Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I recently retired from the practice of law to write full time. I write contemporary romance and have four books published (Unchained Memories, Dancing in the Sand, Sworn to Remember, and Sworn to Forget) as well as two novellas (The Blueberry Swirl Waltz and A Song For Another Day). The third book in the Sworn Sisters series, Sworn to Fly, is under contract and will hopefully be out this summer.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“A Song for Another Day” is a novella inspired by my love of country music and Broadway. The hero of this novella lives in a small town working several jobs to survive, but he aspires to making it in Nashville as a singer/songwriter. The heroine is in town for two months to direct a community revue while awaiting word on whether she will be hired for the touring company of CATS. The songs that ran through my head as I was writing this book were Rumor by Lee Brice and One Man Band by Old Dominion.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I need to energize myself, I put a handful of M&Ms in a tiny white bowl and try to eat them slowly while I’m writing. It makes me happy. Chocolate in any form makes me happy.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Judith McNaught is one of my all time favorite romance authors. I love all her books. I also love Rachel Gibson and Emily Giffin. When I’m stuck on a scene, I will pick up any one of these authors books (I have them all) and read to get inspired.
What are you working on now?
I have two projects going. The third book in the Sworn Sisters series is in final edits with my editor. I am also writing a novella for The Wylder West series – a series put out by The Wild Rose Press. Most stories take place in the late 1800s in a fictitious town called Wylder in Wyoming. But since I’m a contemporary writer, I am fast-forwarding 140 years and setting my characters in that town in the present.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use many different sites to promote. A few are NN Light’s Book Heaven, Goddess Fish for review tours, In D’Tale Magazine, Wild Woman Reviews, Voracious Readers, NetGalley, Twitter, FB, and of course Awesome Gang.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Learn your craft. There are so many people out there who want to write a book, and they do. But they don’t learn how to write a story. Point of view, goal, motivation and conflict, story arcs, character arcs, dialogue — there is so much to learn, but some writers don’t want to take the time. And then they self-publish and the book is not good. There are hundreds of seminars and books to learn from. It is a life long learning experience. And its so much fun to learn.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write the best book that you can, no matter how long it takes. You don’t want to put something out there with your name on it that is lacking. Each of your books is a marketing tool for your next book, and you want your readers to want to read that next book.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading several books in the Wylder West series to get into the spirit of the town for the book I’m writing. Although my story takes place in the present, I want to experience the setting in the late 1800s. I’m also reading The Guest List by Lucy Foley for the book club that I’m in. We just finished Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am learning how to narrate my books for audio. It is quite a process and I’m not an actress, so I’m having a hard time changing my voice to distinguish one character from another. It’s a work in progress. Just like with writing, you must put out a good quality book so readers/listeners will pick up your next one.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Gone with the WInd by Margaret Mitchell, Truly Madly Yours by Rachel Gibson, Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin and Replay by Ken Grimwood.
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Maria Imbalzano Website
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