Mother of insanity // Are we crazy yet: An Interview and freebie with Author Elizabeth Reyes

Meet Elizabeth Reyes and score a free ebook

1. Tell us a little about yourself.
Lets see. I was born and raised in California. I still reside in California but it was only about 7 years ago that I moved to the High Desert which now allows me to experience each season very profoundly. From the scorching summers to the snuggly winter snows. I've gotta say I really like it.

I'm a full time stay-home mom to my 2 teenage kids Mark and Megan and have been married for 17 years now to my wonderful husband Mark. I've been writing since I was a teen but only until a year ago did I decide to share my writing with the world. I do believe that God willing I'll be writing and sharing for the rest of my life. I have SO many stories in me!

2. Do people in your life inspire your characters?
Absolutely. I can't say that any one of my characters is based on any one person I know but I do take many of the more interesting characteristics of several people I know and put them all together to create one very unique and in some cases very flawed characters.

3. I was reading the sneak peek of Romero on your blog. I have to say it sounds great. Can you tell us a little about the book?
Funny you'd ask. When I first created the character of Romero he was meant to be the funny sidekick. Like you asked before, I knew who he was and where I had got bits of his personality and his story but I never thought I'd be telling it in it entirety. It wasn't until Always Been Mine was released that I began to receive emails and PM's from readers who were interested in reading the entire story of Romero and Izzy. At first I responded with "no I don't plan on writing his story." But with each email I kept receiving, his story began to grow to the point where I'd wake up thinking about certain scenes. So I decided I had to write it. His story is a little different than the rest of my Moreno's, but if the ladies like rip roaring Alpha's boy are they in for a treat! =) After Romero will be the last in the series Making You Mine -- the story of the oldest Moreno brother Sal.

4. I hear Judy Blume was a childhood favorite. I think many of us have read "Are You There God, It's Me Margret". What other authors or books influenced you over the years?
Oh my goodness. Me and my childhood friends still text each other once and a while "Are you there God it's me Margaret" lol Yes Judy Blume was a huge inspiration. Over the years there's been many. Believe it or not James Patterson has been an influence in my love for page turners. His thrillers have kept me up late in the evening and I've always aspired to write that kind of read. The kind you just can't put down. Then there's Lori Foster and all her Alpha Males. I think I've read just about ALL her books and pressed them against my chest sighing when I was done. As of late Simone Elkeles, Sarah Dessen, Jennifer Echols are just a few of my favorites.

5. What do you feel was the hardest part of writing your books?
The beginning and the end. =/ I usually have the Main story and all the explosive climaxes in my head before I even start the book. I don't even start writing a story unless I have some idea about the overall theme. But the first chapter which is supposed to hook the reader and the ending chapters which I strive to leave the reader satisfied and feel it was worth reading the entire thing (and staying up late to do so) are my hardest to write. I literally obsess over them.

6. Any advice for writers just starting out?
I can only speak for writing in the Indie world since I've never even tried going the traditional route. Most importantly be ready. Join critique groups or have a critique partner. I thought I was ready about six years ago, then joined an incredibly helpful online critique group called Critique Circle which helped me see the light. I was so not ready but I learned so much from them and am eternally grateful. Second get an editor. I learned the hard way it's impossible to edit your own work and its so very important to put out your very best work out there. Get a good cover. I can't express how important this is. No matter how many times you hear you can't judge a book by it's cover trust me people do! Get a thick skin because you will NEVER please everyone, so as good as your book may be there will always be someone who HATES it. Remember to expect to get a 1 star "this book was terrible!" at some time in your career, maybe more than once. If you don't when it does happen you will waste hours away sitting at home soothing your bruised ego over a glass of wine. Not that I've ever done this. Ahem! Seek out book bloggers/reviewers. It is hands down the best exposure out there. Write a lot but read even more. And more than anything if this is really your dream, never EVER give up!

7. You mentioned you have a freebie available. Can you tell my readers where they can get your book "Forever Mine" to download free?
Yes it's only temporary so get it now! You can download it for free on Amazon, B&N and smashwords. If you don't have a kindle or Nook you can always download the apps for free on your PC or smartphone and read the book that way. It's the first in the Moreno Brothers series and hopefully you'll be hooked! =D

Thanks so much for having me, Stephanie!