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Read some interviews from past editions:
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Zelda Benjamin
April, 2008
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Shirley Marks
December, 2007
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Donna Wright
December, 2007
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Carolyn Brown
August, 2007
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Roni Denholtz
June, 2007
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Sydell Voeller
February, 2007
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Sheila Robins
December, 2006
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Ann Holt
October, 2006
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Cynthia Danielewski
July, 2006
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Patricia Azeltine
May, 2006
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Jane McBride Choate
March, 2006
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Kathryn Meyer Griffith
January, 2006
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Mel Taylor
November, 2005
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Kathleen Fuller
September, 2005
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Tracey J. Lyons
July, 2005
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Ludima Gus Burton
May, 2005
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Holly Jacobs
March, 2005
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Sandra D. Bricker
January, 2005
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Kathryn Quick
November, 2004
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Cheri Jetton
September, 2004
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Heather S. Webber
July, 2004
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Karl Fieldhouse
May, 2004
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Shelley Galloway
March, 2004
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Ilsa Mayr
January, 2004
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Kathy Carmichael
November, 2003
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Dorothy P. O'Neill
July, 2003
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Joani Ascher
May, 2003
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Patricia DeGroot
March, 2003
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Nancy J. Parra
January, 2003
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Barbara Meyers
November, 2002
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Christine Bush
September, 2002
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Debby Mayne
July, 2002
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Jean C. Gordon
May, 2002
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Charles E. Friend
March, 2002
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Norma Seely
January, 2002
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Glen Ebisch
November, 2001
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Gina Cresse
September, 2001
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John Paxson
July, 2001
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Terri Alcock
May, 2001
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Clifford Blair
March, 2001
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Amanda Harte
January, 2001
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Kent Conwell
November, 2000
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Carolyn Brown
September, 2000
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Annette Mahon
July, 2000
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Marjorie McGinley
May, 2000
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Jack Lewis
March, 2000
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Amanda Harte
January, 2000
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Joyce and Jim Lavene
November, 1999
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Return to the current Author! Author! interview:
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S.J. Stewart
April, 2008
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Author! Author!: April, 2007
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Click an image to learn more about this books.
An Interview with
Tara
Randel |
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How long have you been writing and how long did it take to get published?
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I've been writing for sixteen years. It took nine years before Avalon bought my first book. I'd been learning a lot about the craft of writing during those years, plus I had two small children. Once the girls were older, I was able to focus a lot more time toward writing. I think the years spent learning how to write helped when I finally became published.
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Have you ever used real people as characters?
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I use more of a composite of people. I'm always observing people when in public. The main characters are always well thought out in advance, but secondary characters come from observation. I love quirky secondary characters and people watching helps a great deal in forming those characters.
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How do you name your characters?
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Honestly, once I start to form a character, a name just pops into my head. I don't do a lot of research into what a name means. It's all about creating my character. Once the name comes, I have a better idea of who that character will be.
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Where do you get ideas for plots?
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Everywhere in life. TV, newspaper, current events, even in my dreams. I'll think "What if." and go from there. Some ideas have stuck with me for years and eventually I get to them. Others just pop up and I write them down for future reference. You never know when that story time is right.
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What inspires you to write?
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The fact that I love to write. I can't imagine not writing. I constantly think of ideas or if I’m in the middle of writing a manuscript, that's where my mind is. Just ask my girls who constantly ask, “Mom, are you listening?”
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What's the hardest part of writing?
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Some days it is difficult to settle down and write. Life goes on around me and sometimes that overshadows my writing time. I have learned that once I start writing for the day I don't let anything interrupt me. With that attitude ahead of time, I find that the creative process takes over and I can get a lot of writing done. Getting the story written takes the initial time, then comes the editing. I really enjoy all aspects of the process.
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What can you tell us about your latest book for Avalon?
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Jenny and Nick are two people with two different attitudes towards love. Jenny believes in love, Nick doesn't. It was fun putting these two strong people together and watching the sparks fly. Poor Nick, he didn't have a chance once Jenny came into his life! (See: The Love Assignment)
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Do you have any advice for aspiring writers? Or for anyone wanting to submit to Avalon?
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Follow your dream. If you have the desire to write, do it. Don't let anyone talk you out of it. Join a writer's group and learn as much about the writing craft as possible. It's an amazing journey, one I'm glad I stuck with.
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What do you do for fun - other than writing?
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My family is involved in stock car racing. My husband and eighteen year old
daughter both race locally. Many weekends you'll find us at the track. And
since I love to read, you'll find me at the track with a book, until the
racing starts. Then I focus entirely on my family.
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