Hang with Author Felicia Rogers...

I'm excited to launch the blog today with our first official guest.  I'm pleased to welcome YA author Felicia Rogers to the mix today.

Felicia Rogers, born and raised in the southern part of the United States, is a Christian wife and mother. She is just your average, ordinary woman, with a side interest-- writing. For eleven years, every waking moment of her life was consumed with changing diapers, wiping noses, and kissing scrapes. But now that her children have grown and she enjoys a modicum of freedom, in addition to taking care of hearth and home, she writes! She enjoys adding a flavor of realism and humor to her all too real romance stories. For what is love without a little laughter?

 What motivates Felicia Rogers the author? Why do you write?

     Hmm, I’ve been asked if I was seeking fame and I always say no.  If I could write without anyone knowing about me as a person I would do it.  I would say I’m motivated by money, but I haven’t made enough yet to say that!  I think more than anything I’m motivated by the stories in my head.  There are so many there begging to be told.

When did you know you were a writer? Was it always your destiny or did you stumble upon your craft by accident?

   I used to write short stories on my favorite typewriter because I liked the sound of the clicking keys.  I only started writing to publishing a couple a years ago.  I wrote a manuscript, shared it with a friend, watch it be ripped apart, and decide this wasn’t something I could do.  Then I happened to try again.  I put so much time and work into it I decided to seek publication.

I had so many failures I almost gave up.  Fortunately one person took the time to tell me what I was doing wrong and how I could improve.  So I definitely stumbled into the writing thing.

What is it about the YA genre that motivated you to write a book?

     I like writing YA because it is easier to be “clean”.  And the YA genre has so many peer pressure issues to deal with a writer never runs out of material.

How many hours a day do you devote to writing? Do you have a set routine or do you write when the mood strikes?

   Normally I enter words I’ve written or do editing in the mornings and do the new writing off and on throughout the day using paper and pen.  I write everywhere!  In between exercising, doing laundry, and cooking.  So I’m a write when the mood strikes me kind of person.

Tell us about the most intriguing character you've created.

   Chase is my favorite, as far as YA goes.  He’s handsome, considerate, caring, romantic, and he drives an ugly truck.  What’s not to love!

What did you do when you found out your first book had been contracted?

   When I received my first contract I jumped up and down and screamed!  I’d tried for two years to publish a historical with no luck and then I won a contest with my short story, The Holiday Truce.  Understandably, I was happy.  To be honest, I’d almost given up on ever being a writer.

Do you have any words of inspiration to aspiring authors? What advice would you offer a writer trying to publish?

    Never give up.  Develop a thick skin.  Keep the chocolate handy.  All I have to say is that from this side, publishing was the easy part!  Six rounds of edits to reach perfection, then receiving a bad review, now that is hard!

Any aspiring author should start promoting now.  Make your presence known as soon as possible.

Tell us about your current release.

Mara’s Secret is the sequel to my YA paranormal suspense, The Key.

Dougal Lachlan was prepared to spend the rest of his days in prison, but he wakes up in an unexpected place and time with a new mission. Should he be thankful, or terrified?  Mara Hess has been unable to speak for the last ten years. Her family believes she is dimwitted. But Mara knows something. A secret she is afraid to share.

Buy Link: http://www.blogger.com/goog_301480685

Do you have any upcoming projects in the works?

     Actually I have a historical suspense, There Your Heart Will Be Also, coming out October 20^th from Astraea Press.  This was the first novel I wrote over two years ago.

Where can readers connect with you?

     Readers can connect with me at my website:  www.feliciarogersauthor.webs.com, on facebook at www.facebook.com/feliciarogersauthor, by email at feliciarogersauthor@yahoo.com

***

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I look forward to checking out The Key and Mara's Secret.

Attention - YA Authors and aspiring YA Authors...looking for a forum to promote your work, share with readers or just hangout?  I'll feature your info here. Please contact me at ellajade818@gmail.com for details.