MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR TRACI WOODEN-CARLISLE

MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR TRACI WOODEN-CARLISLE

What’s your name and what genre would you consider your books to be?

My name is Traci Wooden-Carlisle and I write Christian Contemporary Romance and Christian Romantic Suspense.

Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that (story, angle, idea)?

Missing the Gift (A Chandler County Novel book 3) is a Christian Romantic Suspense. The story takes place during the Christmas holiday. Dr. Maddison Baer was left for dead nine years ago by her husband but received a new lease on life by the FBI after giving over information on his dealings with an infamous drug dealer. She was given a new identity and a new face to replace the one her husband carved up.

Maddison changes more than her identity, she changes her mannerisms, and outward persona which makes it virtually impossible to have any type of meaningful relationship with a man. She believes she should be content with living a single, cautious life, but meets Ryan Gramble, one of the hands at the equine therapy ranch where her best friend is newly employed and disrupts her long fought for plans.

They fight their instant attraction to one another. He doesn’t trust the two sides he sees in Maddison and she can’t afford to fall for anyone.

Ryan has spent years running from one challenge to another. He’s come to Chandler County to face and deal with his previous traumas and come from under his family’s overprotective wing. He has used his love for horses as a way to treat himself and others with equine therapy. He prides himself on his ability to read people.

When danger comes perilously close to Maddison she is forced to seek refuge amongst the lights and glitter of Chandler County at Christmas. As the threat looms Ryan steps up to keep Maddison safe only to find that they are in danger of falling for one another.

How did you get interested in writing this particular genre (historical novels, mysteries, sci-fi, children’s books, etc.)?

I was invited to write for Chandler County Novels, a multi-author branded romantic suspense series in 2016. This group of great authors write in different genres on their own, but come together to publish six to seven books twice a year. The first set is around the time of the Kentucky Derby in May and the second is during fictitious town’s birthday in November. This year I chose to write my story surrounding the Christmas season. It was a challenge since it is a dark romantic suspense. If you want to know more about the group, it can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ChandlerCounty/

What kind of research did you do for this book?

I had done most of my research regarding horses and equine therapy for the first book I wrote for this series, Missing Destiny, so I was able to use some of that for Ryan career. I, found therapy surrounding horses and people dealing with PTSD, autism, anxiety, and other disorders fascinating. Due to Ryan’s past in the Miami Police Department and as an Army Ranger I had to do research on both of those career paths as well as some of the timelines of wars the United States has been involved in over the last decade.

Maddison works for a company as a biochemical engineer and I was able to ask a family member few questions about schooling and employment. The Federal Witness Relocation Program was interesting to learn more about.

Can you tell me about your Series?

Chandler County is a fictitious town between Louisville and Lexington, KY. There are two main towns in the county, Chandlerville and Bourbonville. The characters reside in and around the two towns and work at ranches, distilleries, farms, small town shops, such as boutiques, hair salons, restaurants, banks, inns, the local newspaper, a grocery market, security firm, sheriff’s department and just about any other place you would find in a small town. The only difference is that they celebrate the Kentucky Derby in high fashion.

My character’s stories take place mostly around the Murphy Equine Therapy Ranch because my male main characters from Missing Destiny and Missing the Gift are equine therapists.

Do you have a favorite book out of this series?

Missing the Gift, book 3 in this series is hands down my favorite. I love how the story developed and I was able to express Maddison’s struggles in such a way that I think the reader will be sympathetic to her plight. Her inner monologue was intense.

Where did you get the inspiration/idea for your series?

My niece was my inspiration for my first book in this series. She is an extremely intelligent and beautiful young woman who has an occasional challenge with anxiety. From there Shauna and her family evolved with the story. From Shauna and Zach’s story I went to Shauna’s parents in Missing Us and took on the challenge of Maddison, Shauna’s best friend, and Ryan, Zach’s good friend, in Missing the Gift.

Though the third book can be read as a stand alone there are references to characters from previous books because of their relationships with one another.

What’s a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?

I started working for myself in the beginning of 2016 as a graphic artist, writer and jewelry designer. I thought I would have more time to write, but it took a lot of discipline to sit myself down in my chair, turn off the internet and write. I finally found some of my rhythm this year in regards to my writing routine. My writing time goes from 6 pm to 11 pm every other day. If I am close to a deadline, I will usually get my other work done early in the morning so I can write for most of the day. I will also write eight hours straight on the Saturday and Sunday. I feel really good if I write 3,000 good words on a weeknight and at least eight thousand in a weekend.

Do you have a new book in the making and if so, what’s the name of your upcoming book?

Missing the Gift (A Chandler County Novel book 3) releases November 29, 2018.

How important are character names to you in your books? Is there a special meaning to any of the names?

The main characters’ names are important to me. The name has to match the personality of the character. I rarely use names of people I know. It feels like cheating. I would rather look up the name of a character online and research what their name means before using it in my story.

Where do your ideas come from?

Sometimes my ideas come from people watching, things I’ve researched, conversations I’ve had with my husband or an idea that seemed to be sitting in the back of my head for a while.

Is there a genre that you’ve been wanting to experiment with?

I love romance so that won’t change, but I’ve been thinking of doing a contemporary remake of a Grimm fairy tale.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

I would say the hardest part of writing is that part of the story after the characters finally admit their feelings for one another.

What do you think of book trailers? Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book?

