Sunday, November 7, 2010

Author Interview - Willa Edwards

Hi everyone. My name's Willa Edwards and I'm one of the new contributors here at Nocturnal Nights. I'm going to be doing author interviews. I have some great interviews coming up, including some of the Nocturnal Nights authors. But I thought the best way to introduce myself would be to do my own interview. Here's a little taste of my writing, my life and who I am.

Tell us a little about your writing. What type of stories do you like to write? Any characters you like to write about? Any themes you find especially inspiring?

I like to write smaller stories, focused on the hero and heroine. Not a lot of extra characters, not a lot of locations or sub plots. Just them. I'm not fixed on any genre. My future release, Naughty List, is contemporary but I've written historical before, and I have a few paranormal and fantasy stories rumbling around in my head, waiting for the right time to peak out.

I love to write character's with passion, outside of their love lives. In Naughty List my hero is a social worker, which is a calling to him and not a job. My heroine is an elementary gym teacher that feels similarly about her profession.

I've written poets, musicians, actors, activists, lawyers and business women. For every one of these professions they need to have drive, determination and passion. I'm not interested in writing about billionaries, princes, navy seals or special agents. I like to write about everyday people, like myself, like the people I work with or went to school with, like the people that read my books.

The most common theme in my work is following your heart and being honest with yourself. Whether it means overcoming what others think, powering through your own fears, or embracing their pasts. My characters always follow their hearts and find their greatest love and passion on the other end.

What is your favorite part of the writing process? What are your most dreaded tasks? Anything special you do to get through the tough parts?

My favorite part of the writing process is those lightbulb moments. The moment you realize why your heroine loves the hero, when you discover what keeps them apart. Or even when you find just the right wording or the exact analogy that describes how your character feels. That's what I sit down at the computer for.

My least favorite part is the first revision. There are always down parts in the writing process, times when you're stuck and you can't figure your way out of it, but that doesn't compare to the first revision for me. All the other read throughs aren't anywhere near as bad, but that first one for me is like pulling teeth. Luckily the more I write the better I do with the first draft, and as a result the revisions are getting easier too.

I've never found any magical way to get through the painful parts besides just gritting my teeth and pushing through it. And after a good day rewarding myself with some chocolate.

What's a typical day look like for you? What's your writing schedule? When your not writing what are you doing?

Unfortunately, I still have a day job that requires me to be in the office too early, so I don't get any writing done in the morning. I'd love too, but I know it will never happen. I'm a night owl anyway. I get up around six, feed my two furry princesses, Immy and Cordelia, and head out to work. I try to fit in some time for writing, or revising, during my lunch break, but the majority of my writing is done at home after work. I usually come home, feed the babies again, play with them a bit and then just sit down at the computer and type away until bedtime.

I set a goal for myself every day and try to hit that. I prefer something tangible, like word count or pages, to focus on over time in front of the screen. I can waste time. I think a goal is a great way to keep moving forward.

What author is your work most like? What author would you like to be more like?

I think I write like Joey W. Hill, and yet I also wish I could be more like her. She writes smaller stories as well, with few extra characters, few scene changes. She writes much hotter than me, but I'm working my way up there. But I'm amazed by her ability to be red hot and very emotional at the same time. That is something I'd definitely like to emulate more.

I'd love to write more like Christina Dodd. Her ability to move through different genres, her volume, and I wouldn't mind her sales either.
What's your favorite gulity pleasure?

Rereading. I love rereading the great love scenes of books I've already read. All the emotion, passion and excitement without having to put in the time to read all the build up. It's not as satisfying as reading a book for the first time, but its close. Especially when I'm stressed and don't have the time to start from the beginning with a couple, I can pull one out I already know and still enjoy myself.

What book are you reading now?

Right now I'm reading Tina Donahue's "In His Arms" but give me a week and it will be something different.

Please tell us about your current projects and where we can purchase it. Where can we find you on the web?

