Please give a warm welcome to fellow chaptermate and Noble Romance author Heather Peters.
She was gracious enough to allow me to interview her.
Amber: How did you start your writing career?
Heather: I started writing in the mid-80's, when I fell in love with all the gorgeous lead singers of those great groups that inspired me to write my first book. It's a romance about an 80's singer trying to make a comeback, and his much younger gorgeous music producer. And I wrote it long before 'Music and Lyrics' ! It's never been published (I've received several rejections through the years), but some day, I may read it over again and try to submit it once more.
Amber: Tell us about your favorite character from your books.
Heather: My favorite character is Lyon Sauvage, my hero from Surrender, my upcoming e-book novella from Noble Publishing, slated for release on July 12th. Surrender is a contemporary take on the "Beauty and the Beast" fairy tale, my favorite. Lyon is scarred inside and out, and I fell in love with his feelings for Isabella, my 'beauty'. He is French, tall and sexy with long dark hair and he is my throwback to the Renaissance men of years gone by, classically educated and single minded when it comes to Belle. Nothing stands in his way to possess her, demand her surrender, and her love.
Amber: Tell us about your current release.
Heather: Toy With Me, written with my writing partner, Eden Elgabri, is available now from Freya's Bower. It’s an e-book novella, about a woman who takes a detour on her way to becoming a journalist, to selling sex toys on a local shopping channel. The owner of the television station is immediately attracted to her, and the sparks fly.
Amber: Tell us about your next release.
Heather: My first solo release with be Surrender, on July 12th, by Noble Publishing, a 23K word erotic romantic novella about Lyon and Belle, my contemporary version of Beauty and the Beast. When Isabella Beaumont finds her business is about to go under, she turns to the only person that can help her, Lyon Sauvage, a man who was her friend years before, but who she left because she couldn’t give him what he wanted, her surrender. Lyon agrees to help her, but for a price: her submission to him for 3 days….and nights.
Amber: Who is your favorite author?
Heather: Since I write erotic romance, I love reading erotic romance by my friends, naturally, like Eden Elgabri and Amber Skyze (ooohhh thanks *blushes*). I also enjoy Maya Banks, Sasha White, Megan Hart and Bella Andre. Their heroines are awesome, strong women who are not afraid of their sexuality.
Amber: I enjoy being categorized with Maya Banks and Megan Hart! :)
Amber: When was your first sale?
Heather: My first sale was June 3rd, 2009 and it was for Toy With Me, written with my writing partner, Eden Elgabri.
Amber: When in the day/night do you write? How long per day?
Heather: I have to say I'm a lazy writer, that is, I really don’t have a set writing schedule. I write when I have the time, and when I'm in the mood.
Amber: Tell us about your family.
Heather: I have a wonderful husband, who supports me and encourages me constantly. I am blessed with a grown son and daughter, and the lights of my life are my grandson and granddaughter, who remind me every day how lucky I am to have them in my life.
Amber: Do you use a pen name? If so, how did you come up with it?
It's simple really. My pen name is Heather Peters, my son and daughter's name. I recommend that if you're going with a pen name, make it something special, because you're going to live with that name, hopefully, for a long time!
Amber: I didn't know that's how you came about your pen name. Very interesting!
Amber: Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?
Heather: While I was writing Surrender, I actually listened to a lot of classical music, mostly Barber, Mozart and Vivaldi. I like to listen to Josh Groban too, because his lyrics and voice are so romantically sexual and potent, they actually inspire me to write many of my love scenes.
Amber: What books have most influenced your life?
Heather: The first romance I ever read was The Flame and the Flower, by Kathleen Woodiwiss. She influenced me to write compelling characters, and deep, meaningful love stories, intelligent plots and always, a HEA. I also am a big fan of Nora Roberts, Suzanne Brockmann, Brenda Novak, Sandra Marton, and too many more to mention.
Amber: What book are you reading now?
Heather: I'm reading "Trouble" by Sasha White, a steamy, erotic romance. Gets me in the mood for writing.
Amber: What are your favorite TV shows?
Heather: My absolute fave is True Blood. I also watch The Tudors and Dexter, and Nurse Jackie. House is another favorite. I think Hugh Laurie is the most amazing anti-hero I've ever observed. I'm not much for reality shows. My fave show of all time though, is "Beauty and the Beast," in my opinion, the most romantic series on tv or film, that I've ever had the pleasure to witness.
