First, Happy 4th of July from Seattle :)
I blogged over on LLOO today, check it out. LLOO Blog. Kind of a funny one! And don’t forget to check out my review at Literary Sass! Literary Sass.
I decided to do an interview with fellow Cobblestone Press author, Brandi Broughton. This is a new thing for me, that I may end up trying out on my blog on Tuesdays. Because I’ll be at LLOO on those days anyways. So this helps me get the word out about various authors. Giving back to the writing community so to speak.
When I’m not hunched over my keyboard being the writer, I’m the Brandi who married her sailor (for those familiar with the Looking Glass song) and the mother of one very precocious son, who keeps me young.
I grew up traveling all over the U.S. and, as an adult, that nomadic spirit sent me to places like: Norway, Venezuela, Spain, and Canada.
One of my most exciting career choices came right out of college. I spent most of the 90’s working as an award-winning TV crime reporter, where I got to go on drug busts with police and cover stories about serial killers. Now, I get to be home to tuck in my son each night, then use those past experiences to help develop romantic suspense stories.
Because of Journalism background, I’ve been writing in one way or another for nearly twenty years, but I began writing my first romance story in 2003. What resources, support groups do you use for writing?
Back in 2004, I started a critique group with a small circle of writing friends I’d met online. We often brainstorm online and critique each others’ work. I owe a great deal to the ladies of DARN IT, many of whom have since become published authors. (DARN IT, by the way, means Dedicated Aspiring Romance Novelists In Training, but it’s also poking fun at when those “darn” rejection letters come in, which we all experience in our writing careers.)
For Lycan Instinct, I did a lot of research through online sources, but I traveled to Chicago, and I contacted a retired police officer with the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police. He graciously answered all my questions about department procedure and hierarchy. I think it’s important to be as realistic as possible even if what you’re writing is a fictional story.
Where did the idea for Lycan Instinct come from?I’d been thinking of doing a romance with a woman as a homicide detective for a while, but it wasn’t until a critique partner of mine showed me a very sexy picture of a man in a crouched position that it all came together. The moment I saw that black and white photo a scene came to mind, and the premise for a story developed from there. That picture is now on my Web site on Rafe’s page at: http://lycanpacks.com/lycans/rafe.htm
I’m an avid reader of fiction—have been for years—and because of that, I’ve gathered a substantial collection of books…and the obligatory book shelves to hold them all. LOL So, I for one am eternally grateful to the epublishing industry. I can now take numerous full-length novels with me on a small handheld PDA. I love it! What are your thoughts about Cobblestone Press, and why did you decide to submit there?
In a few words…quality, professionalism, and trust. Cobblestone Press really impressed me with their commitment to high quality, in their Web site, cover artwork, and in the products they promote. With so many epublishers out there, an author really has to be careful. And I’ll admit that I’d wavered long and hard over submitting my Lycan story. But, after talking with Sable and Deanna, getting their answers to some tough questions, and seeing how committed they are to promoting new authors, they convinced me to go with Cobblestone Press. And I couldn’t be happier with the results.
Where do you see yourself in three years?
Like many authors and aspiring writers, I’d like to see some of my work on bookstore shelves, so that remains my ultimate goal. But in the short term, I’m working on completing the Lycan Packs trilogy, of which LYCAN INSTINCT is the first book, and who knows… Some of my critique partners want me to expand it into a series, so that could happen.
Also, I mentioned my Web site earlier ( http://www.lycanpacks.com/), but I’d like to add that it is an expansion of the story found in LYCAN INSTINCT. Hidden portals scattered throughout the site enable visitors to “sneak” into the Lykos Institute’s secret operations or “break into” the police files for cases found in the book. So, it offers readers an interactive journey into the world of the Lycan Packs, which I created in the novel…a behind the scenes visit so-to-speak. She blinked as the brilliance faded to reveal Rafael Stone, as naked as he was on the day of his birth, crouched beside her bed. “Wow,” she said on a breath. His head rose and his eyes met hers. A slow smile played with his lips, and then he stood up.
Because it’s an entertaining escape from reality. Some of my favorite books are paranormals and romantic suspense novels. I hope lovers of romance will find a blend of the best from both those sub-genre in LYCAN INSTINCT. It’s a murder mystery with a paranormal twist, but it’s not your typical werewolf romance. I took the myth, the legends of Hollywood horror films, and created a whole new concept that is mysterious, suspenseful, and sexy.
Interesting….
;-)
Very cool
well hey chickedee, that’s not a bad review coming from them. LOL. Pretty nice actually. See I’m not even brave enough to send my work to them, so more power to you. ;)
That ought to bring in more readers. :D Great job, girlie.
Pirate’s Booty! Pirate’s Booty! Pirate’s Booty! (lol)
Great interview, btw.
Great interview with Brandi. Thanks for sharing - and such a great idea to do this for your blog! Makes me wanna do it too…
But I can’t be a copy cat. :)
Enjoyed the interview! Thanks!
Paz