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Thursday, August 30, 2012

Meet Christine Warner


This week, it's my pleasure to introduce you to Christine Warner. Even though we live in the same state and not that far from each other, I’ve only known her through the Internet. One of these days, we’re going to have to meet in person.

Welcome, Christine.

Tell us a little more about yourself.


Okay, I’ll nudge you if you start to nod off! Lol I live in Michigan along with my husband. Two of our 3 kids live at home and we share our space with a much loved assortment of cats and dogs. I love to cook, read, laugh and people watch. I can’t even begin to name all of the interesting people quirks I’ve seen that have helped me when writing.

Other than that I am slightly addicted to social media, chocolate and coffee and enjoy meeting and talking with other authors and readers and pretty much anyone in general!

How long does it take you to write a book?

I haven’t written very many, but they have ranged in time from 3 months to a year. The one that took me a year was my debut novel Some Like it in Handcuffs and I believe it took so long because every time I learned something new about craft, I went back into the story from the beginning to apply it.  I would like to write faster, but it all depends on my time and how easily the words flow.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

It’s funny really how story ideas can come from just a phrase you might hear or even a commercial buzzing in the background, but most of my ideas come to me while I’m driving. I have no idea why. Generally a title will pop into my head and I’ll weave an entire plot and storyline around a few words. As for information about the stories I write, I would have to say a lot of things are just based on life experiences—either my own or things I’ve heard when talking to others—and of course Google!  Lol 

I know what you mean. Driving alone is very conducive to weaving plots or the solution to a problem I’m having with a plot. What do you think makes a good story?

To me I think great characters make a good story. Flawed characters complete with oddities and quirks. There needs to be some baggage, but not overdone. They have to be real. When I’m reading a character or writing one I have to think of them as living and breathing people. I need to know that if I met this person they’d hold my interest enough that I’d want to have a conversation with them, or better yet become friends.

You are so right. Love flawed characters. They are so much more real than a “perfect” character. What do you enjoy most about writing?

I think I pretty much love every aspect of writing. Some days I have to admit there are things I love more than others, but usually it’s balanced!  Lol  I guess if I had to pick one thing, what I enjoy most is starting a new story. Getting to know the characters, flush out the scenery and descriptions and start the attraction and chemistry between the hero and heroine as soon as they meet.

What do you enjoy most about life?

My family. I love being close to my kids and my own siblings and enjoy our time together. Our time together is full of laughter, fun and teasing. There is nothing better.

That’s great. I’ve lived away from family for a long time so I envy you the physical closeness. If you could give the younger version of yourself advice what would it be?

I wanted to write from the moment I won an essay contest and then a young author’s award in elementary school. I thought about it off and on for years, but life got in the way with jobs, marriage, children and everyday life and I kept pushing my dream aside. So, if I could go back, I’d tell my younger self to just go for it!  Don’t put it off…even if you take it slow at least you are learning, growing and improving and ultimately you’ll reach your goal.

Great advice. Seize the day. Is your muse demanding?

No. I don’t really know if I believe in a muse—at least for me. I know some author’s can describe their muse or know if it’s a man or a woman, but truthfully to me a muse is your own wants, desires and goals. So, in answer to your question, I would have to say that some days I’m harder on myself and more demanding, and other days I just want to hang out and read or watch a good movie and forget about writing! lol 

What are some jobs you’ve done that would end up in a book?

In Two-Timing the Boss, the heroine Farah Smith works in an office. I’ve always worked in an office so that was a no-brainer for me. I haven’t held many other jobs than that though besides working fast food when I was in high school along with some retail.  You can stop yawning now!  lol

List two authors we would find you reading when taking a break from your own writing.

I love true crime so definitely Ann Rule. As for romance, which I also love to read, I can’t pick just one favorite…there are too many good ones out there.

Isn’t that the truth! Tell us about your latest book.

Two-Timing the Boss is a sexy, contemporary romance.

