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Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Interview with Bestselling Author Sandra Brown



I’m delighted my first interview is with the prolific, bestselling author, Sandra Brown. I hope you enjoy getting to know her better. She’s generously agreed to do a giveaway, so make sure to read all the way to the end to find out how you can participate!  

 

Q:        Have you got an interesting story to share about your journey to publication?
A:        At a writers’ conference I met Mary Lynn Baxter who owned an independent book store in Lufkin, TX.  She offered to read a manuscript. I sent it to her, she read it, and recommended it to Vivian Stephens, the editor who started Dell’s Candlelight Ecstasy line. She bought it and asked if I had another finished, which I did. I sent her that one, and she bought it thirteen days later. Lesson: don’t wait for a book to sell before starting the next!

Q:        Do you plot your novels in detail or are you a pantser?
A:        A combo. I know where I’m going, but not the route I’ll take.

Q:        Do you draw on real life experiences for your plots and characters?
A:        No! I enjoy “play like.”

Q:        Is there a genre you’d like to write in, but you haven’t yet?
A:        I think I would enjoy doing more historicals. I’ve written four, the last one being RAINWATER, and I loved the change of pace. Maybe one of these days.

Q:        What advice have you got for aspiring authors?
A:        Read, read, read. Write, write, write.

Q:        Which form of social media do you prefer for book promotion?
A:        I’m doing a lot on Pinterest because it’s fun to me. It’s more visual than other forms. I call it “working on promotion,” but I get hypnotized and, before I know it, I’ve been on there for hours!

Q:        Have you made any career decisions you regret?
A:        I wish I had started earlier.  I was 30.  But, if I had, I probably wouldn’t have been ready to try and make a career of it.

Q:        What are your top 3 guilty pleasures?
A:        “The Borgias” TV series
            Fritos
            Gin and tonic

Q:        If you could travel anywhere, to a place you haven’t been before, where would it be? Where have you been that left a lasting positive impression?
A:        I’d like to visit Scotland.  Most lasting impression – Afghanistan when I went on a USO tour in 2011 with four colleagues from International Thriller Writers. Certainly not the most scenic! Definitely the most arduous itinerary! But also the most memorable trip.



Q:        Which of your own books is your favorite, and why?
A:        I can’t pick one. Favorites include: ENVY because it’s about writers, and I had fun writing the book within the book. The TEXAS! TRILOGY because they were fun to write and the characters were so endearing. I miss them!  SLOW HEAT IN HEAVEN because I really liked Cash Boudreaux. LETHAL because I liked everything about it – setting, hero, heroine, and the plot. 

Q:        What 3 things are almost always in your refrigerator?
A:        The aforementioned tonic! Limes. (Also essential for a gin and tonic.) Blueberries.

Q:        What’s your most romantic personal memory you can share with us?
A:        When I made the New York Times bestseller list for the first time, my husband, Michael, surprised me with a Lear Jet and several friends. We flew from Dallas to Houston to go to dinner.  Black tie, roses, champagne. Awesome night!

Q:        What are your non-writing hobbies, or what do you do to relax?
A:        I read, of course -- several hours each night before bed. I watch a lot of series TV because there are so many good dramas now, and I don’t have to be worrying about the plot! It’s some other writer’s problem. My husband and I travel extensively. We’re very social, but we like small gatherings or dinners out with good friends. We make family time for our two children, their spouses, and our four grandsons.

Q:        If you were stranded on a desert island and could choose one person and one thing to be stranded with, who and what would they be?
A:        I won’t commit to print the individual and item that immediately came to mind!

Q:        Tell us a secret that nobody knows about you and we’d be surprised to find out.
A:        I can’t blink my left eye independently. 

Q:        What’s your favorite food?
A:        Chili and Fritos. (You didn’t specify health food! But I do keep blueberries in the fridge and eat them throughout the day.)

Q:        What’s your favorite movie?
A:        Out of Africa

Q:        Do you prefer oceans, deserts, or mountains?
A:        Forests. I like growing green things and prefer them blooming. 

Q:        What trends do you see coming to the book industry?
A:        The trend I fear is losing readers. I don’t care what format one reads in, I just want people to read. I want to see parents cultivating in their children the “habit” of reading. 

Q:        Tell us about your new book.
A:        Mean Streak goes on sale September 2014. I’m superstitious so a title is all I have for you at this time.

Q:        What’s on your agenda in 2014?
A:        My besties and I arrived at a motto for this year: If not now, when?  We’re gonna do it all!

It sounds like you have a lot of fun in store for you this year, Sandra. We wish you all the best with Mean Streak, and thanks for visiting us.

