Are you a full time writer or do you have a “day job”?
I have a day job. Other than the fact that it pays the bills and provides insurance for me and the fam, I usually like my job. I do process redesign work which means I get to go into other departments and find out what they do and help them find efficiencies or resolve issues with their processes. I’m a very curious person (read: nosy) so it satisfies my need for info. So after spending a day in “the real world” I can escape to my stories at night. Or over lunch. Or as I’m driving to/from work.
Do you have other talents? Or is there a talent you don’t have that you wish you did?
I make beaded jewelry. I also crochet and make reed baskets and any DIY projects that catch my eye. Mostly jewelry though. I love being able to sit down and make something tangible on the spot – start to finish. Books take a little longer than that. One of these days I’d like to learn how to work with silver and/or that silver clay stuff.
How does your family feel about your writing career?
My kids don’t care one way or the other. They know I write “girly stories” but probably don’t think about it much unless I’m telling them “no, I can’t play that video game I need to work on my book” (but I do work on my laptop in the living room while they play their games!). My mom is tickled pink and tells everyone I’m an author. She’s my biggest fan. I just pretend she hasn’t read any of my books because that just freaks me out. My dad likes that I’m an author he just ignores the fact that they’re sensual (and of course he doesn’t read them – but my aunt, his sister, loves to give him a hard time about it apparently!). The ex is still trying to take credit for being the inspiration for the love scenes.
Do you have critique partners?
YES! And I couldn’t do it without them. Jen and Kathy are lifesavers (or at least sanity savers). They keep me in the writer’s seat, save me when I’m drowning in self-doubt, and edit the heck outta my ugly drafts.
What is most difficult for you to write? Characters, conflict or emotions? Why?
Conflict. Probably because I hate conflict in my personal life. I avoid it. But you can’t have a good romance without it. Problem is that I want everyone to fall in love and live happily ever after but I know that’s boring to read so I have to work on torturing my characters.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
My name is Dena and I’m a plotter. *sigh* I finally admitted this as I was writing my fourth book. I had been plotting all along, but hadn’t been writing it down (denial perhaps??). When I actually sat down and did an outline it was amazing how quickly the book came together. Now, I do an outline up front and refer to it when I get stuck.
Do you write under a pen name? Why or why not? How did you choose it?
Yes. Since I write sensual/erotic romance, I was told from the beginning it would be better to have a pen name. With two kids still at home, I want to separate my personal life from my writer’s life as much as possible.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do to combat it?
God, yes. If I’m under a deadline, I just power through it. I know I may be writing total crap, but I’ll either edit the heck out of it or cut it later. The important thing is to keep going. If I’m not under a deadline then I’ll switch creative gears and work on jewelry. The colors and shapes and textures work another part of my brain and relaxes the part that has to come up with words. After a while I can go back to my words again and it usually flows again.
Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract?
Don’t give up. Keep writing. Keep honing your skills. If you get a rejection don’t take it personally (I know that’s impossible, but try). This is a business – for the publisher and for you. Just because X publisher doesn’t want your manuscript, doesn’t mean it totally sucks. It may just not be a good fit for them. Try another publisher. But before you fling that book at every publisher, do some research on what that publisher wants. Find a fit for your baby. Don’t waste everyone’s time by blindly sending your book out.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on another paranormal – a shifter this time. I am supposed to turn it in next month so hopefully that’ll be ready first part of next year.
Where can readers find you?
Website: http://www.denagarson.com/
Blog: http://denagarson.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dena.garson.7
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DenaGarson
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/dgarson
Ellora’s Cave Author Page: https://www.ellorascave.com/index.php/authors/index/author/slug/dena-garson/
Amazon Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/Dena-Garson/e/B007ER5E58/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Channel URL: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS1a-DzYifYaR4vLcauTmJQ
Author bio:
Dena Garson loves to read romance—the hotter the better. When one of her BFFs said “one of us should be writing this stuff”, she took up the challenge. If she isn’t writing, she’s designing jewelry but somehow she still manages to make it into the office on a regular basis.
Blurb for Loss of Control:
Jeanie’s lousy boss has sent her on yet another business trip. At least this one has a bonus—she gets to work with “Steve the Stud”, the office hottie who makes all the women weak-kneed, for the whole week. When she finds him to be smart and fun as well, she has no clue how she’ll finish the trip while staying professional.
Steve got burned the last time he dated a coworker and has vowed to never put himself in that position again, no matter how much he can’t stop thinking about Jeanie and her freckles. When Jeanie finds evidence of fraud, Steve works more closely with her than he imagined. It’ll take all his control to maintain his promise while Jeanie struggles with an ethical dilemma.
A Blush® contemporary romance from Ellora’s Cave.
Buy Links:
Ellora’s Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/loss-of-control.html
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L91AZNG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00L91AZNG&linkCode=as2&tag=denagarcom-20&linkId=6FEN67HII3AGSZGS
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/loss-of-control-dena-garson/1119872710?ean=9781419992148
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/loss-of-control-1
Excerpt for Loss of Control:
“By the way, what is your name? We’ve been passing each other a lot this month but I’ve never stopped to ask.”
“You’re right. We never have met officially.” He stood and offered his hand in greeting. “Steve Waltman. Audit.”
Jeanie shook his hand and looked into the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. That had to be one of the reasons the girls in the office were all smitten with him. Not only did he fill out his jacket nicely but the sandy-blond hair and blue eyes were a traditionally lethal combination. And so far he seemed to be a nice guy, with a sense of humor to boot.
If she wasn’t careful she could be in serious trouble.
“Jeanie Madison. I’m in Accounts Payable,” she said, letting her hand linger in his a little longer than usual.
“Jeanie. It’s nice to put a name to a face. We have been coming and going at the same time these days. Where are you off to this morning?”
“Indianapolis. What about you?”
“Same.” Steve tucked his folded newspaper under his arm. “You going in for the transition?”
“Yeah. You too?”
“Afraid so. Looks as if we’ll be hanging out together this week.”
A little flutter started somewhere deep in Jeanie’s belly. She wasn’t sure if it was from hunger or nervousness at the thought of being in the same location, probably even the same hotel, as Mr. Hottie for a whole week.
“Guess so.” Erotic images of Steve and herself in a hotel room triggered another burst of heat through her body. A little distance might be best before her cheeks burst into flame. “I was just going to get coffee.” As a second thought she added, “I’ll make you a deal. If you’ll watch my bag and save my seat, I’ll grab some for you too.”
Steve checked his watch. “That would be great. Black coffee with a couple of creamers and a sweetener.”
He reached for his wallet but Jeanie waved him away from it. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll get it.” She pushed her suitcase up against her vacated seat then turned to make her escape.
“Thanks. I’ll buy next time.”
“All right,” she tossed over her shoulder as she picked her way through the somewhat crowded aisle.
It was just a short walk to the café but it gave her time to settle the butterflies in her stomach. However it wasn’t long enough to halt the naughty thoughts rolling around in her head. As she waited in line she watched the girl behind the counter decorate the top of someone’s drink with a mound of whipped cream and a swirl of chocolate.
In Jeanie’s mind that mound of whipped cream belonged on Steve’s bare chest.
Or perhaps lower.
With a cherry on top.
Giveaway:
To celebrate the release of Loss of Control, I’m giving away an ebook copy of either Down to Business or Risky Business (winner’s choice) as well as a swag pack. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment and tell me what you’ve done for fun so far this summer. Our vacation plans fell through this year so I have to live vicariously through you guys – so make me jealous!
BONUS: If your name is drawn as the winner and you’ve friended me on Facebook I’ll also send you an author swag pack that includes one of my sparkly book cover purse charms.