Interview with Romance Author Connie Crow
This month’s featured Nebraska author is Connie Crow. Connie is
author of six romance novels: Moonlight Fire, Daughter of
the Dragon, No Place for a Lady, Little Secrets, Dark
Side of Paradise and the soon to be released; All She Ever
Wanted. Connie paved a path for many of us by publishing in e-book
format since 1996. All of Connie’s books are still available in e-book and
print for purchase through her publisher Awe-Struck Publishing, Amazon and
other retailers.
Connie served four years as secretary of the Nebraska Writer’s
Guild and is currently a member. She is the current treasurer of
Romance Authors of the Heartland. She also belongs to Romance Writers of
America, and of EPIC (the Electronically Publisher Internet Coalition.)
Glenda: Connie, it’s so
nice of you to agree to this interview. You are a trailblazer for electronic
publishing. You published Little Secrets as an e-book in 1996
before I ever even heard of electronic publishing. I think many of us are
thankful to you and other brave writers like you.
Why did you decide to go with electronic publishing in its infancy
when so many were saying it would never catch on?
Connie: I've always been fascinated by technology and an early
adaptor. When I was told my first novel was a non-traditional romance and would
not sell in New York, I decided to look for a non-traditional publisher. I
found an ad in a free-lance writer newsletter from a new publisher, looking for
authors who would be willing to be published electronically. I contacted
him, sent him the manuscript, and went up in the first six novels he
electronically published in April of 1996. It's been an interesting journey,
ever since. I had no doubt we were starting a revolution in
communication. I said it would get ugly as the publishing industry adjusted to
all the changes. I'm sure we're not done.
Glenda: Many writers
believe to be successful they must write daily and publish frequently. I
noticed that you publish a new book every few years and they continue to sell.
What is your philosophy about writing practices?
Connie: I measure success differently than most. I write because
my characters and stories insist on getting out of my head and onto the paper.
I'm delighted that other people enjoy reading them but I write on my schedule.
I've struggled with health issues over the years so I write when I'm able.
Having five surgeries in four years slows down everything else one does. I keep
lots of notes and binders full of ideas so when I feel up to writing, a story
is always waiting for me.
Glenda: In 2004 your
book Daughter of the Dragon was a finalist in EPIC’s
international competition. I must say, I could see why from the beginning
of the book. It has history (set in the late 19th century), an
international element through a global shipping merchant, a daughter running
from an overzealous father, and many facets that you manage to weave together
into this story that crosses the US and Canadian borders. How do you keep from
getting bogging down in your characters histories, the time period and so many
nuances to deal with to write a book like Daughter of the Dragon?
Connie: My critique partners try to keep me reined in. I do have a
most complex mind, I guess. I keep spread sheets of plot lines and character
arcs through chapters, to keep everything straight. I usually don't have any
trouble keeping track. Although with my current work in progress, 600
Feet to Hell, I found myself getting a little confused. I stopped and
created a character chart. I had 37 characters in the first chapter; shame on
me. That was too many, even for me. It's a bigger book than my other
work, but still, I stopped and hacked characters out of the story. Even for a
disaster-thriller, that’s too many for a reader to absorb.
Glenda: What
would you tell other aspiring romance writers?
Connie: Believe in yourself. Don't be afraid of the new
technology. Your world is going to change even more than mine. Go with it and
have fun. Read. Read books that draw you in and won't let you put them down.
Then study them to see why they are that powerful. That's the kind of
writing you want to do.
Connie’s interview seems to be as much an exposure of how to
overcome life’s difficulties as it is about her writing. Connie is an
inspiration for that reason. Connie related to me that her health has never
been good and she’s had many surgeries. Many would give up, or set in a corner
and pout instead of moving forward and even taking up the sword that paves the
way.
Connie related the following to me after this interview. “I have a great life and an agent from a conference wants to
see more of my new work in progress so I'm a happy camper.”
So this
writer is going to follow the lead of people like Connie who ‘write on’, and
take her advice. Connie if my family loses me, I’ll likely be in a corner
reading what thrills me. I look forward to your new book 600 Feet to Hell.
Find links to Connie's books at her site http://www.conniecrow.com
