An interview with Janice Seagraves

Stories that leave your breathless...


I'd like to extend a warm welcome to Janice Seagraves, erotic romance author.














INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links: 

Website
Blog
Windswept Shores

2) How long have you been writing? What go you in to writing?

I’ve been writing since I was about twenty, but I’ve been writing serious for publication for only twelve years now. I originally wanted to write high fantasy, but I switched to romance when I realized that I liked the romance in some of the books I was reading at the time.

I have insomnia and some nights it’s really bad. So bad I started to while away the hours, telling myself stories. Anything to keep my eyes closed. I wanted to write simply because I wanted to share the stories I
made up.

3)  What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?

Windswept Shores. I’d like to make it a bit longer and draw out the ending climax more.


4)  What or Who has influenced your writing?

Anne McCaffrey, Andre Norton, Pat Hodgell, Jim Butcher, and too many other authors I can list here.
Also my mentor, Faith Bricknell-Brown.

5) Where do you get your ideas?

I have very interesting dreams and daydreams. You know the insomnia thing.


6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)

Noise. That’s why I do the vampire thing and write late into the night when it’s quiet. It helps that I have insomnia.


7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?

I always thought I’d write high fantasy, but I found myself writing romance. My first book is a Contemporary erotic romance set in the Bahamas, which I enjoyed writing. But I’m currently working on a science fiction romance series.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?

Oh, I’m a dyed in the wool panster. When I’ve actually plotted a story out, I found I’ve plotted the life out of it and then I can’t write it.

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?

Right now it’s Windswept Shores. It is my first published book.


10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?

I think it’s only natural to put some of yourself into your characters. Megan in Windswept Shores is a Californian like me and a basket weaver, which is something I did in school and enjoyed. Seth on the other hand is more athletic and surfs, something I’ve never done but I’d like to surf on a boogey board one day.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?

There’s got to be character growth, so if you make your characters too perfect where the growth? So I have flaws in my characters so they have something to overcome. But having said that I do like my heros handsome and my heroines strong and able to kick butt, if they have to.

12)  Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?

Yes, don’t give up. The ones who make it in this business are the ones who keep trying. You also have to develop a thick skin and keep learning. Writing is a skill and a craft. Keep working on your craft and don’t ever stop.

JUST FOR FUN:
1) What is the sexiest or most erotic thing someone has said to you?

Hmm, ooh yea, when my hubby leaned down into my ear and whispered how he’d like to  . . . maybe I better not share that part.

2) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?

As a child, I used to wish I was a horse. I’ve always thought horses were so beautiful, but now I think I’d like to be a bird. The gift of flight and souring above the clouds would be so wonderful and freeing.

3) If you had super powers, what would they be? Why?

I’d like to be able to heal. My mother has a debilitating disease called torticollis and I would dearly love to heal her.

4) If you could be an immortal, what would you want to be? Why?

A Goddess, that way I could heal.

5) If you could change three things in the world, what would they be? Why?

First off I’d like to heal my mom. Second cure world hunger. Third take away all atomic weapons or anything that went boom.

6) What would be a perfect date for you?

To dress up and go out for sushi, then a long walk on the beach.

7) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?

Sure I’d like to go to the Bahamas, Sydney, and right here in my home state Santa Ana. I’d also like to visit England and Ireland to help with my genealogy research.

8) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?

I don’t know if I’d call it an obsession, but I collect books and wind chimes. One day I’d like to have a library filled with all the books I’ve collected, with a nice comfy chair and a good reading light in the corner.

9) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?

I used to have a thing for Pierce Brosnan, and then Domenic Purcell, after him Hugh Jackman. I like men with accents. *grin*

My husband knows I like Hugh Jackman, so he thought Jackman was the inspiration for my hero, Seth Dawson, in Windswept Shores.

Close, but nope. It’s Domenic Purcell (when he still had his accent) who inspired me to write Seth.

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Be sure to read Ms. Seagraves excerpt from Wind Swept posted next.