Amber: I'm a huge fan of The Tudors. A lot of my fellow authors are True Blood fanatics.
Amber: What do you do to unwind and relax?
Heather: Read, of course. I love the feel of a good book in my hands. I don’t own a kindle or any of those things. I'm a purist when it comes to books, and like to turn pages on my own, thank you very much!
Amber: What would we find under your bed?
Heather: A whole lot of dust bunnies! Seriously though, I must harbor at least 20-40 yellow legal pads of 4 or 5 unfinished wips – all in long hand! I keep promising myself I'll get to them – someday.
Amber: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Heather: Yes, and I will just coin some corny clichés and say that, if you love to write, I don’t care how old or young you are, don’t give up your dream. Write what you love, what moves you, what you know. If you've received passes on your work, send it back out again! Not everyone's work is a good fit for every publisher. Enter contests, write every day, even if it’s a grocery list. And the largest piece of advice I can give is to find a critique partner. I can't tell you how helpful it's been for me to have a person I trust to critique and read my work. I've been writing and submitting my work since 1986, and my first work was published last June, at the age of 56. I will write until I fall off my office chair!
Heather thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions. I've known you for some time now and even I learned new things.
She was gracious enough to allow me to interview her.
Amber: How did you start your writing career?
Heather: I started writing in the mid-80's, when I fell in love with all the gorgeous lead singers of those great groups that inspired me to write my first book. It's a romance about an 80's singer trying to make a comeback, and his much younger gorgeous music producer. And I wrote it long before 'Music and Lyrics' ! It's never been published (I've received several rejections through the years), but some day, I may read it over again and try to submit it once more.
Amber: Tell us about your favorite character from your books.
Heather: My favorite character is Lyon Sauvage, my hero from Surrender, my upcoming e-book novella from Noble Publishing, slated for release on July 12th. Surrender is a contemporary take on the "Beauty and the Beast" fairy tale, my favorite. Lyon is scarred inside and out, and I fell in love with his feelings for Isabella, my 'beauty'. He is French, tall and sexy with long dark hair and he is my throwback to the Renaissance men of years gone by, classically educated and single minded when it comes to Belle. Nothing stands in his way to possess her, demand her surrender, and her love.
Amber: Tell us about your current release.
Heather: Toy With Me, written with my writing partner, Eden Elgabri, is available now from Freya's Bower. It’s an e-book novella, about a woman who takes a detour on her way to becoming a journalist, to selling sex toys on a local shopping channel. The owner of the television station is immediately attracted to her, and the sparks fly.
Amber: Tell us about your next release.
Heather: My first solo release with be Surrender, on July 12th, by Noble Publishing, a 23K word erotic romantic novella about Lyon and Belle, my contemporary version of Beauty and the Beast. When Isabella Beaumont finds her business is about to go under, she turns to the only person that can help her, Lyon Sauvage, a man who was her friend years before, but who she left because she couldn’t give him what he wanted, her surrender. Lyon agrees to help her, but for a price: her submission to him for 3 days….and nights.
Amber: Who is your favorite author?
Heather: Since I write erotic romance, I love reading erotic romance by my friends, naturally, like Eden Elgabri and Amber Skyze (ooohhh thanks *blushes*). I also enjoy Maya Banks, Sasha White, Megan Hart and Bella Andre. Their heroines are awesome, strong women who are not afraid of their sexuality.
Amber: I enjoy being categorized with Maya Banks and Megan Hart! :)
Amber: When was your first sale?
Heather: My first sale was June 3rd, 2009 and it was for Toy With Me, written with my writing partner, Eden Elgabri.
Amber: When in the day/night do you write? How long per day?
Heather: I have to say I'm a lazy writer, that is, I really don’t have a set writing schedule. I write when I have the time, and when I'm in the mood.
Amber: Tell us about your family.
Heather: I have a wonderful husband, who supports me and encourages me constantly. I am blessed with a grown son and daughter, and the lights of my life are my grandson and granddaughter, who remind me every day how lucky I am to have them in my life.
Amber: Do you use a pen name? If so, how did you come up with it?
It's simple really. My pen name is Heather Peters, my son and daughter's name. I recommend that if you're going with a pen name, make it something special, because you're going to live with that name, hopefully, for a long time!
