Allana Angel
First of all, thanks Rogues Angels for having me visit your blog today!
Visit Alice's website: http://www.alicesharpe.com/
A Baby Between Them
Release Feb. 1, 2010
From the moment Ella Baxter vanishes, Seattle cop Simon Task knows it's up to him to bring her home. Especially once he learns she's pregnant with his child. Now, charging through the danger that shadows her and reminding her of their intensely passionate shared past is all that matters. As they follow cryptic clues to learn why she is being targeted, Simon senses there are things Ella would rather not remember. Still, getting her to trust him when she can't even remember him is a challenge he's up for. Breaking the news to her that she's pregnant may not be quite as easy….
How and when did you discover romantic fiction?
I think my destiny was sealed when I was twelve years old and read a book called,"The Pink Dress" by Anne Alexander. I can't tell you what it was about specifically, only that it was a coming of age story, involved some sort of romance and included, ta-dum, a pink dress. I can tell you that I was obsessed with getting to the end of the book and was so excited by it that I was flushed bright pink and running a slight fever by the time I read, "The End."
Up until then, it had been all about the Bobbsey Twins, and afterwards, my taste veered to mysteries. Big Agatha Christie fan until I discovered Mary Stewart, Elizabeth Peters (and her alter ego, Barbara Michaels), Victoria Holt (loved those haunting gothics), Anne Stevenson, and Mary Higgins Clark. These authors were pioneers in romantic suspense and they were excellent writers. If you've never read any of them, do yourself a favor and go to the library, give them a try. You may be pleasantly surprised. With them I rediscovered romance and how important it was to me to be included with a mystery.
By the way, I recently looked up The Pink Dress on Amazon and found it interesting to see how many women now my age loved that book when they were twelve or thirteen. It's out of print now although you can pick one up on Ebay for -- hold your breath -- a mere $300.00. Wow!
I think my destiny was sealed when I was twelve years old and read a book called,"The Pink Dress" by Anne Alexander. I can't tell you what it was about specifically, only that it was a coming of age story, involved some sort of romance and included, ta-dum, a pink dress. I can tell you that I was obsessed with getting to the end of the book and was so excited by it that I was flushed bright pink and running a slight fever by the time I read, "The End."
Up until then, it had been all about the Bobbsey Twins, and afterwards, my taste veered to mysteries. Big Agatha Christie fan until I discovered Mary Stewart, Elizabeth Peters (and her alter ego, Barbara Michaels), Victoria Holt (loved those haunting gothics), Anne Stevenson, and Mary Higgins Clark. These authors were pioneers in romantic suspense and they were excellent writers. If you've never read any of them, do yourself a favor and go to the library, give them a try. You may be pleasantly surprised. With them I rediscovered romance and how important it was to me to be included with a mystery.
By the way, I recently looked up The Pink Dress on Amazon and found it interesting to see how many women now my age loved that book when they were twelve or thirteen. It's out of print now although you can pick one up on Ebay for -- hold your breath -- a mere $300.00. Wow!
Are you a pantser or Plotter?
I used to be a panster. After fifteen or so books, I went to talk to a group of writers about how to write a synopsis. There was never a more ill-fitting match of author and subject. I remember telling them that I liked to have a general idea when I started my car (read:book) about my destination, but I did not want to know every little by-way or detour. Where was the fun in that?
Along the way, I started selling books on proposal -- three chapters and a synopsis -- and thus my methods began to change. I began to understand I could name major cities I planned to hit on the story journey without making decisions about every sight-seeing trip or restaurant along the way. In other words, I could outline. For awhile, finishing the synopsis became the emotional equivalent of what finishing a book used to be, but now it's morphed again -- the synopsis is a guideline, a place from which to spring, it's not a trap, it's not flypaper. And there is a world of difference between writing in a synopsis: "They sneak into the castle and kidnap the baby," and the two and a half days it takes to come up with how exactly they accomplish such a thing and the two and half chapters it takes to SHOW it happening. So, is there such a thing as a Plottser?
