Who’s Who Wednesdays Author Spotlight—Rachel Carrington

Please help me welcome Author Rachel Carrington to Epically Romantic!  Please make sure to leave a comment for her along with your email as she is doing a giveaway of her book (in PDF) Vampire Cursed.  The winner will be contacted by Wednesday the 9th, 2012!  Now on to the interview!

Bio:

Rachel Carrington began her career writing fantasy romances of powerful wizards and wicked witches. Since then, she has branched out into contemporary romance and romantic suspense and has had books published with Ellora’s Cave, Samhain Publishing, Red Sage Publishing, and more.

Currently, a freelance editor/writer residing in historical Charleston, South Carolina, Rachel has written non-fiction articles for Absolute Write, The Writer’s Journal, Writing for Dollars, Writer’s Magazine, and Writer’s Weekly.

Because she likes staying busy, Rachel has also taught classes and online writing workshops for Suite 101, Absolute Write, and RWA chapters.

When not writing, Rachel loves to read romantic suspense (Lisa Gardner and Roxanne St. Claire are two of her favorites) and young adult fiction, rework old furniture, cross-stitch, cook, and drink lots of coffee.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing? I usually write for at least an hour a day. I don’t have a specified word count, but I have to write every day. I get started around ten or eleven at night because that is the best time for me creatively.

What quirks (flaws) if any do your hero and heroines have? I would say the biggest flaw they all have is stubbornness. I give all of my heroes/heroines a good dose of that as it makes for better internal conflict. They tend to want to fight their own demons themselves without asking for help.

What would your ideal career be, if you couldn't be an author? I’d love to be a literary agent, not because I think it’s an easy job, but I know if I couldn’t be an author, I would want to be involved in helping others reach the dream of being published .

If you were to do your career as an author again, what would you do differently, and why? I would be more dedicated in the beginning, to have the fire then that I have now. When I first started writing, the rejections came fast and hard. I allowed them to slow me down, and though I kept writing, I didn’t send my books out as often. Now I understand that rejections are simply a part of the process.

Another thing I would do is work smarter not harder. Instead of pounding out book after book, each one not as good as it should be, I would focus my energies on learning as much as I could about writing, especially self-editing, so that each book I wrote was always better than the last one.

Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing? I do read the reviews of my books because I want to be able to improve upon my writing. I know that we can’t please everyone, but if the reviewer has a valid point, I take it to heart and pay attention in the next book. If it’s just a matter of opinion, I accept that. I’m always thankful reviewers take the time to review my books.

Are you anything like your heroines or heroes? Oh, absolutely. It would difficult for me to write a character without bringing a little piece of myself to the table. Most of my heroines, for example, are stubborn, outgoing, and use sarcasm as their not-so-secret weapon. That describes me perfectly. J

Where can readers find you (What websites, emails etc)?

My website is www.dawnrachel.com. I’m also on Facebook at rachelcarringtonwrites, on Pinterest at rcarrington2004, on Twitter at rcarrington2004, and on Goodreads. Readers can always get in contact with me through the contact form on my website (http://dawnrachel.com/contact)

What TV shows do you watch? There is only one TV show that I absolutely will not miss. I watch it and DVR it, and that’s Bones. There is something about the chemistry, the comedy, and the drama that really draws me in. The acting is superb, and I wish I’d had a career like Kathy Reichs to build a television show around.

Tell us about your newest release.  

My newest release is Vampire Cursed, the first book in the Vampires Destined series.

Have to just add this here...I love this sexy cover Rachel!--Ebony

Cursed to live alone. Existing as cold, soulless vampire. His life is no longer his own.

Nathaniel, Duke of Lehr, has been waiting for someone to love, a woman to break the witch’s curse that holds him captive within the walls of his own home. For only unfettered, unconditional love will sever the ties binding him to a reality he abhors.

Abby’s been drawn to Castle Lehr for a long time. She wants an interview with the elusive owner, a chance for a big break in journalism. But the story isn’t one she can write about in the newspaper.

One moment, one connection, is all it takes for Nathaniel to realize his heart will be forever bound to Abby’s, but could she ever trust a vampire much less love one?

It’s available now at Amazon.

What can the readers expect from you in the near future?

I have two more books in the Vampires Destined series as well as a three book series about reincarnation coming up that I’m writing with an author friend of mine, Tess Manning.

I also have a romantic suspense in edits now with Ellora’s Cave, and I have several other books under review at various publishers. So I’m staying busy.