Q & A WITH TINA GABRIELLE
1) What do you write?
I write historical romance. My first book, LADY OF SCANDAL, is a Regency-set
historical which will be released by Kensington/Zebra Books on September 1, 2009.
I’m working on the second book in the series, A PERFECT SCANDAL, which should
be available from Kensington in 2010.
2) How long have you been in the business?
So long that I can’t remember. I wrote as a teen, but I didn’t really consider
publication until I joined Romance Writers of America about six years ago.
3) Are you a plotter or pantster?
I started out as a pantster, but never could make it through the sagging middle. I
realized I needed more direction, and then turned into a plotter. I write a rough
outline, definitely not a polished synopsis, and I find myself returning to that outline
time and again when I get stuck in the middle of a manuscript.
4) Do you write multiple drafts or barely need revisions when typing The End?
I write a solid draft, then go back and fill in any research that I had left blank. I also
rework sentences to strengthen them if needed, and polish the manuscript.
5) Can you explain your typical work week day?
Crazy as it sounds, my days vary. Life oftentimes gets in the way of a set schedule.
As well as my own family, I cared for two sick parents and recently lost my father
this year to cancer. I have learned to take it day by day. Some days I am able to write
multiple chapters and others I stare at the computer screen in frustration. I have
learned to be flexible—to grab time and use it when I can. I often write late at night
and on weekends. That being said, I do have a publishing contract with Kensington
which requires me to complete a 100,000 word manuscript in less than a year.
6) What genres are you comfortable writing in?
Historical because I love to read it. I also like paranormal romance and have an idea
in the back of my mind for a series that I would like to try out one day.
7) Where do you get your ideas for a romance novel from?
From my work. I am a former mechanical engineer and attorney, and the cases that
have crossed my desk were quite colorful. Other ideas pop into my head at the most
inconvenient times. I could be sleeping or driving or cooking and pow! An idea!
8) How do you build a character and does setting become another character
in your story?
I write historicals and setting plays an incredibly important role in all my books. I
also love intelligent female characters. The heroine in my first book,
LADY OF SCANDAL, is an anonymous investor in the London Stock Exchange. The
combination of an intelligent and ambitious heroine in a historical setting provides
instant combustible conflict since both qualities in a woman held little value to men
in Regency period London.
9) How important is it for you to have a critique partner?
Invaluable. I love my critique partner. I am able to bounce ideas off her and make my
scenes shine. But you have to be careful that you pick a partner that is right for you,
one that encourages you as well as points out what needs to be changed. There are
those that like to put you down. It’s like dating, you have to find the right chemistry.
10) Why did you choose to write romance?
Because that’s what I love to read!
11) What suggestions do you have for aspiring writers?
The most important suggestion I have for aspiring writers is to join organizations
dedicated to writers and the publishing field. I am a member of Romance Writers of
America, NJ Romance Writers and Liberty States Fiction Writers. Until I found these
groups, I was a little lost. They have been so helpful and informative. I have learned
from every meeting that I have attended and have met writers who share my
hardships as well as my good news. These organizations offer annual conferences
where you can network with agents and editors, as well as other authors—published
and pre-published.
Aspiring writers can also look to educational institutions for fiction writing classes. I
took two fiction writing classes which were offered by a published author at my local
community college at night.
Lastly, and most importantly: Never give up! No matter how many rejections you
receive. Keep learning. Keep writing. Keep trying.
1) What do you write?
I write historical romance. My first book, LADY OF SCANDAL, is a Regency-set
historical which will be released by Kensington/Zebra Books on September 1, 2009.
I’m working on the second book in the series, A PERFECT SCANDAL, which should
be available from Kensington in 2010.
2) How long have you been in the business?
So long that I can’t remember. I wrote as a teen, but I didn’t really consider
publication until I joined Romance Writers of America about six years ago.
3) Are you a plotter or pantster?
I started out as a pantster, but never could make it through the sagging middle. I
realized I needed more direction, and then turned into a plotter. I write a rough
outline, definitely not a polished synopsis, and I find myself returning to that outline
time and again when I get stuck in the middle of a manuscript.
4) Do you write multiple drafts or barely need revisions when typing The End?
I write a solid draft, then go back and fill in any research that I had left blank. I also
rework sentences to strengthen them if needed, and polish the manuscript.
5) Can you explain your typical work week day?
Crazy as it sounds, my days vary. Life oftentimes gets in the way of a set schedule.
