Interview of Writer Sharon Hamilton

Today I'm happy to present an interview of writer Sharon Hamilton.

BIO: Sharon Hamilton loves all things paranormal: angels, dark angels, Watchers, Guardians, Upogenie and vampires. She also has developed a series of erotic Navy SEAL stories. Her characters follow a spicy road to redemption through passion and true love -- not exactly what they taught you in Sunday School!

http://www.sharonhamiltonauthor.com
http://sharonhamiltonauthor.blogspot.com

Q: What genre do you enjoy writing and why?
A: I enjoy paranormal romance, on the sensual to erotic side. Contemporary SEAL romantic suspense.

Q: What has been the most encouraging thing that’s helped you stay focused in your writing?
A: Coming to writing late in life, don’t know if it’s encouraging, but a fire has been lit under my butt. I can’t spare 15 years to “break in.” Finaling in contests was a boost to my ego, going to chapter meetings (I’m in 5 RWA-sponsored Chapters), hearing about other author’s struggles and ways they stay focused. But after discovering how wonderful writing feels, even with all the other things that are not as fun as creating the original story, my family is probably lucky I didn’t find this out until now. I’d have been a recluse mom and wife. So now it’s time for me, and the readers I hope to find.

Q: What has been the most discouraging thing that’s happened in your writing?
A: Running across people who are selfish and unkind, perhaps jealous. I have no time for that, just move away from it.

Q: Do you do research? If so, what type have you done?
A: For my SEAL stories, I hung out at tattoo parlors and SEAL bars, interview some of the team guys. Real other authors. For paranormal, I let the characters lead me on the research.

Q: What do you think is the key to a memorable romantic story?
A: The love story, the tension between the hero/heroine. I want characters I want to spend time with, care about.

Q: Where do you get your story ideas?
A: Dreams, mostly. My first angel book came from a dream. Music, especially instrumental music, works. I love to watch people, too.

Q: What part of the whole writing process is the hardest for you?
A: Editing, without a doubt. I get into the story. But polishing the WORDS, when I am so focused on the story and the arc of the characters, those are sometimes difficult to catch and replace. It isn’t as natural as the writing process. I can easily write 5,000 words a day.

Q: What part of the whole writing process is the easiest for you?
A: The ideas and getting started on a new book.

Q: Is there someone who’s been extra helpful with your writing?
A: Initially, my chapter mates Karin Tabke/Harlow, Virna DePaul, Sophie Littlefield. They gave me advice and encouragement to enter contests, get myself out there, and cheer me on. Tina Folsom and Bella Andrade for their vision of the self-publishing scene and what it could mean for me, as I pursue both avenues: traditional and self-published.

Q: Hero or heroine. Which is easiest to write and why.
A: I’ve always fallen in love with the flawed, or sometimes tortured hero, or the bad boy who is really good. I like them overly confident, and falling to their knees for the right woman. That’s a love story I could read every day.

Q: Hero or heroine. Which is hardest to write and why.
A: I’ve had difficulty writing “good” heroines because they are too boring, so I try to write flawed, overly confident women who get their hopes and dreams stripped down and dashed, and then climb back up. I don’t like vanilla people in real life either!

Q: Describe your writing routine (place, hours, time of day, mood, etc.)
A: I get up at 4AM most every morning, and write until about 7. I take care of our animals and have breakfast with my husband, and then go back to writing or blogging, depending on what is the promise. I try to write 10-12 pages every day, even weekends. When I take a few days off, I have to dust off a lot of cobwebs. I look at blogging and posting as doing that a little.

Q: Are you in a critique group? If so, tell us how it helps you.
A: I have a personal 1-1 partner and we meet once a week over coffee. We review 10-15 pages each week, sequentially. I am in a multi-genre critique group that also meets every week in person. We take turns, so I get 10 pages critiqued every other week. Online groups haven’t worked as well for me, but I think it’s mostly because of time zone issues or schedule changes. I’m working on something, and then have to switch and get something else out for a request or to post online.

Q: Are you ready to promo your work?
A: Yes. That’s why I’m here.

Q: What are you working on now, and do you have a publisher in mind to send it to?
A: I’m working on a contemporary SEAL series on request from a publisher. I’m also working on my 4th Guardian Angel book, the first one I will launch in May on e-formats. I also have erotica shorts and one longer piece I’m completing, self-publishing under a pen name, Angela Love.

Q: You’re on a deserted island in a comfy beach house (with a magical power source), a laptop, and two handsome cover models. What do you do?
A: First, I ask for and am granted a 20-something body with unsagging double Es, and a gorgeous tan, so we can spend the whole time naked. We play, swim, cook, pick exotic flowers that fill the house with scent, take long, long showers or baths in the two person tub, and generally do all the things I’m not likely going to do in my lifetime.

Short Stories:

 

BLURB: The Stimulus Package:  Candy needs to order from the Garden of Delights sexual toys online catalog in time for her sister’s bachelorette party.  She not only gets the toy, but a whole lot more for her money, and she’ll never ask for a refund.

BLURB: Buzz Words:  Meaghan won the grand prize at her friend’s bachelorette party: a huge purple voice-activated vibrator. But it malfunctions and she gets all the support she needs from Leo, the Garden of Delights customer service online rep.