Interviewing romance author Callie Norse…
[Note from Steve: We have a real treat today. Readers are probably tired of my pushing thriller, mystery, and sci-fi novels, so Callie Norse, romance writer from the great Midwest, has kindly subjected herself to my interview questions. She’s the author of the 4-book Carrington series, a series of romance/mystery/paranormal novels; the corresponding titles are For the Love of Lisa, A Love Too Soon, The Anniversary…not to be forgotten, and Flashes from the Past, available in both paperback and eBook formats. She’s also written the short sci-fi story “Taken,” a story of alien abduction, available as an eBook. Without further ado, here’s Callie.]
About Callie…
Steve: First, let’s get some bio information about you.
Callie: I’m married. My husband and I live in Northern Illinois, and have three grown sons, and six grandchildren. I worked in banking for seven years, then became a stay-at-home mom. I have always been an avid reader. My love for writing was inspired by my eighth grade teacher, when she asked that we write short stories for class. I dedicated Flashes from the Past to her.
Callie on writing…
Steve: Why, how, and when did you start writing?
Callie: I began writing short stories when my children were young. My first manuscript was after the loss of my parents, only 16 days apart, in 1991. I wrote the story of their illnesses and how my siblings and I dealt with their illnesses and eventual loss. The first book of my series was developed out of one of those first short stories.
Steve: Did you publish the first book you wrote?
Callie: No, I never published the story of my parents’ loss. The story is a personal one, and was still quite fresh for all of us. My intention was to publish it, but I rethought this after my siblings had given their permission for me to publish it, even though they felt it was our personal story, not to be shared.
Steve: Do you feel writing is something you need to do or want to do?
Callie: I enjoy writing, and I do want to write, but it does take a big chunk of time. I don’t know if I’ll ever write another novel now that my series is complete, but writing is in my blood. It seems to complete me, as I’ve often stated. I will most likely write some short stories, eventually.
Steve: How much of your creative ability do you think is innate and how much is learned?
Callie: This is difficult to say. It may be innate, but with life’s experiences, and what I’ve seen and read affecting this.
Steve: What is the last book you read? What are you reading now?
Callie: The last book I read was Jacob Diehm’s Hands of God: The Threshold of Salvation. I am now reading John Lutz’ Darker than Night (Frank Quinn series).
Steve: Whose writing inspires you the most and why?
Callie: Mary Higgins Clark. I love her mysteries, her writing style, and the fact I once heard that she didn’t “take off” until 5 years after she began writing. I published my first book in Sept. 2010, so I have another year to achieve popularity. I say this with a smile and a chuckle, dreaming this could happen to me eventually.
Steve: Do you have a favorite genre?
Callie: I love Romance as I’m a hopeless romantic, but I also enjoy Mystery.
Steve: Should writers read in their genre? Should they be avid readers?
Callie: Most definitely, writers should read their genre. This is how we learn and improve our skills. For this reason, we should also be an avid reader.
Steve: How do you find your plots?
Callie: Mostly, partial plots just come to me, and then with the help of my magical keyboard, which I have joked about, the plots develop. In For the Love of Lisa, I first typed a tentative line. I deleted it and rewrote it 3 times, before deciding my keyboard had snuck this in exactly where it belonged. BTW…I replaced that magical keyboard once the keys became worn; my new keyboard is every bit as magical as the original.
Steve: Are your characters based on real people?
Callie: Not normally, but perhaps occasionally they have been.
Steve: How do you name your characters?
Callie: With much thought… I try to choose names that are easy to pronounce and spell, ones that fit the story, and sometimes a bit “catchy.”
Steve: Which comes first, plot or characters?
Callie: I’ve never actually thought much about this. They seem to come hand in hand, but more than likely a partial plot comes first, then the characters, they then help develop the plot.
Steve: Any comments about writing dialog?
Callie: Too much dialog can drag a story out, too little can make the story less interesting. Dialog livens up a story and makes it seem more real. It’s quite important that the author makes it clear who is speaking. I read an article recently, which said he said, she said is all that is necessary. I don’t agree with this. To me, it sounds elementary. I vary it with the words remarked, questioned, replied, answered, etc., that is if I’m not using a more descriptive sentence as to what the character is doing. I feel this is the best method, but a combination of both methods is good.
Steve: How do you handle POV?
Callie: I stay in one POV to guarantee a better flow.
Steve: Do you find background material for (research) your books? If so, how?
Callie: For my purposes, the internet does quite well for me.
Callie on the Writing Business…
Steve: Do you use an agent?
Callie: No, I do not.
Steve: Do you self-publish or traditionally publish?
