Reading by Deb: INTERVIEW with DEBBIE CROMACK

I want to first thank Debbie Cromack for agreeing to this interview!

I hope that you enjoy it as much as I have!

Make sure to give Debbie a shout-out and FOLLOW her on all her social media!

Bio:

Bringing romance back to romance.

Debbie Cromack is a contemporary romance author who writes romantic love stories with a lot of heart and a hint of steam.

After spending 25+ years in corporate America, being the CEO of an event decorating company, and then an online business coach, she tried her hand at writing romance novels late in life and has been writing ever since.

Debbie is an Amazon International Bestselling Author and has been featured in Forbes.

The personal side of Debbie: She has a bunny named, Nutmeg, who’s quite the little snuggler. She also has two Nigerian dwarf goats, Patches and Tiny Tim, and many chickens.

She does her best to eat healthy and organic, however, she does have a wicked sweet tooth for chocolate and tries to only indulge on special occasions. Her biggest indulgence…hot cocoa!!

When and how did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I didn’t get into writing until late in life…about 48 or 49 years old. I’ve always loved writing, but it was something I just loved doing for myself.

I’ve written poems since I was in high school.

Burning out from corporate America and having a coaching business that fizzled, I tried my hand at writing a romance novel…and I haven’t looked back.

Did you have any influencing writers growing up?

I wasn’t a big reader growing up. My favorite author is Nicholas Sparks. I love that his books can make me cry EVERY time I read them.

Are any of your characters based on people in real life?

Yes, most of them. My muse for Zane in Untouchable Zane is Zac Efron and my muse for Nicco in Someone Exactly Like Me is Michele Morrone.

As for my heroines, I’ll just say there’s a bit of me in each of them. It’s my way of sharing a little piece of me with my readers.

Where do you draw your book inspirations from?

So far, my inspirations have come to me a few days after watching a movie.

Though my storylines are entirely different, something just sparks in me and visions (I can’t think of a better word) start popping into my head and I’m off and writing.

Do you use have a basic outline when starting a new story or do you let the characters lead the way?

The start of my stories is always word-vomit. As a word, phrase, sentence, or scene comes to me, I scribble it down.

Some of my more vibrant scenes are often well into the actual story. So, I write them down in as much detail as I can and then go back and make them work when I get to them as I’m writing.

It’s a hot mess at the beginning. LOL! I kind of see myself as a documenter of what the characters are doing and saying in my head.

When you are picturing the characters in your book, do you have a cheater photo for inspiration?

I have a whole Pinterest board!

And I create a playlist on Spotify.

I do these first and foremost for myself because they help my characters feel real.

I also do it so my readers can follow along and get into the visual world as I create.

Many people read as a form of escape and relaxation. What is your favorite way to sit back and relax?

Yup, a good book does it.

And a nice, hot bath with a mug of hot cocoa and marshmallows. 😉

Who are your favorite current authors to read?

Nicholas Sparks will always be my favorite.

What are your favorite books by others?

The Notebook is my all-time favorite book.

Do the locations in the stories have any meaning to you?

The locations in my books are often their own character. I like to immerse my readers into the environment of my characters.

None have had special meaning so far, but I do a lot of research so I can do my best to make it feel authentic.

Do you write in single or multiple POV?

So far, I’ve written multiple POV.

Because the hero and heroine both speak to me, I feel it’s my duty to represent both of them.

They each have their own journey in my books as well as a shared journey so I really have to highlight both.

What do you find to be your best research tool?

I Google a lot.

Oh, if people saw some of the things I Google! LOL!

Do you write under a pen name? Also, do you write under more than one name?

No, I write under my real name.

What genre do you write and why is this your preference?

I write contemporary romance.

Tell me something about yourself outside of writing. Jobs, accomplishments, family, quirky trait...what led to you being you?

I have a varied background as I tried to find my way in the world.

My undergraduate degree is in Psychology/Sociology/Anthropology with a minor in Corporate Communications.

My MBA is in marketing.

I’m a certified yoga instructor.

I have my Realtor’s license.

I owned my own event decorating business.

I was the CEO of my business coaching business.

And I worked in corporate America for over twenty-five years.

I’m your classic overachiever. 😉

Some fun facts are that I grew up in Taiwan, I can snap my toes, and I was a background extra in the movie Limitless with Bradley Cooper and Robert DeNiro.

What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?

1) Have several books ready to go before you publish your first book. Basically, get ahead of things. Once people read and love your first book, they want your second and your third, etc.

2) Never, EVER, give up. No…matter…what.

3) Get professionals to help you…developmental editor, copy editor, proofreader, cover artist, formatter, etc.

How do you deal with and process negative book reviews?

I have two perspectives.

1) If I can learn something from the review that I hadn’t considered, then it serves me and I can use it to improve my own craft going forward.

2) If it’s simply mean-spirited, I move on from the initial pinch. Not everyone is going to like my work and that’s okay. It’s not for everyone.

In short, I’m old and I don’t have time for drama, pettiness, or toxic people. There’s no room in my world for things or people who don’t serve my highest self or desire for what I want in my life. 😊

What is the most difficult part of your writing process?

Waiting for the inspiration to strike. I’m still in the early stages and sometimes I wonder, “Do I have another book in me? Will it come to me?”

What do you need in your writer’s space to keep you focused?

Non-toxic candles, music, healthy snacks, and sometimes hot cocoa and/or chocolate. 😉

What is your naughty indulgence as you are writing?

Definitely chocolate!

If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose? And why?

I’m sounding like a broken record, but I’m going with Nicholas Sparks.

I’d love to chat with him about his life, his writing, his stories, his inspiration, and more.

What is your schedule like when you are writing? Do you have a favorite writing snack or drink?

I don’t really stick to a schedule. I like to allow myself freedom. Some days I may write nothing, other days I’m writing thousands of words.

I always have water on my desk and in the cooler months, I’ll often have hot cocoa.

Do you listen to music when you write – what kind of music is your favorite?

Music is a huge inspiration for me, hence the playlists.

While music inspires me, I often like to write in quiet.

I listen to music to inspire scenes, but then write the scenes in silence.

I do like to listen to music as I write love scenes though.

Have pets ever gotten in the way of your writing?

My dwarf bunny, Nutmeg, sometimes sits in my lap while I write but he doesn’t get in the way much. Sometimes he wants to jump on the keyboard, but not often.