Interview with Author RaShelle Workman

RASHELLE WORKMAN lives in Utah with her husband, three children and three dogs. When she gets a quiet moment alone, she enjoys reading about faraway places. And, in case you were wondering, yes, she does believe there is other life out in the Universe.

Deirdra: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

RaShelle: When I was like 5. That's when I wrote my first poem. But really, I was in my thirties, looking for something, and the writing happened.

Deirdra: What is your writing and educationalbackground?

RaShelle: Before I started writing fiction, I'd written several technical training manuals at my job... Since then, I've joined an online writing blog called CHOOSEORDIE, I blog and twitter and FB. It's a blast. As for education, I'm a junior in college (at least according to my accumulated credits).

Deirdra: What makes you passionate about writing?

RaShelle: Taking an idea from my head and watching it develop on paper. Losing myself in that world.

Deirdra: What was the pathway like for you to get your firstbook published?

RaShelle: Long.

Deirdra: Were you ever discouraged along the way? If so, howdid you deal with it?
RaShelle: Absolutely!!!! I throw temper tantrums. Pull out my hair. Eat chocolate and gummy worms.

Deirdra: What is your writing schedule like?

RaShelle: I write every morning.

Deirdra: Where do your ideas come from? How doyou know the idea is good enough to write a book about it?
RaShelle: Ideas come from everywhere. I usually jot them down, so I don't lose the idea. The one's that stick, that I know I want to write about are the one's that keep stewing in my brain.

Deirdra: Can you tell us a little about your book EXILED.

RaShelle: It's told in third person from several different character's perspective. There are two main characters. Venus and Justus. You hear from them the most. But Zarus and Dervinius, even Justus's mother speak up from their points of view. If you've read City of Bones, it's very similar. Not the story, but the writing style.

Back cover blurb:

Stubborn, sixteen-year-old Princess Venus of Kelari wants one thing, to become a kelvieri, that is, until someone exiles her to Earth, kills her irrihunter and takes her family.

Now she wants revenge.

First she’s got to get home. But before she can return to Kelari, the Gods have commanded her to help an arrogant boy named Justus find his soul mate.

Only she doesn't know the first thing about love.

Rather quickly, her inexperience with human emotion is obscured by other matters—alien-controlled psychotic teens that are out to kill her, and a government group that is set on capturing and dissecting her.

Worst of all, Venus will suffer a painful death-by-poisoning, thanks to Earth’s atmosphere, if she remains on the planet longer than one week.

Still, Venus is a Princess and she's got a plan. Surely, with her help, Justus will fall in love with a human.

But time is running out and Justus is falling for the wrong girl—her.

Deirdra: What are your thoughts on critique groups?

RaShelle: I love them. Get one. Crit groups are like shoes, keep trying them on until you find the right fit.

Deirdra: How many beta readers do you have review yourmanuscript before you send it to your editor?

RaShelle: 10-20

Deirdra: What do you hope readers will get from yourbooks?

RaShelle: Enjoyment. Excitement.

Deirdra: What is your process of brainstorming a story? Doyou just sit down and write, waiting to see what happens next? Or do yououtline first?

RaShelle: I'm a plotter who pants from one chapter to the next.

Deirdra: Do you ever experience a snag in a story, a form ofwriter's block? If so, how do you deal with it?

RaShelle: Yes. I do my best thinking right before I go to bed and when I wake in the morning. If I'm stuck on a problem in the story, those are the times I ponder them.

Deirdra: Do you need absolute quiet to write? Do you listento music when you are writing?
RaShelle: Absolute quiet works, but I don't mind have the old PINK PANTHER shows on in the background either. Something about that music...

Deirdra: What kinds of inspiration do you use during yourstory creation periods?

RaShelle: I watch movies. Read. Read. Read. Look at pictures. Doodle.

Deirdra: Who has made the greatest difference for you as awriter?

RaShelle: Probably my husband though. He's my biggest fan and strongest supporter

Deirdra: What’s your secret to making the character’sin your books come to life?

RaShelle: Write about them. I know who they are inside and out.

Deirdra: What authors do you admire, and why?

RaShelle: Ooooh, J.K. Rowling for sure. Stephenie Meyer. Colleen Houck. All for the same reasons: They never gave up. They believed in themselves and their writing.

Deirdra: What is your favorite snack to have while youare writing?

RaShelle: Gummi Worms.

Deirdra: Besides writing what other talents or hobbiesdo you have?

RaShelle:Baking cupcakes. Making toffee. I seriously have the world's best recipe and it's super secret.

Deirdra: What words of advice do you have for other writerswho desire to have their manuscripts become books in print?

RaShelle: Go to writing conferences. Read. Write. Write. Write.

Deirdra: What are you working on now?

RaShelle: A couple. Book 2 in the Connected Series - BEGUILED. And another sci fi romance.

Deirdra: Where can our readers go to find your books andorder them?

RaShelle: Everywhere. Amazon, B&N, Smashwords

Deirdra: Any final words you would like to share?

RaShelle: Thanks for letting me be here. And I love comments about my book. I'd love to hear from you.