Grab your beverage of choice (Mimosas for me, of course!), roll up to or flip open a screen and let some talented writers talk to you about their writing process.
Emilie w/ Buck & Sandy
courtesy of http://www.emilierose.com
This week Emilie Rose is in the spotlight!
USA Today Bestselling author and RITA finalist Emilie Rose has written 30+ titles for Harlequin since her first sale in 2001. Her books have been released around the globe.
A North Carolina native, Emilie has fours sons and two adopted mutts. Writing is her third (and hopefully her last) career. Her hobbies include gardening, cooking (especially cheesecake) {Tracey’s Note: YUM!}, riding her Harley and shaking her booty to local bands. So let me get out of the way and cede the stage, stool and microphone to Emilie.
1. Have you always written stories?
No. I wrote poetry in middle school for extra credit, but I never considered writing a book until I hit my mid-30s. I have, however, been a huge Harlequin fan since I was 11.
2. When did you decide to write professionally?
I had a bit of a midlife crisis in my early 30s. I’d had 2 jobs, each lasting 7+ years, and I knew I didn’t want to continue doing either of those. I searched my life for the one thing that had always brought me joy and that was reading romances. So…I decided to try to write one. Jumped in with both feet and no clue what I was doing. I taught myself as I went. That probably explains why I wrote a pile of books before I sold one.
3. What made you decide to go the route you chose (eg. traditional, e-pub, indie)?
My mother has been a Harlequin book club reader for as long as I can remember. Those were the books I first read and I was hooked from the first one.
4. What is your writing process (hrs/day, days/wk)?
That varies tremendously depending on life’s interruptions. When life cooperates, I’m up by 5. I wade through emails, accompanied by coffee, then by 7 I’m writing. I write until I’m “done” for the day whether that’s to finish the scene/chapter, or if I’ve run out of time. When the words won’t flow I try to do something else writing-related.
5. How do you write (crappy first draft then revise or revise as you go)?
I’m one of those annoying people who can’t move forward until what I’m working on is right. But even then, going back and revising is usually part of the daily plan. I usually start each day reading and revising yesterday’s work.
6. Do you get writer’s block? If so, how do you handle it?
For me, writer’s block usually means I’ve made my characters do something they shouldn’t have done. I have to backtrack and find out where I went off the path.
7. What’s your favorite part of the writing process?
I love the rush I get when I’m coming up with a new idea–when the story is so exciting you can’t see all the plot holes and pitfalls you’ve just dug for yourself.
8. Where were you when you got “The Call?”
I was at home spackling a hole my sons had knocked into the wall. I had to ask my editor to hold on while I washed the gunk off my hands so I could take notes.
9. If you could go back in time and tell your younger self one thing you have since learned about the business of writing, what would you tell them (you)?
Things happen when THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO and not when you want them to. There is a reason for every delay or change you must make. Be patient. Work through it.
FUN TOPICS:
10. Wine, liquor or beer? What’s your favorite of the spirit you chose?
Liquor. I never acquired the taste for beer and there are very few wines (Rieslings and Moscatos) that I like. I’m a Bacardi gal–either rum and Diet Coke or Mojitos. I grow my own mint for the latter.
11. What author(s) are on your automatic buy list?
Tess Gerritsen is my all-time favorite.
12. What TV shows are you watching?
I’m not much of a TV watcher. I like American Idol, Dancing with the Stars (I want to dance like that!!), Jesse Stone shows, The Closer. I used to love Justified and Two and a Half Men because the writing was phenomenal. But both shows have disappointed me lately, so they’ve been cut from my list.
13. Who is your celebrity crush and why?
Would you believe I don’t have one?
Thank you, Emilie for your wonderful answers. I love your story about The Call. The one thing I’m learning is that it never happens the way you think it will. And I bet you were “really” in the mood to finish spackling after the call. 
Please check out Emilie’s latest, A Better Man for Harlequin Superromance. Drop by her website at www.emilierose.com or find her on Facebook at Emilie Rose.
A Better Man — Available Now!!!
Roth Sterling is a straight shooter, a guy you want on your side. As a soldier, he defended his country. As a cop, he upholds the law. For a kid who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, he’d done well for himself. Now he’s back in his hometown, only this time, he’s the new police chief.
He’s in for a few surprises, however. Piper Hamilton–the girl he loved–still has the power to move him. And they are tied together thanks to the son he didn’t know he had. Roth is determined to do right by Piper, whatever it takes. Even if it means becoming the one thing he never thought to be–a family man.
I love the idea of growing your own mint for Mojitos! What’s your favorite spirit? What shows are you watching? Tell us what you think and make sure you check back next week to see who’s hanging out at the T-Spot.
