Monday, May 27, 2013

Meet Me Mondays with Alannah Lynne

*** GIVEAWAY ***

Anyone who comments will be entered into possibly winning a ebook copy of Savin' Me. Good luck everyone!



Alannah believes there's nothing more magical than finding the other half of your soul, experiencing fiery passion, and knowing you've found happily-ever-after.
She loves going to work each day (in sweats and a T-shirt) and writing about hot heroes and feisty heroines who torment each other in the most delicious ways before finding their happy ending.
She lives in the coastal region of North Carolina with her husband, who also happens to be her best friend and biggest fan. They have two sons, a dog, two cats, and an outrageous number of ducks and geese that inhabit the pond on their farm.
To stay abreast of her current releases and contests, visit her website (www.alannahlynne.com) and sign up for her newsletter. She loves connecting with readers, so drop by her blog (www.alannahlynne.blogspot.com) and chat, or visit with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AuthorAlannahLynne).
 
My interview with Alannah Lynne:

Thanks for letting me visit with you and your readers! 

1. How has your journey in publishing been? Anything you would or wouldn’t do again?

            Long! LOL I’ve been writing seriously about 7 years. My first novella, “Reaction Time,” was published by Samhain in 2008. In 2010, “Savin’ Me” was published by The Wild Rose Press. In 2010, I wrote “Last Call” and entered it into Kensington Brava’s Writing With the Stars Competition. I was one of the top 10 finalists and was incredibly blessed to have HelenKay Dimon as my mentor. After getting knocked out of that competition in the second round, I started shopping the story around. It garnered interest from one publisher in particular, but it was going to be 2013 before they could assign an editor, and 2014 before it released. My contract with The Wild Rose Press had expired, so in a huge leap of faith, I withdrew the submission of “Last Call,” took the rights to “Savin’ Me” back, rewrote and reedited it, and then used those two stories to launch the Heat Wave Series. Which was the best thing I’ve ever done career wise, and the one thing I would definitely do all over again! 

2. What are you working on right now? Can you tell us about it?

            I’m currently writing “Coveted,” the first story in a spin-off series called Pandora’s Playground. The Pandora’s Playground series will be erotic romances, all revolving around a kink club by the same name. I hope to release the stories this summer, starting in July. There will be 3 of them, and then I’ll alternate between Heat Wave books and Pandora’s Playground books. I also have a mystery series that I would love to release in early 2014. I’ll just have to see how the writing time goes. :D 

3. What/Who inspired you to start writing?

            I was a late bloomer and didn’t start reading romance until I was in my 30’s. The first romance I read was Janelle Denison’s “The Wilde Side.” I was instantly hooked on the genre and all of Janelle’s books, and read everything of hers I could get my hands on. She’s the reason I’m a lover of romance, and she’s the reason I wanted to be a writer. Janelle recently invited me to participate in a box set with her and several of her writing friends. The Sinfully Sweet Box Set includes stories by Janelle Denison, Leslie Kelly, Marquita Valentine, Rhonda Nelson, Carly Phillips, and myself. To be included in a collection with authors I’ve admired for years was a dream come true!! 

4. How long have you been writing?

            About seven years

5. What advice would you give a new writer just starting out?

            Two things. First, just start writing. Don’t worry about getting it “right.” There’s plenty of time for that later. In the beginning, just write, write, write. And while you’re writing, always tell the truth as it applies to your characters. It might be something that you would never think or do yourself, but if you want the story to be authentic, you have to let the characters do things you might not approve of or like. 

6. Are you a pantser or a plotter?

            A total pantser!! I’ve tried plotting, it never works out well. I come up with these grand plans, and then my characters look at me and say, “Ummm… no, we’re doing this our way” and off they go. And their way is ALWAYS so much better than anything I could’ve conceived of! 

7. Who is your favorite author?

            Janelle Denison – mad love for Janelle Denison!! :D 

8. When did you first consider yourself a writer?

            Hmmm… That’s a tough question. I don’t really know. I didn’t really tell anyone I was a writer until after I’d first published. And then, I still didn’t tell a lot of people, because I wrote under a pen name and I didn’t want to out myself. LOL I think when I started showing up to “work” every day, sitting down and writing, even when I didn’t want to, that’s when I considered myself a “real” writer. 

