Elaine M DeGroot

 

1. Introduce yourself to our readers. Where do you fit into the story? What should we know about you?

 

I'm Connor O'Donnell, the hero in this romantic suspense story. I'm an effective, committed detective who recently moved and discovered The Grainery, a local bar, in my new neighborhood.

 

2. What do you think about the author? Tell us everything. We want to know.

 

I like how the author handles the action in this story. It has two facets. First is my work as a detective with my partner, Adam Sands. Second is the romantic developments with Maggie O'Hara, the feisty owner of The Grainery, my new favorite bar.

 

3. What are your feelings about this story?

 

I appreciate this story. It documents my perseverance and bravery as a detective. It also captures my favorable attributes as a romantic partner for Maggie.

 

4. How do you feel about being a character in this book?

 

I found a home in this book. Not only is the title also the name of my favorite drink, but I found an extended family at The Grainery in the staff and everyone's favorite customer, Shawn (a smart old guy).

 

5. What do you see in your future? (No spoilers please!)

 

My future includes a wedding, so Maggie and I carry through on our Happily Ever After. Hopefully, I don't get shot anymore. Oops, was that a spoiler? My bad.

 

6. Is there Sequel/another book in the future? Will you be part of it?

 

A sequel? I haven't heard any rumblings, but my future with Maggie is an open book. I wonder if Adam, my partner, is clamoring for a book about him. On second thought, he probably isn't. A romance would require him to give up his horndog ways. I'm not sure he's ready for that drastic of a change. LOL.

 

7. Say a movie producer comes knocking. What actor would you want to play you and why?

 

A movie of Bourbon Neat? Count me in! Does anyone know of a charming, handsome Irishman who could do my character justice? I guess he wouldn't have to be an Irishman; that would be a plus. Let the author know of your suggestions.

 

I have a tendency to incorporate my preferences for food and drink in my stories.

 

In The Consequential Love Series, many preferences appear: cookies (snickerdoodles and chocolate chip), Gin Bucks, martinis, wine (Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Grigio), medium rare steak, and oatmeal.

 

Accidental Attraction included Italian food featuring tiramisu.

 

Restoration introduced the concept of a hotdish as opposed to a casserole and chocolate sundaes without the ice cream!

 

Sparks Fly has Swiss steak, broiled steaks with baked potatoes, and an interesting serving of mashed potatoes with a side of hectic!

 

Playground Antics brings on German food and apple strudel.

 

Green Eyes & Dimples has meatloaf with mashed potatoes, fried chicken with mashed potatoes topped by homemade gravy, unoaked Chardonnay, and maybe best of all, apple pie and brownies baked with the assistance of a toy dinosaur, aka Tiny!

 

Bourbon Neat brings wines, chamomile tea, and Reuben sandwiches. Yum!

 

In my newest book, not yet published, Resolved Regrets, I share our favorite way of preparing rib-eye steaks for grilling. Also included are a couple of favorites: green olive burger and a peanut butter & green olive sandwich. (Please don't judge me. I love green olives.)

 

Yes, I have fun putting a bit of me in each of my stories in various ways.

 

It's a new year! Time to look at how things are going and whether changes are called for. How do I feel about my choices and journey as an author?

 

I'm happy and satisfied with the genre I write—Romance. My focus is on Contemporary Romances. I enjoy adding a touch of suspense and have published five Romantic Suspense books: Resolute Love, Challenged Love, Victorious Love, Playground Antics, and Bourbon Neat. I enjoy incorporating humor into my writing. Only one book is a Romantic Comedy: Accidental Attraction. It's also my only novella, less than 50,000 words.

 

My goal for my stories is to exceed 50,000 words. So far, my stories range from a low of 33,842 to a high of 99,456. My recent work in progress has 66,581 words. The bottom line is the story is finished when it's finished. I don't add filler to reach a specific number.

