Today I have a writer friend from my local RWA chapter as guest. Welcome to Christine Ashworth.
What’s the logline that describes your writing?
Sweet, sassy, sensual stories to stir your heart.
Do you start a new story with the plot or characters first?
I actually start a new story with the back of the book blurb – weird, right? But from there I get both the outline of the plot, and my characters. I always think…what do I want to read? Then I just open the brain and let the words come out.
Is your writing style planned or freestyle?
Mostly freestyle – which can cause me problems. I usually have a vague idea of the story thru-line; it’s the little setbacks that the characters need to go through that tend to give me trouble. That’s when I start brainstorming.
Have you traveled to any locations that appear in your books?
So far, all of them! I tend to locate my stories in areas I know well, so I don’t have to do much research.
Do you write in a genre other than the one of this release?
Christmas Star is contemporary romance, a short-story prequel to the StarTide series. (The first full-length book comes out in February and is tentatively titled Guarded Star. ) I’ve also been published in paranormal romance, which is my first love. I have the rights back to the Caine Brothers series, and will hopefully be finishing off book 3 and indie publishing those this year.
Do you use visual aids (storyboards, Pinterest, collages) when plotting or writing?
Interesting question! I don’t, actually. Well, I do, but as a side effort – and after I’ve picked photos of my hero/heroine, I tend not to look at them again! But they are on my Pinterest boards, so…
In what genre do you read?
I read everything. From history to historicals, from zombie books to vampires to books on urban planning. Classics, comics, back of cereal boxes. I read everything and absorb knowledge as much as I can.
What do you hope readers gain from your stories?
Wow, a toughie. I guess it would be that my very human characters are just like them, that everyone is deserving of love, that everyone to one extent or another has to overcome their own self-doubts or self-hatred before they can love and be loved unconditionally. That we all need to accept who we are, and by doing so a lot of internal wounds can be healed. Gee…maybe that’s too much to expect from a novel…
Christmas Star Short Excerpt:
December 19th, evening
Elle Houston drew her feet up onto the couch and nervously watched her fiancé—her fiancé—finish packing in the hotel suite he called home. “Are you sure you want to get married?”
Taylor Collins, Grade A movie star, stopped adding shirts to his suitcase, tipped his head to one side and smiled, that lopsided grin that caused female hearts to flutter worldwide. “Are you getting cold feet?”
“No. Of course not.” She’d never thought she’d get a proposal, ever. Not saying yes to the guy who was People’s Sexiest Man Alive? She’d have to be brain-dead. “I’ve got the guy all the girls want, the guy paparazzi clamor over.” She nibbled her top lip, considering. “I guess I’m still just a bit stunned that you proposed.”
BUY LINK
Christine Ashworth grew up listening to the sound of her father’s manual typewriter as he wrote and sold over 300 novels. Now, to her delight, she’s the one writing novels. But as her dad is still writing away, she’s got some major catching up to do.
Christine is happily married to an actor/dancer/guitarist/hippy, has two tall sons, and tends to her garden and her family in southern California. You can read about her cooking, gardening, and wine picks at her website at http://christine-ashworth.com.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CCAshworth
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorChristineAshworth
Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/ChristineAshworthAuthor
Amazon Profile: http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Ashworth/e/B004WXK66O/
Linda, thanks so much for having me!
Great interview with an awesome writer! Because it’s snowing (<3 )where I am and I'm thinking about my favorite things in general here is a list of my favorite things about this post:
1. I love love love that Christine Ashworth starts writing from a back of the book blurb and then writes the book she wants to read! <3
2. The gorgeous, sad-ish, evocative title, Guarded Star. I love everything about it.
3. This line: "the hotel suite he called home." This is my favorite kind of line in a book. It says so many things and evokes so many thoughts, emotions, and associations, and so much empathy for the character, I like to read it more than once.
4. This idea: "That we all need to accept who we are, and by doing so a lot of internal wounds can be healed. Gee…maybe that’s too much to expect from a novel…" This is exactly what stories do. I don't want to be too romance-genre-biased but I think if you scratch a romance novelist you'll get a heart-wrenching story about how a reader wrote to her or spoke with her about how reading romance helped get her through a difficult period or situation. I know I have this story.
Thanks for this lovely post on a gorgeous, snowy in Connecticut day.
Wow…just wow. Wow! Hugs, Mary Beth! I’m sorry I didn’t check back earlier…I had no idea I had comments here!
Nice interview. I really enjoyed Christmas Star. It was a sweet and easy read. I’m looking forward to the arrival of the series. You certainly are prolific, Christine. : )
Hi Robena! You were my first review – thanks for being such a sweetheart!
Always fun to learn about my friend writers’ method for writing. Back of the book blurb, hmm, I’m going to try that!
Best wishes on this series, Christine.
Thanks, Lynne! Hugs! And you know, I’m quoting your review when I tweet about this book, lol!
Hi ladies!
I’ve read so many interviews conducted BY Christine, it’s nice to read one about her for a change. 🙂
Christine, I like how you start your stories with the “back of book” blurb. I think it’s an unusual approach, but makes sense. You have your set-up, your tropes, your main conflict, and the all-important…(your lead-in to figure out what happens)!
Congratulations on the release of Christmas Star!
Thanks, my darling Samanthe! Yeah, the blurb thing is weird but it seems to work. Cheers!
Great interview, Christine. That’s interesting that you find pics of your H/H but then never look at them again! So, maybe you just need the idea of your H/H and then you fill in the details as you write.
Yeah, Carol I don’t know what it is but once I have that visual solid in my head, it’s there…
What a great idea! To start with the blurb. Looking forward to the next Star book. Happy Holidays to both of you.
Happy holidays to you too, Susan!
Great excerpt. It sounds really interesting. I love “Cinderella” stories.
It’s a fun story, and was a blast to write. Thanks Kate!
Hi Christine and Linda, What a great interview! Christine, your book sounds positively dreamy! I hope you and your whole fascinating family have wonderful holidays!
Hi Geralyn, it’s great to see you here! I hope you enjoy Christmas Star, it was a fun one. My wishes back at you for a terrific holiday season!