Today I’m pleased to welcome fellow romance author, Allure Van Sanz. And what’s cool about her is, she and I share a similar book cover. Hey, I’m not complaining! It’s more Jimmy Thomas to look at! I’d say put your hands together but as you’re reading this, perhaps the proper thing to say is, keep your eyes glued to the screen and say HI to Ms. van Sanz. 🙂
Contest: For a chance to win a free copy of Allure’s newest release, simply leave a comment with your email address. Winner will be announced on April 8th.
When did you know you wanted to be a writer? And how did you get your start?
I always liked to write. My first novel was titled Violent Death and it was written in the pages of my Hello Kitty diary. I was in sixth grade. I wrote poems and short stories and at nineteen I wrote my first screenplay titled The Necklace—but in all honesty, I never thought about doing a thing with any of it until I read a really horrible book when I was in my mid-twenties. I remember thinking if something that hideous can get in print, maybe I could get something of mine, equally hideous, in print. About eight years later, I signed my first e-book contract.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I think a writer finds inspiration in everything. And I mean everything. The other day, I watched a bug fly into my wall repeatedly and found myself wondering who the hell was steering! An entire book popped into my head based on that image alone. I once read a quote, which I can’t remember verbatim, that said no incident that happens to a writer is safe from being reported.
What is the one writer’s tool you can’t live without?
My USB. I have two laptops and a PC. I love them all but my work is on a little USB that I take from computer to netbook.
How many words/pages do you do in a day/week/month? And how do you keep yourself motivated to do them?
I try to write about 2000 words a day. Keeping myself motivated is relatively hard, as I find myself constantly plotting new books. I’m a bit ADD—no joke—I am, and it really makes my career goals hard to achieve sometimes. Knowing that, however, I work even harder to prove I can make it as an author.
Whose work has influenced you the most?
Hands down, Virginia Henley. Her book, Enslaved, made me ache to write. If I could create something that made others feel the way that book made me feel, I’d die feeling like I did something. I also have to give a shout out to the first full-length novel I ever completed: Red Branch. The story made me cry, made me hurt. I started reading romance because of it. LOL I needed a happy ending.
This month is the release of your novel, LOVE REVISITED: DAVIT AND JENOVA, from Noble Romance Publishing. Where did you get the idea for that?
Love Revisited is a line of shorts Noble is doing to reintroduce characters from previous books. The first book I ever published was titled From The Ruins, through Noble. I chose to revisit Davit and Jenova because the story is a fictitious take on a very real relationship.
Tell us a little about the book. How about a blurb?
As I mentioned, this little number is a short based on a book I wrote a few years ago title From The Ruins, BUT, it can stand on its own.
A long-dead tribe haunts ancient temple ruins. A temple that Davit used years ago, to possess Jenova’s body and steal her heart. Now, on this annual return trip, she decides it is time for Davit to experience the relaxation that comes with total loss of control.
What other things are you working on?
At the moment, I’m finishing up an erotic romance, editing another, editing a young adult novel (I write under a different name for the YA stuff), plotting another YA and writing its synopsis and partial for my agent. I have three more erotic works with the first few chapters written, I have a series on submission (only the first story is written) and I am launching my collaboration Urban Fantasy/paranormal romance on Amazon titled Murder Creek (only .99 for a full-length read!) and pushing my release which comes out today. Phew!
If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?
Probably well-rested. LOL Honestly? I have no idea. I love so many different things about life. I want to be a geologist, an archaeologist, an ER nurse, a reptile rescuer/zookeeper, and the list goes on. So many things fascinate me and I think that’s why writing makes me happy. For a little while, I can get in the head of a character and BE all of those things. I just have to put a lot of time and effort in the research.
What’s your favorite genre to read? What’s your favorite genre to write?
I really love reading Young Adult right now the most, and writing is a tie between all the genres I write—YA, romance, and erotic.
Where to find her on the Intarwebs:
Website: http://allurevansanz.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/AllureVanSanz
Blog: http://www.allurevansanz.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/AllureVanSanz
Email her here!
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004RKI5C4
Thank you for a stunning interview I now know so much more about a truly brilliant author!!
