Interview with Eden Rivers:
Hi Eden. 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.
Nature’s Pentacle is a paranormal erotic romance. In a nutshell, when witches use sexual energy in a rite to mend the shattered environment, the forces set in motion carry them into a vortex of loss, a sizzling ménage, and finally, to the love they never imagined they’d find.
- What can we expect from you in the future?
I have a novella coming soon with Loose Id, Strange Sabbats, a paranormal erotic romance. Here’s the blurb: For Aileen, Bryan, and Sylvie, three witches related by blood and common circumstances, finding the men of their dreams is a supernatural ride through love, jealousy—and fierce, red hot witch sex. In June, my Torrid Teasers Vol. 47 will be released with Whiskey Creek Press Torrid. And I’m currently writing the sequel to Nature’s Pentacle, Broken Pentacle.
- How do we find out about you and your books?
Readers can visit my website at EdenRivers.com, subscribe to my newsletter at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/edenriversnewsletter/join, and visit my author blog at edenrivers.blogspot.com/. I also have a MySpace page at www.myspace.com/edenriversauthor, and my books and excerpts are listed at ;Loose Id.
- How may readers/fans contact you?
Readers can write me at eden@edenrivers.com. I love to hear from people! They can also leave comments on my blog at edenrivers.blogspot.com/, or communicate through MySpace www.myspace.com/edenriversauthor.
- Why did you decide to write romance novels?
I’ve enjoyed writing all my life, and when opportunity to write full time presented itself a few years ago, I jumped at the opportunity. Why romance? Because it’s fun, and I love the happily ever afters.
- How would you describe the genre in which you do most of your writing?
Erotic romance (mostly paranormal) is the genre I’m currently published in, but I also write urban fantasy and paranormal romance. I like the variety of working in several genres.
- Do you have a target audience, and if so, who are they?
Anyone who enjoys a red hot read, and those seeking a little magic in life.
- What motivated you to start writing in this genre?
My interests as a reader decide what I write. I don’t look at market trends; I write the stories scrambling to be told.
- Who would you say has influenced you the most?
Emma Holly and Susan Johnson’s books, for introducing me to the world of erotic romance many years ago, and every fiction author in every genre I’ve ever read, for increasing my love of reading and writing.
- What are your main concerns as a writer?
Telling a great story, and telling it with skill.
- How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
I often tell people I write romance because I wanted to pick a genre as different from my own life as possible. But still, it’s surprising how much of my personality and values can sneak into a story. I think the biggest influences in Nature’s Pentacle were my connection to the earth, and my pagan spirituality.
- What would you say are the biggest challenges that you face?
Finding time to write--and raise two teenage daughters. Balancing career and family can be a challenge, but my husband and daughters are incredibly supportive.
- How do you deal with these challenges?
With a sense of humor, and a husband and fifteen-year-old daughter who chip in and cook meals when I’m in the middle of a scene and absolutely can’t pull away to cook dinner.
- When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?
I wanted to be a writer in high school, pursued many other paths between then and now, and finally got back to “what I wanted to be when I grew up.”
- Generally, how long does it take you to write a book?
It varies, but I wrote the rough draft of Nature’s Pentacle in about eight weeks.
- Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?
Family life requires a lot of flexibility, so I definitely go with the flow.
- What is your writing routine once you start a book?
My muse tends to drive me pretty hard, and it’s difficult getting back into a scene if I leave it too long, so my routine tends to be, “Write like crazy; take breaks when absolutely necessary.”
- What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing - or are there constant interruptions?
I write in a beautiful sun room that opens off the kitchen, so family noise is always a factor. But my girls are wonderful about letting me work when I’m deep into a story. My husband needs reminders sometimes, because he’s more likely to wander in and drag me out of the story with household questions.
- What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
Yoga, every single morning. Also gardening, and curling up with a cup of tea and a good book at the end of the day.
- What truly motivates you in general? In your writing?
Doing something I love. I’ve had jobs in the past that were just about making money, and that approach absolutely doesn’t work for me.
- Where do your ideas come from?
The answer is different with every book. Nature’s Pentacle was born out of an image that popped into my head as I was falling asleep one night. Many of my stories come from throwing a couple characters into a situation and wondering, “What if…”
- Do you feel humor is important in women's fiction and why?
Humor is important in every aspect of life, and therefore, in writing, as well. I tend to use bits of humor to lighten a dark situation and to keep the plot from becoming too emotionally heavy.
- What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?
For me, the love scenes unfold naturally from the plot, and from the character’s personalities and psychology. I enjoy writing the erotic encounters, and coming up with interesting elements to keep things fresh.
- What kind of research do you do?
With my paranormals, I don’t tend to do a lot of research. But I do love having the internet at my fingertips if I need to check a quick fact, choose a car for a character, or find out what herbs are used for protection. Little things like that.
- Would you like to write a different genre than you do now, or sub-genre?
I’m already writing erotic romance, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy, and that’s enough to keep things interesting for me. Although at some point I may take a break from writing genre fiction and try my hand at a mainstream novel.
