Friday, September 3, 2010

Interview with Ursula Sinclair

I’d like to welcome our guest today, LaVerne Thompson writing as Ursula Sinclair. 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 WHITE WEDDING. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

It’s about the complexities and dynamics of modern human relationships tied up in a romance with a whole lot of suspense. A young woman moments before she walks down the aisle to say I do is told her fiancé is in the changing room kissing his best man, and deals with the situation by running away right into the arms of a stranger. But when she returns home she discovers disturbing secrets about those she trusted. And the stranger is the only one she can trust.

WHITE WEDDING is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

I admit I love Billy Idol, and one day I was sitting with my daughter watching Bridezilla and the song popped into my head and I thought it would make a great title for a book.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

My books as LaVerne Thompson tend to be more sensual, sometimes with erotic elements. But when I began to write this story it just seemed to call for more eroticism. I didn’t plan on it, it just happened. So to differentiate myself my alter ego Ursula Sinclair was born. Her storylines will be a little more complicated and erotic.

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

I’ve found it’s best for me not to plot out my stories; my characters have a tendency to have their own ideas and ignore mine. But usually I come up with the opening lines or a scene and I run with it. In this case I got the title first and then the story followed, but it morphed as I wrote it.

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

Not too much for this book. But God I love the Internet.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

From the Billy Idol song by that name and the show Bridezilla. The show I saw all the brides seemed to be interested in white wedding dresses. So that’s where the concept for a wedding start came from. The suspense aspect entered the story because my phone rang and it was a wrong number, so of course my mind immediately weaved a wedding story with a stalker. LOL!

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

Ross. I just loved the guy. He knew what he wanted and was very protective of my heroine.

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?

I don’t really do character sheets other than to write down the physical appearance. The aspect of each character is really developed from the storyline itself. Sometimes the character is developed as a result of the profession, sometimes from a life style. Most of my characters thus far are professionals some I have personal experience with others I have friends that I’ve talked to for input, and it’s easy to do background research on the internet.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

I don’t think this page is long enough but I will say they are across the literary spectrum of genres that go beyond romance.

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

Online networking sites is a huge part of promotion, especially doing blogs and interviews.

What do we have to look forward next?

From Ursula that would be Noah’s story. It’s still a work in progress, but he’s a friend and business partner of the main character in WHITE WEDDING.

Thanks, LaVerne!

To celebrate her book release, Ursula aka LaVerne is offering a free pdf download book of WHITE WEDDING 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 all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio.

Check out author’s website at http:/ursulasinclair.webs.com

Buy http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=138&osCsid=i0310v7vqt813k6gd61s67h9i4.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good morning Ursula/LaVerne. Thanks for visiting us today. I had a late night last night so your chocolate will be ready shortly. I love your title and now that i know where it came from, I have that song running through my head now. :) Have a fun day.

Ursula Sinclair said...

Hi Kim- Thanks for having me today. I had a late start today so I could use a cup of chocolate.

LaVerne

pj schnyder said...

*brings virtual hot chocolate*

Great interview and lots to learn from. Thanks for sharing! :)

Abigail-Madison Chase said...

I love the interview

Ursula Sinclair said...

Hi PJ- *takes a sip of hot chocolate with whipped cream* Thanks for stopping by.

LaVerne

Ursula Sinclair said...

Hi Abigail- *wiping that white mustache off my lip*

Thanks,

LaVerne

Stephanie Williams said...

Fantastic interview as always. You know I am wating for Noah's story/ WHOO-HOO!

Stephanie

Ursula Sinclair said...

Hey Steph,

Thanks. HIs story will be very different and I hope interesting for all. LOL!

LaVerne

Unknown said...

Hey Laverne, I'm loving the plot already.I can't offer you nay hot chocolate, but you are welcome to share my leftover shrimp jambalaya!
Jagger/Ethnedp

Tia Dani said...

Good morning, Ursula/LaVerne and much cheaper Than Therapy girls. Really fun interview. Besides craving chocolate this morning we're hooked on WHITE WEDDING. Sounds like a fun story.

ursula sinclair said...

Hey Jagger- Thanks for stopping by. Love jambalaya. Perfect for lunch. LOL!

LaVerne

Ursula Sinclair said...

Welcome Tia, and thanks. I had a ton of fun writing this story. I thought it would go one way but the characters decided not to listen to me. LOL!

LaVerne

Chicki Brown said...

Hey Ursula,

The book sounds fascinating. As soon as Amazon pays me, I'm treating myself to a couple of e-books. Yours will definitely be one of them!

Have a great weekend.

Estella said...

I enjoyed the interview.
White Wedding sounds like a fun read!

ursula sinclair said...

Hi Chicki- Thanks for stopping by. Maybe you can win the free download today. Good luck!

LaVerne

ursulasinclair said...

Hi Estella- Thank you. Glad you could stop by.

LaVerne

The Scarf Princess said...

I love the sound of this book! The way you reached this title was interesting and I totally have Billy Idol's voice running through my head.

Will there be a lot of books leading from this one? Since I'm not a fan of weddings I chuckle evilly when they go wrong.

joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com

Gerry Skoyles said...

Just fought my way through an army of autograph hunters to get here. Need a bodyguard?

Best,

Mark.

Tamsyn said...

That was a great interview. Love the cover too. I have a question. Do you get to choose your own covers? Or it is decided for you by the publisher? And do you find that the covers match your stories?