Interview with Cari Quinn

Thanks so much to Amber for having me today! I’m a huge fan of hers and am so happy to be here. J

How did you start your writing career?

Oddly enough, just as my old bio states, I got my start writing bible stories. In second grade at my Catholic school, I decided to write my version of parables—and once my teacher started putting them on the door with gold stars, I kept at it. In 4^th grade, my “book” came in second place in my grade and I decided to try to write a book with a friend. We got as far as the title, which I still remember: Life is Like An Empty Bowl Of Cherries. Insightful, huh? Alas it took me until the ripe ol’ age of 31 to actually complete a book. In five years, I’ve written (or will have written by the end of year) 20+ short stories, novellas, and novels. Thank God I eventually figured out how to get to The End.

Tell us about your favorite character from your books.

I used to have the standard answer of Spencer from Provoke Me, who I still adore, but right now I think I’d say Cory from my upcoming Brazen from Entangled Publishing, No Romance Required. He’s so adorably clueless although he’s admirably smart and focused. When it comes to matters of the heart, he’s not nearly as skilled. One thing he is quite adept at? Tying knots. I’ll let your imaginations spin with that one.

Tell us about your current release.

No Flowers Required, book 2 in the Love Required series, is a story about a woman trying to get the store she inherited from her mentor, Divine Flowers, back in the red. Enter Dillon James, the man she thinks is her building’s handyman…except he’s so much more, as she soon realizes. He also happens to have some notable attributes, including an ability with his hands, a romantic soul, and a snake tattoo. ;)

What do you think makes a good story?

I think my answer is different than it would’ve been even a few months ago. Right now, I’d say a good story has the ability to take you out of your own world and transplant you into another. No more, no less. Each person evaluates their “good” differently, which is one of the things that is awesome about reading—and life!

Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?

Oh yeah, music is the soundtrack to my life. I think in music. My dreams often have soundtracks and I’ll wake up with songs in my head. When it comes to writing, I need to have it on 24/7—and if I can find the perfect song to put on repeat to help inspire a scene, even better! My tastes range from country to musical scores to hip hop.

Morning Person? Or Night Person?

Night person all the way! I’m not the least bit sociable before noon and a couple of coffees. For me, everything’s better at night!

Visit Cari Quinn at www.cariquinn.com