Name: Brandy L Rivers
Age: 37
Where are you from: Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. Always lived in Washington around the Puget Sound area.
A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc:
I’m happily married with three kids, and a little dog. I went to some technical school but didn’t go to college. I spend most of my time with family and friends, and of course reading and writing. Yes, I love reading, and not only romance.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
I just released a contemporary romantic suspense called Falling Star. It’s the second in the Combustible series.
One day of hell and Ella Cross left behind her old life as an actress. She wants nothing to do with who she was and moves to a small town to get away from the media and her stalker. Trent Ward is a small town fireman who wants to unravel his new neighbor’s mystery. Sooner or later secrets always come out, but can they survive the truth?
I’m working on my next Others of Seattle book now, but I’m not going as fast because my husband has been in the hospital the last few weeks and will be here a little longer.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I’ve always written. I didn’t take the dive into publishing until three years ago. If I don’t write, I tend to go a little crazy. My characters won’t leave me alone.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When people started responding to my first book, either through email, messages, or reviews. Seeing how much people loved my characters and my world really made me feel like I did something right.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
My characters wouldn’t shut up. They wouldn’t go away. I was dreaming about them, and finally had to sit down and put them on paper.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
I’m not sure how I would describe it but yes. Third person close is where I’m most comfortable because I love to dive into my character’s heads. I tend to focus more on my characters and not as much on the surroundings.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
For the newest book? My main character was a movie star, and she feels like she’s fallen from the high of acting thanks to the media and her stalker. At times Ella feels like she’s falling apart. And of course she winds up falling for Trent. There were so many reasons Falling Star fit for their story.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
The message sort of develops as I write and go back through the book. This one had a couple. Trent is in the same place with his sister as I am with a friend. I’m hoping my friend gets through her trials, but she’s not in the same place Tina is in. The second is to stop assuming. Both Ella and Trent have moments they expect certain reactions that they don’t receive. They have to take a step back and reevaluate and accept what’s really happening. And there was one more, at least a little, that people can surprise you. They aren’t always what they seem. Sometimes you need to take a step back and look at the person or situation objectively.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Nothing in the book is based off a particular person or events, though some of the emotions and thought processes for some of the characters are influenced by things I’ve encountered. That might seem like it is, but it’s pretty separate. I took things I’ve seen and delved into what if’s and taken things further, if that makes sense.
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?
I’m not sure how to answer that. I draw a lot of things from different books, they make me think, take me on a trip, but I’m not sure I can say they have influenced my life so much. As for a mentor, my mother, who always believed I could do whatever I wanted to do. And I’m doing it now.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest and who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
There are so many great authors I love.
I love how Rebecca Brooke dives into her characters and stories. She writes mostly contemporary romance, and a little paranormal. In fact, we wrote Cursed Vengeance together and I found we work well together. We are working on a sequel now. But she gets into her characters’ heads, and thinks a lot like me. So it’s easy to dive into her world.
I love the world Sarah M Cradit has built. She pulls you in, and wraps you up with all these great characters and their family history. I love it.
Kym Grosso has created her own paranormal world I love as well. She started writing contemporary which is just as good.
LB Dunbar builds her series in a very tight knit community. I love the way she pulls her characters together.
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
Bloggers in general. Especially Lydia from HEA Bookshelf. My first book was her first paranormal book. I’ve hooked her. And when I tried contemporary, she was right there backing me. She’s been extremely supportive.
And my street team, Rivers Others. They are amazing. Great women, all very supportive. They’ve joined the crazy train and cheer me on.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
Yes, it’s what I do full time, other than being a mother of course.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Nope. I’ve found that arguing with my characters gets me nowhere. There were things I had planned on doing differently, but that didn’t work out the way I planned. The story worked out so much better because I followed my gut, and my characters.
Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
With reading in kindergarten. When I didn’t like I story I wanted to write my own. Not rewrite the story I just read and fix it the way I wanted, but to write my own stories because my head was more fun than the books I was reading then. Don’t get me wrong, there are so many books I love, but I had a very overactive imagination very early, and young books are great but I wanted bigger adventures.
Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
I’ve told you some about Falling Star. I loved writing Ella and Trent. I was nervous because Ella is a movie star and I didn’t want to write something totally unbelievable. I wanted to dive in, get things right and tell their story. I’m planning more in Combustible.
