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| Contemporary romance for tonight...futuristic romance for tomorrow...paranormal romance for beyond |
| Right From the Start Whiskey Creek Press Torrid Bestseller February 2005 |
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I've participated in a number of interviews over the years with various review sites like Fallen
Angel Reviews, Coffee Time Romance, Two Lips Reviews, and The Romance Studio to just name
a very few. I always enjoyed the opportunity to allow readers to get to know me better.
These days my life is full of family and friends, working and writing. Review sites are
backlogged into forever with interviews. So here's my solution - an FAQ page with those
questions everyone always asks no matter who you talk with.
Thanks for taking the time to check out this page.
Angel Reviews, Coffee Time Romance, Two Lips Reviews, and The Romance Studio to just name
a very few. I always enjoyed the opportunity to allow readers to get to know me better.
These days my life is full of family and friends, working and writing. Review sites are
backlogged into forever with interviews. So here's my solution - an FAQ page with those
questions everyone always asks no matter who you talk with.
Thanks for taking the time to check out this page.
FAQ1. When did you start writing?
I started writing in January of 2003 on Super Bowl Sunday. My beloved was watching the game
and I was bored so I started typing.
I started writing in January of 2003 on Super Bowl Sunday. My beloved was watching the game
and I was bored so I started typing.
FAQ2. Was writing a dream of yours since you were younger?
I think I became a writer by accident. Thanks to my wonderful mom, I’ve been a lifelong reader. I
read books and I simply knew I could write one. That might sound strange but I never doubted
my ability. I believe all things happen when they’re supposed to and 2003 was time for me to
start.
I think I became a writer by accident. Thanks to my wonderful mom, I’ve been a lifelong reader. I
read books and I simply knew I could write one. That might sound strange but I never doubted
my ability. I believe all things happen when they’re supposed to and 2003 was time for me to
start.
FAQ3. What was that first story?
It is a futuristic romance that has not been published, or even submitted anywhere. I wrote it
just for me as a way to preserve the story I’d had in my head for so long.
It is a futuristic romance that has not been published, or even submitted anywhere. I wrote it
just for me as a way to preserve the story I’d had in my head for so long.
FAQ6. How do you write? Do your characters come to you first or the plot or the world of the
story?
It varies. Pinning the creative process down to ‘this’ or ‘that’ or an ‘always’ isn’t possible.
Sometimes I see a picture of a guy and think I’d like to write a story about him that starts the
process. Other times I’ll see something in a movie and think it would be cool to write that into
an adventure for a couple. I saw a story on television where the couple went white water
rafting and thought that would be a nice getaway for a couple and included it in a story – my
way, of course.
story?
It varies. Pinning the creative process down to ‘this’ or ‘that’ or an ‘always’ isn’t possible.
Sometimes I see a picture of a guy and think I’d like to write a story about him that starts the
process. Other times I’ll see something in a movie and think it would be cool to write that into
an adventure for a couple. I saw a story on television where the couple went white water
rafting and thought that would be a nice getaway for a couple and included it in a story – my
way, of course.
FAQ5. How do you balance your personal and writing time?
I’m supposed to balance it? Really? It’s a challenge to live a normal life and write. Writing is
such a solitary pursuit. I work full time Monday through Friday and write in the evenings and on
weekends. It’s tough especially when I’m deep into a story and I have to cook dinner.
I’m supposed to balance it? Really? It’s a challenge to live a normal life and write. Writing is
such a solitary pursuit. I work full time Monday through Friday and write in the evenings and on
weekends. It’s tough especially when I’m deep into a story and I have to cook dinner.
FAQ4. What do you love about being an author?
The actual writing of the story is an intense creative exercise, more so if I’m working on a
futuristic story. With a futuristic the world or worlds must be created before you can actually
finish a plot line. Doing a contemporary story is easier in that your world is already complete
and you just have to stay within its sphere.
The actual writing of the story is an intense creative exercise, more so if I’m working on a
futuristic story. With a futuristic the world or worlds must be created before you can actually
finish a plot line. Doing a contemporary story is easier in that your world is already complete
and you just have to stay within its sphere.
FAQ7. Do you have any special rituals to help you get in the mood to write?
