Sabrina had the opportunity to interview Rae Daniel, author of newly released novella When I Make You Mine! She's so awesome that she even stuck around after her interview to play Twenty Questions and threw in bonus questions at the end!
Before we get to the interview, here's some info on her debut novella:
When I Make You Mine
by Rae Daniel
Blurb
Reeling from a recent break-up, Anne is surprised when she meets Jim, her handsome ER doctor. She’s been burned one too many times before, with the most recent relationship fail happening not even an hour before they meet! Catching her on-again-off-again now definitely-off-again boyfriend with her roommate, in her own living room, was definitely not how she planned on spending her Saturday. She definitely didn’t plan on spending it in the ER either! It’s not been Anne’s best day, to say the least!
Jim’s been looking for ‘The One’ for what seems like forever. His work hours limit his dating life and any women who come into the ER are either drunk out of their minds or are on enough drugs to make rock stars jealous. Getting involved with a patient is the last thing that he wants or needs. Until Anne.
Will Jim and Anne get their happy ever after or does Ben, her best guy friend, have intentions of his own? Sometimes, you have to close your eyes and listen to your heart in order to see the future.
Jim’s been looking for ‘The One’ for what seems like forever. His work hours limit his dating life and any women who come into the ER are either drunk out of their minds or are on enough drugs to make rock stars jealous. Getting involved with a patient is the last thing that he wants or needs. Until Anne.
Will Jim and Anne get their happy ever after or does Ben, her best guy friend, have intentions of his own? Sometimes, you have to close your eyes and listen to your heart in order to see the future.
About the Author
Born in the midwest, Rae Daniel has been telling stories her entire life. After earning her degree in History from Old Dominion University, she found her niche in the professional world as an analyst. In her analytical roll, she found that compiling her research into "stories" for her upper management team, gave her the confidence to start to write all the other stories that were running around in her head.
Rae is also the founder of GetYourSmutOn.com, a romance book review website. Within the first six months of operation she was being asked to write reviews for independent, USA Today, and NY Times best selling romance authors from around the world.
When she is not writing, she is living a charming life in North Carolina with her husband and two kids. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading and drinking wine. (PS, not necessarily in that order) :)
She'd love to hear from you!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorRaeDaniel
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRaeDaniel/
Author Website: RaeDanielAuthor.com
Author Interview
How did you come up with the title of When I Make You Mine?
It was a saying that kept happening over and over in the writing so I couldn’t ignore it!
What inspired you to write this book?
It is actually, partially, true. But I can’t say which parts! ;)
How did you come up with the cover design?
I had to have something that was compelling and sexy at the same time but wasn’t something that has been used by a lot of other authors. That’s easier said than done!
Describe one of the characters in a few words.
Anne is really smart but has been having a bit of a hard time lately, sort of a grey cloud has been hanging over her. Once she meets the hero of the book, things start to pick up...for a bit. ;)
How did Anne get her name?
Anne is actually my great-great grandmothers name. Each book in this series has at least one name from my family or close friends. This book actually has three.
If you could choose an actor or celebrity, who would play Anne?
I have no idea. Maybe Amy Schumer.
What’s the hardest part of writing for you?
Making sure that I am fully explaining what is going on in my head.
How do you choose your character’s names?
Most of them have some sort of connection to my real life. If not they are a play on people’s names who fit the character but I don’t want to use their actual name.
Do your characters speak to you?
Not directly, but I keep hearing their story in my mind. So in that way, yes.
What advice would you give aspiring authors?
Don’t worry about what anyone else is doing. Do your thing. Then, be happy if you sell one copy or one million. At the end of the day, a true writer is out to write, not to sell. If you are only in it to make money, you won’t make much.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I’m definitely both. In ‘When I Make You Mine’ I had the backbone of the story down before I started writing. As the story developed, other characters emerged. I am working on plotting more because I feel that you can really increase the depth of your writing when you do so.
What is your writing process?