 

I have no desire to delve into different genres. I enjoy writing romances. It's fun creating the characters and the passion and desire in them. The Meet Cute beat is fun to devise. It's like I'm throwing these two people together and sitting back to see what happens. This attitude might be because I like it when my characters take off on their own and run away with the story. I follow along and record their activities. Sometimes they come up with great ideas.

 

My stories are written dialogue-heavy. I enjoy giving my characters strong voices and listening to them interact and reveal aspects of themselves by what they say, how they say it, and why. In a way, this is strange because I'm not a big talker. In social settings, I tend to listen and watch.

 

Book #10 is finished and will soon be off to my publisher. I also have a short story I may send off for another of their anthologies.

 

So far, my author journey has been fun, and I'll continue it as long as I can.

 

Here's to a productive new year!

 

The magic that happens when I write is fantastic and fascinating! Think of it…an idea comes to mind, thanks to inspiration. Next come imagined characters. Main characters and the many support characters, all with the proper names to fit who they are. They will change as they follow the journey of the story.

 

While on this journey, they face conflict and rising tension. Add in self-reflection, and their journey becomes a story that can engage readers' imaginations.

 

At times, I have the help of my characters! They run off and do their own thing. I tag along and document their exploits. I did mention magic, right?

 

Another touch of magic comes with each character. Their personalities, quirks, preferences, habits, mannerisms, and way of speaking breathe life into them and make them believable. Some are wise, while others are wisecracking.

 

When I write dialogue and action, I hear and see my characters doing as I ask or as they want. It makes writing simple and fun.

 

It continues to amaze me how it happens, and I'm able to write the stories I've come up with.

 

As I said, it's magic!

 

What can we expect from you in the future?

• More romance and romantic suspense stories. My latest published book, Bourbon Neat, is a romantic suspense. The work in progress, Resolved Regrets, is a contemporary romance. It's based on an idea I had related to a Presidents' Day costume party. Of course, a handsome "Teddy Roosevelt" and a gorgeous "Dolly Madison" are involved.

How do we find out about you and your books? Oh, so many places...

• On my website: www.romance-degrootified.net
• On my Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/RomanceByDeGroot
• On my publisher's bookstore: https://solsticeempire.com/products.aspx?categoryid=511
• On my Amazon Author Central page: https://www.amazon.com/author/romancedegrootified

How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?

• My sense of humor shows up, especially in the banter between characters.
• I've used my work experiences in most of my writing, either as inspiration for the stories or character backgrounds. My service in the U.S. Air Force gave me my first main male character (MMC), Garrett Dane, in The Consequential Love Series, and a subsequent MMC, Jace Sims, in Playground Antics. My experiences working on wetland restoration projects as a contracting officer with the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service provided the idea for the meet-cute in Restoration.
• My Minnesota roots are featured in four books:  The Consequential Love Series (Resolute Love, Challenged Love, and Victorious Love) and Restoration. Can you say "You betcha?"

When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first manuscript?

• Post retirement activity for sure. The first books I wrote, The Consequential Love Series (Resolute Love, Challenged Love, and Victorious Love), were written in response to all the romances I'd read featuring former Navy SEALs. As an Air Force veteran, I wanted a romance with an Air Force veteran hero, so I wrote a romantic suspense series with an Air Force veteran returning to his home state of Minnesota to work for the MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
• I believed in the story and especially the main characters, so I worked on finding an agent or publisher and thankfully found a home with Solstice Publishing.

Do you have a set schedule for writing, or do you just go with the flow?

• I don't have a set schedule, but I write most days. There's so much more than writing stories: editing, training, website maintenance, monthly Blog posts, monthly newsletters, and daily Facebook posts or reels to create & schedule. These keep me busy every day.
• Basically, I go with the flow when inspiration hits. You can find me writing at night in front of the TV, in the afternoons while watching the news, or on our back porch, enjoying the sights & sounds of nature. I write my stories by hand. The first round of edits happens when I enter the written pages into the computer.

