Tuesday, June 1, 2010

An Interview with Kaye Manro




When Amber asked if I’d like to be a guest on her blog I immediately answered yes! She is one cool lady and it pleases me to be here answering her probing questions. Inside my answers, you’ll find that I talk a bit about my new Sci-Fi Romance release, Forbidden Love from Red Rose Publishing. The questions just seem to lend so well to it! Thanks for having me on your blog today Amber!

Before we get started I'd like to add that I'm thrilled Kaye agreed. I have to say she's a fascinating and talented author. So enjoy the interview! Oh and make sure to read the blurb and excerpt at the bottom. Forbidden Love is a must read!

Amber: Tell us about your favorite character from your books.

Kaye: My favorite character is usually from the book I’m writing at the time. For the moment, my favorite is T’Kon. He is the hero from Forbidden Love. T’Kon is an idealist from an advanced alien culture who knows how to use his attributes well. He has such sexy alpha male qualities. What more could a girl want? At least that’s what my heroine Maya thinks!

Amber: What is the hardest part of writing your books?

Kaye: For me it’s finding the time to write with my busy schedule. I have to be flexible when it comes to creating fiction but also to use self-discipline and make the most of my time.

Amber: What do you think makes a good story?

Kaye: The answer to this question could be an article! But in a nutshell, I’d have to say a good story has believable characters, a well-developed plot, properly places hooks, tight writing, plausible sensual romance, and or course a HEA.

Amber: How do you develop your plots and your characters? Do you use any set formula?

Kaye: I don’t have a set formula really. But I do have a kind of system. First, I come up with a plot idea and research that premise. Then I ask “What if…” and from there it springboards. When developing characters I always analyze them and discover who they are and what motivates them. The better a writer knows the characters in their story the more real the story becomes. When I first started writing Forbidden Love, I saw T’Kon’s planet, Asconage and his cool blood species first. Then I found him, got to know him, and the story began to take on shape and form.

Amber: Where do you research for your books?

Kaye: There is a vast amount of information available on the internet. That’s not to say I don’t use the library and other resources as well.

Amber: What book are you reading now?

Kaye: Currently I’m reading Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair. As a Sci-Fi Romance author, I love reading SFR books and Ms. Sinclair is one of the top writers in this genre.

Amber: Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

Kaye: This may sound a bit strange, but I’d love to travel on a starship exploring the many millions of galaxies out there. Like my heroine Maya from Forbidden Love, if I ever had the chance to do so I may never want to come back home again! For now, my writing will have to satisfy my dreams of space travel.

Amber: What are your favorite TV shows?

Kaye: I’ll bet you can’t guess the answer to this one! Since I am an avid Sci-Fi fan, reader, and author, I love all things Star Trek and Stargate. I also enjoy Eureka, SyFy’s quirky original series. Almost always, watching an episode of any of my favorite shows will spark another story idea for me to write.

Amber: Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers? If so, what are they?

Kaye: Here are a few tips I’ll share that I wish I had known sooner. Study the markets you are interested in pursuing. Research everything relating to your genre and make sure you know your subject well. Write tight and polish your manuscript. Do enlist the help of straightforward, unbiased readers or critique partners. Then submit your work to the right line or publishing house for your story. And be sure you have a marketing plan in place even before you begin to submit your book.

Now I’ll share a bit of my book, Forbidden Love with you.

* * * *

Forbidden Love Blurb:

Illicit Sultry Passion...While Dr. Maya Belle is researching wildlife habitats in the far desert region of her world, a sudden burst of sand engulfs her. She goes to investigate and cannot believe what stumbles out of a massive dune. She soon finds out she is in the company of a sexy alien from another galaxy…T’Kon from the planet Asconage is on a peaceful survey mission studying a distant world known as Terrain. When his spacecraft malfunctions, he crashes into its desert. A female named Maya gives him aid, and a steamy lust grows between them. A sultry interspecies passion neither can resist.To avoid detection by the warring factions governing her world, he must repair his damaged craft and leave. Can she convince him to take her with him, or will he set forth without her and forsake their Forbidden Love?


