Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Please Welcome Genene Valleau writing as Genie Gabriel


Rogues Angels are excited to see Genie's third book in her series rereleased with Rogue Phoenix Press. Genie always brings a bit of humor with her books as well as a series and contemporary story line





Genie's bio
For years I've been fascinated by the puzzle of why some people collapse under life's traumas and others emerge triumphantly stronger. These triumphs of the human spirit over the ugliest of adversities became the basis for my stories. Yet my dramatic stories have always contained touches of humor, and sometimes I have great fun writing romantic comedy novellas. However, in all my stories, my passion for writing romance is an outlet for the powerful messages that people can overcome great difficulties, and true love can turn life’s heartaches into happily ever after.

Interview 

What or who inspired you to start writing? I'm one of those writers who read a book so bad I knew I could do better. I soon realized writing a good book took some effort, so I spent the next half dozen years learning to write--and rewrite. After fourteen years, I sold my first book, which was just re-issued by Rogue Phoenix Press as THE ROCK STAR. 

How do you come up with ideas for your books? Curiosity and asking "what if?" Then my imagination takes off. For instance, the phenomena of teenaged crushes on rock stars (including my own) became THE ROCK STAR. Then the secondary characters demanded their own stories, so I wrote THE BODYGUARD and THE LEADER OF THE BAND. My fascination with people who live through horrific experiences yet emerge stronger plays a key role in the LEGACY series I'm currently writing. 

What expertise do you bring to your writing? My dramatic stories are fueled by over twenty years of working for a social service agency--great fodder for trauma and drama and overcoming incredible odds. 

What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio? If it's not in my bio, I don't want anyone to know about it! LOL! OK, a couple things: (1) I'm also a graphic designer and have designed all my own book covers, and (2) I don't talk about my great love and respect for dogs in my bio, because I could go on and on for hours talking about my furbabies. However, dogs or pets of some kind usually show up in my stories. 

If you could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why? Um, the dog Jasper in THE ROCK STAR because he's totally adored. Again, LOL! While I really like the characters in my books--I have to so I can write their stories well--and admire certain traits like boldness and being outspoken, I'm pretty used to being me and would have to start all over with the self-improvement if I became someone else. :)

Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing? I have several critique partners who each bring a different perspective that is invaluable in improving my writing. 

When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step? I had been hesitantly submitting my work with the encouragement of members of my local chapter of Romance Writers of America. However, Christine Young encouraged me to submit to the publisher who contracted for my first book. (Many thanks for that, Chris!)

What is the best and worst advice you ever received regarding writing or publishing? This advice could actually fit for most things: Use what works for you personally (advice, suggestions, stuff at garage sales) and don't worry about the rest.

Do you outline your books or just start writing? I am a detailed plotter who has developed even more ways to keep track of details (and drive my pantster writing friends crazy) as I've been writing my series of books. 

Your interview will be posted November 30th. Is there a family Thanksgiving tradition or recipe you would like to share? Shannon, the heroine in THE ROCK STAR, doesn't use her kitchen for much besides making cookies. But she does these really well. Her grandmother taught Shannon how to make cookies by taste and the feel of the dough, so this recipe is an approximation for Rock'n'Good Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Mix together thoroughly:
1 C granulated sugar
1 C brown sugar
1 cube butter (can also add 1/2 C peanut butter if you'd like)
Then add 1 egg, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1 tsp. baking soda and a dash of salt. Mix thoroughly. 
Stir in 2 C flour (more or less), a bit at a time and mix thoroughly--or until your arm gets tired. Dough should be a bit stiff (kinda like play dough but taste much better :).
Add an 8-ounce package of chocolate chips (can also mix in butterscotch chips or white chocolate chips).
Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. For soft and chewy cookies, don't overcook! They should still look a bit doughy when you take them out of the oven.
Enjoy!

As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?  I have a new series of at least nine books that will start releasing in March 2012. The LEGACY series will feature eight adoptees determined to continue their father's legacy. As they uncover secrets that lead to the truth that killed their father, the action, romance and family drama heat up. 

Anything else you might want to add? Many thanks to Chris for inviting me to be a guest at her blog!

4 comments:

Christine Young said...

Welcome to my blog, Genene. I hope this series really takes off.

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed the Interview, Christine and Genene. You do a great job creating your own Covers--they look really good.

Wishing you lots of Sales!

HOLIDAY HUGS, Kari Thomas, www.authorkari.com

Genene Valleau, writing as Genie Gabriel said...

Hi, Chris! Thank you for having me here today.

Guess I should include a disclaimer when I guest blog that I'm not a morning person. And today, the afternoon was crazy too! You had a manic Monday--mine landed on Wednesday!

Genene Valleau, writing as Genie Gabriel said...

Hi, Kari! Thank you for your kind words! I love designing covers as well as writing books, and it's great to be able to combine the two.

I love the header on your Web site! Great colors behind similar silhouettes.

I appreciate you stopping by!