First and foremost, it is a pleasure
to have you here.
So, can you tell us what makes C.A.
Tibbitts tick? What got you started
on the path to becoming an author?
Growing up,
English and Literature were my favorite subjects in school and college. After I
got married (almost 18 years ago!), the internet and instant messaging were
getting pretty popular. I created a "fan fic" writing group based on
the first television version of La Femme Nikita (Peta Wilson version). It is still active at present!
When I quit
my last 'outside of home' job (a paralegal for a District Attorney), I decided
to write a short story and publish it, just to see if anybody besides me would
read it. That short story is Shifted For
Love, and it is the first book in my current series Pepper Valley Shifters!
This current
book, Shifter Under Cover, uses my 'sweet spot' for writing, as it has a lot of
elements I use in my writing group. It
is my favorite book I've written so far!
What are you currently working
on? Would you care to share a snippet?
Currently
working on a short story for the next Mystical Box Set Babes anthology that
will publish May 1, 2015. Tentatively
titled "Ghost Of A Chance", here is a small excerpt:
On her way
to the front desk, she tried in vain to shift away the strand of hair that kept
falling over her left eye. A large
shadow fell over the desk. "Hello,
and welcome to the…" She finally
looked up. Oh, this day just keeps getting better and better! Sarcasm, her dearest friend.
Grant
Harrison flashed that hundred-watt grin at her, and though it had been almost
fifteen years since she'd last saw him, her panties dampened and her nipples
hardened to the point of cutting glass.
"Hi,
Ness."
"What
are you doing here?" Harsh, maybe,
but he was the one that left. She often
daydreamed about what might have been if her high school sweetheart, her first
for everything, hadn't left to play
football at the University of Oklahoma.
Never mind that he had begged her to come with him. Missouri was her home, and she was content to
live her life in the only home she'd ever known.
His smile
faltered and a sadness crept into his features.
"Momma died last night."
Tell us a little more about yourself?
Born,
raised, and still live in Oklahoma, USA.
Married almost 18 years now. We
have one parakeet, and were previously foster parents (with one failed
adoption). I used to be a travel agent,
and also a paralegal. My husband and I
have traveled the USA extensively, with only a few remaining states left to
visit. I have also been to Canada,
Mexico, and several Caribbean islands.
Our favorite place to go is Alaska, and we love to go on cruises!
Quickly, tell us about your upcoming
releases?
Shifter
Under Cover is my latest book. I have
numerous anthologies upcoming with Mystical Box Set Babes, and at least one
more anthology with Full Moon Series in April.
And, of course, I will begin a new Pepper Valley Shifters very soon!
Do you have any specific inspiring
incident that turned you out as an author?
Yes, a very
by-chance happening! I had been thinking
on writing a book. I attended a Facebook
party in Summer 2014, and somehow (I don't remember entering for this!) won a
guest hosting at this event for 1 hour!
Extremely nervous, I plotted out the entire hosting hour and used it to
plot out names and the genre I would write!
I left it all to chance, using random.org to choose from the list of
names - turned out to be Jace (which is the romantic lead of book 1), and
specifically 'shifters' as the genre. Voila!
How's that for a strange beginning?!
Who designed your cover art? How did
you choose the image?
My first two
books were designed by Shaded Gems & Designs. I provided her with pictures of the people I
had in mind as my characters, and she did a fantastic job of finding images,
etc. to make the covers.
With Shifter
Under Cover , I wanted to go a different direction. I found an image of a couple, but for various
reasons, I decided not to use it. So, I
wound up designing the current cover myself.
I think it represents the danger and location well, and I love it!
Do you outline your work before you
write?
No! With my second book, Healing A Shifter, I did
make an outline (or tried to). I found
that I just can't stick to it. I write
by the seat of my pants and go where the story takes me.
How do you like spending your leisure
hours?
Reading, tv,
social media, some cooking, swimming, traveling.
Which genre is far more appealing to
you as a reader?
Paranormal
is the first thing I look for, then cowboys. J
What inspires you to write? Is there
any level of similarity with the events or characters in your book and real
life?
I am visual,
so I find pics to represent my characters, and I will watch quick interviews
online or movies/shows.
No, the
events or characters are made up - though I do tend to make stubborn and
sarcastic females (which somewhat resemble me).
Which is your current read?
For my book
blog (Romance Readers Book Blog), I am reading and reviewing The Sweet Taste Of
Whiskey by Charlene M. Martin. I will
say it is something I would probably not have picked up on my own, but I am
really enjoying it! It never hurts to
get out of your comfort zone and try something new!
What, in your opinion is the toughest
part while carving your book?
I tend to
struggle with the length the most. I
know where the story goes, and try to pace it appropriately, and sometimes wish
I was as long-winded as some other authors.
My stories wind up novella length (35k-45k words).
Share a word of advice with our
readers and authors, if any?
Authors: find a critique partner. One that will tell it to you honestly without
hurt feelings. I have the MOST awesome
one (You can't have her! Lol), that edits, and comments, and tells her favorite
parts, and says when she hates certain parts. You NEED honesty, because readers/reviewers
are going to sometimes be brutal!
Readers: I, and other authors, BEG of you to leave
reviews! It is the most important way
that a story gets noticed. It does not
have to be an essay, and certainly don't spoil the plot points - just honesty.
Share one of your favorites from your
music band collection, if any?
I honestly
don't listen to a lot of music now. I
can sing you almost every song from my childhood/teen years though.
If you’re a foodie, tell us about
your favorite dish?
I could eat
Mexican food any/all day! Chinese,
Italian…….okay, anything!
List any giveaways or surprises in near
future?
I frequently
run giveaways and rafflecopters on my Facebook page. In fact, there is one associated with this
blog tour! Check it out!
Where can we find your books?
Currently, I
am exclusively on Amazon. I am slowly
making headway for printed books as well.
Shifter Under Cover will be the first in print, and should be available
during this blog tour!
The Mystical
Box Set Babes anthologies are everywhere online!
We would love to reach out to you,
please share your social media active platform.
Romance
Readers Book Blog
Where can we find your books?
Currently, I am exclusively on Amazon. I am slowly making headway for printed books as well. Shifter Under Cover will be the first in print, and should be available during this blog tour!
The Mystical Box Set Babes anthologies are everywhere online!
We would love to reach out to you, please share your social media active platform.
Romance Readers Book Blog
C.A. Tibbitts
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