Interview Tammy Riviere

by

Linda Ciletti

Hi Tammy, Congratulations on the publication of your book, Figure 8. I’m Linda and I’m your interviewer for Wings. I’ve been told I’m the kind of person who likes to get right to it… J …So let’s get started.

1) Is Figure 8 your first published book? If not, what other books have you published?

Figure 8 is my first published novel.

2) I know that many of us (writers) can say we’ve been writing one way or another all our lives, whether short stories, essays, poems, songs, etc. What was the turning point for you that prompted you to write a full-length novel? And then to seek a publisher?

I’ve always created stories in my head even as a young child, but it wasn’t until I got to be an adult that I decided to try to write a novel. There were several factors in my life that prompted me to write a novel. One, my grandmother had just died and I was very close to my grandmother. Another, a friend of mine announced that she was going to write a novel. I figured, what the heck, if she could write, then so could I. I’m kind of competitive that way, I guess. Anyway, the story just poured out of me. I guess it provided an outlet for my grief. That first story never got published, but not from lack of trying. Finally, I shelved it for awhile and wrote two more. By the third one, I felt like I finally had a grasp on this writing business. I thought it was good enough to get published and sent it to Wings.

3. How did this particular story, Figure 8, come to you? Tell us a little about it.

My stories or this story rather, Figure 8, came to me through real situations that may occur or that I might read about in the paper or whatever. My mind then goes with it.

Figure 8 is a mark that the serial killer leaves on the thigh of the victims--by cigarette burns of course. My hero in this book is a detective and his wife was killed by the Figure 8 killer three years ago. A suspect was never apprehended for the crime, however. Now, three years later, prostitutes are being killed, bearing this same insignia, the Figure 8, and the detective’s hopes are renewed in finding his wife’s killer. There is also an investigative reporter, the heroine, who is trying to get a story and prove her skills as a reporter, so she’s causing a lot of havoc for the detective.

4. Do you begin with a title and write the story from there or do you begin writing first and look for a title later?

For me, titles come much later.

5. About your characters: Do you create them or do they just pop in your head and say “Hey, write my story!”?

A semblance of a plot forms in my mind first, then the characters emerge.

6. Do you work a full-time job outside the home as well as write?

I do work outside the home. I’m an office manager at a home health and hospice agency, which means I do quite a lot of everything. My kids are almost out of the house--my daughter is getting married in July and my son is doing his last year at LSU. I’m hoping to go part-time when they leave home for good, which hopefully, means I could write more.

7. If so, how do you fit writing into your schedule?

I write everyday. In the mornings mostly, for an hour before work. And sometimes, at night if I’m not brain dead from the day, I write a little.

8. Is there a particular author who inspires or inspired you?

I’m a sucker for Ericka Spindler, Tess Gerrisen, Greg Illes, Patricia Cornwell--I love to read mystery. I’m trying to read more romances though, to stay in touch with the romance genre.

9. What else inspires you: pictures, music, a movie, etc.?

I love watching movies--my Friday Night Chick Flicks and also thrillers. I love listening to music in my car or when I’m on my treadmill.

10. What are your hobbies and interests outside of writing?

I love gardening (flowers mostly), and taking long walks--that’s when I do my best thinking. I also love to read. I love being alone in my home (which I do not get very often). I treasure it when I do (that alone time). I also like to visit (my family) my parents and an older aunt on weekends (Sunday evening).

11. Have any of these interests overlapped with your writing in any way such as one influencing the other?

Yes. They do. They sometimes don’t leave me with a lot of time to write. I try to rationalize it, however, by believing that my other interests or hobbies aid me in becoming a more balanced and well-rounded person and writer. My spirituality helps me in my writing also.

12. What is your biggest challenge to writing?

It took me a long time to show rather than tell. Descriptions are also hard for me and the biggest challenge. Time is also a factor. I don’t have a lot of it with my real job and all. I probably could have written dozens of books if I hadn’t worked, but then again, I have friends who don’t work and they thought they would write more in retirement, and they don’t write half as much as I do.

13. Do you plot and do research from the beginning or do you just “take off” and plot/research later?

I plot very little. I like to write by pen and then transfer it to the computer. I write faster than way. No blank computer screen staring back at me. I do some research in the beginning--read books mostly, then write and later do more research if I need to.

14. What is your greatest love of being a writer? Your greatest regret of being a writer (if any)?

I love to write--weave a story--get lost in the story. I have to feel as if I’m there. I’ve been writing for ten years now and I’d thought I’d done more with it, gotten more books published. I regret that I haven’t published my first book. It’s kind of like my first love. I still tweak it when I have a minute. It’ll happen, I’m sure of it.

15. Do you write in one particular genre or several? If several, why the mix and what are they?

Figure 8 is a romantic suspense--my other two are contemporary romances.

16. If only one genre, why did you chose this particular genre?

Both work for me. I love them both.

17. Do you have a website or MySpace site where interested readers can get more information on you and your book(s)?

I’m still working on my website. Myspace site is: www.myspace.com/tammyriv

18. Do you have other novels “in progress” at this time? Can you give us a sneak peek?

Yes. I’m writing another romantic suspense called “High Society” about a killer that kills highly successful and beautiful business women (high society types if you will).

19. Do you belong to any critique groups? How valuable are they to you?

Our critique group doesn’t meet as often any more. When I first began to write, however, we met every 2 weeks at a library. That’s how Figure 8 came alive. I credit them for its getting published. They help me brainstorm and tell me whether the direction I’m headed in is right or wrong. I hope to get back with them soon.

20. One last question, of all your works (published or not, completed or not) who is your favorite hero and why?

I’d have to say, Andre Rodriguez from Figure 8. He’s very sexy, and a “what you see is what you get” kind of man. He’s also brash, and a little bitter from the killing of his wife, but hurting and vulnerable too.

Thanks Tammy. It’s been a pleasure. I hope that anyone reading this has gained some insight into you and your works. Be sure to visit Tammy’s page on Wings.