Would you say your stories are plot-driven or character-driven? And why?
Right now, I am writing Harlequin Intrigues which are about 70% mystery and 30% romance (or 60/40). The trick is to create a plot where the mystery would not exist without the characters and their arcs and a romance that is never secondary to that plot. In other words, balance. One must feed and nurture the other and in the end, were you to paraphrase the story, the hope is you couldn't do it without mentioning both elements.
Do you go with the flow or follow a schedule?
I go with the flow when I plot and with a flexible schedule when I write. When there's a deadline involved, the flow seems to disappear entirely!
Do you do your research in advance or as you write?
Both
Do you like noise or quiet?
Do you like noise or quiet?
I like it quiet. Some writers have a whole soundtrack for each book they write, music that transports them into their story. Music just distracts from the conversations rattling around inside my head!
To wrap this up, one of your questions was about "Team Alice" as in who supports me in this journey. In every way possible, from loving me to being there, my main support comes from my main squeeze, my husband. He helps me plot, answers technical questions, shows enthusiasm, puts up with my moods when things aren't going right, and keeps me sane. He even reads my books when they come out, turning pages quickly, laughing, even crying once in a blue moon. Nice. I owe him a debt I could never repay except by treasuring him which I do.
To wrap this up, one of your questions was about "Team Alice" as in who supports me in this journey. In every way possible, from loving me to being there, my main support comes from my main squeeze, my husband. He helps me plot, answers technical questions, shows enthusiasm, puts up with my moods when things aren't going right, and keeps me sane. He even reads my books when they come out, turning pages quickly, laughing, even crying once in a blue moon. Nice. I owe him a debt I could never repay except by treasuring him which I do.
The Baby's Bodyguard
Release Jun 2110
HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD...
But Jack Starling was very much alive and looking for answers. His investigation into his crew's ambush leads him to the fling he had a year ago with Hannah Marks. Although Jack is reluctant to believe Hannah had a role in the attack, it is clear she's hiding something, and Jack's suspicions only mount when he meets her daughter.
Determined to unveil her secrets, he vows to stay close. Then Hannah is nearly killed, and Jack must step in-as her baby's bodyguard-while battling his growing desire for the woman who might have betrayed him.
Release Jun 2110
HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD...
But Jack Starling was very much alive and looking for answers. His investigation into his crew's ambush leads him to the fling he had a year ago with Hannah Marks. Although Jack is reluctant to believe Hannah had a role in the attack, it is clear she's hiding something, and Jack's suspicions only mount when he meets her daughter.
Determined to unveil her secrets, he vows to stay close. Then Hannah is nearly killed, and Jack must step in-as her baby's bodyguard-while battling his growing desire for the woman who might have betrayed him.
Fun Interview Alice and Rogue's Angels!
ReplyDeleteI, too, read mystery before romance and loved Victoria Holt and Agatha Christie.
I've read many of Alice's books, enjoyed everyone of them, and have her current release waiting for me to find a lull in my writing.
Paty Jager
www.patyjager.net
Hi, Alice! So nice to find out more about you! And the handy link to your Web site was a nice excuse to go visit it and admire the new design again. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how your writing process has stayed the same in some ways, yet morphed in others as your career has grown. I like how you describe a proposal or outline as "a guideline...not a trap." Though I do detailed plotting, I'm still open to developments and surprises that the characters come up with--and they don't disappoint me!
I can also recommend Alice's books without hesitation. Great reads!
-Amber Angel
Thanks, Paty. With your schedule, I don't know when you find time to read! From what you said and before, I think we must have had the same reading lists as young adults!
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping me compliments and for the nice compliment.
Genene -- You have to stay open, don't you? I can't imagine not allowing a new thought or idea or direction to lead me a new direction.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for saying such nice things about my books. It's truly appreciated.