Smashwords Interview of Ren Alexander

Here is a recent interview on Smashwords. I thought I’d share it with everyone so you can get to know me better!

What is your e-reading device of choice?

My iPad. I love sitting in the dark, reading stories.

Describe your desk.

At the moment, I write in my front living room, on a small couch next to a window. I also like to write in the dark. Not particularly good for my eyes, though.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?

I was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, but spent my formative years in Bethany, West Virginia. I had a challenging childhood, so I bring some of those emotions into my writing. It’s rather therapeutic.

When did you first start writing?

I’ve always been writing since I was able to. I loved my English classes. In college, I took a creative writing class when I majored in criminal justice.

What’s the story behind your latest book?

Hadley desperately wants something, but her boyfriend doesn’t want the same thing. She tries to get him to see things her way, and likewise, Finn tries to get Hadley to see things his way. It’s really the beginning of a journey to self-discovery. It’s about love, friendship, trust and what truly matters most in life.

What motivated you to become an indie author?

I tried the traditional route: submitting query letters to an endless stream of agents. Unfortunately (which is a word common in each letter), I was rejected more times than I care to admit. Thirteen times. So, I turned to Smashwords to share my stories.

What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

To share the voices in my head. Just kidding.
No I’m not.

What are you working on next?

I’m currently formatting the follow-up to “Chasing the Wild Sparks”: “Daring the Wild Sparks.”

When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?

Refereeing my two daughters or two cats, or a mix. Seriously.

How do you discover the ebooks you read?

Word of mouth or just taking a chance by the synopsis I read. I’ve found some great stories on Wattpad!

What is your writing process?

It’s weird. During the day, I watch my daughter play as I write, either outside or on the couch. I listen to music on my iPad as I write on my laptop. When I’m writing, I have to listen to the same song on repeat to catch the mood of the scene. I can’t listen to random songs because it breaks my train of thought. I also like writing in the dark while listening to my music.

Do you remember the first story you ever read that had an impact on you?

To be honest, Jackie Collins’ books. Those really opened my eyes.

How do you approach cover design?

I did it myself. My husband held up a sparkler in our yard and I took pictures without flash. I toyed with the images in PhotoScape. It wasn’t that hard.

What do you read for pleasure?

Romance, but there has to be humor. I love a side of laughter with the love.

What’s on your iPod?

My favorites are Beastie Boys, Linkin Park, Black Veil Brides, Shinedown, Stone Temple Pilots, Imagine Dragons, The Neighbourhood, The 1975, Gary Allan, Garth Brooks, Kelly Clarkson, Garbage, Muse, Maroon 5, and OneRepublic. However, when I’m writing I can’t just listen to any song. It has to be a song that fits the mood of the scene I’m writing, and it has to be played on repeat the entire time. I can’t write to a plethora of songs. I have playlists for every chapter. I can post them if anyone is curious. It’s an eclectic list, that’s for sure.