I’m fortunate to have a home office. Just coming in and sitting down at the computer puts me in
work mode. Sometimes I’ll play music, and in the colder months I’ll burn one of my handmade
votives because a candle is so cozy, but that’s about all there is.
I’m fortunate to have a home office. Just coming in and sitting down at the computer puts me in
work mode. Sometimes I’ll play music, and in the colder months I’ll burn one of my handmade
votives because a candle is so cozy, but that’s about all there is.
FAQ8. What genre(s) do you write?
I’ve written futuristic romance, contemporary romance, and paranormal romance. Futuristic is
my favorite, though. Think Star Trek with real romance.
I’ve written futuristic romance, contemporary romance, and paranormal romance. Futuristic is
my favorite, though. Think Star Trek with real romance.
FAQ12. What makes a great book to you, and is there one you can tell us about?
There is something intangible about a book that stays with you, one that you remember years
after you read it. That’s what makes it great – remembering it. For me, Moon of Three Rings by
the late Andre Norton is a great book. I read it when I was about ten years old and to this day I
remember it. It was the first science fiction book I ever read and it opened the universe for me.
There is something intangible about a book that stays with you, one that you remember years
after you read it. That’s what makes it great – remembering it. For me, Moon of Three Rings by
the late Andre Norton is a great book. I read it when I was about ten years old and to this day I
remember it. It was the first science fiction book I ever read and it opened the universe for me.
FAQ11. What would you want readers to take away from your books?
I’d like to tell every person there who is lonely that love is possible and to never, ever give up
hope that they'll find it one day. In the interim, be your own best friend and be good to yourself
and be good for yourself.
I’d like to tell every person there who is lonely that love is possible and to never, ever give up
hope that they'll find it one day. In the interim, be your own best friend and be good to yourself
and be good for yourself.
FAQ10. Out of all the characters that you've written, who is your favorite and why?
The ones in my current work-in-progress are always my favorites. They have to be so I can
write their story.
The ones in my current work-in-progress are always my favorites. They have to be so I can
write their story.
FAQ9. Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your
imagination?
I don’t base my characters on people I know. I want to live and my family and friends would
probably change my living status if I wrote about them. Seriously, people are people and many
experiences are shared. Most characters are an amalgamation of what we know to be true of all
people.
imagination?
I don’t base my characters on people I know. I want to live and my family and friends would
probably change my living status if I wrote about them. Seriously, people are people and many
experiences are shared. Most characters are an amalgamation of what we know to be true of all
people.
FAQ14. How do you know what to name your books or the characters?
I visit the websites that specialize in names and their meanings and just start going down the
list until one strikes my fancy. When it comes to surnames, I generally close my eyes, flip open
the phone book, and plop my finger down. Closest one wins.
I visit the websites that specialize in names and their meanings and just start going down the
list until one strikes my fancy. When it comes to surnames, I generally close my eyes, flip open
the phone book, and plop my finger down. Closest one wins.
FAQ13. What is the biggest misconception about being an author?
That it’s a glamorous job and the money is good. Most of the writers I correspond with agree
that to write you need to be dressed comfortably and pajamas and sweatpants figure in as the
heavy favorites. As for money, it takes a while for that to come. You have to be patient and just
keep working.
That it’s a glamorous job and the money is good. Most of the writers I correspond with agree
that to write you need to be dressed comfortably and pajamas and sweatpants figure in as the
heavy favorites. As for money, it takes a while for that to come. You have to be patient and just
keep working.
FAQ16. Has being published changed you at all?
Of course. We stretch and we grow or we stagnate. My horizons have been expanded in many
ways. I’ve met wonderful people. I’m more at peace spiritually because I’m finally doing
something I love.
Of course. We stretch and we grow or we stagnate. My horizons have been expanded in many
ways. I’ve met wonderful people. I’m more at peace spiritually because I’m finally doing
something I love.
FAQ17. What do you do to relax?
The normal things. Walk the dog, ride my bike, check in with non-writing friends. They keep me
grounded. I’m also blessed to live in a very rural area. We’ve made our backyard into a mini
woodland retreat. It’s so quiet and peaceful, so green in the summer. Even in the coldest
weather I can take a quick walk around our yard and find something interesting in nature.