Forbidden Love Excerpt:

“So how did you learn to speak our language?” Maya asked, “Not your native tongue I’ll bet.”

He scrutinized her through squinted eyes. A crinkle stretched across her nose where a line of minuscule brown dots scattered down onto each cheek. He had an impulse to stroke the dots, see if he could rub them off. No, he should not touch her again.

“While studying your planet, I picked up words and phrases.”

She leaned across the counter and captured his eyes with hers. “Why are you studying us?”

He did not answer her question. He had told her too much already. The less she knew about him the better. “Take me to my spacecraft,” he said.

She stared at him.

He hissed out more air and then shook his head. “I had not planned contact.”

She scooted around and came to stand close to him. He could tell she wanted to touch him but did not. “Maybe you didn’t plan it but here you are. So why not take advantage of the situation...” her words trailed off and this time she did touch him. She slid her hand over his chest and onto his face.

He caught her fingers in a rough hold. The act caused his talons to unsheathe. “No, I cannot. I will not.” He dropped her hand. A sudden realization—glancing down at his body, he stood naked before her his mating organ erect. “What have you done with my bodily covering?”

“I cut it off,” she answered. “I had to do it so I could examine you to see if you were hurt. Your space suit encased you so tightly, I had no choice.”

He hissed close to her ear. “You tore away my covering, now I shall rid you of yours.” In a display that surprised even him, T’Kon slid a claw around her back hooking her clothing with a talon. In a swift motion, he slashed it from her. The garments landed on the floor in tattered pieces…


Kaye’s Bio

As a romance author, I lean toward the adventuresome in my writing. I love science fiction and all the enticing quantum theories surrounding it. Where characters rush through outer space at Faster than Light speed, or teleport into another time, and even slipstream into an alternate reality. I like creating love scenes too with strong heroes, and captivating heroines. It just seemed natural to combine all these elements together in my stories and write (SFR) Science Fiction Romance.

Links:
Forbidden Love Buy Page ~ http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=317&products_id=772
Kaye’s Website ~ http://sfr.kayemanro.com/index.htm
Kaye’s Blog ~ http://kayemanro.blogspot.com/

8 comments:

  1. Another great interview, Kaye and Amber. I'm having a lot of fun following Kaye all over the internet to read more about her wonderful story and visit some great blogs.

    Also glad to hear you're reading GAMES OF COMMAND, Kaye. It's one of my all-time favorite SFRs. We'll have to talk when you've finished it.

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  2. I LOVE Eureka:) I wish I'd watched it from the beginning; I discovered it during the 2008 season.

    Awesome interview and wonderful excerpt!

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  3. Kaye, what's your take on Farscape? I have a big soft spot for B sci-fi shows with wonky props and bad dialogue. Makes my heart go pitter pat.

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  4. Laurie, Thanks for all the wonderful support. I love seeing my SFR buddy commenting on blogs on this tour!

    Molly, Eureka is so cool! I hate it if I miss an episode and then I have to go and catch up! Thanks for stopping by.

    Mia, Oh girl-- I dearly love Farscape! It should have been included in my must see Sci-fi! But I do have so many. Stargate is my mainstay at this time. For sure T'Kon is loosely based on the look and character of D'Argo. Before I got my book cover, I used that cool pic of D'Ago and Chiana in their famous embrace. How's that for love of a series? Thank so much for stopping by and commenting here.

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  5. Kaye and Amber, fun questions and answers! Forbidden Love definitely is a must read! :)

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  6. Thanks Cari!

    And a special *Thank You* to Amber for having me here on your blog! It was great fun!

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  7. Hey Kaye,
    How did you come up with T'kon's name? Are you in control when you're writing or do your characters take over to tell their story?

    This was another lovely interview during our blog book tour.

    *hugs*
    Anna

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  8. My pleasure, Kaye! Hope you come back again!

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