- What does your husband/wife/partner think of your writing?
My husband is my biggest fan.
- Do you ever ask him for advice?
He’s read every manuscript I’ve written, and he gives great feedback as a reader and proofreader. I often discuss plot ideas with him before I start a book, too.
- Please tell us about yourself (family, hobbies, education, etc.)
I grew up in New England, and as an accidental Midwesterner, I still miss the ocean. My husband and I went to school together and started dating in high school. I went to college in New York, and then we ended up in the Midwest together during my law school years. I clerked in a large firm, hated it, and went on to hold several unrelated jobs after completing law school. My daughters, husband, and I enjoy gardening, and have perennial gardens all around our yard. I also enjoy yoga, reading, and watching the seasons change.
- Fill in the blank favorites -
Dessert. Chocolate cake.
City. Boston.
Season. Spring.
Type of hero. I love the paranormal guys. Must have sense of humor.
Type of heroine. Strong, independent, paranormal, must have sense of humor.
- What are some of your favorite things to do?
Listening to music outdoors under a full moon. Watching the first sprouts come up in the spring. Feeling the sun on my face on a summer day. Watching butterflies in our gardens. Watching chipmunks run along our wood fence. Sitting on our wooden bench swing and hearing birds wings flutter on their way to the feeders. Curling up with a good book, a cup of tea, and a small dog on my lap.
- Do you have a favorite author and/or a favorite book?
Sure--many. Far too many to list. But some all time favorites include Alice Hoffman, Barbara Kingsolver, Emma Holly, and Kim Harrison, to cover a few genres.
- Who, if anyone, has influenced your writing?
Emma Holly, with her erotic romances, especially Ménage, since I seem to write a lot of those. Alice Hoffman, for her careful crafting of magical elements. And many, many others.
- Are you a member of any author groups - RWA, critique groups, etc.?
I’m an RWA member, and go to local chapter meetings every month. I belong to many writers’ groups online, including Passionate Ink, RWA’s erotic romance chapter.
- What do you think of critique groups in general?
I recently paired up with the world’s best critique partner, but I’m not a big fan of critique groups, partly because of a bad experience with one during my college years.
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
Writing! With a great big backlist under my name.
- How long have you been writing - have you always wanted to be a writer?
I still have a story I wrote in second grade, about a flower goddess. I guess both my inclinations as a writer and my pagan roots set in young. During high school, my career goal was definitely writing, and I changed that under the pressure of advisors and professors who urged me to follow a more practical/lucrative path during my college years. So I tried that, with law school, but I’ve never been a practical person. I’m much happier as a writer!
- How many books have you written, how many have been published?
I’ve written three full length novels so far, one of which has been published, and two of which are out there with editors. I’m hard at work on the third right now, the sequel to Nature’s Pentacle. I also have a novella coming out soon (Strange Sabbats, with Loose Id), as well as two short stories coming out in June (Torrid Teasers Vol. 47 with Whiskey Creek Press Torrid).
- After you've written your book and it's been published, do you ever buy it and/or read it?
I have copies of my book, provided by the publisher, but frankly, after reading it over and over during edits, I have no desire to read it again at this point. Maybe someday, though.
- Among your own books, have you a favorite book? Favorite hero or heroine?
I love them all, and it’s always difficult to move on to a new project and leave them behind.
- What will your next book be about?
I’m currently writing Broken Pentacle, which picks up where Nature’s Pentacle left off. I can’t say too much without spoiling the end of Nature’s Pentacle, but I’ll tell you that the hero and heroine in the second book are Alec and Skyler, both introduced in Nature’s Pentacle.
- Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?
Nature’s Pentacle started with an image of the first scene, the magical rite to bring rain to the drought ravaged Midwest. From there, character followed, then plot. But it’s different every time. I never know how my books will come to me until they start unfolding in my head.
- What is the hardest part of writing/the easiest for you?
I hate facing a blank page, starting a new project after I’ve completed another book. The easiest part would be when my muse is with me, and words tumble onto the page so fast my fingers can hardly keep up on the keyboard.
- Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?
As a writer, I retain a degree of control at all times, but my characters definitely reach a point where I let them off the leash to make their own choices, and sometimes I’m surprised by the results.
- Have you experienced writer's block---> If so, how did you work through it?
Not so much “writer’s block,” but there are times when I’m sick, or tired, or distracted, or my muse is in Florida for the winter and I’m stuck here in the frozen Midwest, or I’m facing a blank page at the beginning of a manuscript, and my job’s a lot harder than usual. The way I cope is to force myself to start typing. Pure determination and self discipline, simple as that.
- What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?
Creating worlds and characters that never would have existed otherwise, letting my imagination run wild and seeing what comes of it.
- Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?
Keep writing. Join a writers’ group. Write some more. Enter some contests for feedback, and maybe get a critique partner. Write some more. Finish a manuscript. Revise. Submit. Revise some more. Repeat as necessary. Never give up.
Thank you very much for taking the time with us and answering our questions. 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!
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