Today
I welcome Traci Douglass to my blog.
Traci is a prolific writer, and the first two books of her Seven Seals series have been published by
Crimson Romance.
I welcome Traci Douglass to my blog.
Traci is a prolific writer, and the first two books of her Seven Seals series have been published by
Crimson Romance.
Welcome, Traci! Please tell us a little
about yourself.
about yourself.
Iām a Midwest native. I write Paranormal/Urban Fantasy &
Contemporary Romance. Books One and Two of my Seven Seals series are available
from Crimson Romance. Iām an avid animal aficionado, sappy quote lover & more
than occasional smartass.
Contemporary Romance. Books One and Two of my Seven Seals series are available
from Crimson Romance. Iām an avid animal aficionado, sappy quote lover & more
than occasional smartass.
Traci, many authors are self-decribed āpantsersā
or āplotters.ā How would you describe your writing process? Do you outline? Let
the muse lead you? Or something else?
or āplotters.ā How would you describe your writing process? Do you outline? Let
the muse lead you? Or something else?
I started
out as a totally āpantserā with the first book, no outline or anything. Just an
idea and dream. I wrote the first draft of the first book in one month. Since
then, Iāve learned to be more of a planner. I try to make sure I hit all the
major plot points first and then fill in the gaps in between.
out as a totally āpantserā with the first book, no outline or anything. Just an
idea and dream. I wrote the first draft of the first book in one month. Since
then, Iāve learned to be more of a planner. I try to make sure I hit all the
major plot points first and then fill in the gaps in between.
Being a romance writer can be tricky. How
do you handle spicy sex scenes and relatives? Are your family and friends
supportive or do they choose not to read your books because of their sensual
nature?
do you handle spicy sex scenes and relatives? Are your family and friends
supportive or do they choose not to read your books because of their sensual
nature?
My
family and friends have been extremely supportive. And I do write romance. Sex
scenes should be expected, right? They have been forewarned. š
family and friends have been extremely supportive. And I do write romance. Sex
scenes should be expected, right? They have been forewarned. š
Besides being tricky, writing can bestressful. What food or beverages do you turn to while you are writing? Are you
a stress eater on deadline or a ālack of inspirationā eater when ideas are not
flowing?
Both,
depending on the time of the month and the current workload. I will say though
that when Iām writing I usually lose all track of time and will miss meals
completely sometimes. Itās afterward, when Iām sitting on the sofa that the
cravings kick in.
depending on the time of the month and the current workload. I will say though
that when Iām writing I usually lose all track of time and will miss meals
completely sometimes. Itās afterward, when Iām sitting on the sofa that the
cravings kick in.
Then there is the stress of edits. When
you get the edits back from your editor, how do you work through that process?
you get the edits back from your editor, how do you work through that process?
Just
get them done. Once I sign the contract on the book, itās theirs now. Iāve been
very lucky to work with awesome editors at Crimson and have not had any reason
to disagree with any of their suggestions.
get them done. Once I sign the contract on the book, itās theirs now. Iāve been
very lucky to work with awesome editors at Crimson and have not had any reason
to disagree with any of their suggestions.
Has writing changed how you read books
now?
now?
It
does make me more aware of how other authors craft their books, how they use
the rules or break them. And itās made me much less tolerant of bad writing.
does make me more aware of how other authors craft their books, how they use
the rules or break them. And itās made me much less tolerant of bad writing.
Do you work with a conference partner,
writerās group or other organization? Where do you get support?
writerās group or other organization? Where do you get support?
I
am a member of my local RWA (Romance Writers of America) group and they are an awesome source of support and
guidance to a newbie like me. I also have the most awesome critique partners
ever. Without their help I wouldnāt be where I am now.
am a member of my local RWA (Romance Writers of America) group and they are an awesome source of support and
guidance to a newbie like me. I also have the most awesome critique partners
ever. Without their help I wouldnāt be where I am now.
What are you currently working on?
Iām
in revisions on the third Seal book and have the fourth book outlined and ready
to write. Iām also working to complete a new contemporary romantic comedy and
hope to find a home for that story soon. Then thereās my MFA (Master of Fine Arts) thesis project, a
hybid little monster of paranormal, romantic suspense, and a touch of horror.
in revisions on the third Seal book and have the fourth book outlined and ready
to write. Iām also working to complete a new contemporary romantic comedy and
hope to find a home for that story soon. Then thereās my MFA (Master of Fine Arts) thesis project, a
hybid little monster of paranormal, romantic suspense, and a touch of horror.
You sound like a very busy person, Traci. Best of luck with your MFA and your Seven Seals series.Thanks
so much for being a guest on my blog.
so much for being a guest on my blog.
Contact
Traci at:
Traci at:
Website: www.tracidouglass.net
Thanks so much for having me on your blog today, Elizabeth! It's been great fun! š
I'm so glad you were here today, Traci. I wish you much success on your Seven Seals series…and your MFA!
Excellent post, ladies. Traci, the MFA alone is herculean work. Coupled with your other projects, no wonder you forget to eat. š I look forward to reading your novel (it's on my Kindle now!). May you have many sales!
Yay! Thanks so much, Deborah! š
You are so right, Deborah! Traci is amazing – I could never have written a book while working on my MA! Traci, YOU ROCK!
Wow, you really ARE a busy lady!! Great interview, ladies!! I do the 'skip meals' thing too, though sadly I more than make up for it when I stop working..
I LOVE your Crimson covers, they're awesome!
Thanks, Amber! And me too, with the snacking! š
Thanks for stopping by, Amber! ( I try to never skip a meal LOL)
Nicely done, ladies. Traci, you sound like one very busy woman!
Busy keeps me out of trouble, Carol! LOL! š
She does sound busy! Thanks for stopping by, Carol
Fun, interview, Traci! Love the question about friends and family's reactions–that's an issue sometimes. Yeah, pretty much, you simply have to say, "It's a romance novel, it's got sex in it–your choice to read it or not." Hugs, baby!
Thanks, Nan! Great to hear from an IRWA sister! š
Thanks for stopping by, Nan!
Thanks for hosting Traci today, Elizabeth.
Hi Traci,
It's great to learn a little more about you. I love the cover for Seal of Surrender!
Good luck with your tour!
I agree, Paula. The cover is great! Thanks for stopping by today.
Thanks, Paula! I love the cover too… Crimson did a great job with it! š