Wildfire would like to welcome author Kelly Wallace. A writer who gets into the "zone" despite the chaos that may be going on around her.

Kelly Wallace

Julie: How long have you been writing? What inspired you to pick the pen up one day and create characters that capture the imagination?

Kelly:  I've been writing ever since I picked up a crayon, although I quickly learned to go from writing on walls to paper! Creative writing was always my favorite class in school. One year a story I wrote was put up in the front office of school for all to see. I went in there after class to take a look and knew that people were reading it. Being in 4^th grade at the time that was some pretty heady stuff. I knew right then and there that I wanted to be an author. 

I started writing romances when I was in my 20's and in a very unromantic and stressful marriage. I suppose writing about true love and passion was therapy for me. I didn't get anything published though until more than a decade later. Even if nobody ever saw my writing, I'd still write. That's how it is. There's no other choice. A writer simply has to write.    

Julie: What is your writing process? Do you outline, fly by the seat of your pants, or a combination of both?

Kelly: My books usually start with a seed of an idea. I'll read something or see something on television that creates a spark in me and I'll run with it. If I'm not near a computer—which isn't often!—I'll make an outline simply because the story needs to get out. But usually I put my fingers to the keyboard and see what happens. I figure if I'm not sure what will happen next, and the story keeps me fixated, it will probably have the same effect on my readers. I love when I write out a scene and think, "Wow! I never saw that coming!"

Julie: How much does reader reaction mean to you as an author?

Kelly: Reader reaction means everything. I always keep my reader in mind when writing. If I didn't I'd never get anything published. I enjoy creating characters that readers fall in love with, or even feel pity or rage for. Getting them emotionally involved is paramount to good writing and a loyal following.

Julie: When you write, is atmosphere important? For example, do you use mood music or candles? Do you need complete quiet to concentrate?

Kelly: I have three teenage daughters, two cats, and a dog here at home. Quiet and concentration can't be in issue! I can go into "the zone" whenever I need to. The house could catch on fire and burn to the ground…and I'd never know. The most important thing is taking time out each day to write and making that a habit. Like exercising, something is better than nothing.

Julie: What do you hope for your writing career in the next few years? Any goals that you have yet to obtain that you have set for yourself?

Kelly: I'm always setting goals in my life. When I hit one I think, "Well, that was nice, now on to something else!" I'd love to get into Harlequin, but my ultimate goal is to sign with a big mainstream publisher as I'd really like to get more into the thriller/horror genre. Of course, an intense romance will always be in my stories since I love love!

Julie: Most people envision an author's life as being really glamorous. What's the most unglamorous thing that you've done in the past week?

Kelly: haha! That's so far from the truth. When I tell people I'm a multi-published author you can almost see the stars in their eyes. I never burst their bubble. I do unglamorous things daily! Yesterday I was writing and my dog threw up all over the carpet…right after a big meal. I sighed, cleaned it up, then went back to writing. That's real life. 

Julie: There are so many publishers out there, how do you decide who to submit your work to?

Kelly: This is something incredibly important that I wish more new authors would do: Investigate! Since I have little time right now, I figured electronic publishing was the best way to go. I read about every e-publisher on Piers Anthony's site. http://www.hipiers.com/publishing.html  This is invaluable for authors who want to get with an e-publisher. You can find out the good, the bad, and the ugly. I also checked out each site intensely, sent an email to the publisher to see what type of response I'd get, and only then would I submit my work. I checked out many, many publishers and narrowed it down to a very small handful. I also get Writer's Market each year when it comes out. Writing is actually more work than play, but it's a necessity.

Julie: Describe the space where you write.

Kelly: I always have my desk near a window. Right now I'm sitting here looking outside and there's a tree right in front of me. Lizards are scurrying up the side of the house next door, some birds are flitting in and out of the tree, and the sun is shining. Many times humming birds will come right up to the window to "look" at me before darting away. I also see that I need to pull weeds in my yard. lol  My work area consists of an old desk I got at an auction for five dollars. (I'm very frugal, though my kids refer to is as being a cheapskate.) I have my computer on here, plus a salt crystal candle holder, some polished stones, and a trilobite. I guess you can say those are my power items.

Julie: What do you do when you aren't writing? Any hobbies or special interests that you can tell us about?

