A couple of weeks a go I was contacted by one of the two ladies who write under the name Gabriella Hewitt. Sasha Tomaszycki contacted me because she visited my blog before and wanted to know if I would review her book and even interview her. Her eBook Dark Waters is finally in print today and I will be posting an interview with her later on today where you can post your questions about Dark Waters. Here is a link to my review of her book, which she gave me an e-copy for me to read and review and was very nice enough to send my an autographed print copy when she got a new stack sent from the publishing company. Now onto the interview, which I have to say was very exciting because I learn so much about Sasha Tomaszycki and her writing partner Patrizia M.J. Hayashi and about Gabriella Hewitt's novels. Here is how the interview went:

Phoebe: Do you have a process of how you start to write one of your novels? And is it the same or different with each novel you write?

Gabriella Hewitt: When I realized you could write about sex! No, seriously I love that romance allows for me to write just about every genre – suspense, action, mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, etc. and I can mix it all up and still have a happily ever after.

Phoebe: Did you know what type of romance you wanted to write about or did you experiment with different genres before you chose the one that you felt was for you?

Gabriella: Oh I’ve written all over the place. I’ve found a happy medium with romantic suspense and paranormals. Although, I am still waiting to write a futuristic sci-fi fantasy featuring space fairies who kick butt : )

Phoebe: What was the first fiction you ever wrote? And do you still have it with you?

Gabriella: The first fiction I wrote was called Blood Ties, it is a gothic romantic suspense. It got rejected everywhere it went but I think one day it will find a home. I posted it as free read on authonomy. Check it out.

Phoebe: How did the two of you come together to create author Gabriella Hewitt?

Gabriella: We met online at eharlequin.com. We wrote for a fan fiction group called Midnight Intrigues. We wrote a story together and it received good feedback, even Debra Webb told us that she did not know where one began and the other finished writing. We took it as a compliment.

Phoebe: How much research do you have to do for your novels and did it take you a long time to gather that research?

Gabriella: All together about 3+ months doing extensive research. We called up an ICE agent to ask questions, talked with a gun expert, and studied magazines, websites and travel books to learn about Vieques, PR where the story is set. That was only the beginning, we still had to do research about el chupacabra and Santoria, which I talked with a real witch online and went to a mystic shop to learn about the herbs used to rid a home of spirits.

Phoebe: How did you come up with the Dark Waters?

Gabriella: We originally wrote the story geared toward Harlequin Intrigue. Over the course of writing it we realized the characters wanted us to tell a deep story.

Phoebe: Do you have a process of how you start to write one of your novels? And is it the same or different with each novel you write?

Gabriella: Each novel is different in how we approach them but for the most part we do come up with a rough outline of how we expect the story to go. This changes as we begin to write. Funny how those characters have a way of taking over the story.

Phoebe: What process did you have to go through to get your first book published and did it take you long?

Gabriella: We submitted to a few houses and editors. Samhain Publishing picked up the story. It took about 6 months to a year for Dark Waters to be contracted after it was written.

Phoebe: How did you feel when you finally saw your first published book came out in print and how do you feel about your other novels being published?

Gabriella: Awesome! Sometimes I am in disbelief that I actually wrote this book. I hope the feeling never ends.

Phoebe: Which do you like best, writing a series or writing stand alone novels? How is writing each different for you?

Gabriella: Each book can be read alone but so far I have written series.

Phoebe: How do you handle your writing schedule, your book signing appearances, and your personal life without going insane?

Gabriella: Life is insane. I have children so I know how hectic life can get. Still writing a book is like having a small child and you have to go with the flow. Writing a book is like giving birth to a child, it is a labor of love. You find time to take care of everything.

Phoebe: Have you had anything strange or funny happen to you at any of your book signings or even when you go out?

Gabriella: Not yet. My first book signing will be at Border Books in Farmingdale on September 6th. So I will let you know if I get one of those embarrassing moments where someone runs away from the woman selling smut.

Phoebe: Do you take certain amounts of breaks in between your writing and book signing appearances to have personal time with family and friends?

Gabriella: My family comes first and they are my biggest supporters and fans.

Phoebe: What do you do to relax after having spent a long while writing?

Gabriella: I eat tons of chocolate. (For the anti-aging benefits of course.)

Phoebe: Do you have any hobbies?

Gabriella: Cooking. I love to cook. On my blog from time to time I post recipes of what I’m whipping up for dinner. I also have a downloadable recipe book with Puerto Rican dishes in honor of Dark Waters release. Check it out.

Phoebe: Is there any advice that you would give to an aspiring romance writer that you wish someone had given you?

Gabriella: Read. Read. Read. Write. Write. Write. Network. Network. Network. And above all else believe in yourself.

Phoebe: Is there any writing tips, research tips, promotion and marketing tips that you would give to an aspiring romance writer that you wish someone had given you?

Gabriella: Oh my! Promotions…what can I say about it. Be absolutely shameless. If I had to I would dance naked in the isles if it would sell more copies of my books. Whenever you can plug your book, at parties, on the train, on the beach, everywhere you go carry business cards or bookmarks and hand them out to everyone you meet.

Phoebe: Is there any advice that you would give to an aspiring romance writer looking to find a critique partner and/or critique group that you think would be beneficial and wish someone had give you the same advice?

Gabriella: When I was in college and wrote for the school newspaper, I met Nora Roberts. This was before she became superstar extraordinaire and I got to sit with her for an hour. She told me to looking into RWA and other groups that supported romance writers. I took her words to heart. I joined RWA and went to conventions in NJ and NY. I met great people. I still meet great people everyday online who also share the same enthusiasm for writing and reading romance. Best advice if you can’t swing the hefty price tag of joining RWA. Go hang out in forums where people read the same books as you. RomanceDivas.com is a great place, eharlequin.com, RomanceJunkies.com, and any other yahoo groups that are there to support the type of writing you love.