Before we start, I would like to say thank you to The Novel Tease for approaching
me for this interview.
1. What
does Alexandra Richland do when she’s not writing?
As a registered nurse, I spend a lot of
my time at the hospital, caring for pediatric patients. I also enjoying
running, reading, and traveling.
2.
How does your writing process look? Do
you tend to write a standard number of words in regular sittings, or does
inspiration hit you sporadically?
It varies. Sometimes when I’m in my
“writing zone” I can write many pages in one sitting. If I feel emotionally
connected to the scene/chapter, the words will come easily, and I can read them
back the next day and desire to change only minor things. On other occasions,
the process is more difficult, which tends to happen when I’m pressed for time.
When this occurs, I will step away from the computer and go for a run, or just
busy myself with other tasks. If I feel inspired to write later on that day, I
will. If not, I don’t push it. Or if the interest is semi-there, I’ll write as
much as I can, even if I might think it sucks, and then rewrite it at another
time. Editing and rewriting are the easiest parts of the writing process for
me. As long as I have a foundation, even in point form, I’m confident I can
turn out something I’m very proud of. The scenes that come easiest to me are
the ones I can visualize like a movie. Music also helps inspire emotion and
assists in the writing process.
3.
What inspired you to write Frontline?
The Starlight Trilogy is a very
detailed Hollywood romance set in the 1950s. When I finished all three
novels, I wanted to write a book with an entirely opposite tone – a modern
thrill ride that kept the reader turning the pages, unable to put it down, with
a lot of sexual tension, action, adventure, romance, and intrigue. As I was in
the midst of nursing school at the time, I thought of a crazy thing that could
potentially happen to a nurse while on the job and expanded on the idea,
pushing the boundaries of my writing as well as character behavior and
development. I couldn’t be happier with the result.
4.
If you could describe Frontline in
3 words, what would they be?
Sexy. Exciting. Suspenseful.
5.
Which character speaks the
loudest?
Though he was never supposed to play
such a significant role, Randall really surprised me as the book progressed. I
relied on him more and more, as did the other characters, for his wisdom,
insight, loyalty, and mysteriousness. I just finished writing an origin tale
for Randall, as I was as curious about his background. I hope Frontline
readers will be interested in him, too, after they finish the story. I'm very
happy to be able to include Randall’s tale as part of the bonus material in the
appendix of Frontline when it's published.
6.
Which of your characters would you like
to meet in person and why?
My answer will depend on my
mood. If I'm in the mood to shop, I can't think of a better pair to hit the
town with than Kelly and Denim. Kelly would know where to get all the best
deals on the most stylish clothes, while Denim would supply the most laughs and
energy during the expedition.
Chris and Sean are still very
mysterious to me, but I’d definitely give them a call if I wanted people to go
running with, or if I had a task that needed to be done requiring speed,
efficiency, and stealth. They are men of many talents.
If my life was in some kind of
crisis and I needed a friend to listen to me and help me get through it, Sara
would be ideal.
As for Trenton, I don’t have as many
scruples as Sara does, so he can pay off my student loan any day!
7.
Will you have a new book coming out soon?
I have several. The second book in The
Starlight Trilogy, Starbright, will most likely be out later this
fall (2013), or very early next year (2014), with the third book in the
trilogy, Stardust, following in the spring or summer of 2014. The Frontline
sequel is already in the works. I'm also working on several short story
collections to release in between my novels, as well as a brand new novel,
separate from the Frontline series and The Starlight Trilogy,
which I just started writing in recent weeks. I cannot say more at this time,
but I’m very excited about it!
Information on all
of my writing projects can be found on my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ms.alexandrarichland
AND now a short excerpt for you to enjoy:
“I meant it when I said we need to cool our physical contact. We need to start fresh––a proper courtship with boundaries that get removed gradually as we get to know each other better. That’s the only way I’ll agree to see you again.”
Trenton
looks amused as he shakes my hand. “Courtship?”
I giggle.
“Okay, so it’s a little old-school. The bottom line is I’d like to get back to
basics.”
Trenton
cocks an eyebrow. “No touching at all?”
“No
inappropriate groping, how about that?”
“So you want
me to court you?” His blue eyes blaze.
I blush.
Trenton
brushes his lips to my ear. “In that case, wait here.”
He darts out
of the room and returns a few moments later. My heart melts when I see what he
holds: one of the long-stemmed roses from the bouquet at the nurses’ station.
“This is my
proper and honorable good-bye, Sara. And please accept my sincerest apologies
for leaving so abruptly last night.” Trenton extends the rose to me.
With just
one look, he makes me feel as though I’m the center of his world.
I accept the
flower with a gracious smile.
Trenton
takes my other hand and bows his head to place a soft kiss on my knuckles––a
gesture far sweeter and meaningful than anything we’ve shared thus far. He
peers up at me with those bedroom eyes, his lips brushing my skin.
“I look
forward to courting you, Sara. Thank you for giving me another chance.”
His eyes
linger on mine for a few heart-stopping moments. Then he drops my hand, sweeps
past me, and exits the room.
I
exhale a big gust of air as he slides the door shut and the curtain falls back
into place. My heart feels empty and I’m left craving our next encounter. I
just hope I didn’t make a mistake by trusting him again.
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