Interview with Carrie Weaver

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Carrie Weaver. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called Once A Ranger. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

I always have such a hard time describing my own books. So I’ll cheat a bit and use the back cover copy for Once A Ranger:

Tony Perez has never fancied redheads. But this one’s got his attention. In fact, Kat Monroe is attracting a lot of attention. The worst kind. With her recent lottery win and softness for hard-luck stories, she’s the ideal target for the con man Tony is tracking. His old Texas Ranger instincts scream at him to warn her. But now that he’s a private investigator, he has to stay under cover—even if it means putting her at risk.

Kat has to believe he’s just a flirtatious vacationer at the Phoenix Rising Resort. But the closer they grow, the tougher it is to pretend. Now he’s facing an impossible choice. Keep up the charade and get his man. Or tell her
everything, risk his case…and get the girl!

Once A Ranger is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

My editor titled this book and did a wonderful job. Tony Perez is a retired Texas Ranger, hence the title.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I enjoy adding a touch of suspense to my Superromances from time to time.

Are you a plotter or a pantser and how did it affect the writing of this book?

I’m a modified pantser. To sell on spec, I generally have an in-depth synopsis that I follow, allowing the characters to detour when necessary.

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book? What are your favorite research books or sites?

In the book, I loosely modeled the fictional town of Jasper on Jerome, Arizona. I’ve visited Jerome in the past and loved the flavor and history of the place. Google makes research in general so much easier.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

Almost immediately after meeting Kat in Welcome Home, Daddy, I knew she had to have her own book. Kat is a wonderful, savvy, attractive woman who always ends up with loser boyfriends. I wanted to see her work through her propensity for bad boys and choose the great guy she deserved.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

Kat, for the reasons given above. I also got a real kick out of writing Will Sterling, because villains are so much fun. My editor had to rein me in a bit, because I wanted to make Will much more creepy.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research affect your character development?

Character development is one of those magical things that I try not to overanalyze. Most of the time my characters evolve with my first draft. In the second draft, I know them better and really flesh them out. I do use character interviews if I’m having a problem getting a handle on one of my characters. I don’t often have to resort to those, but they’re terrific tools. You’d be amazed at what characters reveal….Research is an important component in telling me how a specific career or situation might affect a character. This in turn makes the characters more three-dimensional.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Oh, there are so many authors who inspire me. Right now, I’m reading J.D. Robb’s Eve Dallas series. I’m totally addicted. I think it’s the combination of crackerjack characterization and unique, intricate plots.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

Probably regularly hanging around on the Superromance thread on e-Harlequin.com. That, and writing the best book possible (for me) each and every time. :)

What do we have to look forward next?

Good question! I’m waiting to hear on a three-book proposal for Harlequin Superromance and sending around a mainstream romantic suspense manuscript.

Thanks, Carrie!

To celebrate her book release, Carrie is offering a free, autographed copy of Welcome Home, Daddy, to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around this afternoon and as her day job allows. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Carrie Weaver is the author of thirteen published romance novels. Her books reflect real life and real love, with all the ups, downs and emotion involved. She has been nominated for the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA Award, the Booksellers’ Best Award and at RT BookReview Magazine Reviewers’ Choice Award.

Check out author’s website at http://www.carrieweaver.com

Buy http://www.eharlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=22221&cid=229