Today my guest is author P.L. Parker. P.L. writes paranormal fantasy romances with a twist. Welcome, P.L., can you tell us a little about yourself?
I am a mother, a grandmother, married to my best friend and soul mate. I work full time as a legal assistant and writing is my emotional outlet.
How did you start writing?
I have always been a story teller and my husband kept telling me to write my stories down. So one day he went out, bought a computer and told me to get started. This was in 2006. I wrote Fiona that year and subsequently sold it to The Wild Rose Press in December of that same year.
What a great husband! How many books have you published? Tell us about them.
Fiona – time travel based on the discovery of the Urumchi Mummies.
Riley’s Journey – time travel based on the last great Ice Age.
Heart of the Sorcerer – time travel, kind of a late 1700’s through the looking glass type thing.
Aimee’s Locket – time travel, based on the Oregon Trail.
I also have two free reads at The Wild Rose Press, Prophecy’s Bride and Songbird.
Coming soon:
Absolution – a vampire story; and
Into the Savage Dawn (Willow Moon Publishing) – sequel to Riley’s Journey.
What is it about the romance genre that appeals to you?
The interaction between the hero and heroine, the “romance.” I am a romantic at heart. My husband and I have a very romantic relationship.
How do you think being a published author has changed you?
LOL! Doubled my workload. I think I need to add at least 10 more hours each day to keep up.
At least 10 more hours. LOL What advice would you give to the new/unpublished author?
Hang in there! Don’t give up. Keep submitting and one day you’ll find that perfect fit. Don’t despair over the rejections, we all get rejected. It hurts the first few times, but get over it and keep trying.
Great advice. What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?
It isn’t easy and just because you might not like my story, others do.
Love that! What is something readers would be surprised you do?
I was a dancer/teacher/choreographer for a beledi dance troupe for 27 years. I still love to dance, but not in the capacity that I used to. I have to admit I also love short trips to Jackpot, Nevada, or the casino at Pendleton, Oregon.)
Into The Savage Dawn: coming soon from Willow Moon Publishing
Sent back 40,000 years to the ends of the last great Ice Age, the time travelers embark on a journey of survival and discovery.
The brutal and cannibalistic Cro-Magnons discover the small band and attack. Forced to flee from their high mountain encampment, the tribe heads into the dawn, towards the Pacific Ocean and their dream of ultimately reaching North America.
Geena and Micah are left behind to lead the Cros away from the escaping tribe. When he is killed, she finds herself terribly alone. Severely injured and without hope or resources, she nonetheless is determined to survive and find the people.
Survival of the fittest - that is the law of primordial earth.
Absolution: coming soon from Eternal Press
The ancient tomb rested in the heart of the French Vosges Mountains. The over-eager research assistants had no inkling of the events they’d unwittingly unleashed when they found and released the young half-vampire—Chloe!
Zaccarius, greatest of all the Slayers, is sent by the Council of Nine to seek out Chloe, determine her worth and, if necessary, render justice. Enticed by the purity and goodness of Chloe’s mind, he becomes her protector.
“I came for you.”
“To kill me?” she asked, her voice breaking tremulously.
He laughed, a husky wisp of humor. “No, little one. Had that been my purpose, I would not be standing here.”
Zaccarius falls beneath the army of the Dark Master, Jochad, and to stay the death of her lover, Chloe allows herself to be taken. Ancient and dying, Jochad needs Chloe’s blood to reanimate—her blood for Zaccarius’ life.
Where can we find you on the web?
Http://www.plparker.com/
http://www.plparker.blogspot.com/
I am also on Twitter and Facebook
Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?
What draws you to a story?
Great question. Thanks for visiting with us today!
32 comments:
I love your comment about needing at least 10 more hours in a day, P.L. I can definitely relate! (I work full time at the local newspaper.) People wonder why I get up at 4:30 in the morning to write, but it's the only time my brain is clear enough to string a couple coherent sentences together!
By the way, what is a "beledi" dance troupe? (I first read it as "belly" dancing!) :-) Sounds intriguing!
Leah
Love time travel stories! I guess it's that element of 'What would I do if?' that draws me to them. Of course, being an historical romance writer, sounds like your time travel back to the Oregon Trail would be just the thing for me! :)
Great post!
Good Morning. Looking forward to visiting.
Beledi dancing is belly dancing, mistake of the newspapers when the first dancers showed up in the U.S. at the World's Fair. Actually, beledi is the rhythm of the dance.
Thanks Leah and Jennifer for stopping by.
Hi, P.L.
