Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write romantic fiction with a sense of humour and, sometimes, a sense of the ridiculous – because we all know life and love aren’t exactly how we’d like them to be. I hope I also write with enough heart to touch the reader, so she can identify with the heroine’s experiences.
I’ve written three romantic comedies, and my fourth book is still a romance, but it’s more about the heroine’s journey, when she rebuilds her life after losing almost everything she owns.
It didn’t happen immediately. First, I had to earn a living, so I fitted in a few years of teaching Art and Pottery, writing training course materials and producing corporate videos, before I plunged into the world of romantic fiction.
I’d like to say I’m uber-disciplined, with a clear plan of my work in progress pinned to the wall above my pristine desk. Sadly, that’s not possible because I’m perennially untidy and I write all over the place – chiefly Hampshire and Andalucia – libraries, aeroplanes, cafes and ferries.
However, I do keep a very comprehensive spreadsheet on my laptop, containing timelines, character detail, chapter lengths, family trees and relevant plot data.
If that makes me sound like a truly cosmopolitan traveller, in cool suits with a sassy hairstyle, allow me to divest you of that image. I’m more likely to be lounging around with a cup of black coffee next to me, joss sticks burning (not on the plane, natch) and the radio playing quietly in the background.
I’m not good at writing first thing; I have to walk the dog, do half an hour of yoga, tidy the kitchen, do my emails, check Facebook, have coffee, watch Millionnaire Matchmaker/Dinner Date/Long Island Medium/Anything with Baking in it, and allow my brain to settle into writing mode, which kicks in around 2.30pm and lasts till around 6.00pm, if I’m lucky. Sometimes I get a second wind around 11.00pm, after more TV and some Facebook/Twitter/email stuff…again. I can keep going till 1.00am or later, usually until my eyes feel sore, my stomach starts rumbling and my back aches.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Chloe’s Rescue Mission. The idea for this was sparked off when I was watching an episode of Dragons’ Den, in which a business woman accepted the offer of finance and support from one of the male dragons. When they shook hands and offered the obligatory cheek-to-cheek kiss, I sensed a spark of attraction. What, I thought, might happen if this business relationship turned into something else? And so the seed was set.
My hero is Scottish and called Duncan, but that’s where any association between the dragon and my character ends!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Coffee is indispensable! I like to burn joss sticks and own a few incense burners. That, combined with classical music, works like a charm to create just the right ambiance for me. I find fragrance is very good for getting me in the mood to write.
I listen to classical music. Not because I’m highbrow or anything, but because I once read that when children were played classical music in the classroom, they became more creative. So I thought I’d give it a try. I have no idea if it has made me more creative, but if I listen to any other kind of music, I end up singing along or dancing around, which is counter-productive when I’m trying to meet a deadline. So, playing classical music, quietly in the background, has become part of my writing ritual.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I started reading romances when I was swotting for my finals. I don’t recommend it if you’re aiming for top grades but it does lighten the brain-load. I fell upon Jilly Cooper’s ‘Harriet’ and the course of my life was changed. I read all of Jilly’s books and knew, if I ever wrote anything, she would be my writing role model.
Since then, I’ve read everything Marian Keyes has written and admire her ability to combine humour with serious emotional issues. Her books are full of heart and laughs.
Now, I’m not saying I’m anywhere close to these fabulous writers, but a fun read was what I wanted to create and I hope I’ve achieved that.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a riches to rags story, about a sculptor called Gabriella Gill-Martin – known to her friends as Gigi. I’m setting it on one of my favorite places – the Isle of Wight – which is just off the south coast of Britain. I was lucky enough to live there for a few years, and still try to spend as much time as I can over there. It has some beautiful countryside and seascapes plus, being an island, it also has a lovely sense of community, which is missing from so many other parts of our world.
Gigi, who has had everything handed to her on a plate, moves to the island when she inherits her grandmother’s house. She’s a lovely girl but her world falls apart when the money stops coming in and she’s forced to make it on her own. She comes to learn the value of the simpler things in life, and finds true love where previously she’s mostly known cupboard love.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I belong to an online group of writers called eNovel Authors At Work, who share wonderful advice for great promotional sites. There are many sites out there, and it’s difficult to pin-point any one for greatest results, as there is usually no data to advise which sites have worked best. I genuinely think they all do a great job of putting our titles in front of readers. Let’s face it, there are millions of readers out there, and not every reader signs up for the same lists, so I like to give all the sites a chance.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it!! And join a writing group. I’d been writing, quietly at weekends, for years but it’s a very isolated occupation. Once I joined a local writing group, my output increased along with my confidence. Through that group, I discovered the Romantic Novelists’ Association and joined that. Their New Writers’ Scheme was fantastic for reviewing manuscripts and encouraging authors – as well as providing contacts in the industry.
Yes. Do it!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Even if you’re struggling with writer’s block, write anyway. You can’t edit an empty page, but you can work with five pages of ‘rubbish’.
Also – don’t feel you must write chronologically. If you can see a scene in your head, which doesn’t come up till later in the book, write it anyway. You may lose that vision if you don’t. And writing a future scene helps unlock the story.
What are you reading now?
About a Girl by Lindsey Kelk.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing! I also have an idea sketched out for a more serious, darker novel, that will take some research and probably some soul-searching. But I think it’s a great story!
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?
It’s important to keep your spirits up in that situation so I’d say:
Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes
Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine
The Power of Now by Ekhart Tolle
An anthology of short stories by PG Wodehouse – because he can make me hoot with laugher, and laughter is good for the soul.
Author Websites and Profiles
Rosie Dean Website
Rosie Dean Amazon Profile
Rosie Dean’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Thanks, gang!
Awesome to be here.