I have one trailer for my first book. I do intend to create one for this book because I believe a suspenseful trailer would work well.

What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?

My marriage to my husband

What’s the best thing about being an author?

I get to put my imagination on paper. I get to touch people’s hearts with complex characters and messages about life.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Teaching aspiring and new authors how to publish and market effectively. Speak at Women’s Conferences about overcoming abuse and loving one’s self.

Have you always liked to write?

I have loved writing since I was eight-years-old. I put it down for almost two decades, but came back to it because I could no long deny my first love.

What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Make sure you have a good editor.

If you didn’t like writing books, or weren’t any good at it, what would you like to do for a living?

I would design jewelry and make swag for authors because I would still read.

Do you read reviews of your book(s)? Do you respond to them, good or bad? How do you deal with the bad?

I read reviews of my books when I am in a good mental place. I never respond unless the person emails me. I try to see things through their eyes. If they are objective I listen.

What is your least favourite part of the writing / publishing process?

I’m not a fan of coming up with summaries and taglines though I have gotten better lately.

What are you working on now?

I have been working on another romantic suspense. It’s working title is ‘The Spark”.

Can you give us a few tasty morsels from your work-in-progress?

The feeling of foreboding that accompanied the tingle at the nape of Special Agent Marin’s neck couldn’t be shaken. He breathed in deeply before unsheathing his weapon and glancing around the corner. Nothing. There was nothing in the room that alluded to the threat he felt drawing closer. He crept amongst the shadows in the room, taking care to avoid the shafts of moonlight streaming through the broken windows. He squelched the shiver that tried to run up his spine and took another step.

Hearing a creaking of the floorboards behind him, he shifted and turned, barely repressing the impulse to shoot. He sent his partner a scathing look only to receive a shrug in reply. He refocused his thoughts on the mission and continued his search through the home.

He shrank back against the mantle trying to time his advanced towards the stairs with the sound of the ticking clock when he heard the muffled scream. He felt his partner go still at the sound and signaled for them to separate. He slipped up the stairs quietly and listened for any sounds that would lead him in the right direction.

A shuffling noise came to him from the end of the hall and he checked his immediate surroundings to make sure he was alone. Something wasn’t right. The earlier feeling had seeped into his very fiber and was setting off sparks along his nerves. He gripped his 9 mm tighter taking small comfort in the feel of the handle in his palm.

After making certain the other four rooms on that level were empty, he sidled up next to the last door in the hallway. With his back to the wall, he slowly eased the door open with his right palm. There was another sound, but he was unable to make it out. Once the door was flush against the adjoining wall he made a few pass glances of the room. The sole occupant was sitting, strapped to a chair facing the far wall. Marin slowly advanced on the hostage as he scanned for any type of door or hiding place the perpetrator could use to surprise him.

The man in the chair began breathing heavier as Marin drew near. He had to check his own respiration to make sure it wasn’t him. He knew he’d made no noise and yet this man was aware of his approach. His gut tightened as apprehension threatened to paralyze him. His movements grew sluggish as the man’s profile came into view then his heart seized. “What…”

The feel of a steel barrel pushing against his temple pulled him out of his shock. “I’m very disappointed in you Mr. Sloane or should I say Special Agent Marin.” The ringing in Marin’s ears threatened to drown out everything else, but he fought against it and tried to think of a way out of his predicament.

Guillermo Ferro in the flesh. What was he doing here? Marin considered trying to stall the man while his partner finished downstairs and made his way to the upper level when he heard the shots ring out beneath him.

He felt the man lean closer as he sucked his teeth in a taunt. “How does it feel?” asked Ferro.

Marin would have ignored the question, but for the gun, pressing insistently to the side of his head. “How does what feel?”

“Getting your partner killed.” the man replied and Marin broke out in a cold sweat as rage bloomed in his chest. Before he could reply Ferro continued.

“I think it feels something like this,” Ferro said answering his own question as he pressed the trigger.

Marin jackknifed up in bed; his heart racing and breathing shallow. The shotgun blast was replaced by the alarm going off on the nightstand which read 6:30 a.m. Gray Marin groaned then regretted making the sound as it reverberated through his head, seeming to bounce back and forth between his ears. He took a few deep breaths as he warred against his heart and respiratory system.

Why did you choose to write in your genre? If you write in more than one, how do you balance them?

I love writing romance. Christian and sweet romance are fun and romantic suspense is a great challenge.

Where did your love of books come from?

I was misdiagnosed with a learning disability when I was younger and received extra attention for reading. By the time it was discovered that I had a vision problem, I was in the third grade, reading at the ninth grade level. I became a voracious reader.

Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?

I love Dee Sanders, Terri Blackstock, Amy Harmon, Kristen Ashley, and Rosalind James.

Of all the characters you have created, which is your favourite and why?

My favorite has been a character named Brandon in my Promises to Zion series. He was a hero in every way.

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

It will usually exhaust me until I type ‘The End.”

What is your writing Kryptonite?

The internet and other types of distractions.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I definitely try to be more original. Sometimes it’s what most readers want and sometimes less.

What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

I am friends with Stephany Tullis, Jessica Martinez, and Dionne Grace. They have each encouraged me to write more, write with more clarity and embrace my writing voice.

If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?

This Is Me: Unintentionally Funny

What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?

What is your next goal in writing?

My goal next year is to write four books and hit #1 as a new release.