EM: Welcome to My World, Tara. Thank you so much for stopping by to play twenty questions with me. :-)
Before we begin, could you tell us a little about yourself?
TA: Thank
you for having me here today!
I live in New York with my
husband and two children, ages nine and six. In addition to writing, I spend my
days managing an office, though I would love to be able to write full time - it’s
what I love. I’m an avid reader, advanced-level procrastinator, and hater of
spiders. Not sure why I threw in that last bit, but it’s true. LOL.
EM: Are
you ready to play 20 questions? *rubs hands together*
Which do you find harder to
write?
1. First person POV or Third?
I find first person POV much
harder. There are those authors who are brilliant at this POV and I even
started out writing in first person (very horrible fan fiction as a teenager),
but I have not mastered it at all. It seems to all come out pretty passive.
However, I do use first person when I am stuck. I’ll open a new document and
start writing in first person strictly to try and work out the problem, and then
I go back my working document.
2. As a male or female?
Male. I’m always trying to figure
them out in real life, now in my own fiction, too!
3. Beginning, middle or end of the story?
I find the middle the hardest to
write. Beginnings always come very easy to me, it’s usually what pops into my
mind first. Since I write romance I kind of always know how it will end, with a
happily ever after. :) The middle, to me, needs to be as interesting as the
beginning and end, and it’s the longest part of the book. That’s the hard part.
4. Fight scenes or sex scenes?
I’d have to say fight scenes,
simply because I haven’t written any. LOL.
5. Synopsis or blurb?
Blurb. Condensing a story down to a few intriguing
paragraphs is pretty hard!
As a writer, do you prefer:
6. Writing in the morning, afternoon or evening?
I do a lot of my writing in the
morning before the kids get up. It’s the
most peaceful time of the day, just me, my laptop, and a cup of coffee. :) Only problem, I’m late to work…a lot.
7. Writing with music, or in peace?
As much as I find inspiration in
music, I can’t write with it on. I spend all of my driving time listening to
songs and thinking of my plot, specific scenes, and characters. Unfortunately, I
believe because of this, I’ve inadvertently trained myself to brainstorm and
can’t seem to concentrate on writing when it’s on. However, I can’t write in
complete silence either. I’ve tried
going to a library to get some peace, but it drove me crazy. Apparently I need
to have something on in the background, whether the Food Network, the kids
playing in another room, or even Spongebob, I need a little noise.
8. Planning, or Improvising?
A few months ago I would have
said improvising, but for the story I am working on now I had to sit down and
work out an outline (for lack of a better word). It’s a little unconventional, not
your typical outline, but it is helping me see my story from beginning to end.
9. Juggling a few projects, or concentrating on one at a time?
I used to juggle projects and
actually loved being able to do that because I usually multi-task in almost
anything else I do. The problem, though, I wasn’t finishing anything. Starting
too many along the way and ending up neglecting the earlier stories for the
fresher ideas. So now I am concentrating on one at a time.
10. Sticking to one genre, or exploring many?
I’ve dabbled in paranormal and
even regency, but have only been published so far in contemporary. I wouldn’t
eliminate the possibility of branching out maybe in the future. :)
As a reader, do you prefer:
11. Story being told from female view or male?
I like reading multiple, third
person point of view, however I usually find myself waiting for the POV shift
back to the male. Not sure why. LOL.
12. Good guys or bad boys?
Um… both. Can’t say I can pick. I
love reading about a troublemaker as much as a sheriff.
13. Feisty females or fragile damsels?
Feisty!
14. Stand alone stories or series?
I do enjoy series. When a book is
good I look forward to the next one and hope the characters I just invested in
will pop in for a visit.
15. Quick reads or long stories?
I read both. I love to really
delve into a longer story, especially when I have the time to relax and finish
the book in a relatively short time. I tend to be a marathon reader, one-more-chaptering
myself until I only have a few hours of sleep to look forward to. I recognize this and therefore enjoy shorter
stories for when time is limited and I need some mental downtime.
