If you haven’t met Sommer Marsden already, here’s your chance! I have to tell you, this woman amazes me. She’s super sweet, funny as hell and quirky-quirky-quirky. I know what you’re thinking – she’s my kind of person. She’s also a wonderful, not to mention crazy-prolific, writer. And she’s also giving away an ebook (winner’s choice) to one lucky commenter, so just sit back get to know Sommer and leave a comment with your email address. The winner will be chosen by random Thursday, September 29th after 7 pm EST.
And now, the interview!
How did your writing path evolve?
I’m not even sure I have a path. More like a series of dark alleyways. But I’ve always wanted to write. And I did in grade school in a GT program and then I didn’t. And then I did in college and then I stopped. And then I did it ‘for real’ after girl child was born. And then I stopped! (do you see a pattern?). I was homeschooling the kiddos at the time. And then in 2005 I said screw it, I’m doing it for real and I’ve been writing every day ever since. See, more like a drunken maze than a path.
What type of research do you do for your books?
As little as possible. I loathe it (barring some really fun stuff like zombies). The reason being, I am usually more interested in telling the story of the characters than schooling the reader in another topic. I try to put in enough for it all to be plausible but not focus on the stuff that isn’t character driven.
From what or where do you derive the most inspiration for your stories?
If I ever find out I’ll tell you! Some things that have sparked entire books are: songs, song titles, random phrases, eavesdropping, people watching, the man…the man…the man (he’s a good muse), and the every wonderful ‘what-if?’
Tell us about your upcoming releases?
Ooooh. Big Bad is out October 14th. It’s the story of a Werewolf/Human/Vamp love triangle that involves reincarnation, bad guys, falling in love at first sight for the second time with the same person and a Scottish secondary character who is begging for his own book. After that is Long Lost the sequel to Big Bad and on my 40th birthday, December 1st!, my collection The Best of Sommer Marsden is out in the UK (US to follow). There’s more, but we’ll stick with all that shiny goodness! 🙂
What are you working on at the moment?
A book by a me who is not Sommer, a bunch of short stories for various editors and the first tickling of my next book as Sommer. Which is untitled but starting to whisper in my ear.
What do you like best about being a writer? What do you like least?
I like everything about being a writer for the most part. My least favorite of the lot is usually rewrites (which I don’t have to do often, thank goodness) and sometimes promoting myself. I’m not really a me-me-me! person and the need to put yourself out there is very real. So I do it. My goal, most days, is to do it in a way that I’m more chatting/interacting with folks than just banging my LOOK AT ME! drum.
What would you do if you weren’t a writer?
I have no clue. It’s been so long. However, I was very good at my old job. I was the Admin Assistant for 13 counselors at a medical rehab company. I was a paperwork Nazi. If you did it wrong, no soup for you! I also, on the days I get discouraged and/or irrationally irritated and threaten to quit writing, entertain fantasies of being a dog groomer at the local dog salon. Don’t ask me why. I’m not the world’s most patient person so I’d probably get mauled on day one.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?
I like se—oh, that’s not what you mean. I like to cook and bake and hang out on the sofa with the man (I’m a wild child, I tell ya). Of course, I love to read, and I do sew and craft (not as much as I used to). I run [insert hysterical laughter here. I shuffle with intent], walk, ride my bike to nowhere (exercise bike) and I sit around the fire pit with my family and force them to talk to me. I’m also addicted to reality TV.
Of all of the characters you’ve created, who is your favorite and why?
I have to say, as it stands right now, Ellis and Ruby from Big Bad. Why? Their dynamic together. I literally missed those characters when I was done writing them.
Do you find it difficult to keep love/sex scenes fresh and interesting?
Nope. I think it’s always interesting if you stay in your characters. Every person is different, so every character is different, so all sex should be different. Ya know?
What genre of books least appeals to you and why?
Westerns! (I don’t know why. I’ve just never been a fan of books or movies). Used to be Urban Fantasy/SciFi but writers like Stacia Kane Stacey Jay have made me more open to that genre.
Do you listen to music when you write or do you need quiet? If you listen to music – what kind?
Neither. I can’t do music because I get distracted by singing along (I’m one of those people who remembers 99% of the lyrics she’s ever heard) and quiet makes my mind wander. I write to the TV in the background. I might not focus on it or even know what’s on for hours, but it’s background chatter for yours truly to concentrate against, which makes me focus on my book/story.
