Please welcome Rhonda Gilmour, who writes as Sadira Stone, my fellow Wild Rose Press Author!
1. What is your writing style or schedule?
I tumble out of bed around 7:30—a great luxury after so many years of rising at 5:30 for my teaching job—pull on comfy loungewear, pour a mug of coffee, and get to work. Morning is my optimal focus time, once the coffee kicks in. I’ll usually write until mid-day or early afternoon.
2. Where do you actually write?
I have a sweet little office painted celery green, with overstuffed bookshelves, an overloaded corkboard, and a stand-up/sit-down desk. My cushy floor mat from Costco is heaven for my feet.
3. Do you write linearly or not?
Kinda/sorta. I plan the major plot points and dive into the first draft, but somewhere around the one-third mark I circle back to weave in new plot threads.
4. What sort of other activities keep you from actually writing?
Besides social media, you mean? I’m retired, but most of our family live elsewhere, so family visits make it difficult to write. Promo/marketing can eat up a huge chunk of actual writing time; I’m working on balancing that important aspect of the writing biz.
5. Do you have support, either from family and friends or a writing group?
Hubs is very supportive, bless him. Ditto my RWA Olympia, Washington chapter and my weekly critique group. Online writing communities prove a lot of emotional support as well.
6. How long does it normally take you to write a novel?
So far, I tend to write long, around the 90K mark. From start to final edits (by me and beta readers), it takes me 9 months to a year. Many in the writing/publishing community advocate writing fast and releasing frequently. While I’m working to improve my speed and write shorter novels, I’m not going to subject myself to burnout. This is supposed to be fun, right?
7. Who or what are your inspirations?
I learn so much by reading the romance greats who write at my heat level, whether contemporary or historical. Writing courses and critique partners help too, but there’s nothing like watching a masterful performance from the likes of Alisha Rai, Allysa Cole, Lauren Dane, Damon Suede, Tessa Dare, Victoria Dahl, Joanna Shupe, Penny Reid, Sarah MacLean…
8. If there’s a single aspect to writing that really frustrates you, what is it?
Promo, I guess. It’s a part of the business, but I grumble about how much time it takes away from actually writing. Also having to defend the romance genre to those who see it as nothing more than “Mommy Porn.”
9. Given unlimited resources, what would be your ideal writing environment?
How about a plush office with a view of the sea. Behind me, a yoga mat and treadmill for quick exercise breaks, and a mini-fridge full of healthy snacks. Don’t forget the coffee machine!
10. Tell me about your latest book.
Runaway Love Story, Book Two in the Book Nirvanaseries, is set in/around an indie bookshop in Eugene, Oregon, a lovely college town with a lively arts scene and a strong counterculture tradition dating back to the hippie era.
Doug Garvey is a divorced high school history teacher who featured in Book One of the series, Through the Red Door. Tall and lanky, with a shaved head and blond scruff, he spends long, lonely hours running along the Willamette River trail—until he runs into Laurel Jepsen.
A new employee at Book Nirvana (and also a runner), Laurel’s in town to help her beloved great-aunt Maxie, age 90, move into assisted living. But this is just a detour. As soon as Maxie’s settled, Laurel will pursue a job lead in San Francisco. Lacking confidence in her own artistic talent but deeply in love with the art world, her dream is to run a glamorous art gallery.
Dazzled by Laurel’s spirit, honesty, and beauty, Doug pursues her on her terms—just a temporary friendship, though he’s hoping to persuade her to stay.
Laurel is torn: her connection with Doug feels like the real deal. But damn it, her career plan has been her emotional anchor through years of false starts and failures. Aunt Maxie always said, “A woman with a plan is unstoppable.”
Unable to leave Eugene because he cares for his dementia-afflicted mother, Doug’s only hope is to convince Laurel those big-city lights have nothing on her inner sparkle.
11. Where did you get your inspiration for your book?
(Spoiler alert) After Through the Red Door, it broke my heart to leave Doug lonely—so of course I had to create his happy ending. Laurel carries a bit of my own story in that she doesn’t get family support for her artistic dreams. Instead, they urge her to settle for “sensible.” Rather than squashing her ambition, their disapproval only sharpens her determination to show them, and the world, what she can do.
