Up In Smoke Reviews: Quickie Chat with #Romance #Author Sarah Krisch

Tell us about your new book? What’s it about and why did you write it?

From the book description:

A failed actress, twenty-something Julia McCarthy begins writing a fictionalized blog as a form of self-therapy. Based on her carefree summers at her grandparents' farm, she never expects her little experiment to garner a viral following, but it does. Boy, does it ever.

Now, with thousands of loyal blog followers, and a syndication deal with the Chicago Herald, Julia is approached by GreenTV to adapt her blog into a TV show. The producers see her as a "Rachel Ray on the Prairie-type". She sees herself as a fraud.

In Julia's fictional world, she's successful. She can pay her bills on time. Heck, she even has a fictional gorgeous husband and charming little boy. Ready to realize her dreams, Julia returns to her grandparents' farm to shoot the TV pilot.

Brad Taylor is definitely not her type: he’s rugged, sensible, and oh-so smug about learning that Julia’s blog is a farce. As the manager of her grandparent’s farm, Brad doesn’t have time to deal with whimsical women who don’t even know how to cook.

Julia can't allow her attraction to Brad to distract her, not when her dreams are about to come true. But are these truly her dreams, her good life?

A fun, fast (150 pages) contemporary romance

What’s your next project?

Right now I'm wrapping up Madi, The Good Life Book Two. Next up, I'm planning to write a Christmas novella: Trudy, A Good Life Christmas. That story will focus on Julia's grandmother when she was a newlywed during the 1950s.

How do you feel about self-publishing?

I find it both liberating and scary. On the one hand, it has freed so many talented authors from the confines of the traditional publishing model, many of whom never had the chance to get their work published until now. One the other hand, with few constraints to what gets published there is also a rising tide of bad books on the market. It makes it confusing for readers. I would encourage any reader in this new publishing world to read samples before you buy. Reviews are helpful, but they can only help so much.

I LOVE my Kindle Paperwhite, I just wish it was waterproof so I could relax a bit more when I take it into the bath. When I find a free half hour I enjoy romance, paranormal romance and new adult books, mostly.

What genre are you most comfortable writing?

I love writing romance, but I can picture writing paranormal and even a thriller at some time down the road.

What inspired you to write your first book?

My husband has been writing since high school. He's been a published author for over a decade and over the years I've always been his first reader. I guess you could say I've become a writer out of osmosis. After giving my input for so long, I finally decided I wanted to tackle my own stories. While Glen mostly writes horror stories, I much prefer HEA (happily ever afters).

Write now I write because I enjoy it. Even with indie publishing, I think selling the amount of books it would take to make writing a career is still a lot like winning the lottery. Sure, some people win, but the odds are against it.

Have you developed a specific writing style?

My goal is to try to establish the characters' emotions. You can't have a romance without an emphasis on emotions. I figure, emotions + conflict = a recipe for a successful romance novel.

How much of the book is realistic?

Julia is set, as are all the books in the Good Life series, in Harmony Grove, Iowa. These are stories about small town charm and hard-working people. I don't sugarcoat these aspects, even if some of the narrative is on the nostalgic end of the spectrum.

What are your goals as a writer?

I want to tell stories that I would like to read. I figure if I can accomplish that, then readers will eventually find my work.

What contributes to making a writer successful?

Having a thick skin is important. If you shy away at the slightest criticism, either in the critiquing phase or after your work is published, then writing might not be in the cards for you. Writing is a hard and oftentimes lonely business. One day a reader might call your book an all-favorite, while the next day someone might question your ability to string together coherent sentences. Hard work and a thick skin will take you far.

Do you have any advice for writers?

Reading is just as important as writing. I sometimes read about a writer who doesn't read when they are in the middle of writing a novel. Aren't novelists always in the middle of writing a novel? Does that mean that they don't read at all? I read for enjoyment, but I also read to learn about improving my craft. You can learn as much from a poorly written novel as a literary masterpiece. But you have to take the time to read, or you'll lag behind those writers of equal talent who do.

Do you have any specific last thoughts that you want to say to your readers?

My readers have been so supportive so far! I love talking to readers, either about my work or books in general. You can drop me an email at: sarahkrisch@gmail.com