Interview with author Carmen DeSousa

Today I am very excited to have Carmen DeSousa with me!  This up and comer is full of ideas and the stories just keep getting better.  Her first book, She Belongs to Me, will release in December 2011 from 5 Prince Publishing.  So let's get to know this fabulous author.

What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

 I love the opportunity to share my experiences and situations that I have lived through in stories that people can relate to in their own life.

 Are you a plotter or a pantser?

 Pantser. I typically have only my hook before I start. I envision an idea for a story and just start typing. I will write a chapter in the morning, edit my writing the same evening, and then the characters come alive when I close my eyes and act out where the story will go.

Why do you think people should choose your books over another author?

 My stories only lack one element—they're not vulgar. I fill my novels with romance, thrills, and suspense without using vulgar language and explicit scenes as filler.

What do you hope readers take with them after reading one of your stories?

 Though tragedy is a part of life, you can overcome your circumstances with a belief in God and a soul-mate who will stand beside you no matter what.

How would you describe yourself if you were “speed dating” your readers?

 I have lived a tragic, but thankful life. As much pain as I have endured, I realize that if I hadn't lived through everything I did, I wouldn't be where I am. And today, I have a wonderful, supportive husband of twenty-two years and two perfect sons.

What books or authors have most influenced your life?

 There are so many, I wouldn't know where to begin. My family instilled of love of reading in me since I could read. On average, I read about two books a week. My favorites though are Sidney Sheldon, Nicholas Sparks, Iris Johansen, Jaime Rush, Heather Graham, and of course Bernadette Marie.

 Please tell us 5 miscellaneous facts about yourself.

 I am a Florida native but have also lived in North Carolina for ten years. When I am not writing my own novels, I proofread for a couple of publishers and many authors. Though I have wrote short stories my entire life, it was only two years ago I decided to dedicate my time to writing novels.

Please share with us your future projects and upcoming releases.

My first novel, She Belongs to Me, will be available December 2011. Please check out the first chapter: http://carmendesousa.blogspot.com/2011/07/sample-she-belongs-to-me.html

Land of the Noonday Sun is complete and will be available spring of 2012

From there, I have many stories waiting to share with my wonderful readers. I've waited twenty years to share my love of the written word and hope that you will be just as excited as I am.

Where can our readers find you online?

http://carmendesousa.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carmen-DeSousa/220790134629206?skip_nax_wizard=true

www.5princebooks.com 

Tell us a little more about yourself. 

I love writing. As far back as I can remember I created stories—no, not to my parents—with my best friend. We would sit for hours playing with Barbie dolls, creating new adventures with the iconic toy. Then when I was eight, I actually wrote my first story. A horror story about gigantic fleas of all things, I guess I had a fear of fleas. Who knew I’d grow up to be a romantic-suspense writer?

When I was in college, I wrote my first novella. My professor wanted something that entailed drinking and fishing—he was a huge Hemmingway fan. Well, he sure received a surprise when he read my short story. It did have drinking and fishing, but there was nothing funny about it. It was sad; it was real life. Luckily, he enjoyed it, even admitted I was the first student who ever made him cry and that I had potential.

Unfortunately, it just wasn't in my future at the time. After all, I needed a roof over my head and food on my plate. At seventeen, I was on my own and a career as an author just wasn't feasible at that juncture in my life. At that time, if you didn’t live in the mecca—aka New York—you didn’t stand a chance, or at least that is what my peers insisted. So, I set out to conquer the business world, and I did. I spent the last decade and a half in sales, rising to the top of a Fortune 500 company.

Now fifteen years later, I'm back. And guess what, it's a new world where dreams really do come true. My first novel, She Belongs to Me, will be available December 2011, and from there, I have many stories waiting to share with my wonderful readers. I've waited twenty years to share my love of the written word and hope that you will be just as excited as I am.

Please join us on Thursday when Carmen joins us again as our guest blogger.