Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Interview with Red Garnier

Today I am so excited to welcome Red Garnier! She has some amazing releases out with Ellora’s Cave and Loose Id-and readers and writers alike are singing her praises—if you’ve read her you’ll understand why.

Red, thank you for taking the time to talk to us. You have an upcoming Amethyst release for EC’s Jewels of the Nile series. Can you tell us a little bit about Amatista?

Amatista is a foray into a fantasy world, in a virgin planet, inhabited by a savage tribe known as the Fohers. The humans, as they are wont to do when they find new, untried lands, are tearing down trees to build their compounds, and are in search of the greatest treasure of them all. The river of amethysts, known as Amatista.

One woman has the map, a map only a Foher could read. This woman, Liana, will embark on a journey of self-discovery, while desire for Kavi, the Foher who’s captured, her grows deep. It isn’t an easy journey, but then the best never are.


You’ve mentioned that your book, Spin Devil, holds a special place in your heart as your first. Do you remember what you were doing when you got the call (email)?

I sure do, R.G. I was vacationing with my family, one day before New Year’s, and was ready to go to bed. So I check my email just one more time (I am an impulsive email-checker, as I’m sure you’ve noticed!) and see an email from my EC editor Kelli, saying she’d read Spin Devil, loved it, and wanted to buy it for her new Exotika line. Not only that, but I had already subbed the second book in the series, Spin it Again, and she had already read it loved it, too! I jumped up and down, woke my husband, didn’t get a wink of sleep, and the next day I was toasting to a New Year and my very first contract!

What is an average day like in the Red Garnier household?

Boring to everyone except me, I’m sure. I wake up the kids, dress them for school, wave them off, then cozy up to my coffee and start with the morning email check. I exercise after I post up a blog and answer emails, then get back to the computer to write for two or three hours. When the kids return from school, the afternoons belong to Red Garnier in her chauffer’s cap, driving around town with inspiring music and two disgruntled kids who want to listen to something other than romantic tunes. As soon as I get home I do yet another impulsive email check, bathe the kids, do the dinner thing, feed hubby (burp him, as he teasingly tells me) and THEN I grab the feather boa, the pink slippers, put the thinking cap on, and sit down to write. I love my evenings, when all is quiet and I can truly concentrate.

You know I have a hard time choosing favorites, but do you have a favorite hero from your books?

I have two. Sebastian from Spin Devil, an all time favorite of mine. He’s rough around the edges, with a broken heart inside. And Patrick Holden from Divine Assistant. He’s just arrogant and adorable. I am head over heels for both!

What is your process? Are you a plotter or what everyone lovingly refers to as a pantser?

I definitely fly by the seat of my pants. I start with characters, let them loose, and let them take it from there. They never fail to surprise me, and I never fail to be amused!

I was snooping on your website and noticed we share some first reads in common-Johanna Lindsey and Jude Deveraux. I’ll talk to you about Lindsey’s Futuristic Warrior series later . Who is your current favorite? Which author makes you drop everything and settle in for the duration—and why?

Oh R.G. don’t start on Johanna Lindsey or Jude Deveraux! I adore each and every book of theirs. I think my all time favorites will always be my all time favorites, but I have lots of new favorites. I love to read new authors, because I love not knowing what to expect, and I’m always pleasantly surprised by their talent. I love reading my author friend’s—they’re such a talented bunch! And aything from Brava will keep me reading until the wee hours of the night.

As writers I know we spend a lot of time at our computers. What is your favorite activity away from yours?

I love driving my car around when there’s not too much traffic. I love being outside—reading outside. Spending time with my hubby and kids, you can’t beat that. And of course movies. I love movies, romantic ones, of course.


Can you give us a sneak peek at what we can expect in 2008? Are there more Devilish Games in our future? Any works in progress you’re particularly excited about?

Yes, there probably will be more Devilish Games in the future, though I’m barely at the idea stage which might take a while. I’m excited about writing a full novel-length. I’ve got a rough idea, the characters seem ready to leap, so I’m going to roll up my sleeves pretty soon and get cranking. Hopefully it won’t be too hard!

Finally, what has been the most surprising aspect of your journey as a writer so far?

Oh, whew. It is hard work being a writer. Promoting your books, being professional in your dealings with editors, other writers, reviewers and readers (that means no foot stomping and no tantrums, of course!) When you have deadlines, you have to meet them. And every book sets a new standard for you, so keeping it up to that level is sometimes quite stressing (ask my therapist, lol!) But there is absolutely NOTHING I would change. I love every bitty part of it. Even a discouraging piece of news, a rejected submission, or a not so good review, has some positive learning experience to offer. I LOVE it!

Thank you so much! It has been such an honor to talk to you and I know I speak for-well-pretty much all of us when I say I hope you’ll be keeping us busy with wonderful reads for a long time to come! And I’ll be first in line for Amatista!

R.G. thank you so much, it’s been amazing to be here, with talented you! I hope to do this again sometime and thank you so much for having me.

Amatista is scheduled to be released tomorrow Feb 6th at Ellora's Cave. To see a full list of Red's releases go to www.redgarnier.com

7 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

Awesome interview! I love Red, and I definitely will be buying this book!

9:52 AM  
Blogger Antonia Pearce said...

Hi, RG! Great interview!

Red's new book sounds awesome, can't wait to read it (and I think I must consult her for some family management tips LOL)!

10:12 AM  
Blogger Red Garnier said...

Hey R.G. and Feist and Antonia! Thank you for the support. R.G. the interview was a blast, I hope we get to do another one soon.

And Antonia, how about "let them fend for themselves?" ROFL!! :)

10:23 AM  
Blogger Crystal Jordan said...

Awesome interview! I can't wait to read Red's book!

10:35 AM  
Blogger Julia Phillips Smith said...

'Amatista' sounds SO good, Red! I can't resist a captured savage male. I wrote a screenplay for my fourth year film with one of those...Filmed it, too! With a sexy almost naked guy! Yes, it was fun. But weird - because he was a friend of mine. It's weird to ask a friend of yours to become the erotic fantasy that everyone else can see.

But I'm glad you write yours down so we can share!

10:53 AM  
Blogger Red Garnier said...

Thank you Crystal!

Hey Julia LOL! I love captured males too, that is so hooooot!! I can't believe you filmed your friend though . . .LOL!! Hey, can we watch the film??

4:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great interview.

7:11 PM  

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