A. I live in Arizona, and I love the
weather. I golf two or three times a week, putt once a week in
the winter, play Mah Jongg all year, and tap dance, too. In
addition, I love to travel and spend time with my grandchildren,
and my friends, including my Red Hat Ya Ya sisters.
Q. Tell
us about your book?
A. My story is about a Mormon girl who
attended the University of Hawaii in the early 1960's. She
meets Robin, who is known for having his way with girls, and
spends a romantic evening with him. Years later they meet again,
and she's shocked because she heard he had drowned.
Q. Why
this book? What inspired it?
A. I grew up in
Utah, and I wanted to write a story about a Mormon girl because
I think a lot of people have weird ideas about Mormons, and
they're not weird at all. I also worked for an insurance
company, a very special place, where the employees were almost
like family as they are in my story.
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I know this question isn't new to you: Why do you write?
Why did you begin writing?
A. I've wanted to write most of my life.
I've always had stories in my head. When I was young I made
up stories while I was doing the dishes. The knives were the
daddy's, forks the mother's, small spoons were children and big
spoons were aunts and uncles. In addition to those stories,
I made up all kinds of others and told them to my younger
sister. She was a great listener. Still is. And when I used to
babysit for my piano teacher, I discovered making up stories was
a good way to keep her active twin sons entertained.
Q. Nor this one: Where do you get your ideas?
A. They just come. From where, I don't
know. Sometimes I see, hear, or read something and I get an
idea. Sometimes I dream about something and a story or the
beginning of one results. I always know the beginning and
end before I start, and the rest takes care of itself as I
write.
Q. How do you come up with your characters? The names?
A. I'm always trying to think up unusual
names. A few times I've used heroines names that start with a K
because that's what my sister's name begins with and she's one
of my most favorite people in the whole world. My characters
are often based on someone I've known or have met, although I
doubt anyone would recognize them because they're really my
creation, and they're someone I like and admire.
Q. Why this genre? Have you considered trying another genre?
If so which one(s) and why?
A. I write romance because I like happy
endings, also because I believe love is some kind of magic. ONE
STOLEN NIGHT is an Inspirational. I have three time travel
stories published. Two are historical, the other (third one) is
about a girl coming forward in time. All three of those stories
are related, and the girl in the first and third stories change
places. If I wrote in another genre, it would probably be
mystery, but it would still have romantic elements because I
think love makes the world go around.
Q. Is reading important to you? What do you read? Who do you
read?
A. Reading is very important because
fiction can take me to times and places I've never been. It can
lift my mood, make me happy and help me believe anything is
possible. I read all kinds of books. I love romances, of course,
and Judith McNaught is my favorite author, although I have many
favorites. I like historical works, especially those about our
forefathers (our country's presidents). I love to read about
the beginnings of our great country. During the last year I've
also read The Pentagon, In vitro Fertilization, Leaving
Microsoft to Save the World, the Supreme Court Justices. I've
recently read The Other Bolyn Girl, and The Mists of Avalon (a
female's POV during the time of King Arthur).
Q. How much time do you put into your writing? The creation?
Research? Editing? Marketing?
A. I spend as much time as possible at my
computer, writing. The creation is the most difficult. Getting
the entire story written is almost like being on a deadline. I
need it all down as soon as possible. When I'm in the creative
mode, I try to work early in the day while I'm fresh. Editing
and polishing take the most time, and I work on that any time of
the day or night, and often stay up late. For marketing, I go to
book signings, give and attend workshops, and try to discover
new ideas from other writers.
Q. Is One Stolen Night your first Wings book? Are you
working on another project?
A. ONE STOLEN NIGHT is my fourth book
with Wings. The others are: GLIMPSE OF ETERNITY, GLIMPSE OF
FOREVER, GLIMPSE OF NEVER ENDING LOVE. I wrote those books under
the pseudonym, Evanell, my middle name.
I have another story coming out with Wings
in November, 2008, titled YOURS TILL NIAGARA FALLS. It's a
contemporary, kind of a romantic suspense, about a girl who
inherits a Camp in the Adirondacks.
Other Projects: I'm working on a story
that's about half finished, and I have two written that need
polishing, editing. In addition, I always have ideas in my head
for other stories I want to write. Just need more time.
Q. What do you find most difficult about the writing/publishing
process?
A. Selling the story to an
editor/publisher.
Q. Do you have any sage advice for beginning writers? For
first time published authors?
A. Learn the craft. Attend workshops and
conferences. Join writer's groups. Other writers are full of
information, and they're very willing to share. Join a critique
group, and learn to take and give constructive criticism.
Q. Lastly, do you have a website or blog where readers can find
you and your work?
A. My website is:
www.evanell.com
Q. Is there anything you'd like to add?
A. Writing a story is like having a baby.
It takes a while to create, and during that time, it's all
yours. Once it's born (published), you share it with others
and hope they treat it kindly.