9. What is the hardest part about writing for you?

            All of it!! :D No, seriously, I’d say getting started it the hardest for me. In the beginning, when I don’t know my characters that well, nor do I have the foggiest idea of where the stories are going… that’s pure hell. Making myself sit down and write when I’m at a total loss is awful. That’s actually the point where I am right now. I don’t know my characters in “Coveted” very well, and while Muriel has been very sweet and open, Mathew has remained the “Isle of Matt,” as his friends refer to him. I’ve begged and pleaded and threatened and he still hasn’t opened himself up to me enough to get comfortable with him.
            I finally booked my editor the other day and told him, “Okay, bub, we’ve got a deadline. If you don’t start talking and giving me some direction, you’re going to be doing things my way.” As a Dom, that didn’t sit real well with him, so he’s been a little more forthcoming the past few days! LOL  

10. Do you have a favorite character from your books? If so, why and who?

            Oh gosh, that’s like asking me to pick my favorite child. I’d say Erik (“Savin’ Me”) and Kevin (“Crossing Lines”) are my favorites. Erik, because he got things started for me. “Reaction Time” was the first story I published, but “Savin’ Me” was the first one I wrote. He talked to me for years before I figured out who he was and what I was supposed to be doing with him. Kevin is just super hawt and has been with me nearly as long as Erik. 

11. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

            I’ve finished 4, and have another 5 or 6 started. Again, it’s so hard to pick a favorite, but I think I’d say “Last Call” is my fave, so far. Sunny and Gavin were so much fun to write! 

12. Do you do research for your books or does it all come from your head?

            I sometimes have to do research. <big grin>  Actually, I do a lot of research. I get ideas, but then I have to research it and see if what I’m imagining is possible or feasible. My husband loves research! LOL

13. What is your favorite colour?

            Purple

14. What is your favorite food? 

            Tacos – any Mexican food, really

15. What is your favorite smell?

            Honeydew or lavender candles

16. Do you have any strange habits?

            Haha… a TON!! I have a strange writing quirk that is a necessary part of my writing. I actually see the scenes before I write them. So, when it’s time to write, I lie down on the bed, get really comfy and relaxed and let the scene start running. Then, I jump up and run to my computer and try to capture as much of what I’ve seen as I can. Sometimes, when my husband walks into the bedroom and finds me lying down he’ll say, “Are you writing or resting?” :D

17. Where are you from? Do you still live there? If not, what do you miss about it?

            I grew up in a small town in Southern Ohio, right on the Ohio River. I don’t live there anymore, thankfully. It’s a great place to be from, and I love going back to visit, but it’s a depressed area with very little opportunities. I lived in Arizona for 6 ½ years and also consider Tucson to be home. I miss the desert, mountains, and warm winters terrible! LOL Currently, I live along the North Carolina coast. And I LOVE it!! Someday, hopefully someday soon, I’ll live right on the beach. 

18. Ebook or print? And why?

            eBook, print, and audio for “Savin’ Me.” Hopefully, I’ll be able to get “Last Call” and “Crossing Lines” into audio soon. I like to give my readers options, so I make all of my books available in as many formats as possible (or is feasible, given the length of the books).

19. How do you keep your writing different from all the others that write in this particular genre?

            That is the million dollar question, isn’t it? I think it all comes down to voice. I’m often told that my voice is distinctive, and readers enjoy the tone of my stories – which are deeply emotional, but also have humor mixed in with them – so I consider that a huge blessing. I’m not sure how one develops voice, I think it’s just a matter of writing and writing and writing until it starts to develop.

