Interview with author Natalie G. Owens

It is a great pleasure to welcome Natalie G. Owens to the blog, whom I met through Six Sentence Sunday, and our common critique partner, Zee Monodee.

So, Natalie, can you tell us about your new release.

NGO: My latest release is a short story, called Something to Live For – the first book in my Moonlight Dating Series. It’s a story about two people who find uncommon ground in the most unlikely of situations. It’s also explores the element of healing and overcoming trauma through physical intimacy. It’s short, emotional, sweet and hot, and ultimately, it’s a ‘feel good’ type of story .

Here’s the blurb:

Fifteen years ago, one fateful day bound the lives of two perfect strangers…

Melita Saari-Quinn is living the consequences of a traumatizing psychic event that turned her adolescence upside down. Now, disillusioned with her job as a psychotherapist and desiring a change from her lackluster existence, she hopes that something out of her  ordinary sphere of existence – something totally uninhibited and spontaneous – will renew her zest for life.

Alex Moncado seems to have it all – good looks, a successful business, and a fun life in “party central” of the Mediterranean: the island of Malta. Except for one day in the year when he can’t help but remember a tragedy that never should have been. One day he’d rather forget, because if he doesn’t, the guilt will consume him.

Can one passionate night together banish the ghosts of the past and give two lost souls a second chance? 

Only Fate can tell…

You can read an excerpt here: http://www.nataliegowens.com/p/something-to-live-for.html

Love it! Describe the heroine in three words.

NGO: Adventurous, feminine, courageous

And what traits does the hero posses that makes the heroine swoon?

NGO: He’s dark and brooding, physically strong, sensitive, and has the most beautiful deep, brown eyes

What was your inspiration for this story?

NGO: I read an article about sex and intimacy being a healing force. In the story, both characters have been wounded by life and unexplainable circumstances. Their physical closeness helps bring out long buried secrets and gives hope for a fresh start.

Who is your favorite character from this book?

NGO: I really can’t decide! Do I have to? There’s a part I really like though… it makes my pulse beat faster every time

The bedroom was rather small, too. It was decorated in neutral, shabby chic white furniture, which made the large brass bed with the fancy burgundy and white counterpane stick out like the fabled Gulliver in Lilliput.

Melita placed her tray on a nightstand and was suddenly reluctant to look across the bed, where Alex switched on the lamp. A spate of shyness caught her in a firm grip and she found herself defensively crossing her arms and shuttering her gaze.

But Alex stood close to her now. He uncrossed her arms and clasped her chin between his thumb and forefinger. Gently, he made her look straight up at him. He held her, strong and secure. Left her no quarter, no chance to look away.

“Don’t be ashamed to look at me. I want to be able to see your face, to see how my touch makes you feel inside,” he said, a statement that would have had her on the floor, at his feet, were he not holding her up with a powerful arm and his amazing dark gaze.

She squinted a little. “Are your eyes a dark brown?” He was a good half head taller than her. She wasn’t short herself, but she had to stand on tip-toes to get a closer glimpse.

“Hazel,” he responded, “but there are moments when they turn several shades darker, even black. Depends on my mood.”

She smiled and placed a palm against his cheek and jaw. How she loved the masculine feel of day-old stubble that prickled her skin…

“And what mood are you in now?” she teased. Her voice sounded distant to her, almost as though someone else was saying the words, or she was hearing them through a speaker with the volume down low.

“I’m in the mood to love you,” he murmured.

His words, on the other hand, rang in her head like the resounding peal of a giant church bell.

In the mood to love you.

“Yes,” she managed, only that. Her eyes burned and filled with moisture. It was difficult to swallow past the emotion that gathered in her throat.

Yes, even if it’s only for tonight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Such a sweet excerpt. Now, about you. How long have you been writing with the hopes of publication? How did you get started?

NGO: In 2006, I was laid off from my full-time job and my husband encouraged me – pushed me – to pursue something I always wanted to do. I started to offer freelance editing services as my writing experience goes back a long way. Originally, I wrote poetry which was published in print about a couple of decades ago (does that give away how old I am? Lol). In 2007, I contracted two short stories with an e-publisher, and spent a few years learning the craft of writing. I now have two short stories published, a finished novel to be released as the first in a series, and other projects in the works.

What genres do you write in, and what appeals to you about those genres?

NGO: Romance – contemporary, paranormal/fantasy, suspense and historical. I also dabble in literary horror. I know these are many genres but it’s all about the story to me. My tag line is all about getting out of the box and exploring the wonderful world of writing.

What other titles do you have published? 

