Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Authorpalooza Day 7 - Guest Author: Candace Havens

Welcome the one and only:

 Candace Havens

To the first annual

Authorpalooza 2010 








How long have you been writing?

I've been writing fiction for about six years. But I've been a journalist for 20 years.

How thrilled were you when you heard your first book was going to be published?

More than once I asked my agent, "Are you sure?" I didn't believe it was real until I had the contract in hand. I don't think I'd ever been more excited about anything in my life.

What's one day in the life of Candace Havens like?

It's always a little crazy around here. I have three jobs, so the days vary. I'm a TV critic for print, so I write three columns a week. I'm a film critic for radio so several hours a week are devoted to that. Then there are the books. My days run from about 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. sometimes longer, seven days a week.

Do you have a current project you’re working on or something you plan to begin soon?

I'm working on two projects right now. I just finished the first draft of my next Blaze, "She Who Dares, Wins." And right now I'm working on revisions for a YA my agent wants to shop. Then I'll go back to the Blaze. I have three of them due this year, so there won't be any down time.

In your opinion, what is the most difficult part of being a published author?

Remembering it's a business, and trying not to take it too personal. Why does that author get this, and I only get that? That stuff will drive you crazy if you let it.

What’s the most rewarding?

Honestly, two things. One every time I finish a book it feels like a major accomplishment. But the VERY best thing are the fan letters from readers. I save every single one of them.

If you could co-author a book with any of your fellow authors or anyone from anywhere, who would you choose and why?

Wow. That's a tough one. My two best buds, Rosemary Clement Moore and Shannon Canard, would probably be the ones. We already have a great concept, it's someone having enough time to actually get the writing done.

Describe your writing process.

I teach a class called Fast Draft and that's how I write the first draft. Usually in about two weeks. Then I go back and revise.

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever visited?

Wow! I've been lots of cool places. I couldn't pick one.




What can we expect to see from you in the near future?

I have three Blazes out in 2011, in May, June and November.


Which one is easier? Interviewing someone or being interviewed?

That is funny. I've been interviewing for so long that it's easier for me to ask the questions.

Of all the people you've interviewed, who's the one you enjoyed interviewing the most?

I have some long time favorites, who I've been talking to for years. Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Kristen Chenowith and Bill Lawrence, who did Scrubs and now Cougar Town. I like people who make me laugh and they all do.

Which film are you working on now for review?

I have three this week, Bounty Hunter, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Repo Men.



Who's the one person you wish you can meet and interview?

Hmmm. I've talked to just about everyone I could ever want to. Maybe Michele Obama. I think she's a cool chick and I'd like to ask her pop culture questions like her favorite films and books to read.

Is it hard working two very demanding careers as reviewer/interviewer and an author?

Yes. I'm also in Grad school right now, so it doesn't feel like my life is my own. There is ALWAYS something to do.

What is the one thing that always relaxes you?

A massage.


Thank you Candace for letting me interview you!
 

Check out a few of Candace Havens Novels posted below.


Charmed and Dangerous: Bronwyn The Witch #1

When Bronwyn turned twenty she took the oath to protect, and for the last five years she's kept that promise, working as a kind of one-witch secret service to the British Prime Minister. Her arsenal includes a combination of potions, spells, explosions, mind-reading tricks, and general butt-kicking skills. But Bronwyn has a soft side, too-especially when it comes to Dr. Sam, the favorite physician of her new hometown, Sweet, Texas. He's smart, funny, adorable, everything she could want in a man. Except he's also a warlock-a big no-no in Bronwyn's book of dating. Being a witch is definitely getting in the way of her sex life. If zapping evil jerks is easy, why is finding a boyfriend so hard?





Charmed and Ready: Bronwyn The Witch #2


After spending most of her life single-practically an occupational hazard for a witch-Bronwyn's finally found a sexy warlock to love. But it's going to take more than a few love spells to keep him from getting jealous about her latest gig-protecting a rock star named Zane from the creepy Goth guys in cloaks who keep showing up at his concerts and zapping his mojo. Bronwyn would like nothing better than to blow them up in an inferno of Love That Red smoke, but they're proving elusive. And in the meantime-what girl wouldn't want to hang with the hottest man in music?







