WATCH OUT: Rachel Brimble

SC: I want to welcome you all to another edition of Watch Out. This week I’m excited to bring you a great author by the name of Rachel Brimble.

Welcome Rachel, it is so great to have you here this week.

SC: For the readers out there who might not know about you or your work, can you please tell them a little about yourself.

Of course, I have been writing seriously for about seven years now and have six books published across the romance genre and my second novella coming soon. I live with my husband and two daughers in a small market town near Bath, in the UK.
When I’m not writing, I am reading, knitting, walking or watching far too many US crime dramas or UK period dramas!

SC:Can you tell us a little about your current release?

My current release is Paying The Piper which is a contemporary romance set against the grittier background of UK pubs and clubs. It started as a romantic suspense but as I wrote the suspense lessened and the relationship between the hero and heroine took center stage instead J

SC: What is the one thing readers might be surprised to know about you?

I am a survivor of the 2010 French floods where 28 people lost their lives. My family and I were holidaying in a caravan park and were rescued by helicopter from the clubhouse roof.

I am using the experience in my current work in progress. It’s taken two years to be able to write about it clearly and concisely without the fear taking over.

SC: Is there anything you are currently working on that you can give us a taste of?

Could I cheat and tell you about my next release instead? J

It is a Victorian romance novella set in the Bristol, England and it’s called. “Love’s Debt”. Here’s the blurb:

To keep herself from the depths of poverty, Milly Shepherd needs to be appointed manager of the Red Lion Tavern. The elderly owner is in failing health and has promised her the job permanently if no one more suitable applies. Milly will fight with her entire being to make the job her own.

Joseph Jacobs needs to supplement his income to pay off his father’s creditors and save him from debtor’s prison. Though the job as manager of the local tavern looks promising, Milly is favored by both the owner and customers. Instead, Joseph swallows his pride and agrees to tend bar.

As they work together, their attraction grows, their goals cross, and both Millie and Joseph find they must face their fears …the question is whether they face them alone or together?

I don’t have a release date but I am hoping for early Summer – I can’t wait! I love this story J

SC: How does your family and or friends feel about your writing career?

They love it! I feel very supported and surrounded by love and pride. I would hate to be one of the many writers I know whose work is not taken seriously by the people they love. That must make doing what you love so hard…

SC: What are you currently reading?

I always have at least two books on my nightstand or Kindle – I am currently reading “Please Don’t Stop The Music” by Jane Lovering & “Outlaw in Petticoats” by Paty Jager

SC:What do you do when you have writers block?

I never have writer’s block! Every writer might come up against a problem but it can always be written through and edited. The most freeing piece of advice I was ever given was to ‘give yourself permission to write a crappy first draft’. Once you write all the way through the story without getting hung up on plot or character issues, you will get to the end so much faster. THEN the real work starts in draft two but at least you have more to work with than a blank page!

SC: What is the one thing that surprised you in this industry?

The promotion! Promotion takes up a lot of your creative time but it is necessary and if you approach it with the right attitude, equally as enjoyable. I have a routine now that means I allow an hour a day to complete interviews, write blog posts or judge contest entries. Once that hour is up then I stop and start writing. It works really well for me.

SC: If you were not an author what would your dream job be?

Working with animals – I love animals and feel a great affinity with dogs especially. I have always felt if I didn’t write I should be working at a zoo or a rescue center. Something like that.

SC: What is the biggest misconception you think people have about authors?

That we are exceptionally clever people – we’re not!! (I, of course, speak for myself!)

SC: Is there one specific genre you would like to be well known for?

Just romance – at the moment, I am enjoying the freedom of writing across the genre whether that be mainstream contemporary, romantic suspense or Victorian. The likelihood is, as my career progresses, I will have to choose one sub-genre and stick to it but right now, I would love people to hear my name and know they are going to have a great read with a fabulous “happy ever after” J

SC: What is the one pet peeve you have when it comes to publishing?

Hmm…I don’t really have one. As time goes on, I appreciate every aspect of this business and don’t really have any gripes with it. The sooner authors understand this is a business and no one owes us any favors, the better. We work hard and it will pay off…eventually!

SC: What advice do you have for new writers out there?

See above – ‘allow yourself permission to write a crappy first draft’. You’ll never look back, I promise!

SC: Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

http://www.rachelbrimble.com/

http://rachelbrimble.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Brimble/181873201887441

Twitter: @rachelbrimble