Right now, I’m writing Storm Wrath. It’s the 6th book in Others of Seattle and will follow Kellan and Zoe’s story. It’s going to be huge, taking us further than I’ve gone. A lot of it won’t take place in Seattle, but considering they have their work cut out with ending an ancient curse that nearly wiped out an entire race, it seems fitting there would be more travel.
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Contemporary. There is so much more research. I’m one of those readers, especially in contemporary that get held up on details. I had to figure out a side character’s story in Falling Star before I could move it forward. And no, I didn’t get real deep into Metcalf’s background, but that will come up when I get to his book, and I will definitely get to his book.
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
Nope. I don’t do much traveling. Three kids in school, busy husband at work. And right now I had to cancel a signing due to my husband’s health issues. Don’t worry, he’s recovering, but it’s going to be a long road.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
I design my own covers. I’m not sure I would be very good describing what I want to another party, so it works out that I do my own. I get an idea in my head and can go with it.
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
The ending. Always the ending. It’s a struggle to figure out how to tie up the little things in a way that doesn’t leave people wondering why I missed obvious thing, but hopefully give an idea of who may be next. At least when I know for sure who would be next.
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
All about the suits firemen wear, stalker laws in California, videotaping laws, PTSD and all sorts of interesting things.
Fiona: If any of your books was made into a film who would you like to play the lead.
Oh boy, I have no clue. This is hard. Every single one of my characters have a very distinct look. There really is only one character who looks like a particular actor, and that was Kyle in Heart on Fire. Taylor Kinsey, and all because I saw a thirty second promo for Chicago Fire months before it premiered and all the sudden the story played through my head. And yeah, Kyle is a fireman, but no, not like Taylor’s character Severide.
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Don’t give up. Keep writing. Listen to your characters. They tend to know best.
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
You all have been amazing. Thank you for reading my books. And I love to hear from you.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
The Truth of Trystan Lyons by LB Dunbar. I’m over halfway, but life has kept me from finishing just yet. It’s great so far, and the third in the series.
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
Um, no. I have read a little of everything. I remember loving the Choose Your Own Adventure books, into JRR Tolkien. Then Stephen King, VC Andrews, Anne Rice. Yeah, and that was all from ten to thirteen.
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
It truly depends on my mood and what’s going on.
Fiona: Is there one person past or present you would meet and why?
I would love to pick F Paul Wilson’s brain. I love the tangled web he’s woven between multiple series.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why?
Lol, I have no clue. Honestly, I’m not going to be here, so at present, I don’t care what’s on it.
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies?
Reading. I don’t consider writing a hobby anymore. I used to knit, but I’m too busy writing to do that anymore.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
Heartbeat. I love that show. Game of Thrones. The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead. Yes, I watch Talking Dead too. That’s really about it. I don’t watch much TV. I get behind on shows then I don’t bother going back.
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music
Salmon, seafood, good pizza, chocolate cheesecake.
Purple, green, blue.
Lots of rock, indie, alternative, and a few others mixed in. I listen to a huge amount of different things.
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
I did tech support for a major software company for years. I like writing better.
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
Links
Amazon author page – www.amazon.com/author/brandyrivers
HEART ON FIRE
Amazon http://myBook.to/HeartonFire
Googleplay http://bit.ly/1oPRGeJ
iTunes – http://bit.ly/1n3YO7H
Kobo – http://bit.ly/1Cb0WRk
FALLING STAR
Amazon – http://amzn.to/1mG2nqR
Googleplay – http://bit.ly/1Ubex8N
iBooks – http://apple.co/1WuLz2l
Nook – http://bit.ly/1L61nry
Kobo – http://bit.ly/1Q4nDST
NIGHTS EMBRACE
Amazon – http://myBook.to/NightsEmbrace
Nook – http://goo.gl/gxT1rq
Smashwords – http://goo.gl/FL6Hxq
Kobo – http://goo.gl/CoqDOX
iTunes – http://bit.ly/1ivXjw7
Googleplay – http://bit.ly/1xKW601
PINE BARRENS PACK
Amazon – http://myBook.to/cursedvengeance
iBooks – http://apple.co/1P6b4Y7
Nook – http://bit.ly/1ShO864
Kobo – http://bit.ly/1YrIAK2
Come get lost with the Others
www.facebook.com/brandylrivers
Heart on Fire (Book 1)
Thank you for reading,
Brandy L Rivers