Virtual Blog Tour: Sherry Gloag, Author of "The Brat"

Today, Peony's Pleasure Cafe welcomes Sherry Gloag, author of The Brat. I really enjoyed the answers she has provided. Let's join me in welcoming Sherry!

How would you describe your writing style?
I am a ‘pantser’ with the teeniest dash of plotting in there too. By that I mean I start with the arrival of either a character or question. I then ask ‘so what?’ and it grows from there.

In some novels by the end of one chapter I ‘know’ where the next one is going. The Brat was not like that. At every turn the question was ‘what now?’ Or ‘What next?’ Not to myself, you understand, but to the character leading the scene under construction. Sometimes the scene went down at the first attempt, more often than not it required several rewrites to stitch the scenes together seamlessly.

How did you get into romance writing?
It got into me. Unfortunately life got in the way most of the time until 2006, after which I wrote poetry and short stories and posted them to an online group. Then ideas for full length novels emerged so I changed groups, found a wonderful online critique group and have gone on from there.

What are the most difficult aspects of writing romance?
Rewriting. Editing was a major problem until I had the wonderful opportunity to work with my editor while working on The Brat. I owe her more than I can say.

Where do you get your romantic or lustful inspiration?
I see two distinct questions here. One I have problems with in relation to ‘romances’, and the other, the line I took with The Brat. –Does that make sense?–

So many ‘romances’ are based on nothing more than a lustful relationship, and I find when I come to the end of such books I feel ‘let down’ if not down-right bored. At the end of the day, they sell, so they must be right, but not for me. So on the ‘lustful’ aspect of this question I have a ‘non-answer’.

The romantic inspiration can be found anywhere. In the palm of your hand, in a flower, the turn of a head, in a baby’s cry, the angle of a sunbeam, the tone of someone’s voice, a look, a scent, so many things, too many to continue.

Where do I get my inspiration to write the love scenes? I look inside my heart. I read what others write, call it research :-) and write what feels ‘right’ for me.

This is a totally random question: What is typically in your camera bag?
I love taking photographs, but hate carrying heavy camera equipment, so I welcomed the age of digital cameras. Along with my camera I will have extra batteries, and spare card. I also stash some paper money in a small pocket of the case for emergencies.

Where do you normally get down to writing your romantic tales?
I have a corner in a bedroom for my desk and PC and stuff. If I close the door, the theory is, no one disturbs me, but they haven’t quite grasped that concept yet! LOL.

What lies ahead for you?
I recently had a submission returned, so am planning on working on that. There are several other WIPs in the pipeline too. Writing-wise, this year has been strong on intentions, but lacking in action.

What advice do you have for aspiring romance writers?
Believe in yourself, persevere. Learn from rejections. Each one carries a message. Do your homework before you submit your precious ‘child’ and reduce the chances of rejection, and read, read, read, and read some more. Then get you butt on the chair and write, write, write.

How would you handle readers who come up to you and profess their hatred for romance and denouncing them as trash?
In other aspects of my life I have encountered people who have opposing beliefs from mine. I thank them for sharing their opinions (unless they’ve been totally crass and rude.) As for the romance sector, I’d politely remind them that almost all fiction books have the teeniest smidgeon of romance in them. I’d also point out that romance, at 48% of the retail market, is still the largest selling genre in the book market, so there must be a lot of folk out there who share my love of romance.

What sexy movies would you recommend to readers?
Sorry, I’m not much of a film buff, so can’t even think of a title that comes into that category. A couple of romantic movies I love are the Colin Firth version of Pride and Prejudice, Sleepless in Seattle.

Thanks, Sherry, for the interview! Do visit her at her website: http://www.sherrygloag.com/.

THE EXCERPT

A voice from the grave filled her mind to the exclusion of everything else. “No one cares about a guttersnipe like you. You’re nothing but a snivelling little brat. You have no past and no future. You are no one and never will be. Your place is here, for you have nothing else to aspire to, and nowhere else to go.”

More than two decades later the words still fuelled her ambitions to achieve. They still goaded her into proving to herself and others that she could succeed. Her aspirations and dreams propelled her need to prove herself.

“Watch it, luv!” A hand yanked her back from the curb. “You got a death wish or som’it?” The blast of a car horn jerked her back against her rescuer.

“Oh!” Gina gasped. “I wasn’t paying attention…”

Her voice trailed off. Her memories stole her concentration. “Thank you.” She eased her arm from within his grasp and held out her hand. “Your quick actions saved my life.”

“Think nothing of it.” The man touched his cap, stepped back, and soon disappeared in the crowds. Shaken more than she cared to admit, she looked around and entered a nearby coffee shop.

She fought the ghosts from her past and wrestled them back into that black box in her mind she’d kept locked for almost two decades. With the exception of her agent and best friend, Liz, she’d never shared her secrets, and Liz didn’t know the half of them, just enough for Liz to realize her children’s adventure stories evolved from her childhood fantasies.

THE BLURB

Gina Williams is a 35-year-old famous children’s author, who also writes detective mysteries under the name of George Williamson.

She was robbed of her childhood when aged ten by the late mother of the hero, Ben Kouvaris.

When he was ten-years-old his mother sent him to her ex Theo Kouvaris, multi-millionaire, who lives in Greece. When he returns to her funeral he is haunted by the beautiful woman who organised the funeral.

When his father orders him to marry he thinks of Gina Williams.

They have to overcome the horrors of the past and forgive their parents for their betrayals. Will their past destroy their future?