I’m pleased to welcome author Caris Roane to the blog today. Caris has published numerous novels and novellas, including her paranormal romance series, Guardians of Ascension. Gates of Rapture, book number six, is released December 26th. Please give a warm welcome to Caris.
1) I write in a semi-comatose state, in a dark room, in a big comfy chair, leaning back, eyes closed half the time as the words boil on the page.
2) If I could do it, I would mainline chocolate in one arm and coffee in the other because of the writing buzz I get from both. Being rational at times, however, I only indulge in my favorite substances on occasion.
3) I don’t drink, but wish I could. I’m just too useless the next day and can barely drag myself to my computer.
4) I describe my writing process as a cloud of lightning over my head. Beneath is a cradle of forms that I’ve created over the years to pretend I actually harness all that energy from time to time.
5) If I get hooked on an author, I read and read and read. I read the Anita Blake series three times through last summer. Yes, the entire series by Laurell K. Hamilton. Three times.
6) When I’ve finished writing a book, I have absolutely no perspective about it. I can’t tell if it’s logical, exciting, fun, meets the market requirements, nothing!
7) My favorite time in the writing process—and this happens every time—is when I’ve finished one book and I’m ready to start a new one. That new book feels like gold to me, like something extremely precious and valuable. The story can still be anything I want it to be. It’s fresh, vibrant, alive and I can’t wait to get started. (See #6 for the result.)
8) I keep my writing computer separate from my Internet computer to avoid viruses. I’m extremely paranoid about this. But having lost whole chapters because of computer issues, I think it’s no small thing to have two separate ones. My chest tightens just thinking about it!
9) I don’t know why, but I never lack for ideas. I have a mountain of them rustling around deep in my brain. It’s probably one of my favorite things about my writing process.
10) I love my fans, I love my fans, I love my fans! Often when I’m writing, and I get stuck, I’ll ask the question: what do my readers want! Let me tell you how many jams I’ve gotten out of by asking that question. It also helps me feel connected to my readers.
Caris Roane has published over fifty Regency romance novels and novellas under the pen name, Valerie King. In 2005, Romantic Times gave her a Career Achievement award in Regency Romance. Having had a long-time love affair with vampires, Caris tackled the paranormal genre and built a unique vampire world based on ascending dimensional earths. Her series is called Guardians of Ascension.
The first novel of the series, Ascension, debuted in January of 2011 and was nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewer Choice Award in the category of Vampire Romance. Burning Skies released in May, and the third novel, Wings of Fire, hit the shelves in September. Her novella based on the series, Brink of Eternity, released July 12th as a $.99 e-read! On January 3rd, the fourth novel, Born of Ashes, opened the New Year. The fifth novel, Obsidian Flame released on April 24th. Gates of Rapture, #6, comes out December 26th.
Her most recent self-published project, The Blood Rose Novella Series, launched in May of 2012 with the first title: Embrace the Dark. The second novella will release in the summer of 2012, and is called, Embrace the Magic. Caris lives in Phoenix, Arizona, USA with her two cats, Sebastien and Gizzy.
To find out more about Caris and her books, visit her website, www.carisroane.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook.
GIVEAWAY
Caris is giving away a signed copy of the winner’s choice of a Guardians of Ascension novel, bookmarks and romance trading cards. This giveaway is international and ends 11th July 2012.
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED
54 Comments
Great post. Caris is the best! As I’ve already written a Paranormal Romance trilogy, this is an easy one to answer! :p The reason behind my choice of genres is because I write what I love to read!
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Hi, Tish!
It’s great to talk to you again…on the web! Hope your writing is as magical as ever! Paranormal is such a fantastic genre. I’ve been toying with the idea of blending a series with my love of the Regency genre!
Hugs,
Caris
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This series looks great! Thanks for the giveaway.
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Angela,
You are welcome for the giveaway! This series has my heart so I hope you get a chance to engage with my beloved warriors!
Best,
Caris
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Sorry, I posted before seing the question…
If I had that super-power, I would write a mystery with a bit of romance, since that’s my favorite genre.
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Great post and i second the chocolate thing, but then I’d miss the taste. I would rather have chocolate that tastes of the real thing but you don’t put weight on.
I have born of ashes on my tbr pile. I didn’t know it was part if a series. I just liked the premise and the cover
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Gemma,
Well…mainlining chocolate would be in addition to actually eating chocolate! LOL! (My mouth is watering…)
But I’m with you…why does it have to add weight? That would make a great paranormal power, to be able to eat chocolate and keep your figure!
BORN OF ASHES is probably the most tender of my series. Jean-Pierre became the perfect hero for the blood-slave, Fiona. She has been through hell for a century and JP arrives with great patience and so much love. Hope you’re able to enjoy the series from the beginning as well!
Blessings,
Caris
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I am terrible for picking up books mid series. 9 times out of 10 I go back and start at the begining.
I look forward to reading born of ashes.:o)
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I would write paranormal romance, because I love it !!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for international giveaaway
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Lucia,
I’m with you! Paranormal ROCKS!!!
And I’m stuck on vampires…they are my favorite. I’ve written novellas as well, but all with vampires, even if the worlds are different!
Hope you enjoy my series!
Caris
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I would love to write an Urban Fantasy but one that would stand out from the rest of the genre (for good reasons!)!
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Hi, Mel,
One of the biggest challenges around is coming up with a new twist on what’s already out there! My vampires in the ASCENSION series have wings and in the Blood Rose series, starting with EMBRACE THE DARK, every vampire has a personal frequency that the right woman can access and it’s awesome!
All best,
Caris
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A bit of romance, myth and fantasy. I love all these genres, and it would be nice to see them all together in a book!
