What book genre of books do you adore?
I will pretty much read anything that is a good story. I love to read what I write, as well, where a lot of authors don’t. I grew up obsessed with fantasy, so it comes naturally for me to write it, and I love a good cop story, so I enjoy romantic suspense. But I adore YA, and I love love Scottish Highlander Historicals, and contemporaries, too. LOL. You tell me a good story and I will read—and love it.
Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I grew up in Ohio, but have been living in (and loving) Texas since 2002. I really love the south. Of course, I am fond of the no-winter thing, compared to where I grew up, but it seems my stories have transitioned locale with me. My romantic suspense series, Crossing Forces, takes place in a small TX city I made up.
How did you develop your writing?
Joined writing groups and got some critique partners. Let’s face it, when we write something we’re proud of it, we think we’re awesome. But in most cases, we need some work before it’s presentable for public consumption!
There are writing rules, and there is absolute creativity. I’m not a fan of hard fast writing rules (other than grammar, obviously, and you can get away with some stuff if you have a good enough reason) but I do believe there is a balance and a million different ways to tell a good story.
I also believe writers need feedback from other writers. Not mom, best friend and spouse. They will always tell you it’s awesome because they love you. Other writers give honest feedback. I believe every writer needs a good critique group and an awesome editor.
We always grow and change. You can’t help it, and its subtle—subconscious in a lot of cases. You get better by just writing!
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Everywhere I think. I really don’t think it’s a conscious thing for me. I might see something on TV or in a book and it might spark an idea, but it’s a toss-up. A lot of my stories and characters come to me in dreams.
What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?
Marketing. Hands down. I really do not enjoy it, though I DO love talking to people. Most authors are introverts, and while I’m not that, I don’t really enjoy the “look at me!” side of marketing.
Do you find it hard to share your work?
At first, yes. It’s hard to accept that something I love, that is a part of me—my soul, really—wouldn’t be received in the same adoration that I feel for it. Part of that as well is that we all think we’re awesome at what we love to do, and critique can be hard to accept. But I know I’m a good writer, and people enjoy my stuff, so I am more than happy to share. I love when someone quotes me. It makes me feel giddy.
Do you plan to publish more books?
YES! I have a jammed packed (aka. INSANE) 2014 planned. I’m working on several things in both my series (The King’s Riders—Fantasy Romance and Crossing Forces—Romantic Suspense) But I have an upcoming Fantasy/Paranormal novella trilogy called Highland Secrets. The first book, The Tartan MP3 Player will be out in March. Then the other two books will follow shortly. I am SO excited about this. Book 3 of Crossing Forces, Calculated Collision, releases June 6, 2014 and I am just about finished with book 4, Collision Control. This year I will also be writing The King’s Riders 3, which is untitled at the moment. I will have two other releases that the books are done and need attention. One is YA (my first published! YAY!) and the other is a novella in the King’s Riders Series and will be a FREE read!
What else do you do to make money, other than write? It is rare today for writers to be full time…
I actually have two jobs. I am a busy girl, yes. I work for two municipal courts as the Juvenile Case Manager during the week (it’s my 8a-5p) and on the w/ends I work overnight at a Shelter for teens. I seem to love troubled kids as much as I do writing.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
There are many places I would want to visit (Scotland and Japan are on my bucket list) but I don’t think I would like to live anywhere else. I love Texas.
How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?
I write for the most part on my laptop in my recliner in my living room. Sometimes I make notes on my cellphone, which is usually glued to my hand. If I’m desperate and I HAVE to write, I have jotted things down in a notebook. I have a mini-pad and pen on my headboard for those sit-up-in-bed-gasping moments. Sometimes I dream and HAVE to write it NOW.
Crossing Forces series:
Small Town Texas doesn't always mean small time crime.
Welcome to Antioch, population fifty thousand.
With a police department full of detectives and officers who are good at what they do, throw in the occasional FBI agent, and the bad guy doesn't have a shot, no matter how big the crime.
Welcome to Antioch, population fifty thousand.
With a police department full of detectives and officers who are good at what they do, throw in the occasional FBI agent, and the bad guy doesn't have a shot, no matter how big the crime.
They work together and fight together. Relationships will be forged and changed along the twists and turns.
When fate intervenes, love and happiness can be found in unlikely places.
Crossing Forces by C.A. Szarek
This is book two in the Crossing Forces series
Vowing to protect her had nothing to do with feelings.
Detective Pete Crane catches a new shooting case and considers it business-as-usual. But when the lead witness is the Chief of Police’s fiery assistant, he never anticipated she’d challenge him—personally and professionally. Especially while under his protection.
Little do they know, the shooting she and her grandmother witnessed was anything but random.
Thrown together, their attraction sizzles, even though she’s squarely in the no-fly zone. She makes him break every rule in his little black book.
Nikki Harper has been attracted to Pete since they met two years ago. Witnessing a brutal shooting throws her into a stigma that’s always been her greatest fear—a victim. She has no choice but to accept his protective custody and let him help save her and her beloved grandmother.
Can Pete protect his witness and solve the case, while fighting the intense heat with Nikki?
Genre – Romantic Suspense
Rating – R
More details about the author
1 comments:
Thanx for having me!!
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