As well as my own family, I cared for two sick parents and recently lost my father
this year to cancer. I have learned to take it day by day. Some days I am able to write
multiple chapters and others I stare at the computer screen in frustration. I have
learned to be flexible—to grab time and use it when I can. I often write late at night
and on weekends. That being said, I do have a publishing contract with Kensington
which requires me to complete a 100,000 word manuscript in less than a year.
6) What genres are you comfortable writing in?
Historical because I love to read it. I also like paranormal romance and have an idea
in the back of my mind for a series that I would like to try out one day.
7) Where do you get your ideas for a romance novel from?
From my work. I am a former mechanical engineer and attorney, and the cases that
have crossed my desk were quite colorful. Other ideas pop into my head at the most
inconvenient times. I could be sleeping or driving or cooking and pow! An idea!
8) How do you build a character and does setting become another character
in your story?
I write historicals and setting plays an incredibly important role in all my books. I
also love intelligent female characters. The heroine in my first book,
LADY OF SCANDAL, is an anonymous investor in the London Stock Exchange. The
combination of an intelligent and ambitious heroine in a historical setting provides
instant combustible conflict since both qualities in a woman held little value to men
in Regency period London.
9) How important is it for you to have a critique partner?
Invaluable. I love my critique partner. I am able to bounce ideas off her and make my
scenes shine. But you have to be careful that you pick a partner that is right for you,
one that encourages you as well as points out what needs to be changed. There are
those that like to put you down. It’s like dating, you have to find the right chemistry.
10) Why did you choose to write romance?
Because that’s what I love to read!
11) What suggestions do you have for aspiring writers?
The most important suggestion I have for aspiring writers is to join organizations
dedicated to writers and the publishing field. I am a member of Romance Writers of
America, NJ Romance Writers and Liberty States Fiction Writers. Until I found these
groups, I was a little lost. They have been so helpful and informative. I have learned
from every meeting that I have attended and have met writers who share my
hardships as well as my good news. These organizations offer annual conferences
where you can network with agents and editors, as well as other authors—published
and pre-published.
Aspiring writers can also look to educational institutions for fiction writing classes. I
took two fiction writing classes which were offered by a published author at my local
community college at night.
Lastly, and most importantly: Never give up! No matter how many rejections you
receive. Keep learning. Keep writing. Keep trying.
About Tina
For as long as I can remember, I have loved books. As a teenager, I used scotch tape
to hold my peeling laminated library card together. I spent many nights reading in
bed well past midnight to finish a book, only to start another. I know my mom was
aggravated waking up a tired teenager every morning!
I wrote my first book when I was sixteen. I remember typing furiously on my
family’s electric typewriter, only to get frustrated when I made a typo and had to
stop long enough to use the correction tape. I thought the book was the greatest
ever written, a Jackie Collin’s spin off, and believed it was my ticket to instant fame.
How little did I know!
Since then, I obtained a J.D. in Law and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. My love of
romance novels helped me get through the tough years of academia. I often picked
up a romance and let my fantasies of knights in shining armor and lords and ladies
carry me away. And always, spinning in my mind during my lunch hour and my long
commutes, were untold stories of heroes and heroines that I yearned to write about.
I started writing books, only to be pulled away by work and family, but I kept
trudging forward, learning as I wrote. After multi-publishing for a law journal, I have
finally fulfilled my dream of writing fiction.
I hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I love writing them!
to hold my peeling laminated library card together. I spent many nights reading in
bed well past midnight to finish a book, only to start another. I know my mom was
aggravated waking up a tired teenager every morning!
I wrote my first book when I was sixteen. I remember typing furiously on my
family’s electric typewriter, only to get frustrated when I made a typo and had to
stop long enough to use the correction tape. I thought the book was the greatest
ever written, a Jackie Collin’s spin off, and believed it was my ticket to instant fame.
How little did I know!
Since then, I obtained a J.D. in Law and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. My love of
romance novels helped me get through the tough years of academia. I often picked
up a romance and let my fantasies of knights in shining armor and lords and ladies
carry me away. And always, spinning in my mind during my lunch hour and my long
commutes, were untold stories of heroes and heroines that I yearned to write about.
I started writing books, only to be pulled away by work and family, but I kept
trudging forward, learning as I wrote. After multi-publishing for a law journal, I have
finally fulfilled my dream of writing fiction.
I hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I love writing them!
Tina Gabrielle, Author |
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Receiving my first sale flowers
at New Jersey Romance Writers
at New Jersey Romance Writers
Beautiful Roses!
