Clancy Tucker's Blog: 3 January 2013 - Sonia Galloway

3 January 2013 - Sonia Galloway - Guest Author

Quote of the day:

SONIA GALLOWAY

GUEST AUTHOR

G'day guys,

Welcome to my blog Today I introduce an author from Greater Los Angeles - Sonia Galloway. To quote Sonia, "I'm a Historical Romance author. My first novel, Wishful Secrets, was released in 2012, and is part of the Secrets trilogy. Wishful Secrets, Shameful Secrets and Deadly Secrets take place in Regency England, and are three love stories independent from each other. They are part of the same trilogy in the sense that they embrace a common theme, which is 'secrecy'."

Welcome Sonia ...

WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A WRITER?

I was sitting alone in my living room, listening to music, while my mind was filled
with images and scenes inspired by the melodious tune. Then the music stopped, but the scenes persisted, replaying obsessively in my mind, until I was forced to put them
down on paper. I couldn’t stop, scene after scene, day after day, until I had completed
more than four hundred pages, a finished manuscript.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?

Writing, in itself, is a pleasure, no matter how much time or effort it consumes. Correcting, rewriting, and editing is harder, but it retains a lot of the joys of writing.

Finding an agent or publisher is the truly tedious part of being an author, unless
you’re Steven King. Thus, most authors end up contracting small publishers—a
situation not unlike being self-published, in the sense that all promotional
efforts falls on the author’s shoulders. And so I must conclude that self-promotion
is the hardest thing about being a writer.

WHAT WERE YOU IN A PAST LIFE, BEFORE YOU BECAME A WRITER?

A hermetic reader.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WRITING ACHIEVEMENT?

I consider each completed novel a great writing achievement.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

I’m doing research for my next trilogy, learning more about the medical practices during the Regency and early Victorian era.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

Nature, good music, and a moving novel.

WHAT GENRE DO YOU WRITE?

I write Historical Romance. My recently published debut novel, Wishful Secrets, is part of my “Secrets” trilogy. Wishful Secrets, Shameful Secrets and Deadly secrets take place in Regency England, but are three separate love stories, independent from one another.

DO YOU HAVE A PREFERRED WRITING SCHEDULE?

Not really. Once I start writing a novel I become a bit obsessed with it, and I write whenever I find the time.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE WRITING PLACE?

Definitely, and that’s my office, surrounded by keepsakes given to me by my children, with my dog and cats curled up on the sofa, and my backyard stream whispering to me
through the window.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY IN WRITING?

My greatest joy in writing is getting to know my heroes and heroines, living with
them, in their world, meeting their families and friends, and sharing their
joys and sorrows.

And then, when my novel has been completed, my greatest joy becomes the hope that
my reader would enjoy the novel as much as I loved writing it.

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHY?

That’s a very difficult question to reply to, because the answer is ever-changing and
the number of favourites constantly increasing. Since I write Romance, I’ll content myself with mentioning my two favourite Romance authors, Jude Deveraux and Judith McNaught.

WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER?

“I can hardly wait till the next book.”

WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT FROM A READER?

I haven’t had one yet.

OTHER THAN WRITING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?

I love reading diverse genres of fiction, listening to various styles of music, visiting
art museums, and taking evening strolls along the frontage of my home in fresh mountain
air, surrounded by the murmurs of giant pine trees.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.

Other than a day spent with my family, or writing, my perfect day is that which is
spent reading French, in particular books by Emile Zola and Henri Deville,
though I’ve nearly read all them—a fact that makes me quite nostalgic.

IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND WITH ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE? WHY?

Definitely the 19^th century French author, Emile Zola. His patient and methodical style of writing, the depth with which he delves into the personalities of his Characters, his point of
view about the world, and the powerful emotional impact of his wording fascinates me.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO SPEAK TO WORLD LEADERS?

“Please buy my book!”

WHICH FIVE BOOKS WOULD YOU TAKE TO HEAVEN?

Eternity... and only five books! That can’t be heaven! Nevertheless,
since I must choose, I would take the following:

“An Iceland Fisherman” by Pierre Loti.

- “La Maison de Maurèze” by Henri Greville.

- “Vérité” by Emile Zola.

- “Witney My Love” by Judith McNaught.

- And my very own “Wishful Secrets”, for keepsake ;)

DOES THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY FRUSTRATE YOU?

Yes, but no more or less than it frustrates any newcomer.

The established publishing world has helped few authors, and so many wonderful manuscripts have fallen by the wayside, never to be read, hopelessly mourned by their creators alone.

Now, authors can reach the masses through the internet. There’s no denying that self promotion is a lengthy and tedious process that leaves you breathless, but at least each manuscript can take life and breathe freely instead of die agonizingly on a dusty shelf.

DID YOU EVER THINK OF QUITTING?

Never when I’m writing, but sometimes when I’m promoting.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MANUSCRIPT TO WRITE? WHY?

My favourite manuscript is always the one that I’m working on, because it’s where
I live during that time; enmeshed in the world of my hero and heroine and their
friends, and cherishing their company.

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE ‘SUCCESS’ AS A WRITER?

To me success is being able to keep writing despite the challenges and difficulties
of the publishing industry.

WHAT SHOULD READERS WALK AWAY FROM YOUR BOOKS KNOWING? HOW SHOULD THEY FEEL?

Completely absorbed, emotionally stirred, and hungry for more.

ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?

Only that Shameful Secrets and Deadly Secrets should come out in 2013.

Thank you, Clancy, for inviting me to your blog. I had a wonderful time answering
your questions, and I wish you continued success.