This month’s featured author is Cari Lynn Webb.
I was recently introduced to Cari Lynn Webb’s books. I guess I didn’t read Harlequin romances as I always thought of them as my Great-Grandma’s books. However, I was asked to read The Return of the Blackwell Brothers series. This series is from Harlequin Heartwarming; it is a clean and wholesome romance about a Montana family. See, since I live in Montana and the plot summaries were spot on, I decided to give them a chance. Well, I was utterly blown away, and my absolute favorite is The Rancher’s Rescue by Cari Lynn Webb. So I decided to reach out to Cari and see if she would be on the blog. And here we are.
Let me tell you that Cari’s books are phenomenal. I love the flawed character, who find love when they least expect it or don’t want it. The hero and heroine help each other realize their dreams and find happiness. The other thing is Cari’s characters are so realistic. I could so have been friends with Grace Gardner.
Well, enough! Let’s get to the interview. The questions are broken into two categories: their personal life, writing style/books they write.
Personal
Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
One of my favorite places to figure out plot or writing problems is on a walk with my dog. I’ve extended our walks an extra mile or more while I’ve worked out a problem. Whenever I’m stuck, I like to get outside and step away from the computer. My dog has been more than happy to join me and listen to my writing woes. I’ve recently added Dragon software to my phone so that I can dictate while I walk rather than stopping on the sidewalk to type my notes. The software doesn’t seem to understand my voice quite like my dog. ?
What made you want to become a writer?
I’m a long-time romance reader. I lived on Maui back in the day of Waldenbooks Stores and pre-Amazon. I couldn’t find a romance on the store bookshelves to buy and decided I’d try to write the romance I wanted to read. I wrote in secret over several months. When I finished the book, I showed it to my husband and asked him if I should take up a different hobby like acting. He told me my book was good and that encouragement gave me the confidence to continue my writing journey.
Which book that you have read that has most influenced your life?
Two books that influenced my writing are The Secret and Ransom by Julie Garwood. I love those two books and have re-read them quite often. The romance plotlines are strong in these books. Yet there are also plotlines that show the strength and power of friendships among characters and I always liked that. I like stories with strong supporting casts and characters that a reader would like to be friends with.
Who is your favorite author?
This one is hard as I have quite a few. Julie Garwood and Nora Roberts, Sherrilyn Kenyon and Susan Elizabeth Phillips all come to mind ?
What is the first book that made you cry?
Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl – not sure if it was the first one that made me cry, but it still stands out today in my mind.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
I’d like the ability to pause time maybe like Dr. Strange. My daughters are teenagers now, and I feel like the time is going by so quickly. I’d like to press pause on certain moments to make sure I’ve enjoyed and captured every special moment to their fullest.
Where is one place you want to visit that you haven’t been before (real or imaginary)?
The Highlands of Scotland. And I really want to go to Hogwarts – I’m still waiting on my invitation. ?
Writing Style/Books/Series
What do you love most about your writing process?
I love finishing a book. That is the moment where everything is worth it – all the angst, long nights, stress of getting words on the page. Walking out of my office and telling my family: I finished it. That energizes me to write another book.
Do you like music or silence?
I like both. I listen to music to block out the noise in our house if my family is home and I need to write. I have a sad song playlist about love and break-ups that I listen to when I write the black moments in my books. Silence is my friend when I’m editing.
Do you have goals of certain # of words a week or when inspiration strikes?
Setting a word goal doesn’t work well for me. When I don’t hit my word goal, I feel defeated, behind and stressed. My goal is scenes. I set a goal for how many scenes I want to write in day or week.
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?
I usually have a secondary character that attempts to hijack every story. Inevitably I realize that secondary character will make a great hero or heroine for their own story and I start a file on that character.
What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
Melinda Curtis and Anna J. Stewart are my writing tribe. Both Melinda and Anna push me to be a better writer with their critiques, plot help, and endless guidance. I rely on their honesty to help make my stories stronger. They are also wonderful friends that have been beside me for every up and down on my writing journey.
Do you imagine your characters fully or find pictures of your hero or heroine before?
I imagine my characters at the beginning. Then after I’ve started writing the first draft, I look for pictures of the characters that I can use for reference as I write and edit.
What was your favorite character to write and why?
My favorite characters are the ones I’m usually writing about. Right now, those are the heroine and hero from Book 4 in my City by the Bay Stories.
How do you come up with the titles for your romances?
This one made me smile. My daughter will tell you that I come up with the worst titles ever. I use a working title for each of my manuscripts, and my wonderful editor gives each book a better title.
Have you lived or visited the actual places where your romances are set? Like San Francisco for Ava’s Prize.
Yes, I lived in San Francisco for several years. I met my husband in San Francisco. The city holds a very special place in my heart. I’ve always loved San Francisco.
If you could spend time with a character from any of your books whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?
This one is hard. On the one hand, I’d like to spend the day in Christmas Town with the Knotty Elves. The Knotty Elves are a trio of best friends who live in the retirement home in Christmas Town and like to interfere in the lives of everyone they know. The Knotty Elves are part of the Heartwarming Christmas Town series of romances written by Harlequin Heartwarming authors. (www.heartwarmingchristmastown.com)
I’d also like to spend the day in San Francisco with the cast from my City by the Bay Stories – I’d spend most of the day at Sophie Callahan’s pet store, The Pampered Pooch because at some point it seems everyone finds their way to the pet store, whether for help or a hug or a friend.
What project are you working on now?
I’m working on Book 4 in my City by the Bay Stories.
Do you have any other books coming out in the next six months?
Book 4 in my City by the Bay Stories will be out next summer.
If you would like to check out the reviews for Cari Lynn Webb’s books, just click the cover.
Buy Links:
Amazon - The Rancher's Rescue Amazon - Ava's Prize
Here are some recent books by Cari Lynn Webb:
To learn more about Cari Lynn Webb’s whimsical romantic books, check out these links:
Giveaway
There is still time to sign up for the Giveaway of Cari’s City by the Bay Stories (three books). So enter today!
I want to thank Cari Lynn Webb for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions.
Until the next time, happy reading!
Thank you Karen for featuring me on your blog!!! And helping me celebrate the release of Ava’s Prize. I appreciate the support!