Interview with C. A. Szarek

Interview with C. A. Szarek

Affaire de Coeur's 

May Calendar Girl

 

USA Today Bestselling, award winning author of romantic suspense, epic and historical fantasy romance, C.A. loves to dabble in different genres. If it’s a good story, she’ll write it, no matter where it seems to fit!

She’s a hopeless romantic and always will be. Risking it all for Happily Ever After is what she lives by! C.A. is happily married and has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. She works with kids when she’s not writing

 

When you write, do you outline first, or are you a pantser?

I’m a total pantser. The most “plotting” I’ve ever done was bullet points on a word doc. I guess that was an outline, after all, but it was a one-time thing. I don’t like to plot, though. The times I’ve tried, I didn’t want to write the story, it became “boring” when I knew it all. I guess it’s exciting to me when it forms organically.

 

What type of characters do you like to create?

Real “people” with flaws. I like when they’re relatable and “feel” real, like they could come off the page. I also love to write strong women, since I am one. I love to write alpha heroes that have more cockiness in them than they need.

 

Tell us about your new book or series.

King of Hearts is the first book of a 4 book series set in Vegas, and each book will be about a Giovanni sibling. There are four siblings, and this book is about the oldest brother, Nico. He’s a detective and everyone calls him Gio. The series is steamy romantic suspense, and it’s a lot of fun. I can’t wait to share book 2 with y’all. I have a cover, and it’s delicious! As always, I work on more than one thing at the same time (cuz I’m a little crazy, LOL) and I have more Highlanders in the works, and a book that is very different than anything I’ve ever written before. I don’t have a title yet, but it’s weird, and perhaps urban fantasy. LOL.

 

What is your favorite passages/scenes in your current release or WIP?

I love writing sexual tension and banter, so the scene that I’ve shared with y’all in the excerpt is probably my fave non-sexy (sorta, LOL) in this book. It’s an argument filled with sensual tension and subtext, with a side of awkwardness. It was super fun to write, and I hope y’all love it!

 

What motivates you for a perfect writing day?

Probably my characters. If I don’t continue their stories, they don’t leave me alone. But I love to write. It lets me concentrate without concentrating, really, because when the words flow, I just let it happen and I’m more a navigator than a creator, believe it or not.

 

How/where do you get your plot ideas?

I’m not really sure. My stories just come to me. Sometimes in dreams, and sometimes they just pop into my head. I get inspiration from all sources, I think. Like breathing. Sometimes it’s latent, and sometimes it’s more obvious.

 

Did you need to do research for the story? And what kind of research did you need to do?

I feel like no matter what the subject matter and genre, authors need to do research, even if it’s just a little. I live in Texas and even though I have a sort of law enforcement background, this new series takes place in Vegas, so I did have to research Nevada (and specifically Las Vegas as well) police structure to make sure I had it right. This book also features a female US Marshal, and I am much more familiar with the FBI as far as Federal Agents are concerned, so I also had to do research to make sure Maddie was realistic. I discovered some cool things, and I love learning, so it’s double fun.

 

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

Sharing interesting and sexy stories with the world.

 

Is there a genre that you've been wanting to try writing?

I am sort of branching out with one of my WIPS, it’s Urban Fantasy with a side of Paranormal so that’s different for me, and it’s been fun. I think when it’s done it might be a weird one-off for me, more than a series, but we will see.  

 

How many books do you currently have out on the market and what genres do they fall into?

Seventeen ebooks, and two short stories. They are all contemporary, romantic suspense, epic and historical fantasy. I also have ten audiobooks out.

 

Will you be attending any book signings or conventions? 

YES! I will be at Buns ‘n Roses June 13, 2020 in Allen, TX. I will be at Writers On the River in East Peoria, IL July 17, 2020 and then in August 15, 2020 I’ll be at Delightfully Dirty in Dallas, then later in the year I will be attending Readers ‘n ‘Ritas in Allen, TX from Nov 13-15. These events will be a lot of fun, and I would LOVE to see you there!

 

Pass on some words of wisdom, please, to aspiring authors.

Never, ever give up. This is hard (really, it is) and if you want it, you’ll have to work for it.

Please give us the following contact information:

Personal web page : www.caszarek.com

Twitter: @caszarek

Facebook: www.facebook.com/caszarek

 

 

 

 

 

 

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