Today I have the privilege to interview one of my 5 Prince Publishing sisters, Carmen DeSousa! Carmen is one busy woman. If you follow my blog, you have seen her name in several post as I have assisted her with promotions and new releases. Well, today, you get to know the woman behind the books!
Welcome, Carmen!
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Welcome, Carmen!
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You write Romantic
Suspense. What inspired you to write, and what made you choose that genre?
I’ve enjoyed reading romantic-suspense novels since I was
a teenager. I never could get into just romance or even simply a whodunit. I
loved a little of both. But as I got older, it seemed someone told authors that
if they didn’t shock the reader with violent or erotic scenes, we wouldn’t be
interested. So, I decided I wanted to write what I loved reading and watching.
If they can take a novel and make it into a PG13 movie, why not just write an
edgy PG13 story in the first place. I’m not saying I think thirteen year olds
should read my books, as they are definitely for ages sixteen and older. But,
if you like a sexy and thrilling PG13 movie, you’ll enjoy my style of writing.
What is your work
schedule like when you’re writing?
LOL! Okay…so this isn’t M.J. asking, right? Since I know,
you already know this answer. I work close to fifteen hours a day. I write
whenever I can, which is not as often as I wish, believe me. When I am on a
deadline, I usually shut down my Internet at eleven a.m. and try to write for
three hours. But that’s about the only time I can keep that schedule…when I’m
on a deadline. Most of the time, life just gets in the way.
Everyone has weird
things they do to warm up to writing, (or is it just me???) What would you say
is your interesting writing quirk?
Weird? Hmm…I don’t think so. Neurotic, probably. No
matter how many times I’ve read my work in progress, if I’ve had a few days
off, I’ll reread every word that I wrote before I touch a finger to the
keyboard. On a regular writing schedule, I just read the last two chapters
before I go to bed, mark any areas I want to edit, and then add them to my
manuscript before writing a word the next morning. This method has always
helped me stay in my current characters’ voices, not allowing any outside
reading or editing to interfere with their story.
Are you a pantser
or plotter?
Pantser without a doubt. I let my dreams write the story.
As I mentioned above, I read the last few chapters before bed and then let the
muse do her job while I sleep. Often, my poor husband wakes up by the light of
my iPhone, as I jot down my dreams at three a.m. But, outline, never! The one
time I tried, my characters laughed at me. J
Your stories are
about more than falling in love. There are mystery and whodunit elements. Are
your stories based on experiences based on someone you know, or are events in
your own life reflected in the characters/stories you write? Can you share and
example?
Umm…yes and no. Yes, there are elements that are from
real-life incidents, but no, I’ll never tell.
I will say this, though; my husband was a police detective, so I have
listened for years to all his stories and make sure that I read him my scenes
to make sure I have the male POV and/or detective elements correct.
You currently have
two Amazon Best Seller titles under your belt, and I am sure there are more to
come. Do you have any suggestions to help new authors become a better writer?
If so, what are they?
Read, read, read, and hire an editor, or at minimum a
proofreader. Just make sure someone other than your mother and best friend read
your manuscript before you publish.
Are you
self-pubbed, indie pubbed, or traditionally pubbed?
I am traditionally published in the sense that I have a
publisher. However, I purposely chose a smaller, independent publisher so that
I could maintain control over my final product. So, I count myself as an Indie
writer and do everything I can to support all forms of Indie writers,
self-published and through small pubs, and of course, I still support my author
friends who are with large publishers too. Honestly, I don’t know why people
make such a big deal out of how an author publishes. Read the book blurb, read
the sample chapters, and if you like, download or buy. Who cares who published
the book? They all end up at the same place anyway—Amazon if you’re smart! J
What are your
current projects?
This month, I am publishing my first short story, sort of
an introduction to my writing, as it encompasses a little of everything I
write, only on a smaller scale. I even threw in a paranormal edge, since I have
a few paranormal romantic-suspense stories in the works.
Short story due, The
Pit Stop – This Stop Could be Life or Death, is currently free on Amazon.
When Noonday Ends (a spin-off of Land of the Noonday Sun) due December 2012
When Noonday Ends (a spin-off of Land of the Noonday Sun) due December 2012
Split Decisions (a spin-off of She
Belongs to Me) due March 2013
Thank you, Carmen, for dropping by to introduce yourself to my readers!
About Carmen:
While
Carmen does not write "Christian" books, she does share her
characters' Christian beliefs. Her characters are real people who come with
real flaws; no perfect people allowed.
She
characterizes her stories as modern-day fairytales, as they are overflowing
with romance, mystery, suspense, and of course, tragedy. After all, what would
a fairytale be without a tragic event setting the stage? All of her novels are
sensual, but not erotic, gripping but not graphic and will hopefully make you
cry, laugh, love, and hope.
Her
first two novels, She Belongs to Me and Land of the Noonday Sun,
have reached bestseller status right alongside Nicholas Sparks, J.D. Robb, and
other great authors. Her third novel, Entangled Dreams,
is now available.
All
of her novels are standalones; however, she does link each of her stories with
a little surprise. If you read out of order, you'll never notice. But if you
read in order, it's fun.
First release -
December 2011:
After secrets and a
mysterious background leave a wife’s life hanging by a thread, a husband must
look for answers in the only place he knows—the past.
Second Release - May
2012
When two strangers
have nothing left but their dreams, they must forge a relationship in
Nantahala, North Carolina, a small town known as Land of the Noonday Sun.
Third Release -
September 2012
When Alexandra’s choices
dissolve into Entangled Dreams, pushing her down a dark and dismal path, she
must trust her instincts to escape danger, but be able to surrender all to find
her happily ever after. Knowing how to decipher the difference, will be her
toughest challenge.
Now available in print
and eBook formats:
And coming soon...
The Pit Stop (This stop could be life or death) a short story
coming October 2012
When Noonday Ends ~ December 2012
Split Decisions ~ March 2013
Carmen loves
talking about all things books, so please connect with her via one of the links
below.
