Welcome to
The Bookstore's
Interview with Shelley Bradley
Shelley, Welcome to The Bookstore! We're happy you could stop by to chat with us!
First of all, please tell us a bit about yourself. Your family, background, etc...
I'm originally from Southern California, just north of the San Fernando Valley. Yes, I was a freshman in high school when Valley Girls were all the rage. And yes, I can do a mean Valley Girl accent. I'm an only child, but my parents definitely didn't believe in indulgence. Once, in high school, I got an A- from the toughest teacher in school in British Lit. She sent a note home to my parents that she would have given me an A if I had actually tried. I got grounded for a week... LOL. Now, I'm married and we have an only child of our own. I've relocated to Texas and I love it!
Do you have any hobbies, pets or collections?
Currently have one cat named Hermione, after one of the main characters in the Harry Potter series. We all take Harry very seriously in my family.
Please tell our readers what kind of books you write. How many books do you have our now?
I write anything that's sizzle from the heart. I've written historicals, contemporaries, eroticas. I'm toying with a paranormal series. But in anything I write the underlying theme will always be very sexy, very emotional, and always a romance. Between what's been released and what I've sold, I'm at 15 books and counting...
How did you get started in your writing career? Is this something you have always wanted to do? How long have you been writing?
I started reading romances in college, and I was hooked! I started writing seriously shortly after I married, about 15 years ago. I can't imagine loving anything more than I adore writing these stories that live and breathe inside me.
Are you a full time author or do you still hold and outside job? What kind of jobs have you held prior to becoming an author? Did you have a favorite or worst job?
I still hold an outside job developing training documentation for a Fortune 15 company. I've always done a lot of writing in any job I've done, including technical writing. As long as I'm with words, I'm happy.
How long did it take you to be published? What was your first published book and when did it come out? What kind of book was it? Historical, contemporary, category?
It took me just about 7 years to sell my first book. It was released January, 1999. It's called THE LADY AND THE DRAGON, and I hear is VERY hard to find these days. It was a Regency-set historical. I still LOVE the story today and hope to find some way to make it available again for the folks who missed it the first time.
Where were when you saw your first book on the store shelf? What was your reaction? Did you have a celebration? Does it still give you a thrill to see your books on the store shelves or even better on someone’s keeper shelf?
I was at Wal-Mart the first time I saw my book on a store shelf. Reaction? Gosh... Cool, neat, wow. I hope people like it! Your first book is a nerve-wracking experience--or was for me. When people tell me today that I'm on their keeper shelf, that's far more special to me. I know my keeper shelf is small, so I feel honored when a reader tells me I've made it onto that hallowed space.
Most of your previous books have been historicals. What drew you to write historical romance? Do you have a favorite time period or setting in your books?
I grew up steeped in history. It was my mother's major in college. I think I learned all the wives of Henry VIII before I learned how to add. Through my mother, British history has always been a fascination for me. I'm particularly fond of 15th century, Georgian and Regency periods. I've written in all and loved them.
You have two contemporaries out. BOUND AND DETERMINED, a January 2006 release and STRIP SEARCH, a July 2006 release. Tell us about these two books. I believe they are connected. In STRIP SEARCH, will we be revisiting any of the characters from BOUND AND DETERMINED? Did you originally plan to write these as connected books? Will there be any more in this series?
After writing 9 historicals, I took some time off. I'd been writing furiously since my daughter was a baby, and I needed a break. During my off time, the voices rambling in my head were all contemporary. When I finally returned to my computer, Rafe and Kerry from BOUND AND DETERMINED were born. I didn't imagine anyone would want this odd mix of erotic romance, chick-lit, romantic comedy and adventure. Berkley snapped it up in 3 days!
BOUND AND DETERMINED follows the (mis)adventures of a young Florida waitress/student doing everything she can to keep her brother out of prison for a crime he didn't commit. In order to prove that, she commits her own crime--kidnapping a top electronic security expert and holding him captive until he agrees to help. And as my backcover copy says, Kerry soon realizes that the only way to get her way is so let Rafe have his way...with her. It's a fun story that's still very dear to my heart, and I've received so many wonderful accolades and great pieces of reader mail regarding this book.
STRIP SEARCH is a continuation of this series. If you read BOUND AND DETERMINED, you know there's one character whose life falls utterly apart as Kerry and Rafe are committing to their happily ever after. When I started B&D, I never imagined giving this character a book...but I just couldn't leave such a great person in despair. So STRIP SEARCH was born. I'm thrilled that people will get to see how this character copes, recovers, falls in love. It's sizzling and, to me, touching to see the recovery and healing. I hope readers feel the same.
There may be more books in the series. I have ideas. I'll have to see how my schedule permits, etc.
Do you find it easier or more enjoyable to write in the current time period, rather than historicals?
I enjoy the fact that, with contemporaries, I can use my own vocabulary, as well as borrow from my 20-something cousins. I think using my own language pool makes the books more personal for me. People often ask me if I intend to write more historicals. I don't have any planned right now, but I'll never say never...
Approximately how long does it take for you to complete a book? How long after that to see it on the store shelves?
