Interview

Hi Gin and welcome. I am so glad you could join us here at Romance Junkies. To start, will you please tell us a little bit about your current projects?

I'm working on a paranormal romance, in which the hero is autistic and the heroine brings baggage to the relationship. Both have their own agendas, and no one is an angel.

 

When beginning a new book, do you plot and plan or are you a "seat of the pants" kind of writer?

 

A combination of planner and ''flying by the seat of the pants" writer. For example, if I know the guidelines state HAE, then I know I can only go so far in terms of what will happen between the hero and the heroine. I'm planning to make that HAE believable.  For example, it's hard for me to believe that a hero can throw the heroine down a flight of stairs 100 times, but the heroine still falls in love with him. On the other hand, in terms of flying by the seat of my pants, I'm an Aries, and Aries people can be super spontaneous. I may write Tuesday, and have no idea what Thursday will bring in terms of the situation between hero and heroine.  

What was the most memorable piece of writing advice you received along your path to publication?  Who gave it to you?

 

In the two years that I've been sending out my stories, I've been lucky enough to have communicated with some very kind people whose advice has stood the test of time.

 

I will always remember Marci Baun's email two years ago, in which she advised against head hopping and told me to do more showing and less telling. I had submitted a piece to Freya's Bower, and though the story did not get accepted, I will continue to hold Freya's Bower in the highest regard because of Marci Baun's email.

 

I will always remember Deb Durham of Dark Eden Press. Deb and her staff were extremely strong on integrity and putting out the best product. When you were in Dark Eden Press, you knew you were in a company who cared about its readers and its authors. Deb doesn't know it, but she is my role model. She's made the biggest impact on my views toward publishing.

 

I also think of authors Dyanne Davis and Ciara Gold who epitomize the grace under pressure factor. They reminded me that you can be kind, even if you don't think others are being kind.   

Do you miss your characters when you finish their story, or are you ready to move on to the next book?

If I'm attached to a character, then he'll be reincarnated into several stories before I get him right. For example, one character I have in mind was a brutal, self-serving, no nonsense bastard in my earlier works. Three stories later, he's changed into a straightforward, charming rogue.

 
What does your writing space look like?  Do you eat there?  Play any computer games?

My writing space changes. If my son is at school, then the writing space is on the couch. If my son is in speech therapy, then the writing space is the therapist's office. If my son is playing video games, then the writing space is on the bathroom floor.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

 

I read books on health and aging. I'm far from a beauty queen, but some people make aging look bad.

What kind of pets did you have while growing up?  Do you have any pets now?

 

We had a Belgian Shepherd, which looked like a black German Shepherd to me. I'm much too lazy to take care of any pets.  It's much easier to plant spearmint in the back yard because the neighborhood cats seem to enjoy the mint. After they rolled around a bit, they'll go back to their owners. I don't have to be bothered with the kitty litter or the vet bills, but I still get to pet the cats.     

Describe the "perfect" hero?  What about the "perfect" hero for you?

 

For me and in any story I write, the perfect hero has to have an Achilles' heel or some weakness, just to make him believable. In one of my stories, DARK SUCCUBI, the male Atreus was unbelievably gorgeous, but his flaw was that he believed wholeheartedly in his own glory and an oppressive government.  In my release LOKI UNBOUND through Whiskey Creek Press Torrid, Loki is also unbelievably gorgeous and an excellent lover – if you overlook the fact that he's a thief and doesn't mind stirring up havoc.     

What is this romance writer's idea of the "ideal romantic evening"?

Eating spinach manicotti while there is a thunderstorm in full swing. My husband is a wonderful cook. Thunderstorms have always struck me as powerful, invigorating, and romantic, as long as the electricity doesn't blow out. 

How do you describe Gin Glynn?  How do Gin Glynn's family and friends describe her?

 

It wouldn't surprise me a bit if they thought I was an unemployed layabout. I would describe myself as a person who got lucky enough to land a job that she loves and to land a husband who supports her while she does that job. I consider writing as a job with deadlines and promotions.  Unless you're one of the exceptional few, I wouldn't be too quick to buy a house on a writer's wages when you're first starting out.

MORE FUN...

Spring is in the air!  What signals spring for you?  Do you do the annual spring-cleaning-thing?

 

Mud. The ice is melting, and everything turns to mud. Plus, all the wonderful things that the neighborhood dogs have left behind are starting to thaw out. You can smell that in the air.

When it comes to food, are you the adventurous type who will try anything once, or do you prefer to stick to tried and true foods and recipes?

 

I'm adventurous – as long as I have some idea of what's in the recipe. What I mean to say is that if I'm in a restaurant and I ask about a dish, and the waitress says "It has rice, spices, potatoes and curry," then I'm ready to order. I don't have to know what types of spices are in the dish. But if the waitress says something like "brains, tail, and a testicle," then there's a good chance I'm going to pass on the dish.

What do you think is the best technological invention of our times? What do you feel is the worst one?

I think the internet is both the best and worst invention. If you want to look up info on a topic, type in a word. You can do this any time of day or night. You can converse with people in different parts of the world at the same time, as shown on the chat lines. You can hear the presidential candidates in real time on the internet. If you want to join a group of like-minded folks, then you can join on line groups. You can start an on line group. On the other hand, the internet provides a mask for people. Sometimes, feeling safe behind a mask, a person can type in some cruel messages, and then disappear into cyber space. Also, the internet is proof that where there is treasure, there are pirates.

If you were to plan a girls' weekend away for you and a few close friends, where would you choose to go, and what activities would you all be partaking in?

 

We would go somewhere to learn about diet and exercise. When I say diet, I don't mean starve in order to reach a desirable weight. I do believe in being aware of what kind of fats, dyes, and artificial flavors you are putting into your mouth. I'm not saying banish your favorite food. I'm saying be aware of them. When I say exercise, I mean walking or dancing or some type of movement. I don't mean trying to compete with Thor. Also, I believe in looking at the stress factors that are in your life. I believe stress can kill as quickly as a diet loaded with unhealthy food.   

 

And lastly, no interview of a writer would be complete without this question: what is your favorite comfort food?

 

I'm a nut for Indian food and Vietnamese food. I never met a meal of Indian curry that I didn't like.

 

Thank you so much, Gin, for spending time with us!  Best of luck with your writing projects.

 

 

 

By Brooke Wills

Romance Junkies Publishing Editor Pam Sacknea

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