16. Romance as a side dish or the main course?
Main course! It’s all about the
HEA for me. :)
17. Erotica or soft romance or something in-between?
I’ve read and enjoyed almost
every type or romance, but I have to say I lean toward something in between.
18. More action or humor?
I love a book that can make me
laugh out loud.
Just for fun:
19. Vampires or Angels?
Vampires (or, Carpathians in some
cases).
20. Werewolves or Demons?
Demons (eh-hem LOTU, just sayin’)
What are you currently working on?
Currently I am working on what I
refer to as my “office romance” since it does not have a title as yet. It will be longer story than I am used to
writing, and will star an incredibly hot, misunderstood son of a billionaire.
It’s an awful lot of fun blindsiding him with my heroine.
Do you have any current release?
Yes, my latest contribution to
Decadent Publishing’s 1Night Stand series, Her
Everything, just came out September 26.
Blurb:
Rachel Turner made a
mistake—a couple, in fact. Ruining a
surprise meeting with the front man to her favorite band is just the beginning. But agreeing to switch places with her famous
sister may spell the end of both of their careers. With rumors flying and an
unexpected invitation from Madame Eve, Rachel hopes she can put the mistakes
behind her.
Attending an event to
support a charity close to his heart, Mark Travis wasn’t looking for love, or
even company—and definitely not with a fan.
But when he puts in a hasty bid at a silent auction and wins the
services of 1Night Stand, Madame Eve has something different in mind. A single evening with a woman she claims can
fulfill his needs. But one night might
not be enough.
Come morning, will Mark and
Rachel’s unexpected one-night stand give them more than they bargained for?
Purchase link:
Excerpt:
On the dance floor,
Mark tugged her waist to pull her close. With one hand clasped in his and the
other resting on his shoulder, she followed his lead. He danced with the same
confidence and style as he walked—sure, commanding, and…so incredibly hot.
Thanks to the
four-inch Louboutins Rachel had borrowed from her sister, the top of her head
barely reached his chin, but high enough, if she dared, to rest her temple
against his cheek. Though tempted to find out if the stubble along his jaw was
as soft as it looked, she didn’t dare. But, oh, how she wanted to. At least
they were close enough that the spicy scent of his cologne surrounded her.
A love song played,
its lyrics about longing the perfect fit for her one-and-only dance with the
man she’d admired so long from afar.
“You didn’t come
back.” His voice, rough and low, vibrated against her cheek.
She tilted her head
to meet his gaze. The intimate proximity allowed her an up-close-and-personal
view of his brown eyes, their color reminding her of the amaretto she favored.
His hold on her
shifted, bringing them closer, the difference slight, but welcome. The nerves
at her waist sizzled under the weight of his palm, while his thumb rubbed the
exposed skin of her back. She shivered again from the simple touch, and an
answering heat flared in his eyes.
“I…I got called away
to help my sister.” She stumbled on the near lie. But, truth be told, she never
dreamed Mark would give her a second thought after she’d left, his disinterest
so plain to see.
“Sasha?”
So he knew who she
was then? “Yes, she’s my sister.”
“Your twin.”
Rachel allowed him to
spin her before replying. “That’s correct.”
“I didn’t realize at
first. The glasses threw me off, as did your hair.” He smiled then. “Even so,
you two are not identical.”
Aside from her and Sasha’s obvious style differences and voices, very
few people were able to tell them apart. A knot formed in Rachel’s throat. She
didn’t like where his comment appeared to be leading or the way his movements
slowed and his brow furrowed.
He met her eyes. “Was that you on
stage tonight?”
Where can readers find you on the internet?
Website: http://www.taraandrews.net/
Twitter: @tara_andrews1
Pinterest:
www.pinterest.com/taraandrews1/
EM: Thank
you so much for joining me!
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