Here’s the blurb: 

Farah Smith is on a mission: secure the funds for her twin sister’s surgery. She’ll do whatever it takes to succeed. Even if that means putting her values aside to work for a man she finds morally bankrupt. But when the real Farah meets her new boss, she wonders if she’ll be able to resist his sexy advances long enough to help her sister.
From the blonde wig, to the stilettos strapped around her ankles, Farah’s a clone of Keller Donovan’s harem of past assistants. She can’t believe she’s let herself be talked into the disguise, let alone working for the man planning to demolish the hospital her sister so desperately needs, but the salary he offers is the only way she’ll be able to afford her sister’s surgery. The moment Farah meets Keller she realizes her most daunting task isn’t typing, spreadsheets or organizing travel arrangements, but fighting the growing attraction toward a man whose ruthlessness is legendary in the boardroom as well as the bedroom.
Determined not to end up in a disastrous marriage like his divorced parents, Keller believes all relationships should have a shelf life of sixth months or less. But when he meets Farah, all bets are off. He not only wants her to continue as his personal assistant, but his own private bed warmer. Unfortunately, his offer of an affair doesn’t sit well with her fairytale dreams or the strangled hold gripping his heart.

EXCERPT from Two-Timing the Boss:

These damn shoes would be the death of her.  She could read the headlines now:  Penniless P.A. Falls to her Death while on Job Interview.
Almost to her destination, with no more mishaps, her confidence surfaced.  Okay, maybe mastering this heel thing wouldn’t be such a big deal.  Her steps became light, almost bouncy.  Although she sensed Keller Donovan behind her, she didn’t let it deter her feeling of success.  She stepped onto the large black and red area rug, less than ten feet from her target.  The leather chairs.
“Oh!”  Farah’s spiky heel caught on the edge of the expensive rug.  Her legs shook and she shot her arms out from her sides, circling them like a bird about to take flight.  She fought to regain balance inside the ridiculous stilts strapped to her feet.  A brawl to the death.  Over when she looked down to see the rug coming up to kiss her face.  She threw out her hands, sucked in a breath and closed her eyes, scrunching her face as she prepared for impact.
But nothing happened.  There were stars all right, and a blazing jolt of electricity shot from her toes, up her legs, through her body and exited with the small gasp which escaped her lips.  Somehow Keller Donovan had grabbed her around the waist before she met the floor. 
Heat burned her cheeks.  He may have saved her body from bruises, but her ego, and whatever confidence she’d walked in with had shattered.
“Let’s not have an accident before your health benefits kick in.”  His breath tickled her ear from behind.  Chills hugged her backbone.
His touch released an unsettling flutter in her abdomen.  She sucked in her stomach from the pressure of his strong arms wrapped around her middle, afraid to breathe. 

What a great excerpt. I can really get a feel for her character. Now where can we find your book?

Two-Timing the Boss is available in print and digital format at:
The Wild Rose Press http://tinyurl.com/bmou2xx

And where can readers find you?

My blog/website:  http://christine-warner.com/
Twitter under ChristinesWords: https://twitter.com/#!/ChristinesWords
My Facebook page…stop by and give it a LIKE to stay informed of what I have in the works: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Warner/143430882396013

I love to hear from readers and other authors :)

Christine, it’s been great having you here. Thanks for coming.

31 comments:

  1. It's always nice to meet a fellow Michigander on these blog interviews! I like to mull over my stories when driving, too. But then I'm frustrated because I can't write them down! Congratulations on your release - the story sounds wonderful!

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    1. Hi Patricia, great to meet another Michigander and especially one who likes to mull over stories while driving! lol

      Thanks for the well wishes on Two Timing the Boss...I'm excited about it :)

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  2. Great interview! I get my inspiration from everything around me as well, though not so much when I'm driving.

    All the best!

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    1. It's amazing how you can find inspiration in so many things isn't it Jessica? Love coming up with all the ideas, I only hope I can get them all written!

