MVF Interviews, Tina Folsom

Posted by Credoroza in Author Spotlight | 2 comments

Author of The Scanguards Vampires Series

I am without a doubt a huge fan of romance novels. At one time, I literally had boxes of these paperback gems. I blame my grandmother. She gave me my first Harlequin years ago and have been addicted ever since. I would easily go through 4 – 5 mini novels in a week.

I discovered Tina Folsom and her world of lusty immortals shortly after purchasing my Nook. I was looking around the e-book section of Barnes and Noble online and wanted to pursue different romance authors I had heard of. I had never heard of Tina nor any of her books at the time. My first purchase was Samson’s Lovely Mortal. Though not an actual purchase because Barnes and Noble had a special going on and it was free. Free is good and this was really a test for me and my Nook compatibility.

Not only did I love the ease of the Nook, I loved Samson’s Lovely Mortal even more. I was completely hooked and have since read the entire series to date. I then started stalking Tina on Twitter as well as her blog and website. And because my stalking tendencies know no bounds, I sent Tina an email telling her how much I loved her stories and would she let me interview her. To my absolute thrill, Tina responded the next day agreeing to an interview as well as offered to do a book giveaway. I was literally foaming at the mouth! The fact that she even responded let alone agreed and then offered the giveaway had me walking in the clouds! Not only can this woman weave the most romantically erotic stories that leave you panting for more, she is genuinely a nice person. And with this being my first interview with a known published author, whom I adore, I was ecstatic.

I think reading romance is still a guilty pleasure for many readers, and in the literary world romance is a stepchild, because romance is not considered “serious literature”. I think e-readers have changed that by allowing us to read what we want without being judged.

- Tina Folsom

What kind of environment do you like to write in? Where and when do you write?

I generally need a quiet place. I know other authors have their special music to write to, but I can’t concentrate when I hear something in the background. Most of the time, I write in my living room or my little office alcove. I like to write in the mornings when my mind is fresh.

How do you find time to write?

I’m a full time author, so I don’t have another job anymore (finally!). Writing is my job, and I write almost every day including many weekends.

When writing: outline or as it comes to you?

I’m big on outline. I use a whiteboard and pin different colored index cards on it. Each index card is one scene. And the colors show me whether the hero is in the scene or the heroine, or whether they are both in the scene. It helps me see if I have enough time where the hero and the heroine are together or whether I need any extra scenes.

How do you find inspiration when the ideas just won’t flow?/How do you get over writer’s block?

I haven’t had true writer’s block (lucky me!), however, occasionally I get stuck on a scene. If I can’t figure out which way to go, I call one of my critique partners and run the situation by her. And once I talk through the problem, something comes to me, or my critique partner has an idea I use. We help each other out all the time.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start writing?

First, read a lot. Second, join a writer’s group. I found that my local chapter of the Romance Writers of America is a great place to get support in anything writing-related. That’s how I found my critique partners, attended some great craft workshops, and made a lot of contacts that helped me one way or another later. I made great friends there. And I always have a travel partner when I want to go to a writing convention.

What advice would you give to a writer starting out on the self-publishing path?

Write a damn good book, make an awesome cover (and I rarely use that word, awesome), write a blurb with a hook, and price it right. For romance covers, I love using Jimmy Thomas as a model. Check out his website where he sells great photos for only $10: www.romancenovelcovers.com. If you can afford it, hire a freelance copy editor who’ll make sure your book isn’t riddled with typos and grammatical errors. If you can’t afford a copy editor (don’t pay more than $500 – $1000 for a full length book), use your critique partners to help you proof and edit your book. Also have them help you with the blurb. Next to the cover, it’s your most important marketing tool. And the last thing: pricing. We all like to think that we’ve written a masterpiece, but if nobody knows your name yet, you have to keep the price low to attract readers who don’t know you. Once your book is up, write the next one! Good luck!

How do you handle negative reviews/blog postings?

I never respond to any negative reviews or blog postings. Everybody is entitled to their opinion, and there’ll always be plenty of readers who don’t like my writing. Sure, it hurts when I read that somebody hated my book, but then my husband always tells me to look at all the other reviews, the great ones and just ignore the one bad one. It’s hard, but I do it.

If you could say one thing to your readers (fans) what would that be?

Thank you! Honestly, I’ve had so many nice emails from fans and it always gives me a boost to know that there are people out there who are waiting for my next book.

One thing you can’t live without?

Good food, and particularly sushi.

Are you working on anything right now you would like to tell us about?

I’m currently writing Zane’s story. His will be book #5 in the Scanguards Vampires series. I have to warn my readers, his story will start out a little gruesome. After all, he’s a violent guy, and I don’t want to disappoint my readers who’ve emailed me and want to see their bad boy redeemed.

An obvious question, does sex sell?

It does for me, even though I try to be careful. None of my books are Erotica, however, they are very sexy and erotic. And many of my readers seem to like the steamy scenes. I get comments on them all the time.

Some commentators have speculated that readers are free to read in public without the giveaway of a lurid cover, or that they will have less embarrassment taking the book to the cashier. Do you think there is anything in that?

Absolutely. And not just that. I certainly don’t want to walk up to the cashier at a book store with a book with a racy cover and have the nineteen year old kid ring me up and giving me dirty looks. I think reading romance is still a guilty pleasure for many readers, and in the literary world romance is a stepchild, because romance is not considered “serious literature”. I think e-readers have changed that by allowing us to read what we want without being judged.

Who was your favorite character to write? Why?

First of all, I love writing men, much more than women. Up until a short while ago, I think I would have either named Amaury or Gabriel as the two guys I liked writing most, but now that I’m into Zane’s book, I must say, I love writing him. I can make him as bad as I want to, and that gives me great freedom. Being in a guy’s head is fascinating.

Which do you think is more important in your book, plot or characterization?

That’s a toss-up. I generally start writing from the plot, and characterization comes as I’m writing.

Thank you so much Tina for making a crazed fan’s day and taking the time to answer my questions!

For more on Tina Folsom and her stories – Tina Folsom Blogspot     

For Tina Folsom Book Giveaway – My Vamp Fiction / Book Giveaway