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Author - Alice Wootson
Name: Alice Wootson
Date of Birth (month/date): July 14th
Occupation: Retired teacher, now a published author
City of Residence: Philadelphia (home of the Eagles) although I grew up outside Pittsburgh (home of the Steelers)
1. Your first book was published July 2000, what has changed about your writing five years later?
I've put suspense in the last three books. I find it hard to fit in a mold; I write the stories that my characters tell me & I guess this makes it difficult for the readers looking for books that fall into a certain pattern. I might have lost potential repeat readers. I hope not. I am more comfortable now because I have proven to myself that I can write a novel length piece of work.
2. As a romance author, have you considered exploring another genre of books ?
I have 2 historicals finished, but they haven't been published as yet. I added suspense to Escape to Love, Kindred Spirits and Aloha Love so that's a departure from my previous books.
I was going to write another suspense, but I found that I couldn't stand the tension that goes with that type of writing so I went lighter. I ended up writing Perfect Wedding, about a reality show. (It will be released next year.)I am looking for another good suspense plot. I've tried to write other genre' besides romance, but they always turn into romance stories.
3. Did you study writing? Is it what you always knew you would do?
I was a reading/writing specialist before I retired from teaching. I read everything I could get my hands on ever since I learned to read. My whole family including my parents did the same. My mother, who would be close to 100 if she were still alive, said that she remembered her parents & siblings all reading in the evenings. After doing so much reading, I think a natural progression is to write. Somewhere along the line I thought, 'I could do this.' I write poetry & used to write short stories. I took many, many writing workshops & classes. I still read books to help me improve.
4. What quality sets your books apart from other romance novels?
I have no idea. I think a reader is better able to answer this question. I do think my background and experiences make my stories unique. Nobody else could write my stories because my life shapes & colors them. I think this is true for other writers as well.
5. Tell us a little bit about ALOHA LOVE.
Jeanine Stewart is a helicopter pilot in Hawaii and she loves her job. Chris Harris is an architect who is still not convinced that humans are meant to fly. Their relationship gets off to a rocky start & hits several bumps along the way. Jeanine stumbles upon something that puts her in danger. Chris is swept along with her.
I had a problem with this book. For the first time, a secondary character, Chris' brother Nate, tried to take over. I hope the reader gets so engrossed that she/he neglects everything else. =: o )
6. How did you conduct your research for ALOHA LOVE?
I had to go to Hawaii, of course. (It was a tough job, but somebody had to do it.) I spent five weeks there and visited the four main islands. I also took a helicopter ride. (I got sicker than a dog. I took a tour along the shore on Kauai looking for caves. I got seasick then, too. The things we do for research.) I interviewed the real K'ale'le, who is a helicopter pilot over there. I also talked with the police captain in charge of police helicopters & their missions. I was in touch by e-mail with both of them after I got back home. My husband and I toured the coffee farms & I, who does not drink coffee, tasted chocolate-covered coffee beans. (I will never eat those again.) The names of most of the roads & places in the book are authentic, although I might have moved them around to suit the story. I research all of my stories, including the color of the dirt on the road in Dream Wedding.
7. When you started Aloha Love which came first the story or the characters?
I guess the character, Jeanine. She is the sister of Trent, the hero in Escape to Love. The plot came out of a combination of what's going on in the world & how I could use Hawaii, Jeanine's home. Because of the multi-cultural atmosphere in Hawaii, I gave her friends from different cultures. Chris came about because I had to have a hero who would have an issue with something so dear to Jeanine's heart.
8. What advice would you give new authors who are trying to get published?
While you're waiting for the call, continue to improve your writing & continue to write. You don't want to sell your book & find that you have a deadline of 6 months & no idea for your next story. I repeat: continue to learn. Take workshops, read books on writing; continue to write. It's not being published that makes you a writer, it's writing. Also, beware of those out there who prey on people wanting to be published. Remember, it's not just the publishing; it's the distribution of your books as well.
9. What do you do when you’re not writing ?
I read, watch tv (too much tv), go to the gym 5 days a week and do an hour on the treadmill. During the nice weather, I prefer to walk outside. It clears my head & allows ideas to flow. We also travel. (I'm in Winter Garden, FL right now. & will be going to Dallas for the Romance Slam Jam directly from here.) I'm also in the decluttering phase at home. I'm a pack rat & I've been in my home since 1971, so I have a LOT of stuff.
10. What’s next for Alice Wootson?
The first draft of Perfect Wedding in the hands of the editor. This is the story of a woman who loves Hawaii, but can't afford to go. She watches a reality show, PERFECT WEDDING, & the winning couple get an all-expense paid wedding as well as a honeymoon; to Hawaii. She decides to enter the contest. Never mind that she not only doesn't have a fiancé'; she doesn't even have a boyfriend. She'll worry about that little technicality later.
I'm currently working on Ready to Take a Chance, a story of a woman hurt by a cheating husband who has trouble moving on.
11. How can your fans communicate with you?
E-mail is best: agwwriter@email.com
or
PO Box 18832
Philadelphia, PA 19119
I prefer e-mail because I'm away so much. They can visit my web site:
Thanks a lot LaShonda. I really appreciate this opportunity.
Alice Wootson
Thank you for taking the time and allowing me to interview you. On behalf of RIC, I would like to congratulate you on being our selected author of the month for the month of January 2005. I would also like to wish you continual success in work and life.