Tina Christopher spent her early years flitting across the Channel between Germany and England. After touring the world extensively, she finally laid down roots in Toronto. And while Canada’s winters may be frigid, Tina’s characters are anything but!
Like most writers, Tina often hears voices in her head, but it took the encouragement of an editor friend before she actually put fingers to keyboard. While those first stories will never see the light of day, she’s subsequently honed her craft and learned to build not just worlds, but entire galaxies. Her first book from Ellora’s Cave features a galaxy filled with Vampires, Humans and angel-like aliens called Naema.
When not imagining far away worlds and scorching hot encounters, Tina can be found on her sofa working through her never-ending TBR pile or venturing into the real world—whether to a nearby café or a passport-required destination. She’s a member of the RWA’s Toronto chapter. Her two degrees in environmental conservation, majoring in large animal studies, come in handy when wrestling with supernatural beasties.
How do you get an idea for your novel?
I usually start with a character or a concept.
Rescue by Ruin (http://www.amazon.com/Rescue-Ruin-Tina-Christopher-ebook/dp/B00A0LC0ES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397348195&sr=8-1&keywords=rescue+by+ruin) started with this questions: what would drive a proper young miss to visit a dirigible of ill-repute? Beatrice walked onto the page and things happened from there.
Danger by Dalliance (http://www.ellorascave.com/danger-by-dalliance.html) started with a throwaway line in Rescue by Ruin and the one question an author cannot do without: What if? What if Sarah did what she did out of desperation? What if she had no choice? This gave me the heroine. Who would she be attracted to? With the chaos in her life she needed someone in control, someone who would allow her to let go and relax for the first time in years-Archer appeared on the page. But Archer and Sarah are rather similar characters. They both needed someone who is a little bit more easy going, someone who sees the world a little differently. That was when Warren made himself known.
What is your writing style? Do you just sit down and write or do you create character sketches, outlines, or notes?
I always start with GMC. Goal, Motivation and Conflict for hero, heroine and villain help me to learn more about my characters and the journey they will take. The next step is an outline with the main happenings. I don’t go into a lot of detail, that develops while a write. For the last two books I then put the broad strokes of the scenes onto post-it notes. It is rather satisfying to tear them down once the scene is written.
Who is the "Writing Muse" in your life? I.E. who gets your juices flowing when you are blocked?
I don’t really have one. Queen can help to get me going, but if I have a word count I have to achieve I sit down and type until I have it. I can fix words, but I can’t edit a blank page…I’m paraphrasing Nora Roberts here.
How many novels have you written including all work in progresses you are currently working on?
I have published five books so far. I have three erotic sci-fi stories. Tangled Shadows, Tangled Hunger and Tangled Indulgence make up the Celestial Surrender series. I am currently working on Tangled Redemption, the fourth and final book. Each book is a complete story, but it does help to read them in sequence.
Rescue by Ruin was my first erotic historical with steampunk elements. Danger by Dalliance is the sequel, but the two books can be read independently from each other.
I have the first book of a new steampunk series publishing in December. It is a swashbuckling adventure with a nod to James Bond. It is currently called Dirigibles Are Forever, but that may change.
Who is your "writing idol"? I.E. Who do you like and what is it about there writing that captures your soul?
Nalini Singh could write the phone book and I would still buy it. I love her writing. Her characters jump off the page and she usually puts them through the wringer, leaving you on the edge of your seat to see if they will make it.
What is you favorite plot line type?
Hm, I don’t think I have one. I like damaged characters who find a way to overcome what has happened to them.
Is there any advice you can offer to anyone who would like to write?
Read, read, read! Did I mention reading? Read everything under the sun, not just in the genre you write. It shows you different approaches and ways to deal with situations and problems…and it’s a ton of fun.
What is a good villain?
A three-dimensional character that has his or her own goal, motivation and conflict. Someone who believes what he is doing is the right thing to do.
An Excerpt From: DANGER BY DALLIANCE
Copyright © TINA CHRISTOPHER, 2014
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.
“I am here for two reasons.” She lifted the bag onto her lap, opened. With a hiss the pneumatic shrinking device that matched the bag to whatever needed carrying released, and she removed a square metal box with two colored lights on the top. “This is my father’s latest invention. He calls it the Rigdon’s Banknote Verification Device.” She set it on the desk. “You feed a banknote in here.” She pointed to a slit on the side. “The RBVD will test it. If the note is false, the red light will flash.”
He stilled for a moment, his brow furrowed, before pulling the machine closer. “What made your father go in this direction?”
