RaShelle Workman: The Interview!
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Hello my dearies,
Today I have the honour of introducing you to RaShelle Workman, who’s novel Distorted is set to be published June 2011. Let’s start with you telling us a little about yourself. Who is RaShelle Workman?
I grew up in a military family. I’m the oldest of five kids and I’ve lived all over the United States, including Guam. Since I’ve never lived in one place long, it’s tough for me to stay put. I’m an okay cook, but love to bake desserts, including cupcakes and toffee. I have a super-secret recipe for toffee that has brought men to their knees, literally. I’ve seen it and left them alone, to give them a moment with their toffee. Heh heh. I plan to use it to take over the world someday (if the whole writing thing doesn’t work out). My first novel, Distorted is set to be released by Canonbridge LLC in June 2011.
Tessa: That’s so cool that you’re book is coming out next year! Want to tell us something about it? The blurb?
RaShelle: Sophie Berkeley is convinced of three things. First, she needs to escape her destructive marriage. Second, strange dreams haunt her sleep and an unexpected illness is making them worse. And third, someone wants her dead. There are several suspects. It could be just one, or all of them combined. Whatever the circumstance, her life is: Distorted.
Tessa: That sounds great! I love the cover art, too. Did you do it yourself or did your publisher do it for you?
RaShelle: It’s a smaller publishing company, but they have an a graphic designer. His name is Steven Novak. He’s fantastic-- an artist, graphic designer, and an author too. He’s written and had published his first in a series of middle grade novels through Canonbridge as well. He’s very talented. Once he had the synopsis for Distorted, he had some ideas. We discussed them and then he came up
with this cover. I’m so happy with the way it turned out.
Tessa: So now that Distorted is going to be released soon, what project are you working on right now? Do you work on them one at a time? I know I always have more than one story going at a time (not that I’m anywhere close to published). How does that work for you?
RaShelle: I have no more than two projects running at any one time. I’m actually in edits for Distorted. And I’m in edits for Charity Can’t Die. I’ve completely plotted out When Earth Freezes Over, which is a YA paranormal. I’ve completely plotted out Carnaby’s Magic, a middle grade novel and I’ve also completely plotted out another YA paranormal entitled Call Me Sunday.
Tessa: So you DO have more than one thing on your desk, too! And two of them are plotted out? I take it you're a plotter, then?
RaShelle: I am a big time plotter who pants her way from point A to B. What I mean is: I like to know how things are going to go within the story and then I let things happen and change accordingly. I give my characters leeway. If I’m writing and a character changes and I like the change, I’ll go with it.
Tessa: Ah, so you’re a half-way-ser (ok I just made that up)! How do you come up with your ideas, your characters?
RaShelle: All of my best ideas come to me in the shower and when I first wake up. With my characters, a lot of times, they find me. There is this story I’m writing called When Earth Freezes Over where the two main characters just showed up in my head. I don’t know where they came from, but they MOVED IN one day and said, “Okay, we need you to write our story.” They are camping out inside my head right now. I’m hoping they’ll continue to be patient. *fingers crossed* Other times, I’ll start with a story idea and then I’ll build the character. Once I start writing, the character will evolve from there.
Tessa: LOL I get characters camping out in my head, too. It’s both inspiring and annoyingly distracting at once, depending on the character. How do you relate to them? Your characters, I mean. Do you have favorites?
RaShelle: In Distorted, I guess my favorite character is Rina. She always says what’s on her mind and doesn’t have a problem telling it like it is. Also, she has a potty mouth. I like getting to swear a lot-- through her.
In Charity Can’t Die my favorite character is Sloan, hands down. He’s a tortured, angry soul with the heart of a . . . well I can’t tell you that or I’ll spoil the story. But he’s gorgeous.
Tessa: How do you come up with the names for your characters? I spend absolutely ages coming up with mine, and then I usually change them halfway through because they don#t suit the character anymore. How important are names in your writing?
RaShelle: In Distorted, it wasn’t as big a deal. I did spend some time. There were certain names I didn’t want. I couldn’t tell you what they were now. *laughs* In Charity Can’t Die, I researched for hours. Names are important, depending on the time they are born. Where they are born. What type of character. What type of book Yes, names mean a lot.