The normal things. Walk the dog, ride my bike, check in with non-writing friends. They keep me
grounded. I’m also blessed to live in a very rural area. We’ve made our backyard into a mini
woodland retreat. It’s so quiet and peaceful, so green in the summer. Even in the coldest
weather I can take a quick walk around our yard and find something interesting in nature.
FAQ18. Do you have any indulgent behaviors one might find surprising?
Probably not. I’m so middle class normal it’s pathetic. About the most indulgent thing I do is
sneak off the to Dairy Queen for a Blizzard about once a month instead of eating lunch.
Probably not. I’m so middle class normal it’s pathetic. About the most indulgent thing I do is
sneak off the to Dairy Queen for a Blizzard about once a month instead of eating lunch.
FAQ19. Is there anything you dislike about being a writer?
If I dislike anything about being a published author it’s the amount of politics that come into
play. Everything in the publishing business rests on the writer producing prose and instead of
being at the top of the food chain, we’re on the bottom with people telling us what we will and
won’t do. Something is wrong with that picture, but that’s generally the case when money is
involved. It’s something you learn to live with and you try not to let it harden you to the point of
total distrust.
If I dislike anything about being a published author it’s the amount of politics that come into
play. Everything in the publishing business rests on the writer producing prose and instead of
being at the top of the food chain, we’re on the bottom with people telling us what we will and
won’t do. Something is wrong with that picture, but that’s generally the case when money is
involved. It’s something you learn to live with and you try not to let it harden you to the point of
total distrust.
FAQ20. Do you have any advice for beginning writers in regards to writing a book?
Set personal goals. For example, set your goal to have a manuscript completed by a certain
date and do your best to meet your own deadline.
Make your goals attainable. For example, set your goal to submit to PublisherXYZ, not to be
published by PublisherXYZ. You have no control over what another party is doing or will do so
don’t measure your success based on their actions.
Within your personal situation, prioritize every day and make time to be a writer. If you know
you’re going out to dinner with a friend, don’t make your priority for the day be to write five-
thousand words, make it to write five hundred.
Be reasonable. If you’re deep into an edit and you really can’t advance the current work-in-
progress because you’re falling asleep over your keyboard – go to bed.
Learn to set boundaries. This is really hard. People will not like the new dedicated, inspired,
accomplished, focused you. Be firm, be gentle, be determined.
Your day planner is your new best friend. Use it, but don’t overbook yourself. Schedule free
time for yourself. Schedule time to be with family and friends in advance and they’ll be easier
on you. Being a free spirit is easier if you’re an organized free spirit. Who has to know you
planned that little romp with your honey? Not him, certainly.
And finally, to thine own self be true. Always.
Set personal goals. For example, set your goal to have a manuscript completed by a certain
date and do your best to meet your own deadline.
Make your goals attainable. For example, set your goal to submit to PublisherXYZ, not to be
published by PublisherXYZ. You have no control over what another party is doing or will do so
don’t measure your success based on their actions.
Within your personal situation, prioritize every day and make time to be a writer. If you know
you’re going out to dinner with a friend, don’t make your priority for the day be to write five-
thousand words, make it to write five hundred.
Be reasonable. If you’re deep into an edit and you really can’t advance the current work-in-
progress because you’re falling asleep over your keyboard – go to bed.
Learn to set boundaries. This is really hard. People will not like the new dedicated, inspired,
accomplished, focused you. Be firm, be gentle, be determined.
Your day planner is your new best friend. Use it, but don’t overbook yourself. Schedule free
time for yourself. Schedule time to be with family and friends in advance and they’ll be easier
on you. Being a free spirit is easier if you’re an organized free spirit. Who has to know you
planned that little romp with your honey? Not him, certainly.
And finally, to thine own self be true. Always.
FAQ15. Do you have any bad writing habits?
Yes. All of them are bad. I have no good ones so you don’t want to be influenced by my
behavior. Just kidding. Probably the worst thing I do is that once I log on to the Internet I'm
finished for the night. So many people to talk to and if friends are on I start chatting and lose
track of time.
Yes. All of them are bad. I have no good ones so you don’t want to be influenced by my
behavior. Just kidding. Probably the worst thing I do is that once I log on to the Internet I'm
finished for the night. So many people to talk to and if friends are on I start chatting and lose
track of time.
| Rayne Forrest |
| "Rayne Forrest is a masterful storyteller." - Romance Junkies Reviews |