Meet the Author: AC Arthur

 A.C. Arthur is an award winning author of steamy romance. What makes her tick?

 Where do we find you on the web?
http://www.acarthur.net

 What’s your current release?
Indecent Exposure, Urban Books

 What’s your next project?
Full House Seduction will be released in August 2009

 How did you choose your genre or did it choose you?
I’d say romance chose me, from the first Nora Roberts book I read.

 In what way have writing friends or mentors helped you?
In so many ways. The unity shared between writers is a special connection to start with, but when you find a few that are truly in your corner, offering advice and support and just a genuine friendship, their value is immeasurable.

 Describe what you think a reader will learn about you after reading your book?
I think they’ll learn that I have a strange sense of humor, a love for great characters and just a dash of drama. I’m honest and straight forward in real life so most of my characters are the same way.

 If you decided to no longer write, what would you do instead?
Never thought about not writing. But I also do event planning so I assume that would be my next career.

 What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?
I wish non-writers would understand that this is a job, not a hobby. It’s real work and sometimes it’s extremely hard work, luckily for me it is also very gratifying.

 Tell us about your writing process. Are you a plotter or pantzer?
This is funny because in the beginning I just sat down and wrote a story, then after it was done I’d go back, read it and see if it made any sense. Now, with contracts and deadlines, I tend to do a lot of plotting and outlining before I start writing. I like to be organized so I try to get all my thoughts in order after the idea first surfaces. I do a lot of research on my characters and any special themes in the story then I hammer out a synopsis. That doesn’t mean I follow the synopsis perfectly, but it gives me an idea of where I want the story to end up. Then I start writing.

 What’s the toughest thing about writing for you?
Choosing a title. I don’t know why that is so hard for me. But sometimes I spend days coming up with a title only to have it changed later in the publication process. lol

 If you could be one of your characters who would you choose and why?
Hmmm, I don’t know. I liked so many of them. The question should probably be, if I had my choice of which hero I’d like for myself, who would I choose—Keith Page from Office Policy, no doubt about it.  

 Describe the “perfect” hero? What about the “perfect” hero for you?
The “perfect” hero is my husband, because he is such a good man, a good father, a good husband and one of my biggest supporters.

 What are you currently reading? What author do you admire?
I’m currently reading The Summoning by Kelly Armstrong. I think I admire her ability to capture the teenage angst with such ease and still give a thoroughly entertaining book.

 If money were no object, what would you do?
Go to Italy.

 What kind of writer’s gatherings do you recommend?
Conferences, they’re great for networking and meeting readers.

 What makes you throw a book you’re reading against the wall in disgust?
Pacing. I am very impatient, so waiting until I’m on page 35 or chapter 5 is too long for the action to get going.

 Tell us about your writing place. What would you change about it if you could? Do you always write in the same spot, or do you roam from room to room, area to area as the mood strikes?
I can write anywhere. On the plane, in the car on a road trip, in the hotel, at home, on the laptop, by hand, it really doesn’t matter to me.

 Name the three qualities you think a good writer must possess. Which do you think you have?
Tenacity. Patience. Organization. I’ve gotten the organization down to a science and I was born tenacious. As for the other, I’m still praying for it. lol

 Pray for me too! Thanks so much, AC, for being with us today. Readers, please leave comments or questions for AC below. And don’t forget to visit her website at www.acarthur.net

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