Monday, November 3, 2008

an interview with author Faith V. Smith!



Today we're talking with Faith V. Smith, a fabulous author with The Wild Rose Press!





TWW: I just came from your website. It’s beautiful and so easy to navigate! Care to share your designer’s name with us? ;-)

FAITH: I was so blessed to have Rae Monet, a fantastic author, cover artist and web designer do my website. She incorporated my ideas, capitalized on them and
Turned it into a work of art! Thank you Rae!


TWW: Tell us a bit about Faith, who is she when she isn’t the author of “Sensing the Sensual”?

FAITH: I am just an average woman trying to make ends meet, scrounge time to write and still be conscious at the end of the work day.


TWW: I see that you’re first release, “Beware What You Wish” is a best seller at The Wild Rose Press. Tell us a bit about this story.

FAITH: Yes, I was so proud it stayed on the bestseller list for so long. Wow, I threw this together so quickly for a contest, I barely got to know my characters and let me tell you I think Alistair MacKinnon is a hunk that I wouldn't mind knowing better…lol. I wrote the work in less than two weeks and the fact it was a time travel contest fascinated me. I love time travels so it just evolved.



TWW: Was this a hard story to write? Considering it’s a historical romance, what sort of research did you have to do?

FAITH: I went to several sites to research the regency era. I used some of the culinary delights they served back in 1811 but also drew on the fact the castle in the book had been around since medieval times. That made it a lot easier for me, since I
live and breath medieval when I'm not writing paranormal.


TWW: I see “Kensington’s Soul” is coming soon. Hot cover!! When is the release date for that one?

FAITH: We are shooting for January or Febraury 2009


TWW: Care to tell us all about that one?

FAITH: This book is very close to my heart. It too started as a contest entry but
was rejected. Of course after wanting to quit writing, as I think we all do when we get the big R, I continued with Zacke's story. Kensington's Soul is the story of a warrior from the 14th century who is turned into a vampire by a scorned lover. He hates what he is and decides to do all he can to make amends. He does this by becoming a police detective in Savannah, Ga., where he, of course, rescues the heroine. There is a lot of graphic scenes with bodies the scorned lover/vampire leaves behind for Zacke.


TWW: Readers who haven’t read your stuff will want to know what heat level they are. What do you consider your books? Sweet, Mainstream, Steamy, Erotic?

FAITH: Well according to TWRP, my books are considered spicy. I give teasers,
complete love scenes and I hope sensuality that keeps a reader interested enough to
see where the story is going.


TWW: When you write do you start with a plot outline, a character sketch, how do you begin? How do you stay on course?

FAITH: Believe it or not, I start with an idea, usually write 5-10 pages and then stop to see where I need to go. I use a lot of sticky notes. Outlines are fine but I like to just write down chapter by chapter what I think will move the book along and then of course, I have to take into consideration whether or not my characters have ideas of their own.


TWW: I've never heard of anyone working that way. Fascinating! I see you write historical, but also paranormal. Is there a genre or subgenre you aren’t interested in writing? For instance, suspense or erotica, etc.?

FAITH: I am not sure I could ever write erotica. The genre is fascinating but I don't find myself using some of the terms employed in those hot stories. It's just me, I know that there are a lot of talented authors out there that can put out a great erotic tale, but I fear I will never be one. As for suspense, I like to think I add a bit
of that in the books I do write.


TWW: Do you have a favorite author or authors? Do you read a lot? Is there an author whose books you pick up just because they are the author?

FAITH: ? I love a lot of paranormal writers. Angela Knight, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Kerrelyn Sparks, Lindsay Sands, Anne Rainey, of course, and Christine Feehan. There are so many wonderful authors out there. I do read a lot, as a formal reviewer, I love to read and from the time I could hold a book, I read. I find myself
feeling much forlorn when I don't have a book in my spare time.



TWW: Aw, thanks for including me! So, where do you get your ideas from? T.V., Movies, elsewhere? Do you find it difficult to name your books or characters?

FAITH: Actually, I get my ideas from a lot of sources. Someone walking down the street, something on television, maybe a line of script, sometimes even a dream. I find that if I name my characters, which I really want their names to fit the character, then I can write the book with the individual in mind. I also want a title
before I start a book if possible.


TWW: What would your advice be to an author who wants to become a best seller like you? How did you promote to get to that point or was it just the strength of your material that led to word of mouth and many many sales?

FAITH: I truly don't think of myself as a best selling author. I hope that the word and word of mouth is what has garnered me sales on the time travel and I hope the
plot of Kensington's Soul will do the same. Now, more than ever authors have a way to get their work out there. Blogs, websites, etc, help so much in getting the book out front of a reading audience.


TWW: Last question, I swear! LOL What do you have coming up next, other than Kensington’s Soul? What are you working on now?

FAITH: Well, my editor has expressed an interest in the next book in the Vampire Lords and Ladies series. I hope to have it completed and to her by the first of the year, its title is Dunbar's Curse, highlighting one of Zacke's vampire buddies. I also have a medieval I will be revamping and resubbing to TWRP. I am also working on another vampire series that I hope will catch someone's eye also.


TWW: I never ever get tired of vampires! The more the better! LOL Also, can you share your links for our readers? Website, Blog, Myspace, Facebook, Newsletter, Group...?

FAITH: Please check out my website http://www.faithvsmith.com/ I will have all my links
up, hopefully this weekend for myspace, facebook, etc.


TWW: Thanks so much for guest blogging with us wicked ladies! This was a blast!

FAITH: Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of your awesome website!


OUT NOW!

COMING SOON!

8 comments:

Darragha! said...

Faith rocks. Her website is great and I'm so glad she's fallen into the writing fold. May her books sell well and her fans (like me) clamor for more!

Faith V. Smith said...

HI hon, you are so sweet. You've always been so
supported of me and I love you for it! Your books rock too!


Faith V. Smith

Kelley Nyrae said...

Great interview! Thanks for coming to Three Wicked WRiters.

Faith V. Smith said...

Hi Kelley,

I was thrilled to be invited. I've known Anne for quite some time and have viewed the site. The honor is all mine!

Faith

Anne Rainey said...

I couldn't agree more with you Darragha! Now if Kensington's Soul would just hurry and get here! LOL

Faith V. Smith said...

Anne, you too have been there for me. Thank you!

I love you for it and your books! I too am holding
my breath for KS to get out there!

Yeah!

Faith

Regina Carlysle said...

Hey Faith! Glad to have you here today. I also write for TWRP (under Rita Thedford, my Other name). It's a great place to hang your hat. Wonderful interview and best of luck with your releases.

Faith V. Smith said...

HI Regina,

Thanks so much for your kind words. It's great to meet another TWRP author. I love being part of their
garden.

Take care!

Faith