Romance at Heart Magazine Author Interview: Heather Holland

Interview with Heather Holland:

Hello Heather, and welcome to the Romance at Heart Interview session. This is where we dig for answers to our favourite questions. We are glad that you have put yourself at our disopsal, because we can get an opportunity to know you better.

- Please tell us about your latest book.

The Beauty Within is a Quickie with Ellora's Cave. It's a story about how the Greek gods and goddesses liked to play with the lives of others without any regard for their feelings. Medusa was a character I had always felt got the short end of the stick, so I took the myth and twisted it to suit me.

- What can we expect from you in the future?

Next up, I have a futuristic, The Drigon's Fall, about a super sexy space captain and his lady love...the ship's doctor. After that is Myst Walkers: His Wildest Desires, the story of a conservatoinist and a shapeshifter who believes herself the last of her kind. And in the works I have sequels to the futuristic and the paranormals, as well as a whole assortment of other goodies.

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

You can visit my website, http://heatherholland.net and check out my books and WIP pages.

- How many readers contact you?

Not many yet, but this is my first book. So, I’m kind of hoping that’ll change in the future.

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

I have a fantasy/paranormal combination in the works that was reader inspired. It looks to be an interesting piece and a lot of fun to work on.

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

When they say, that sounds like a good idea, or that sounds like a book I’d buy, that’s always good to hear. Other than that, I’ve not gotten much feedback yet.

- Why did you decide to write romance novels?

I have ALWAYS loved to write, and one day I just decided, “Hey, I’m going to be published” and I did it.

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

LOL, It’s more like how much of how I wish I was goes into my writing…and in that case the answer would be quite a bit. I live out the adventures I wish I was brave enough to go on in my stories.

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

My high school class reunion is coming up, and I was determined to be published before that happens. I had nothing finished, so I buckled down got it done and submitted. Sadly, it was rejected twice, but a good friend writes for Ellora’s Cave and talked me into trying my hand at it, so I wrote His Wildest Desires (in 2 weeks time) and submitted. Second book I ever finished, and I sold it…on the first try. I’m still in shock over that.

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

Depends on how fast the ideas are flowing and how the kids are acting. It can take (depending on length and outside factors) anywhere between two weeks and two months. Life’s been a bit rough lately, so this latest one is taking longer.

- What is your writing routine?

I write whenever I get a chance, kids permitting. I jot notes on everything, but I never plot and can’t do outlines. I just sit and type and it appears on screen.

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

I just go with the flow. With 4 small kids (ages 8, 5, 2, and 19months) there is no such thing as a schedule.

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

Constant interruptions. I’m currently a single mom of the 4, so it seems interruption is my middle name at the moment. I feel like I’m Mom Interruptions Writer, how’s that for a name?

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

I read, listen to music, watch a movie, or play video games. I’m addicted to Tomb Raider, Resident Evil, The Legacy of Kain series, and The Legend of Zelda.

- Where do your ideas come from?

I can get an idea from anything. The news, something a friend says, a picture, dreams, anything goes really.

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

Humor is good, just wish I could write it. Sadly, my sense of humor is lacking, though I know someone who would disagree. But I’m not mentioning why.

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

They are only difficult to write when you have an 8y/o trying to read over your shoulder. *rolls eyes* That’s not something I’m ready to explain to her just yet.

- What kind of research do you do?

As little as possible. *laughs*

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

Not really, cause I pretty much write in most of them anyhow.

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

Single mom of 4, that watches too many movies, plays too many games, reads a lot of books, and has a nursing license she won’t use. And I prefer rock-n-roll to any other type of music. *shrugs*

- Fill in the blank favorites -

Dessert - Strawberry Cheesecake
City - Not really sure on City, I’m a country girl, so wide open spaces are more my thing.
Season - Fall because of all the pretty colors.
Type of hero - Strong, yet caring
Type of heroine - Can be independent, but knows when to ask for help.

- What are some of your favorite things to do?

Listen to music, watch movies, read, and play video games.

- Do you have a favorite author? Favorite book?

Diana Palmer, anything by her. I love Christine Feehan’s Dark Series, and Ronda Thompson writes THE BEST Werewolves and Indians.

- Who are some of your favorite authors?

Diana Palmer, Christine Feehan, Ronda Thompson, or Rod Casteel, just to name a few.

- Who, if anyone, has influenced your writing?

Every book I’ve ever picked up and fell in love with has influenced my writing. They’ve made me want to write more than I already wanted to.

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

No, not a member of RWA, and I have my reasons. Maybe I’ll be able to join in the future. I’m in a couple different critique groups, then I have a few people that are strictly readers and a couple fellow authors that look over my roughs for me. Writing and perfecting (I know, no such thing as perfect) it seems to take a whole group of people.

- What do you think of critique groups in general?

If you find the right one, they can be very helpful, the wrong one can hurt you. It’s something you have to be very careful in figuring out.

- Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully, on a bestsellers list. Ok, so I may be just dreaming, but it’d be nice.

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

I have always written stories, poems, whatever I could think of to write. Seriously writing with publication in mind? Only a little over a year.

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

I have 3 completed books, 2 sold, about to have another completed, and plan to rework the one that didn’t sell.

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

Well, since this is my first, not yet, but I plan to. I’m quite proud of His Wildest Desires. I thought it turned out very well.

- Among your own books, have you a favorite book? Favorite hero or heroine?

That’s a tough one. I love all my heroes. They are all so loveable in their own ways. It’s like picking a favorite kid, impossible.

- What book for you has been the easiest to write? The hardest? The most fun?

So far, easiest was His Wildest Desires. Hardest would be The Beauty Within cause of all the cuts and the short word count, and that one would also be the most fun, cause it was a Mythology Twist.

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

It varies with the stories. Each starts out differently.

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

An intriguing story that keeps me captivated enough to keep reading, strong characters, nice setting, and a happily ever after.

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

The hardest? Finishing it and editing it. The easiest? Starting it. *laughs*

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

The Characters have most of the control. They tend to surprise me at times with the things they do, but sometimes I can change their minds, if I’m lucky.

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

I have so many story ideas, that’s not been a problem. I’ve always got something I can work on. So if one story gets “stuck” I work on something else until the characters decide to cooperate. My biggest problem right now is getting back

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

Seeing your name on the Coming Soon or New Release page and your book cover. Ain’t a feeling like it.

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

I have no idea. Probably stuck in some horrid job, hating every minute of it, wishing I were writing.

- Any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

NEVER GIVE UP!!!

- Thanks Heather. I really appreciate you taking the time to let the readers of this site get to know you. We will definitely be looking forward to hearing more from you!

Yours in good reading,
Rose!

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