MIDWEEK MEET & GREET. Rolynn Anderson Interviewed!

Welcome! A Writer’s Mind is back in action and I’m thrilled to have over romance writer, Rolynn Anderson to join in my Midweek Meet & Greet. I loved something she wrote on her website so I had to share. “Though my heroes and heroines have flaws, just like we all do, they learn how to use them or overcome them. My characters are a resilient bunch, struggling on their own until they learn the benefits of working with others. In all my novels, I celebrate the power of a community to pull us through our worst times.”

I say we get to know this fascinating woman better. On to the interview…

SKY: Welcome! Tell us a little bit about yourself. Did you always want to be an author? When did you first start writing? What have you published?

ROLYNN: Thanks for the warm welcome, Sky. I taught English to high schoolers before I became a high school principal. After years of responding to student papers (mostly expository), writing lesson plans and composing newsletter articles and teacher reviews, I yearned to write fiction. I started my serious writing career in 2001, crafting suspense novels, spiked with romance. I’ve written twelve novels…the eighth one sold late in 2010 and was released on June 10 this year. Yahoo! LAST RESORT is the title of the book.

SKY: Congratulations on such a successful writing career! Now, I like to write at night. Inspires me. Where and when do you like to write? Why?

ROLYNN: I write from 6:00-10:00 a.m. My brain works best in those hours and it’s pretty quiet in the house. I get my very best ideas when I blow-dry my hair. (I guess I should let my hair grow)

SKY: Blow-drying your hair? Love it! *Grins* Back to business, you know you’ll always pen a particular genre. What genre and why? You might also dabble in other genres. Care to share what those are and why?

ROLYNN: I enjoy writing suspense spiked with a romantic relationship. Two reasons: 1) It’s one of the genre’s I love to read and 2) I don’t think I could fill a book solely focused on a relationship (so I add action). LAST RESORT, the novel that sold, is the first thriller I’d ever written. I’ve just finished a light paranormal suspense/romance called FEAR ITSELF. Now I’m working on a double murder mystery. So I do lots of dabbling. Soon, I’d like to try writing women’s fiction.

SKY: We writers are often urged to write what we know. Have you? Perhaps implemented a scene from your life or somewhere you’ve traveled. Tell, tell!

ROLYNN: Many of my settings and adventures come from my boating adventures. My husband and I spend four months out of the year cruising the Inside Passage of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Since boating is highly dominated by men, it pleases me to put feisty women at the helm. Petersburg, Alaska is the stage for my next double murder mystery. I golf, so I’ve written a suspense novel centered on golf. I travel a lot, so I spice my books with foreign settings. I live on the sunny Central Coast of California when I’m not bobbing on the ocean, bringing in the romance and adventure of that area, too.

SKY: Let’s get down and dirty. Writers typically love to read. You especially enjoy certain authors for a good reason. Why? Their use of prose, voice, characterization, etc. You’ve got pet peeves as well. What are they?

ROLYNN: I’m an eclectic reader, happy with Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, anything by Barbara Kingsolver, lots by Nora Roberts, Linda Howard and Suzanne Brockmann (to name of few. Loved THE HELP, THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE, THE LACE READER. There are so many great writers out there who craft memorable characters and plots that keep me reading into the wee hours of the morning. I like a fairly pleasant ending or resolution to a book and I need characters I can care about.

SKY: You’re writing or have written the book that will always hold a special place in your heart. What is it and why?

ROLYNN: I’m excited about the novel I’m writing right now. I’m Scandinavian…and found a town bursting with Norwegians in Petersburg, Alaska. The place feels like home to me. I’m trying my hand at writing about a 1932 murder and a recent murder at the same time, set in Petersburg. Big challenge and lots of fun so far!

SKY: Nice! I’m part Norwegian and adore the culture and history. Fascinating, isn’t it? Now, though we like variety, we tend to adore a certain type of hero and heroine. What does your perfect hero look like? Tell us about his personality. Same goes for the heroine.

ROLYNN: He’s tall, broad-shouldered and strong. Thick brown hair, blue eyes. Deep voice. Smart, great sense of humor; caring Well-read. She’s got longish brown hair, brown eyes. Slim, erect posture. Happy with her looks. Accessorizes well. Bright and funny; excellent leader.

SKY: Ooooh, I like your perfect hero! What’s next for you? What are you currently writing?

ROLYNN: Partly answered above. I’m calling it BRAINCHILD, a double murder, set in Petersburg, Alaska

SKY: Where do you see yourself five years from now? Ten?

ROLYNN: In five years I’ll have published three more books. In ten years I’d like to have ten novels published. But more important than how many books I’ll have published is how many readers I can draw in to enjoy my stories!

SKY: Here goes. The grand finale. Share with us one thing you think readers would be surprised to know about you.

ROLYNN: My readers would be surprised to know that I don’t see myself as particularly imaginative. I wish I took in (and remembered more) of what I see and do. I have a brother and a husband who put me to shame in the cool trivia area, stuff I wish I’d kept in my head to use for my novels. Sigh. We work with what we’re given, I guess.

SKY: Great interview, Rolynn. Thanks so much for sharing!

Check out Rolynn's latest release, THE LAST RESORT...

Purchase through The Wild Rose Press and Amazon.

Rolynn Anderson’s Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook

~Sky