Charmed and Deadly: Bronwyn The Witch #3


Bronwyn is back...but so is her evil ex-boyfriend.




Bronwyn is used to making enemies-when you dedicate your life to ridding the world of evil magic dudes and dudettes, it can happen. So when she first realizes that an attempted hit on the Prime Minister was really for her, it's just "same spell, different day." But then something about this hex reminds Bronwyn an awful lot of an ex-Jason Gladstone, who was her college sweetheart until he tied her up and tried to drain her of her powers. Talk about a date from hell.

And Candace Haven's latest release:






Take me if you Dare Stonegate Investigative Agency


We have what you need...


For Mariska Stonegate, the gorgeous guy she's now met is everything she's looking for in a man--hot, hot and...oh, right. Hot. And just because every pore of his body screams danger and sex doesn't mean she's getting herself into too much trouble....



But Mr. Thomas isn't who he says he is. In fact, his real name is Jackson--no last names, please--and he's a burned CIA agent on the run. And he'll do just about anything to stay alive...including seducing Mariska one hot, steamy night at a time!



Dangerous times call for sexy measures...








Don't forget to stop by and leave some comment love and/or questions for Candace Havens below for your chance to win something special!

Candace is giving away two copies of "Take Me if you Dare" and one ten dollar Amazon.com giftcard.

To win just tweet a message using hashtag #Authorpalooza2010 with a link of this post. You can also post this on other social networks i.e. facebook, blogs, etc.. Just remember to leave a link in the comment section below.

And answer the following question...

If you can meet and interview one person (dead or alive)  ...who would it be and what would be one of the question(s) you would ask?

Don't forget to check out my post for your chance to enter to win one of many awesome book giveaways and of course one special hot grand prize gift pack here.

27 comments:

Unknown said...

There are so many great and inetersting people I would love to have a chat with, but maybe I1ll pick Marilyn Monroe now. My little sister is a fan of hers, so it would be cool if I could talk to er and ask her personal, intimate questions which noone knows about. Of course I wouldn't publish them, I would just like to know the truth for myself.

Thanks for the interview and congratulations Candace, wow your life is quite busy right now, good luck with grad school and wishing you lots of success for your novels! :-)

I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/Stella_ExLibris/status/11696699425

spread the word on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?v=feed&story_fbid=115113408501459&id=100000899165880&ref=mf

Candace said...

Stella,
Marilyn is a good one. I never think about dead people when they ask me that question, but I should. :) I never had a chance to talk to Gregory Peck and he's one of my favorites. His Grandson is on the ABC Family show "10 Things I Hate About You," and looks and sounds a lot like him.

Samantha Hunter said...

Candace, you are seriously a marvel, and while I don't read YA, your Blaze rocks. Love TMIFD, was right up my alley. ;)

What celebs would I want to chat with? All of them, LOL -- I am serious envy of your dayjob. I don't know that I could even choose, there are so many, LOL.

Sam

Jar O' Marbles said...

Gerard Butler.

Only because I could listen to that man talk all day. lol

Anonymous said...

Dead: Brahm Stoker because if it wasn't for him I wouldn't have my obsession. Alive: Stephen King because I admire his work and would love to get inside his head.

Unknown said...

I would interview Michael Buble because then I could maybe get him to sing for me :)

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/_elizabethjoy/status/11703827514

Candy Havens said...

Sam, Thank you for the TMIFD comment. That means a LOT coming from you. :)

Nomadic, AH Gerie he is a beautiful man.

MOMO, I LOVE Stephen King. He's one of those guys with a very dry wit. Haven't talked to him in a couple of years, but I adore him. He's also wicked smart.

Elizabeth, I adore Michael Buble. :)

William said...

I think that I would like to interview either Denzel Washington as a serious character or Angelina Jolie just so I could meet her.

