I am a planner, big time. I start with a vague concept, move to a general outline, and hammer in some details so that I know exactly how the story will evolve. A secret stint in screenwriting and conspiracy thrillers taught me this.
Do your characters ever want to take over the story?
Oh yes! While my outline is by and large pretty concrete, I'm always listening to the characters. There's nothing more fun than when they take a life of their own and add a completely new layer to the story. This happened in my most recent release, The Dutch Smuggler's Captive. Bad boy Ryker came out as suave and heroic in spite of my best efforts to make him a douche. However, it turned out that it was what the story needed.
What is your favourite food?
Ooh, changing our line of questioning, are we? I like it. LOL I'm a huge foodie so I'll try pretty much anything. This said, I have a thing for Italian food, pasta in particular.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Morning person, definitely. I love getting up at 6am (not that it happens often, unfortunately) and working my butt off. After lunch I slow down and at night forget about it, I'm really not productive.
Where do you dream of travelling to and why?
I'd love to visit the castles of Scotland and the distilleries of Ireland, though the unfavorable weather scares me. I love places rich with history, locations connected to our past and significant in some capacity (hence the distilleries). These days when I travel I seek relaxation and hot temperatures so I can read by the beach.
Do distant places feature in your books?
Absolutely! I love when novels take readers to places they've never been before. In The Dutch Smuggler's Captive, the action mostly takes place in the Caribbean, specifically in exotic Curaçao.
Do you listen to music while writing?
Always. I tend to listen to movie soundtracks, basically anything composed by Hans Zimmer, Steve Jablonsky, or John Murphy. I'm also fond of the works of Zack Hemsey, Audiomachine, and Two Steps From Hell. In essence, what I need is instrumental music that will focus my mind and make my heart thump. There's nothing worse than lyrics burrowing into the brain while you're trying to write words of your own.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
The Dutch Smuggler's Captive is a steamy adventure romance novel. It has a college graduate learning about herself, it has some sex, some action, and some major romance. I think it's a perfect beach read!
What have you learned about writing and publishing since you first started?
Without the revealing my age (you will NOT make me), let's just say that I've been writing seriously since before the Monica Lewinsky ordeal. I've written in different media, fiction and nonfiction. I've learned about writing fast, writing well, to constantly edit as you write, even though some authors advise against that. Most of all, I've learned that you can be mercenary and write to the market but if you don't write something you love, readers will know, it will be obvious through your words.
Is there anything you would do differently?
I don't think I would do anything differently because then I wouldn't be the writer I am today. Success is always your objective but it's your failures that make you learn.
Who, or what, if anything has influenced your writing?
I've been a great consumer of thrillers since I was young. Books by Tom Clancy, John Grisham, Alistair MacLean, Jeffery Deaver, Preston & Child, and Robert Ludlum have taught me to focus on interesting stories and great characters. It's the discovery of Nora Roberts, Bella Andre, and Janet Evanovich that has led me to write sexier, more romantic stories.
Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?
Read and write, always. If you want to be a writer you have to read books, and not just how-to manuals. Once you've spent years reading books, you will have gotten a feel for how it's done. That's when you're ready to write. It will be bad at first. Very bad. But keep at it and before long you will surprised yourself. You will have become a good writer.
What are three words that describe you?
Mellow. Open-minded. Wisecracking.
What's your favourite book or who is your favourite writer?
I'm going to sound pretentious, like someone who wants to impress you with my sophistication, but my favorite book is Charles Dickens's Great Expectations. I still remember how warm and fuzzy I felt reading it the very first time.
List of previous books if any
The Power Billionaire series
Any websites/places readers can find you on the web.
You can check me out at AngelinaSpears.com
About the Author:
Angelina Spears thrives on crafting stories that will take readers on a wild ride, emotional and physical. Having discovered her love of writing at a young age, she is never as happy as when she makes characters fall into imminent danger while dealing with romantic turmoils.
There are days when her writing is fast and hard against the washing machine but mostly she prefers candlelight and soft music by the fireplace. Champagne and strawberries, anyone? She divides her time between the cold north and sunny southern shores.
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by Angelina Spears
Romance/Adventure
Buy links: amazon | allromance | smashwords | b&n | kobo
University behind her, Jessica Densley is on one last vacation before joining the workforce as a geologist. She's perfectly happy just lounging by the pool but her wild friend Daphne will have none of it. While out exploring, she disappears!
At her wits end, Jessica has no choice but to team up with the mysterious Ryker Prins, a man everybody on Curacao respects... and fears.
With dangerous men after them, Jessica will need to learn to trust Ryker in spite of his deep secrets. But mostly, she will need to find a way to not fall prey to his irresistible charm.
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I think this one is going to have to go on my TBR shelf. Glad it was in the newsletter this morning. :) Thanks! Heather1974 at gmail dot com
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