What genre(s) do you write in and why? I write mainly romantic suspense, but have dabbled a little in romantic comedy. My next series set in a winery, will only be lightly suspenseful.
What is your favorite part of writing? The beginning is always the best. Like falling in love, it’s new and exciting.
What is your least favorite part of writing? Promotion. I’m not good at it. I find it frustrating and because of that I have trouble expending a lot of energy towards it.
What is your typical day like? I am also a ghostwriter so my clients’ work comes first. I do e-mails and social media first thing in the morning. After a workout, I write, usually at least 3K words then lunch. If I have errands I do those right after lunch then I’m back to write 2K more in the afternoon. Then 1K more after dinner.
How has your experience with self-publishing been? I am both published with a publisher and self-published. I like both experiences for different reasons. I am thinking I’ll go with a publisher for my winery series.
Do you have critique partners? I have the best critique partners in the world. They are also my friends and my business partners. I trust them completely.
How likely are people you meet to end up in your next book? I never include whole people. I include parts of them. For instance the hero in the first book in the winery series looks like a guy I knew in high school.
Do you have a view in your writing space? What does your space look like? Have laptop, will travel. I work various places in my house. When I need to be around people and really get stuff done, I go to the library in my town. It is the best space. High ceilings. Lots of light.
What do you have planned for the future? I have a trilogy set in a winery, about three brothers who inherit a vineyard. I have a werebear trilogy also about three brothers. Then I will need to write another book for my Dog Matchmaker Series. Who knows after that.
EXCERPT
Waking up next to a dead guy can ruin your whole day.
At least interior decorator Miriam Stokes’ thought so.
The Philadelphia Police Detective whose name she couldn’t remember talked soothingly to her, making her feel, not better, but at least calmer.
As calm as anyone could feel after finding a dead body. How did she get herself into these things?
Sipping coffee Miriam didn’t remember asking for, she eyed the cop as they sat in a flowered living room. Her friend Joe’s neighbor owned said living room. The friend she just found dead.
She tried to keep eye contact with Detective. . .Dasher, Dancer? Some reindeer name.
She could see him clearly now, her vision returning to normal.
“So you woke up and he was dead. Didn’t you hear a shot?”
After swallowing the scalding liquid, she answered him. “No detective. I do sleep very soundly, but I think I had help from this bump on the side of my head.”
To indicate the injury, she pulled away the bag of ice she held to her head. The ice had appeared sometime after the first patrolman. The lump began to throb, but Donner only glanced at her head. Instead, he scribbled some notes in a small pad.
How many murders does one have to see to get so matter-of-fact about them? Miriam shuddered.
“Could I at least get dressed? I feel a little vulnerable in my pajamas,” she told him.
Donner. The detective had introduced himself as Donner. He looked her over as if making a decision. He nodded, glancing around the apartment. “Do you have any clothes?”
She nodded towards Joe’s apartment.
“When they remove. . .” he murmured, then grimaced. She caught his meaning.
He turned his brown eyes back to her. “We’ll work things out. I just have a few more questions for you. Then we’ll go downtown.”
Miriam nodded. Who would do this to Joe?
“How long have you known the deceased?”
BIO
Chris Redding lives in New Jersey with her husband, two sons, one dog and three rabbits. She graduated from Penn State with a degree in journalism. When she isn’t writing, she works for a local winery. Her books are filled with romance, suspense and thrills.
Links:
http://chrisredddingauthor.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/chrisreddingauthor
Thanks for having me today.
cmr