Please join me today in welcoming Roz Lee to Romancing Words. Roz's debut novel is a contemporary erotic romance titled The Lust Boat and is published by Red Sage Publishing.
That is a wonderful title, conjuring healthy sea breezes and brisk walks on deck ... yeah, right. Before we run off on the real flights of fancy, let's get to know Roz a little better.
Are you married? Children?
Hi Nya! Yep, I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for thirty-two years and we have two lovely daughters. The oldest is working on her Ph.D., and the youngest is working on her Master’s degree. We are truly blessed!
Where were you born and raised?
You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of the girl! My family has deep roots in East Texas that run all the way back to the Republic. I was born in McKinney, TX, and grew up a few miles from there, in Plano. It was a great place to grow up. Back then (when dinosaurs roamed the earth), it was about thirty miles from Dallas. Now you can’t tell where one ends and the other begins.
Where do you currently live?
Hmmm…Well, it’s complicated. Officially, we live in New Jersey on several acres of hardwood forest near a National Recreation Area. It’s wild, beautiful, and quiet. But, hubby works in Los Angeles, and I spend as much time there as I can. We lived there for twenty years before the move to NJ, so it’s sort of home too.
When did you realize that you wanted to write fiction?
About ten years ago, my daughters quipped that I’d read enough romance novels that I could probably write one. I laughed, but the idea stuck in my head. It took a year or two to come up with an idea, and the guts to try it, but eventually I opened a word document and gave it a try.
Do you write full time or do you have a ‘day job’?
My day job is keeping track of our family. With hubby in CA and the girls in two other states and the house in NJ, it’s a full time job! Out of necessity, I’ve acquired some travel agent skills.
How many titles have you had published? What genres?
The Lust Boat is my debut novel. It’s a Contemporary Erotic Romance, available now from www.eredsage.com. The sequel, Show Me the Ropes, will be out this spring. You can see the cover art for Show Me the Ropes on my website – www.rozlee.net.
How long does it take to complete a manuscript, on average?
That’s a tough question. I’ve spent years on some, but The Lust Boat took about four months to complete, including the self-editing once the first draft was done.
How many hours per day do you devote to writing? Do you have a strict schedule?
I don’t have a writing schedule, though I probably need one. I usually start my day at the gym, then come home and try to get in a few hours at the keyboard. The problem with working at home is that there is always something that needs doing, and I’m the one who has to do it! I need a house elf, or a robot. Know where I can get one?
Are you a disciplined writer with a set routine?
I’m not a disciplined anything!
Do you have a space where you create your work?
I work from my laptop, so anywhere is a work place, but mostly I sit in the middle of the living room! I have a super soft desk chair and a computer stand to work from. When it gets too noisy I hide out in our home office, but that’s an extreme measure on my part.
Do you like music playing when you are writing or is it a distraction? What music do you prefer to listen to?
I listen to 70’s music while I write. It’s quirky, I know, so hold the snarky comments please!
The publishing world is undergoing enormous change - do you think the novel in book form will become obsolete?
Gosh, I hope not. I do think the eBook is the future, but I don’t see print going away completely. With the invention of Print on Demand, I think hardcopies will stay around, but we may have to wait a little longer to get our hands on a book. It might not be as easy in the future to walk in a store and walk out with a book in your hand.
Do you find yourself needing to schedule your offline activities more carefully?
No, not so much. I’ve always been pretty good at time management. When something has to be done, I find the time for it. The internet is a time suck though, but my wireless connection has an off button, and I know how to use it!
Have you always had a fascination with writing romance?
I never considered writing anything else. I love a good romance, and I’m a sucker for a happily ever after ending.
Do you have a particular sub-genre that you enjoy ‘the most’ and why?
I love to read Regency romances. As to why I like them…maybe it’s because the women in them are usually very twenty-first century in their thinking, but living in a male-dominated time period and making the best of it. I like gutsy women.
Do you have a favorite character in your work(s) and why?
My favorite character isn’t a person at all, but a ship. The Lothario, aka The Lust Boat, is a product of my imagination, and as much a part of the story as the humans onboard. I had a blast creating it.
People always want to know – where do your ideas come from? Inquiring minds and all that…
I dreamed up The Lust Boat while on a Caribbean cruise with my family. We were watching one of those cheesy, not so great variety shows, and my mind wandered off. Before long, I was sailing on a completely different ship!
If you have been reviewed, do you have a favorite quote you’d like to share with us [happy-faced or cringe-worthy]?
Night Owl Reviews gave The Lust Boat a Top Pick review. The reviewer said, “The Lust Boat was one erotic scene after another that made your senses and your imagination run wild.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself!
Here’s the link to the entire review: http://nightowlromance.com/nor/Reviews/Talina-reviews-The-Lust-Boat-by-Roz-Lee.aspx
Where would you like to see yourself both personally and professionally in 2011?
Personally, I don’t think life can get much better than this. I have a loving and supportive family and the best friends on the planet. Professionally, I hope to continue to write stories people want to read, and with a little luck, continue to sell them!
Can you give us a hint as to what we can look forward to – new projects, new ventures, or new directions?
Right now, I’m focused on this series, but I do have a few things up my sleeve to keep it fresh. I don’t want my readers to get bored with the Lothario, so look for me to throw in something new, eventually. You can read about my works in progress on my website – www.rozlee.net.
