Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Interview with Edie Ramer and giveaway!

Edie Ramer is an indie author of paranormal romances. Her ebooks include Cattitude, Dead People and Dragon Blues. I recently got the opportunity to ask her some questions! Here is the interview:

Where do you get your ideas for your books?

Usually, the characters come first or the plot stems from something that fascinates me. The cat changing bodies with a woman plot in Cattitude came because I love my cat, and I wondered what that cat attitude would be like in a woman. For Dead People, I’ve been reading books about life after life for years, and I think that interest is why I wrote about a woman who talks to ghosts.

Dragon Blues started with my fascination with dragons. I think they’re glorious creatures. They flame plumes of fire and they fly. Hot and sexy. It took me three years to find a plot and a heroine to fit my dragon who turned into a man.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Mostly, I spend too much time on the internet. It’s an addiction. I also read, watch favorite TV shows, walk my two dogs. Go out to eat, movies, see friends and family. The usual. (Reading this, I think I should make something up that makes me sound more exciting.)


When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

About twenty years ago. I was a voracious reader, and one day I started to write and write and write. And I didn’t stop. I was like Forrest Gump when he started to run. Unlike Forrest, I’m still writing.

Along the way to being an indie author, I sold short stories, nonfiction and greeting card verses. I had four agents, writing contest wins, and close brushes with traditional publishing. Self-publishing is the best thing I’ve done for myself.

What is the hardest part of writing?

For me, it’s the beginning of the book. I usually start a book with a premise, main characters and a sketchy idea of where the story is going. Some days writing is like trying to catch a sunbeam. When I reach the middle of the book, I normally have a better idea of the second half, and it goes more smoothly.


How long does it to you to write a book?

About four months, and that usually includes a couple of major revisions and minor ones. I’d love to get books out faster, but I don’t want to skimp on quality. My goal is to make every book better than the last.


Who are your favorite authors or books?

I have so many. In historicals, I love Loretta Chase and Mary Balogh. My critique partner, Michelle Diener, has her first historical suspense coming out in August, In a Treacherous Court, based on real people in Henry the VIII’s court. She’s brilliant, and I’m sure the series will be a huge success. I’m a friend of Lori Brighton, and I love her paranormal historicals and contemporaries. For romantic suspense, I’m a Cynthia Eden fan. Women’s fiction, Marilyn Brant. I just read an ARC of the first book of Jennifer Estep’s new YA Mythos Academy series, Touch of Frost. I loved it! I predict it will be a big hit.


What are you working on now?

I’m working on the second Haunted Hearts book (the first was Dead people). The hero is Joe, who was the heroine’s ghost best friends in Dead People. He’s fun to write, not as tortured as my usual heroes.


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Thanks so much for answering my questions Edie! I always love to find out how authors get ideas for their books. I would love to be an author but I just don't have a very good imagination, lol... I think I'll stick with reading!

Edie has generously offered to give one lucky commenter an ebook of their choice. You can choose from one of the books below:


Cattitude


Dead People


To enter - leave a comment below and let us know which book you would like to win. Contest open through April 12th - a winner will be randomly chosen and announced on April 13th.

You can find Edie Ramer at:
Website
Facebook
Twitter

19 comments:

  1. Tishia, thanks for inviting me to your blog! I feel now that I should have mentioned my pole dancing lessons. I would have omitted not finishing them... Someday I'll put that experience in a book.

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  2. i feel strange saying this, but I want dead people!! haha. =]

    thanks for the interview!!

    americangirlie1991 AT yahoo DOT com

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  3. Great interview! I'm definitely interested in Dead People. Wait, that sounded kind of creepy, lol. You know what I mean, haha.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Mandy @ Embrace Your Oddities

    embraceyouroddities@gmail.com

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  4. I'm stopping by just to say the Edie Ramer is amazing and I think it is impossible for her to write a bad books. Her books are filled with humor, suspense, mystery and romance all wrapped up in a cute package - have you seen her book covers...awesome! Yes, I'm a huge Edie fan..lol. Great interview with a wonderful writer!

    Evie@Paromantasy

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  5. Hi Lindsay! LOL I hope you get Dead People. Thanks for stopping by.

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  6. Mandy, love the name of your blog. I embrace my oddities, too. So do some of my characters.

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  7. Evie, SMOOCH! You are a sweetheart! Thank you!

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  8. Edie, all of your books are fantastic. I can't believe it only takes you 4 months to write one. I am pathetically slow.

    As for Idol, I'm addicted. My favorites are Hailey, Paul and James.

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  9. Are they a series? Cause if so I would love the first! If not...Cattitude sounds like something I would love lol

    Thanks so much for the giveaway!

    hense1kk AT cmich DOT edu

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  10. Liz, you're a sweetheart. I feel pathetically slow, too. I'm a Haley, Casey and Scotty fan. I think - hope! - all our favorites will be safe this time.

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  11. Katy, I'm writing a second book for the Haunted Hearts series now (Deep People was book 1). After that I'm writing a short story using a character from Cattitude. And then I'm writing the second book of the Dragon series.

    The Cattitude short story will be in an amazing anthology! I wish I could talk about it now, but it's too early. It will be out in September, and there will be stories by bestselling writers in it.

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  12. I can't wait for the second book! Great interview, Eddie's writing just rocks :)
    (I'm not entering the contest, I have all her books :)

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  13. Aimee, you're a doll! The second book has been giving me trouble, but I hope I'm back on track now.

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  14. WoooHooo! A second Haunted Hearts book!!! I CAN'T wait. And with Joe as a main character, oh my! I love him. It will be so nice to learn about his beginnings, and I SOOO hope he gets a lady friend.

    I read DEAD PEOPLE in two sittings, Edie. You have such an enthralling voice.

    Mm, the winner is going to be chosen on the 13th; I already feel extra lucky. When I win *grin* please send me DRAGON BLUES!

    @Aimee, come back and enter! I'll be more than happy to take the extra bookish goodness from your full hands ;-)

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  15. Magaly, I'm so glad you love my voice. For me, that makes a huge difference with books.

    Joe is such a great guy to write. I keep putting more scenes of him in this book than the heroine's. She has a lot of problems, but it's definitely his story.

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  16. Great interview Tishia. I love learning about new to me authors and their books. Especially ones that have attempted pole dancing lessons. ;-)

    I'd like to win Dead People.

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  17. Jen, I knew I should have put the pole dancing lessons in the interview. Next time I will.

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  18. I love all the covers and descriptions of your books, Edie! The dragon/man premise sounds especially intriguing. Great interview. It's always nice to learn a bit about the author of the books you read. I think Dragon Blues would be the book I'd choose if I am lucky enough to win;)

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  19. Barb, thanks for stopping by and commenting!

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