Amber: I didn't know that's how you came about your pen name. Very interesting!
Amber: Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?
Heather: While I was writing Surrender, I actually listened to a lot of classical music, mostly Barber, Mozart and Vivaldi. I like to listen to Josh Groban too, because his lyrics and voice are so romantically sexual and potent, they actually inspire me to write many of my love scenes.
Amber: What books have most influenced your life?
Heather: The first romance I ever read was The Flame and the Flower, by Kathleen Woodiwiss. She influenced me to write compelling characters, and deep, meaningful love stories, intelligent plots and always, a HEA. I also am a big fan of Nora Roberts, Suzanne Brockmann, Brenda Novak, Sandra Marton, and too many more to mention.
Amber: What book are you reading now?
Heather: I'm reading "Trouble" by Sasha White, a steamy, erotic romance. Gets me in the mood for writing.
Amber: What are your favorite TV shows?
Heather: My absolute fave is True Blood. I also watch The Tudors and Dexter, and Nurse Jackie. House is another favorite. I think Hugh Laurie is the most amazing anti-hero I've ever observed. I'm not much for reality shows. My fave show of all time though, is "Beauty and the Beast," in my opinion, the most romantic series on tv or film, that I've ever had the pleasure to witness.
Amber: I'm a huge fan of The Tudors. A lot of my fellow authors are True Blood fanatics.
Amber: What do you do to unwind and relax?
Heather: Read, of course. I love the feel of a good book in my hands. I don’t own a kindle or any of those things. I'm a purist when it comes to books, and like to turn pages on my own, thank you very much!
Amber: What would we find under your bed?
Heather: A whole lot of dust bunnies! Seriously though, I must harbor at least 20-40 yellow legal pads of 4 or 5 unfinished wips – all in long hand! I keep promising myself I'll get to them – someday.
Amber: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Heather: Yes, and I will just coin some corny clichés and say that, if you love to write, I don’t care how old or young you are, don’t give up your dream. Write what you love, what moves you, what you know. If you've received passes on your work, send it back out again! Not everyone's work is a good fit for every publisher. Enter contests, write every day, even if it’s a grocery list. And the largest piece of advice I can give is to find a critique partner. I can't tell you how helpful it's been for me to have a person I trust to critique and read my work. I've been writing and submitting my work since 1986, and my first work was published last June, at the age of 56. I will write until I fall off my office chair!
Heather thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions. I've known you for some time now and even I learned new things.
Great words to inspire writers...we should all follow our hearts and write what we want to write.
ReplyDeleteI too don't follow a definite schedule...gotta write when the spirit and muse say "WRITE" or else my pages are worthless.
Wishes for many sales!
Marianne/April
Great advice! If you have stories to tell you should never give up. I'm glad you didn't and good luck with your career!
ReplyDeleteLovely interview! Heather, wishing you much success with the new release!
ReplyDeleteSeriously great advice! Keep writing! I wish you the best.
ReplyDeleteHi, Heather and Amber! Great interview. Congrats on your success for far (both of you!)
ReplyDeleteMiss you both.
Hi Heather, welcome to the Noble team! Any friend of the wonderful Amber Skyze is a friend of mine. Such a sweetheart, that girl!
ReplyDeleteI know you'll love it Noble and I wish you mucho success on your new release!
Keep us posted, Best, Keta Diablo
http://www.ketadiablo.com
Hi Heather, wonderful interview. Best wishes to you with your upcoming releases. They sound pretty good! I agree Beauty and the Beast was a great television show. I loved it.
ReplyDeleteXXOO Kat
Great interview, Heather! If your new release is like the rest of your work, it is filled with heart and soul - your hallmark. Best of luck with it!
ReplyDeleteJeanine
Wonderful interview:) Hurry up and get that 80's hair band story subbed and pubbed:) It sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteI would totally read an 80's hair band story! My first book is also under the bed, gathering dust bunnies. Every time I pull it out, I delete about 50 more exclamation points and 25 that's. Every time. It will never sell, but it will always be the best thing I've ever written because it came from the heart and it was the first learning experience on my way to publication.
ReplyDeleteHuge congrats on the sales :)
I want to thank u all from the bottom of my heart for your kind words. And I wish you all the best success in your writing. Remember, never give up, never Surrender!
ReplyDelete