20. What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to learn about you?

            Hmm… I grew up on a farm and my dad owned a construction company. We lived in a very rural area, so he taught me to drive when I was 10, and by the time I was 13 I was driving his dump trucks. DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME! LOL

Thanks so much for letting me visit with you!! This has been a great experience for me, as it’s helped me understand why I’ve been struggling so badly with this new story. Thanks for helping me sort it out so I can get on the right track – and meet my deadline!!! :-D 




Links for finding Alannah Lynne are:
  


17 comments:

  1. Hi Alannah. *waving*
    I love your strange habit. It made me laugh. It's a great idea. I kind of do the same thing but its to help me go to sleep. Lol
    I loved the interview.
    Have a great Memorial Day everyone in the US!

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    1. Hi Lori!! *waving back* :-D

      Sorry it's taken me so long to reply, I've been out of town today. Thanks for dropping by and visiting with me!!

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  2. It was great being introduced to and getting to know Alannah a little bit! Liking the author is almost as big of a factor in me choosing a book as good reviews are. I'm a Buckeye too from Central Ohio. I'm definitely going to have to check out her books. Thanks for having her on your blog Jo-Anna :)

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    1. Hi Lois!! It's nice to meet you!!

      Will you, by any chance, be attending Lori Foster's Reader Author Get Together in a few weeks? If so, please find me and introduce yourself! I'd love to meet you in person. :-)

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  3. Wow, what a great interview! It's always awesome to get to know a great author better. So cool!

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    1. Hi C.A.!! I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. Thanks for visiting with me and commenting!!

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  4. Love it! I didn't know you were a farm girl!

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    1. Definitely a farm girl! :-) I live on the best kind of farm now. Lots of land so we have tons of privacy, but no animals! LOL

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  5. Great interview!!! Love what I have seen so far for this book!!

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    1. Hi Janice! It's great to meet you! Thanks for commenting!

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    2. So I forgot to have everyone include their emails for the contest so I'm messaging you here. Janice, you've won the free ebook from Alannah! If you get this, please e-mail me at joanna.wlkr@hotmail.com or PM me on my fb page. Thank you!

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    3. Yay, congrats Janice!!! I hope to hear from you soon. :-)

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  6. I LOVE the interview!!!! I love hearing new things about you and i hope that you are having a relaxing Memorial Day and i can't wait for the new book to come out!!! I love that Kevin is your Favorite too because I have said time and time again he is my MOST favorite!!!!

    angelalove@uwmail.com

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    1. Hey girlfriend!! We had a nice weekend and I got some writing done. Yay!! 'Bout damned time! LOL I hope you've had a nice Memorial Day, as well.

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  7. Hello,
    I just met an Awesome Lady ,a School Teacher,and yes we are from North Carolina.I had never heard of Alannah Lynne,but after I asked her name,she told me the story of how her mother had read alot of your books,so she loved your name so much,that she was named her after you.Her name is Alana Lynne,not spelled the same but I guess her mother thought that was the way it was spelled.So I told her how I had looked you up on the computer and told her that you lived on the coast of N.C. and she got all excited.But anyway,it is a Beautiful Name and I've never known anyone else named Alana,and it's such a beautiful name.I was just wondering what the chances would be of her actually being able to meet you in person,the Awesome Lady that she was named after.That would be the biggest surprise ever.I even pulled up and saved the pictures of you and you 2 actually look alot alike,big smiles and Beautiful Ladies.Anyway,if there is any way we could meet you on the Carolina Coast in person,that would be awesome.I was born and raised in Wilmington,N.C.,and My aunt retired to Southport,and I spent alot of time there with her,until she passed.She will be off from school for the summer and I plan on taking her to Fort Fisher and Wilmington and different places this summer.She is a really big History Buff.I know this is a long shot,but it doesn't hurt to try I guess.It would be nice to hear from you.
    Thanks!
    ~~Leo White~~

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    1. I thought that I had better at least have my E-Mail Address in case.(luckymein13@yahoo.com)
      ~~Leo White Again~~

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  8. What a great interview! So fun hearing that you were a farmgirl and learned to drive when you were 10. :) I also like that your hubby comes in and doesn't know whether you are resting or writing - what a nice guy that he actually asks. I supposed that's so he still has a chance at helping with research later... :)

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