Author T.A. CHASE interview and give-away

I’m thrilled to have one of the first m/m authors I ever read on my blog today. I have a ton of T.A. Chase’s books in print and the rest in e-books, and in a round-about-way, she influenced my Christmas story because the cowboys in her Home series were the first I ever read. I had the pleasure of meeting T.A. at Gay Rom Lit in October and she is absolutely adorable, and sweet to boot. She’s here today to talk about her holiday story, writing and her prolific writing schedule.

Welcome! I’m so excited to have you here, T.A. squees a little

Ah…well thank you so much, K-Lee. It was marvelous to meet you in New Orleans, and I hope to meet you face-to-face again soon. I’m so thrilled you asked to interview me. Also, it makes me smile to hear my Cowboys were inspiration for your Cowboys. :)

1.     How did you get started writing m/m romance? Did you always want to be a writer?

Hmmm…I got started writing m/m romance the same way most authors who do did. I enjoyed reading it, and I got a ‘what if’ idea. I decided to try my hand at writing it. I’ve been writing since the third grade, so I figured maybe this time I might actually finish a story…lol

2.     Did you have any early influences either in this genre or any other?

Oh I had influences. JL Langley and Ally Blue in the genre. Mercedes Lackey and Tamora Pierce outside the genre. JL and Ally write such wonderful character-driven stories, full of emotions and hot men. Mercedes and Tamora’s characters are just as strong, even though many of them are female.

3.     What is the hardest part about writing for you?

It depends. Some days, it’s the sex scenes. Other days, it’s the dialogue or even just the basic story. Of course, there are the times when I’d rather be reading or doing anything except sitting in front of my computer, which makes it difficult to concentrate.

4.     Does any one of your books hold a special place in your heart?

Gosh…all my books have a special place in my heart, but I guess I have two favorites, Angel’s Evolution and Embrace My Reflection. I love Angel and Ronnie, two men struggling to accept themselves.

5.     Tell us a little about your Christmas story. Is it a new story or related to one of your other books?

Joy of the Season is about Hal Sims, who has lost all joy in life because of losing his brother ten years earlier. He meets Tavis Komen, and Tavis helps him learn to find joy in the world again. It’s a new story, but I do plan on visiting Hal and Tavis again next year. :)

6.     Do you have a writing quirk? (ie computer has to be facing a certain way, cup of coffee on the left, certain music playing, etc)

I have to have something to drink on the left. Usually it’s Diet Coke in the morning for my caffeine fix, then in the afternoon it’s usually ice water. :) I always have music playing, nothing in particular though. I hit shuffle on my Itunes and let it go.

7.     Do you have any writing or reading squicks? Things you don’t like to read and can’t see yourself ever writing?

I never say there are things I won’t read or write. There are things I don’t always enjoy reading, and doubt I’d write it. I don’t always like ménages, and BDSM. I’ll read it every once in a while by certain authors. I’ve written one ménage, not sure I’ll do another one. I won’t be writing BDSM any time soon because I don’t want to get it wrong or have someone read it and just laugh.

8.     You’re a very prolific writer. Do you keep a writing schedule everyday? Give yourself rewards for getting things done? Have a calendar of what needs to be done? (these may be questions I want to know for myself :P)

I do. I try to do at least 2000 words a day. I get up in the morning, and hopefully be in front of my computer by 9 at the latest.  I quit depending on how much I have done for the day. I do have a dry erase board with titles written on it by year through 2016 at the moment. Each book has the month I want to have it done by written next to you. Oh yes, I do reward myself, usually with a book I want to read. It’s the best way to do it.

9.     What’s next on your plate? What are you working on?

I’m working on Death right now, the fourth book in The Four Horsemen series. Also, I’m doing some work on the next Preternatural book. Plus I have a short story I’m doing a little work on, and the story I post on my blog every Tuesday and Thursday. Once Death is done, I have Gypsies, the first book in the Beasor Chronicles series to start.

10. Finally – a few quick choices:

a.     Coffee or tea- tea

b.     Dog or cat-cat (I’m owned by two)

c.      Beach or mountains-beach

d.     Pecs or abs-abs

e.     Smile or eyes-eyes

f.      Cowboys or Rock Stars- Cowboys

g.     Who would win in a fight – vampires or werewolves? And why.

I think it would be werewolves because they tend to travel in packs. Vampires don’t really work together, and werewolves would be able to band together to take the vampires out.

Thank you, T.A. It’s been a pleasure.  J

Thank you so much, K-Lee. I had lots of fun, and I hope everyone enjoyed it.

T.A. has graciously offered up a copy of her holiday story, Joy of the Season, to one lucky commenter on my blog.  Leave a comment with your name and email address and I will be drawing a lucky winner on Thursday Dec. 8.

If you don’t win, you can pick it up now at MLR Press here à http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=TACJYOFS.

Be sure to check out T.A. Chase’s website for information on how to buy her other fabulous books, too. http://tachase.com/