Interview with Author Reese Johnson:
Hi Reese. 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.
Sex & Chocolate is a contemporary m/m story of Jim Williams, a lawyer, and the new man in his life, Steve Wheeler. Jim and Steve’s attraction is instant and hot, but when Jim’s ex-lover, Alan suddenly comes back into his life with unexpected news, Jim and Steve’s relationship is put to the test.
- What can we expect from you in the future?
My next book, Soul Searchers is a contemporary m/m werewolf novel and is due to be released next month.
- How do we find out about you and your books?
My website is reesejohnson.webs.com or you can visit me at www.myspace.com/46teardrops
- How may readers contact you?
The easiest way would be to drop me an email on My Space.
- How many readers/fans contact you?
I’m new to the business and Sex & Chocolate was just released a couple of weeks ago, so I’ve only received a few emails to date.
- Why did you decide to write romance novels?
My sister-in-law is an author and she and I talk about her novels a lot. One day I told her I had an idea for a story I thought she would like. Instead, she told me to write it and an author was born!
- How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
Quite a bit. I spent time in prison and I’ve seen a lot of things, heard a lot of things, and the characters I write about are people I’ve known over the years.
- Generally, how long does it take you to write a book?
So far, both of my books are novellas. I haven’t attempted a full-length novel yet. Novellas don’t really take a long time to write, but they do take a long time to edit and rewrite.
- Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?
I just go for it whenever the mood strikes me.
- What is your writing routine once you start a book?
I don’t really have a routine. I tend to write when I have nothing else to do.
- What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing - or are there constant interruptions?
No, we have a very quiet life here. I live with my brother and his wife and all the kids are grown.
- What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
I love to garden and play with the dogs. I go for walks down by the creek. The water is very soothing.
- Where do your ideas come from?
Mostly they are stories I’ve heard other people tell and I just expand on them.
- Do you feel humor is important in women's fiction and why?
I don’t know about women’s fiction, but as a man, I think humor is important no matter who you are.
- What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?
I find them hilarious. I came up in the 60’s, but even free love wasn’t like erotic romance. Sometimes I have to stop in the middle of a sex scene and take a walk.
- What kind of research do you do?
Most of what I need is in my head and comes from experience. So far I haven’t written anything so substantial that I need a lot of research.
- Would you like to write a different genre than you do now, or sub-genre?
Hmmm…I don’t really think about genres, I just write whatever I’m feeling.
- Fill in the blank favorites -
Fav dessert: chocolate…it doesn’t matter what it is, if it’s chocolate, I love it!
Fav city: I don’t really have a favorite city. I like to be outdoors around nature and water.
Season: Definitely summer. At my age the cold is too hard on my old bones.
Hero: Someone who knows who he is and what he wants.
Heroine: I like strong women who can take care of things. My mother raised my brother and me by herself and worked full time too. My sister in law raised 12 kids, and held down a full time job, and now she takes care of my brother and me, so I like women like that.
- Who are some of your other favorite authors to read?
I like Louis Lamour, James Patterson, David Robbins, Stephen King
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Are you a member of any author groups - RWA, critique groups, etc.? I am a member of RWU.
- What do you think of critique groups in general?
I think they offer so much insight into a persons writing and can be one of the best ways a person can better themselves as a writer.
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
Ha…hopefully still topside!
- Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?
The characters. They seem to bounce around my mind for a while before I get them on paper.
- Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?
I start out in control, but somewhere along the way they seem to take over.
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:
Website MySpace Twitter Facebook Blog
RaH Links:
Review Coming Soon
Purchase Links:
Buy Sex & Chocolate at Noble Romance
Buy Reese's Books At Noble Romance