Great question! The answer really depends on the sort of book I'm writing. A 100,000 word book takes me anywhere from 4-6 months, depending. Frequently, I finish the book and won't see it in print for 12-24 months. So the wait with print publishing can be both frustrating for me and readers. With electronic publishing, which I'm just getting into, I finished the first 55,000 word book in about 10 weeks. It's due out with Samhain Publishing on August 29! I love the speedy turnaround of electronic publishing. It's such a thrill to conceive an idea, writing it, and have it released all in the same calendar year, which is exactly what's happen with my upcoming Samhain book, NAUGHTY LITTLE SECRET.
Do you work on more than one project at a time?
I can...but it's not my preference. I would really rather focus on one set of characters and one story, really sink into their journey to love before moving on. But publishing reality doesn't always permit that, so I've learned to focus wholly on whatever I'm working on in a given moment.
Tell us what kind of writer you are. A structured one that plots and outlines your story and characters and sticks rigidly to it, or are you more relaxed in your writing style? Have your characters ever developed a mind of their own and taken off in a direction that surprised you?
I'm a planner in life...and a planner when I write. I have a storyboard and a detailed synopsis done before I ever write a word of any chapter. But I don't stick rigidly. Deviations happen. Sometimes you think of better ways to have something happen, and I go with the flow. But I'd say that, usually, when I write a synopsis and deliver it to my editor, that about 85% of what I said would happen will happen exactly the way I stated it would. I think it's because characters come to me pretty developed. I don't have to get to know them. It's plotting their journey that takes me a while.
How do you keep up with the pertinent information on your characters and plot lines, especially in related books? Do you keep a log or perhaps a computer program to help keep the details straight?
As I said in the last question, I use a storyboard. It's a fabulous way to see your story at a glance. From the storyboard, I build a detailed synopsis, usually about 20 pages. For little details, I often keep a pad of paper by my monitor and just jot little checklists to myself along the way, like "remember that her cat's name is Tabby" or whatever. Seems to keep me organized.
Give us an example of a typical day in your life. Do you try to keep to a specific writing schedule?
Typical day? Not sure there's any such thing. During the week, it's up by 4:45, write until 6. Then shower and head to work. I'm home by 5:30. Depending on what day it is, I may be headed off to the gym or taking my daughter to swim lessons. We manage to scrounge something for dinner. I can cook...I just don't love to. My dear and patient husband actually does far more of that than I do. After dinner, the rest of the family cleans up. Usually it's about 7:30. I answer email until 8:30ish, bathe my daughter and get her in bed. Then 9-10:30 is hardcore writing time. I can usually get 3-5 pages of ready-to-go pages done a day like that. Weekends...all bets are off. Some days, I hunker in my office and write all day. Other days, it's errands, etc. Some days, it's family fun, like yesterday when we went to the movies, dinner and came home for a swim. Sunday is usually laundry/grocery shopping/general catch up day. It's a hectic pace, but I've been doing it for so long, I don't think I'd know how to live if my life were less busy!
Can you share with us what you do for fun and relaxation? Do you have a favorite activity or comfort food that automatically makes a bad or super busy day better?
Fun and relaxation... Not a lot of time for that, but I love reading, going to Disney World, anything Harry Potter. I listen to a lot of music because, no matter where I am, I can get off in my own zone with my iPod going. Once a month, my daughter and I go out together and have our nails done. It's a nice, just-for-girls activity. About 3-4 times a week I head to the gym and do an hour of step aerobics and weightlifting. It's a good de-stresser and helps me sleep better. Food, well, I'm all about Mexican food. Love Italian, too. Of course, I LOVE chocolate. Yellow cakes with chocolate frosting are a particular weakness of mine--so I don't keep that stuff in the house!
Are you a big reader and if so, what kind of books do you enjoy? Can you share a few of your favorite books or authors with us?
I'm a HUGE reader. I like a lot of different books, honestly. Some of my faves over the years have been:
LUCKY'S LADY - Tami Hoag
MINE TO TAKE - Dara Joy
Anything Harry Potter
Favorite authors include Lisa Kleypas, Lora Leigh, Anne Stuart--gosh, there are really so many. There are a ton of talented authors out there, and I read all over the place. I also enjoy Dan Brown and JK Rowling, for example.
Do you think your writing has been influenced by any particular author? If so, how?
Not really one person. The voices in my own head are so strong. I think in general that Ellora's Cave influenced the sensuality levels in my book, proving there was a way and a place to write romances with hot sex. It was like taking the leash off my writing, and I'm much happier now. So I was thrilled to become part of the Ellora's Cave family earlier this year. I expect to have a book out with them next year, under my Shayla Black pseudonym.
Do you have any advise for someone just starting their writing career?
Yes, read, read, read. But also be true to what's in your heart and mind. Your passion and conviction will shine through in your writing. Treat it like a business. If you want to succeed, writing has to be a priority for you. Practice, practice, practice. Don't get discouraged. Submit, submit, submit. You can't hear yes if you don't send it to anyone who might buy it.
Is there anything you would change if you were starting over? Has there been anything different that you expected?
No. I've learned a lot along the way. It's helped shape me and give my a perspective on publishing and my work. I have hopes going forward, but I wouldn't change the past.
Where can our readers learn more about you and your wonderful books?
www.shelleybradley.com has all the latest about Shelley Bradley books and will be re-launched with a new look July 1. I'm starting a new site for all my Shayla Black books at www.shaylablack.com. That site should also be up around July 1 and will showcase the more erotic works I'm writing for Berkley Heat and Ellora's Cave.
Shelley, thanks for taking time to visit with us! Please come again soon!
Thanks for this great opportunity to chat with your readers!
Shelley