GIVEAWAY ALERT!
Sandra is giving away three copies of her re-released book, Best Kept Secrets, to three randomly chosen visitors. So go leave your comment no later than 48 hours from the time of this posting, and include your email address so we can contact you if you are a winner.


Best Kept Secrets 

Alexandra Gaither is an attorney who finally has the power to get the justice she needs. Twenty-five years before, her mother had died a scandalous death. Alex believes one of three powerful men murdered her. Each is charming, each is a suspect, and each tries to shield her from his past. But not one of them can stop her passionate search for the truth. Like her mother before her, Alex sparks controversy and excitement in this remote Texas town. Now, as she investigates her mother’s former lover, his best friend, and the father figure to them both, she will risk everything to uncover their best kept secrets.

Buy Links are found on Sandra’s website: http://sandrabrown.net/books/best-kept-secrets/ Sandra’s backlist is now available in ebooks.

NOTE: Find out more about Sandra Brown on her Romance Books '4' Us author page at: http://www.romancebooks4us.com.

Twitter at @sandrabrown_NYT
Pinterest: sandrabrownnyt


42 comments:

Janice Seagraves said...

Hi Sandra,
Your books sound awesome.
Good luck with this Year's Resolutions in doing it all. :)

janiceseagraves(at)yahoo(dot)com


Molly Daniels said...

I've read several of your books, and absolutely LOVE the Texas series! Lucky was one of the first heroes I wished I could climb into the book and meet:)

storimom2@aol.com

Suzanne Rock said...

Hi Sandra! Fantastic Interview. That must have been an incfredible trip to Afghanistan! Love your books and hope you meet all of your goals in 2014. :)

suzannerockauthor(at)gmail(dot(com)

Sandy said...

Sandra, I've read your books from the beginning, and I have them all in hardback, so I haven't given them away.

Thank you for letting us get to know you.

skmarshall@kc.rr.com

Sabrina York said...

OMG. I am a gin & tonic girl too!

Thanks for sharing, Sandra! A great read..like you books.

:)

Nina Pierce said...

What a fun interview. One of the first books I read of yours was ENVY and loved it. But I think my favorite will always be FAT TUESDAY ... Burke Basile *sigh* ;)

Best of luck with your 2014 goals.

Nina(at)NinaPierce(dot)com

Ray said...

I absolutely love your books. I especially like reading about Texas. I've only been through it, not spending much time, but my daughter lives in a suburb of Dallas with her husband and two daughters. Her son is in the Navy on the carrier EISENHOWER. I just took him to the airport so he can go back home for a week.

The Reading Frenzy said...

Congratulations on your first interview and with a huge fav of mine Sandra Brown she's such a generous author with her time and really appreciates her readers. I have the novel so I'm not entering the contest.
Thanks for the interview
deb

Judy Baker said...

OMG, great interview, I learned more about you even though I been reading your books for several years now. You sound like you thoroughly enjoy life. Judy

Rose Anderson said...

I enjoyed your interview, Sandra. Thanks for joining us today. Best luck. :)

Paris said...

Hi Sandra,

What an interesting life you lead! I've been enjoying your novels for a very long time but I have to say that the TEXAS trilogy remains one of my all time favorites. Thanks so much for sharing.

Sandra Brown said...

Nina,

I, too, have a soft spot for Burke!

Unknown said...

Thanks for such a great insight into your life! Good luck with your motto, go out and do it allm

Kathleen O said...

Sandra many years ago a friend bought me a book that had three of your books in it..I was hooked. I always look forward to your books.

Angela Smith said...

Thanks so much to you both for this interview! I love learning more about you, Sandra, as you have been a huge inspiration to me in my (reading and) writing career. I save all of your books in hardback. Have a great year doing it all! And Fat Tuesday and Burke are one of my favorites as well!

Sandra Brown said...

Janice...thank you so much!



Molly...they're personal favorites of mine also. Hard to believe the Texas! Series is over twenty years old, but I still love them as much as I did the day I wrote them.

Sandra Brown said...

Suzanne,

There are no words to describe that trip to Afghanistan...or maybe too many (humbling, overwhelming, worth it).

Best,
Sandra

Unknown said...

I really enjoy reading more personal things about you, like your favorite foods! I am a fellow frito lover! Love, love, love your books!!
(& after my husband saw you in the uniform visiting Afghanistan, you won him over too!) Take care, Amanda
Amanda29@gmail.com

southerngirl said...

