If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
“Welcome. Your computer is right this way. We like to read here, too.”
Hello Everyone!
I would love for everyone to give a warm welcome to Teresa Reasor, author of Hot Seal, Rusty Nail. Six years ago, I submitted my first chapter of In the Shadow of Evil and received my first critique from Teresa. I had so much to learn about writing a great story. This dear woman was so very patient as I re-discovered myself in this exciting new career. What she didn't teach me personally, I discovered from her wonderful stories. So...if you enjoy my novels, please take a moment and leave a heartfelt thank you in comments for Teresa Reasor. I owe her so much.
Before I gush all over this post, I better start the interview. Teresa, I'm more than thrilled to have you here today. Can you tell us a little about
yourself--the real Teresa Reasor behind the writer.
I’m a Marine Corps brat and went to nine
different schools in twelve years. I’m a retired art teacher and retired
college adjunct instructor. I still do
art, paint, draw, quill, and create sculpture. I write a thousand words a day
and I read a thousand words a day. But I never read what I’m writing. And I’m a
New York Times and USA Today Best-selling Author.
If I hadn't said so before, congratulations for hitting those two incredible list. It is so well deserved. Please tell us a little about how you came to write Hot SEAL, Rusty Nail.
I came to write Hot SEAL, Rusty Nail because
I was invited by Cynthia D’ Alba to be one of eight ladies writing in the SEALS
in Paradise series. I met Cynthia
through the Kiss of Death Chapter of RWA when we were members of the critique
group called Lethal Ladies. (Which is where I met you too.) I jumped on the
opportunity because the subject appealed to me and writing Military Romance is
my favorite type of book to write.
I love your SEALS in Paradise series and Hot SEAL, Rusty Nail is the next book on my Kindle.
Doesn't this look yummy? I can't wait to disappear into this story!
Completing a book
is an enormous challenge. What was your biggest obstacle and how did you
overcome it? In other words, what do you think drove you to complete this
enormous project?
Writing
is a joy and a compulsion for me. I can’t not write. Even if I’m on vacation I
have my computer with me. My biggest obstacle is interruptions. I love my
family. I’d step in front of a moving vehicle to save any one of them, but they
still don’t understand the creative drive that compels me to write and complete
the projects I take on. Because none of them create. They’re content to work a
job and come home and just hang. I have too much creative energy to sit still
for that length of time. I’m an artist as well as a writer. And if I’m not
writing, I’m ready, painting, drawing, quilling (rolled paper filigree) or half
a dozen other things. But mostly I’m writing. Sometimes it’s a struggle to get
them to understand that writing is something I have to do.
I understand that completely. I talk about living in my writer's cave. My cave is my kitchen table, the center of the household. I write there because I want the family to know I'm there for them, but I still need quiet hours I can just create. It is a balancing game.
The next couple of questions are my favorite to ask authors. When did you realize you wanted to be a writer and do you believe writers are born or made?
I think it’s a combination of both. As soon as I learned to read, I
wanted to write. I wrote my first book in second grade. I believe that if you don’t love to read, you will never be a writer. I also
think you have to have determination and perseverance to stick to the process
and complete projects. And if you don’t love to write, you won’t be successful
at it because it takes more than just putting the words on paper. It takes a
keen sense of observation and insight into human nature, with a spark of
creativity thrown in for good measure.
How do you think your life
experiences have prepared you for a writing career?
I taught primary school Art for 21 years, seven hundred and fifty
children a week. And I taught night classes at the satellite college for
Eastern Kentucky University for 10 years. Writing was what kept me sane during
all that, because the writing was all mine. I could lose myself in another
world or century or a different life than the one that faced me everyday. My
day and night job put food on the table and put two children through college
and supported another one until she was on her own. My weekend job was my joy.
I didn't write my first story until my senior year in high school. My English teacher, Mrs. Burns, and my sweet mother were the first to encourage the idea that I could be a writer. That dream lived in me for too many years.
I mentioned my writer's cave above. What is your ideal writing space?
My office. My son had been gone
for years and I finally called him and said, “You wouldn’t feel like I was
kicking you out for good if I take down your bed and turn you bedroom into my
office, would you? He said, “I’ve been gone for 12 years mom, and I love you,
but I’m not moving back in.” So my office was born. LOL
Great story. I can hear the same words coming out of my son's mouth. What moment in this
journey are you most proud of?
When I submitted two books to a publisher and
signed contracts for them both in the same month. Both were historicals,
Highland Moonlight and Captive Hearts.
It's time for a few giggles. There is someone you will never meet but whom you desperately need for
them to know who you are. The only way to communicate with them is to send them
a box with three items. What would those three items be?
A painting (one of mine), a
published book (one of mine), and a business card (one of mine).
You’re going into battle. What
are you writing, who are you fighting and what is your weapon?
Since I write military romance, historical, and paranormal it could be
a contemporary or historical weapon or even a magical device. I’ll go with the
magical device, my soul- sucking wand in Have Wand, Will Travel. I’m fighting a
clan of vampires who are trying to take over my clan’s territory, which is
Scryville, Kentucky. The wand is so powerful it can suck the soul out of any
vampire. All it needs is a focus( a person) to direct it. But my character has
compassion for even vampires so it’s a weapon of last resort to save lives
rather than take them.
OHHH...that was fantastic. If I had a prize for the best answer for my crazy question, you would win hands down. AND...I'm loving the soul-sucking wand.
This next question should be easy-peasy with your imagination. Write a love story in eight
words.
Love warm, passionate, breathed a promise along every nerve.
Nailed! It! If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when
you arrive at the pearly gates?
“Welcome. Your
computer is right this way. We like to read here, too.”
LOL! What...not paints? Teresa, what is up next for you?
I have a trilogy of novellas I’m
releasing October 3rd under the series title of the Have Wand, Will Travel. The
first two were part of the Magic and Mayhem Kindle World. When I got my rights
back I edited them and am releasing them as a standalone series.
Book three is a completely new
release and has never been published before.
All three are available for
pre-order. Currently they’re only available at Amazon.
I have to slip in here for a second. I love the new covers and just added this series to my TRP!
I
have my Military Romance titled Hot SEAL, Rusty nail. It’s one of the
SEALs In Paradise series. I’m 1 of 8
authors writing in that series. My book will be released October 16th
but is available for preorder everywhere.
Where can readers find out more
about your book and yourself?
Here are all my links.
Thank you so much for
having me on your blog. I’ve loved answering your questions and hanging out
here.
Read on,
Teresa Reasor
Teresa, it was wonderful getting caught up. Again, I can't thank you enough for for everything you have done for me. I wouldn't be the writer I am today without your kind and generous advice. If anyone has any questions for Teresa Reasor, please don't be shy.
That's it for today. I highly recommend Teresa Reasor's books. She has something for everyone. As always, please take a moment for yourself and read a great book.
Hugs to all,
Nancy C. Weeks
