Friday, February 10, 2012

Interview with Author Cherie Colyer

Merely Me: Welcome, Cherie, and thank you for joining me today.
Cherie Colyer
I want to congratulate you on the success of your debut novel, Embrace, a teen paranormal thriller/romance. Has this experience been everything you'd hoped for when you started this journey?
Cherie Colyer: Thank you. The journey has definitely been a wonderful one and I couldn't be happier with my publisher. There's nothing like seeing your book go from an idea to a published novel.

MM: Imagine Embrace as a movie trailer. Without giving away too much of the plot, what scenes would you like to see on the screen?
CC: Definitely Isaac and Madison's first kiss. Okay, maybe all their kisses. I'm a sucker for a romance. The graveyard scene with Madison and her friends. It shows a lot about the girls' personalities. And then the scene where Kaylee loses it in the classroom. It's a turning point for Madison, forcing her to look for answers to everything that's been happening around her.

MM: We've heard or read a great deal about your book, but what about you? Tell us about your life? Where were you born? Do you have any siblings? How does your family feel about your success?
CC: Oh, my, how much time do we have? I was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, where I still live with my husband and our boys. I'm the younger of two girls and have amazing parents who have always encouraged me to go after my dreams. My entire family has been very supportive of my writing and I think they were just as ecstatic about Embrace being published as I was.

MM: Tell us about your writing process? Where do you write? When? Describe your office.
CC: I really don't have a set process. Since I work full time, most of my writing time is done in the evening and on weekends. My favorite place to write is in the living room. We have a comfy chair and ottoman in there and it's quiet, so there are few distractions.

MM: What do you like to do in your 'down' time?
CC: I really enjoy spending time with family and friends, going for long walks at the arboretum, and while it's not always fun, in the summer, I spend a lot of time doing yard work.

                        
MM: When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?
CC: That would have been after I wrote my first novel and wanted to learn how to make that story better. I knew then that I loved creating worlds and that I wanted to be able to share my stories with readers.

MM: Imagine if you would, a life without writing. What would you be doing instead? How would you find your bliss?
CC: I'd still be reading as many books as time allowed. Come to think of it, I'd be able to catch up on my growing to-be-read list. (Pauses just thinking about all the time I'd have.) Nah, I'd miss weaving together my own stories.

MM: What's your favorite vacation spot?
CC: Out of all the places I've been, Maui. It's absolutely beautiful and I love the ocean. If I had an endless amount of money, I'd go to Europe, rent a car (or maybe just buy one) and drive everywhere possible.

MM: What three things would you tell 'newbie' writers?
CC: Finish the book! You'd be surprised at how many times I've heard someone say, "I started a book X years ago." Join a critique group. And attend local conferences or take courses to help you improve your craft.

MM: What is your favorite food? What is Madison's favorite food? What would Isaac like to eat?
CC: Mine - pasta
        Madison - chocolate and peanut butter ice cream
        Isaac - bacon cheeseburgers

MM: What can we expect to see from you in the future?
CC: There are definitely more teen paranornal thrillers
in my future. It's my favorite genre. And I have a middle
grade ghost story that keeps reminding me every week
that I need to find it a home.                                                       

I hope you've enjoyed this visit with my friend, Cherie. Be sure to check out her amazing novel, Embrace. You can find Cherie Colyer at:

Blog: cheriecolyer.blogspot.com
Twitter: @cheriecolyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cherie.colyer
Website: www.embracenovels.com

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ON THE BOOK FRONT

Merely Dee is having a launch party! And everyone is invited.

Saturday, March 3, 2012
1-4 p.m.
Author Presentation at 2 p.m.

Center for History
315 W. Front Street, 2nd Floor
Wheaton, IL 60187

Admission Fee Waived      Parking Nearby     Elevator Onsite

Center for History
Award winning museum & education center
Disaster, Courage, & Silence Exhibit in the Eastland Gallery
Largest Collection of Eastland memorabilia in the nation

Signed copies of Merely Dee will be available: Hard Cover $25 or Paperback $15
Portion of sales benefit the Center for History
                                       



                                                  

2 comments:

Cherie Colyer said...

Hi Marian. Thanks for having me on your blog. I'm looking forward to your launch party.

Heather said...

Interesting interview Marian and greetings to Cherie from Ireland. Sooo sorry I won't be able to nip over for your launch party :( Have a ball though, it'll be a great day. H