Guest Author, Alisha Paige

Today's guest is New Concepts Author and fellow Rose Alisha Paige. Alisha is participating in the Christmas Ride Blog with me and a whole bunch of other Wild Rose authors. Her entry was December 15, and mine will be December 23rd. But to get the full benefit of the Christmas Ride Blog, and to enter a contest for a $75 gift certificate to The Wild Rose Press, start at P.L. Parker's blogspot and guess the November 29 Christmas carol of the day, then follow the blog trail to today's entry at Ashley Ludwig's blog. Each author's blog will direct you to the next blog on the Ride, where different prizes are offered each day.

To win the $75 gift certificate, all you have to do is keep a running list of the Christmas carol clues in each blog, and make a complete carol list to submit after the final blog post of Christmas Eve. Don't forget to check the list twice! Send it to Christmasrideblog@live.com by midnight, CST Dec. 31st 2008!

And now, here's Alisha!

Who are you?

First and foremost, I’m a mommy. My world revolves around my kids. Nothing makes me happier. Dianna is 12, Annalisa is 4 and Benjamin turned 1 last week. And I’m a big home body. The older I get, the more I hate a crowd or even going out. I’d rather stay home, cook a home cooked meal, hang out with my kids and my husband, catch a good movie, read a good book, snuggle on cold days and drink lots of coffee.

What type of stories do you like to write and why?

I try to write escapism for my readers. The world is so full of misery, the realities of life, especially now in these tough economic times. I only hope I can sweep my readers away to another world, another time where love conquers all. Letters from readers are the best. Only then do I truly know I succeeded in my quest.

What type of stories do you like to read and why?

I read many genres but I prefer romance for the happy ending. I also read biographies, history and poetry.

When do you write?

I normally write in late afternoon when the sun is setting on these long winter nights, with my first glass of wine in hand. My baby is taking his long afternoon nap, my daughter is home from school doing her homework and dinner is cooking in the crock pot. This is my peaceful time, when everyone is home again and I have a few hours before dinner.

When do you read? Where?

I read late at night when I go to bed by the light of an antique lamp covered with a sheer red cloth. Not the best for the eyes but I don’t want to wake my DH or my sleeping baby who sleeps with us. I was one of those moms that checked on my babies so often, I decided to bring them to bed with me so I could actually get sleep and now I love the baby years, snuggling with the wee ones between us. Very cozy.

Where did you get the inspiration for your books?

I have no ideas where I get my ideas or inspiration. I’m a total pantster. I actually have what I think is an odd way of starting a book. I pick a place, a setting first, then go from there. I once took a wonderful ski trip to Colorado and wanted to write a book set there. Well, I’d also been to see The Grand Canyon so I combined the two and placed my characters in both settings in what became Canyon Wolf Bride, my first paranormal romance. I’m working on another shapeshifter tale set in Circle City, Alaska. I wanted to spin a tale set somewhere very remote and very cold. Circle City is the last bit of civilization left in the Yukon Flats.

Where do you go to think?

I find myself thinking about my characters while I clean house and often in the shower I come up with new ideas. I think mundane tasks help my mind wander, triggering my creativity.

How did you come up with your title and main characters’ names?

I normally don’t come up with a title until the book is finished. Something the characters says or the name of the character will sometimes become part of the title. Nocturnally Vexed is about Vex Savaker, leader of the Orgulocks, a hybrid clan of shapeshifting vamps. I’ve received many compliments on that particular title. I have a baby name book for character names or sometimes I just make up names like in my YA fantasy. I made up the names Tyrian and Orionna.

How long did you write seriously before your first book was published?

I wrote seriously for about a year before my first book was published. My second daughter was born and I had the opportunity to stay home for a couple of years before going back to work. My DH knew it was a dream of mine and I had written a full length romantic suspense 8 years before that still collects dust. He bought me my computer and told me to go for it. I wrote five manuscripts in three years and I’m still going strong. My first two books sold within a week of each other and my world was changed.

Why do you write?

Because I can. It’s what I do. When I was a little girl, I’d write stories and give them to my dad to read. He was so proud and would read them to everyone, friends and family. I also had a high school teacher tell me that I had a spark. That really set me to dreaming. I wanted to see where that spark could take me. I’ve never forgotten her words. She called me to her desk and whispered it to me. Such a sweet memory.