Welcome to Elisabeth Naughton's guest blog

Welcome Ms. Naughton to Love Romances and More, thank you for joining us.

Did you always want to become a writer?
Thanks so much for having me today. It’s great to be here!

No, I honestly had no clue I wanted to be a writer until I was in my early 30s. I’d been a teacher for nine years and left to take a year’s leave of absence. About three months into my leave, I realized I was going to go nuts without something to do, so I started tinkering with a book idea I had. At the time, I thought everyone walked around with little character voices going off in their heads. Little did I know that was the sign of a career yet to blossom.

What is the most, and the least interesting fact about writing?

For me, what I’ve found most interesting about writing is the way things happen in my books without me really knowing. That sounds funny, but often times I’ll write something in a book, stop and think, “Weird. Why did I write that?” Then later on I’ll write something that ties back in with what I wrote earlier without me consciously realizing it. I consider myself an organic writer and many times I think my subconscious knows what needs to happen before my brain has time to figure it out.

Hm, least interesting thing I’ve found about writing. That’s got to be the way I have to shove earpbuds in my ears so I can find peace and quiet to work. (I have three kids and currently they’re in the other room arguing over a game, which is NOT conducive to writing, let me tell you.)

How did you celebrate your first release? What was it like to see your book in a bookstore? Do you have a special ritual for celebrating a book release?

With my first book release (STOLEN FURY, January 2009) I hosted a big release party at a local restaurant. A bookseller from Borders handled the book sales, the restaurant catered, and I signed books all night long. It was a great success and something I’m so glad I did.

As for rituals for book releases…nothing spectacular. With the release of my second book (STOLEN HEAT, August 2009) I was recovering from an illness, so it was anticlimactic. This time (STOLEN SEDUCTION, January 2010) I have a special bottle of wine I’ve been saving for the end of this trilogy. I’ll share it with good friends over the New Year’s weekend.

How did your family react to fact that you write romance novels? Have your family read your book?

My family is very supportive. My husband is my biggest fan and tells everyone about my book (he works in sales so he’s great at the PR aspect. My kids don’t understand what “romance” means (they’re too young), but they think it’s cool mom is an author. My other relatives – parents, siblings, etc. have all been equally as supportive. My sister-in-law recently told me reading my first book was hard because she kept stopping and thinking, “Elisabeth wrote this?” but said she didn’t have that problem with the second book and can’t wait to read book three.

Most authors are also avid readers. Is this the case with you? If so, who are some of your favorites? Have any influenced your writing?

Yes. I read a lot, especially when I’m not under deadline. I love reading in a variety of genres—contemporary romance, historical romance, science fiction and fantasy, paranormals, young adult. Some of my favorite authors include Tolkien, Elizabeth Lowell, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, CS Lewis and Judith McNaught.

Do you feel each of your characters live with you as you write? Do their lives sometimes take over a part of your life? Can you name an example? Do you have living role models for your characters?

Oh yeah. And it can be damn irritating when you’re naked in the bathtub and they won’t leave you alone!

Seriously, my characters are definitely a big part of me as I’m working on their book. I tend to write at night so I spend all day thinking about my characters and my book so I know what I’m going to do when I sit down to work. Then when I go to bed I fall asleep thinking about them all over again. It’s a viscous cycle that doesn’t end until I’m finished with a book. (And sometimes not even then, especially when those characters are involved in an ongoing series.)

As for living role models…no. My characters are as real to me as I am, but they are their own people. I try not to model them after anyone in particular.

Where do you get the inspirations for your books?

Anywhere. Everywhere. Sometimes news stories inspire ideas. Other times TV shows or movies. Often my books grow out of other books, so secondary characters I write in one book continually pop into my head until I figure out “their” story. That’s how books two and three in my Stolen Series – STOLEN HEAT and STOLEN SEDUCTION came to be.

Do you find it difficult at times to write love scenes?

Not usually. Though sometimes I struggle with word choice and making each one better than the last. Generally by the time I get to a love scene, I’m as ready for it to happen as my characters are.

Do you have a problem with deadlines and have you ever suffered a writers block?

Only once. And thankfully, I’ve recently passed that point. Actually, I’m finishing up a book that has been a struggle to write. Like I said before, I had some health issues over the summer and as I was getting well, it was the first time in my career I’d never had the desire to write. I never understood writers block until this happened to me. Relearning the habit of writing took me a while, but I’m happy to say I’m back in the groove now, finishing one book and about to start another.