Best,
Desere
desere_steenberg@yahoo.com
Yay! Thanks so much for hosting me today. I had the wrong link up on my blog and my promos…BUT I fixed it, so I hope I can bring you some traffic not that my dorktitude has righted itself. ::grins::
I love that we have the same cover, makes me smile. One silly thing like that, brought me another writer friend. Can’t beat it.
All my best,
AyVee
Allure Van Sanz
OMG OMG! I can relate to you on SO many levels! (I’m not wearing a bra at the moment … I really should stop jumping up and down like this.) I LOVE what you said about how being a writer lets you be all of those other things. I NEVER thought of it that way, but it’s so true! I could list a half dozen careers I’d LOVE to have, and writing really does give you that chance. WHATTA JOB! And, “well rested.” Buaaahaahaaa! No kidding! What a GREAT interview! *LOVE THIS!*
Congrats on the new release! I’d wish you many more, but I think you’re doing just fine in that department. Rub a little of that off on me, wouldya? ;c)
Sarah
sarah at sarahballance dot com
Hi Sarah! Thanks for stopping by today! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Desere!
That was a great interview. One day, I must get to reading again, when I have time, maybe after I finish my novel 🙂
@ Desere. You make me blush! Thank you so much for your generous words and thanks for stopping by, coming with me every step of the way during this contest tour.
@ Sarah. Kindred spirits! I’m glad I could bring out the braless jumping. Men and women everywhere are thanking me. ::grins::
@Alannah. Good luck with your novel! It’s never easy hammering things out from brain to screen (or paper…whatever your method might be). Keep in mind, and I say this with all seriousness, reading is proven to be complimentary to your writing. Writers who read while writing, have fewer mistakes, and their mind is sharper. Hope to one day see you promoting that book here!
Best,
Allure
I think a lot of us would be well-rested if we weren’t writing…but we’d be bored out of our skulls! 2,000 words a day. That is impressive. Best wishes, Allure on all of your projects. You always stir the pot and I always enjoy having you nearby.
Margie
Thank you for the great interview, and michelle for hosting this Release.
I just love the cover too…*S*
What a great contest, and a chance to win…
Thank You
Darcy
pommawolf @ hotmail dot com
Hi Alannah! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Hi Margie! Thanks for visiting 🙂
Hi Darcy! Thanks for stopping by today. Hope to see you again 🙂
I back….LOL
Just had to drop by and say thank you for your thoughfulness, and I will be reading more of your books…*S*
Thank You
Darcy
Hey Lady!
Remember me??? 🙄
Great interview and I just LOVE LOVE LOVE this “Love Revisited Series” and congratulations on being a part of it!
Cheers!
CAS @goodreads
Hi. Totally loved the interview. Like the others, I can totally relate to wwhat you posted. I personally like the line from the song in Cinderella: In my own little corner in my own little chair I can be whoever I want to be. That is so true of writers. Sometimes I’m envious of my characters because they do things, see places, meet people and say things that I will never get to do or see. Do you ever feel that way about your characters?
Keep writing so Jimmy has work! LOL
Oh, BTW, I don’t have a website (yet ) so I listed my blog addy.
And if this shows up twice, sorry–posting issues.
My best–Cindy
@ Margie. Thanks so much for stopping by. You’re always up to something, so I know every stop you make matters. I appreciate you coming.
@ Darcy. Thanks for coming…twice. LOL You make me smile!
@ CAS. Of course I remember you! You’ve been a bit quiet lately. I hope that’s a good sign for you. Hope to hear more from you though. I’ve missed your encouragement. 😉
@ Cindy. Hi! I liked doing the interview. Michelle asked some great questions and I’m grateful to her for having me today and allowing me to run a contest. I will keep writing, but I think Jimmy’s job security is safe!! lol
By the way…for winners of the four day contest, come by my blog @ allurevansanz.blogspot.com to see if you are a winner.
There’s still two hours to enter.
*waves at Allure* Fab interview! I had a Hello Kitty diary as a kid, too, though I didn’t write a novel in it. Don’t think I wrote much of anything in it. I just like it ’cause it was Hello Kitty, and HK rocks 🙂
Your very welcome and thank you to you for sharing your amazing stories with us !