Tessa: I guess in writing, a rose by any other name doesn’t smell quite as sweet, huh? Speaking of names *grins* do you use a pen name? We (the Critique This team) are having a major pen name discussion right now. I myself used a pen name for my blogging right from the start. How about you?
RaShelle: I went back and forth on this for a long time. If there is another author with your name and he or she is famous-- definitely keep your name -- immediate best seller, right?!! Okay, I kid. In all seriousness, you need to think about the fact that the name on your novels is your brand name. Make it memorable.
Tessa: *wags finger at RaShelle* Aha! You haven’t answered the question. Are you writing under a pen name?
RaShelle: Oh, I sidestepped the question? Whoops. LOL No, I don’t use a pen name. RaShelle Workman is my actual name.
Tessa: So when did you start writing? Most of us have been making up stories all our lives, but we discovered actual writing at different stages in our lives. How about you?
RaShelle: I’ve enjoyed writing all my life. I completed one children’s story about a bright blue bouncing ball and sharing. Other than that, I couldn’t seem to finish anything. Then, five years ago I found a
creative writing class, took it and wrote my first novel - all 85, 000 words in four months. Since then, it’s been my passion.
Tessa: That’s great! Only four months? Wow. I haven’t finished anything serious yet but I get the feeling of having found your ‘calling’. It’s exhilarating and a little scary all at once. What is it you like best about writing?
RaShelle: The creative process. Going into that new world.
Tessa: I love it when you can just vanish into your writing, into the world you’re creating! But there’s always a flip side, isn’t there? What is it for you?
RaShelle: The work. The re-writes. I will say though that there is nothing better than finding that perfect word and making it fit and knowing it’s right.
Tessa: Do you ever find yourself stuck? Under attack by the Evil Writers’ Block?
RaShelle: Yes, that’s when my house is sparkling clean.
Tessa: Hehe Feel free to come visit me whenever you’re stuck. So do you write full time? I know most of us don’t. How do you spend your non-writing time?
RaShelle: Hanging out with my kids, my husband, sleeping, blogging, reading, twittering, doing the dishes, grocery shopping, taking a shower, seeing a movie, watching TV, checking out FB, having se - , um, you know I could go on and on, but I won’t.
Tessa: *green with jealousy* What, no noxious day job? No fair! Ok, so all of that probably takes up a lot of your time. When you do write, do you have anything that helps you get into the ‘zone’?
RaShelle: I NEED SILENCE!!!! =D When I’m “in the zone,” I can enter into my characters world so thoroughly. If I’m inside, I can see everything, right down to the spider in the corner. If I’m outside, I
can see the worm six inches underground.
Tessa: So I guess I can strike out the question about writing playlists?
RaShelle: You can indeed. Music distracts me.
Tessa: Do you write alone or do you use a critique partner/group/beta reader? What’s your policy on letting friends and family get their hands on your (unfinished) writing?
RaShelle: Yes! Yes! And yes! Don’t use friends and relatives. Unless they are writer friends. You wouldn’t ask a mechanic to give you a manicure, right?
Tessa: That’s a great argument! I’ll have to remember that next time my family wants to read my stories. So tell me, how do you respond to criticism? I know I always find it excruciating but useful...
RaShelle: You know the first time I read this question I was all pfft - I love it! It doesn’t bother me AT ALL. But then about a month ago someone made an offhand comment that literally sent me spinning. It
wasn’t even about my current novel. And I realized, “Man, I’m a wuss!!!” No, but I DID realize that it can be tough! I did learn from the experience too. The main thing I learned is that I have A BUNCH of COOL, REALLY AWESOME PEOPLE around me. The other thing I learned is that while I may not be Hemingway, I’m ME and my publisher picked my manuscript out of the slush pile and said “I LOVE IT!!!”
Truthfully, I do love criticism. It is very helpful, especially from someone like an editor or a publisher, an agent or even another writer. I’m grateful for it.
Tessa: How do you keep your writing muscles limber when you’re not actually working on a specific project? Do you use writing exercises? What about blogfests?
RaShelle: I do use writing exercises. And Blogfests? I. Love. Blogfests. I write new scenes sometimes and sometimes I use stuff from my WIP’s.
