Indie Author Interview with Rusty Blackwood - Author of the Contemporary Romance/Drama Willow's Walk.
Canadian romantic fiction Indie Author Rusty Blackwood is a prolific writer of children's short stories, contemporary and traditional poetry, comedy, and romantic fiction drama, her favorite genre, and one in which she excels. Willow's Walk, which earned a 5 star rating while still in pre-release, is her ninth title.
Interview with Rusty Blackwood
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| Author Rusty Blackwood |
Rusty Blackwood: I am not professionally trained in this field, meaning I hold no English BA, however I did well in the subject, loved English Composition throughout school, always had a keen understanding of the language, and possessed a flair for imaginative expression in the written word. I would have enjoyed following that course throughout my working life, however that wanting was not to be filled until 2001 when I was fortunate to be able to give serious attention to writing, and began my first romance novel. I had written both traditional and contemporary poetry throughout my adult life, and I decided to put my first collection together under the title, Feelings: A Rhythmic Journey in Thought, which I published in 2009 through Xlibris Publishing. This was followed in 2010 with my first collection of children’s short stories entitled, Young Minds. This was followed by my 2-part romance drama, Passion in Paris: Connections to the Past released in 2010, and Directions of the Heart in 2011. That same year, through an unfortunate dissension with the publisher; I pulled my titles and terminated my contract. After some serious thought, I began using Create Space Publishing Platform, and published my second poetry collection in September of 2011 entitled, Impressions, containing selected poems from my first collection, accompanied with new. That same year I republished my previous children’s collection, accompanied with new stories, in a second collection entitled, Through the Eyes of Innocence. In 2012 I published my first short story comedy entitled, The Misadventures of Derwood Tugbottom. In 2013, after a total rewrite and conversion of my previous 2-part romance into one novel, I celebrated the release of my 4-star romantic fiction drama, Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary. I was very pleased with this, as it was the way I had originally wanted it done. Finally, in December of 2015, I released my second romantic fiction drama, Willow’s Walk. This novel, which was given a 5 star rating by Readers’ Favorite while still in pre-release, was pulled briefly for a short refit, and re-released in early October of 2016.
"I have always been drawn to expressive writing."
Who are your favorite writers, your favorite books, and who or what are your writing influences?
I have always been drawn to expressive writing. By this I mean where the characters truly come alive, their stories present themselves in a vivid way, and the reader is totally immersed into the book. It takes a special talent to do this effectively. A few of my favorite authors wrote primarily for children, and they are Canadian author, Lucy Maude Montgomery, and American authors, Laura Ingalls-Wilder, Anna Sewell, and Louisa May Alcott. Anyone who is familiar with these names would be familiar with their excellent work. I very much admire Margaret Mitchells’ Gone with the Wind, and Emilie Brontes’ Wuthering Heights. I very much enjoyed Kathryn Stocketts’ The Help, and I have always enjoyed Steven King’s work, pretty much anything he has written.
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
I would say at age six in grade one. Story time was my favorite time of the day, and I loved listening to the different stories the teacher would read to the class, and traveling in my mind to the many places she would read about.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Not really, but it most likely would have been about an animal, no doubt a horse as the horse has always been my favorite animal.
"I have to feel what I write."
Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
I’m not as regimented as I could be when compared to other authors who possibly are. I have to feel what I write. By this I mean draw from experiences where something has impressed me, or amused me in some intensive way. To sit and write simply for the sake of writing is something I have no interest in doing. I have written long enough to know the difference between good writing and not so good, and I refuse to pad pages simply for content purposes. I prefer to write at night, as opposed to daytime hours where the phone could ring, quelling a perfect thought or something I might have been working on for some time to get just right, or someone coming to the door, or loud noises. Things like that can be most annoying and difficult to create among. However one can’t always have one’s way, so I do the best I can.
Please, describe your desk/workplace.
I prefer things neat, however they often are not. My desk is located in the loft of my house complete with skylights that let in tons of light and imagination. At night it feels like a sanctuary, where I can look up at the stars and pull ideas from them. I always write little notes on scrapes of paper for inclusion in a story I’m working, or ideas to be used at some point, but after awhile they do get a bit out of hand.
"Creating a three dimensional character is truly fun [...]"
What do you find easiest about writing? What’s the hardest?
