Interview Rosina LaFata

by

Keith Slater

1. Where are you located? Is your book set there?

I live fifty miles west of St Louis. My book is partially set in the Missouri Valley and Westward.

2. Is this your first book? Or your first e-published book?

This is my third book, and the third published by Wings.

3. What genre is your book? (I haven't been told anything about you or your  work, I'm sorry!)

The book is set in the 1870s and is mostly western in tone. So I would class it as a Historical Romance--sub catagory, western. It is actually a sequel to my second book, AVENGING ANGEL which is the first generation of the families involved. Double Destiny can stand alone, but from those who read it first, all went back to read Avenging Angel for more history of the relationships.

4. What style do you use? Is it based on a favourite author's style, or one that uou developed independently?

I don't know that I have a particular style. I believe it is one that I developed myself. My first book SWEET TEMPTATION is a contemporary romance and is a totally different book from Avenging Angel and Double Destiny in tone, character and plot development.

5. Do you begin from a plot, or from characters, when writing? Are the two components developed together, or do you like to complete one of them before paying attention to the other?

I'm a writer that writes by the seat of my pants. I do not develop plot before I start. An idea hits me and I sketch out characters and start writing. Sounds funny, but my characters tell me what to say. Sometimes they surprise even me, because what my fingers type out isn't anything like the preconceived ideas I had envisioned beforehand. I THINK I develop plot and character as I'm writing, therefore completing both together rather than one before the other.

6. Is there an actual event in your life that triggered the idea for your book? If so, was it a painful or pleasant memory?

Actually, nothing in this book remotely resembles anything with which I've ever had any experience. So it did not trigger memories or ideas.

7. Is the denoememt of your book a logical one, with an inevitable progression toward an ending, or does it give the reader a surprise (shock) at the end?

I believe the ending is a surprise in how the two main characters resolve their cultural differences and solve their problems.

8. How long did it take you to write the book, from first idea to final submission of your draft?

The idea developed during the writing of the first book Avenging Angel. It simmered for a long time while I finished that manuscript. From the time I began to write, it took me almost two years to finish the final draft. After that it was a matter of finding a publisher. That was another year or so before I submitted to Wings.

9. Did you try getting an agent or publisher for regular publishing before  submitting to e-Wings?

I did try other publishers with Sweet Temptation and Avenging Angel. Both were rejected It is amazing that once Wings sent me a contract, Sweet Temptation received a 5 star review and Avenging Angel 3 1/2 (That from a reviewer who didn't particularly care for westerns.) I was happy to have another reviewer read Double Destiny and give it a 4 star review.

10. Are you hoping to move on to regular publishing in hard copy once the book becomes known?

It would be wonderful if someone would recognize the quality of my books and I could move on. Doing my own publicity and promotion isn't my cup of tea. I love to write, I don't like the business end of it.

I hope these are answerable; feel free to ignore any question(s) you don't like!