“He’s been working on this for some time, but under the current circumstances believed it deserved his complete focus.”
“What circumstances?”
If she had feathers he’d be ruffling them. Did he have to be so methodical? “I am sure you are aware of what is happening in the city.”
“I am more surprised that you are. Why did you bring this to me?”
She cleared her throat. Her chest tightened. “My father says he has taken it as far as he can. Because of your previous partnership he’d hoped you may be interested to see if you can identify the issues with the ink scanner and take the device to its final conclusion.”
He sat back and steepled his hands before his face.
When he didn’t say anything for a minute her stomach churned. He had to agree. Otherwise her father’s invention was only a pile of junk soldered together and the trouble she was in had been for nothing. “Of course your previously established conditions would remain.”
He lifted the machine off his desk and added it to one of the shelves. “I will see what I can do.” Latimer returned to his chair and tapped a finger against the armrest. “You mentioned two reasons for your visit.”
Sarah bit her lip and tried to breathe evenly. A flush crept across her cheeks. She’d prepared her speech, but now everything had vanished, leaving her mentally racing to find the right words.
Everything, that is, except the impact his presence always had on her. Sparks rushed through her stomach, spreading out toward the apex of her thighs. She was glad she wore a thick tweed dress as her nipples hardened.
How did he do this to her every time she saw him? And what was this?
“Miss Rigdon?”
“Of course, Mr. Latimer.” She exhaled and dragged her focus back to where it needed to be. Kicking and screaming.
For a moment she wished she had some sort of feminine wiles to use in this encounter, some way to distract him, dull his razor-sharp wit. But looking after her father and their small house didn’t give her a lot of opportunity to learn to be a coquette. “Mr. Latimer, I came here today to see if you could—”
The door banged open and a man stormed into the room. He was slightly taller than Latimer, but had a leaner build. Brown hair, two shades lighter than Latimer’s, curled around his shoulders. He wore only trousers and his shirt was untucked. He looked as if he’d been through a storm. His white shirt was also covered in paint splatter and was half open.
A tingle went through Sarah when she saw his muscular chest play peek-a-boo with her. She should look away, but she’d never seen this much skin on a man.
Propriety be damned. She studied him from under her lashes.
She’d never met this man in her life, but the urge to stroke her hands across the smooth-looking skin overcame her.
The passion gathering inside her simmered hotter.
“Arch, have you seen my notebook?” The new arrival raised his head and saw her. He stopped. “Oh, I apologize. I hadn’t realized you had a guest.”
To Sarah’s surprise he made no effort to button his shirt or make himself more presentable. Instead he crossed his arms over his lean chest and studied her. His gold-green eyes focused on her like a spotlight.
Latimer grimaced. “Jennings should have let you know.”
The two men exchanged a glance. Latimer appearing somewhat tortured, the new arrival filled with mirth.
“Miss Rigdon, please let me introduce Warren Hugh Dorvee, a dear friend and housemate.”
Dorvee bowed. “At your service, Miss Rigdon.”
Sarah swallowed. Their combined gazes made her shiver. The office seemed unnaturally hot. Even in their somewhat casual state of dress Latimer and Dorvee dominated the room. She wanted to get up and touch them, rub her hand across Dorvee’s muscular abdomen and see if the dark hair on Latimer’s forearms, bared by the rolled-up sleeves, was as soft as it appeared.
These shocking thoughts pulled Sarah back from the brink. Her heart pounded, but she concentrated on her responsibilities and duties. She couldn’t afford to be anything but above reproach.
Even in her own mind.
“Mr. Dorvee, are—” She cleared her throat, uncomfortable with how sensual her voice sounded. “Are you a painter?”
Dorvee leaned against the side of the desk. “I am, Miss Rigdon. What gave me away?” Laughter shimmered in his eyes, highlighting the gold sparks in the deep green. Laughter and an appreciation that made the tips of her breasts tingle.
“Oh, I don’t know.” She couldn’t help but fall in with the teasing. “Maybe the colorful decorations on your shirt?”
He pulled his shirt away from his body, giving her another glimpse of a muscular abdomen and a narrow line of hair ending in his trousers. Brief as it might have been, her hard nipples rubbed against her chemise and the boning of her corset. Sparks traveled from her breasts to her stomach and below.
“Maybe I am only starting a new fashion trend.”
Her lips twitched, but then she met Latimer’s look and the heat inside her turned into a blaze. Sarah had always thought of it as anger, but now she realized it was something else.
Something she had no name for.
Something that was caused by the two men before her.
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1 comment:
Thank you very much for having me.
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