Romance at Heart Magazine Author Interview: Heather Beck

Interview with Author's Name:

Hi Heather. 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.

What Legends Are Made Of is my latest release. It’s a collection of four paranormal romances for the older teen/adult market. The following blurb describes my book best:

Travel to Sir Tristan’s Estate, a place where ghosts roam freely and enter into your dreams at night. Step aboard the Blue Oceana, a ship that will lead you to the world’s last merman. Get a ticket to Frank’s Freak Show to discover the truly disturbing main attraction. Finally, enter the doors of Karyn and Max Shield’s Costume and Magic Shop. It’s a place where you can buy merchandise that is out-of-this-world.

These tales will leave you spellbound and yearning for more. Are you ready to find out what real legends are made of?

Writing scary stories with twists is definitely one of my favorite genres. I hope people will enjoy What Legends Are Made Of!

- What can we expect from you in the future?

I love to write in a variety of genres and mediums so my forthcoming projects are quite diverse. I have completed a coming-of-age older teen book that is filled with adventure, romance and complications. It is slated for a 2008 release. I also have an anthology of scary stories for all ages coming in 2009.

I have been writing screenplays for a year and a half now. I have an agent working on getting my first television show off the ground. I also have two other television shows (one is a coming-of-age teen drama and the other is based on my scary anthologies) in the pitching stage. My first feature has been optioned and we are currently looking for funding.

I love writing so much that it doesn’t seem like work to me. I feel like I’ve been met with a bit of success but I know, from experience, how quickly projects can be dropped (especially with screenwriting). So, I try to keep an optimistic but realistic outlook.

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

heatherbeck.tripod.com is your first stop. I try to keep my website updated with latest releases and interviews.

Visiting my publishers’ websites is also a good idea. My publishers include:
Sparklesoup StudiosSaga Books
Rain Books

- How may readers contact you?

heather_beck2002@yahoo.ca is checked regularly. I am more than happy to receive questions about my books or writing in general.

- How many readers/fans contact you?

I’m happy to say I hear from my fans quite a bit. I receive some fan letters via my publishers’ postal mail but mostly I receive them through e-mail. I read and appreciate all the mail. I have over 400 saved in a folder.

- Do your fans' comments and letters influence you in any way?

Yes, so much. I am so grateful to those who read my work. I love answering their questions and reading what they thought about my books. When the business element of being an author gets me down I turn to the supportive letters for encouragement.

- Do you have a favorite comment or question from a reader?

I love hearing that my books took readers out of their daily lives and transported them to a place where fun and excitement ran wild. I’ve also received some supportive words from fellow writers. That is highly flattering to me since I respect all artists and their creations.

- Why did you decide to write romance novels?

This is a hard question for me to answer since my work is not strictly romantic but a combination of genres. My first book, The Paradise Chronicles was categorized as a contemporary romance though and What Legends Are Made Of is an anthology of paranormal romances. I concentrate on creating beautiful relationships between people regardless of whether it’s romantic or not. I am fascinated, however, with the ordinary man who is loyal and kind. Such men are continually used in my work and are regarded with high esteem. I also find younger women/older men storylines to be interesting. Personally, I think love is far more superior to hatred. I prefer works which utilize this ideology and am happy to create such books.

- Do you have a target audience, and if so, who are they?

My target audience is anyone who is open to adventure and excitement yet contemplating complex ideas which promote universal compassion and understanding. It is as simple (or as complicated) as that.

- Who would you say has influenced you the most?

Tennessee Williams! His work is sublimely true to human nature and superbly written. Tennessee can take ordinary situations and make them beautiful and exciting. I am also influenced by Jack London. In his attempt to assimilate man with the bush he creates strong characters that possess traits which I consider important (i.e. strength, courage, loyalty, passion, etc.) London’s work has influenced the personalities of my male characters whereas Williams has affected the way I view and choose settings.

- What are your main concerns as a writer?

My biggest concern is how to make a career from my writing. It is extremely difficult, to say the least, to support oneself on a writer’s wage.

Another concern is that someone will misinterpret my work and take something negative from it.

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

My personality and life experiences are what makes my writing. Everything I write is based upon my life. The only exception to this is seen in my scary stories. They are based on fantastical ideas, which could not possibly represent anyone’s life.

- What would you say are the biggest challenges that you face?

Finding available time is a big challenge I face. Between completing an English specialist at university and writing I have very little time.

- How do you deal with these challenges?

I have excellent time management skills. I’m not sure if it’s a matter of training or is just plain innate. Either way, I know that if you love something enough you’ll find time for it.

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

I knew I wanted to be a writer since grade two. I loved the Sweet Valley Kids’ books and felt a desire to create a fictional world of my own. English was always my strong point throughout school and I was encouraged by several teachers to pursue professional writing.

It was pure desire that lead me to submit my first manuscript. I believed in my story and characters and wanted to be published so badly.

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

If I were to constantly write a book (i.e. working on it everyday) it would take about four months to complete. It varies, however, depending on subject matter and the type (i.e. novel, anthology, etc.) that I’m pursuing.

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

I never constrict myself to a schedule. I write what I want, when I want. The only time I faltered from this belief was when my agent requested a re-write on my teleplay. Basically, if your Hollywood agent gives you a schedule, you abide by it!

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

Hiking or fishing! Any nature retreat is more than welcomed by me. It helps cleanse my mind and awaken my creativity.

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

Humour is extremely important in women’s fiction. I think most women acknowledge that society has placed many pressures on us. It’s beneficial to laugh at and question these expectations because, in doing so, we undermine the authority of the demander. In essence, laughter is freedom.

- What kind of research do you do?

I research every aspect of the publishing business. I don’t, however, conduct much research for my books since they are contemporary fictional works. If set in a foreign location which I haven’t visited, I will check out travel books and the like.

- Do you have a favorite author and/or a favorite book?

You know I love Tennessee Williams and Jack London but, surprisingly, my favorite book is J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. It’s a gritty coming-of-age novel that oozes with truth regarding the human condition.

- Who are some of your other favorite authors to read?

For such a long time it was all about Francine Pascal. I feel lucky to have met her.

- Where do you see yourself in five years?

Well, I can’t say exactly but I hope it’ll involve a hell of a writing CV and a Hummer.

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

I have five books published with two forthcoming. I am currently working on three more books.

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

The easiest part is the writing itself. It just flows. The hardest part is editing; I hate it.

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

I control them. I’d be damn concerned if they ever tried to control me.

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

I have never experienced writer’s block. I have so many ideas and uncompleted projects that I’m dying to work on. If I ever experience writer’s block I would probably remove myself from my everyday life and seek new locations or adventures (e.g. I’d try the whole rebirth thing).

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

Nothing can ever beat holding my book in my hands.

- Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

Research, respect, hone and love thy craft.

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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