Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Today's Special -- Interview with Lori Wilde

We are so pleased to welcome New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lori Wilde to The Romance Dish today. Lori has written more than 56 novels for four major publishing houses. She's a RITA finalist, winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, the Holt Medallion, the National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. A former nurse, Lori now is lucky to write full time the books her readers love to read. Her latest book, The Welcome Home Garden Club, book 4 in the Twilight Texas Series, was released March 29th. If you haven't read this heartwarming series, you're missing a delightful time. Lori lives in Texas with her husband and their menagerie of pets. Please give a warm welcome to Lori.


Gannon: Hi, Lori! Thank you so much for being our guest at The Romance Dish. I read in your bio that you wrote your first story when you were eight years old about your "as yet, unborn, baby sister." Did your parents keep that story or any of your early "work"?

Lori: They did save them, but unfortunately, my parents' house burned down when I was in college and almost all my early writings were lost. I do have a few pieces I wrote in high school.

Gannon: Oh, that's so sad. It's nice you have a few things, though. Obviously you were bitten by the writing bug early, but your dad encouraged you to find a career that paid better money, so you went to nursing school. How long did you practice nursing before you were able to quit your day job and pursue writing full time?

Lori: Twenty-two years. I went to LVN (LPN) school at age 17 and then worked to put myself through RN school for six years. I didn't write during those years. As soon as I got out of college I started writing again. I messed around, writing on and off for seven years. Then finally in 1990, I drew a line in the sand and told myself I was going to do this or die trying.

Gannon: That's what I call perseverance. You have written in so many different sub-genres (romantic adventure comedy, hot and sexy, small town romance). Is there a particular one that you prefer or find easier to write?

Lori: I really like romantic adventure comedy, but it just didn't sell well for me. However, the small town romances suit my voice. I'm a country girl at heart and always will be.

Gannon: I'm a big fan of your Twilight, Texas series. I guess I can relate to it having grown up in a small town. *g* What made you want to write about small town life and romance?

Lori: I've lived in small towns my whole life. It's what I know best. I've worked in small town hospitals and have a feel for the sense of community that comes from that experience.

Gannon: Was this meant to be a series all along? How many books do you have planned for the Twilight series?

Lori: Yes, it was always a series. I hope to be able to write more books set in Twilight. It all depends on how the series does whether my publisher will allow me to set more books there. Right now, I have a new series I'm working on about cutting horse cowboys. That was a natural for me as well since I live in the Cutting Horse Capital of the World.

Gannon: I certainly hope there are many more books in Twilight, and I love the sound of those cowboys! *g* I know that writing your many books keeps you busy, but you are also an instructor for a company who provides online community education for more than 2100 colleges and universities. Can you tell us more about that and how you got involved?

Lori: The company I work for is the largest supplier of adult education in the world. I took a class from them, enjoyed it and then noticed they didn't offer a course on romance writing. I applied and got accepted to develop my own course for them.

Gannon: I'll have to check that out---sounds like fun. I also read that you volunteer as a sexual assault first responder for a shelter for battered women. What led you to do this?

Lori: I felt the need to get out and help my community. Since I was a nurse, that volunteer position was a good fit. I was also getting a certificate in forensic nursing and it helped augment my education.

Gannon: Lori, you are an amazing lady....and an incredibly busy one! What's up next for you?

Lori: Those cutting horse cowboys from Avon. It's currently a three book series, with all three books scheduled for release in 2012. I also still write sexy romances for Harlequin Blaze.

Gannon: I'm looking forward to reading your new series---who doesn't love a sexy cowboy?!--- and of course, those hot Blaze books. Thank you so much for spending time with us. It's been a delight.

Lori: Thanks for inviting me. This was fun!


Tell us readers, do you like small town romances? Or do you prefer to read about life in the big city?

Lori has generously provided two copies of The Welcome Home Garden Club for a giveaway (U.S. and Canadian residents only, please) to two random commenters today.

29 comments:

  1. I don't really have a preference as to books set in small towns or large cities. It depends upon the story. There are stories that I love that are set in both types of towns/cities and as long as the story is well written, it does not matter much to me the setting.

    I personally don't think I would like living in a large city, too many people. I have always lived in smaller towns and prefer them for real life.

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  2. I am a small town girl myself so I can totally relate to that type of setting. I also like to read about big cities though.

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  3. Hi, Lori! I too like small town romances but again I have to say I love ALL romances too. I think you are an amazing author and enjoy your novels. It sounds as though you have had a very interesting life so far and now the fun part of being a successful author is like the icing on the cake! I wish you continued success, my dear!

