Tuesday, February 14, 2012

An Interview with Janice Seagraves

Please join me in welcoming Janice Seagraves as she shares with us a little about her writing, her latest release, and a little bit of her humor.

About the Author…
I still reside in the same small California town, where I was born and grew up.

I live in a hundred year old haunted house (not kidding) with my husband of 30 years with our just grown daughter.

We are owned by one cat and two birds. Of the later, one is a handicapped dove and the other a pigeon that is in love with my husband (also not kidding).

I write romance of various genres. My first book, which is a contemporary romance, called Windswept shores, came out in June 2010.
Interview…

1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?
Since I was twenty and I have to keep writing because the voices in head won't leave me alone.

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

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?
5) Where do you get your ideas?
Mostly from dreams. Sometimes it just a flash and I have to figure out who these people are and how they got to this particular spot that I dreamed about.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)
I like it quiet when I write. I live out in the country so that gives me lots of quiet. However, when my husband is home, he is kind of deaf and listens to the TV with the volume turned up. But he does to be early, and then I finally have my quiet time to work.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?
To tell you the truth, I'm not sure yet. For a while there every time I started a new MS, I'd write in a different genre. I like romance so I've been working in several sub-genres of romance. Currently I'm working on a Science Fiction Romance series which has been fun.

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 am a panster through and through. I only had a vague idea where I'm going when I start writing, but that's what makes it fun.

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?
Right now its Windswept Shores, which is my first publish book.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?
Yes, there is a little bit of me in all my characters. I created them so why not?

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?
I like cocky heroes and spunky heroines. The cockiness of the heroes hides some hidden pain, which I in due time reveal. The spunky heroine has some hidden pain too, but she’s not the type of heroine that stands around wringing her hands. Nope, she’ll hop into with the hero to help save the day.

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.

Blurb:
The sole survivor of a plane crash, Megan is alone on a deserted island in the Bahamas until she finds a nearly-drowned man washed up on shore. Another survivor, this time from a boat wreck. With only meager survival skills between them, will they survive and can they find love?
13) What do you have in the works?
A Science Fiction Romance series that I'm really excited about. Aliens from outer space that have lost their females and need to find mates on Earth in order to continue their species.

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?
Yes, don’t give up. Also keep taking workshops so you continue to learn the craft of writing.

JUST FOR FUN:

1) What is the sexiest or most erotic thing someone has said to you?
I know its sounds silly, but I love it when my husband tells me I'm beautiful. It makes me feel, well, pretty and sexy.

2) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?
I used to want to be a horse, but now I think I'd like to be a bird so I can fly.

3) If you had super powers, what would they be? Why?
The power to heal. So I can heal my mother who has Torticollis.

4) If you could be an immortal, what would you want to be? Why?
A sex Goddess and why not. It would be awfully dull to be anything else, don't you think?

5) If you could change three things in the world, what would they be? Why?
Take away all the guns and wars, and then end world hunger. Mostly because I hate seeing children hurt.

6) What would be a perfect date for you?
A fresh sushi dinner and a long walk on the beach at sunset. I'm terribly romantic that way. :)

7) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?
I need to go to Lancaster and Santa Monica (CA) to do some research for a manuscript I wrote a while back.

8) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?
Writing is my number one obsession right now. I sleep it, day dream it and do it.

9) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?
I used to just love Pierce Brosnan, but not so much now.

10) Do you have a favorite hobby? 
I like to take photos and I garden a bit. I also make knit hats with that ring you can buy at Wal-mart.

11) A bad habit?
I don't chew my nails or smoke and I only drink a couples times a year. I suppose I do have a bad habit but I can't think of one right now.

12) Terrible joke? 
Fish have very bad memories or we wouldn't be able to keep catching them with the same old hook and line.  I can just imagine a bunch of fish swimming in a school and a hook with a worm comes down into the water. "Hey, look a worm." One of the fish goes for it and it gets pulled up. "Bob, we lost Bob. What will we ever do without Bob?" *Sob, Sob* Then another hook and worm comes down. "Hey, look a worm."

