Alana Albertson, is an American author who likes dogs, watching T.V. and watching T.V. She used to be a professional dancer and it shows, in how she writes dance scenes, the passion shines through. She has written a number of romance novels including a few which are about dancing. I was lucky enough to get to review one such novel and she kindly agreed to do an interview and giveaway. Here’s the interview.
1. What made you want to be an author and what gives you inspiration?
I was an English major in college, and I always wanted to write a book. I get inspired by real life crime, celebrities’ stories, and literature.
2. When you are writing dance scenes, do imagine yourself doing the dance moves?
Yes! Sometimes I even choreograph the entire dance and try it out. My three-year-old son makes a great dancer partner.
3. Who is your favourite author and which author would you most like to read your books?
Great question! Hmm. Favorite dead author is Oscar Wilde. Living would be J.K Rowling. Most like to read my books: Anne Rice.
4. Where is your favourite place to write?
A coffee house. Lofty Coffee in Encinitas, California. My dream is to make a pilgrimage to Edinburg and write at Elephant House, where J.K. wrote Harry Potter. I have a painting of the café in my kitchen.
5. As you are a professional dancer, which is your true passion, writing or dancing?
Wow—these are so great and though provoking. Dancing. My soul is on fire when I dance. I miss it greatly. I did ballet from the time I was 3-19. And then Ballroom/Latin from 19-30. I love love love writing, but when that music plays and I put on my ballet or ballroom shoes, I am at peace.
6. Which of your characters is your favourite and why?
Hmm. Bret from Love Waltzes In because he is like my husband. From Snow Queen – it would be Mikhail. He’s misunderstood. He just wants to dance and have true love.
7. Do your characters change halfway through the book and have you ever had to go back and change certain parts?
Always. Yes. I write a horrible first draft. Then I go back and intensely edit my book.
8. What’s your ultimate goal with writing?
I want to write in many genres – YA, historical, Cozy mystery, paranormal, NA, romance. I hope that I can transport readers to a different world.
9. Do you become attached to your characters? And do you dislike writing about bad things happening to them?
Yes! I cry. My husband makes fun of me. He’ll say, “What’s wrong?” “It’s Nieves, she’s in trouble.” He will say, “Uhm you know she doesn’t exist, right?”
10. Have you ever written a character that you truly dislike?
Yes – the pimp in my new book, Invincible. But generally I try to have humanity for all of my characters, even the villains.
11. What’s the nicest comment/review from a fan you have ever gotten?
A nice lady on facebook wrote me the other day and said that she spent an entire day trying to find the first chapter of my book because she was obsessed with it. It made my day.
12. How long does it take you to write a book (roughly)?
I write fast. I can write an entire book in two weeks. Then edit it in two weeks.
13. Do you plan meticulously, or do a rough plan then start writing?
I plan but I never stick to it. My characters have minds of their own and don’t often do what I want them to.
14. Do you have trouble of letting your characters go, when you start another book/ series?
Yes. Which is why I plan series for all my books.
15. How many books do read a week and do read more than one at once?
I read a book a day usually. And yes I read more than one at once. Sometimes for pleasure and sometimes for research.
16. I saw on your blog that you are a coffee fan, is there any favourite types you like to drink whilst writing?
😀 Best question!!! I like to drink a non-fat Mexican Mocha. It has chocolate, cinnamon, chili powder, nutmeg and cayenne pepper. I get extra happy when they make the foam into a picture.
Alana I am proud to say that I can do that, I can make pictures in coffee, no foam, all from how I pour the coffee. Not perfect but getting there.
Would you like to know more about Alana? Why not head over to her blog and check it out 🙂 Here.
Ready for the giveaway? You can win a copy of The Snow Queen by Alana Albertson.
Five years ago, Cambridge Ballet’s Sugar Plum Fairy vanished after performing The Nutcracker. Despite extensive city and statewide searches, no traces of her, besides her ballet slippers, were ever found. Every year since, another member of the cast has gone missing after closing night: a Spanish Hot Chocolate, an Arabian Dancer, The Dew Drop Fairy, a Flower. Nieves Alba, who as a thirteen-year-old played Clara in the first ill-fated performance, is now cast as the Snow Queen. On closing night, every police officer in Boston surrounds the theater, determined to catch the perpetrator whom they’ve dubbed “The Nutcracker.” Can Nieves break the curse or will she be the next victim of America’s favorite ballet?
I am proud to say I have a copy sitting on my armchair and it looks beautiful.
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Happy reading.
A World of Books 