Interview Cheryl Pereira

by

Leanne Karella

1) Congratulations on your November release of Mine For Eternity from Wings ePress! It sounds like an exciting, intriguing premise. Can you tell us a bit about it?

Boy! That’s going to be difficult. It’s a complex story with lots of little twists and subplots. Mine For Eternity is about passion, intrigue, regrets and family. Its Rayne’s story--she’s a vampire hunter with a kick ass attitude who loves and hates with equal passion. I’ll be hard-pressed to tell you a little about it coz it’s got so much *VBG* but I will give you the premise and hope it teases people enough to read the story.

Some secrets were never meant to die. For Rayne Duvall the secrets of the past come back to haunt her community, her family and the man she loved. Smoke and mirrors within the closed society that banished her confront her at every turn. To reignite her simmering love and passion for Garrett, Rayne must first get past the betrayal of the past and find the courage to expose her own terrifying secret--before time runs out for her!

2) Can you tell us what inspired this story?

I don’t know, honestly, I never plot or even attempt to create any kind of idea of what the story will be about. This one began as an experiment with vampire story writing. I just loved the name Rayne and I began her story just knowing she was going to be a kick ass heroine with lots of attitude and strength of will. As I began to write, the story and plot unfolded before me and the result was pretty surprising.

3) Can you tell us about the location and time setting of the story?

It’s in the present times and is set in the fictional town of Wasikan--guess that would be in the US along the East Coast not too far from New York.

4) What kind of research did you do for this book?

Absolutely none--hate research but I did look up some facts about werewolves, DNA and forensics for authenticity because I needed to for Mine for Eternity.

5) Could you tell us a bit about you as a person and your writing background?

I am a crazy women… LOL. I have a lot of friends, I love a good laugh, cannot abide dishonesty and artificial people, quite blunt and transparent about how I feel about most things, would lose in poker in a flash, I’m that bad!! Oh and I am very impulsive--that’s how I begin most stories--on impulse. My writing comes from within me. I generally do not go about town talking about my books because I feel it’s a personal experience and there’s always a part of me that will show in my books--for people who know me--it won’t be difficult to catch… LOL. Anyhow, writing, to me is my escape, my time with myself and my gift to my myself--notice all the “my’s”--I guess it’s selfish, but writing gives me pleasure so I do it *VBG*

6) How has being published changed your life in any way?

It hasn’t changed my life--it’s validated my writing, my stories and my talent. I’m not shy about saying I do have talent--LOL! What I don’t have is application *cheeky smile* Being published is the prize that I sought--when it happened--it was the best gift I could have received because it told me my work was commercial enough to be out there and good enough to have people read it!

7) How much time in a day/week do you spend writing? What kind of routine do you have, if any?

I don’t have a routine and I certainly find almost no time to write daily/weekly or monthly with any thing close to a schedule, because of my job and then my kids. On the other hand, I’m kind of glad because I’m not a structured person and so writing within confining times would drive me batty… LOL

But when I do write, I can begin a story and write reams and reams in one go so I don’t feel all that bad about not writing daily. I can write anywhere and so I usually do if I’m not close to a computer, pieces of paper, notebooks, scribble pads etc etc. When I get a chance then I piece it all together on the computer. I finished Rayne’s story in less than four months because I could do that. I guess once I begin a story, and it really tickles my mind, then the writing just gets done faster. *I know I’m a little weird*

8) From your web site, I see that you have a daughter. What is her influence in your writing?

My website so needs updating. My daughter is five and I now have a son who will be a year old in November. My children’s influence is such that between the two of them and my day job, I have no time to write without interruptions and if I do attempt to, I have the little one clambering all over the keyboard or the older one needing to get on the computer because she has important work to do…J So, in a nutshell my children are my distraction and my determination to write! (LOL – if that makes any sense)

9) If you could do it all over again, what one thing would you change about your writing career?

Change?!! I don’t know if I would change anything coz I’m comfortable with the way I write and how I have pursued my publishing path, but what I would love to have in another life is some discipline and patience to do lots of research so I write historicals and crime busting books too.

10) Are you currently working on another book? If so, could you tell us a bit about it?

I’m working on three. One is the sequel to Mine For Eternity--that would be Wynter’s story and I’m also working on an untitled story based around Mahir, a character in this book. I can’t really reveal too much coz there are elements linked to Mine For Eternity. The third book is a light contemporary as yet unnamed about a woman trapped by circumstances who is caught in the crossfire of two very desirable males. I am still developing that story so I have no idea which way it’s going right now… LOL!!

11) When you aren’t writing, what do you like to do?

Well, I love to read and play tennis, swim and shop for more books or for the kids. When I’m not doing that, I am playing with the kids, or cleaning, or cooking. Occasionally, I get a chance to hang loose with my closest friends over dinner and drinks--those are fabulously fun times.

12) What is the most rewarding aspect of being a published author?

Acknowledgement and satisfaction.

13) What advice can you give to aspiring authors?

Always write with your heart and take on board all the rules about writing but don’t change your inherent style so it fits some mould--stay true to your talent and give it your best shot!