BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--GUEST AUTHOR CHARMAINE GORDON

Author Charmaine Gordon writes romance, romantic suspense, and mature romance. Today she sits down with us for an interview. Learn more about Charmaine and her books at her website.

When did you realize you wanted to write novels?

I loved the glorious years as an actor in New York, working on One Life to Live, All My Children, and Another World with movie bit parts in Working Girl, When Harry Met Sally and so many more. I also appeared in one wonderful Off-Broadway play. Then it all crashed when I lost my good voice to Spasmodic Dysphonia. My creative juices turned to writing. To Be Continued, my first baby, was published seven years ago.

How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication?

Here’s the amazing story: After sending out some queries only to receive don’t call me, I’ll call you-NOT! responses, a publisher called, requested the manuscript. The next day they offered a contract. Did I cry? You bet I did. Me, the one with a shot voice, was now a published author.

Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?

I’ve been published by the same small traditional publisher since that first book.

Where do you write?

In our Cape Cod home, I have a small office, once shared for about four years, with my youngest granddaughter while my daughter taught at the local high school. Now four cats take turns visiting me as I write every day. The largest feline, Riley, sprawls at the door as guard. I have to step over him, carefully, as the need calls for. Lily, the youngest sleeps right next to the computer, nudging my hand from time to time.

Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?

I treasure silence, please and thank you.

How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular?

Often I find pieces of my life showing up as my fingers peck their way along the keys.  At first, it disturbed me and then I knew. Considering my rich experiences in life, why not?

Describe your process for naming your character?

For some unknown reason, names flicker across my mind as if a ticker tape presents them to me. Probably this happens because so much of my background is steeped in memorizing scripts.

Real settings or fictional towns?

Some of each. Born and raised in Chicago, Reconstructing Charlie has the well-known background; and for years I lived in St. Augustine, Florida where I set Starting Over and Young at Heart. Of course, the New Jersey Shore was perfect for Instant Grandpa, a beach story Mature Romance. The only fictional town is River’s Edge, where Kindness to Strangers is the motto. Imagination gone wild and I love it!

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?

In Reconstructing Charlie, the heroine, Charlie Costigan, vows to retain her chastity until she meets the right man and says ‘I Do’, an amazing quirkiness at time when casual sex had become common.

What’s your quirkiest quirk?

If smiling readily, with hope and a heart full of love is quirky, that’s me. I’m a way out there senior citizen, perky after a terrible fall last year when doctor’s thought I’d never walk again. See me now, guys, as I dance with care and a cane around the house.

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?

Water, soap, and a hunk named Henri who knows how to give a girl a great massage.

What was the worst job you’ve ever held?

I worked at home with my first husband for many years while raising a batch of kids after several tours as an Air Force wife with same pilot husband. All before I spread my wings. Not what I’d call a worst job but a woman’s job and I thrived on it then.

What’s the best book you’ve ever read?

Thanks for asking. I may write romance but how I love to read John Sandford with his murder, mayhem and humor.

Ocean or mountains?

Ocean. Oh yes.

City girl/guy or country girl/guy?

I loved working in NYC to return to my home sweet home in the burbs.

What’s on the horizon for you?

One big desire is I’d like to know, as a writer, does anyone know my name?

I pray for good health and long life to see my youngest granddaughter, now nine, graduate college, marry a worthy guy etc, etc. I can dream, can’t I?

Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?

Check out the video for Chef’s Surprise. 

Chef's Surprise

One night, she ran. For the bus to freedom and a new life. She had a plan, and a small box of cash. 

With grit and determination, the young girl learned more than lessons at nursing college, the first part of her plan. Someday, she would become a top chef, but for now, she’d claw her way up the ladder. 

There is payback for every crime, and sometimes the payback is more than satisfactory.

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