What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing - or are there constant interruptions?

• It's me, my husband, and our pup, Missy. Mike respects my passion for my writing and gives me uninterrupted time for writing. An additional bonus is that he'll give me ideas for stories. That's how Bourbon Neat got started! Missy is my author assistant and features regularly in my Facebook posts.

What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?

• Read, watch TV, and enjoy my family.

Where do your ideas come from?

• My background mostly contributes to my story ideas, but they often appear out of nowhere. My book, Sparks Fly, is about a smokejumper. I have no experience with smokejumpers, so where that came from, I can't explain. Accidental Attraction starts on a golf course. As I recall, I wrote most of it on the way to and during a golf trip to Arkansas. I've already discussed how my Air Force service has played a part in my writing. My experience as a federal contracting officer was key to the aforementioned "meet cute" in Restoration, and contracting was key to my story, Playground Antics.
• Individual scenes have come from songs and even a favorite print hanging in our dining room.
• The name of my first MMC, Garrett, came from a road sign!

Do you feel humor is important in books and why?

• I do believe in bringing humor into my books. A spot of levity can ease the tension in a scene, provide cover for real feelings that are too strong or ill-timed for the character to admit to, or allow the characters to have some fun. We all need and deserve fun in our lives. An early morning drunken phone call between Zach and Emily in Accidental Attraction was fun to write, as well as the next day's aftermath. I still laugh when I read it.

What kind of research do you do?

• My research relies on internet searches or going directly to a source of information online, like Mayo Clinic.
• I've researched medical care for gunshots, knife wounds, broken bones, and PTSD; smokejumper locations and training; and whether a pole barn can be relocated, to name just a few things.

Please tell us about yourself.

• I'm a Minnesotan by birth and now enjoy life in the Upstate of South Carolina. I'm a retiree with 30 years of federal service (a combination of active duty with the US Air Force and federal civil service with three separate agencies).
• I've lived in 8 states and 1 foreign country.
• Mike, my husband, is my soulmate, the love of my life, and an inspiration for my writing.
• Our little family unit has always included four-legged rescue babies. Our current baby is Missy, a Belgian Malinois-German Shepherd mix. She was rescued from a kill shelter in the Houston, TX area by a German Shepherd Rescue in SC and found her way into our hearts.

What are some of your favorite things to do?

• Spending time with Mike and Missy
• Reading
• Writing

Who are some of your other favorite authors to read?

• C.S. Harris (Sebastian St. Cyr Series), Stuart MacBride (Logan McRae Series), and Charles Todd (Ian Rutledge Series)

What do you think of critique groups in general?

• I've never been part of one, but I've heard they can be helpful.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

• I hope I'm still around and still writing.

How many books have you written? How many have been published?

• I've written eleven books.
• Nine are steamy romances, and one is an anthology of nine of my short stories. These have all been published by Solstice Publishing.
• Mike and I self-published a children's picture book, The Little Cloud's Busy Day.

After you've written your book and it's been published, do you ever buy it and/or read it?

• Yes! In fact, I often reread them. There is something about holding the book and seeing my story in print that's indescribable.

Among your own books, do you have a favorite book? A favorite hero or heroine?

• Favorite book: probably Accidental Attraction. It's my only romantic comedy, plus there's a golf connection and the secondary characters are a hoot!
• Favorite hero and heroine: My first characters, Garrett Dane and Leigh Ramsey, now Leigh Dane, from The Consequential Love Series. I hope to write another book or series about them and already have ideas percolating!

What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

• Hearing from people about how they enjoyed my books: the story, the characters, and the flow of my writing.
• When my books win an award! I have three award winners: Accidental Attraction, Playground Antics, and Bourbon Neat.

If you weren't writing, what would you be doing?

• Reading all the books in my Nook app while enjoying retirement

What is your greatest desire?

• For the MN Vikings to win the Super Bowl. SKOL!!

Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

• Don't stop writing and be true to your voice.
• Continue learning about the craft of writing.