Callie: I used iUniverse for the first two books in my series, and Create Space to publish the last two, which are both actually self-publishers. [Note from Steve: originally both were POD, but they have expanded to eBooks, Create Space via KDP Select.]
Steve: What are your most effective marketing techniques?
Callie: I use book promotion, social media, and occasionally newspaper articles.
Steve: Do you release trade paperbacks or eBooks?
Callie: All books in my series are in both paperback and eBooks. “Taken” is eBook only.
Steve: What do you think of publishing services like Amazon, Smashwords, etc?
Callie: I love Amazon’s Create Space and KDP. I have one of my books on Smashwords, but I don’t totally understand its functions. [Note from Steve: Smashwords is both a retailer and distributor. You can buy eBooks on their site and borrow them via their Scribd connection. Smashwords also distributes to Apple, B&N, and other eBook retailers…and, yes, even to Amazon.]
Personal questions…
Steve: What is your favorite place to eat out?
Callie: A steak house, medium well, please. [Note from Steve: my kind of gal!]
Steve: What is your favorite drink?
Callie: Diet Coke; I drink very little alcohol—a wine cooler once in a great while.
Steve: What other interests do you have besides writing?
Callie: I love to read, sew, crochet, cross-stitch, and spending time with friends, and family…love spending time with my grandchildren.
Steve: What was the last movie you went to see?
Callie: My husband and I don’t go to movie theaters much, but we do rent movies. Twelve Years a Slave was the last one we rented. [Note from Steve: that counts, and an excellent one to see!]
Steve: What would I find in your refrigerator right now?
Callie: A few leftovers, condiments, some fruit, lettuce, milk, juice, diet coke, and ice cream in the freezer.
Steve: If you could trade places with someone for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?
Callie: Do I dare say Marta in my first book?
Steve: What is your favorite (song) and why? Piece of music?
Callie: I have many favorites, such as “Tomorrow,” “Do I,” “The Dance,” “Walk on By,” and “You Make me Feel your Love.” Why? Because, as I said, I’m a hopeless romantic. I’m not so much into music pieces without lyrics.
Steve: Any other thoughts or comments?
Callie: I was asked to do a character post of one of my characters in For the Love of Lisa. He remains throughout in the series. I thought readers might enjoy this as it tells them something about the storyline.
Character Guest Post from Greg
“As Greg Carrington, in For the Love of Lisa, I am 28 years old, married to Lisa, a lovely lady inside and out. Many consider me to be handsome, but to me, I’m just me. I have dark brown hair, cut neatly across the nape of my neck, with a loose combed look on top. Lisa tells me what really attracted her to me in the beginning was how my deep brown eyes sparkled when I first spoke to her, and how my dimples became prominent when I smiled. She gets a bit carried away! She tells me what a wonderful personality I have. She claims I put other people’s needs above my own. I’m not so sure that is totally true. I do enjoy helping others when they need my help, but Lisa may be thinking more of how it is behind closed doors. I do aim to please in that department.
I love Lisa and my six-year-old daughter. They are my life. My family always comes first. I would rather be home with them, than anywhere else, with anyone else. Lisa is my best friend, with my brother-in-law as my best buddy. I’m not one to go out with the guys, or get drunk or do drugs, like so many. What alcohol I consume is usually at home with Lisa. We love to have a bit of wine in front of the fireplace, or in the Jacuzzi―usually resulting in passionate love making.
We have moved into our dream home, an old Victorian home. I’m afraid it has been too much for Lisa. She is quite tired anymore. Naps don’t seem to help much. I have always gotten up early and prepared breakfast, so I let her sleep-in as much as possible. My work schedule as an accountant is quite flexible so I can feed Maggie and get her day rolling. I’ve taken some days off to plant a small garden. I love gardening, and love how Maggie is all bubbly helping me.
We all love lying in front of the fireplace evenings. When Maggie falls asleep, I carry her up to bed and return to Lisa, where she sometimes has wine waiting for me. We love making love on the floor with the flicker of the fireplace dancing across our nude bodies. Our love making can be quite adventurous. This is an important part of our lives. Maybe this is why our love continues to grow—or we just generally enjoy being together. We never find a need for cross words. I think we have a special love like few ever find in a lifetime.
I am concerned that Lisa may be ill. I think she is secretly seeing a doctor. I’m also concerned our new home may be haunted. I have found a red sticky substance resembling blood that keeps reappearing after I clean it up. I also see streaks of light that I can’t account for. I worry we may have a spirit problem. I’m keeping my own secrets as I can’t worry Lisa when she isn’t feeling well.”
***
Steve: I’m sure all my readers appreciate Callie’s candid answers as much as I do. I also hope that those “incurable romantics” out there (I know there are some who peek at this blog) will check out Callie’s series.
In libris libertas….