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Hi, Hikma,
Romance, myth, and fantasy! The moment you put those words together my mind started turning. It feels ethereal. If I was to write it, that is where I would start, something ethereal!
Caris
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I would like to write a great romantic thriller. I would balance the twists and romance.
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Hi, Na,
Balancing the twists and turns, with the romance of a romantic thriller, would be hugely challenging. Hope you’ve started the book!
Caris
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Congrats on the newest release! Thanks for a fun post! It’s always fun to hear about the writing “process”. Man… if I could… I’d write PNR like Caris and Rachel Caine, Patricia Briggs… create whole new worlds and beings!
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Hi, Erin!
Thanks! I had a lot of fun writing EMBRACE THE DARK! And writing is an absolute blast…lots of hard work…but a real blast. There is something just so satisfying to getting a feel for a character, then letting the story fly!
Best,
Caris
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If i could write any kind of series t would be a paranormal romance about fallen angels! i absolutely adore them!!
Thanks for the giveaway and making it international 
xxx
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Not sure of what exactly it would be, but it would involve zombies and girls kicking butt.
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I would write a High Fantasy. Ever since I started reading as a child it was my genre of choice. I just love being able to create a whole new world, your world
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Hmmm that’s a tough choice because I have a REALLY wide reading range and practically enjoy all the genres…but I think I’ll go with an epic paranormal romance for this one.
If only I had those writing skills hahaha.
Thanks sooo much for this giveaway! Gotta love it when it’s international. <3
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I’ve actually thought about this question a lot. If I ever wrote a book it would definitely be in the paranormal genre, which are my favorite reads. I think I would also loosely base the events in the book after events in my life. It seems like that would be a good form of therapy, writing out and really thinking about your past.
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For me it would probably be a thriller, because I know a little more about what to write. My husband is a detective, and he tells me all kinds of crime stories.
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I would write a paranormal romance. I love reading paranormal and romance. I am a hopeless romantic. I love the combination. I can’t wait to read this series. I love reading about angels. Tore923@aol.com
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I would write Paranormal Romance, as I have always loved that genre and I just spend hours reading as much books!.
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I am actually planning on writing a novel so I don’t want to be too specific, but it would be a young adult paranormal thriller. Thanks for the giveaway!
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I would write realistic contemporary romance because I enjoy learning about specific aspects of our modern world.
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I would write urban fantasy because this is my favourite genre! I love the blend of fantasy and the modern world.
Thanks for the giveaway!
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This is the first time I heard someone say that they get stuck on a series and feel the need to re-read them again after they are done. That happens to me too!
Only, it happens on occasion, so far, it’s been with only 3 series (books): LOTR, Harry Potter and Hunger Games.
I read HP at least once a year and each time I finish I need to keep myself away from it consciously so as not to start over.
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I left a comment first and then I saw there was a question to reply to.
If I could write, I believe I’d write regency romance. That is my favourite type of romance and the genre I always go back to. Ok, paranormal romance is now on that list too, but regency still rules as I’m in love with historical aspects of any kind (and the steamy scenes are definitely a great addition).
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I would probably want to write a romance novel, I wouldn’t have the first clue about actually writing a book and I doubt I would have the patience so I think I will just stick to reading.
I have to say I would quite like to mainline chocolate too. Yum.
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As a matter of fact, I am working on a novel for a year and a half. It’s a SF/Romance one, about love and music and it’s the best thing I ever worked with. I already left my best friends read a draft and they love it
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I would write a little bit of both, mystery, suspense, paranormal romance. I love all these elements mixed together in a single book.
Thanks for the international giveaway!
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i would write a rom com
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If i was even blessed with such a writing skill, then i would write a murder thriller. Something that makes you stay awake all night wanting to read the next page!
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I’d like to find a new genre which isn’t easy theses days, it would involve romance, escape from danger and final happiness. Probably time travel of some sort.
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I would write paranormal romance, because if I had every skill on hand I could make it intellectually challenging for my reader, leaving them with a bit of mystery and suspense as the twists and turns along the way enthralled them!
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I would love to write a great Fantasy Fiction, I love beig swept away to new worlds with magic in them!
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I would write a paranormal series of novels based on the idea of a One World Government trying to be formed by shadowy underworld figures. I love ‘a bit of politics’ mixed with my supernatual.
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If I wrote a series it would be a Paranormal Dystopia series.
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Paranormal because it gives you a bread from reality!
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I’d write a mystery
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It would be spooky book with lots of ghosts in it,I could really get my imagination going with that!
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[...] Taylor, author of Jack – Dark Faerie TalesCaris Roane, author of Obsidian Flame – Book Chick CityDB Jackson, author of Thieftaker – All Things Urban FantasyDiane Barr, author of Out of the [...]
I would write a supernatural thriller about a detective investigating a variety of murders
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I would love to write an apocalyptic horror book with a little romance involved. It’s my favourite kind of book and requires such a great imagination!
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I would love to write about the Paranormal because Im a great believer and feel it needs investigating
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I would write a romance set in the Ottoman Empire
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I would love to write an engaging thriller novel. I enjoy reading this genre.
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I’d be greedy and write a paranormal-fantasy-romance all in one as they’re my favorite genres and I love the novels that do mix!
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I would write a paranormal romance but not about the obvious angels, vampires and werewolves, I’d write about the not so obvious centaurs, harpies, dragons, satyrs, minotaurs, banshees or doppelgangers
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I would write a thriller with plenty of suspense and a bit of romance too – as that’s what I love to read!
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I’m actually writing now an urban fantasy–but i’d love to do one with a bit more finesse than i’m managing. oh well.
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