Interview with Author LaConnie Taylor-Jones:
Hi LaConnie. 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...
- Why did you decide to write romance novels?
In all honestly, it begin in 1979 and I didn’t even know itJ My college roommate at the time introduced me to the world of romance when she gave me a tattered copy of The Flame in the Flower by the late Kathleen Woodiwiss. Instead of studying for my organic chemistry mid-term, which was scheduled for the next day, I spent the entire night reading one of the greatest romance novels of all times. And just in case you’re wondering, about that exam, wonder no more. Yep, I flunked big time. Overnight, I’d transformed into a hopeless, never to recover, romance-a-holic.
Now fast forward twenty-four years. One night in 2003, I was in bed reading a romance novel, but I simply couldn’t get into the story. It was well past midnight and I guess I’d whined and moaned enough. My husband rolled over and said, “Baby, if you can write a better book, do it. Now turn out the lights, please.”
At first, I thought this man was crazy. Well, truth be told, I thought he was funky, crazy insane! Down through the years, I’d been content to be an avid reader. Although I was a fairly decent technical writer in my profession as a public health educator, fiction writing is a different monster all together. Eventually, I honored my husband’s request to turn out the lights, but not before a zany cast of characters settled in my head, and wrapped around my heart. They’d later become known in the literary world as the Baptiste Family.
- What are the elements of a great romance for you?
Actually there are three. First and far most is the beauty and power of love that exist between the right man and woman. The second is the conflict between the characters. The third are the strategies the characters implore through the course of the story, which hopefully, can be used to deal with real-life situations.
- What is the hardest part of writing/the easiest for you?
The hardest part of writing is coping with the tight turn-around deadlines I face once my book enters the production process. Sometimes, my revision deadlines come at a not-so-convenient time!!!
I absolutely love sitting down in front of a blank computer screen to begin bringing my characters and story plot to life. I’m very meticulous with this process because it’s important for me to give my readers a quality product. I want them to not only enjoy the story but understand the characters and their plight the way I do. And believe it or not, I also enjoy working on the revisions from my editor. We’re in total sync and this helps me take my writing to a totally new level.
- Among your own books, have you a favorite book? Favorite hero or heroine?
Not to brag or anything, but the heroine in If I Were Your Woman is absolutely awesome. God, I love Dr. Laney Olivia Houston! Finally, a woman whirls into the life of player extraordinaire, Raphael Baptiste and ends his womanizing days.
This book is very near and dear to my heart. I wrote it during an extremely challenging period in my life. My husband Colin had recently been diagnosed with colon cancer. So while we were at chemo three days a week, I lugged my laptop with me and wrote. I didn’t realize it then, but the personal experience of dealing with cancer enabled me to become a better writer and tell a story from a much deeper perspective.
Sadly, Colin lost his fight on January 13, 2009. Despite the tremendous void in my life, I’ll always be eternally grateful and remember the thirty-five years we were blessed to spend together.
- Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?
For me, the characters come first. As a writer, I find that the more intimately acquainted I am with my characters, the more successful I’ll be in flushing them out. Once I’m in a particular character’s POV, I can write in-depth and really incorporate them in my storyline. Also, this in-depth knowledge of my characters helps me to understand what they will and will not do.
- Who, if anyone, has influenced your writing?
Oh, yes! They include and not necessarily in this order: Beverly Jenkins, Linda Howard, Brenda Jackson, Rochelle Alers and L.A. Banks, Eric Jerome Dickey, and Mary Morrison.
- Please tell us about your latest book.
Tinsel Town is about to learn a few lessons from a Southern doctor with the courage to win the heart of a man who swore no woman ever would. If it doesn’t have a scientific basis, Dr. Laney Olivia Houston doesn’t believe in it —and that includes love at first sight. But she meets Raphael Baptiste. One encounter is all it takes; and she realizes her life is changed forever. Jazz musician, Raphael Baptist is no stranger to women or their beds. When an illness strikes, his life is thrown into turmoil. But the quiet Southern belle sees beyond his past and bitterness. She sees a man who could love. . .
Also, let me add that my fans are 100% responsible for this story coming to life. It features the youngest brother of the Baptiste Clan, Raphael Baptiste. Readers will get the opportunity to revisit some of their favorite characters from my two previous titles, When I’m With You and When A Man Loves A Woman. They’ll also be introduced to a host of new characters and I believe they’ll come to love them, too.
- How do we find out about you and your books?
Here are several sources:
* Author Website URL
* Facebook
* Twitter
* Shelfari
* YouTube
* Blog
* Feedburner
* Goodreads
- How may readers contact you? –
By visiting my website and leaving a message for me - www.laconnietaylorjones.com/contact/ - I will respond in kind!
- Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?
The first tip I’d give them is to prepare. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways: reading books from authors published in the genre you’re writing in, taking courses or workshops, entering contests, and if possible, speaking with published authors in your targeted genre. Once you have a workable draft of your manuscript, join a critique group and above all, accept constructive feedback. All of these things will help in the end so that you’re providing a quality product for agents and editors to review.
A couple of books I’d highly encourage writers to purchase are: Building Better Plots by Robert Kernen and Writing Novels that Sells by Jack Bickham.
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!
Author Links:
Author Website URL Facebook Follow on Twitter Join her on Shelfari YouTube Blog Feedburner Goodreads
RaH Links:
None
Purchase Links:
Buy LaConnie's Books At Amazon
Buy LaConnie's Books at Red Rose Publishing