With regard to the creative side of writing, whether it is a poem, a short story, or a full length novel, I find character creation to be the easiest and my favorite. I love to give life to a literary character from my imagination. They might be based in part on an actual person, someone I know, or a combination of a few. Sometimes they are totally fictitious. Creating a three dimensional character is truly fun, and I enjoy putting them into whatever scenario I wish. It’s like bending them to my will, yet in many cases they end up bending me to theirs, and this is why a good character is really the most essential part of a story. The hardest part is the technical side, making sure sentence construction is proper, grammar is used correctly, and keeping balance in the story as it progresses. It’s very much like the rules of a game, where you must stay within the guidelines set down, and hope that you can create a piece that is not only worthy of a reader’s attention, but one that will both entertain and inform them.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I would say receiving feedback from readers that have truly enjoyed what I’ve written. I love to take a reader on the journey I’ve created, hoping they can visualize and experience my thoughts and feelings, yet be reminded of something from their own lives that might bring a feeling that they haven’t experienced in some time. I enjoy the feelings it brings to me as well, because it lets me experience once again what it is I’m writing about. This experience can often be enjoyed in a happy way, but sometimes it can be very sad.
Rusty, please tell us a little about your Romance / Drama Willow’s Walk.
I am extremely proud of Willow’s Walk, not just because it garnered a 5 star rating while still in pre-release, but because the serious story it tells is one that unfortunately continues to happen. The internet can be a wonderful place, filled with countless enjoyment and information, but it can also be fraught with danger for the unsuspecting. Willow is a twice-married, mother of two, grandmother of four, middle aged-woman who has spent her life searching for the perfect love and happiness she envisions life holds for everyone, yet that is something that continues to elude her with every fumbled step, that is until she meets a young man in an internet chat room. What begins as a wonderful friendship soon turns down a path filled with danger, heartache, and strife.
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| Click to Read an Excerpt |
What inspired you to write the book?
I don’t believe there was any one thing per se, but rather an array of things. I’ve experienced much in my life thus far; some wonderful; some not so, but with each experience came knowledge, and I’ve tried to move forward with the hope of not repeating mistakes I have made. But life can often have different ideas and plans. This is what I based this novel on, and I wrote it with hope that the story it tells can help others to avoid the same mistakes that Willow made.
"[...] Willow appeals to many age groups."
Who do you see as your target audience?
I would hope anyone who enjoys a solid story; one that touches on life encounters and experiences. Everyone has their own views and opinions on everything, any topic in any genre, and I hope that those who read this novel not only enjoy it, but take from it what they will. If I had to name a specific audience, I believe I would have to say those who have lived for awhile, possibly those in their late thirties to late eighties, people who have had time to actually experience what life can hand out, and I mean this in many ways. But I still would hope Willow appeals to many age groups. I have heard from readers of different ages that have enjoyed it very much, so hopefully the novel can have open appeal with regard to any target audience.
What makes your book special?
This can be a rather difficult question to answer, for I believe all authors believe their work is special, but I tried to present a story that told what can happen in certain situations. This does not say, nor was I trying to say that what I speak about is what would happen if the reader were to find them self in the same situation as Willow. Everyone is different, and they react differently than someone else might to the same kind of circumstance. But Willow, through both naivety and the need to find self-worth, unfortunately encounters something she is not prepared to handle. This happens all the time in today’s world, especially on the internet, and regardless of warnings, it continues to happen. I don’t know if this makes Willow’s Walk special, but I think it certainly helps.
"Self published authors cannot simply sit back [...]"
How would you describe the success of your self-published books so far?
This too is a difficult question, and one that can have many answers. It greatly depends on the time of year. Holidays are usually the best time to create interest that can often lead to sales. Marketing, the amount of such, and the venues that marketing gets you into make a difference with regard to popularity of a certain title, and the sales of such. I find I enjoy direct sales more than online sales, but again it greatly depends on the time of year and the outlet. Self published authors cannot simply sit back and hope for sales without doing the promotions and footwork it takes to get the title noticed. I believe this applies in the same way to standard published authors, because marketing now falls on the shoulders of all authors to do. There is no set guarantee regardless of what you do, but you cannot expect any form of success if you’re not willing to go after it.
"[...] have faith in your ability, determination in your goal"
Can you give some advice for other Authors regarding the writing process?
The best advice I can give, is write what you know. Experience is the best teacher and always provides the best well of ideas to dip from. Don’t be lazy when it comes to research. If you don’t know something you wish to write about, research it until you do. There is nothing more embarrassing, or nothing that will discredit a writer faster than work that has been ill prepared, shabbily created and written, or expressed in a way that shows the writer does not know what they have chosen to write about. Writing can be very demanding. It can also be very upsetting, but you have to be patient with yourself, and with the entire process, because it can very often be slow, and there is never any guarantee that you will be successful. Writing requires a passion for it. It also demands a tough skin. You cannot be afraid of critique. You are not going to satisfy or even entertain everyone, and you will often find more solid walls than openings. But as long as you have faith in your ability, determination in your goal, then you are more than ready to give it a go. Remember, only you know your capabilities, and don’t ever let anyone tell you it cannot be done.
Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
I wasn’t writing anything for awhile. Since my mother’s death back in September 2015 I had experienced a loss of creative ideas. I managed to write a few poems since then; I often do that as a form of therapy, and that seems to have helped. Now I’m pleased to say that the muse has finally returned, and I’m working on three titles at the moment. I wouldn’t suggest that everyone do this, but I like variety when I write; I find it keeps my mind motivated, and new ideas flowing. Romance is my favorite genre to write, but I also like different avenues, and have started a sequel to my comedy, The Misadventures of Derwood Tugbottom entitled, Derwood Returns. The comedy short picks up where the original leaves off, and reveals what happens to the over-bearing retired English civil servant, Derwood Tugbottom, after his hasty departure from the Canadian retirement center he was ostracized from. He decides to return to Canada, and comes to a different retirement center directly across the road from the first one. Once there, he again encounters many of those that were responsible for his previous quick departure. I have also begun a biographical account of my family’s country music band, The Midnight Ramblers, of which I was a member. And I am pleased to say I have finally begun a new romantic fiction drama entitled, The Perils of Autumn. This novel is set on a fictional equestrian thoroughbred stable outside Lexington, Kentucky. Set primarily in the year 1980, the story centers around an aging equestrian master, his ailing wife, the young nurse sent to care for her, and an arrogant, self-centered jockey who is used to getting his way in whatever he does. I’m finding the story, which is more dramatic than romantic, an entertaining challenge in writing that I am greatly enjoying.
"[...] still like to browse a bookstore, open covers and thumb through the new pages with their fresh scent"
Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there be only eBooks and will book stores disappear like record stores disappeared?
The book store, or market, can be up and down, like any business. E-books have become extremely popular, but I can’t really see the brick and mortar stores disappearing entirely. Too many people still like to browse a bookstore, open covers and thumb through the new pages with their fresh scent, and black print. E-books are popular because they are portable, they can be downloaded to any mobile device, and can be altered to any reading preference. I type my manuscripts on a computer keyboard; revise them there as well, so an electronic device is the last place I wish to read a book. But that’s just me and my preference. Electronic books are here to stay, there is no doubt about that, and the brick and mortar stores are aware of this as the counters containing an assortment of electronic reading devices are on full display. It’s sad that the old fashioned record shops have greatly disappeared, but I can’t really see that happening with book stores.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
As I stated in the previous question, I’m not fond of electronic reading devices, but if I had to choose one, I would say Kindle. My titles that are available in e-format are on Kindle. My earlier romance drama, Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary is available for all electronic devices, but Willow’s Walk for electronic format is only on Kindle. I haven’t yet decided if I will make it available to all devices; I find Kindle the most popular, and I do have Kindle on my computer.
Do you write full-time or do you have a day job? When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I write full time now, as I am retired from my previous full-time job. This is why I can write during the day if I choose to, and I try to be at my desk for writing, as well as business correspondence by 10 am and remain until 4 or so, depending on what is going on, and if the creative process is going well. But I am free to write anytime of the day or night. When not at my desk, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, as well as my cat Tipper. I also enjoy music; interior decorating – of which I hold two diplomas – art, boating, and spending time in nature.
How can readers connect with you?
They may contact me at my official website – first in the list below - as well as all my media outlets listed below.
Check out my Website
Like my Facebook Page
Add me on Twitter
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Google+
Goodreads
I hope my readers, and all those interested in my work, will continue to visit my sites, comment my work and or review it, and feel free to email me at: writerrusty@hotmail.ca
I would very much like to thank Alan Kealey, and Indie Author News for conducting this in-depth interview with me, and for featuring my work on this most informative Indie news site. It is through popular sites like this that the Indie author can hope to get their work known and before the eyes of the reading public. It is greatly appreciated, and I thank you.
Thank you very much for the Interview, Rusty.
About the Book Willow's Walk
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| Click to Read an Excerpt |
The pitfalls along that path, as well as the way in which they are dealt with are entirely up to the individual. But Willow Sutherland-Crosby walks a far different path, and with her own agenda.
Abuse, deception, intrigue, and a never ending quest for happiness and love - will she find these, or will her blind determination be her downfall?
The 5-star romantic fiction drama, Willow's Walk, is a gripping new tale, certain to hold readers captive from the very first page. Set in the beautiful city of Ottawa, Canada in 2003, this touching story centers on the life and times of a woman determined to prevail at all costs, regardless of what is set before her, the result of which is certain to leave the reader reeling in its wake.
- "A contemporary romance novel, Willow's Walk is a story that is so familiar, making it easy to relate to. Rusty Blackwood's creative writing style is simple and smooth and this makes the book such an enjoyable read. Her characters are well rounded and believable, and she always finds a redeeming value in each of them, the villains included, and this makes all of them quite human. I highly recommend this book!" - Reader Review
Link to the Book
Link to the Paperback Willow's Walk on Amazon
Link to the eBook Willow's Walk on Amazon
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