I also have several ‘vanilla’ romances I completed before I sold to Red Sage. I’d like to see where I can go with those as well. *fingers crossed*
*****
Thank you so much for joining me today, Roz. I can't wait to enjoy those refreshing sea breezes and other entertainments on the Lothario!
Are you married? Children?
Hi Nya! Yep, I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for thirty-two years and we have two lovely daughters. The oldest is working on her Ph.D., and the youngest is working on her Master’s degree. We are truly blessed!
Where were you born and raised?
You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of the girl! My family has deep roots in East Texas that run all the way back to the Republic. I was born in McKinney, TX, and grew up a few miles from there, in Plano. It was a great place to grow up. Back then (when dinosaurs roamed the earth), it was about thirty miles from Dallas. Now you can’t tell where one ends and the other begins.
Where do you currently live?
Hmmm…Well, it’s complicated. Officially, we live in New Jersey on several acres of hardwood forest near a National Recreation Area. It’s wild, beautiful, and quiet. But, hubby works in Los Angeles, and I spend as much time there as I can. We lived there for twenty years before the move to NJ, so it’s sort of home too.
When did you realize that you wanted to write fiction?
About ten years ago, my daughters quipped that I’d read enough romance novels that I could probably write one. I laughed, but the idea stuck in my head. It took a year or two to come up with an idea, and the guts to try it, but eventually I opened a word document and gave it a try.
Do you write full time or do you have a ‘day job’?
My day job is keeping track of our family. With hubby in CA and the girls in two other states and the house in NJ, it’s a full time job! Out of necessity, I’ve acquired some travel agent skills.
How many titles have you had published? What genres?
The Lust Boat is my debut novel. It’s a Contemporary Erotic Romance, available now from www.eredsage.com. The sequel, Show Me the Ropes, will be out this spring. You can see the cover art for Show Me the Ropes on my website – www.rozlee.net.
How long does it take to complete a manuscript, on average?
That’s a tough question. I’ve spent years on some, but The Lust Boat took about four months to complete, including the self-editing once the first draft was done.
How many hours per day do you devote to writing? Do you have a strict schedule?
I don’t have a writing schedule, though I probably need one. I usually start my day at the gym, then come home and try to get in a few hours at the keyboard. The problem with working at home is that there is always something that needs doing, and I’m the one who has to do it! I need a house elf, or a robot. Know where I can get one?
Are you a disciplined writer with a set routine?
I’m not a disciplined anything!
Do you have a space where you create your work?
I work from my laptop, so anywhere is a work place, but mostly I sit in the middle of the living room! I have a super soft desk chair and a computer stand to work from. When it gets too noisy I hide out in our home office, but that’s an extreme measure on my part.
Do you like music playing when you are writing or is it a distraction? What music do you prefer to listen to?
I listen to 70’s music while I write. It’s quirky, I know, so hold the snarky comments please!
The publishing world is undergoing enormous change - do you think the novel in book form will become obsolete?
Gosh, I hope not. I do think the eBook is the future, but I don’t see print going away completely. With the invention of Print on Demand, I think hardcopies will stay around, but we may have to wait a little longer to get our hands on a book. It might not be as easy in the future to walk in a store and walk out with a book in your hand.
Do you find yourself needing to schedule your offline activities more carefully?
No, not so much. I’ve always been pretty good at time management. When something has to be done, I find the time for it. The internet is a time suck though, but my wireless connection has an off button, and I know how to use it!
Have you always had a fascination with writing romance?
I never considered writing anything else. I love a good romance, and I’m a sucker for a happily ever after ending.
Do you have a particular sub-genre that you enjoy ‘the most’ and why?
I love to read Regency romances. As to why I like them…maybe it’s because the women in them are usually very twenty-first century in their thinking, but living in a male-dominated time period and making the best of it. I like gutsy women.
Do you have a favorite character in your work(s) and why?
My favorite character isn’t a person at all, but a ship. The Lothario, aka The Lust Boat, is a product of my imagination, and as much a part of the story as the humans onboard. I had a blast creating it.
People always want to know – where do your ideas come from? Inquiring minds and all that…
I dreamed up The Lust Boat while on a Caribbean cruise with my family. We were watching one of those cheesy, not so great variety shows, and my mind wandered off. Before long, I was sailing on a completely different ship!
If you have been reviewed, do you have a favorite quote you’d like to share with us [happy-faced or cringe-worthy]?
Night Owl Reviews gave The Lust Boat a Top Pick review. The reviewer said, “The Lust Boat was one erotic scene after another that made your senses and your imagination run wild.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself!
Here’s the link to the entire review: http://nightowlromance.com/nor/Reviews/Talina-reviews-The-Lust-Boat-by-Roz-Lee.aspx
Where would you like to see yourself both personally and professionally in 2011?
Personally, I don’t think life can get much better than this. I have a loving and supportive family and the best friends on the planet. Professionally, I hope to continue to write stories people want to read, and with a little luck, continue to sell them!
Can you give us a hint as to what we can look forward to – new projects, new ventures, or new directions?
Right now, I’m focused on this series, but I do have a few things up my sleeve to keep it fresh. I don’t want my readers to get bored with the Lothario, so look for me to throw in something new, eventually. You can read about my works in progress on my website – www.rozlee.net.
I also have several ‘vanilla’ romances I completed before I sold to Red Sage. I’d like to see where I can go with those as well. *fingers crossed*
*****
Thank you so much for joining me today, Roz. I can't wait to enjoy those refreshing sea breezes and other entertainments on the Lothario!
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