I recently had the pleasure of interviewing multi- published author Sandra Cox. Sandra is quite prolific and has books published in several genres, including YA Crossover, Paranormal Romance, and metaphysics. Her latest book,
Sundial, is a time travel romance now available at
Class Act Books.
Thanks for being here today, Sandra. So tell us, how long did it take to get published? What was that experience like when you got the first contract?A long, long time. When I finally did get an offer, it was a feeling of both validation and an incredible high.
What is your writing routine and the setting in which you usually write?
For the past several years, I’ve written in the Mole Hole. My office is in the basement. But lately I’ve been seduced by soft breezes, the sweet fragrance from the garden and the singing of birds. I take my laptop and go out on my screened in porch to write of an evening after I get home from work and on the weekends.
Do you belong to any writing groups or critique groups?For several years, I belonged to FTHRW, an online critique group. I really feel it is thanks to the crit partners that I finally got published.
Has any of your work received an award?Silverhills was an Eppie finalist. Shardai and Makita received Golden Wings, and Rose Quartz and Black Opal, Capa Nominations. Thanks for asking.
Wow, that's impressive, and you’re welcome. Now, tell us a bit about your most recently published book, Sundial.Sundial a time travel romance has just been re-released with
http://www.classactbooks.com/. It’s about Sarah Miles, a successful artist who specializes in painting gardens. While painting in a garden, she finds an old sundial with the words ‘fate cannot be altered’. Intrigued, she touches it and her incredible journey through time begins. (Excerpt at end of interview)
This sounds like a very engaging story. (LR adds to her TBR list) What are you working on presently?I’m working on the third in my Hunter Series, about a young fashion conscious woman who is a vampire hunter.
What’s the most fun you’ve had when working on a manuscript?
I enjoy the Hunter Series. Zoe is a hoot. She’s a dedicated vampire hunter, but she refuses to leave the house with a chipped nail or shoes that don’t match her outfit.
Oh, she sounds like fun. I love characters who have distinctive quirks.
I know there are a number of writers who inspire me and have influenced my writing. Who are the authors you enjoy reading? Who inspires you with their writing?
Nora Roberts and Stephanie Meyer
How do you balance writing with promotion and the rest of life?
With great difficulty. Like most writers, I have a day job. My kids are grown so that just leaves the seven to ten animals that at any given time reside at our house. My husband and I have five cats, a dog, and foster cats for a local rescue group. I try to write every evening and on the weekends. If I drop a ball while juggling, it’s usually promotion. I really admire other authors that stay on top of this.
I hear you. It can be a true balancing act at times. Promotion time can be the first thing to go, and it’s so important. I struggle with the same thing.
Where can you be found on the web?
Thanks for asking.
http://www.sandracox1.com/http://www.sandracox.blogspot.com/http://www.downtownya.blogspot.com/And I’m on Facebook and twitter.
And where can readers purchase your books?The easiest place to get to is
http://www.amazon.com/. The books can also be purchased directly through the publishers:
http://www.cerridwen.com/,
http://www.classactbooks.com/,
http://www.wings-press.com/, and
http://www.jupitergardens.com/.
What else would you like to share with our readers?
For a chance to win a ‘seeing’ necklace, a $10 Starbucks card and an autographed copy of Sundial, leave a comment at my blog:
http://www.sandracox.blogspot.com/. Just mention Linda and Sundial in the comment section. The contest runs from October 15 – November 14 at 5:00 p.m. Sundial Tour Hostesses Are Invited to Enter the Contest.
Thanks so much for having me, Linda.
You’re welcome. It was my pleasure.And, now, for your reading pleasure, here is an excerpt from Sundial by Sandra Cox.Excerpt:
Sarah, her niece Meghan, and cat Monet have gone to a garden to paint:
A flash of color blinded her. Sarah blinked then squinted. For the first time, she saw that Monet was seated beside an old sundial.
“Meghan, come here. You’ve got to see this,” she called out excitedly, her headache forgotten. She heard an exaggerated sigh.
“You said not to come.”
“I’ve found an old sundial. Or rather Monet has.”
“A real one?” The rustling began again, as Meghan started pushing her way through.
“Appears so,” Sarah squatted down to study it. “Looks to be a hundred years old. I bet it’s valuable. You should see the intricate detail. This will make a great piece to paint!”
As Sarah studied it, she noticed the words. “There’s writing on it.” She read aloud, “Fate cannot be...drat, moss has grown over the rest of the words.”
A wave of superstitious terror washed over Meghan. Suddenly, the pieces all fell into place. And as the old woman had prophesied, she believed. “Sarah, don’t. Get out of there now. Please, Sarah, please,” she cried, her teeth chattering.
“What’s wrong with you?” Sarah asked irritably still studying the sundial.
“There’s actually heat radiating from it. Surprising, it’s not that warm out.”
“Sarah, please,” Meghan pleaded. “Don’t you remember what the old lady said?” She fought her way through the overgrowth, not feeling the scratches a thorny branch left on her face or the warm blood trickling down her cheek. But it was as if the thicket conspired to keep her out.
Tears streamed down Meghan’s face as she pushed at the bracken separating herself and her aunt. She broke through just as Sarah reached down to brush the moss from the sundial.
“No, Sarah, no,” she screamed. Later her mind would play the scene over again in slow motion: Sarah’s hand reaching out; Monet jumping playfully at her fingers, bringing them both in touch with the sundial; the boom; the jagged streak of white; and then nothing. They were gone, leaving Meghan alone in the clearing with the sundial.
