I’m very pleased to welcome this week’s Blog Ring of Power guest, Cornelia Amiri. She’s the author of 16 romance books, including the Steampunk/romance she writes under the name Maeve Alpin. Cornelia was also among the founding contributors of The Writers’ Lens, a blog I host. She lives in Houston, TX, with her wonderful son and granddaughter.
Don’t miss the rest of her interview:
- Part 1 @ Terri– Wednesday, Sept. 12
- Part 3 @ Emily – Friday, Sept. 14
- Part 4 @ Sandra – Monday, Sept. 17
- Part 5 @ Dean – Tuesday, Sept. 18
PART 2: THE WRITING LIFE
BRoP: What is your writing process? Do you follow a regular routine? Do you use pen and paper or computer? Work at home or at the library/Starbucks, etc.
Cornelia: My process is to finish a rough draft and then go in chapter by chapter to revise and rewrite. My schedule varies as I work temporary assignments so some days I’m at home and some days I’m working a clerical position. I write on my lap top usually at home sitting on the sofa with the lap top on the coffee table with the TV own. I know it sound crazy but the background noise of the TV helps me concentrate on the writing. When I just can’t seem to get going, I go to Starbucks and write there, it helps.
BRoP: When do you write?
Cornelia: I begin my writing day around 8 am, go to the computer, pull up a completed rough draft for rewrites or a new project to write fresh. After super, I watch a little TV or read. Back to writing for an hour or two before I go to sleep.
BRoP: How much time per day do you spend on your writing?
Cornelia: I try to write to 2000 words a day . Sometimes I write more, sometimes less, I try to push myself to at least 1000 on busy days, but even if I only do 500, I realize it’s better than none. Some days it seems to take a long time just to get through my emails.
BRoP: Other than your family, what has been your greatest source of support?
Cornelia: My writing friends which include my critique partner. Sometimes you just need to talk to someone about things that come up in writing, frustrations, confusion, pet peeves. I keep writing with a little help from my writing friends.
BRoP: How do you deal with rejection and/or negative reviews?
Cornelia: On rejection, if I can find a way to make the manuscript better I will but usually I think the publishers are just looking for something different than what I’ve written, I consider it their loss and I submit it to another publisher. Reviews, I appreciate all reviewers taking the time to read my books and review them. If I agree with something the reviewer has sad that I can use to improve my writing I do so and I highly appreciate those reviewers. Also though I keep in mind that a review is one person’s opinion so a bad review doesn’t matter if most of them are good. We all know you can’t please everyone.
BRoP: What format is your book(s) available in (print, e-book, audio book, etc.)
Cornelia: Print and eBook
BRoP: Please let us know where your readers can stalk you:
- Website: http://CelticromanceQueen.com
- Blog: I’m one of the Steamed writers – http://ageofsteam.wordpress.com/
- Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/CelticRomanceQueen
- Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/475961.Cornelia_Amiri?auto_login_attempted=true
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaeveAlpin
- Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cornelia-Amiri/e/B002BLFENY
DRUIDESS: In first century
AD, conquering Romans plunge the British tribes into chaos. The future of the mist covered isle of Britannia and its brave people rest in the hands of two druids, whose views are as different as fire and ice. Yet they find love together. Arch Druid Rhys is a master of the sacred mysteries but a novice in the ways of the heart. Sulwen, a sacred druidess, discovers Rhys, the shape shifter, has evoked a basic, feral desire in her, only to find the goddess may soon exact the unfathomable price of taking him from her. Though their love is a potent as their magic, is it strong enough to survive the turmoil of the Romans, the Rebel Queen Boudica, and the gods?
