Wednesday Writer Spotlight: Sasha Summers

Welcome to the our first Wednesday Writer Spotlight. So glad you could join us.Today we have the author of upcoming Inkspell release (July 21, 2012), Hollywood Ever After, Sasha Summers.

Thanks for stopping by, Sasha. So happy to have a chance to sit down with you and learn a bit more about you and your novel.

When did you first start writing? What made you want to be a writer?

I’ve been writing since I was little. Before I could write, I drew picture stories – I still love to draw and paint too. I come from a very theatrical family: big readers, theater and film fans. So stories were an important part of my life. I enjoyed telling stories too, I just didn’t know if I was really good at it. I decided I’d try to become a dedicated (full-time) writer about 2 years ago. And I’m so glad I did.

What inspired you to write Hollywood Ever After?

Hollywood Ever After helped me get through some rough stuff. I put a lot of my angst in Claire, to help process the changes that I was facing in my everyday life. I guess you could say HEA was my therapy? LOL!

Are you a pantser or a plotter?

Pure pantser for my contemporary romances. I have an idea of what’s going to happen – but I let my characters pick the route we take to get there.

Do you have any writing rituals or special processes you complete before sitting down to write?

No. I have four kids so I write whenever I can. Ideally, I close myself in my home office, blast the soundtrack I’ve created to write to and go until my hands are numb or the kids start banging on the office door. But that rarely happens.

What authors inspire you?

I love Stephanie Dray, Diana Gabaldon, Julia Quinn, Stephanie Perkins, and so many more… I rarely read a book that isn’t inspiring in some form or another. Sometimes it’s more of a ‘Don’t want to do that.’ Other times it’s ‘I want to do something like this.’ Make sense?

If you could only write in one genre for the rest of your career, what genre would you choose? Why?

I’m not sure I can answer that. I love writing in different genres. I think it helps keep me ‘fresh’. I worry about having my stories or characters becoming stale so bounce from genre to genre. Not really an answer, I know.

Which of the characters in your current release is your favorite? Why?

I relate to Claire, she’s kind of every woman facing middle age and an uncertain future. But I love Josh. He’s this sweet, idealistic guy who loves his woman, unequivocally.

Are any of your characters modeled after real people?  If so, which ones?

Like I said, huge movie fan. I tend to use actors and actresses for my characters – for physical cues and ticks. And while this might turn a few people off of Josh, I used Robert Pattinson as my inspiration. Others were a conglomeration of family, friends, and actors. I’m not going to reveal who’s who for that. ;)

What music was on your playlist while writing your novel?

Here’s the link to my Hollywood Ever After playlist. You can see: Jason Mraz, Colbie Callait, upbeat stuff mostly.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL82CE7EB058BAD4BF&feature=mh_lolz

Morning person or grumpy bear?

Morning person – you kind of have to be with a herd of kids running around

Tell us one thing it would surprise us to know about you?

I know how to sheer and wash a sheep.

What is next for you?

Hollywood Holiday comes out in December. While Josh and Claire aren’t the main characters, there are still a big part of the story. It’s funny, sweet, and sexy.

Do you have any unique skills or talents? If so, what?

I’m a painter – murals and paintings. For example: my boys curtains are Star Wars. Left curtain is all the Rebel ships from all the movies, right side – all the bad guys ships, including the Death Star. We’re talking detailed – my boys were very invested in making sure the antennas, doors, wings, engines were all good.

If I were to look in your closet right now, would I find frills and lace or demin and tees?

Denim and tees. It’s not that I don’t want to wear frills and lace but… did I mention the 4 kids?

You sure did... what a handful. All that and she still has time to write some fantastic novels. Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit today, Sasha!

Thanks for interviewing me!

To learn more about Sasha or her book, Hollywood Ever After, please visit the links below:

Sasha's Website
Twitter (@sashawrites)
Hollywood Ever After on Goodreads

Pre-Order Links:
Direct from Inkspell
Barnes and Noble

---