Thursday, June 9, 2011

FREE FOR AL FRIDAY - Meet Author ELIZA MARCH!

Please help me welcome fellow Wild Rose Press author, ELIZA MARCH. Her latest release, MORE THAN A STUD, is available NOW! http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=828
Or you can find out more about Eliza and her sweeter persona, Elizabeth, at her websites  http://elizamarch.com http://elizabethmarchat.com
But grab some coffee and come on back. Eliza's in the hot seat today, answering lots of questions :)

Take it away, Eliza!


Hi, Jennifer. It’s a pleasure to visit your blog and meet your readers.
I guess I should introduce myself first and tell you a little about me. Eliza March is only one of the names I use for writing. She’s quite naughty and a wonderful persona to play with. I can’t tell you how much fun it is to be her in my head. But in order to keep my genres separate for my readers, I also write romantic suspense under the name, Elizabeth Marchat. She writes more mainstream fiction, but the stories are still highly sensual romances.

In real life, I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, and never in a million years did I see myself writing romance. I majored in English/Journalism, worked in my university library in the archive section, and wrote a syndicated gossip column for two local newspapers. My career spanned several decades of running my own companies, and like so many others, I’ve often thought of writing a book.

Strange as it seems, that idea still occasionally floats around in my head, as if I’m not already doing just that. But those ideas back then were all non-fiction based, so I guess I’m a frustrated non-fiction writer at heart. I have opinions, ideas, true stories, and theories that I’d love to write about, but when I sit down at the computer the fantasy world takes over and the characters in my head demand my attention first. And...they’re so much more fun than reality. 

One thing you should know is that I prefer writing fiction because it’s a challenge for me. My characters like taking over my stories and surprising me with the plot twists. Sometimes, keeping them following the plot line to the end is like herding cats.

Now, I’ll answer some questions:
Q: Where is your favorite place to write?
A: Alone would be my first choice. Although, that’s hardly ever the case. As long as I’m comfortable—not too hot or cold, the cat’s not sitting on the keyboard, or the phone’s not ringing off the hook—I’m fine with the room, upstairs, downstairs, kitchen table, or desk.
Q: What was the best advice you were given leading to getting published?
A: An editor once told me to work on my world building. And then she suggested I read several authors she thought did a good job of world building. So I did and I’m still working on it—probably always will. I find my contemporary novels are easier to write than my paranormal. Because I’m familiar with this world, I don’t have to agonize over it the way I struggle with the myth and mythology of my paranormal worlds—how much is too much and when does the reader need to know it? Show it now or show it later? Too much, too soon, too confusing?
Q: Do I believe in love at first sight or lust at first sight?
A: My most recent book is titled, “Across a Crowded Room.” What do you think it’s based on? Exactly! Lust and love at first sight. Personally, I’m an insufferable romantic who believes we all have an undeveloped sixth sense. Stating that, I ask: Haven’t you ever met someone and instantly liked them? You take one look at their face and feel that connection. Sometimes it’s friendship, sometimes it’s attraction, sometimes it’s lust. Think about it. Ponder it. Those kinds of connections are instinctive, so why not “love” at first sight?
Q: What did you do to celebrate the publication of your first book?
A: My first book was published two years ago this month while I was on a cruise. My youngest daughter got married on that cruise, and our large family along with the groom’s large family all went on their honeymoon. We had a fantastic time, and I enjoyed celebrating my first book release and my daughter’s marriage with a wonderful bunch of friends and family.
Q: Do you have critique partners?
A: Yes. They are my friends, my cheerleaders, my support team, and my conscience. Writing is a solitary occupation with untenable  results. As an author, it’s difficult to evaluate your own work. Some may love what you write and others may hate it. I depend on my critique partners to talk me off the edge, reminding me that I can’t please everyone. I’d still like to try.

Thank you for having me and lasting to the end of this epic blog. I’ve turned into a major chatterbox.
Please visit me weekly at my blog – I usually keep it shorter, and hotter. You can sign up at http://elizamarch.blogspot.com to subscribe to my blog or “follow” me on Twitter or “friend” me on Facebook.
A full list and excerpts of Eliza March books are available for sale at http://bookstrand.com/eliza-march 
or Elizabeth Marchat’s book is at http://bookstrand.com/elizabeth-marchat.
You can also find her at these locations on the web:

THANKS, ELIZA!

6 comments:

  1. Howdy Jennifer and Eliza! Fun interview. I, too, am a frustrated, unpublished non-fiction writer, at heart, but I think it's mostly because I'm not quite ready to give up make-believe. I want to write non-fiction for the masses and still have many lessons to learn from fiction. :)

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  2. Hi Eliza. I too am a part time non-fiction writer. :) Most of the time, I can find a way to slide *something* into the fiction and if not that, there's always blogging! :) That let's the ole non-fiction muse babble away all she wants, though, doesn't it? Best of luck with your latest releases.

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  3. I love fantasy. There's enough reality in everything else; I think I'm sticking to reading, writing, movies, and TV with as little reality as possible. LOL

    Thank you ladies for visiting.

    Eliza

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  4. Hi Eliza! I loved your post, and can't wait to read more - both as Elizabeth and Eliza! I'm soom to be delving into the world of fantasy, and must admit, like you I am a little intimidated by the world building. To counteract this, I read as much as I can of that genre. It's always been my ultimate goal to write a fantasy series for Tor. Hey, a girl can dream, right! Get post Jen, and I look forward to hearing more soon!

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  5. Hi Eliza. Great post! Your books sound so interesting! I'm also learning world building for my shifter series and it's not as easy as I thought it would be. Still, I kep working...and learning.


    Great interview Jen.

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  6. Hi ladies -
    Just dropping in to say thanks again to Eliza for being my guest and thank to all you ladies for stopping by today!
    See you Monday for some Man Candy;)

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