An Interview with Candace Havens… Back to Blog
Today, it’s my pleasure to have author Candace Havens in my interview hot-seat. Candace was kind enough to answer my questions (thanks, Candace!). Candace has a great new book out, DRAGONS PREFER BLONDES (love that title!), and it’s a book that I had to snag this week. 🙂
1. Please tell us a bit about yourself and the genre (or genres) that you write.
I write paranormal romances for Berkley, and I just signed a deal to write sexy spy/detective romances for Harlequin Blaze. I’m a syndicated columnist and I write about celebs, TV and Film. I’m also on the radio as a film reviewer.
2. Describe your current (or upcoming) release in 15 words or less.
In Dragons Prefer Blondes, a Dragon slaying heiress falls for super hot head of security.
3. Okay, now use as many words as you’d like to describe your story.
Alex Caruthers is a socialite who knows when it’s time to turn in her dancing shoes and kick some serious dragon booty. But when Ginjin—the dragon warrior who’s tried to kill her numerous times—chooses her as his mate, Alex finds herself in a situation that’s too hot to handle.
For help she turns to Jake, head of Caruthers security—and a total hottie in a suit—and asks him to pose as her boyfriend. Their relationship might be fake, but Alex can’t deny that one touch from Jake makes her burn hotter than any dragon could.
4. Which character do you like better from DRAGONS PREFER BLONDES—the hero or the heroine?
LOL. Now that is an impossible question. I love Alex, my heroine, because she’s so darn feisty, but I also love the level-headed Jake, who will do anything to protect her. Sigh. Okay, I pick Jake. He’s also hottie, and those man muscles always win in my book.
5. What is the most challenging part of being a writer?
For me it’s balance. Trying to find that balance between the day job, family and the novels. If I could, I’d sit in my office all day and do nothing but write fiction.
6. In a fight, who would win…Dracula or the wolf-man? What? This question seems odd? Please, folks are dying to know this answer.
In my world Dracula wins because he’s just as strong as the wolf-man, but also super fast and has venom in his bite. (smile)
7. What’s your favorite scary movie? Come on, spill. No explanations—just name it. Let everyone else guess why.
It’s a tie between Constantine and Drag Me to Hell.
8. Tell me the one thing you wish you’d known about being a writer, um, before you became a writer.
Hmmm, that there’s a lot more to the job than just writing.
9. What is your writing schedule like?
I’m usually at the computer an average of 12 hours a day if I don’t have to review a film. When I’m working on a book, I can be there 18 hours straight for several days in a row. Once I begin, it’s hard for me to stop.
10. Tell me anything you’d like to tell me.
One of the best things about being a writer is the friends I’ve made. Thanks for letting me hang out with you. This was really fun!
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Hi Candance! Love learning more about you and what it takes to get one of your stories out to us the readers. I’m just amazed! I read THE DEMON KING AND I and really enjoyed it, so very excited to grab my copy of DRAGONS PREFER BLONDES 😀
Hi Michele! I hope you love Alex’s story in Dragons. Thanks for hanging out with me here. 🙂
Fun interview, ladies. I’m definitely going to have to read DRAGONS PREFER BLONDES. One thing. I wasn’t very scared by Constantine. Skeleton Key shook me a lot more, especially the end.
This was a great interview – and I love your 15 second pitch for Dragons Prefer Blondes.
Margay
Hi Candy – looking forward to seeing you at the Barnes & Noble in Hurst book signing today and getting a copy of the new Caruthers Sisters book 🙂
Love the cover! Love the title! Love, love, love a level headed hero.
Candy, love the title and the premise. This sounds like a great book!
This was a great interview and I am so going to buy Dragons Prefer Blondes.
I really enjoyed the interview and I also really like that title.
I’ve got this on my wishlist at amazon. I’ll be picking it up soon.
Great blog~~and I love the titles you come up with!!
Dragons Prefer Blondes sounds great…good luck w/ the release!!
wonderful blog, I knew writing was hard work but didn’t realize 12 to 18 hrs a day could be the norm.
Congratulations on your new book
Thanks for sharing! Congrats on the release I cant wait to read it.
Hi Candace,
Congrats on your book too.
Great interview, love that title. Congrats on the release, Candace.
Wow, 18 hours a day, Candace? That’s intense! Is that discipline or obsession (and what’s the border between them)?
How different are the parts of your writing brain that write novels vs. reviews or columns?
Thanks for the interview!
Thanks you guys!
Alana, sometimes it’s that I have a deadline and only a short time in which to complete the book. Sometimes I’m so obsessed with the writing that I can’t stop. 🙂
I use different parts of my brain for fiction and non-fiction. In non-fiction there’s a lot of interviewing and then transcribing and turning it into a story. I sort of have that down to a science and usually know where I’m going when I sit down to write.
In Fiction, everything is new to me. I’m discovering the books and the characters pretty much the same way the reader does. I like working that way! 🙂
Candy
That’s a great interview. Dragons Prefer Blondes is definitely going on my TBR list!
wow do you get sleep at all some where in all that writing and family and other stuff when did you get to sleep .18 hours on the computer or where ever you write is a long time all at once.
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Stacey S, when I’m working like that I pause to eat and for the occasional nap. I sometimes get three hours of sleep or so. It’s easier to do than you might think. I don’t do it all the time, just when a deadline dictates. 🙂
I am glad you’re such a dedicated writer, that means I get to enjoy your books! *G* Congratulations on your release! Can’t wait to read it!
Your career life/experience must make for some great story ideas. I can’t wait to read your books.