Please welcome my guest, Romance Author Brenda Margriet. Brenda lives in Northern British Columbia with her husband, three
children (all of whom are taller than her) and various finny and furry
pets. By day she is Creative Director at the local television station,
and by night she pecks away at her works in progress.
Hi Brenda,
Tell us something about yourself both writing and not
writing related.
My debut novel, MOUNTAIN FIRE, took more years to write than
I care to remember. Mostly because I didn't have the discipline to put my butt
in my chair and write the darn thing. I
had to re-write the first scene because when I did the first draft, my heroine
was using a film camera!
Both my husband and I were born and raised in the city in
which we still live. We studied broadcasting at the same school at the same
time (he was one year ahead of me in a two year program). But we didn't meet
until I started working at the local television station. That was more than 25
years ago, and we still work together, with our offices about 20 feet
apart. I wouldn't have it any other way!
Do you have a writing routine? Where do you usually do your writing?
When I am working on a new manuscript, I set a weekly goal
of 3000 words, and a daily goal of 500 words. That gives me one day off a week
(which changes depending on family schedules).
I find 500 words very do-able, and on most days usually get closer to
750 words. But with a busy family and a
full time job, I prefer to set small, achievable goals. Bigger goals that I don't achieve just give
my internal critic something else to snivel about.
I write in my living room, on my laptop, which is on an
upside down tray on a pillow because I haven't invested in a lap desk yet! I'm
lucky in that the living room is not where the TV is, so I have a bit of
privacy, but am not completely cut off from the family.
I set weekly writing goals too. I also work full time and have a family and have found weekly goals help keep me on track. Why do you write in the genre/sub-genre that you
do? Any plans in the future to write in
a different one?
I love knowing how people meet. I find there's always something unexpected in
the stories married couples tell about how they fell in love, and that
fascinates me. Also, I like happy
endings. I want to feel uplifted and cheerful when I read – not dragged down
into gloom. That's why I write romance.
MOUNTAIN FIRE is a romantic suspense. I like the added drama
of life threatening events, while the hero and heroine navigate the nuances of
their new relationship. But my second
completed manuscript (still in revisions) is a straight contemporary
romance. And I've recently started
reading and enjoying Regency romances, so could see myself trying my hand at
one of those someday, too.
How funny, I've always written Regency romances and am currently working on my first contemporary manuscript. How do you stay motivated when
writer’s block hits or your muse won’t cooperate?
I just keep powering through. In my day job, I have multiple projects on
the go at all times, and I can't let a block slow me down. I do the same with
my novels. No matter how hard it seems,
I write. Something. Anything. Even if it looks and sounds horrible, I write my
500 words. And then the next day I look at it again. Sometimes, it is as bad as
I thought. But most of the time I can salvage something. And that means I have
moved just that little bit closer to the end.
That's a great way to keep motivated and keep writing. What’s the strangest thing
you’ve ever done in the name of research?
Uhh, nothing. The Internet is a wonderful tool for a
writer. Used with a bit of common sense and
an open mind, you can learn almost everything you need without getting off your
chair (or in my case, my couch). Google maps is great. You can really add a realistic flair by
throwing in actual street names and directions, even for a city you've never been
to.
What’s the best writing advice
you were ever given?
The first how-to-write book I ever read was Lawrence Block's
“Telling Lies for Fun and Profit.” I
learned a lot from that book, and it is full of short, easy to read chapters
that have solid examples.
What do you like to do in your
leisure time?
Read. And read some more. I
read when I'm cooking, eating, blow drying my hair, fishing, in the
bathtub. If I'm not reading, I am often
playing cards. My family loves to play all sorts of card games.
Oh my goodness, I think we were separated at birth. I read doing all those things too. I even hold the newspaper against the bathroom mirror so I can read it when I'm brushing my teeth in the morning. Tell us about your current release in a couple of sentences.
MOUNTAIN FIRE is a romantic suspense set in the mountains of
Northern British Columbia. June Brandt, a
Natural Resources student, meets Alex Weaver, a conservation officer, over the
carcass of a poached grizzly. Together they must discover who is murdering
these magnificent animals, while exploring their passionate attraction to each
other.
Your book sounds fascinating. Can you tell us a little about your next project?
I don't have a title for it yet, but it is a contemporary
romance. Jemma Hedge is a production assistant on a reality dating show. She
falls in love with Paul Almeida, the contestant on the show, which is an
absolute no-no, and could get her fired. As she is the sole support of her
aging grandmother, that would be a disaster.
