This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. E.M. Bannock will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Welcome to It's Raining Books. Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?
I write adult romance because it’s my favorite genre to read. I enjoy reading a hot sexy story on a cold winter day, a hot summer day and all the days in between. My books may have an abundant amount of graphic sex but they also have a story that grabs the reader and keeps them turning the pages to find out how it ends. I try to portray the sex in my books as a normal part of the character’s lives. They are, after all, only human. Reading allows a reader to experience things they would or could never do in real life. Writing gives much the same experience. As an author, you have control and you can immortalize the things and experiences you have known and creatively imagine the ones you don’t.
What research is required?
This story takes place in areas I am very familiar with. I grew up in the Detroit, Michigan area and my husband and I lived in Josephine County, Oregon, when we were first married. I loved that area. It’s beauty is a thing to behold. When Marie describes the exquisite flora and fauna of the Oregon mountains as she and Wil ride horses, I’m describing them from my own memories.
Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.
Marie Trousdale had the rug pulled out from under her early in her adult life. After ten years of mourning she realized that her life wasn’t over, but she needed to create a new one. She had to draw on her inner strength to fight for her right to live and love again. She did this with help. Help from her sister and help from Wil. Being a strong minded woman myself, it’s difficult to admit when you need help and harder still to take it. While writing Totally Devoted I had to submit to the realization that Marie accepted help and it was okay. I guess that would work for me as well.
Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?
I like to write when no one is at home or at night when everyone is sleeping. I think this is because when I do find the time to write, I don’t want to be disturbed and when I start writing, it’s usually a marathon. Sometimes my mind works much faster than my fingers can type so the first draft is more of an outline just giving the bare facts of the people and events taking place. I then go back and enhance a paragraph or give more explanation and detail to an event so the reader will know exactly the feeling and mood I’m trying to portray.
And for a final oddity, for some reason, some of my best story line and character inspirations come to me in the shower. It could be because I’m so relaxed as the hot water washes away everything I’ve carried with me for the previous 24 hours that I’ve got more room in my noggin for new thoughts. What do you think?
Are you a plotter or pantser?
I’m kind of combination plotter and pantser. A book starts with an idea and I usually have a firm beginning and a brief idea of the progression of major events that I want to happen. I know how I want it to end. But I never know what’s going to happen in between. The story and the characters take shape as I write. New character appear and situations present themselves sometimes spontaneously. It’s not uncommon for me to rewrite chapters after several others have already been written because I decided that it would be cool if X happened or Y didn’t. Sometimes it takes me awhile to resolve a situation. If I get to a stop, I just move on and let it stew in my head for a while. I think allowing the character to fail once in a while is okay, too. I figure if the adventures of my main characters can keep my attention, others will think so, too.
Look to your right – what’s sitting there?
A laundry basket filled with dirty clothes sitting on my washing machine reminding me that it’s the weekend and I have to wash my husband's work clothes. He once told me that me doing laundry was like magic. One minute he puts a basket of dirty clothes on the washing machine and the next morning they are clean, folded, and in his closet. Didn’t quite know how to take that. I took it as a compliment.
Anything new coming up from you? What?
I’m finishing out this year with promotion for my two published books, Totally Devoted and Zoey’s Place. I’m also trying to find time to finish my third romance novel. Next year I’m hoping to finish and publish that. At this point the title is Only Dreams. I also hope to be able to release the audio version of Zoey’s Place next year. Keep your fingers crossed.
Do you have a question for our readers?
I would like to know how often you read. And if you’re reading something now, what is it?
In closing I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to stop by and read the interview. I’d like to thank Its Raining Books for hosting this stop on the Totally Devoted Audio Book Virtual Tour.
Marie Trousdale, a modern urban California professional, is ready for a change when she realizes that she has been mourning her late husband and son for the past 10 years and her life has become stagnant. She hires Will Townsend, a rural Oregon contractor, to build a house for her on inherited property. The two mix like oil and water but the romance spark gets ignited. But will lifestyles, and values become an obstacle that cannot be overcome? Will misunderstandings and danger put out the flame of love or feed it? This steamy romance is a story of love, life, values, and family with a western flavor.
Totally Devoted is the first novel by author E.M. Bannock and was a 2019 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award Finalist in both the Contemporary Romance 56K Words and up category and Best First Book. Audio Book is now available.
Read an Excerpt
And like the endless rush of rain flowing from the barn toward the ditch, he opened up to her. He told her the whole sorry tale of falling in love, getting Maggie pregnant, getting married, having Duke, and being abandoned by Maggie. He ended with the phone call from Maggie’s mother and the news of her death.
He said it without emotion. It was almost as if he was describing someone else’s life. His story filled Marie with such sorrow. How could a mother desert her own child? How could she throw away such a precious gift? And poor Wil…to have lived through that pain. No wonder he was so afraid to love again. She wanted to reach out to him and comfort him. She wanted to tell him that she would never hurt him, if he would only give her the chance. Instead, she just sat there, stunned in amazement. The only thing she could say was, “I’m sorry.”
About the Author:
She has made her living as an office manager, computer programmer/analysts, project manager, clothing store clerk, substitute teacher, and buffalo meat packer. Throughout it all, she never lost her love for writing.
A small inheritance from her father gave her the funds needed to begin her career as a published author. She has published two books. Her first book, Totally Devoted, which is now available in audio, was a 2019 National Excellence in Romance Fiction finalist in two categories; Contemporary Romance 65K Words and Up, and Best First Book. Her second book Zoey’s Place was published in 2019.
E.M. Bannock is a Goodreads Author, a BookHub Author, a member of the Romance Writers of America, and a Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer.
Website: http://www.embannock.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EMBannock/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/EMBannock
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/e_m_bannock
Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Totally-Devoted-M-Bannock-ebook/dp/B079MCNS7L/
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteGood morning and welcome to today's tour stop. Thank you It's Raining Books for hosting.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Rita.
DeleteA great interview. Showers can be relaxing.
ReplyDeleteHappy you enjoyed the interview, Mary. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteThanks so much for both the book description and giveaway as well. I enjoy hearing about another good book.
ReplyDeleteYour welcome, James. Thank you for the comment.
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