Kelly: I'm always busy. For some reason I have this weird phobia of being idle. I crochet blankets for Project Linus, am currently taking a forensic death investigations course, have three websites, various radio shows, draw, paint, play the guitar and flute, and referee fights between my kid and pets. I recently joined a paranormal investigations team as well. Hey, I had about three minutes left in the day and needed to fill it!

Julie: Do you ever experience writer's block? If you do, how do you cope with it?

Kelly: Ugh! Yes! Writer's block is something every author fears, but inevitably faces. I never get up from the computer and walk away though because that's admitting defeat. I write down anything at all. Anything. Many times I'll start out with something like:  I have no idea what to write here so I'm going to keep typing until something comes to me. I'll start describing what the character sees in the current scene, or I'll make something totally bizarre happen. Julie stood there unmoving since her brain refused to work. Before she knew it, a lemon meringue pie hit her square in the face. I'll write anything that gets my mental gears turning again. One can become paralyzed for hours, days, even weeks and simply can't find a thing to say. The key is, write something, even if it's nonsense. You can always take it out later. 

Julie: Are there any absolutely-must-have characteristics for your heroes or heroines?

Kelly: Definitely. I always try to create deep flaws in the characters. They're usually mentally screwed up and afraid of love. I sometimes give them a physical flaw too. A scar, a limp, anything to make then seem a bit vulnerable, then I throw the characters together and see what happens. I usually choose two people who are very stubborn and worlds apart. I don't like making the budding relationship easy.   

Julie: What do you feel is the most important thing that a first-time author should know?

Kelly: Read a lot of books! If you want to write erotic romances, read them. If you want to write historicals, paranormals, or anything else, you must read. I try to mentor new authors and the one mistake I see over and over again is the thoughts aren't cohesive and fly all over the place, and there's a lot of "head-hopping". If you write what you read, you'll save lots of time and rejections. When I first started out I would read a book or watch a movie and ask myself, "How can I do that AND make it better?" Also, get someone to read your work. Not a friend or family member who will agree with everything and say how wonderful it is. You need someone who will be objective, kind, and offer constructive criticism. Too many times authors don't send their best work out into the world and are crushed by the rejections. I edit each story at least a half dozen times before submitting it. 

Also, don't expect to make a lot of money until you get with a big publisher. This is a labor of love, not huge royalty checks.     

Julie: Dealing with writing deadlines can be a challenge. What do you do to cope with the stress?

Kelly: Edits are the worst part about writing, and working with a deadline that's looming just adds to the overall tension. I try not to work when I'm tired because my mood is reflected in my work, but I tackle things as quickly as I can. I try to go through edits within one or two days, just to get it out of my hair because I hate them so much. If I'm working on a deadline for the story itself, I try to stick to a bare minimum each day. I usually try to write a chapter a day, or at least one scene. That keeps me on track. Even if I fly through the first draft, I can go back and polish things up, adding and subtracting as I see fit. Rewrites are my favorite part of the writing process. Joining NaNoWriMo is great too. Trying to write a novel in one month is excellent experience and quite exhilarating! http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/whatisnano 

Julie: Do you remember the first romance novel that you read?

Kelly: I don't remember the title, but I do remember the plot. A guy wanted a mail order bride and had been exchanging letters and pictures with a woman. She goes to live with him and in reality she was the 19 year old younger sister. (Back then having a hero in his late 30's and a heroine in her late teens was the in-thing.) The hero played her bluff, but they fell in love in the end. Being quite young myself at the time I thought it was so romantic. Now I pretty much think it's gross. lol

Julie: What's next for you?

Kelly: Right now I'm doing edits for my first book with The Wild Rose Press titled Reaching for the Stars.  It's about a hunky virginal spaceman who crash lands on earth and is discovered by a woman who has gone into hiding. I seem to like virginal men. Perhaps it's my way of putting a twist on the female virgin thing. ;-) I'm trying to find a home for a couple of other novels I nearly have ready. My writing is getting a bit more on the paranormal/thriller side so it's not easy to find a home with romance publishers. After those are out I'll finish working on my first mainstream horror novel, When Darkness Creeps, and will send it out to some traditional publishers instead of electronic. I'd love to see my books on shelves in the book stores, but I've been lazy about printing things out, sending things in, etc. J  I'm also working on a nonfiction book, Soul Sync, that's related to my psychic counseling work. (I've been a psychic counselor for about two decades now.)

