WORDS OF AN AUTHOR WITH... ROMANCE AUTHOR→ BETH CIOTTA
→ Hello, Beth, thanks so much for taking the time to chat. Could you
please tell us a little about your writing background and how you came to
sell your Romance novel, Jinxed to Medallion Press?
Beth: Thank you for having me, Kelly. I've been writing and seriously
seeking publication since 1994. Not long after, I teamed up with
writer/friend Cynthia Valero. Together we wrote three paranormal romances,
all published by ImaJinn Books under the penname CB Scott. In 2003, I was
approached by a friend in the publishing field who knew that I was working
on a solo project and asked if I'd be interested in submitting to a new
company. That company turned out to be Medallion Press. The story was
Jinxed. Champions of my quirky voice and story, Medallion also contracted me
to write two connecting stories--Charmed and Seduced. Now we're working
on a western trilogy. It's been a wild and amazing ride!
→ How wonderful, Beth! Readers and writers often like to get a behind the scenes peek of an
author's writing routine. It would be great if you could please share
your typical writing day schedule.
Beth: I don't have a routine, except that I always seem to write in chaos!
In my other life, I'm a professional entertainer, plus this year, because
of a sketchy performance schedule, I picked up a part-time job as a library
assistant. No hardship being surrounded by books all day, I can tell you
that. But it does make for limited writing time. Because of contracted
deadlines, I've been writing seven days a week for the past two years.
Whenever I'm not working, I'm writing. Sometimes it's for two hours,
sometimes for twelve. Morning, afternoon, or night. Whenever.
→ Not too long ago, you also signed a three-book deal with Harlequin
books for a new Chameleon Chronicles series. Care to share a little about
this series?
Beth: The Chameleon Chronicles is a series about a divorced and forcibly
retired 41-year-old showbiz veteran who rediscovers passion and purpose when
she unwittingly teams up with a reformed grifter and a government operative
in their mission to expose nefarious scams. The first book in the series is
tentatively scheduled for release in 2007. I'm incredibly excited about
these books. My background in entertainment proved invaluable. Delving into
the world of con-artists and fraud investigation has been fascinating. The
Chameleon Chronicles is a woman's journey with a lot of humor, a dash of
suspense, and of course, romance!
→ Your recent release, Lasso The Moon, hit shelves in February. Please
tell us about the book and what we can expect from your characters.
Beth:Lasso The Moon is a true labor of love. This was actually the first
novel I ever wrote, although it has changed (a lot) and grown over the
years. Sometimes it's best to stow a first effort under the bed, but I
couldn't let go of this story or the characters. So I kept at it until I
got it right. I'm terribly glad I did because the feedback from reviewers
and readers thus far has been tremendous. As with all my books you can
expect a lot of humor. In fact, I consider Lasso The Moon a screwball comedy
although it does have a tender side and a mystery. It stars Paris Garrett, a
headstrong, eccentric songwriter and Joshua Grant, a headstrong, logical
lawman who's stuck with an opera house thanks to his dead uncle. You'll
also meet Josh's friend, Seth Wright, and the Garrett Brothers. Readers are
asking if there will be books featuring these sexy men. I'm happy to say,
yes. Romancing The West is the next in the series, set for release 2007.
→ Sounds like another great round of fun characters! Thank you again for taking the time to share, Beth. I wish you the
best with your future novels. Would you like to close with a writing tip?
Beth: Read, read, read. Write, write, write. Hone your craft and never, ever
give up!
