Author Interview: Elaine White
What is the
title of your book?
Courage in the
Kiss
Please tell us a
little bit about your book.
Courage in the Kiss is a
novel that I wrote at least a decade ago. It was my first 'erotic' romance, but
it's been drastically re-written recently, from the original story.
Courage
is about Hadley, who is a live-in maid and 'almost' member of the William's
family. Orphaned at a young age, Emerson Williams took her in and let her grow
up with his two sons, Maxx and Micah. From the moment she knew what love was,
Hadley’s been head over heels about Maxx, but too afraid to admit it, because
their childhood friendship withered the moment he became a businessman, like
his father.
Working and living for the
family has always been home for her, but things are about to change in a very
big way.
How did you come
up with your book idea?
It's actually been so long that I can't
remember. I think it was after sneaking a copy of my gran's Mills and Boons
books. She had a Christmas collection, when I was staying over one summer, when
I was about fourteen, and there was this one scene that really annoyed me in
one of the books, because it didn't feel 'right'. I rewrote it, but then got
engrossed in writing my own story, that I stupidly thought was 'better'. LOL.
Now, after all these years, as soon as I started editing the original story for
publishing, I finally saw the light and knew exactly why I'd never tried to
publish it before. The ending was all wrong. In re-writing it, I've probably
written about 80% of the book. But it's for the best.
Is
there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
That you should never put labels
on people and sometimes, a secret can do more harm than good. Not speaking up,
when it's important, can really affect the decisions that you and other people
make.
If
your book became a movie, what would your ideal cast be?
I think that Chelsea Culigan would
be great as Hadley, who is feisty and a little bit vulnerable, at the same time.
I'd absolutely love to have Sam Page as Maxx; the straight-laced businessman
who lets his sexiness show, only when he makes a move on Haldey.
What
are your publishing credits?
Well, I currently have four
novels released with Write More
Publications, as well as two short stories in WMP anthologies. I also have four novels published with Hot Ink Press, and am featured in two of
their anthologies. There are more to come, with both companies. Courage in the Kiss will be my first
story with Simply Sexy Reads.
What
are your plans for the future?
Lots. I have a few more sexy MF
stories that I'll be pitching to Simply
Sexy Reads, in the future, and lots more YA novels, to be sent to WMP. And there are always more MM novels
for Hot Ink Press. Lots going on and
lots of editing to do.
What
is your day job?
I’m a writer. At the moment, my
health prevents me from working any other job, so I’m living my dream right
now.
What
is your preferred genre to write?
Romance. Basically, anything with
romance is a green light, for me. My motto is “Romantic at Heart”, because I'll
write any genre once, as long as I can integrate a romance.
How
did you become a writer?
By fluke, I think. I remember not
reading or writing much until I was almost fourteen. I was able to read and
write before I got to school, but it was never really a passion until my English
teacher in high school got hold of me. He introduced me to books that I loved
and that I loved debating about. All the other books I’d been encouraged to
read at school had never been my taste, so I’d definitely say that he helped me
refine my taste in literature and showed me how to expand on that passion.
Are you a
planner, complete with detailed outlines, or do you fly by the seat of your
pants when writing?
I’m
somewhere in between, I think. I generally start the story with a vague idea of
a beginning, middle, and end. I write notes of what I want, in a vague way, and
make sure to note any 'set' conversations that I really want to take place.
Other than that, I run with the story as it happens. Sometimes what I planned
doesn't always work out or the characters change their mind. I'm happy to let
them lead the way.
What is the best writing advice that you have ever been
given?
To
keep fighting through the writer's block. I used to get it all the time, so
much so that I wouldn't touch a story for over a year, until I'd worked out the
plot problems. No matter how bad the story gets, I just keep working on it
until it's done. Any editing or plot problems can be fixed in editing.
What advice would you give a new writer?
Edit
the heck out of any book you write, before you send it to anyone. Editing is
where I find all of my mistakes. And, if you have a Kindle or e-reader, use
Calibre to convert your document into the right format and read it on the
e-reader. Trust me, you'll notice all the little niggles this way. The e-reader
forces you to read your story as any other reader would and reconstructs the
formatting, so with lesser words per line, you're more likely to spot mistakes.
You can also highlight and make notes.
Editing
is probably the most valuable tool you'll ever have, as a writer. Once a book
is written, it needs to be edited at LEAST five times, by yourself or other
people, before you show it to anyone. It’s a lot of work, but the story will
thank you for it.
What other
projects do you have in the works at the moment?
So many that it's a little crazy. :) I
have a folder of fifteen stories that have been started or are in full 'note'
form and really well planned, that I have to write up. Then, I have another
twenty that are vague that will need a lot of work, too. Right now, I probably
have around three books that are ready for SSR,
with some editing and tweaking, so they’re probably next on my list.
What surprises
can we expect from you in the future?
Who knows? I can barely tell where
stories will take me, so probably somewhere crazy.
If you could
journey into any of your books, interacting with the characters, which would it
be and why?
Hard
choice. I’d probably choose to step into Courage
in the Kiss, because I’ve love to meet Maxx in person. ;)
What are you reading?
Unfortunately,
nothing at the moment. I'm so busy editing and writing that I don't have much
time for reading right now. I wish I did, my TBR list is huge! Lol.
What’s the most amusing thing that’s happened to you
while you were writing this story?
Definitely the
research. Some of the things I've had to look up, while re-writing this have
been hilarious. But I'm not going to share, right now, because that would be
giving away secrets.
What public
appearances do you have planned in the future?
None. At the moment, my health doesn't
allow for public appearances, but I'd definitely love to do some in the far
future.
Chocolate or
vanilla?
Hmm...either or? Honestly, I don’t mind
either way. I'm easily pleased. :)
What is your
favorite drink?
I'm a good Scottish girl, so it has to
be Irn Bru. It perks you right up,
when you need a boost.
Who is your
dream man and why?
I'm a sucker for Gerard Butler. I mean,
that voice, that smile, those eyes...and he looks damned good in a kilt. ;)
Is there
anything else you’d like to share with your fans?
Teaser poster
On behalf of Simply Sexy Reads, thank you!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Elaine White was born
and raised in the small town of Haddington, Scotland. She began writing from an
early age, experiment with various
writing styles. Fighting cancer in her early teens taught her that life is
short and dreams should be pursued. Now, she finds inspiration everywhere,
which has led to numerous novels and series in any genre that can involve
romance. Elaine currently lives at
home in Scotland with her parents and a pack of wolves cleverly disguised as
one standard poodle. She is a full-time writer.
ELAINE WHITE'S AUTHOR LINKS:
Facebook: facebook.com/elainewhite.
Twitter: @ElleLainey
ELAINE WHITE'S PUBLISHED WORKS:
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