Tessa: LOL. I’m kind of a blogfest addict myself. So. I know Distorted is a romantic suspense. Do you write in other genres, too?
RaShelle: I love romantic suspense, but I write in other genres, too. Charity Can’t Die is YA, urban fantasy and I love it. I think as long as I can swear, at least a little and there is romance, I’m good. LOL
Tessa: Most of us read what we write. Is that true for you, too? What do you read?
RaShelle: Fantasy!!! Dystopian!! Also, chick lit!!! Mystery!! Suspense!
Tessa: *laughs* So you kind of read what you write, with a few extras. Anything in particular you’d like to recommend? Favourite books? Favourite something else?
RaShelle: I loved, loved the Hunger Games and have you ever read THE HISTORIAN by Elizabeth Kostova?? It’s a story about vampires, written for adults. Wow, SOOOO good!!! Authors? My all-time favorite author was/is Michael Crichton. I’ve read every one of his books. Have you read Prey? Probably my most favorite ever was State of Fear. Next was awesome. Movies? Inception! Inception! Inception! Songs? Oh boy - I am a music FREAK!!! “I Like to Move It. Move It” by: Will. I. Am. To
the entire Phantom of the Opera CD.
Tessa: LOL that’s a lot of favourites! I’ve read some Michael Crichton but I have to say he isn’t my favourite. I’m in the middle of Catching Fire now, so far Hunger Games seems great for me, too, and no, haven’t heard of The Historian but I’ll go check it out! *grins* So you do listen to music, just not when you’re writing, huh?
RaShelle: Yes, mostly in the car and when I’m making dinner. Dancingand dinner-making go hand in hand.
Tessa: Do you have a favourite line from one of your books, too?
RaShelle: This is the first sentence of the first chapter in Distorted.
“There are some cruelties a person can’t take back.”That’s so serious.
Here’s a little conversation between Phillip and the MC, Sophie.
“Thanks,” he smiled warmly. “It’s this really expensive stuff I buy.
I’m glad you finally noticed.” His hazel eyes were full of mischievousness.
“Oh,” she said, not falling for it this time.
“Yeah, it’s called soap. Irish Spring,” he chuckled. “I’m glad you like it.”
Tessa: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
RaShelle: Don’t give up!!! Follow your heart. Above and beyond that, be a good listener. Learn. Learn. Learn. Be teachable. =D And thanks for having me. This was so much fun!!!
Also, if anyone wants to check out my blogs, you can find them here:
Twitter: RaShelleWorkman
Facebook: RaShelle Workman
Great interview, RaShelle! We have a lot in common, too. I'm a military brat and with a smaller publisher. Okay, ideas don't come to me in the shower - my brain isn't awake yet.
Loved the interview!
Cheers to getting ideas in the shower!
I look forward to reading Distorted when it comes out.
Alex - There is a lot to be said about a smaller publisher. Mine is fantastic!
As far as military - you've been everywhere too then? LOL
Ryan - It's a great place to think. I have kids. They can't follow me in there. Ha Ha Ha.
And thanks!!
Rachelle,
I'm with you... with kids, you take the idea's wherever they come to you from! :D Be it the shower, doing dishes or when you're almost asleep (that's my big thinking place... just seconds from sleep *BAM* idea!!)
Thanks for allowing us to pick-ya-apart! :D
Thanks for having me. It was fun chatting with Tessa. She's a sweetie. You all are!! =D
Great interview! I feel I know so much more about RaShelle the person and the writer now :) And you are so busy!!! Best wishes for your book :)
Lyn
W.I.P. It: A Writer's Journey
Lynda - Thank you. Maybe more than you wanted to know about me. LOL. I am busy, but it's the kind that is a lot of fun, you know. Glad you came by.=D
Awww thank you! It was great interviewing you!
I love this interview with RaShelle, you have such great things to say about your upcoming books and how you writes. I loved learning more about your new book Distorted and look forward to reading it! I know it will be soo awesome! Especially with all the extra teasers. I also look forward to hearing more about all of the future books when they come out, I know they will be awesome! YOu ROCK!!
Thanks Debbie! You are such a sweetie! I appreciate it. =D I'm excited for Distorted to come out too.