Interview with RITA Finalist Tracy Brogan

Please join me in welcoming 2013 RITA Finalist, Tracy Brogan, to the Firebirds blog today.

Tracy Brogan read her first swashbuckling romantic adventure at age sixteen and knew right then she was destined to become a novelist. She now writes fun and breezy contemporary stories about ordinary people finding extraordinary love, and lush historical romance full of political intrigue, damsels causing distress, and the occasional man in a kilt. She is a Romance Writers of America RITA Finalist for Best First Book and a two-time Golden Heart Finalist in both contemporary and historical romance.

CRAZY LITTLE THING and HIGHLAND SURRENDER have both hit #1 on the Amazon Best Sellers list in their genre. Her next contemporary romance, HOLD ON MY HEART, releases on June 25th, and she’s currently at work on another two books set in Bell Harbor. Tracy resides in Michigan with her bemused husband, their above-average children, and their overly indulged dogs. Tracy loves to hear from readers so please contact her at tracybrogan@att.net  or visit her website at www.TracyBrogan.com

 

Tracy, welcome to the Firebirds Blog. Being a 2012 Firebird was exciting and now that you’ve been nominated for a RITA, how do you feel? 　More pressure to perform, angst over deadlines and new plots or are you just enjoying the moment?　Talk about what went through your mind when the RWA Board member called to tell you you were a finalist.　 Did you maintain your polished professional veneer, or did you take on another life form?

When Diane Kelly called to say I’d been nominated for Best First Book, I tried to argue with her because I didn’t think you could get nominated for that category and not in your genre category. She was very gracious but I must have sounded as if just ONE nomination wasn’t enough! As for how I feel? I can’t seem to process the notion. Whenever anyone mentions the RITA, it’s as if I’m hearing it for the first time. Being on deadline for another book (as I am) makes everything else less relevant at the moment. I’m thrilled beyond measure, but all I can think about is getting this next manuscript finished. And yes, the pressure to perform is ever-present. It’s like a Dementor who has followed me around since the day I signed my first publishing contract. Apparently he sucks all the good ideas right out of my head. I think his name is Roger and I wish he would go away.

 

Congratulations on your honor. Obviously readers and judges love your work, but out of all the books you’ve completed, which is your favorite? And why?　

 Oh, that’s like choosing a favorite child! I can say that HOLD ON MY HEART may be my best book so far but it was also the most difficult to write. I’ve gone through a lot of growing pains as a writer in the last few years. Ignorance was bliss and I had to push my way through this phase. I think I’ve come out on the other side as a better story-crafter, though. And I’ve finally come to a place where I trust my voice to tell the story the way I want to tell it. CRAZY has brought lots of great things my way so I’ll always be fond of that book. HIGHLAND SURRENDER is the book I carried around in my mind for years before committing to being published. And HEART was a beneficial learning experience. 　How’s that for diplomatic? I will say that I think this book I’m working on now is my favorite. I don’t have a title yet but it will be released February, 2014.

 

We all know that writers wear lots of hats, but with the changes in the industry bringing more to our desks, what things do you not like to do?

Asking for cover blurbs. I’ve decided I’m not going to ask for them anymore. Writers are all so busy and most of them don’t want to give you a straight up “no” so they say they can do it but they never get around it to it. Then you feel stupid for asking in the first place.

 

If we’re sitting here a year from now celebrating another great year for you, what did you achieve?　

I have dreams of fun stuff to come, but not specific expectations. It’s the Irish Catholic in me. I’m genetically engineered to assume I’ll be smited at any given moment so I dare not hope for grand things! BUT, if I was to pretend… I’d say I have finished writing two more contemporary books and I’m sinking my teeth into my next historical which has a fabulous plot! 　I have new car. My dog is housebroken. Exercise has finally become a part of my daily routine… Oh, and the movie rights for CRAZY LITTLE THINGS have been optioned into a movie and I’m in charge of casting.

 

If Jeff Bezos [Amazon] walked into your office and offered you a million dollars to launch your best plot idea, what would it be?

I’d like to do a series about a travel writer/food critic/modeling scout who goes to exotic locales all over the world interviewing the sexiest men imaginable, and eating the best possible meals. This would require extensive research, of course. I’d like it optioned on proposal to ensure my publisher would cover all the costs. Of course, I’d need to add paranormal element to this story to make me thin and alluring at all times!!! I just met Larry Kirshbaum, Vice President of Amazon publishing, at the Romantic Times Convention. I should have pitched this to him. Wait here. I have to make a call.

 

What’s on your desk right now? Any favorite go-to items when you’re stressed?　

 Coffee, ironically. It doesn’t remove the stress but it’s my go-to item. I also have a Jane Austen action figure, a “good karma” bracelet given to me by Kimberly Kincaid, Post-it notes from Cherry Adair and her plotting workshop, a picture of Paul Walker because he brings me joy, and a handwritten note from my daughter that says, “Dear Mom, I believe in you.” I also have a big bottle of multi-fiber cleanse tablets for good colon health. I have no secrets.

 

Tell us what’s next for Tracy Brogan fans?　

 I’m writing two more books set in Bell Harbor, the same town as CRAZY LITTLE THING. These are not sequels but readers may recognize a few characters wandering through. Then I’m writing a historical. I’m not going to share any details about that, except to say that it’s NOT set in Scotland. It’s a big departure from my last historical but it’s a story I’ve been dying to write for years!!!

 

I thought challenge Tracy to some tough questions and she accepted the challenge with a bright smile and a lethal pen. The last question is the hardest…. 　What’s your favorite dessert?

I have yet to meet a chocolate covered anything that I don’t like. But my best friend since 2nd grade and I get together about twice a year for facials at a nice salon. Then we go have hot fudge sundaes served on top of a warm chocolate chip cookie. We reminisce and laugh like idiots. It makes me feel like we’re still ten years old.

 

Thanks, Tracy, for joining us today. Everyone, be on the lookout for Tracy’s new book, HOLD ON MY HEART which releases in two weeks on June 25th!