    Connie Fischer
    conniecape@aol.com

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  4. Hi Lori! Welcome to the Romance Dish! I like small town romances and have been enjoying your Twilight Texas series. Also, loved your Wedding Veil Wishes series and I'm looking forward to your cowboys!

    Will you give us more info about the online romance writing course in case any of our readers would like to look into taking the class?

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  5. I personally don't think I would like living in a large city, too many people. I have always lived in smaller towns and prefer them for real life.

    June, I'm the same way. I like being near a bigger city so I can take advantage of all it has to offer, but I wouldn't want to deal with the crazy traffic, etc. for long.

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  6. Dianna, I grew up in a small town---and live in one now---so I can relate to the dynamics of that in a small town romance. Love them!

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  7. I too like small town romances but again I have to say I love ALL romances too.

    Variety is the beauty of romance, Connie! :-)

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  8. PJ, I'm looking forward to Lori's new series, too. Cowboys...yum! *g*

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  9. Congratulations to Lori on the new book. I like both types of stories since I like a variety of settings. Both places can be wonderful places to live or misery, depending on what's happening to the characters.

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  10. I like the relationships that characters have in small town romances. There's a special feeling in a book where characters have so many shared experiences. Thanks for visiting today, Lori.

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  11. I love small town romances because there is usually a whole cast of characters that we get to meet (and usually there as spin off we wait to see...) because in a small town, everyone knows everyone else and anything new doesn't stay new for long once it reaches the gossipmongers. I know...I live in one of those towns...

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  12. I love reading small-town romances, especially if they are part of a series. Lori's Twilight series is a personal favorite, so I am anxious to read this new story in the series.

    Lori, you know that I am a big fan of your writing! Let me also say how much I admire you as a person. You are so deserving of your success with your writing.

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  13. Hey Lori! Welcome to The Romance Dish!! It is wonderful to have you spending the day with us.

    I have to say that I love romance novels set in a small town. There is just something so comforting about a small town. Too many people get lost in the big city!! :-)

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  14. I prefer small town set novels to big town set novels. :) I'd say it's because I'm a small town girl, but there are plenty of small town kids who never look back and always prefer big city settings after that. *LOL*

    But I like the slower pace and soothing sounds of small town, and I love the goofy politics of small town life. :)

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  15. Both places can be wonderful places to live or misery, depending on what's happening to the characters.

    That's a great point, Maureen!

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  16. There's a special feeling in a book where characters have so many shared experiences.

    LSUReader, I think that's so true.

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  17. everyone knows everyone else and anything new doesn't stay new for long once it reaches the gossipmongers. I know...I live in one of those towns...

    Dtchycat, I do, too. LOL

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  18. Cheryl, I think Lori's Twilight series is so charming. You will love this one!

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  19. Buffie, I think small towns and romances that are set in them can be so warm and inviting. :-)

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  20. I love the goofy politics of small town life. :)

    Oh, Hellion, aren't they great?!

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  21. I enjoy stories in all types of settings, but there's just something about those small town stories that I've always loved. I especially like the ones where everyone knows the main character's business and constantly stick their noses in it, those are always so much fun.

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  22. I love books set in small towns, because I love in a small town, so they make me fill home, so to speak. Your book sounds really good and i would love to read it.

    lead[at]hotsheet[dot]com

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  23. Hello, Lori! Congrats on your newest release! I absolutely LOVE (and prefer) small town romances. There's just something extra special about a close-knit community. Very cozy.

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  24. I especially like the ones where everyone knows the main character's business and constantly stick their noses in it, those are always so much fun.

    They are fun, aren't they, Barbara?! :-)

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  25. Virginia, it seems like there are a lot of us "small town girls" around here. :-)

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  26. Andrea, I think "cozy" is a perfect word.

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  27. The big city offers lots of excitement and is a good setting for suspense and intrigues. The small town setting is perfect for stories dealing with community and relationships. People are more interconnected. I like both settings for the stories I read, the story just needs to fit the location. The Twilight, Texas series sounds good, and you can't beat a good bunch of cowboys.
    Good luck with the release of your next books.

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  28. Small town girl! Prefer small town romance settings. Can't wait to read this one. I love Lori's books. They are awesome.

    follow on gfc

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

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  29. Of course I love ALL romance . But the small town settings are wonderful in that people are friendlier, mingle more ad come to everyone's rescue. There is just a special bond among the people of small towns.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750@aol.com

    GFC follower under Lucky47.

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