Thursday, January 12, 2012

Familiar Light with Sarah Ballance


1-Tell the readers a little about yourself.
I am a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom of six kids, all 13 and under. I get to say I'm a full time author because I don't have a "real job" (HA!) but the truth is writing every day gives me that little break. All I have to do is close the bedroom door and I'm swept away to wherever my characters take me (currently a gritty urban setting in LAST CALL, but you can't win them all, LOL.)
2-As an author, do you take time to read? If so, what do you like to read and who is/are your favorite author/s?
I read Harlequin Intrigue romantic suspense every chance I get. I want to write for them when I grow up, so it counts as research . . . right? LOL.
3-How do you stay motivated when the Muse is uncooperative?
I've found when this happens it's usually because I have some other part of the story on my mind—either it's a scene I'm really excited about writing or a detail I'm worried I'll leave out down the line. I've learned if I skip ahead to whatever I'm obsessing over and write it, I can get back to the rest of the story. When I catch up to the part I wrote ahead, I can just breeze right through it. Double win!
4-If you could go anywhere in the world on a romantic getaway, what would you do and where would you go?
My husband and I just bought a thirty foot cabin cruiser with two decks and full living quarters. (Y'all stop looking at me like that – it's an older boat and we got an UNBELIEVABLE deal, LOL). We keep it at a beautiful marina with an inlet to the ocean. Our "neighbors" are mostly fishermen (which I love because we are SO not yacht club types) and the atmosphere is incredible. If I could go anywhere right now, I'd take the thirty minute drive to the marina with my husband and hang out on the boat. (We've got a standing date there every week, in fact!)

5-What is the hardest thing for you to write?
Sex. I hate writing sex. Sex hates being written by me. 
6-If you could live the life of one of your characters who would you be?
Noah from HAWTHORNE. Not only was his experience an amazing one, I am so excited about what happens in the sequel (HAWTHORNE: UPRISING) I just want to crawl inside the book and BE THERE. Plus, out of all of my characters, he is most like me—kind of quiet, more of a thinker. 
7-The tag line on my blog is ‘Indulge Your Inner Romantic.’ What do you do to indulge?
My husband and I have been together almost 16 years and there's not a day goes by I'm not pinching myself to believe he's really mine. We have six children, but we make sure we spend time together on a daily basis. (Hence the six kids, LOL!) He makes me feel absolutely TREASURED, and no doubt that connection—that indulgence of time—is what keeps things brand new between us.

Seven years of longing comes down to just one night.
Laney Kent returns to Barrier Shoals hoping to reunite with her first love, Bridger. She anticipates his reception might be chilly, but what she doesn’t expect is to become the victim of a deadly obsession . . . or that this night with Bridger could be her last.
Bridger Jansen tangled a lot of sheets trying to forget about Laney, but his heart knew what the rest of him refused to admit: he could love no one else. He’s determined not to forgive her for leaving him without explanation, but when he fails to protect her from a viscous attack, the person he can’t forgive just might be himself.
Sarah lives a charmed life as the mother of six incredible homeschooled children, all of whom are completely adorable when they're asleep. Her husband of many years (long, long years, he calls them) is the kind of guy who could teach those heroes from the books a thing or two about romance, not that he'd readily admit it. Completely supportive of her love for writing fiction, he's generously offered to help with any necessary research for "the good parts." She's never had to ask twice. 
Although the idea of writing initially intimidated Sarah, it has morphed into a favorite pastime since her characters, unlike her kids, actually listen to her. (Er, sometimes.)

6 comments:

Lynn Chantale said...

Hi Sarah. Welcome to Decadent Decisions. Help yourself to the buffet. I think there's chocolate covered strawberries for dessert. Oh look pigs in a blanket. Tyrell, the bartender has an open bar at your disposal and a special drink called the Romance.

You have more patience than I to homeschool six children I freak out having to help with math. :-) Writing for Harlequin has been a dream of mine as well. Maybe one day we'll both get there.

Anonymous said...

LOL! Thanks so my W. Lynn! I have to apologize for not being here yesterday - I thought I was here on the 13th. (Can I blame the kids? LOL.)

I very much appreciate your generosity with the open bar (I just look like I need it, don't I? *grin*) and certainly hope one day we'll meet in Harlequin circles. How cool would THAT be? In the meantime, yeah, I'm totally hanging out here. (Not only do I like you already, but it's good hidin' from the kids, LOL!)

Lynn Chantale said...

Oh you're fine, I may have confused the dates. And we can blame anything we want on the kids. :-)

You can hide out here anytime. Tyrell pours as often as you need him and Chef loves feeding the authors.

Sarah Ballance said...

Oh, man. You tempt me so! :c) Oh, Tyrelllllll.....!

Liberty said...

Sarah and Lynn, I would like to join you both at the bar (those chocolate covered strawberries are to die for) and at Harlequin.

Sarah, I have five kids we are homeschooling, the oldest is fifteen. I know it is not as easy as closing a door to get your writing done. I admire your dedication.

Lynn Chantale said...

Hey Liberty. Oh yeah. love those strawberries.