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Gina Rossi

• Where do you write?

At the desk in my bedroom or the dining room table. Occasionally on the terrace where I have a Busytown view and get distracted very easily.

• Tell us about your book(s).

‘The Wild Heart’ is an historical, romantic adventure with an unusual setting. It’s set in the magnificent back country of South Africa circa 1800. This was my debut novel, published in 2012 and tells the story of English gentlewoman, Georgina Blake, who flees to South Africa to escape a scandal, only to find herself cast adrift in a savage landscape, and straight into the arms of irresistible adventurer, Anton Villion.

My latest contemporary romance is ‘Life After 6 Tequilas’ – the story of Beth Johnson, an upbeat, hardworking, single mum living in London,  taking the humorous challenges of life in her stride. Her career is fast-tracking but that’s secondary to baby Jacob whose care and development are paramount. When her impeccably-organized childcare routine implodes at the worst possible moment, she has no choice but to leave Jacob with unlikely ‘nanny’, Davit Kacharava, a Georgian migrant. Is she making an enormous mistake, letting this stranger into her comfortable world, even if he is gorgeous? She’s drawn to Davit but he resists, so why does she reveal to him the shocking secret that overshadows her life? And can she face the truth – do what’s right for herself, Jacob and Davit – before it’s too late?

• What was your publishing experience like?

I was actually very lucky, don’t ask me how. My debut was accepted by The Wild Rose Press during my first few submissions. When I got the email offering me a publishing contract, I thought I was dreaming.

• How have you balanced your online author platform with writing?

Balance is key. ‘Online’ in whatever form can suck precious time, so I set aside time for that, otherwise I don’t get down to writing. ‘Online’ everything has to be done by 9 a.m., whatever else happens.

• Do you work with a writing partner? If not, have you ever considered it?

No, I don’t and I haven’t considered it – however, if I found such a person and we hit it off, I’d certainly give it a go.

• What have you found to be the best places to promote your work online?

I have no idea, because it’s always difficult to link sales to a specific ‘location of discovery’. It seems that, in spite of hundreds of online promotion opportunities, word of mouth between readers still works best.

• Tell us about your writing process.

I plan my books meticulously, and then veer wildly off-track in the first chapter.

I write in the afternoon when – I’ve discovered – I’m really productive. The morning is for chores (then I have no excuse to procrastinate come afternoon), research, admin and editing what I wrote the previous day.

• What online sites/resources do you use when writing?

Apart from the Thesaurus, it’s pretty random. I Google any and everything, from maps, to foreign names, every kind of ‘how to’, as well as grammar and spelling.

• Did you go to school for writing or learn along the way?

I learned along the way, writing my first book, reading the manuals as I ‘progressed’. Then I threw the manuscript away and started over!

• Any advice for our readers?

Write every day. Submit widely. Never give up. Remember: you’re never too old to dream.

You can find Gina at the following places online:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ginagina7

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/ginarossiwriter/boards/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gina.rossi.7?ref=tn_tnmn