First an idea must be there. Then I work on it continually before it is threatening to bust out of me. I work on it everywhere...in the store, sitting in traffic, playing with my kids. Every aspect of my life helps me arrange a story in a certain way.
Have you had writer’s block, and how do you deal with it?
I’ve absolutely had writers block. I deal with it by taking a break and then coming back to it. If still nothing is there then I start on another part of the story that I know needs to happen. I can always embellish it or cut it back later but it’s only the act of writing sometimes that can get you out of writer's block. At least that is how it is for me.
What does your family think of your writing?
My husband knows what I write but he’s not read any of it...yet! He’s more of a political thriller type. My kids are too young to know (12 and 7).
What’s the last book you read or are currently reading?
Dissident by Cecilia London - What a fantastic, smart, political, romance, thriller.
Are there any new authors who’ve grabbed your interest?
Yes! I write a blog called GetYourSmutOn.com so I’ve come across a ton. Celia Aaron, Sloane Howell, Sadie Starr, Jenny Holiday, Kat Latham, Marian Tee, Melanie Marchande. I could go on and on!
How would you describe yourself? Introvert/Extrovert/other?
This might sound strange, but for years I have defined myself as an extroverted introvert. I am not naturally outgoing, only when I have to be. When I am outgoing, I put my all into it and it wipes me out for days!
Do you have any other author friends and do you ever get together in real l life?
Out of all of the authors I work closely with through my blog I have formed a wonderful relationship with both Celia Aaron and Sloane Howell. We’ve not been able to meet in person but the second that we get the chance we definitely will! Sloane is my brother from another mother and Celia is my sister from another mister.
What’s your next writing project?
Book two in The Richmond Series which revolves around Renee and Ben. I’ve not started writing it yet. Strangely I’ve started writing book three instead!
Twenty-two Questions
How long have you been writing?
My whole life. It’s only in the last year that I’ve let others check it out.
Do you ever feel like one of your characters is you?
In my debut novella, yes. After that it will be everyone else in my life!
How many hours sleep do you get each night?
Ha! If I get 5 hours, it’s a miracle!
Name one day job you’ve had.
I currently have a day job as an Analytical Marketing Manager for a corporate company on the east coast. Shhh, don’t tell ;)
Do you write every day?
Yes! I would be lost if I couldn’t write something...a book review, a scene, something!
What’s your usual writing snack?
Wine.
How many hours a day do you write?
At least 3-4 hours...after I am off work and after the kids go to bed.
Do you have a new story idea in your mind right now?
About a hundred!
Do you ever write two books at once?
No. I am highly compartmentalized mentally so if I have another idea, I write a very in depth synopsis so I don’t lose any points between the time that I get the idea to when I write it.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
The ability to please everyone.
Name one song that reminds you of your book.
Believe it or not, I don’t have one.
About how many books do you read each month?
Depending upon if it’s a novella or not, probably around 12-15.
What’s your favorite movie?
Jane Eyre - with Michael Fassbender (oh la la!)
Name one thing on your bucket list.
To visit Ireland and/or Scotland
Flowers or chocolates?
Flowers.
Name an author you’d love to have coffee with.
Jane Austen, since she is dead...Jude Deveraux, Susan Kyle (aka Diana Palmer), Lisa Kleypas...not to mention any of my favorites that I listed above!
The most words you’ve written in a day.
Three thousand
What's your favorite fruit?
Strawberries
In what room do you do most of your writing?
Living room
Who is your celebrity crush?
David Carr...an ex-NFL backup quarterback - hawt!
What is the strangest thing about you?
I hardly watch tv...at all. I read or I write. I would read or write 24/7 if I could. At the most, I would say that I watch maybe an hour of tv a week. It’s a waste of my time.
And then she told us...
Did you know you don’t ask what an author's favorite book is?
Jane Eyre, just in case you wanted to know. ;)
And we facepalmed.
Thank you so, so much Rae!
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