What is your favorite book(s), and why?
That is such a difficult question! There are so many books I love, so the best way for me to answer this is to name the only book that I have read three times…Gone With The Wind. The American Civil War is a period that has fascinated my since I was ten and we did a class project on it. The North/South divide, the tenacity of the soldiers fighting and the people waiting helpless at home are all inspiring to the imagination and the soul. |
Margaret Mitchell covers everything in this mammoth book – but I know it’s one you either love or hate. Every time I read it, I realize what a masterpiece it is…and it’s not all about Scarlett & Rhett either! ; )
What is your ideal heroine?
A woman I can understand. By that I mean, I understand her problem/fear at the start of the book and I understand why she makes the decisions or courses of action she takes throughout the book. I don’t like things that are too far-fetched or convenient.
When a heroine shows her flaws and weaknesses, it gives the reader something real to connect with and then watching the heroine overcome her fear and triumph, slowly growing and changing. That is what makes a story truly worthwhile.
When you sit down to start writing a book, what do you?
First comes the premise, whether that be from a news story, a conversation or a what if? situation. I then sit down and write a two to three page synopsis so I have an idea of the story from start to finish – I do this knowing it will undoubtedly change completely by the time the book is finished!
With this outline in mind, I write in-depth character sketches for the hero and heroine, which brings other things to the forefront. Then I get stuck in to the ‘dirty draft’ from start to finish. The clean-up comes in drafts two and three…until eventually, I hope I have story both my editor and readers will love.
Is there any genre or sub-genre you haven’t tried, but want to?
I cannot see me writing anything other than romance or maybe women’s fiction one day in the future, but the one sub-genre I haven’t tried is paranormal and I have no idea why.
I love the Twilight books, the Sookie Stackhouse books and J R Ward’s books are all fantastic but I have yet to try paranormal myself. Watch this space!
Do you have any new releases? Tell us about them.
My latest release is a contemporary romance set in the UK called Getting It Right This Time. It is my first book with Lyrical Press and I’m so happy with the four and ½ and five star reviews the book has been receiving. I’m ecstatic!
What is your ideal heroine?
A woman I can understand. By that I mean, I understand her problem/fear at the start of the book and I understand why she makes the decisions or courses of action she takes throughout the book. I don’t like things that are too far-fetched or convenient.
When a heroine shows her flaws and weaknesses, it gives the reader something real to connect with and then watching the heroine overcome her fear and triumph, slowly growing and changing. That is what makes a story truly worthwhile.
When you sit down to start writing a book, what do you?
First comes the premise, whether that be from a news story, a conversation or a what if? situation. I then sit down and write a two to three page synopsis so I have an idea of the story from start to finish – I do this knowing it will undoubtedly change completely by the time the book is finished!
With this outline in mind, I write in-depth character sketches for the hero and heroine, which brings other things to the forefront. Then I get stuck in to the ‘dirty draft’ from start to finish. The clean-up comes in drafts two and three…until eventually, I hope I have story both my editor and readers will love.
Is there any genre or sub-genre you haven’t tried, but want to?
I cannot see me writing anything other than romance or maybe women’s fiction one day in the future, but the one sub-genre I haven’t tried is paranormal and I have no idea why.
I love the Twilight books, the Sookie Stackhouse books and J R Ward’s books are all fantastic but I have yet to try paranormal myself. Watch this space!
Do you have any new releases? Tell us about them.
My latest release is a contemporary romance set in the UK called Getting It Right This Time. It is my first book with Lyrical Press and I’m so happy with the four and ½ and five star reviews the book has been receiving. I’m ecstatic!
Do you want to share a blurb of your latest release?
Two years after her husband’s death, Kate Marshall returns home a widow, seeking security and stability for her three-year-old daughter. But when her path crosses with ‘the one who got away’…her husband’s best friend, she has to fight the desire to be with him for the sake of further heartbreak for her…and her daughter. A tough, straight talking theatrical agent, Mark Johnston is dangerously handsome, exceedingly rich, irresistibly charming and branded by the tabloids as one of the UK’s most eligible bachelors. So even though he lost the girl of his dreams five years before to his best friend, Mark finds no hardship is being single. Or so he thought…but now Kate is back. Determined not to lose her a second time, Mark has to find a way to convince her they can work. But can Kate cope with the media interest and ruthless, money-hungry clients surrounding him being anywhere near her daughter? Or accept that Mark Johnston is really the family man he claims to be? |
http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_25&products_id=296
What do you have in store for your readers?
My next book is due for release on September 9th, again by the Lyrical Press and is my grittiest romance yet…and I love it! It is entitled Paying The Piper, set against the backdrop of a nightclub and pub with the feisty, toughest, sexiest heroine I ever written. I cannot wait for its release!
What are your hobbies?
Reading, walking, socializing
What is your favorite actor/character? Why?
My favorite actor is UK actor, John Simm – I watch him in everything he does on TV and plan to go and see him in theatre whenever he is next performing. He’s a phenomenal actor who has his face firmly on the ground.
What is your number one goal in life?
To write full-time and through that be able to financially support my children and myself.
Dog or cat person?
Dog definitely – my black Labrador, Max is my third child!
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Arrogance and ignorance
What is your favorite candy?
Snickers and Double Decker bars (not sure if you have Double Deckers in the US/Canada)
What is your favorite color?
Red
Do you have another job, besides being a writer?
What do you have in store for your readers?
My next book is due for release on September 9th, again by the Lyrical Press and is my grittiest romance yet…and I love it! It is entitled Paying The Piper, set against the backdrop of a nightclub and pub with the feisty, toughest, sexiest heroine I ever written. I cannot wait for its release!
What are your hobbies?
Reading, walking, socializing
What is your favorite actor/character? Why?
My favorite actor is UK actor, John Simm – I watch him in everything he does on TV and plan to go and see him in theatre whenever he is next performing. He’s a phenomenal actor who has his face firmly on the ground.
What is your number one goal in life?
To write full-time and through that be able to financially support my children and myself.
Dog or cat person?
Dog definitely – my black Labrador, Max is my third child!
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Arrogance and ignorance
What is your favorite candy?
Snickers and Double Decker bars (not sure if you have Double Deckers in the US/Canada)
What is your favorite color?
Red
Do you have another job, besides being a writer?
I work part-time as administrative support to my husband who is an independent financial adviser, four mornings a week and then look after our two young daughters full time.
I consider myself busy… Tell us the first five random things about you that come to mind. I don’t give up easily I love my kids more than anything I’m lucky to be 37 years old and only just thinking I ought to start exercising! ; ) Happy in my own company…yet love house parties! Most people could never imagine me knitting – but I do, a lot. |
What kind of television shows do you watch?
US dramas – Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Brothers & Sisters, Castle
Oprah!
UK Crime dramas – all of them ; )
And UK period dramas – all of them!
Thanks for the interview, I’ve really enjoyed it!
Where can your readers find you?
www.rachelbrimble.com
www.rachelbrimble.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/rachelbrimble
US dramas – Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Brothers & Sisters, Castle
Oprah!
UK Crime dramas – all of them ; )
And UK period dramas – all of them!
Thanks for the interview, I’ve really enjoyed it!
Where can your readers find you?
www.rachelbrimble.com
www.rachelbrimble.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/rachelbrimble