Book Title: Windswept Shores

Genre: contemporary erotic romance

Publisher: Pink Petal Books

Format: ebook

Excerpt: PG
Seth’s bare toes dug into the warm sand while he stood staring down at the beautiful woman to whom he’d confessed his love. Being near Megz was a heady experience. Kissing her reminded him of surfing that perfect curl, always struggling to keep his balance, leaning to and fro to avoid a wipe out. Each time, his head buzzed while his pants felt five sizes too tight—and he wanted more.

The roar of the waves filled the beach with its song as he waited for her answer, but the look on her face was anything but welcoming.

Did I just wipe out?

“You don’t have to do that,” Megan said, shaking her head.

“Do what?” he asked, confused. I don’t reckon I had that reaction before, usually the bird is happy.

“Tell me you love me because you want to have sex with me,” she snapped.

“It’s not just that.” He frowned. “Orright, I’d like to get a leg over, but ya keep knocking me back. But—”

“But—I’m the only woman on this island, who else are you going to screw?” Her mouth twisted downward.

“But . . . you’re a bloody amazing woman.” He smiled at her. He meant every word, but wasn’t sure how else to tell her.

“Also . . . I’m older than you. Ten years is a lot.”

“Twelve years,” he corrected, but wished he hadn’t.

She glared up at him. “What?”

“Megz, luv, give a bloke a fair go,” he chided her. “You’re more together than anyone I know. Sheila or bloke.”

“Yeah?” she challenged, but then pressed her lips together into a thin unhappy line. “You still would have noticed...noticed me...even if there were a lot of hot babes running around?”

He smiled, amused at her verbal sparring. “Too right, I would.”

“Even if they were in . . .” she lifted an eyebrow, “skimpy bikinis?”

She wants me to prove it? “Even in a mob of thong-wearing beach babes you would stand out.”

“Or would I stand out because I’d be the oldest one there? Remember I’m forty-two?”

“I remembered.” He grinned. “I remember how spunky ya are, also how you took on a bush pig, not once, but twice. Most hot babes would be worthless. They would have run or fainted.”

“Fainting is not an option, but I did scream both times.” She shuddered. “Now I have that nightmare of you getting charged by the wild boar disturbing my rest.”

His eyebrows went up, hope filled his heart. “Not the one about yer bloke?” He held his breath, waiting for her answer.

“No,” she said softly. “I’m not dreaming about him anymore.”

A slow grin spread across his face. “Megz, do I mean something to ya?”

“Yeah, you can say that.”

“Do ya luv me?”

“Dammit, Seth, I tried so hard not to.” She frowned out to sea with her arms crossed under her breasts.

 “But ya do, don’t ya, Megz?” he asked with a crooked smile.











5 comments:

Willa Edwards said...

Great interview Janice. You're husband sounds like a sweety, besides when he has the TV up loud. I'm not big into noise myself either. Hope you and he have an awesome valentine's day.

Unknown said...

Great interview. I enjoyed finding out more about you and your book. You're the second person I've known to have a "special needs" bird. My mother, until recently, has been the owner of a one-legged parakeet. He recently passed away after a really, loooooong life. :)

Cassie Exline said...

Excellent interview. I enjoy learning more about you. Love the sound of your house though, of course your book is great. Still waiting for the sequel. ((((clears throat & bats eyes)))

Katalina said...

Great interview Janice, best wishes to you with the new Sci-fi series.
Happy Valentine's Day too!
XXO Kat

Janice Seagraves said...

Hi Sharon,

Thank you so much for having me on today. I feel very privileged that my interview was posted on Valentines day. :)

Hi Willa,

Hubby has ear plugs now, exempt sometimes he forgets to use them.

Happy Valentines day to you too.

Hi Ginger,

Our Dove passed just recently too. She was a mourning dove and they don't live long.

Hi Cassie,

It certainly is different living out here and in our hundred year old haunted house. :)

The sequel is in the works still.

Katalina,

Thank you. I've having fun writing them.

Happy V-day everyone.

Janice~