Do you prefer stand-alone books or series (As a reader or a writer) ?
Depends on the books. I love series book so long as the author sticks to what made the series great in the first place but continues to give the reader something different with each instalment.

I also love stand alone books, or series (like my Stolen Series) that are connected by characters and not necessarily plots.

If you could change places with one character from your book, who would it be and why?
Oh boy. I don’t honestly think I’d trade places with any of them. Only because I know what I’ve put them all through! But their happily ever afters are definitely sweeter because of all the trouble I’ve given them.

What is your favorite book from the books that you have written so far? Who are your favorite hero and heroine, and why?

That’s like picking my favorite child! Okay, honestly I have to say I love all my books and heroines and heroes for different reasons, but STOLEN SEDUCTION has a really special place in my heart. Mostly because the hero – Shane Maxwell – is someone I can’t totally let go of. He and I struggled through most of that book. I didn’t fully understand him, he refused to open up, and he and the heroine had this combustible attraction that wouldn’t leave me alone. Even now, when I’m working on other books, I still think of them –especially him—and can’t wait to hear what readers think when they read it.

Would you like to give another genre a try?

I’m not sure. I never thought I’d want to write paranormals but I have a new paranormal series –The Eternal Guardians – starting in May with the release of book one – MARKED. I’m very excited about this new series because it has danger, adventure and centers around one of my favourite loves, Greek Mythology.

So I never say “never” to new genres. The idea for this new series came out of nowhere and took me by surprise. I’m not an oracle. I have no idea what the future holds.

Which book was the hardest to write and which the easiest?
The book I’m working on now – ENTWINED – book two in my new Eternal Guardian’s series (August 2010) has been the hardest to write for a variety of reasons—my health, the plot, characters, etc—but now that it’s just about done, I’m loving it.

The easiest? Probably STOLEN FURY, book one in my Stolen Series (January 2009). When I wrote STOLEN FURY I wasn’t under deadline and could take my time. Things are different now.

If you could choose of your books for a movie, which one would it be and who would you cast?

Hm. I think STOLEN SEDUCTION would make a great movie. Very Indiana Jones-ish, lots of romance and adventure that would appeal to both men and women. As for cast…let’s see. Eddie Cibrian would make a great Shane. He’s got the same “look” I picture when I think of Shane. And Hailey? I’m not sure. In my head I picture someone like Carrie Underwood. That “style”. Charlize Theron, with long, blond wavy hair would make a great Hailey.

If you could travel through time to visit a special time period or famous person, what or who would it be and why?

I’d love to go back to Ancient Greece and see what things were like.

Do you listen to music while you are writing and if so what music is it?

Instrumental music when writing. Right now I have the soundtracks to Braveheart, Lord of the Rings and Gladiator on my ipod. I also make soundtracks for my books, which I post under the “extras” tab on my website for readers to see. While I don’t listen to these songs while writing, I listen to them while plotting and during the day while thinking about my characters and books. I love music. So much can be said in just a few words.

Big congrats to your latest release, Stolen Seduction, can you please tell us something about the book?

Thanks! I hope readers enjoy the third Stolen Book.

STOLEN SEDUCTION “officially” releases Tuesday, December 29, 2009, but Amazon already has it available. In a nut shell…

A missing bronze holds the key to a decade’s-old murder. To prove her innocence, she’ll have to partner up with the sexy homicide detective who has the power to steal more than her freedom—if she’s not careful, he may just steal her heart…

Are you working on anything right now, and can you tell us a teaser about these projects?

Yep. I always seem to have something going.

My next release is the start of a whole new series. MARKED, book one in my Eternal Guardians Series, hits store shelves in May 2010.

As unrest in the Underworld threatens, seven immortal warriors descended from the greatest heroes in all of Ancient Greece may just be mankind's last hope.

And I’m also waiting to hear on an all new romantic adventure series I really hope I get to write. This one deals with a missing father, a mythical lost city and a jaded ex-CIA agent who meets his match in a spitfire archaeometrist. It’s very Indiana Jones meets James Bond.

Thanks so much for having me here today. This has been great fun! In honor of the release of STOLEN SEDUCTION, I’m running a big contest on my website. Click the image below to enter. You could win $100 Amazon Gift card and a whole host of other fabulous prizes!



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