What makes a man sexy?
His sense of humor. And his forearms.
Do you family and friends know you write erotic romance – if so, how have they reacted?
Yes and yes. Most have been great. A few have been shocked. But for the most part they just get irritated that I won’t let them read my work. Most of them know what I do but not who I am. Heh. Evil me.
What’s your favorite food?
French fries! Next question!
Do you have any bad habits?
The real question should be do I have any good habits. I do tend to hit Etsy.com late at night with a glass of wine and go through a streak of “ooooh, let’s put that in the cart.” And said wine. Beyond that, I’m fairly good. (Would you like to buy a bridge?)
If you were stranded on a desert isle, what five things would you want to have with you?
A cell phone, a lap top, a portable hot spot, a freight box full of wine and well, a boat, to get off the damn isle. 😀
Do you have any pet peeves?
People who mumble, writers who rip apart other writer’s work (in my humble opinion you’d better have pristine and infallible writing to do this), people who shove their ideas down my throat, the believe that love at first sight is somehow laughable and the word ‘belch’.
What do you like about where you live?
We are a town known for characters. They’re good fodder for a writer.
If you could travel back in time, would you? If so, what time period would you visit and why?
God no. I have enough trouble not effing up the present. I have no urge to go mess stuff up that’s already happened.
You can also find Sommer on her Blog, Twitter and Facebook. Go do it! She’s awesome!
Hello!
I have not read Sommer's book, but now I have to go and check them out.
My husband thinks I am crazy for having the TV playing in the background just for noise…I can rub it in to him that I am not the only one…lol
gigi
This comment has been removed by the author.
OMG – I have never heard of her, but I love her already! MUST check out that release on Oct. 14th-and this line; “I run [insert hysterical laughter here. I shuffle with intent]” has got to be copyrighted-lol! Thanks for sharing her with us Bron!
Sommer, I am absolutely with you on the forearms. Possibly the main reason I married my husband…
Gigi, happy to be your alibi/excuse/backup 😀
Marianne, I think I love you too! And I do shuffle. And stumble and sort of…heave myself forward. It's not pretty *_*
Mmm, Jenna, a good forearm is a gift from the heavens. 🙂
XOXO
Sommer
And thank you, thank you, Miss Bron for having me! xoxo <3
I find it highly amusing that my WV for this comment is “mated.”
Love a woman who loves her wine, forearms (I confess to being partial to wrists, myself), and cycling to nowhere. Fun interview Bron, Sommer.
I loathe research too! 🙂 Congrats on the new book. I personally think Sommer is an awesome author!
Great interview, really enjoyed finding out more about you Sommer. l especially liked the pet peeves! Two or three of my own in there! Also, brilliant questions Bronwyn.
Beverly, I prefer wine and forearms together, it can make for a fun evening 😉
Thank you, Amber. We can start the ARS. Anti-research society. Alt name FBTSOYPC (fly by the seat of your pants club) 😀
Is it 'belch' Gemma? It's my biggest. And I'm not too fond of the word 'flesh' either. *shudder*
XOXO
S
Sommer, your book The Anniversary Party's been on my TBB list for a long time, and am hoping to purchase it soon!
I'm with you; if someone's going to leave me on a deserted island, they'd better leave me a boat too:)
Great interview laides! I definitely understand the having the tv in the background for noise. When I was in high school/college and doing my homework, I couldn't have the house be quite, I had to have background noise to really do my homework. Might also be because I'm the oldest of 8, so there was constant chatter everywhere, you get used to it after a while.
Eva
evitap67(at)gmail(dot)com
Great interview laides! I definitely understand the having the tv in the background for noise. When I was in high school/college and doing my homework, I couldn't have the house be quite, I had to have background noise to really do my homework. Might also be because I'm the oldest of 8, so there was constant chatter everywhere, you get used to it after a while.
Eva
evitap67(at)gmail(dot)com
Great interview laides! I definitely understand the having the tv in the background for noise. When I was in high school/college and doing my homework, I couldn't have the house be quite, I had to have background noise to really do my homework. Might also be because I'm the oldest of 8, so there was constant chatter everywhere, you get used to it after a while.
