Our
guest today is Renee Rearden, author of Moonlight
Bleu and the soon to be released, Crimson
Sunset. Because our birthdays are only 1 day apart and we both love to
write fantasy, I consider Renee my Gemini sister from different mister. I’ve wanted
to interview her for ages and finally managed to pin her down. Welcome, Renee.
Have you
always wanted to be a writer?
I suppose I have.
When I was ten I tried to write a song. Since I couldn’t play a musical
instrument and I knew nothing about
love—other than a brief fourth grade crush—the result was a miserable flop. But
reading had always been my passion. I devoured books. Every librarian knew me
by name. Then I grew up. Got married. Started a career. Had children. Learned
to play the piano—and still couldn’t write songs. Music doesn’t move me. Words
do. So when I ran out of books to read by my favorite authors, I decided to
write a story I’d want to read…and
I’ve never looked back.
You have
a family and a demanding day job. How do you carve out the time for writing?
Any way I can!
Finding creative me time is a battle.
In my job as an official court reporter, I spend my days in the courtroom
creating a record of the proceedings and more time outside of the courtroom
transcribing that record upon request. So, time is a commodity I need more of.
Thankfully, my husband works rotating shifts and we only have two teenagers at
home now. They’re all pretty self-sufficient.
Oh, and the short
answer to your question: I’m an insomniac. I write instead of sleep.
What was
the most influential book or author you’ve read? Tell us how it affected or
influenced you.
The most
influential book I’ve ever read? Jaws. I was in the fourth grade when I
filched my mom’s Reader’s Digest copy. Read it in one night, under the covers
with a flashlight. She never knew…until we went to the beach that summer on
vacation. I refused to get in the water. Eventually I came clean. She extracted
a promise: I would ask about adult books before I read them so she could make
sure I didn’t read anything that would scare me.
That wasn’t what
you meant was it? =D
My answer is still Jaws.
The action and suspense sucked me into the story. Each character had these
personalities that just popped. I cared about them. I rooted for them. I cried
for them. And the terrifying shark attacks? They fed my growing interest in the
frightening realm of bloody horror.
As an author, I try
very hard to bring all of those elements into my own novels. If I don’t create
an interesting world filled with characters that draw attention, readers won’t
care enough to root for them. So the seed for writing was planted early.
Finding my voice came later.
What are
your favorite books? What are you reading right now?
Wow, what a tough
question. Am I going to duck this? Kinda.
I LOVE to read, and
I’m not exclusive to one genre. I enjoy any book that’s well written. Having
put that out there, I am partial to anything that falls in the realm of the
paranormal, supernatural or fantasy. (I think because my day job is so “real
life” the escapism is necessary.)
I’m currently
reading Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick.
Tell us
something about yourself that people wouldn’t guess.
Several days a week
I dry my hair in the car vents at stoplights on my way to work. Yes, I’m that
driver Allstate warns you about.
Okay. How about I’m
an introverted extrovert? No, seriously. Even though I’m an outgoing gal that
loves to talk (you already know that),
I’m sort of shy. At my job I work around
a lot of people, but I don’t really interact with many of them. When I’m in a
crowd of people I don’t know, I tend to sit back and watch. Get a feel for the
personalities. Of course, once I’m comfortable around a person, watch out!
Crimson
Sunset, the second book in your series is about to be published. How many books
do you plan in the series?
Right now, there
are six plotted. Depending on how the story and characters are progressing,
there could be more. I haven’t planned for more. I love books that are a
series. But eventually a series reaches an ending point, and I’ll make sure the
Tueri Fated Souls series finishes at the right time.
Do you
relate to a specific character in your books? Maybe Saari?
*chuckling*
Is it that obvious?
I definitely relate to Saari. Nearly everyone feels like an outsider at some
point in their life. Whether one is searching for their identity or a specific
path to follow, that lost feeling and lack of control is familiar to us all.
Do you
consider yourself a romance writer?
*more chuckling*
I didn’t when I started writing. In fact, I was told
my stories didn’t have enough romance in them. Do I now? You bet. I love urban
fantasies and paranormal romance. The cool part about writing is mashing genres
together and adding elements I want into each story. It’s working so far
anyway…
What are
you working on now?
I have several
projects in the works. I’m currently writing a novel for an in-house line with
Crescent Moon Press. I’ve already started book three in the Tueri Fated Souls
series. I’m also about half finished with a young adult novel. Hoping to have
all three of those completed this year. Then there are the two other series and
multiple short stories taking up space in my head. Boy, do I hear voices!
What
advice do you have for writers? Any mistakes that you want others to avoid?
Huh, advice for
writers. Okay, two things.
First, exercise
your creativity daily—yes, write something every day. Imagination is a muscle.
If it’s not used and flexed regularly, it atrophies. Writer’s block becomes the
norm instead of the exception.
Second, read. Read
often and vary your genre. Not only is it important to read in the genre one
writes in, it’s helpful to read other genres and see what ideas, styles, and
voices are resonating with readers. Writing is hard work—but oh, what a rush!
Renee Rearden had such a
passion for the written word, she changed her major in college and received a
Court Reporting degree. Now, instead of just writing down what everybody
else says, she spends some of her time writing paranormal romance and urban
fantasy. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family, where she is
currently working on her latest novel.
For more about Renee, her books and reviews, please go to her website: www.reneerearden.com.
Her blog: http://reneereardenblog.blogspot.com.
You'll also find her in the following places: www.twitter.com/; ReneeRearden,
www. facebook.com/ReneeRearden and
www.goodreads.com/ReneeRearden.
Great interview! Thanks, Marilee and thanks, Renee. I will definitely check out your website and your books.
ReplyDeleteThank you for having me, Marilee. Sorry it took so long to get me here. And I see where Allie gets her stubborn...I mean persistent streak!
ReplyDeleteAh, thank you, Jonelle. I appreciate the interest, and I hope you enjoy my Tueri world!
You're so welcome, Renee. And, you're right about the stubborn streak - dog with a bone!
ReplyDelete