wouldn't include them. If an author is uncomfortable writing at a particular heat level, then she shouldn't.

- What kind of research do you do?

As little as possible! When I'm writing I don't want to be bothered hunting for verification. Nevertheless, I do it, because I can't stand sloppiness in writing.

- Would you like to write a different genre than you do now, or sub-genre?

That's the wonderful thing about my small electronic (and paper) publishers--they've allowed me the freedom to experiment with offbeat stories. Like most authors, I do hope to write a "big" novel someday, and while I have an idea, it isn't developed enough to start.

- What does your husband think of your writing?

I'm sure he thinks it's great that I have something to occupy myself, because he knows what it's like when I don't!.

- Do you ever ask him/her for advice?

Rarely.

- Please tell us about yourself (family, hobbies, education, etc.)

B.S. in Home Economics, major in Applied Art. I love artsy crafts, but writing takes precedence. I've been a professional astrologer for 24 years, but since I started writing, all I do is check the family charts when something important comes up. My husband works from home as a salesman (our offices are at opposite ends of the house), our daughter does clerical work. It takes all three of us to tend the needs of our Dalmatian.

- Fill in the blank favorites -

Dessert. Any pastry with fruit.
City. London. I spent two days there, but I may have missed something.
Season. Autumn.
Type of hero. Intelligent, humorous, dependable, good-looking in a non-flashy way, sexy, courteous, clean.
Type of heroine. Intelligent, humorous, dependable, good-looking in a non-flashy way, sexy, courteous, clean.

- What are some of your favorite things to do?

Create something.

- Do you have a favorite author?

Lots of them. Janet Evanovich, John Grisham, James Lee Burke, J. R. Rowlings, Mary Stewart come quickly to mind

- Favorite book?

I've loved many, but forgotten most. I almost never reread a book. I did love The Bridges of Madison County.

- Who, if anyone, has influenced your writing?

All the wonderful teachers and critiquers I've known, as well as people I've loved and hated.

- Are you a member of any author groups - RWA, critique groups, etc.?

EPIC, the Electronically Published Internet Connection
Jewels of the Quill
Flowers and Hearts
Hard Shell Word Factory author list
Mundania Press author list
Bimonthly writers group at library.

- What do you think of critique groups in general?

I attended a wonderful one for 9-1/2 years and I wouldn't be writing now if it weren't for that one. Two or three others have been helpful on occasion.

- Where do you see yourself in five years?

At my computer overlooking my back yard, I hope!

- How long have you been writing - have you always wanted to be a writer?

If you don't count advertising copy, I've been writing more on than off since 1985, when I first thought of writing a novel.

- How many books have you written, how many have been published?

Ten novels written, eight published with the other two scheduled.

- After you've written your book and it's been published, do you ever buy it and read it?

I buy copies for resale, but I can't bear to read it because I'd want to edit it some more.

- Among your own books, have you a favorite book?

Sleighride and Autumn in Cranky Otter.

- Favorite hero or heroine?

Dannie and Zane in A Dazzling Spring.

- What book for you has been the easiest to write?

Autumn in Cranky Otter.

- The hardest?

The Reaping, which is only two-thirds written.

- The most fun?

Autumn in Cranky Otter.

- Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?

The setting, which becomes a feature character in the story.

- What are the elements of a great romance for you?

A lifelong love, at times a oneness.

- What is the hardest part of writing/the easiest?

Plotting is the most difficult for me. Once I have the story skeleton, I find the rest easy.

- Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?

Who knows? I let them do pretty much what they want, which turns out to be pretty much what I want.

- Have you experienced writer's block---> If so, how did you work through it?

Sure, I've experienced it. Mostly I pace, physically and/or mentally. When in desperation I finally sit down at the computer, the block generally goes away.

- What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

The knowledge that I've created something that hasn't quite existed before.

- If you weren't writing, what would you be doing?

Art crafts.

- Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

The best writing advice I ever received was Do It Anyway. Which I did. My stories may or may not follow tried-and-true paths, but they follow the ones I want them to take.

- What question would you love to answer that I didn't ask?

I'm sure that two minutes after I send this, I'll think of one.

Thank you very much, for taking the time with us and answering our questions, Constance. I really appreciate this interruption to your busy schedule. Good Luck, and we will be looking forward to the next delightful creation from your talented imagination!

Yours in good reading,
Rose!

• C. J. Winters Bio Interview Buy C. J. Winters Books