NGO: A Kind of Judgment, a literary horror short story about a woman who finds herself half way across the world after a lifetime of abuse. As she reflects on her life and grapples with who she is, more darkness waits for her in the wings…

What are you working on now?

NGO: Final edits and a few rewrites on my novel, An Eternity of Roses, Book 1 in the Valthrean Legacy and a romantic suspense novel titled, After Carmen – on Chapter 2 of that one . I’m also planning a series for next year with my writing pal, Zee Monodee, that I can’t wait to start!

Can you describe your daily writing routine?

NGO: I wake up as early as possible, answer emails, post on Facebook, then stop my surfing and write or edit – do whatever I need to do. Get as much done before the creature awakes (a.k.a., my 3-year-old, lol). Then, it’s all a toss-up from there on.  I go between taking care of my son, cooking, doing errands, to writing or editing. In the evening, I try to do a bit more work after he goes to sleep, but I get more done in the morning .

Sounds like my day. LOL Are you a plotter or a pantser?

NGO: I’ve learned my lesson! Definitely a plotter now.

What genres do you enjoy reading?

NGO: Quite a few, including non-fiction, but mostly romance and mystery novels.

What author(s) have influenced your writing style?

NGO: I love the gothic vibe of the 19th century authors (e.g., Charlotte Brontë), and the literary, fluid style of authors such as Elizabeth Kostova and Anne Rice.

Where do your best ideas come from?

NGO: From life, most definitely! Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction .

So true! What is your favorite book that you’ve read?

NGO: There are so many! Another tough question, lol. I think, however, that On Writing by Stephen King deserves a place of honor on my Kindle shelves.

Who is your favorite character from any of the books you’ve read?

The enigmatic Derek Craven, a creation of historical romance author, Lisa Kleypas. Can you say swoon? I saw once that there’s even an online fan club dedicated to him.

What writing/writer’s organizations are you involved with? Can you explain how they help your writing and/or your writing career?

NGO: I’m a member of RWA and made quite a few friends from there. However, I get most support from various FB groups and Facebook itself, where my author friends post interesting articles about the world of writing and publishing. I also like to ask my friends – veterans in publishing – if I ever need some insight. They’ve never disappointed me, and I’m proud of the writing community I’m a part of. Most importantly, my critique partners and beta readers are my anchors. Without them, it would be so much harder. I just don’t have time to surf and read about the business that much, but I know support is there if I want it – and I also make sure to pay it forward any time I can.

Do you belong to a critique group or have critique partners? If so, what have you learned from them? How has it affected your writing?

NGO: Zee Monodee is my main critique partner, friend, and soul sister. Zee has thought me how to be a better writer. She looks at my work and pushes me harder, cracks that whip – lol – until I get it all out of me. Until I write the best possible scene, the best possible book. That’s what I like. I want to be challenged, not simply praised and told how great my work is. In the end, the story will shine because I drove myself to burn the right words onto the page – to make my voice stand out. That’s what Zee did – she bought out my voice, and told me to use it with pride. She told me to hold on to it, even if it may not be “the trend”. She told me that someone, someday, will notice – and she’s not happy until I show her a scene or chapter that reflects my true voice, to the last word. If not, she’ll call me on it. “Let loose, don’t hold back. Go all the way!” she’ll say. I’ll never forget that. It’s been liberating. Then there are other amazing people who support and encourage me, such as the awesome Rae Lori and Carole Gill, who are so talented, too!

I never mentioned this before but another person who gives me great support is USA Today bestselling author, Renee Bernard. She’s just an amazing human being all around – so wonderful, bubbly and warm, an author who gives her time to offer me advice and love. She encourages me to never give up. Renee rocks!

What is the best piece of advice you would give to aspiring authors?

NGO: Write the best story you can write. Respect your readers, and your community. Forget about marketability and promo, forget sales, forget publishers, forget everything – just write the damn story.

Is there anything else my readers should know about you?

NGO: I love to cook, not only for myself and my family, but also for others. There’s something about making people happy with food. It makes me warm and fuzzy inside! So far, I think, I haven’t killed anyone – phew! Lol.

Where can my readers find you?

NGO: Here goes:

Website / Facebook profile page / Facebook author page / Twitter / Goodreads / Google+

Where can my readers find your books?

NGO: Soon, my books will be available on other sites but for now…

Something to Live for:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RWCK0W (US)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007RWCK0W (UK)

A Kind of Judgment:

http://www.amazon.com/A-Kind-of-Judgment-ebook/dp/B007N33PL8 (US)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Kind-of-Judgment-ebook/dp/B007N33PL8 (UK)

Thank you so much for being here, Natalie!