Great interview! Sandra Brown is at the top of my favorite authors list. If I'm in a reading slump I can pick any SB book from my shelf & start reading. My favorites are ENVY, SLOW HEAT IN HEAVEN, BITTERSWEET RAIN but I love all of her books that I've read so far.

Rissa8 said...

Sandra brown is my all time fave author, September can't come soon enough!!! Btw love Fritos and chilli with loads of cheese ;)

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Unknown said...

Enjoyed this interview and pics. Very informative. Loving all the small tidbits about "Mean Streak". Thanks for all you do! You are such an inspiration! Take Care! Jo Ann

Joannklepac1@aol.com

Vickie P said...

Have read practically everything you've written--usually right after you publish them! Love your motto!
aviatorteach@gmail.com

Sandra Brown said...

Cris,

You're too kind. And you're very welcome. I really enjoyed doing the interview.

Sandra

Sandra Brown said...

Judy Baker,

I try! :D

Sandra

Marianne Stephens said...

How wonderful of you to visit our troops on a USO tour...unselfish gesture and I thank you for that! What a great career...may it continue!
Thanks for being here at RB4U.

Ann Mettert said...

Loved the interview. Love your books. This one sounds great!! :D

pmettert@yahoo.com

Carly Carson said...

Thanks for the interview of a great author. I can only imagine that it took a lot of hard work and talent to get to where Ms. Brown is today. And what a brave woman, as well. I don't think anything could get me to Afghanistan!

Harlie Williams said...

I have to admit that Lucky was my first "dirty" book that I ever read. I never knew that people had sex in a book. My mother gave it to me to read when she was finished. It was a Doubleday book selection at the time.

I think I've read everything you have put out since. Yes, I'm that old and yes, from Loveswept to your thrillers, romantic suspense and now historicals.

People are somewhat suprised when I mention that you are one of my all time favorite authors.

And yes, Fritos and chili are a mainstay in Texas. I still remember watching you on television.


Okay enough with the fan gushing!

Is it September already?

Marika Weber
maw1725@gmail.com

Sandy said...

Loved the interview and learning more about one of my favorite authors. I loved Rainwater - in fact saw you speak at the main library in Louisville, KY. I thought it was one of your best books. Also, I loved Envy. That book spoke to me. Thanks so much for sharing.

Berengaria Brown said...

A Lear jet to go out to dinner. That is awesome!
Berengaria

Melissa Keir said...

Hello Sandra,
I also fear losing readers. As a teacher, I see so many children who don't enjoy reading. It has been my goal for the last few years to introduce books to my students and even buy they all a book for Christmas.

I wish you much success! Your book sounds amazing!

Melissa
daringzoey at yahoo.com

ELF said...

Delighted to read this interview with one of my favorite writers (dare I admit that I probably have some of those Candlelight Ecstasy books tucked away on a shelf somewhere?). Great interview!

Unknown said...

Thanks for visiting us at RB4U, Sandra. I'm amazed at your career and wish you many more years of bestsellers. You are an inspiration to us all.

Melody said...

I enjoyed the interview. Until recently I hadn't read any of your books. My Mom has been reading your books for years. One day I picked up one of your books and have been reading them ever since. I enjoy your characters and how you draw me in. Thank you for the enjoyment. Also thank you for sharing the story of the personal romantic story. Your husband, the jet, how romantic.. Melody
Iamshortanote@yahoo.com



Iamshortanote@yahoo

Judy said...

Ah, Sandra, I am such a fan of yours.
Thank you for being such a prolific writer as I eagerly look forward to each of your publictions. Since reading is a favorite past time,I enjoy many authors, but YOU are my fav!!!
jprice63@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

My first book of yours was Texas Lucky...oh what a great read...wish you could write more with those characters...I have all of your books and wouldn't dream of parting with any of them. My husband always knows what to give me for our August 24th anniversary...even if it is a little late...it works for me! Love & hugs from a long-time fan!

misscrickett1951@gmail.com

Unknown said...

My first book of yours was Texas Lucky...oh what a great read...wish you could write more with those characters...I have all of your books and wouldn't dream of parting with any of them. My husband always knows what to give me for our August 24th anniversary...even if it is a little late...it works for me! Love & hugs from a long-time fan!

misscrickett1951@gmail.com

Mary Preston said...

Thank you for such an amazing post.

Another big fan here.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

M. S. Spencer said...

Now that you've seen Afghanistan, you must see Scotland! I was in Iran in the 1970s, with a visa to Afghanistan, but due to a mixup with my plane ticket had to bow out. Of course it was different then! Thanks for the interview. M. S. Spencer

vpardo53 said...

Love your books. My favorite is also Texas Trilogy. Looking forward to next book.

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