Beth Cornelison talks about her latest release, Reyn's Redemption.

What went Between the Sheets of this book?  Either what was happening in your life when you wrote it, or what was happening with the book as you wrote it.

The idea for Reyn's Redemption originally came from a dream I had many years ago about a guy who returned to his hometown where he was an outcast. The reason for his outsider status was vague, as dreams tend to be, but the impression of this loner, a mysterious but magnetic personality, stuck with me.

Ta-da! Reyn Erickson was born. I played around with the storyline, secondary characters, and other minutia of the story for months, even years before this final version was compete, but Reyn stayed true to the original concept that came to me in that dream years earlier. Reyn's Redemption is, as the title implies, Reyn's story, and I didn't want to change anything about him or his journey toward finding peace-of-mind, self-forgiveness, and lasting love. The identity of the killer changed many times through various drafts, but not Reyn... or his inner pain, his brooding manner, his isolation, his gruff facade, his heroism, his kind heart. I do love a tortured hero!

When did you decide to sit down and write your first novel and what led up to the publication of your first book?
 
I've been creating stories since I was a kid.  I hand wrote my first novel when I was about 13.  I was quite proud of it at the time, but looking back I can see it was TERRIBLE!  But the love of storytelling never faded and after college, when I moved with my husband to Louisiana, I was out of work (in public relations) and started writing novels again in my spare time.  The ideas came flooding out!  I honed my skills through critique groups and contests and writers conferences and lots of practice...and many manuscripts, contest awards and submissions later (about ten years) I finally sold my first book!

Take us through a typical writing day and your creative process.

I sit down to my computer in the morning as soon as my son is out the door to school. In the summer it is more a matter of when I drag myself out of bed.  I'm fresher and more creative in the morning and so I'll write until lunch time.  In the afternoon, if I'm on a tight deadline I may hit the computer again, but typically I start chores and errands and use that time to mull over my characters and where I want to take the story the next day.  I write whatever scene is calling to me the loudest.  I frequently write scenes out of order.  It may seem jumbled, but it works for me!

Are you a visual writer?   Do you see scenes and characters in your head?   Or do you hear the characters voices?

Very visual!  My scenes play out like little movies in my head as I write.  My characters get frustrated with my poor (slow) typing ability because they talk to me faster than I can type most days.  I hear their voice, their inflection, see every nuance of their facial expressions and body language in my mind. The action plays out like a Hollywood film in my head. I'm often frustrated I can't find the exact word to capture the minute detail and exact nuances I want to convey.

What is your re-writing and editing process?  Do you let anyone read your work in progress before it goes to your editor? 

I generally rewrite as I write, so that by the time I finish the last chapter, the book is basically done.  I'll often have at least one outside reader give it a look for things I missed. Then it is off to get my editors input...
 
What is your opinion of critique groups?  Do you find them helpful?

I think critique groups are beneficial if you can get hooked up with people who are honestly interested in helping you grow as a writer.  I've heard of too many critique groups that had jealousy and hurt feeling come into play.  I benefited a great deal from my earliest critique groups, but now I just have one or two people I send my work to when I’m looking for input.  Finding a good critique partner is like finding gold! But being part of a unhealthy critique environment can be murder to an aspiring authors motivation and creativity. 

Do you have time to read now?  What authors do you read?

I don't have nearly as much time to read as I'd like.  When I do find time I read other authors in the Silhouette Romantic Suspense line, Linda Howard, Susan Wiggs, Allison Brennan, and Karen Robards.  I'm part of a book club and with them I've been introduced to Jeffery Deaver, Lisa Unger, Lisa Scottoline, and Harlan Coben among others.  There is no shortage of books I want to read if I had time!

What are you working on now?

I'm currently finishing up the third 'Bancroft Brides' book for Silhouette Romantic Suspense. The first of the Bancroft sisters, Holly, had her book out in October this past fall.  The second sister, Paige, has her book coming in October this year. So I'm working on the third and youngest sister, Zoey, and hoping for a release date in early 2011. 

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?  And how did you keep your spirits up until the first book was published?

My advice to new writers is simple but so true.  NEVER GIVE UP!  It is a frustrating business and rejections and jealous, petty people will try to knock you down.  Don't let them keep you down.  Persistence is the key to publishing.

I kept my spirits up by focusing on the positive feedback I got from trusted friends and critique partners.  I didn't quit because I couldn't quit.  Writing is part of who I am and what makes me complete.  I have to write stories or the voices in my head would drive me nuts!!

Anything special that you want to tell your readers about yourself?

Well...hmm.  I love animals, especially cats, and readers will find a cat in every one of my books in some form or another.
 
Beth Cornelison- bcornelison@comcast.net
REYN'S REDEMPTION- March 2010-Samhain
THE BRIDE'S BODYGUARD- October 2010-SRS
P.I. DADDY'S PERSONAL MISSION (Coltons Montana) Nov. 2010-SRS
www.bethcornelison.com  or  Join me on Facebook!

© 2010 Interview by BetweenYourSheets.com

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