12. Do you have a favorite character and if so, who and why?
Ninety-year-old Great Aunt Maxie is by far my favorite character. Tiny, birdlike, with wispy henna-red hair and outrageous outfits, she charges through life leaning on her bedazzled cane. An artist herself, she’s also a foster-grandmother to many young artists in Eugene. She’s lived a big, sparkly life, and her loving encouragement keeps Laurel’s dreams afloat.
13. What are you working on now?
I’m writing Book Three of the series, which features Elmer, a muscly, tattooed, ginger-bearded ceramics artist introduced in Runaway Love Story, and Margot, the youngest staff member at the Book Nirvana bookshop. A university student and aspiring graphic artist, Margot’s an important secondary character in Books One and Two. (Notice my fascination with artistic characters?)
Thanks so much, Jennifer, for hosting me on your blog and giving me the chance to meet your readers!
Back-Cover Blurb:
She hates average...he's as average as they come.
High school history teacher Doug Garvey is trying to enjoy his last few weeks of summer vacation, but receiving his final divorce decree hits him harder than expected. After a brief fling fizzles, he fears love just isn't in the cards for him. If only he could find someone who's real, someone interested in something beyond herself…maybe a new running partner who can keep up with his more carnal appetite. When sexy, straight-talking Laurel runs across his path, he dares to hope again.
He's done with social-climbing posers...she's ambitious and has big dreams.
Fired from an art gallery, Laurel Jepsen shelves her pursuit of an art career in San Francisco to help her beloved great aunt Maxie move into assisted living. While out on a morning run, she's harassed by a group of teens until a tall, broad-shouldered hottie steps in, pretending to be her boyfriend with a kiss that makes her wish it were true. But she's only passing through, not looking for a relationship.
Their fierce chemistry burns up the sheets—and the couch, the shower, the forest—but falling in love would ruin everything. Laurel can't stay in Eugene, and he can't leave. Doug's only hope is to convince her the glittery life she's after could blind her to the opportunities already in her path.
Excerpt:
“I’m sorry she called you the S word.”
“Huh?”
“Sensible.”
She laughed. “Yeah. That’s a curse word, as far as I’m concerned.” She leaned her head on his shoulder.
“I’ll strike it from my vocabulary. Your S word is sparkle.” He traced her jawline with a feather-light touch. “Look at you, Laurel. You’re blinding.” His twilight-blue gaze made her heart dance—a steamy tango with swirls and dangerous dips. He kissed her, and, for a moment, she forgot all about caution, about cutting things off before they became too serious, about San Francisco. Her focus narrowed to his lips on hers, his nearness heating her whole body, opening her like a blossom, soft and willing. Ripe for the plucking.
“God, I’ve missed you.” He scooped her legs across his lap. One hand cradling her nape, the other gripping her thigh, he kissed her senseless. His velvet tongue teased her lips apart. He tasted of sugary coffee. The world around them faded—just two bodies, calling and answering, breathing in sync, their pulses beating the same rhythm.
Another Excerpt
Laurel’s conscience nudged the grin off her face. The customer was right—Doug was a natural with kids. He deserved a nice woman who’d stay in Eugene and build a family with him. She was just distracting him from his true path. If it weren’t for the chemistry pulling them together like an industrial-strength electromagnet, she’d never pick a guy like Doug. Sweet, dependable, generous, outdoorsy…
Shit. Except for not being an artist, he’s pretty much perfect. Leaving him in December is going to be damned painful.
Still, she’d been honest with him. He knew about her plans, and he wasn’t holding back. Why should she? Why deny herself his friendship, and a physical connection of volcanic proportions?
Because she was messing with his heart, that’s why. And her own.
Book tropes and themes:
Seasoned romance (hero is 39), beta hero, teacher hero, artistic heroine, opposites attract, indie bookshop, unsupportive family, dealing with dementia, caretaking for elderly relatives, social media, small-town vs. big-city, ambition vs. family obligations, feisty old lady, heroine with commitment issues, divorced hero, running, inconvenient attraction, irresistible chemistry
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