 

Why do I write?

 

I have an idea that pops into my head. I've discovered I enjoy storytelling, creating characters, and spinning action around them. Yes, at times my characters take off with my story ideas and make it their own. That's an unexpected happening.

 

How do I write?

 

I'm what's known as a pantser. That means I write by the seat of my pants. I don't plan out a detailed outline of my story. I have an idea, start writing, and stuff happens. I do have a thought of where I'd like the story to go, but how it gets there is often a pleasant surprise.

 

What do I write?

 

My books are contemporary romances, steamy romances, to include a couple of romantic suspense stories. I enjoy creating the mandatory Meet Cute for my main female character and main male character, i.e., that's how they meet. I've had a variety of situations, such as a blizzard, an errant golf ball, the award of a contract, doing good deeds, and drinking bourbon in a neighborhood bar.

 

The genres of my short stories are varied, and only one contains sweet romance. I have a golf ball horror story, crusty grandpas, a guacamole failure, and family support stories. They're fun to write, but I've only done them for challenges. Perhaps I should write one on purpose just because I can.

 

Short and sweet, the way I like it!

 

 

 

Anthologies. What are they? Checking with the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, you'll find this definition: a collection of selected literary pieces or passages or works of art or music. In the case of the Solstice Publishing anthologies, they are a collection of short stories. The titles identify the theme of the collection; in the case of the pictured anthologies, you'll find stories of secrets, adventures, fear, and love. My publisher has also released an anthology focused on holidays, in particular Valentine's Day. Soon they'll publish one perfect for Halloween with a focus on spooks, haunts, creeps, and ghouls. That should be fun!

 

I've published an anthology of my favorite short stories I've written. You could say the theme for that one is the author!

 

I enjoy reading them and find them fascinating because of the exposure to various writing styles and genres. A bonus to anthologies of short stories is being able to complete an entire story in one sitting. There's no fear of forgetting where I was in a story. Why? Because whenever I pick up the book to read, I start a new story. With new characters and a new plot. Fun!

 

If you've never tried reading an anthology, you should give it a try. Let me know what you think!

 

Sentences. How to structure them? How to start them? How to vary them?

 

After the story idea inspires, I move forward with my writing. Words become sentences. Sentences form paragraphs. Paragraphs become chapters. Then a story is made.

 

Well, the process isn't quite that simple.

 

When I write, I try to vary the structure of my sentences. Some start with introductory phrases. When I do this, I must ensure I don't use similar words too close to each other. I watch out for "When" and "As" while editing.

 

Other sentences may start off with a single word. This method of beginning a sentence is something I focus on when editing. I've noticed I tend to start sentences, especially in dialogue, with "So" and "Oh." It can get repetitive and annoying, so I end up deleting the word and starting those sentences in a more creative way.

 

Repetition has its uses, but not in these ways.

 

The length of sentences should be varied and can be used for pacing purposes. Short sentences pick up the pace. Think fast and action-packed. Longer sentences slow the pace down. Not to the point of boredom, but giving the reader an opportunity to catch their breath and to visualize a setting or a character.

 

Not beginning a sentence with a name or a pronoun is challenging. I focus more on the narrative parts on this point than dialogue, especially if there are multiple people in the scene. But, in dialogue between two people, think about how often you use a person's name? Rarely, right? I edit the use of names in dialogue with care. I do use a name if the speaking character is using it for emphasis.

 

Some training has even discussed the beat of sentences. Think of words and/or syllables as creating a beat, a rhythm for the sentence. This isn't something I've focused on…yet. 😊

 

Writing is fun and challenging. Perhaps that's part of what I enjoy—the challenge.

 

When I read a story, I pay attention to things like this. It's a way to learn. Does it lessen my enjoyment of reading? Not at all. In fact, I have a new library book to read, so I'm ending this post.

 

Enjoy your reading!

