We carried out an interview with the wonderful romance author, Rosanna Leo. Rosanna told us about her journey to becoming an author and about her work, including her latest book entitled Vice. Budding romance writers are in for a treat because Rosanna also shared some top writing tips with us! Read on to find out what she had to say.
Welcome to e-Books India, Rosanna. We are delighted to have you join us for this interview! Please tell us about you. Where are you from, what is your professional experience and how did you become an author?
Thank you very much, Hiten. I’m excited to be here. I’m a Canadian romance author, from Toronto. I was born here and grew up not far away from Toronto’s bustling downtown core. My path to writing was not a straightforward one. For many years, writing was something I only did as a quiet hobby, and it was something I didn’t even share with my family. Meanwhile, I went to university and majored in British history and literature, and then returned to do a three-year programme in classical singing. After several years of working in fields that made me unhappy, I made the leap to writing and haven’t looked back.
What types of books do you write and what themes do you like to cover in your stories?
I am known for my paranormal and contemporary romances. My paranormal books feature creatures such as shape shifters, Greek gods and Scottish selkies. Some of my dearest influences have come from the world of myth and my early works surround these legends. My contemporary romances feature characters who are “real.” No shape shifters in these books, just realistic people who make mistakes and try to find their way to love.
Your most recent book is entitled Vice. Can you please tell us a bit about this story?
Absolutely. Vice is a personal story, my hardest to write. I grew up with a father who was addicted to gambling. The heroine of Vice lives in the same circumstances. Kate Callender is a Las Vegas jingle singer but also runs a support group for the families of compulsive gamblers. Her nemesis is a man named Liam Doyle, a wealthy Vegas casino owner and entrepreneur. When Liam prepares to open his newest casino, Kate decides she has had enough and pickets it on its opening day. Liam is furious but also intrigued by the passionate woman. Their dalliances are fraught with sexual chemistry. As they interact, they learn more about each other and find they can’t stay away from each other. When a vile attack sparks Liam’s protective instincts, they begin a sexual odyssey that dances on the edge of addiction. Dangerously close to losing control…and losing themselves.
Are you working on any other books(s)? If so, can you please tell us what we can expect to see from you in the future?
I am always writing and always looking toward the next project. Currently, I am in the midst of completing my Gemini Island Shifters series. I have also begun two more contemporary romances, one of which is a romantic suspense based on the Jack the Ripper murders. I recently visited London and have been doing a lot of Ripper research so I’m eager to give the story a new twist.
Where do you find inspiration for your writing?
I wouldn’t say I find inspiration in any particular place. Inspiration usually strikes me when I’m not looking for it. I might find it in the lines of a face or the plaid check in a man’s shirt. Perhaps I’ll discover inspiration in paintings by the Old Masters or a child’s art work. One thing I do know about inspiration is this: when it strikes, I need to take action right away, before it fades.
From your experiences of writing romance books, could you please share 2-3 important lessons you’ve learnt to help beginner authors who want to publish a book in this genre?
It would be my pleasure. It wasn’t all that long ago my first book was published. I think one thing every author wants to learn is how to engage the reader. It’s not enough to shout into the Twitter-sphere, “Buy my book!” Yes, marketing is important, but most readers will respond better to an interesting post that has value. Always strive to say something that has worth. Make people think. Ask your readers what they think? You’ll be surprised at how quickly relationships are made.
Another item I’d like to mention is the importance of understanding conflict and tension. For romance, specifically, tension is important. Without it, you really don’t have a romance. You just have two people falling in love without any obstacles to surmount. Romance readers want to see the protagonists battle their demons (sometimes literally), and come out on the other side, victorious. There’s nothing better than witnessing two people surrendering to a passion that mystifies and overwhelms them, while tackling the other problems in their lives.
How can people find out more about you?
Thanks for asking. I blog regularly at www.rosannaleoauthor.wordpress.com
You can also find me here:
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Rosanna-Leo/e/B007X5P4I8
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5826852.Rosanna_Leo
Tsu: https://www.tsu.co/RosannaLeo
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rosannaleo/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rleoauthor1
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/LeoRosanna
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://writingtipsoasis.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/hv1.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Hiten Vyas is the Founder and Managing Editor of eBooks India. He is also a prolific eBook writer with over 25 titles to his name.[/author_info] [/author]