A lover of romance and strong characterization, Kelly believes that any story worth reading should have a hero/heroine that the reader can fall in love with. She is currently living her dream, writing sizzling tales of suspense with paranormal elements, as well as contemporary and humorous romance. All of her books contain highly sensual love scenes and sexual tension that will make your heart race!

Kelly has lived in Los Angeles and Baltimore, and now resides in Tucson with her five daughters, one dog, three cats, and geeky rocket-scientist of a soul mate. She would love to hear from you with questions, comments or suggestions. kelly_m_wallace@yahoo.com

Backlist:
Invisible Evidence, Linden Bay Romance
Cowboys Make Better Lovers, Linden Bay Romance
Love Immortal, Liquid Silver Books
Braving the Storm, Liquid Silver Books
A Bitter Pill, Liquid Silver Books

Coming soon:
Reaching for the Stars, The Wild Rose Press
Looking for Mr. Right, Liquid Silver Books

Links:
Website
The Psychic Soul
SHE-web

If you would like to request an interview, please send a query to info@allromanceebooks.com

Until next time!

***ARe—The eBookclub***

Introducing For Old Times' Sake by Sarah Winn,  ARe—The eBookclub's March 2008 pick!

Join us for our meeting of ARe—The eBookclub on March 20th, 2008 in the ARe chat room. We'll be giving out a coupon code that will allow the first fifty readers to download For Old Times' Sake for free. Watch our MySpace blog over the next few weeks for additional information, excerpts, and mini behind the scene interviews from people involved in the making of this hot new book!

"Angel, baby…we gotta go for the money shot."

"No, baby, not porn, art-house film. Art house. Culcha."

Angel paused a moment, then realized Buster had said, 'culture' with his Bronx accent. "Then when you say, 'money-shot' you don't mean me coming in reality."

Buster Plimpton tossed his clip-board aside and stormed over.

Angel Loveday, noticed his co-star Brad had crossed his arms, as if he knew who would win the argument.

"Listen to me, Angel, baby. Ya gotta give the people what they want, yeah? They want to see you in orgasm. Yeah? Okay?"

Angel snarled, "Yeah, I get it, okay? But, I can fake a fucking orgasm!"

"Yeah? Let's see how good you fake." Buster returned to his place. "From the fucking top. Let's go."

"You ready?" Brad asked.

"Yeah." Angel threw back his trade-mark long straight hair and thrust out his hips. "I'm ready."

"Good."

"Action!"

Brad growled, "You know what I want."

Angel purred, "I always know what you want." As Angel's cock was sucked, he exaggerated the swoon, throwing back his head and arching his back as he held onto Brad's shoulders. Going into the act of an orgasm, Angel felt Brad intensify his sucking and speed of the blow job. Slightly shocked, Angel gasped in amazement and came, blinking his eyes at Brad's determination.

"Cut!"

Catching his breath, Angel stared down at Brad and gasped, "You're insane!"

"Loved every fucking minute of it, Angel Loveday," Brad hissed seductively.

Buster Plimpton patted Angel on the back. "Now, that wasn't so damn hard, was it?"

Trying to recover from the climax and the fact that so many people had witnessed it, Angel looked around at all the faces. "Holy shit."

"Well done, my star. Well, done. Let's get ready for the next scene!"

~

Billy gazed at Angel with his eyes wide. They were side by side in Angel's bed. "You shitten' me? You mean you actually came in the guy's mouth in that scene in that movie?"

Angel cuddled up onto Billy's chest after telling him the story. "Yes. It was humiliating at first, then everyone seemed to want to congratulate me or something after. I got a thousand dollar bonus from Plimpton. Billy, they were strange days indeed."

"Indeed!" Billy hugged him tight. 

G. A. Hauser was born in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, USA and attended university in New York City. She moved to Seattle, Washington where she worked as a patrol officer with the Seattle Police Department. She now resides in Hertfordshire, England with her husband. For more information on other books by G.A., visit the author at her official website at www.authorga.com/romance.

Coming Soon:
To Have and To Hostage, Linden Bay Romance
Exposure, Linden Bay Romance
Love You, Loveday, Linden Bay Romance

Links:
Website

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