An Interview with R.T. Wolfe

The Write Way Café is happy to welcome romantic suspense author R.T. Wolfe today.

Hello, HiDee and Lynn. I enjoy your blog posts and am honored to be your first guest author! Thank you!

When did you first have the thought you'd like to write a book? Was that first thought related to writing romance?
Honestly, I never had a first thought of writing a book. I’m a bit of an insomniac. I’m not sure what made me write the first line in Black Creek Burning in the middle of one of those sleepless nights, but somehow the first line turned into the first page and then into the first hundred pages…It was absolutely addicting. The research, editing, revising…I truly love all of it. Nine months later I had completed my first book in the Black Creek Trilogy. As far as your question regarding writing in the romance genre, you mean to tell me there are other genres besides romance? LOL

What was your path to getting this first book written and published? What type of research did you do?
I used books listing literary agents, pitched at a writing conference and found my lovely Romance Writers of America friends. Each has given me equal knowledge. My contract offer from Crimson Romance came from a call for submissions, forwarded to me through one of those lovely friends.

Where did the idea for your story come from? Was it always the first in a series?
I wish I knew. As eccentric as this sounds, I simply don’t. Sometimes when I’m proof reading my work I say to myself, “Where did I come up with this stuff?” So fun. Book two, To Fly in the Shadows, started spinning holes in my head when I was about half way through Black Creek Burning and ideas for book three weren’t far behind. Each book is also a stand alone. It was incredibly difficult to make that work and some of the best fun I can remember!

Why did you pick the setting you did?
Since the heroine, Brie Chapman, is a landscape designer who works outside much of the time, I wanted a climate close to what I’m familiar with. Upstate New York is similar to where I live, although I did plenty of research. I’ve had the privilege of three Master Gardener reviews for Black Creek Burning regarding the authenticity of the mention of plants and shrubs twined throughout the novel. The first review is already on my website. Mostly, I needed seasons. I use subliminal metaphors when I write. The growth of Brie’s character tandems the growth of the plants she works with.

Are your main characters completely imaginary or do they have some basis in real people? Do they reflect aspects of yourself?
The main characters are completely fictitious. However, Brie’s sister is an absolute duplicate of one of my sisters. Her daughters have previewed Black Creek Burning and have commented on how creepy the similarities are. Have I mentioned how fun this is?

Did you face any blocks while writing the book, and if so, how did you handle them? If not, what's your secret?
Ugh! That is such a scary question. I have never experienced writer’s block. There. I said it. Where is some wood to knock on? I’m not sure I have a magic secret. I expect writer’s block will hit me as it does most of us.

What have been surprises you've encountered while writing the book and after?
Agents want something new and fresh. Yet, editors want the work of author’s to fit in a very tiny box. I work hard to listen to advice, but I try to listen to my readers a bit more than the others. After all, who am I writing for anyway?

What did you learn? For instance, what did you learn about yourself, your process, the writing world, woodworking, education?
I’ve learned boat loads about writing, but I’ve mostly been writing about what I know and what I know well. The hero, Nathan Reed, is a woodworking artist. I am knowledgeable on this subject as well as the landscape design and planting references in the book. Book two is about a conservation biologist who specializes in the rehabilitation and banding of eagles. I know a great deal about this, also. Again, however, I have a talented gal from the amazing custom furniture store, Sawbridge Studios, previewing Black Creek Burning and a biologist from the east coast Center for Conservation and Biology previewing book two for authenticity.

What are some of your favorite books and why?
Using all of my senses, I want to be taken into another place when I read. I like to learn new and interesting facets in life. I like books to be realistic with tangible and diverse characters. I only hope to have brought that experience to my readers. Some of my favorite novels include the Women’s Murder Club series by James Patterson, Northern Lights by Nora Roberts (although not the film-ugh) and the Circle Trilogy by Roberts.

What are you working on now?
I am polishing book two for a possible February release. This would be my first self-published book. So, I’m not sure precisely how much time the set up would be for that new adventure. I also have another publishing company interested in taking a look at that one…who knows? I am very close to being finished with book three in the Black Creek Trilogy, Dark Vengeance. My readers are graciously hounding me mercilessly to finish. It’s all so humbling, as well as serving as a guest on your lovely blog. Thank you, once more!

About R.T. Wolfe:  R.T. Wolfe writes romantic suspense stories that manage to touch the hearts of her readers as well as their intellect. She lives in the Midwest and is a loving mother to her boys. She enjoys working in her gardens and spending time training her Golden Retriever and writing in and around each of these.


Black Creek Burning by R.T. Wolfe

Brianna Chapman learns to handle just about anything. Witnessing the murder of her parents had that effect. Knowing the unsolved arson had been meant for her is the one thing she can’t handle. Instead of dwelling, she stuffs her guilt soundly into her subconscious through diving into the teaching job she loves by day and the dirt of the landscaping business she owns by night. Her habit of remaining aloof to personal relationships is, well, working. 

Will her guilt be as easy to keep buried if the killer comes back to finish the job?

In the midst of juggling a scorched yard, dead animals on her doorstep and her vandalized car, the one thing she didn’t count on was the staggering Nathan Reed. A nationally renowned woodworking artist, Nathan and his two priceless nephews move into the run-down historical house behind her and over Black Creek. They have a canny way of maneuvering around her aloof demeanor and into her heart. Will they still want to be part of her life when they discover she is haunted by past memories and hunted by present dangers?

Buylinks:
Amazon Pre-Order buy link: http://amzn.to/Tycagh

R.T. Wolfe website: http://www.rtwolfe.com

Where you can find R.T.:

 R.T. Wolfe Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/RTWolfe2012

R.T. Wolfe on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/RT_Wolfe

R.T. Wolfe Pinterest Page: http://www.pinterest.com/RTWolfe