I just received some great notes from my critique partner, so I've got
some work to do yet, but I am very excited about it.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Thanks so much for letting me join your blog today,
Katherine! And if anyone is interested
in find out more about me and my writing, please visit my website at www.brendamargriet.com. There you'll find links to purchase MOUNTAIN
FIRE in either print or e-book, as well as be able to connect with me on
Facebook, Twitter, and more!
Blurb:
A mountaintop mystery
leads two conservationists to dangerous obsessions and violent passions.
Natural resources student June Brandt climbs Longworth Mountain for some alone time. But when Conservation Officer Alex Weaver arrives to look into the death of a grizzly bear, June is caught up in the investigation—and fascinated by Alex.
Alex is attracted by June's competence and coolness under fire—as well as her lithe body and honey-blonde hair. Although their mutual interest in protecting the natural wonders of the area brings them together, they soon realize they view love from very different angles. He offers passion and pleasure, but June wants more.
When one of Alex’s colleagues is murdered, June and Alex must work together to find the poacher before other lives are lost. And Alex must look deep inside to discover if he can give June what she deserves.
Natural resources student June Brandt climbs Longworth Mountain for some alone time. But when Conservation Officer Alex Weaver arrives to look into the death of a grizzly bear, June is caught up in the investigation—and fascinated by Alex.
Alex is attracted by June's competence and coolness under fire—as well as her lithe body and honey-blonde hair. Although their mutual interest in protecting the natural wonders of the area brings them together, they soon realize they view love from very different angles. He offers passion and pleasure, but June wants more.
When one of Alex’s colleagues is murdered, June and Alex must work together to find the poacher before other lives are lost. And Alex must look deep inside to discover if he can give June what she deserves.
Excerpt:
“Good god,” he whispered. “It's my
fault.”
“No!” June said urgently. “No, that's not what I meant. Listen to me, Alex.” She broke free of his grasp and raised her hands to his cheeks, forcing him to meet her eyes. “It's not your fault. The person to blame is the one who killed Iain. But you have to see...you have to realize...it could have been you. And the note...maybe it was supposed to be you.”
Her brilliant blue gaze held fire and courage and something else he was afraid to define. He wrapped his arms around her and held on, drawing strength from her warmth, her slender softness. That he might have unwittingly been the means of Iain's death shook him to his core. Years of friendship and respect, blasted away by a bullet. He wasn't sure he could bear the guilt.
“Come to me.” He murmured in her ear. “Come to me tonight.” His mouth seared a hot, moist path along her jawline. He needed her, but he realized with wonder it wasn't simply sexual. It was also the desire for comfort and companionship, a sharing of sorrow.
The uneasiness icing his veins was consumed in the flame of passion. Unable to deny himself another taste of her, his lips met hers fiercely, grinding against her teeth until her mouth opened and their tongues twisted together, twirling, teasing. He crushed her against his body, hands sliding from buttocks to shoulders, melding her to fit him. “I need you, June.” Desperation filled him, undeniable and indefensible. “It's your call. Your decision. But I want you so bad. I...” he faded to a stop, pressed his mouth to hers once more. “Come to me.”
Her breath trembled out. He held her so close he could see his reflection in her eyes. She nodded. “Tonight.”
“No!” June said urgently. “No, that's not what I meant. Listen to me, Alex.” She broke free of his grasp and raised her hands to his cheeks, forcing him to meet her eyes. “It's not your fault. The person to blame is the one who killed Iain. But you have to see...you have to realize...it could have been you. And the note...maybe it was supposed to be you.”
Her brilliant blue gaze held fire and courage and something else he was afraid to define. He wrapped his arms around her and held on, drawing strength from her warmth, her slender softness. That he might have unwittingly been the means of Iain's death shook him to his core. Years of friendship and respect, blasted away by a bullet. He wasn't sure he could bear the guilt.
“Come to me.” He murmured in her ear. “Come to me tonight.” His mouth seared a hot, moist path along her jawline. He needed her, but he realized with wonder it wasn't simply sexual. It was also the desire for comfort and companionship, a sharing of sorrow.
The uneasiness icing his veins was consumed in the flame of passion. Unable to deny himself another taste of her, his lips met hers fiercely, grinding against her teeth until her mouth opened and their tongues twisted together, twirling, teasing. He crushed her against his body, hands sliding from buttocks to shoulders, melding her to fit him. “I need you, June.” Desperation filled him, undeniable and indefensible. “It's your call. Your decision. But I want you so bad. I...” he faded to a stop, pressed his mouth to hers once more. “Come to me.”
Her breath trembled out. He held her so close he could see his reflection in her eyes. She nodded. “Tonight.”
Sounds great, doesn't it. Don't forget to go to Brenda's blog for buy links.
Thanks, Brenda, for being my guest today.
