Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Author Interview: LISSA MATTHEWS

Good morning, reader-friends! Today we welcome to the blog Lissa Matthews, who has one of my favorite author taglines: wickedly sweet, deliciously naughty. Ms. Matthews is here to talk to us about her sizzling Blue Jeans & Hard Hats release, Sweet Caroline (coming April 27th from Samhain!). Welcome, Lissa! (Applause!)

What inspired you to write your current release?

An episode of Glee. I don’t watch it on a regular or even semi-regular basis, but a friend told me I needed to see it at least once. I did and it was the Mash-Up episode and one of the guys sang Sweet Caroline. I’ve heard the song a million times, but seeing this kid on Glee do it, just sparked something and I began writing.

If one of your characters came knocking on your door, how would you react?

Would depend on who it was. If it were Jane from Sugar Rush, I’d duck and run for cover because I think she’d punch me. If it were Elise from Simple Need, I’d invite her in and beg her to dish on Vinter. If it were Angel from The Demon is an Angel, I’d run for cover from her, too. Now, if any of my hero’s showed up…well, y’all wouldn’t hear from me for quite some time…we’d be busy!

If you weren’t a writer, what would you be? (Note: this does not have to be your day job if you have one; it can be anything from flapper to astronaut to crime-solving paleontologist.)

You want the list? Pastry chef, owner of a Bed and Breakfast, Christmas Tree farmer, Principle Flautist in an orchestra, archeologist, and a mom (am already a mom)

How would you like people to remember you as a writer?

Honest and real.

What is the most important thing you’ve learned since getting published? Are there any writing realities that have surprised you?

Patience. I’m working on it. Perseverance. Even when I want to quit, there’s this drive in me that won’t let me. Friends. I have found some very amazing ones and it’s sad to admit, but most of the time, I don’t even realize how special they are and how much they care about me.

What three things do you absolutely need in order to write?

A drink of some sort (non-alcoholic I mean…), my MP3 player and headphones, and in the last few months, my gray Kyle Busch zipper front hoodie. If you’ve ever seen Wonder Boys and the pink housecoat, you’ll understand the hoodie.

What book is your comfort read?

I don’t have a comfort read. I have comfort movies. Wonder Boys, Something’s Gotta Give, Notting Hill, the Wedding Date, LOTR, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pride and Prejudice, and tons more.

What’s next for you/what are you working on now?

I am currently working on the second book in the Blue Jeans and Hard Hats series and X Marks the Spot about the tattoo artist mentioned in Simple Need and Carnal Ecstasy.

Thank you, Lissa! Today one lucky commenter will take home a download of one of Lissa's available titles. Good luck!

15 comments:

booklover0226 said...

I enjoyed the interview... and the book cover ain't bad either!

Thanks,
Tracey D

Sherry said...

I can't wait to read this book. The books of yours that I've read have been great. I read Simple Need and I remember them talking about a tattoo artist but I don't remember his name. What's his name? Is he as sexy as Vinter?(I feel in love with him in his story and I've read it more than once.)

sstrode@scrtc.com

Nancy G said...

Wonderful interview. This one looks interesting, gotta check the book budget to see if I can fit it in. Nancy

KELLY FITZPATRICK said...

Nice abs.

Sweet Vernal Zephyr said...

Very fun interview. Thanks for sharing and for the contest.

I play the flute too! Currently I am trying to master some Jethro Tull sheet music... it will never happen. ;)

Miranda ~ SweetVernal Zephyr

Drea Becraft said...

This book sounds great!

I love the cover too!

Vivant said...

Great interview. I'll be watching for your new release - the hot cover drew me in and the tempting excerpt hooked me.

elaing8 said...

Great interview.Lissa is a new author to me. I look forward to checking out and reading her books.

Natasha A. said...

OMG! I am such a Gleek! I was staying out of it....but then I just...omg!

Did you see last nights episode? If you like Madonna even a little bit, it was AMAZING!!

I am very much looking forward to Sweet Caroline!!

Cecile Smutty Hussy said...

Hey Ms Lissa!!! Great interview!!!!! I absolutely love this woman's writing style!!!!
Just stopping in to show my support!!!!

Cathy M said...

Great tag line, Lissa, and I love the warning for your upcoming release. Did you come up with that one?

Fedora said...

Thanks for the interview, Lissa and Vivi! How awesome that Glee inspired this story ;) I love learning what things are on that "muse" list!

Lissa Matthews said...

I am not a Glee watcher really. Honestly, I just happened upon that one episode and BAM! Had a story idea!

Sherry, Jasper is the tattoo artist that Vinter mentioned and his book is coming as soon as I can get back to writing! The bartender's book, Dallon, is next in line and as soon as I have a cover and a blurb and a date, y'all will know!

I have been in edits since a few days before Easter. That is ALL I have had time to do all month. I've been working on edits for Stick Shift, The Swing, and Carnal Ecstasy.

I am very excited about Sweet Caroline coming out next week and I'm gonna be putting together a few giveaways so, be sure to stop by my blog tomorrow for some info!

And last but CERTAINLY not least, THANK YOU Vivi for having me! I am so sorry I didn't get here sooner, but it's just been one thing after another for me today.

I appreciate everyone stopping by, reading about me, about Caroline, and I'm glad all of you are looking forward to it!

As to the Jethro Tull sheet music...yeah, me neither! I'm lucky I remember fingerings and can huff out part of a Mozart Concerto! grins...

Karin said...

Nice interview! I love your choice of alternate careers!

Eden Bradley-Eve Berlin said...

Lissa-I wanted to be an archaeologist, too, and have met an odd number of other writers who at least thought about it at some point in their lives. Funny!
Hot cover! And great interview!
Eden :)