      Thanks for coming by :)

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  3. I am in MI, too. Thanks for the great post!

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    1. YAY...another Michigander...thanks for coming by Delphina. Glad you enjoyed the post :)

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  4. Wonderful interview, Christine! I get ideas while I'm driving, too. And then I forget them by the time I sit down to write, lol. Same goes for trying to go to sleep at night. Good luck with your books!

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    1. I've often thought about buying a mini recorder so I could record all of my ideas while driving, but I haven't done it yet. So far I've managed to get where I'm going and run inside to write them down instead!

      Thanks so much for coming by :)

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  5. Hi, Christine! Waving at your from Ohio...please don't throw rotten tomatoes at me! :) Fun interview - good luck with your books!!

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    1. Hey Kristi...thank you so much for stopping by! Glad you enjoyed the interview :) And I'd never throw rotten tomatoes at you, I'd use them before they got to that state to make salsa! lol

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  6. Hi Christine~ It's funny because I had one of those recorders and kept it in the drawer beside the bed so I wouldn't lose all those great ideas I get at 3 a.m.
    Middle of the night I pop up, first find the glasses, then the right button and start to record my brilliant idea.
    Hubby sits up in bed and asks who'm I'm talking too. Every single time!
    LOL!
    Needless to say I gave up that idea.
    I really enjoy chatting with you and hope to meet you someday!
    Great interview Diane!

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  7. Great interview, Christine. Love your take on flawed characters.

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  8. Oops, forgot to send best wishes on Two-timing the Boss! You know I'm a big fan!

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  9. Great interview. I'd tell my younger self to go for it a lot sooner than I actually did. I wasted so many writing years. Congrats on this book Christine!

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    1. We really are sisters! lol

      Thanks for coming by Calisa :)

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  10. Great interview. I'm totally with you on the inspiration and driving. I have a 40 minute commute 1-way so by the time I get to work I've got whole chapters planned out. :) Best of luck with Two-Timing the Boss!

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    1. Your drive time is about the same as mine then. It's surprising all you can get accomplished with plotting and story issues in those 40 minutes!

      Glad you dropped in Jenna :)

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  11. Hi Diane and Christine! Nice answers. I'm now commuting a 5o min drive twice a week, so maybe I should invest in some kind of recorder. These last few weeks I've thought of ideas for my next progress in my main WIP but by the time I get to pen and paper I've lost half of it! Keep up the good work Blogging Christine!

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    1. I really should invest in that recorder too...

      Thank you for the encouragement Nancy, I like to blog so that's 1/2 the battle with keeping up with a tour :) Thanks for coming by.

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  12. There are no other romance writers where I live, only on the Denver side of the mountain, so I only know them from the web. It would be fun to meet. One day. Great interview!

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    1. I agree D'Ann! I have a fantasy of booking a cruise ship and all meeting for a week of fun!

      Thanks for coming by :)

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  13. *waves to Christine from California*
    Why is it my brain writes dialogue and scenes while I'm trying to fall asleep? Best wishes on all your fantastic books!

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    1. My brain does that too...but normally when I'm stuck on a certain scene and I do have a pen and paper on my bedside table, buried in between piles of books! lol

      Glad you came by :)

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  14. Hey there, Christine. Another thing you and I have in common--we both plot while driving. I've even had to pull over to the side so I could jot down conversations. LOL, I always say I'll buy a recorder, but I don't like the sound of my voice on tape so I probably won't.
    Congrats on your latest release!

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    1. And yet another thing Brenda, I don't like the sound of my voice on tape either! lmbo

      Thanks so much for coming by :)

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  15. I just wanted to thank Diane for having me on her blog today! I had a wonderful time. Also, thanks to everyone for coming by...love the support!

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  16. Christine, it was my pleasure. I'll add my thanks to everyone who stopped by.

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Love getting your comments. BTW, your comment won't show up until you refresh the page. Isn't that a pain? Thanks for stopping by.