 

Please feel free to comment on what you like or dislike when it comes to sentences in books you've read.

 

One of the many things I enjoy about being an author is sharing bits of myself in the stories I write. How do I do this?

 

One thing I do is use words or phrases specific to my upbringing and experiences. Growing up in Minnesota, we drank pop, not soda. I translated a visiting NY friend's question to a waitress when she asked what flavors of soda they had. I translated by saying, "She means pop."

 

A phrase I use when discussing going somewhere and inviting someone to join me is "Do you want to come with?" It strikes some as incomplete, but to me, the where should be understood if you were paying attention to the conversation. 😊

 

Food items my characters prefer are based on my likes and dislikes. Garrett, in the Consequential Love Series, is a huge fan of snickerdoodle cookies. His preference led to a snickerdoodle-flavored groom's cake! He also drank Gin Bucks, a favorite of mine. Sour cream raisin pie and a favorite way to marinade rib-eye steaks show up in my work in progress, Resolved Regrets.

 

Items in my life are included in my writing. In my short story, True Treasure, a lamp from my childhood is described as a find in an antique store.

 

Another short story, Race to Adoption, is based on our adoption of our first pup, Bucko. The questions we faced and our answers are in the story. The fear of not getting to take the puppy home was real.

 

Of course, my career choices are reflected in my stories. My Air Force service prompted characters who are Air Force veterans, Garrett Dane and Jace Sims, in the Consequential Love Series and Playground Antics. My work with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service inspired Restoration. And my contracting work led me to the scenario that spurs action in Playground Antics.

 

Does this improve my writing? Hard to say. My readers can decide. Personally, it adds to my ownership of my writing and the pride I take in crafting stories. It makes each story part of me and totally mine.

 

1. Introduce yourself to our readers. Where do you fit into the story? What should we know about you?

 

I'm Lois Ramsey, Leigh's mother. For some reason, I feel like I'm portrayed as some sort of villain, simply because I want the best for my one and only daughter. I do add a touch of conflict and an ongoing challenge to the story and that man who's stolen my daughter's heart. I've never used his name in any of the three stories (Resolute Love, Challenged Love, or Victorious Love), so I'm not about to use it now in this interview.

 

2. What do you think about the author? Tell us everything. We want to know.

 

The author crafted an interesting tale with very romantic interludes (involving the wrong man with my daughter, I might add), and heart-stopping suspense all because of the main male character's fascination with law enforcement. The author's characters are compelling and unique. Her depiction of my husband, Frank, was impressive. She captured his charm and intelligence.

 

3. What are your feelings about this story?

 

Personally, the story is a compelling romantic suspense, but my daughter was the wrong woman to select as the love interest for that man. My daughter is rightly presented as a strong-willed, intelligent, and loving woman, but this series has her falling in love with the wrong man. Throughout the stories, I do my best to battle this injustice.

 

4. How do you feel about being a character in this book?

 

My character is portrayed as a scheming woman with discerning taste and an excellent hostess. An accurate description, presented well in my disputes with my daughter and that man.

 

5. What do you see in your future? (No spoilers please!)

 

My future may include grandchildren, thanks to my son and his lovely, acceptable wife, Tina. I've also heard rumblings of something called a grandpup. Of course, this news is from my daughter and that man. Heaven help me!

 

6. Is there Sequel in the future? Will you be part of it?

 

No one has deemed me worthy to be kept informed of plans for a sequel. It's as though the author thinks I may plan some sort of retribution against that man. I ask you, is this any way to treat a mother? Should there be another book, I must be in it, as my struggle to guide my daughter to her proper position and to a more appropriate husband hasn't ended.

 

7. Say a movie producer comes knocking. What actor/actress would you want to play you and why?

 

The only actress who could embody my good taste and ability to orchestrate successful plans would be Frances Fisher. She portrayed Ruth DeWitt Bukater, the mother of Rose, the heroine in the movie Titanic. That character also wanted the best for her daughter, as I do.