We are excited today to have debut author Gina Rossi who is published by The Wild Rose Press with us. Please give her a warm welcome. We had a chat with her and she shared some interested titbits. Happy reading.
Q1) Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I love rain, am always found living near water (Pisces), and am both a cat and dog person. Horses are lovely too, as long as they stay over there. I value true friendship, and am attracted to sense of humour and beautiful feet. I can’t sleep late, I love the smell of jasmine flowers (memories of teenage love) and – living in Europe now - I miss the sounds and smells of the African bush. I believe in the power of love, am anti-war, totally, but support our troops in Afghanistan. My family is the most important thing in the world to me. I’m a great aunt eleven times over and immensely proud and delighted to be grandmother to Sam (2).
Q2) Have you always wanted to be an author?
As a little girl, I read ‘The Armourer’s House’ by Rosemary Sutcliff and decided it had to be the best book in the world - and I was going to write one just as good. Thereafter followed a thirty year interval…
Q3) Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
I’ve always adored books like ‘Cashelmara’ and ‘Penmarric’ by Susan Howatch, ‘Green Dolphin Country’ by Elizabeth Goudge, and everything by Rosamunde Pilcher. Other favorite writers include Pat Conroy and Anne Rivers Siddons. Apart from being great relationship sagas, they all have rich, evocative settings, which I absolutely love, and that has definitely influenced my writing.
Q4) Can you tell us what a typical writing day for you is like.
There’s not much to it. I stay at home in the afternoons and write. If I go to a trendy café - to write in a writerly fashion - absolutely nothing happens. I’m far too interested in what people are eating, drinking and wearing and never get anything down on paper.
Q5) Let’s talk about your new book. Can you tell us a little about it?
My historical novel, 'The Wild Heart', started out as a one chapter submission to the M&B New Voices Competition in 2010. When they asked for the next two chapters, I hadn’t written them, had I? So I got to work and finished the book. It went through the New Writers’ Scheme at the RNA and The Wild Rose Press gave me the fantastic break I’d been hoping for. Here's the blurb, if you'd like to take a look:
Georgina Blake flees a refined life in eighteenth century England to avoid a scandal. Determined to begin a new life, she voyages to the Cape of Good Hope, only to find death and destruction await, endangering those she holds dear.Though she is intrigued by stranger, Anton Villion, trader, adventurer and maverick, his arrival threatens her precarious security. Anton, himself privy to a painful secret, shadowed by heartbreak and seeking peace, is drawn to Georgina despite his hurt and mistrust, and his reservations about her history. In time, their growing love is thwarted by the past – and Louisa Somerville, hell bent on diverting Anton’s attentions. Fate has thrown them together but can Anton and Georgina salvage their bond before destiny tears them apart? Together, can they find the strength and courage to embark on the journey to redemption and everlasting love?
Q6) How did you come up with the idea for this story?
I’ve always loved historical romance, but some of the settings have been done to death (lovely as they are). I started to fantasize about a settler / pioneer romance in the magnificent landscapes of South Africa, and that’s how the idea started to form.
Q7) What is up next for you?
I’ve got two contemporary romances on the go, and have two more historicals in the pipeline (where they must stay while I finish my work in progress).
Q8) What is the best piece of advice you would give to a budding writer?
Write every day – even if it’s only a few sentences. That way, you keep moving forward. Never submit then sit back and wait. Write the next book. And, submit loads – it hurts less when you get rejected.
Q9) What is the next book on your To Read Pile that you are dying to jump into?
My Kindle is crammed with stuff I haven’t had time to read, but as soon as I can, I’m going to get stuck into Joanna Trollope’s ‘The Soldier’s Wife’. I loved her precise observation of relationships in ‘Daughters-in-Law’ so I’m looking forward to some more of the same.
Q10) Is there anything else you would like to add?
To all aspiring writers out there, never, never submit to an agent or publisher who says ‘if you haven’t heard from us in X months, please assume we not interested’. That’s just rude. Even a form rejection is better than that.
Favorite Quiz
Favorite city: Paris
Favorite beverage: Apart from being a tomato juice addict, chilled new Zealand Sauvignon Blanc – bliss!
Favorite place you’d like to visit: Marrakesh
Favorite place to write: At my desk with a view, at home.
Favorite hobby: I’m too old to sit all weekend at a dusty racetrack so I watch on TV – I’m a huge Moto GP fan.
Favorite movie: ‘Legends of the Fall’ is an extended family favorite.
Favorite book: ‘The Story of San Michele’ by Axel Munthe is pure magic.
Where to find Gina and her book:
Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Wild-Heart-Gina-Rossi/dp/1612171087/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gina.rossi.7
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ginagina7
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/ginarossiwriter/#
