Wolfie Weekend [Day #3] – Interview w/ Author Vivian Arend

 

Hey everyone! I’ve had a pretty bad day, in bed with a terrible headache all day long, trying to sleep for a while. Went out dancing last night with a friend and had a lot of fun though =)

Welcome to the third and final Wolfie weekend post. Though the special posts will be done, you can enter the giveaway until March 29th!

Today i am pleased to have here with me the Author Vivian Arend for an interview…

-  When did you first start writing?

Bad confession- I got hauled into a writing challenge in November of 2007, and that was the first time I wrote any fiction. I had such a blast I couldn't stop myself from carrying on after November was over. Kind of like an instant addiction. 

 

- Have you always liked Romance?

I had read a bunch of Georgette Heyer back when I'd exhausted our nearest small library. Other than that...ummm, I love the Princess Bride. That's romance? Right? And there was this really dirty anthology I snuck out from my friends house back in junior high...but actually the romance bug hit me about 3 months after the writing bug. I have a ton of catching up to do in terms of reading all the 'classics' of romance.

- what about the Paranormal?

Now that I can confess to loving forever. Fantasy, sci-fi--anything a little fantastic or magical and I'm hooked. Although I'm not a big fan of Vampires (shhhh) because they scare me. 

 

- Were there any Books, Movies or Writers that have inspired you?

I started as a very big fantasy reader--Tolkien, CSLewis, David Eddings. Love the Belgariad series, which is lighthearted fantasy with a twist of romance in it. There is every single cliche possible in the series, and it totally works because it's not serious. Love it!

- What is your favorite subject in the Paranormal Romance Realm?

I love werewolves--obviously, but I think the subject that interests me the most is the idea of fated mates. I just can't get enough of it, and love considering what kind of variations there can be within that same theme. Soul mates, belonging together...something about the concept excites me to the core and I love to read and write about it.

- The sex scenes in your books are amazingly hot. Where do you get your inspiration?

Glad you think they are hot. It's funny how much variety I hear in terms of heat levels--I've had some readers say I write hot, some that it's not hot enough. Of course, the people who weren't expecting ANY sex are always pretty damn surprised! Inspiration? Like...personal research? Ummm, next question... :wink:

- Do you find it hard to write them?

Nope- just close my eyes and barrel full steam ahead. :D It's only later when I re-read I go 'OMG, did I write that?'. And it's VERY embarrassing to have to have my editor make corrections in a sex scene. When she asks 'do you really think the heroine's mouth would do that, or would...' and I find I'm blushing reading her notes...it's pretty damn funny. 

 

Favorites:

- Favorite Paranormal themed TV Show?

Don't watch TV- no time!! Actually, not true--the family and I record and then watch Survivor weekly, but that's about it. That's why I have so many books coming out, I write!!

- Favorite Author?

Tolkien-- my current day author favourites change with every book I read. I really like Suzanne Brockmann though.

- Favorite Paranormal Romance Author?

Loved the first six Christine Feeham Drake sisters books (book 7 was too dark for me) and the same thing with the first books in her 'Games' series--the most recent got too gory, but the first books were awesome.

- Favorite one of your Books?

The last one I wrote! That's a tough question-- I love Wolf Signs because it started things for me, but I read it now and know I could write parts better. Each book I write I try to improve, and I find it satisfying to finish a new story and be abe to say 'oh, I like that one...'.

So far Wolf Games is my favorite of the Granite Lake books. 

 

- Who is your favorite of your own characters? Why?

I love Robyn from Wolf Signs. She's just so...solid. I wish she were real because I think we could be good friends. And TJ makes me smile when I'm having a tough time. So much fun to have him in all four books in the series.

- Which was the hardest character to write? Why?

I have a contemporary western coming out in April, and the heroine was emotionally abused by her husband. Writing Beth was tough because I wanted to make sure that I didn't gloss over her issues, but still show how strong she really was. 

 

- What would you be if not a writer? Why?

I'm having too much fun at this to think about being anything else! Although I still get to wear all the other hats too- wife, mom, friend, teacher, explorer...

 

Quickies:

- Coffee or Tea?

Coffee

- Up or Down?

Up

- Virtual or Real?

Real 

- Right or Left?

Left

- Vampires or Werewolves?

OH BOY-- no quetion on this one... do I even need to say werewolves?

- Angels or Demons?

Angels (with crooked halos...)

- Friends or Seinfeld?

Neither

- The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?

Mick baby, all the way

- Reading or Writing?

Writing and Reading--OMG, how could you separate them?

-  What is your favorite part of the writing process?

Getting a tiny seed of an idea and having it take off. I write off the cuff and love to find out what's happening next.

-  What is your least favorite part?

Shhhh- some of the 'business' parts of the job are time consuming and feel like work. But frankly, the WORST part is having to send take down notices to places and people who are pirating my stories. Sigh. Especially when ebooks cost less than a cup of coffee...

- The Granite Lake Wolves series in your own words?

Life and love in the north--following the Granite Lake werewolves as they figure out what love means, and what it takes to make it happen. Oh, and they can turn into wolves. No big deal...

- Any plans for more Granite Lake Wolves Books?

Book four, TJ's story, will be out in October 2010. That will complete the four book series I had planned to start. There are two more characters I'd love to write about some day- Shaun (the helicopter pilot) and Jared, who you'll meet in Wolf Games. Those stories might come out some time in the future, but overall, I think four is a nice series number.

 

- What is coming up next for you?

I had a streak of good fortune in writing/submitting last fall, and all those books are on the coming soon page now. Now that Wolf Games is out I'll switch to getting ready for Bk2 in the Six Pack Ranch series--Rocky Mountain Haven is a red-hot contemporary set in Alberta, Canada.  May 4 the first book in a new series releases at Samhain--Stormchild is a paranormal short story with a little twist. Also in May, I have a retelling of Aesop's fable The Wind & the Sun. Zephyr and Sunshine were a ton of fun to write!! Oh, and there's more, like more merfolks (Whirlpool in August), and twisted fairy tales (Peerless and Faetful)...check out the coming soon at my website. I've been busy!

- What are you working on right now?

I'm finishing Wolf Tracks, TJ's story. Then I'm either going to write the next in the Pacific Passion series (follow up to Stormchild), start the second Turn Twin story OR...whatever whim takes me. I find if I write what has caught my interest, I write better and faster than trying to write what I 'have to write.' 

 

- Do you have any advice or tip to those like me that want to become a published Author someday?

Main things that come to mind:

Write. Write some more. Even if it's not golden, everything you write can make you better so that down the road, you can sell.

Like I mentioned above, write what interests you. It's one thing to check what's happening in the market, and think 'oh...vampires are big. I need to write a vampire story'. Umm, no. Doesn't work that way!

number one bit of advice? This is supposed to be fun. Surround yourself with people who are enjoying writing and it will go a long way to inspiring you to get better and move ahead. Writing has it's low points---waiting for a response, getting a bad review, struggling with a plot point...those are tough times, but if you've got supportive people around you, the tough moments get lighter and the bright moments become dazzling!

- Anything you would like to say to your fans out there?

Other than thanks for reading? I guess I'd say the same thing I said to people who want to become a writer--this is supposed to be fun. Reading should be enjoyable, and I hope I bring a little bit of happiness into your day.

And I totally love getting emails--and I'm hoping more people will share who they would like to read about next. :D

- Thanks so much for stopping by!

This has been great, Larissa. Glad the wolfies have such wonderful friends. I'll be dropping by again soon! Viv

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Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,