LISA SANCHEZ
We are excited to have interviewed Lisa Sanchez, author of Eve of Samhain.
Both author and book ROCK!
Marissa: With 3 cheer daughters, hubby and household to organize, how do you find time to write and run your blogs? Is there a routine or is it one day at a time?!
Lisa: I write in my sleep. Haha! Just kidding. Between school, cheer and keeping up with my household chores, finding time to write can definitely be a challenge. I’ve found sticking to a routine works best if I want to get anything done. Most of my writing is done during the week after I’ve dropped the girls off at school. I usually write from around 8:30-11 each day, after which I clean, run errands and do the housewife thing.
As for the blogging, and social network stuff? I try and do most of that early in the morning before anyone else is up. I’m an early riser .
Marissa: From your own soundtrack to EoS, what was the most influential song for the story?
Lisa: Oh, gosh! That’s a tough question. Each of the songs hold special meaning and helped make the story what it is. Hmm … Can I pick two? I listened to With You by Sum 41 over and over while writing EOS. The lyrics show Quinn’s feelings for Ryann perfectly. It’s definitely his song. I listened to a lot of Cute Is What We Aim For while writing EOS, and Safe Ride is another song that really tugged at my heart. That particular song played on repeat as I wrote chapter 10. Oh! I can’t forget about Untouched by The Veronicas. Lol … that song speaks for itself. Ooops … guess I gave you three songs instead of two.
Marissa: Was the publishing process a fairly easy one for you, or did you have to go through the anguish of waiting and waiting and (heaven forbid!) any rejections?
Lisa: The publishing process is definitely not easy. You hear stories of people who whip out a novel in three weeks, send out two queries and land an agent and a three- book deal two days later. Let me tell you, that’s not the norm. For most of us, the process takes much longer and is a lesson in patience. In fact, I remember coming across one particular quote several times. “Hurry up and wait.”
As far as rejections go, EOS received plenty. When it comes to publishing, perseverance is key. It’s all about sticking with it, and pushing past the “no’s” to find the one “yes.”
Marissa: Word is you have completed a romantic suspense ... any tidbits you can divulge to us?! (One can only imagine, based on EoS that more than 'fanning ones self' will be required!)
Lisa: Yes! I participated in NaNoWriMo last November, which resulted in a romantic suspense tentatively titled Obsessed. I’m very excited about this project. It’s night and day from my Hanaford Park series. My paranormals tend to be snarky and humorous, where this new project is angsty and dark. It’s also my first foray into third person pov. Keep your fingers crossed. I’m querying it now.
Marissa: Who is the model on the cover????
Lisa: That’s a good question, lol! I wish I knew. Boyfriend is hot!
Michelle : The 'Hanaford Park 'series, I understand will be made up of 4 books. Is there anything you can tell us about book 2 tentatively titled 'Pleasures Untold' from Martha's POV or any of the other books in series?
Lisa: Pleasures Untold is Martha’s story. In EOS we get a small taste of her magic. In book two, the reader gets to see just how much woo woo she really has. Girlfriend kicks ass! That’s all I’m saying. I don’t want to give anything away.
Michelle : 'Eve of Samhain' is a 'smexi/hot tamale' read, correct me if I am wrong, I assume not for the younger teen reader. Will Quinn and Ryann ever resurface or does each book complete itself making it possible to read books out of order? I am thinking 'Lament' and 'Ballad' by Maggie Stiefvater where I think it's possible to read Ballad before Lament as they are quite stand alone books, James is in both books but it wouldn't matter.
Lisa: Can I just say that I absolutely love how you call EOS a ‘hot tamale” read? Makes me feel like I’m on SYTYCD, and Mary Murphy just put Ryann and Quinn on the “hot tamale train.” Woot!
Okay, to answer your question, no Eve of Samhain is not for younger teens due to the profanity and sexual content.
Each book in the series is a stand- alone. My goal is to write the stories so you could theoretically pick up book three, having never read one and two, and be able to jump right in and not be confused about what’s going on. Quinn and Ryann won’t make reappearance until the final book, which is tentatively titled Soul Harvest.
Michelle: Are all POV's going to be from the woman's/heroines POV or will you give us the male POV or both?
Lisa: Like EOS, Pleasures Untold is told in first person pov. It’s Martha’s story, and we see everything through her eyes. I’m currently four chapters into book three, and all I can tell you is that the reader will be able to see things through more than one person’s pov. I can’t give anything else away.
Michelle: Which of your characters would you most like to meet in real life and why? Which character was easiest to write and then hardest to write? I think a few of us are sticking our hands up to meet Quinn!!
Lisa: Oh, boy! That’s another toughie! I love all my characters and would jump at the chance to meet any one of them. But, to answer your question, I’ll have to go with Quinn. I love a smartass, and Quinn fits that bill perfectly. Yes, he’s dead shmexy and can kick major ass, but he’s funny, and that’s what does it for me. I love a guy that can make me laugh, and I know Quinn would have me peeing in my pants if we ever met.
Michelle: I personally am looking forward to learning more about Gabriel from Eve of Samhain. The title of the book, how did you name your book. Did the title come first then the story?
Lisa: You’re not the first person to ask if we’d be seeing more of Gabriel. I’m happy to announce he’s the hero in book three, which I have yet to title.
Titles are hard for me. I’m a panster. Basically, this means I get an idea for a story, I flush out my main characters and have a good idea how the story begins, and ends … but that’s it. I usually pluck the title from the narrative, either while I’m writing, or once the book is finished. I bow down to those authors that can dream up a kick ass title first.
Michelle: Any tips for budding writers?
Lisa: Don’t give up. Write, write and then write some more. If you’re passionate about telling stories, then you’re an author regardless of whether or not you ever become published. Critique partners are invaluable. I don’t know what I’d do without mine. I’d also recommend joining a writing organization like RWA.
Thanks so much for having me on your blog. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with you!
Thank you Lisa for taking the time to answer our questions (we know how busy your schedule is!).
We both thoroughly enjoyed Eve of Samhain and eagerly await the release of your next book in the Hanaford Park Series (tentatively titled Pleasures Untold) .
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