EPIC's Blog
EPIC SPOTLIGHT: Sylvia Rochester
BIO:
Sylvia lives in the heart of Cajun country on beautiful Bayou Corne. Swaying moss, reflected in black water, fuels her imagination. Surrounded by a cypress swamp, she has only to step out her back door to enter a world of mystery and majesty.
To date, she has seven published novels: The Sweet Smell of Death, When Evil Loves, Come Back, My Love, Shadow of the Soul, Courage to Care, Da Vinci’s Lost Years, and Deadly Illusion.
She is a graduate of LSU with a B.S. in Arts and Science. In addition to being an author, Sylvia is a professional artist. Her website includes excerpts from her book as well as her entire gallery of paintings. Please stop by and visit with her at www.sylviarochester.com.
What do you think the next big thing in the industry is?
"If I had the ability to predict that, I would also go buy a lottery ticket."
What genres do you think are up and coming or waning? Vampires will probably wane. Time travel and paranormal (other than vampires, werewolves, shape shifters, etc.) seem to be on the increase at this time.
Regardless of the genre, a good story will always be in demand.
What do you think of the e-book pricing wars?
It’s to be expected. I’ll leave that to the financial gurus to solve.
How long have you been writing?
Eight years.
How long have you been published?
Six years.
How long did it take you to publish your first book, once you started looking for an agent or publisher? Two years.
How long does it take you to write a book? About a year, including revisions and final editing.
Do you write one book/story at a time or multiples? One at a time.
What genres do you write? Romantic Suspense, Paranormal, Historical Fiction with Paranormal elements, and Inspirational
Are there any genres you'd like to try but haven't? Not yet.
What's your writing process? (i.e. pantser/organic writer or plotter or mix? write on the computer? longhand? mix? how many passes? etc.) A little of both--pantser and plotter. I write only on the computer.
What authors inspire you? Agatha Christie and Daphne du Maurier. Who are your favorite authors? Tess Gerritsen and Stephen King.
How many books do you read in the average month? e-Book or print or both? Four to five.
What is your ideal location to write a book, if you had the money to live there or sequester yourself there? Where I am now, surrounded by a cypress swamp.
If you could have a book signing anywhere in the world, where would you like to go? Most of my books are set in Louisiana, so my home state is the best setting for me.
What would you like to own/have that would make your writing faster or smoother? (Yes, you can name everything from computer programs to a personal maid here.) A free professional promoter.
Introvert or extrovert? Extrovert.
What's the strangest/worst job (outside of publishing) you've held? (Choose either strangest or worst, since strange doesn't necessarily mean bad...or answer both.) Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia. I loved every minute of the two years.
If you could choose your dream job, besides writing, what would it be? Landscape artist, which I am.
What's your dream car? One that can haul large paintings. Your favorite car you've ever owned? ’58 Corvette.
The #1 holiday or birthday gift to purchase for an author is...
A gift card to Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
Your favorite leisure activity or vacation spot? Saltwater fishing in the marshes at Leesville, Louisiana (just north of Grande Isle).
Have you ever included a real experience of your own in a book? Yes. Did anyone who knows you notice it? Yes.
Where do you get your character names? Family names and friends.
Where do you get your inspiration for a book? How do you get your ideas?
I can’t really separate these questions. The plots just seem to pop into my head.
What is the best reader or reviewer comment you've ever received? I’ve had some good ones from authors and review sites. Can’t choose just one.
What does your family think about your writing? They look forward to the next book. How, if they do, do they support you in your writing endeavors? They always offer encouragement and are ready to buy the books for their family and friends.
When and where do you do the bulk of your writing? In my computer room. Early morning or late night.
Do you have animal companions while you write? How do they help or hinder the process? Two cats. They’re very quiet and never argue with me.
What's your favorite part of being a writer? Emerging myself in a make believe situation.
What's the thing you wish you could hire someone else to do or wish you didn't have to do as a writer? I answered this in a previous question. I’d like someone to promote my work so I could spend all my time writing.
Do you use any special software to write? Voice to text? Audio edits? etc.
I have Dragon, but seldom use it. Fingers on the keyboard accomplishes lots more.
What advice would you give a new writer? Write. Write. Write. And write the story of your heart.
What are your writing goals? Where do you want to be in a year? Five years? I intend to keep writing as long as I can. A book a year suits me just fine.
Do you belong to a crit group or other writing group? How helpful do you find it? I have wonderful critique partners. I would advise anyone serious about writing to have accomplished writers evaluate your work.
What online lists or forums are your favorites?
WritingGIAM.
What book, if you have written several books, is your favorite and why?
I find it impossible to pick a favorite.
Give us your backlist... with all publishers...
The Sweet Smell of Death – February,2007 – Wings ePress
When Evil Loves – December, 2007 – Wings ePress
Come Back My Love – February, 2008 – Whiskey Creek Press
Shadow of the Soul – July, 2008 – Wings ePress
Courage to Care – January, 2009 – Wings ePress
Da Vinci’s Lost Years – January, 2010 – Whiskey Creek Press
Deadly Illusion – December, 2011 – Whiskey Creek Press
Tell us about the awards you've won...
2011 - Da Vinci’s Lost Years – Winner – EPIC eBook Award for Best Paranormal Romance
2009 - Shadow of the Soul – Winner – EPIC’s EPPIE Award for Best Inspirational
Before getting published, I won and placed in several RWA contests.
Tell us about your current release... blurb...
Deadly Illusion
Stephanie Warren doesn’t believe in the Fountain of Youth…until she inherits it. Only then does she discover that beauty can be deadly. Fresh out of college, this would-be writer is no match for hired assassins.
Homicide Detective Quinton Cooper is Stephanie’s best chance for survival, but because of past experiences, neither welcomes a close relationship. Thrust into a web of greed, betrayal, and sordid liaisons, they soon realize survival depends on trusting one another.
Stephanie escapes several near-fatal encounters only to be caught off guard when an elusive culprit makes his move. In the midst of a hurricane, Quinton takes a bullet in the back. Now it’s up to Stephanie to save them.
www.whiskeycreekpress.com – www.amazon.com
Nice interview. Good luck with all your books, Sylvia!