Reading by Deb: INTERVIEW with ROUX CANTRELL

I want to thank Roux Cantrell for taking the time for this interview!

BIO:

Roux Cantrell is a native of New Orleans, she loves all things Nola—the food, the people, and the spirits (both drinkable and haunting). She loves riding her Harley, she takes at least one long motorcycle trip every year with friends.

She’s a big lover of Halloween. So much so that she throws an over-the-top costume party every year where the guests must adorn a costume, or she gets to dress them up. She doesn’t drink wine but loves a good martini.

She has a love for all things book-related, her cat (Monster), black vinyl, and chocolate. Roux had never said in what order those are listed…

Roux loves Poe as much as Dr. Seuss. She prefers the mountains over the beach and Coke over Pepsi. She absolutely believes dessert should be eaten before anything else.

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

I’ve always written. I started in high school.

Did you have any influencing writers growing up?

Ann Rice was my biggest.

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

A lot of my MC characters have traits of people we know and ride motorcycles with.

Where do you draw your book inspirations from?

Mostly music. Sometimes I see something and think “ I wonder if…” and a story plays out in my head.

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

I always let the characters lead me down the path of uncertainty lol

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

I have inspiration boards on Pinterest.

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

I ride my Harley on back roads, or I listen to music.

Who are your favorite current authors to read?

Delaney Foster, Nora Roberts. My go to PNR or Urban fantasy is Rebecca Zanetti. Rosemary Willhide has a great mystery/thriller trilogy.

What are your favorite books by others?

Obsidian Brotherhood by Delaney Foster. Hope Ridge Mystery trilogy by Rosemary Willhide. Dark protectors by Rebecca Zanetti.

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

Only in my Big Easy series because those are based in New Orleans where I’m from.

Do you write in single or multiple POV?

Multiple POV and in third person.

What do you find to be your best research tool?

Finding actual people that can give me information on subject matter that pertains to the storyline.

That doesn’t work in PNR/Urban fantasy so for those books I use different search engines to dig into the world of superstitions, magic, legends, and folk lore.

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

Roux Cantrell is my pen name. For now that one is enough.

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

I write multiple genres. I write Urban fantasy/PNR romance, Contemporary/MC and romantic suspense.

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

I’m a hairdresser.

I can operate heavy equipment.

I’m an excellent baker and cook.

I can read sheet music but don’t play an instrument.

I’m married, two grown kids, two grandkids.

My Hemmingway cat’s name is Monster.

I ride a Harley and I love Halloween.

I would say my quirky trait is the sheet music thing.

What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?

Listen to those of us who have paved the road you’re about to travel on.

How do you deal and process negative book reviews?

I use them as feedback. If I never get a negative review, how can I get better?

What is the most difficult part of your writing process?

Plotting, I try with each story, and it doesn’t work for me.

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

Quiet except for the TV in the background. That’s if I don’t have the books playlist on repeat.

What is your naughty indulgence as you are writing?

Twitter’s great for porn LOL

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

Well, my best friend is a popular author, and we hang out all the time. If I had my choice of any author that would be extremely hard to choose one.

I’m going to stick with my BFF Delaney Foster and the reason why is because she won’t sugar coat anything. She continues to help me navigate this crazy writing world and I’m beyond thankful for her.

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

Raspberry sherbet by the gallons LOL its hell on my diet

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

I listen to a lot of music genres. My least favorite is rap. But music is part of the character’s personality for me, so if they listen to techno chant music, I’m listening to it.

Have pets ever gotten in the way of your writing?

My cat Monster thinks when I have the laptop open that’s the best time to lay on my chest and get in my face.

What is your kryptonite as a writer? What totally puts you off your game?

Having something get in the way of my scheduled writing time. Say I’m working on a book and all of a sudden, the hubby wants to go out with friends. That change in my schedule screws me up completely. It sounds silly, but I have a certain amount of hours in each day to get chapters done. And when my time schedule gets interrupted, I’m off my game for weeks which pushes me back on a dead line.

Have you ever killed off a character that your readers loved?