Romance at Heart Magazine Author Interview: Nancy Pirri

Interview with Nancy Pirri:

Hi Nancy. Welcome and thank you for doing this interview. I would like to congratulate you for your recent accomplishment. Being asked to join Jewels of the Quill is quite an honour! We wish you happiness and more success there, and now...the Romance at Heart Interview and Author Grilling session. *bg* We are interested to find out as much more about you as we possibly can, so lets get started...

- Please tell us about your latest book.

Texas cowboy, STONE MITCHELL, is looking for an image change. Now that he's got his ranch up and running he decides it's time he settled down and married. He once was a Texas Ranger, but gave up the hazardous occupation when he fell victim to a madman with a knife. He conceals his facial scars with a full beard and mustache, mostly because he’s afraid his appearance will scare off the fairer sex.

GIINA LIBERATTI, is a widow with two sons, and works as an image consultant. In her line of work, she brings out the physical best in people. Stone hires Gina to smooth over his ‘rough edges’ in order to help him find a wife. Gina’s astounded when she learns he expects to marry by Christmas, which is only seven months away. She takes on the job and finds she’s growing more attracted to him each passing day. But when he starts interfering in her life, including making important decisions for her, she decides he's no better than the previous two men in her life. When she breaks off their working and personal relationship because of his domineering ways he knows the only way he can convince her of his love and of his desire to marry her by revealing his flaws.

- What can we expect from you in the future?

I’ve an erotica half done, three other contemporaries in the works, and a vintage-WWII nostalgia piece nearly completed. Also, I’m writing a time-travel which is two-thirds done. As you can see, I work between several books, simultaneously. It works for me.

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

My website! My daughter designed it when she was only seventeen. She’s twenty now and still manages it. I don’t know what I’d do without her. Go to Nancy Pirri.com.

- Why did you decide to write romance novels?

Because I’ve always enjoyed reading ‘relationship-based’ stories I decided nine years ago to try and write one. And here I am today, writing about men and women and falling in love.

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

Hmm, my ‘voice’ is my personality and there’s probably a bit of that in each of my heroines. Life experiences? Well, one of my books, which takes place at a northern Minnesota bait shop, is based on family vacations we’ve taken up north. Otherwise, none of my novels are based on my experiences. My books are all pure fantasies.

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

Since I work on at least two-four books at a time it takes me roughly about a year – but then, like the domino-effect, within that year all of them will be completed.

- What is your writing routine?

I work a full-time job so I write from 5:30 until 7:00 in the morning – before leaving for work. I start again after work about 7:00 and write until 11:00. Luckily I require little sleep.

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

I abide by the above pattern pretty religiously. Interruptions happen, of course, but I’m disciplined about getting back on track. Also, Friday nights are my ‘marathon’ writing night. I never socialize on Fridays but write from 7 until 4 in the morning. I can do this now that my children are mostly grown up, though 3 of them live at home still.

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

Knit, read, exercise at Curves.

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

Writing love scenes is wonderful! But I have to write them at the right moment in the novel and rarely write more than three or four or five…okay, I write them when and where they need to be!

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

I’ve been married to the same man (do you believe it?) for 30 years. Okay, I was young when I married. A child-bride, really. His name is Steve and he’s very supportive of my writing career. I’ve four children, ages 16 (one son) and three daughters between 20 and 23. They all brag to their friends about me and are proud of me. My eldest daughter is a wonderful writer and I’m encouraging her to work on it so she can get published earlier than I did.

- Who, if anyone, has influenced your writing?

Kathleen Woodiwiss.

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

I’m a member of Midwest Fiction Writers in Minnesota. I’m one of the founding members of Northern Lights Writers, also in Minnesota.

- Where do you see yourself in five years?

New York Times best-seller list, of course.

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

I’ve written 7. Published 4. Am working on polishing the others.

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

Nope. I’m usually so thoroughly tired of the book and characters after editing it 3-4 times I never want to see it again. LOL!!

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

Yes. My first baby that I birthed, The MacAulay Bride, is a Scottish historical romance. My hero in that novel is a real pain in the ass. He’s this arrogant Scots laird but he’s up against a thoroughly independent American woman who puts him in his place. I loved writing that book. Brianna, the heroine is strong yet resilient. Harrison, the hero, is staid and domineering but Brianna miraculously promotes this wonderful change in him by the end of the novel.

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

None of them have been really what I’d call easy.
The hardest is one I’m currently working on – this time travel that involves tons of research.
The most fun was my current release with Romance At Heart, Rough Edges.

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

Characters, then plot, then setting.

- Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

Write with joy and spirit. Immerse yourself in your creation and you’ll succeed.

Thank you very much nancy, for taking the time with us and answering our questions. I really appreciate this interruption to busy schedule. Good Luck with Jewels of the Quill, and with those four you are working on now! We will be looking forward to the next delightful creationthat you finally release from your talented imagination!

Yours in good reading,
Rose!

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