Meet The Authors-part 4

Today I'm highlighting two authors who enjoy creating worlds within worlds.  One writes about incorporating a piece of an alternate universe and attaching it to our world.  The other about integrating beauty, structure, and design to home environments attached to our world.

One has their heroine dealing with the havoc caused in her world and the other wrecking havoc in her world.  Havoc is always a fun element in a story.  I love watching the character's reaction to the havoc, especially the heroes.  I know it's bit chauvinistic of me to take such wicked delight in watching men deal with pandemonium; but then I'm perverse enough to think it's their turn.

Let me introduce Dale Cozort, author of Bear Country. Dale, tell us a bit about you.

In my day job I'm a computer instructor and support person. I'm an avid reader of just about any genre, including westerns, science fiction, historical fiction, and certain types of romances. I'm also a serious amateur historian, gadget freak, martial artist, and a pet lover. Our household has been home to dogs (around a dozen foster dogs), cats (3 currently), gerbils, hamsters, and two marsupials (a sugar glider and a gerbil-sized pygmy opossum). I'm married, with a 16-year-old daughter, a stepdaughter, and one step-grandchild.

When did you decide you wanted to write?

When I was in fifth grade. I decided to get serious and really learn how to do it well around 12 years ago.

Why did you choose the style or the sub-genre?

I come from a science fiction background, so I bring a lot of the thoughts and principles from that background into the romance area.

I've noticed that. What's your favorite line of your own chapter?

"Lies within lies. Wheels within wheels."

Dale, I've read your entry thread. I've noticed comments that your story would be a great Science Fiction story, but they don't see the romance. I happen to disagree with that thought, but why do you classify it as a romance?

Bear Country is at its core about the relationship between Sharon and Leo, but it also has a very complex plot.

And that plays to your love of 'gadgets' and gadgets are puzzles.   So how does this work in your story?

You'll keep discovering new things about all of the characters and about Bear Country throughout the book. I want the reader to put the pieces of the Bear Country puzzle together and have a complete and satisfying picture by the end of the novel.

When do you find time to write?

Sporadically.  Life gets busy and I don't write for a while.  Then sometimes I have a less busy schedule and I write enormous amounts in a short time--half a novel in a month at times.

How did you find the contest?

I actually found the original First Chapters contest through an e-mail from Borders.  I stayed with Gather and decided to try my hand at Romance for this contest when it was announced.

What are your plans after the contest?

If I'm in the semi-finals or win?  Take my wife out for a romantic evening with some of the winnings.  If I'm not?  Turn the computer off for a week and dedicate myself to doing all of the things I've been neglecting for the last two months.

What do you do when you're not writing?

I read, ride a bike, do karate, watch TV (rarely), try to take care of my aunt's two farms, and try to be a good dad to my daughter and a good husband to my wife.

What are your goals as a writer?  To reach out and grab someone, share emotions, tell a story?

Hopefully, all of the above.  They are all part of a successful novel.  I'm better at grabbing someone and telling a story than I am at sharing emotions, but I'm working on that too.

Dale, with any writer, there is always something to work on to improve our craft. If we are honest, it's always a work in progress.  I really appreciate you making the time to answer my questions.  It was a real treat.

Now let's move on to a lady who knows how to take a sexy, self-assured bachelor, and turn his world upside down.  May I introduce Sarah Andre, author of The Architect Of Seduction. 

Sarah Andre ended her gypsy-life of travel 12 years ago when she met her husband, Scott, on a blind date in Houston.  (Their parents had set it up after those four met at a cocktail party in FL!)  Although Sarah received an MS in Communication Disorders from Boston University and worked with adult brain injury for years; in 2000, she set her sights on interior design.  Five years later, all the creative passion from that job awoke the writer within.  She claims her biggest writing talent is typing on her computer with one hand while her two Pomeranians squirm and struggle for space and attention on her lap.

When did you decide you wanted to write? 

I knew I wanted to be a writer in second grade when I overheard my teacher telling my parents that the story I had written had all the features of a plot which was extremely unusual for that age.  As a middle child, to know I stood out in something added to the desire to do it.

That's quite a span of time between second grade and now.  Why did it take so long and why did you choose the genre you did?

It took many years of "life" interrupting my plans to finally chuck the unneccessary details aside, (thanks to an understanding husband,) and concentrate on writing a novel.  January, 2005, I sat down to write the perfect mystery and out came a fluffy romance! I finished The Architect of Seduction in Oct of that year and then had to get over the personal stigma of being a romance writer. :)

What's your favorite line of your own chapter?
My favorite line is in Chapter 2 when Nick is in his Ferrari, his most precious possession, which he must sell to keep his company afloat. "Reaching out, he caressed the passenger seat in the same manner he'd have touched a lover." The downfall of a playboy- but I saw him do this gesture very clearly and I felt so bad for him.

When do you find time to write?

I work at an interior design firm M & W and the other 3 days I write (I mean procrastinate.)

How did you find the contest?

My friend (and fellow chapter 2 contestant) Sarah C told me about the Gather contest and we've been avid fans of each other's site, score and comments throughout!

I saw the promotion letter you sent out for the both of you.  I really liked it.  So what are your plans for after the contest?

After the Gather contest ends I'll probably take a Valium. :)
Actually, I am currently 1/3 thru my second novel, a romantic suspense, and it's finaled in a contest with a full request, so I really need to focus back on that.

That's fantastic Sarah!  So other than that, what are your goals as a writer?  

My goal as a writer is obnoxiously selfish- I write for the adrenalin high.  If other people like my work it's a real bonus, but I'm writing to get something out from within me that was trapped for a long, long time.

Tell us something we don't know about you that we might find interesting?

I spent most of my childhood in England and Germany.  When I was 12, my father's company transferred us back to the US and I had no clue what "War" my classmates kept talking about but I admired their bracelets which they referred to as POW bracelets and desperately wanted one for myself.

Thank you Sarah for sharing a bit about yourself with us.  A full request for your manuscript is exciting news.  How wonderful for you.  Please keep us posted on your progress with that and when it sells.  We can throw you a cyber party in celebration!

If your fancy is for intrepid heroes unlocking the puzzles of their world,  check out  Dale Cozort's Bear Country.

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977126676 

If you are in the mood to watch the downfall of a sexy bachelor, then check out Sarah Andre's The Architect of Seduction. 

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977126713 

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into the lives of these two authors as much I did and will join me tomorrow and meet two more authors.