I’m pleased to welcome author C.A. Szarek. She writes in the fantasy, paranormal, romantic suspense, and Young Adult genres.
C.A. is originally from Ohio, but got to Texas as soon as she could. She is married and has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. She works with kids when she’s not writing. She’s always wanted to be a writer and is overjoyed to share her stories with the world.
Sword’s Call (King’s Riders Book One) is available now from Gypsy Shadow Publishing.
Collision Force (Crossing Forces Book One) just released on June 28, 2013 from Total-E-Bound Publishing. Bad boy FBI agent and feisty widowed police detective collide pursuing a human trafficker in small town Texas on their way to true love.
Poseidon’s Scribe: When and why did you begin writing fiction?
C.A. Szarek: Oh gosh, I have been writing since I was very young. Poetry when I was seven or eight, and then stories that slowly wended themselves into novels when I was about fourteen.
P.S.: What are the easiest, and the most difficult, aspects of writing for you?
C.A.: Hmmm, a hard one. The most difficult part for me is telling my inner critic to be quiet so I can just write. Sometimes I question too much: The story, myself, where the scene is going. I think the best part is making up stuff. Hehehe. Bringing life to characters, making them real people. Making them have feelings and emotions and making them real.
P.S.: What inspired you to write Collision Force?
C.A.: I’m not sure it was any one thing specifically. I have a law enforcement background, and I have always been interested in this type of story. I watch tons of cop shows on TV, so I thought I could write one! I “met” Andi and Cole a long time ago, when I was about seventeen. So, they’ve been with me for years. But it was good I waited to write their story. I didn’t have the expertise to write it back then.
P.S.: What is the audience you’re trying to reach with that book?
C.A.: Well, it is a romantic suspense novel, a mix of a good cop story and a love story, so I would assume women would be into it. But I know a few guys who have checked it out and have liked it, so who knows?
P.S.: You’re an author of fantasy, paranormal, romantic suspense, and YA. Why do you prefer those genres?
C.A.: I never set out to write multi-genres. But when a good story occurs to me, I write it. But I have always been a fantasy girl. It’s fun to make up your own world, but it’s difficult, as well. But I like my romantic suspense world of Crossing Forces (that’s my series title) as much as I love the world of the King’s Riders (my fantasy series)
P.S.: Every Tuesday, your blog features interviews or guest posts from other authors, and it usually gets many comments; why do you think that regular feature has become so popular?
C.A.: I’m not sure. I love authors and books and reading as much as I love writing, so I love to share all the authors I know with the rest of the world. I try to promote, promote, promote. I hope everyone will check out my friends’ books as much as I want them to check out my own. I think if we all work together to get the word out, we can all succeed.
P.S.: Without giving too much away, what is your current writing project?
C.A.: I am working on Chance Collision, which is the 2nd book in my Crossing Forces Series. It is Pete and Nikki’s story and I am loving it so far.
P.S.: What advice can you offer to aspiring writers?
C.A.: Don’t ever give up. Rejection happens. If you want it bad enough, you keep going. Always.
Thanks so much, C.A.! I wish you every success. My readers can find out more about C.A. Szarek at her website, her blog, on Facebook, and on Twitter. Her site at Gypsy Shadow Publishing is here.
Poseidon’s Scribe