Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Guest Interview - Fran Lee

Today I get to welcome one of my favorite Friends - Fran Lee. I had the honor of meeting her in person last year at RomantiCon and she's just one of the sweetest women you'll ever meet. Oh and she writes fantastic books too. :o)



How did you start your writing career?
I wrote for many years, but never really did much about getting my books published until after I retired from my career with the government. I had subbed one many years earlier, and was told it was “too hot” for the publisher to handle. 20 years later, it was “not hot enough”. LOL! Had to heat it up a bit. I resubbed the revised manuscript in 2008, was contracted…and my first book Out of Her Dreams (http://www.jasminejade.com/p-7256-out-of-her-dreams.aspx) was released in 2009.

Tell us about your favorite character from your books.
I think my favorite character out of all of them is Lee Blackhorse from Nothing But Sex http://www.jasminejade.com/p-8365-nothing-but-sex.aspx
She is so much like me it’s scary. But then, why not write yourself into your character? LOL! Timid because of a very bad marriage, she eschews men totally until the right younger man knocks down her carefully constructed defenses. Humor and hot sex…and a gorgeous hero to die for. I loved writing her…

Tell us about your current release.
My most recent release is a compilation of two of my novellas, titled Hard Work, Hot Boss http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9509-hard-work-hot-boss.aspx , a print release that I like to call The Working Girls Collection. It includes Jillian’s Job http://www.jasminejade.com/p-7850-jillians-job.aspx and Woman on Fire http://www.jasminejade.com/p-8602-woman-on-fire.aspx. I was signing copies for readers at Romanticon a couple of weeks back. That’s always a huge rush!

Has someone been instrumental in inspiring you as a writer?
Actually, I always wanted to be a writer. It just sort of came with the territory when I was born, I guess. I was jotting stories onto college ruled paper for many years before they invented the computer. LOL! Tells you how old I am, right?
When was your first sale? November 2008. I was contracted by Ellora’s Cave for Out of Her Dreams.

What is the hardest part of writing your books?
Well, mostly it’s just getting myself to sit down and start writing. Been pretty lazy over the past year. Got into a writing funk and sat around like a lump. Sigh. The hardest part is simply starting. Once I have that done, it sort of rips right along.

What does your family think of your writing career?
They think it’s great! Of course, a couple of them refuse to read my books because they blush when they realize that hot, sexy book was written by…gasp…MOM! But those who read them are always asking me for more.

Who are your books published with?
Ellora’s Cave Publishing http://www.jasminejade.com/m-554-fran-lee.aspx has 10 of my books, and Resplendence Publishing http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/145.html has three (all three are now in print as well).

What do you think makes a good story?
A deliciously believable love story with wonderfully real characters…humor…heat…and of course, a happy ever after. And the relationship MUST be realistic and loving. Even in “Romantica” there must be a plausible and gripping story…not just hot sex tossed onto every page to keep the pages turning. Romantica is erotic, sensuous romance…not erotica.

What books have most influenced your life?
War and Peace…Ben Hur….Anastasia….Seven Pillars of Wisdom…The Sheik…Jane Eyre…Pride and Prejudice…ummm…I could go on forever, so I’ll stop here.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An artist. Unfortunately that took more work than I was willing to put out. LOL! All I wanted to draw was horses…horses…horses. I always had a marvelous imagination though, so when I realized being an artist was out, I dreamed of being an author. Or a movie star. Obviously I never made it into movies.

What is your favorite meal?
Food!

What do you do to unwind and relax?
I watch movies and read.

What hobbies do you actively pursue?
Younger men. Um….scratch that. I have no hobbies. No life. I write. No time for hobbies now.

What would we find under your bed?
OMG! You DON’T want to go there…I haven’t looked under there in years! When the cats go under there, they probably feast on spiders and big mice. At least I always know there are no monsters under there.

Tell us about your favorite fan letter you have received.
A wonderful letter from a woman who told me she had re-read every one of my books at least five times and is eagerly awaiting the next one (Uncertainly Yours) that is currently in edits with Ellora’s Cave. I actually cried, it was so sweet.

20 comments:

  1. Not to gush too much but Fran Lee is one of my favorite writers. I started reading her books long before I decided to sub my own. Woman on Fire and Nothing but Sex are two of my favorite books. Native American heroes are a weakness of mine! I can't wait to read Uncertainly Yours!!!!

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  2. I would love to read your books. They sound really good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

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  3. There are many wonderful Fran Lee books that I'm hard-pressed to love one more than the other! I am partial to her Native American heroes and can't wait to read Uncertainly Yours:)

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  4. lovely interview! congrats on all your successes!
    (i now have another author for my TBR list)

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  5. I loved Lee Blackhorse, "Nothing but Sex" is a 5 star read.
    I'm so happy "Uncertainly Yours" is certainly headed our way. I know this one will be good!
    Best wishes to you Fran, keep writing!
    XXOO Kat

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  6. Awww...thanks so much, Marie! You are so sweet to say that. I am thrilled that you like my NA heroes...

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  7. Thanks so much, Victoria! Your name is officially in the hat for the contest!

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  8. Paris, sweetie, I can always count on you to make me feel better! Thanks for being such a good pal.

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  9. Thanks Liz...always great to find new fans. Glad you follow my dear pal Amber. She's a great author!

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  10. Kat, you darling! One of my biggest cheerleaders! Thanks so much!

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  11. And AMBER, baby! Thanks for the blog time! You were sooo sweet to offer, and I was soooo remiss in finally getting your Q&A back. Hey folks, this lady is one hot author! Read all her books! :)

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  12. LOL! The interview is perfection,, Fran. So excited about your new book! Congrats! I'm a big fan of Jillian in Jillian's Job.

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  13. I think I've only read three of your books, so I'm reeaaallly behind when it comes to your back list! Congrats on following your dream, and hope to meet you one day!

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  14. Hi, Fran!!
    I'm so looking forward to reading Uncertainly Yours!

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  15. So sweet, Julia! Thanks for being my pal...and I think Jillian reminds you of...you...
    tough...independent...sexy. LOL!

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  16. Well, Molly...now that you won my contest, you will have one more book to read. Thanks for your sweet comment!

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  17. Thanks, Tessie! I am looking forward it getting first edits on that one. Editor sez this week...

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  18. Cris...thanks so much for being you. Romanticon was a blast...couldn't have been there without you. :)

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  19. NOTE: Molly won my Oktoberfest Contest over at my blog...congrats!

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  20. Thanks again, Amber, for inviting me over. Hugs!

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