First, a blurb about You Can't Plan Love:
After several bad relationships, Kenyatta Copeland decides to control her love life with the same discernment she uses in her professional life.
Knowing firsthand the heartbreak that comes when desire and emotion rule a relationship, Kenyatta assumes marrying Brad Johnson will lead to a stable life. But as much as she believes she can plan her future, it’s hard to ignore the way her boss, Malcolm Patterson, ignites her passions with just one look. After Malcolm learns of her engagement, he makes a play for her heart and reminds her that passion between a man and a woman has its perks … but also its costs. When Brad suspects there’s more than work between Kenyatta and Malcolm, he works harder to keep Kenyatta by his side. Torn between her promise to marry Brad and her irrepressible longing for Malcolm, Kenyatta must decide if she can live her life in a passionless marriage of convenience or once again trust her heart. Yet Brad isn’t as perfect as he seems, and by the time Kenyatta realizes this it may be too late.
EB: Thanks so much for joining me here today, Synithia! How long did it
take you to complete your novel manuscript?
SW: I worked on this
novel for years—writing a chapter here and there. In 2010 when I
decided to take my writing dreams seriously, I made a goal to finish
it by the end of the year. I completed the first draft in October
2010.
EB: When you are developing an idea for a novel, what comes to your first? Concept / theme, characters, or something else?
SW: The concept comes
first. I’ll think about a situation I want to write about and just
start (I have a bunch of first chapters lingering around because of
this). Then, I flesh out the rest of the story. I work out character
profiles as I write, and often the character at the start of the book
isn’t the one at the end. I correct those inconsistencies during
revisions.
EB: Do you rely on a
dictionary or thesaurus while you write?
SW: Yes! I don’t own a
dictionary—please don’t take my author card—so I use the
Merriam-Webster website.
EB: Dictionary.com is my internet crutch, so no judgment here.
Your novel is set
in modern-day Columbia, South Carolina. How does your writing reflect
this setting?
SW: Recently, a reviewer
said the dialogue in my novel fit with its southern setting without
drawing someone out of the story. I appreciated that because I live
in Columbia and tried to make my characters talk, act and interact in
the same manner as the people I interact with. I mention places I’ve
frequented, matched the lively conversation style I’m used to, and
brought up topics that are interesting to people in Columbia
(Gamecock football for example!)
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| The lovely Synithia Williams |
EB: What hiccups did
you encounter while writing You Can't Plan Love?
SW: After writing my
first draft, I read a book on romance writing and realized I didn’t
have my hero and heroine interact enough in my story. Meaning, there
were a lot of scenes when they weren’t together. In romance, you
have to show the couple falling in love and that requires a lot of
interaction. My second draft was nearly an entire re-write of the
story to put Malcolm and Kenyatta together more.
EB: Did you
experience any surprises in the publication process?
SW: The biggest surprise
was finding a publisher so quickly. I was prepared to spend years
receiving rejections and crying into my pillow nightly while
clenching a glass of wine. I still can’t believe I am published.
EB: I went the years of crying into my wine route, so it just goes to show everyone's road to publication is different!
Who would enjoy
your novel?
SW: Most women will
enjoy my novel. It touches on the ideas of finding love, following
your dreams, the choice between staying at home with kids or working,
dealing with someone close to you who’s controlling, and learning
to trust your instincts. These are things that many women face at
least once in life.
EB: Are you interested in publishing in a different genre, or do you plan to stick with romance?
SW: I have an idea for a
paranormal romance, but right now I’m too lazy to do the research
required. Maybe one day.
EB: What's next for
you?
I’m happy to say
that my second novel, Worth the Wait, is tentatively scheduled to
release January 7, 2013 from Crimson Romance! Here’s a sneak peak:
When a virgin frustrated by her nonexistent dating life, asks a
playboy for a one-night stand, can they really ignore their
attraction after the affair?
EB: Awesome! Congratulations! Tell us where we
can find You Can't Plan Love.
Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/you-cant-plan-love-synithia-williams/1112405729?ean=9781440554278
All Romance
E-Books:
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-youcan039tplanlove-904639-173.html
EB: Anything else you'd like to share?
SW: Thank you so much
for interviewing me on your blog today! You’re as much fun online
as you are in person :)
* * *
Many thanks to Synithia Williams for visiting with me today!
Readers, be sure to visit Synithia's website and blog, and definitely give You Can't Plan Love a go! It's a fun, sexy read with a surprising degree of action. I couldn't put it down once I hit the second half of the novel. I'm looking forward to Worth the Wait.
Thanks for having me here today!
ReplyDeleteGreat having you! You're welcome any time. :)
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