Claire O'Sullivan interview

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

A little introduction:

I love to write, read, and share what I've been up to. Since I'm retired, I get to do pretty much whatever I want, from cooking to gardening, and gathering chicken eggs to watching the neighbor's sheep and goats. I do see a novel down the line there ... I'm married and my biggest supporter is my husband, Pat, and we live in Southern Oregon where the farms and ranches may or may not show up in a fictional novel. 

When did your love of books begin?

I read a lot in middle grade school of course, but I became enthralled with "Born Free," which eventually led me to researching all things East Africa and a trip to Kenya at the Kenya Science Teachers College back in 1974. When I returned, I delved into reading everything I could get my hands on, and I believe it was the Lord of the Rings trilogy that cemented my desire to read. 

This seems a long time ago -wait, it is - in 8th grade we had to write or create something in an English class and she'd pick a few she'd want us to be showcased. She picked a fellow who played the guitar and I believe he went on to professional gigs. She forced, no, uh picked me to read a tragic, Danielle Steele type short story about medical researchers with a sad ending. That the girls all wept thrilled me. That the teacher said, 'This is your gift,' blew me away. Life happened of course and writing to a backseat to everything. 

When did you start to have the wish to become an author?

The desire to write hit early when I was twelve, but I wrote non-fiction such as the history of Joan of Arc. This bored the heck out of me after a time. It wasn't until my late twenties when I realized I really wanted to write fiction, mostly romance. That has morphed into various genres especially romantic suspense since dead bodies always seem to show up in my books. 

How have you found the process for becoming an author?

Becoming an author for some comes easily, but not for me. I spent hours reading and writing every day. I spent countless hours learning the craft, re-learning how to speak English (funny stories there), and writing in various points of view, learning the difference between plot and the character's development. This took years. Years. And learning never stops. 

What would you say to those wanting to become an author?

For those aspiring to be authors I would say, read and read a lot. Write anything and everything daily (doesn't have to be ten pages, sometimes just ten words). Get advice from other authors. Realize you have your own voice and reading helps you find it. And writing is not your first job because you likely won't make scads of money. But you can tell folks that it is. Haha I did that a lot. My day job was nursing, where I found a lot of research. And research, interview experts, read books on the subjects, get into webinars or groups. Develop a rhino hide when you are in a critique group. Accept criticism but be aware that this is your work. And last, rewrite. Your first draft is crap according to Earnest Hemingway. It may take 4 drafts to get to your final, or a thousand. 

Tell us about your book/books:

My debut novel is a romantic suspense called "Romance Under Wraps," about an identity thief who had lost her real identity and crosses paths with homicide detective who grants her a lot of grace. This over a dead body, of course. A slow-burn forbidden romance begins, tragedy ensues only to turn into a happily ever after (because I don't like the Danielle Steele tragedies). 

My second novel is in edit with the publisher, named "Rules Of Engagement." This book is a bit of a different genre, in the military/intrigue and another slow burn romance. A scientist has to trust a soldier to find the global leaders who are working to destroy a large portion of the world's population. However, she doesn't trust him and wonders if he is part of a medical research company, committing corporate espionage. And is he?

I am working on the sequel to "Romance Under Wraps," with another main character, a morose medical examiner working with a new tech, and they work together to fill in the blanks of the two detectives working a homicide case. My first serial killer novel. 

What do you love about the writing/reading community?

The reading/writing community is both uplifting and very truthful - if you don't like hearing the truth then the community isn't for you. But if you are part of this group, be ready for praise and reviewers who will speak the truth. Accept it. 

If you could say anything to your readers what would it be?

For those who want to write, join in groups, contests, get into critique groups, read, write, find your voice. And rewrite before you get an editor worth their weight in gold. 

Where can people connect with you?

If you want to link up with me, all of my links are listed on Claire O'Sullivan