Romantic suspense author Charmaine Gordon sits for an interview today.
Learn more about Charmaine and her books at her blog.
When did you realize you wanted to write
novels?
As an actor for
many years, my last job was on Broadway in a new play. Toward the end of the
run, I noticed my voice change. I had trouble speaking. The diagnosis--spasmodic
dysphonia to be treated with botox injections forever into the larynx. Thus
ended a fine career--a small fish in a big pond since I began in midlife.
Creative juices still flowed so without training, I began a story and wrote a
book. Amazing what one can do. Undaunted, I began again in my seventies.
How long did it take you to realize your
dream of publication?
Call me lucky. It
didn’t take too long before Vanilla Heart Publishing, a small company on the
West coast, requested a few chapters and soon my first book, To be Continued,
was published. What a kick.
Are you traditionally published, indie
published, or a hybrid author?
For me,
traditionally published works just fine.
Where do you write?
I have a small
office and three cats, cluttered with books, a litter box and the cats take
turns sitting on my lap. I often wonder if this is where the name laptop comes
from?
Is silence golden, or do you need music to
write by? What kind?
Golden silence is
best for me.
How much of your plots and characters are
drawn from real life? From your life in particular?
I noticed when
first writing, I couldn’t help from dropping bits and pieces of my life into
the story. My publisher reassured me. “You’re doing just fine,” she said.
Describe your process for naming your
character?
Names float across
my mind like on a ticker tape. When I need one, it’s right there. I have no
explanation.
Real settings or fictional towns?
Some stories have
real settings like St. Augustine beach, Florida in several books. More
recently, I wrote a series about a fictional town, River’s Edge in upstate, NY
where the motto is Kindness to Strangers. Readers have said they’d love to live
in a town just like that.
What’s your quirkiest quirk?
A half glass of
Chardonnay and I’m tap dancing on the table. True story and it’s happened many
times on Broadway in clubs after a play or in a local restaurant.
If you could have written any book (one that
someone else has already written,) which one would it be? Why?
To Kill A Mocking Bird. What a gorgeous story.
The kind, intelligent father raising two chidren, a lawyer defending a black
man at a terrible time in history and so much more.
Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over.
What’s yours?
He died too young,
my high school sweetheart. We never argued, raised a batch of kids and suddenly
gone. Do over, my heart screamed for a long time. I survived, married again but
he’s still with me. Do over, I still scream.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
When people ignore
needs of older folks at the super market, I get very angry. Wait ‘til they get
old and need help.
You’re stranded on a deserted island. What
are your three must-haves?
Gluten-free
everything, laptop and a really smart hunk.
What was the worst job you’ve ever held?
I raised a batch of
kids and when the last one went off to kindergarten I helped my husband full
time in our business. No time off for this lady.
What’s the best book you’ve ever read?
To Kill A Mocking
Bird
Ocean or mountains?
Ocean
City girl/guy or country girl/guy?
Love the city, NYC
and going home to peace in the country.
What’s on the horizon for you?
I write The End and
two days later I’m into a new book. Living a long healthy life is a good plan.
Anything else you’d like to tell us about
yourself and/or your books?
After years of
being an Air Force wife, we became civilians and moved to NY. I did a lot of
local theater until one day, a professional actor suggested I go to the city
and seek an agent. Life changed. My first job was as leg model for Geraldine
Ferraro with bodyguards protecting her and her two daughters. That got me my
first Union Card. After that came Working
Girl where I had fun sharing a hot dog with Harrison Ford after singing
Happy Birthday to Melanie Griffith. Anthony Hopkins invited me to lunch in one
movie and Michael Douglas shared a moment in Fatal Attraction. I was like a sponge soaking up everything I heard
and saw. When I had to kiss the sweet time goodbye because my voice failed, I
was ready to write.
Bridging the Gap
Anna Youngblood and James Chandler have
problems. His little daughter overheard his ex say she never wanted kids; Anna
must make amends for breaking rules of her tribe; he has a serious concussion
and she’s pregnant. Can this couple find happiness in River’s Edge?
Love the blurb on your book, Charmaine!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful cover! It's wonderful to get to know you better. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much about the blurb-it's all in the book and you'll love it and Melissa, I feel the same way. Getting to know you, getting to know all about you.
ReplyDelete