Eva
evitap67(at)gmail(dot)com
Great interview laides! I definitely understand the having the tv in the background for noise. When I was in high school/college and doing my homework, I couldn't have the house be quite, I had to have background noise to really do my homework. Might also be because I'm the oldest of 8, so there was constant chatter everywhere, you get used to it after a while.
Eva
evitap67(at)gmail(dot)com
Great interview laides! I definitely understand the having the tv in the background for noise. When I was in high school/college and doing my homework, I couldn't have the house be quite, I had to have background noise to really do my homework. Might also be because I'm the oldest of 8, so there was constant chatter everywhere, you get used to it after a while.
Eva
evitap67(at)gmail(dot)com
Great interview laides! I definitely understand the having the tv in the background for noise. When I was in high school/college and doing my homework, I couldn't have the house be quite, I had to have background noise to really do my homework. Might also be because I'm the oldest of 8, so there was constant chatter everywhere, you get used to it after a while.
Eva
evitap67(at)gmail(dot)com
Great interview laides! I definitely understand the having the tv in the background for noise. When I was in high school/college and doing my homework, I couldn't have the house be quite, I had to have background noise to really do my homework. Might also be because I'm the oldest of 8, so there was constant chatter everywhere, you get used to it after a while.
Eva
evitap67(at)gmail(dot)com
Great interview laides! I definitely understand the having the tv in the background for noise. When I was in high school/college and doing my homework, I couldn't have the house be quite, I had to have background noise to really do my homework. Might also be because I'm the oldest of 8, so there was constant chatter everywhere, you get used to it after a while.
Eva
evitap67(at)gmail(dot)com
Great interview laides! I definitely understand the having the tv in the background for noise. When I was in high school/college and doing my homework, I couldn't have the house be quite, I had to have background noise to really do my homework. Might also be because I'm the oldest of 8, so there was constant chatter everywhere, you get used to it after a while.
Eva
evitap67(at)gmail(dot)com
Molly, wow. And oldie by a favie. That's one of my first stand alone pubbed novellas 🙂
EF, I think for some folks (at least that's what I was told in high school by some visiting 'expert') it's easier to concentrate against something than to work in silence. And that is me to a T. 🙂
xoxo
s
This is the first Author interview I've read. I don't know about other authors, but I seem to share some of the same qualities.
Awesome interview and love your honesty, Sommer! And of course, your writing 😉
I read “The Greed Jar” which I quite liked, but have yet to read anything longer. I'm in awe of your writing stamina – I struggle so hard to write every day and you're an inspiration to me! 🙂
I haven't read sommer's books yet but now I can't wait. Great interview. Thanks for the chance!
mythic021@gmail.com
Thanks LI…F. First? Wow!
Elenya, writing calms me so it's really a service to everyone in general that I try to write every day 😉
Thanks, Vanessa. Good luck!
XOXO
S
Excellent interview ladies. Sommer, as always you had me in stitches (I have to stop reading you at work or they're gonna take away my interwebs).
I will agree on the sense of humor, but the forearms..well, it's gotta be biceps for me. But not those disgusting ones you see on over-developed body builders.
My man's got nice ones. Not too defined, but definitely muscular. 😀
Love the interviw. We might be kindred spirits. I can't concentrate in total silence either, am a sing-a-long junkie & being left on a desert island with no boat, would be torture. I'm not quite as against research, since I've been known to look up just about anything to find out more about it, but I would definately join FBTSOYPC. I've never liked to have to prepare an outline to do a speech or presentation.
I loathe the outline, the synopsis, the blurb or any of those wicked things. *shiver* 🙂 the FBTSOYP club is wide open for admission.
XOXO
S
Always interesting to read about authors! Thanks for this chance to win. 🙂
kat@katwatson.com is my email address.
I've been following Sommer since someone pointed me at the gee/k/ink blog. Because there are few things I love more than geekery and kinkery.
Great interview. Completely agree that the characters are what make writing sex scenes fun and fresh. Makes them fun and fresh to read, too!
Jeanette
jeanettelgrey at gmail
Hi Jeanette, I recognize your smiling face! And that is a minor miracle as I'm fairly senile 🙂
Geekery and Kinkery are two of my greatest joys in life!
XOXO
S
Oh Brownwyn I love your blog I alway find new authors 🙂
Sommer your books looks great and beautiful cover btw. I so agree with you on the guy thing they have to have humor and I agree on the forearms as well but they need real legs too no chicken legs boy please lol thanks for the giveaway 😉