Hi everyone, I recently decided that I wanted to start a regular segment on the blog in which I interview writers about their craft, something that as a writer, I am fascinated with. Plus, I get to chat with some amazing people!
Today, I have the greatest pleasure in introducing Claudy Conn author of over 40 BESTSELLERS for Random House, Doubleday, and Zebra in the past, but now she has become an Indie Author.
Today, I have the greatest pleasure in introducing Claudy Conn author of over 40 BESTSELLERS for Random House, Doubleday, and Zebra in the past, but now she has become an Indie Author.
I love absolutely love her writing and admire her talent so much after
reading several of her books namely, Lady Star, Shadowlove-Stalkers, Myriah
Fire, and Runaway heart.
One of the
best things about being a writer is connecting with other writers, and I am
totally obsessed with what makes them tick and how they came into being! Before,
I begin the interview can you please tell us a little about yourself?
Absolutely, I live in NC just over the border in Myrtle Beach. I am a native New Yorker, and I live with my husband, Bob, our wolf, Cherokee, and his son Rocky Man, who weighs approximately 190lbs. I love horses and riding. I raised my ten-year-old gelding Southern Pride from birth. I also love gardening, swimming, skiing, hiking, and travel as well as reading, writing, but No arithmetic!
Absolutely, I live in NC just over the border in Myrtle Beach. I am a native New Yorker, and I live with my husband, Bob, our wolf, Cherokee, and his son Rocky Man, who weighs approximately 190lbs. I love horses and riding. I raised my ten-year-old gelding Southern Pride from birth. I also love gardening, swimming, skiing, hiking, and travel as well as reading, writing, but No arithmetic!
Jen-Thanks
for sharing that with us. You have a wolf!!!
Claudy-We have a friend who lives near Asheville, NC. He rescued McKenzie Grey wolves years and years ago and then to help their upkeep, he started a breeding program with German Shep. and Belgium Sheps. and sold the pups to police all over the country as police dogs. Our wolf is a 3/4 wolf 1/4 german shep. But she has no characteristics of a dog. her son (we bred her to a Beligum Shep of his) and had 5 puppies from her but were only able to keep one for obvious reasons. He is huge, 200 pounds and as tall as a small pony. She is also huge, 120 pds. She is so interesting, but it isn't anything I would recommend to anyone. Takes so much understand as they are not obedient. Very independent and 20% smarter than a dog. Her son is all dog. We can't find her in him at all. And sometimes, she confuses him. Very fun.
Claudy-We have a friend who lives near Asheville, NC. He rescued McKenzie Grey wolves years and years ago and then to help their upkeep, he started a breeding program with German Shep. and Belgium Sheps. and sold the pups to police all over the country as police dogs. Our wolf is a 3/4 wolf 1/4 german shep. But she has no characteristics of a dog. her son (we bred her to a Beligum Shep of his) and had 5 puppies from her but were only able to keep one for obvious reasons. He is huge, 200 pounds and as tall as a small pony. She is also huge, 120 pds. She is so interesting, but it isn't anything I would recommend to anyone. Takes so much understand as they are not obedient. Very independent and 20% smarter than a dog. Her son is all dog. We can't find her in him at all. And sometimes, she confuses him. Very fun.
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One of the things that always fascinate me about writers is how they decided to write?
Claudy-I was in my early twenties when the need to put all the things in my head onto paper.
Jen -I think that is great that at such an age you knew what you wanted to do and went for it. I didn’t start writing until much later, but felt that desperate need to off load the ideas bouncing around inside my head.
How do you research for a new story?
Claudy- I need to know the history, read letters of the times (if it is a historical) so that I get a feel for the spoken language. I research the myths and the legends for my paranormal until I know them without having to flip a page.
Jen-Me too!
You write in different genres, namely paranormal and historical, is it easy to swap hats like that or does one require more work than the other?
Claudy-Yes, for me it is. When I am in one of my historical stories, I as I said, have a feel for the language of the era and just block out anything else.
Jen-I would love to try to write a historical novel as I love reading them. I just finished reading Barbara Bretton’s Fire’s Lady which I loved! Great story, and strong characters. A page turner.
Which genre do you prefer to write in?
Claudy- Paranormal. I like a kick-ass heroine and you just can’t do that (totally) in my historical romances.
Jen-My first full length novel is a romantic fantasy and my WIP is a paranormal, not sure if I have a favourite.
I have read several of your books that are part of a series. Do you plan the series from the first book or do you write the first book and see where it leads before you know what will happen next?
Claudy-I know when I start a series, where I am going and how I want to get there.
Jen- With Children of Annwn:The Promise, the first book in a trilogy, I had an idea, but not set in stone. Working on book 2 I have a better idea of where I am now headed, but things can still change!
How many books do you write a year?
Claudy- Ooh, I don’t count.
Jen-I love that you don’t count, you write a lot!
Why do you give away some of your stories?
Claudy- I love my readers and before they have to spend a dime, I like to introduce them to my style and give them a chance to decide if they want more of my work.
Jen-I think that is great if you are a prolific writer and have many books to let your reader’s sample. However, my first book has taken me 5 years to write to give it away for FREE would break my heart. Maybe, for like a day for a special offer, I don’t know I’m not there yet!
How do you market your books?
Claudy- Hmm, it is a competitive market and very difficult to reach readers, so one has to be versatile. Social media, some romance sites, bloggers.
Jen-I’m very new, so I spend time connecting on all social media sites and will be arranging I guess book signings and aiming to get my books in the libraries.
Are you a RWA member and if so what are the benefits?
Claudy- I am not. I am not much of a herd animal. I scribble all the time. I write whenever I can and then I send it off to my editor and get it into production when it is ready.
Jen-I am not a member, but I am considering joining for the connections.
What is the future for you as a writer?
Claudy-I love writing. It is who I am. Even if the world came to a sudden halt, I would go on writing.
Jen-Well said! I love writing too and as long as I have ideas for stories and I am granted time to write them this is what I plan for my future too!
www.claudyconn.com is my website where your readers can sign up for my news and find my links. LATEST BOOK.
To get her monthly news, her reviews for all her new
paranormal romances, and excerpts, come on and visit her at her website: http://www.claudyconn.com
To see pictures of Cherokee—and her shepherd-wolf son!—have a look at her
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Claudy-Conn-Paranormal-Romance-Author/135826686471445
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