I really enjoyed your interview and absolutely agree with your advice to new authors. Write it --send it out -- and keep sending it out until you find a home!
Maggie
@Maggie Dove
Rejection hurts, but we all face it. Just have to grow thicker skin (one of my hardest things to do)
@Leah St. James
Silly me, I posted a comment without replying - but I did reply in my own confused way.
@Jennifer Jakes
Thanks Jennifer
The teaser for Absolution gave me chills. Congrats on the releases, Patsy!
What draws me to a story...an intriguing plot and interesting characters.
@Emma Lai
Thanks Emma. Absolution was definitely a step out of my comfort zone, but my sweet husband wanted me to give it a try. We shall see if his inspiration was good.
Sorry I haven't been around. My allergies are so bad today that my eyes are burning, especially my eyelids. Very odd, I don't usually do this. Wish I wasn't, as it has made me a bit of a grump. O_o
Anyway, so glad to have you on my blog today, P.L.. I just love getting to know my fellow authors and learning about their writing.
~Sarah
Sorry to hear you are not feeling well today. Allergies can be the absolute pits.
You did a great job setting this up. A number of my friends who don't have blog availability have stopped by and commented on how nice the site it and how well you set this up. Thanks so much.
@P.L. Parker That's great to hear! Thanks for sharing.
It took me a while to get everything just the way I wanted it, but I'm a stubborn woman. :)
I try to deliver the very best I can for my fellow authors. After all, we're all in this crazy business together. We need to do the best to support each other. I truly believe only good can come of that.
~Sarah
Great interview, Sarah! And PL, what draws me to a story I read is the same thing that makes me write a story. The characters. If I don't love the characters or at least understand their motives, I'm not going to finish the book. And if I'm writing, I have to understand my characters before I can finish writing their story. Absolution sounds like a great read. Must add it to my TBR list!
Great interview Sarah! Patsy you are amazing and I love your stories!!!
You know I'm hooked on time travel!
Aimee's Locket is my favorite of all your books. I'm a sucker for a time-travel tale. I think a good story is like karma or destiny - the title grabs you and transmits a "knowing" that you've got to read that book because it's going to be awesome.
@Lilly Gayle
Thanks Lilly. I love characters and not just the heros/heroines. I love the side characters, the ones that give the story grit.
@Mary Ricksen
You and me both, Mary. I love time travel. Blending history with modern man. So many ways to go.
@Maeve
Great way to describe it, Maeve. Sometimes you just know a story is going to draw you in. There's a feeling there - hard to explain.
I'll take ten extra hours too, please, as long as I can dedicate them to my writing and blogging, lol. And you only 'doubled' your workload? That's serious magic, lol.
Great interview. As a reader the cover is the first thing that draws my eye to a book. It has to be bright and have a catchy title. The blurb is next. When I read an author, if I like the story then I'll keep reading/buying that authors books.
Patsy, what a great interview. You know I love your books.
I loved what you said that if one reader doesn't like your book, another will. Words to remember.
Good luck with your new books, which I will definitely read.
@Joanna Aislinn
I suspect even if we were given that extra 10 hours, they'd fill up so fast we'd still need more time. Thanks for stopping by Joanna
@Cara Marsi
Thanks Cara! Same thing goes with reviewers. What is one person's 10 is another persons 2 - can't please everyone but I believe in staying true to yourself.
Great interview ladies! I agree with Lily Gayle, the characters have to be interesting.
Double congrats on your upcoming releases Patsy! I'm always awed by writers who work full-time and are still prolific.
Ten extra hours sounds about right. :) You might need twenty with two releases!
Congrats again!
@Mariposa Cruz
I agree, Mariposa, and not just the lead characters. Every character has to have that something . . . Thanks for stopping by.
@Cate Masters
Hi, Cate, thanks for stopping by. I did consider going without sleep, but didn't work out so well. Thanks for stopping by.
P.L., My question for you is what's your real name? Actually what draws me to a story is a combinations of unique characters and a twisty plot that I can't figure out ahead of time. Thanks for the super interview about your intriguing time travel books.
Fatastic interview...I will be checking out more of your books....Wishing you all the best.
@Velda Brotherton
LOL - My name is Patsy Lynn and Parker is my maiden name. My married name is so atrocious, I don't use it. Hee hee.
@Savannah Chase
Thank you Savannah!
Sarah and PL - great interview. Great advice to new authors and that's usually what I say as well. I love time travel stories and yours sound really interesting. I like the fact you can explore different ways history might have played out.
Smiles
Steph
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