My first release, Naughty List, is going to be avaliable from Cobblestone Press in December. You'll be able to pick it up at http://www.cobblestone-press.com/. Or you can go to my website, http://www.willaedwards.com/, to get more up to date information on this release. I'm also on facebook.

Here's a little taste to get you in the mood (Warning: Some Adult Language and Themes)

Blurb

Eric has been in love with Callie since the day they met, one month after someone else put a ring on her finger. Since her engagement ended Eric has been biding his time, waiting for her to be ready. Until he finds a naughty list of Christmas wishes hidden between her couch cushions with his name on the top.

He's willing to do anything to make Callie happy, including take on the role of dominate Santa Claus and spank her to blow-your-stockings-off orgasm. But is she ready for everything he wants? Does she want his love?

Excerpt

Eric had been in love with Callie since the day he'd met her, which happened to be one month after Josh slipped a three-carat diamond ring on her finger. He could still remember the bite of that hard rock into his palm as he shook her hand, thanking her for volunteering at the special needs event for thirty kids with physical handicaps, several his cases, that her fiance's team was hosting. The small pinch reminded him their meeting was not a dream. This funny, interesting, beautiful woman was real.

He may have denied his feelings at first, but he'd long since accepted he'd never have her, and forced himself to become just her friend. In all that time he'd never imagined she could return his affection.

He wasn't her type. Callie went for athletic pretty guys. Hell, Josh had been a professional baseball player. How was a social worker supposed to compete with a guy like that? Awkward, gawky, and broke to boot--what a catch Eric was. She deserved better.

His stare remained glued to her naughty Christmas list. His gaze drifted to the top of the page where she'd written his name. He reread each increasingly kinky line. How long had she been thinking about him like this? Since she'd broken off her engagement? Before? If he'd only known, he would have already fulfilled all these wishes and then some.

A wicked smile curled his lips. His body burned stronger than the fire in the chimney Kris Kringle would soon be coming down. His cock pressed against his jeans, hard, hot, wanting. The confinement was a sweet pain he'd become used to after years of being so close to the woman of his dreams but unable to touch her.

There was no time like the present.

If you could be any paranormal creature, what would you be?

I've always wanted to be a witch. I love the idea of being able to wave my hand, or add some eye of newt and have something happen. The first spell I'd perfect would be the ability to manipulate time. Speed it up at work, slow it down at home when I'm writing or revising. Or maybe a spell to remove the fat and carbs from cheese fries without effecting the taste. It's a toss up.

Thank you all for taking the time to get to know me more. I look forward to seeing you all again.

8 comments:

Trish said...

Hi Willa, (waving)

What a great way to introduce yourself! Looking forward to the rest of your author interviews.

Ericka Scott said...

Love the cover! Looking forward to the author interviews ~

Tabitha Blake said...

Sounds like a great book. I am waiting on my Kindle to get here and I was wondering if it will be available for the Kindle. I would love to read it. Great blog. Keep up the great work!

Willa Edwards said...

Thanks for the warm welcome. *Waves back to Trish* I have some more great authors lined up for interviews and so far I'm having a blast.

Ericka, I completely agree. The cover is stunning. I spent a good three days staring at it when they first sent it my way.

Tabby, I don't know if ist going to be on Kindle. I'll have to ask.

Thanks for stopping by guys. I appreciate all your support.

Brenda said...

Great post, Willa. I really enjoyed getting to know you more as a person and a writer.
Your story has grabbed my attention. I look forward to reading it.

Sheri Fredricks said...

I reread scenes in my favorite books too, Willa! Glad to know I'm not the only one. I have those books to study and see how the authors lead up to the steam and passion build-up. I look forward to reading your author interviews! Great first blog.

Zee Monodee said...

Great intro, Willa!

Love the cover and the book seems intriguing. I'll look forward to your interviews.

Hugs!

Em Petrova said...

Loved your interview, Willa. It's so interesting to see how other authors write, and what works for them. Your excerpt is steamy, and I can't wait for Santa to deliver this hot story to my inbox.