My wife is a serious Matthew McConaughey fan, as she has told me on numerous occasions that she could listen to him talk for days, so she would like to interview him.

Bells said...

Great interview. It's always great to get insight from an author.

If I could interview one person it would be actually be someone from my own family. I'm in the process of doing our family tree and I have ran into a couple of walls. I would love to interview a relative that I have never heard of and learn their story.

Link for tweet about contest: http://twitter.com/bellie7/status/11712419448

cait045 said...

I love Candace's The Demon King and I and Dragons prefer Blondes. I hope more books come out with the other sisters.

If I could meet one person it would be Amelia Earhart and ask her what hottie did she disappear with. I woman like that needs a happy ending.

Tweeted http://twitter.com/cait045

Candace said...

Calt045 Thank you for the kind comments. :) I'd love to finish out that series, it's up to the publisher.

I'm enjoying everyone's pick for celebrity interviews today. :)

Mary Anne Landers said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mary Anne Landers said...

Candace: Thank you for your interview and question.

Which celeb would I most like to interview? I can think of a few, but I'd rather not name them. Why? Because if the reports about them are true, their health is poor and failing. They won't be available for interviews much longer.

Keep up the good work!

Interview posted at www.facebook.com/maryannelanders

Heather (DarklyReading) said...

I would want to interview Alexander Skarsgard.. just so I can be in the same room with him (since I love him in True Blood) though I foresee that no questions would get asked because I would probably hyperventilate upon sitting in a room with him..hehe..

Great interview - I tweeted it here: http://twitter.com/DarklyReading/status/11718870658

Candace said...

Heather, Alexander is soooo tall. :) LOL on the hyperventilating. He's actually a very nice guy and would probably hand you a paper bag. :)

Rex Robot Reviews said...

Great post, V! And thakn you for introducing me to another new author! What would I do without you?

And here is my tweet for the contest- count me in!
http://twitter.com/RexRobotReviews/status/11725906944

Unknown said...

If I could meet any one person I would choose Angelina Jolie. I would ask her to adopt me too :)

Tweeted here: http://twitter.com/IntenseWhisper/status/11726464971

Melanie said...

There's a lot of celebs I would like to meet : Celine Dion, Michael Buble, George Clooney, Ellen Degeneres, Kellie Picker...and the list goes on!

Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/Melanie_Vautour/status/11728205858

bianca_riot said...

If i could meet any celeb, i would choose Hayley Williams or the cast of One Tree Hill-i love that show. Actually, maybe i could ask Princess Diana something..

Tweet:
http://twitter.com/bianca_riot/statuses/11729070722

thanks.

donnas said...

Great post.

I would have to pick Richard Burton or someone who sounds like him. I have no real question, just absolutely in love with the voice.

tweet - http://twitter.com/DonnaS1/statuses/11735214812

Candace said...

Thanks you guys! You had some great interview ideas, and I had fun reading them today!

throuthehaze said...

I would want to interview Jerry Garcia and I would ask him to tell me about all the crazy things that happened on the road.

tweet
http://twitter.com/throuthehaze/status/11738452966

Raelena
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Very awesome choices for people to meet and/or interview, lol! Thank you Candace for joining in my celebration! And thanks to you all who left some cool comments today!

V

Anonymous said...

Nice to meet you Candace. All of your books seem great. I have put a few on my must read list.

Congratulations with all of your success.

Maribeth

Rosie said...

I'd actually love to talk to Princess Diana and learn more about her life and her transformation from sad princess to happy mother with a new love.

Bookie said...

I would interview Oprah and ask her for advice on life and my career.

Nice interview. Congrats Candace and may your success continue!

Tweet!
http://twitter.com/dawnpnr/status/12022906979

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?v=wall&id=100000865668343

http://digg.com/comics_animation/Strictly_Reviews_Authorpalooza_Day_7_Guest_Author_Candac

dawnpnr at aol dot com

Spav said...

I would interview Roger Federer and I would ask him if he could help me improve my game.

Tweet: http://twitter.com/Sparima/status/13214644599

spav05(at)gmail(dot)com