Rogette C: I’m a computer tech by training and writer by passion. And when I am not dreaming up my next book you can see me, or at least my backside under a computer desk.
Describe yourself in five words:
Obsessive, Dreamer, Funny, Stubborn, Independent
What fact about yourself would really surprise people?
I spent four years in the US ARMY jumping out of airplanes
How do you work through self-doubts and fear?
I talk to myself (mostly I yell at myself to knock it off!), then I will try and work through those little nightmares by writing them into a story.
What scares you the most?
Failure, I hate to start on something and not finish it. That’s my definition of failure, never finishing, or never trying something.
What makes you happiest?
Early dawn morning writing when the flow is just right. The sun streams into the window and I my words are better than me.
Why do you write?
I can’t draw to save my life, I’m the worst artist in the world! But in my mind I play out stories with romance in all it’s forms and adventure and I like to share a few of those. Words are my way.
Have you always enjoyed writing?
When I was a kid I hated to write. But, I got into computers in high school, and I started to use writing programs. Suddenly, I could put things down almost as fast as my mind worked. It was a revolution.
What motivates you to write?
The act of creation. There is nothing more powerful than a blank sheet of paper. Anything is possible, words create universes.
What writing are you most proud of? .
Those stories that truly flow as I write them. The characters that fall into place, every time you write their dialog or actions it just seems ‘right’ you know? The tale builds perfectly. You mostly have to work to get a good story, but there are times when everything just clicks together. Those are my favorites. I wrote Head of the Class that way.
What are you most proud of in your personal life?
Not allowing fear to dictate my actions. Too often people answer that question with a single event. I believe it’s when you face up to something and try it regardless of consequences. That is to be admired.
What books did you love growing up?
I loved and still The Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov, Dune by Frank Herbert. Then, one day somebody handed me Edgar Rice Burroughs Barsoom series and I just pour myself into those. I like tales that open doors to new worlds.
What do you hope your obituary will say about you?
I lived well. I took chances, enjoyed myself, experienced many wonderful things that others in their life never get to do or see, maybe even looked good doing it!
Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I grew up in the Rocky Mountains, in Colorado. I have moved around from place to place both in Europe and the states. Now I’m back home in Colorado.
How did you develop your writing?
Reading the masters, Chandler, Steinbeck, Asimov, Bradbury. And; no surprises; I sit down everyday and I write, rain, sun, in the mood, not in the mood I write. You won’t develop unless you write. Nothing else will take the place of sweat equity.
What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?
Marketing is the worst. I am the most un-sales person there is. I’m good at shopping! But having to sell an idea to a person just leaves me cold.
What marketing works for you?
The kind where I don’t have to do anything. LOLOLOL
Do you find it hard to share your work?
No I like to share what I’ve written. How else are you going to know if it’s any good? Sure you get told ‘not as good as your last piece’ or the dreaded ‘that’s nice’ but writing is a form of storytelling no matter what you’re writing. I think writers have a kind of weird autism. We’re awkward inside because our minds are dancing around with wonderful visions, in fact we prefer that place because we control all aspects of it. And the act of putting it on paper is our way of telling people how we feel, what we think, how we see the world. Don’t get me wrong I love to party, but there’s always a piece left hidden.
Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?
Not really, they don’t see it as work. Work is being a computer tech. Writing is something you do after work.
What else do you do, other than write?
I love to read. I know, yeah you got that already. I hike, bike, and love to travel. I love to meet and experience different people. Learn their passions, their kinks, even their hopes and dreams. Everyone in the world has something to teach.
What other jobs have you had in your life?
Let’s see, the shorter list might be what I haven’t done. LOLOL. I get bored easily so I just move on. I sold cars found out I was terrible at it. I’ve washed dishes, been an editor on a minor ezine, web designer and programmer. And I have been a teacher, that was a job I really enjoyed.
If you could study any subject at university what would you pick?
History. You have to know the past to understand where you are now.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
I have lived around the world. I like Colorado.
How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?
I write on computer. I have a desktop which is my perfered weapon. It’s really old runs Windows XP and I love it. I have a laptop running XP as well. Hey, all I need is Microsoft word. I hate tablets tried that and really disliked the feel of typing on glass. BLICK!
How much sleep do you need to be your best?
It depends on what best I’m doing. Sometimes very little. Giggle
Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?
Paying my bills with a little left over for fun, solely from my writing.
It is vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing, tell us about your marketing campaign?
I write about passion, sex, and romance. Not always in the order. And I write it from the female perspective. Why female? Because love to us girls is a story, it should sweep you off your feet. So my marketing is to attract those women who like to escape for just a few hours to a place where beautiful people do beautiful things.
Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?
I wrote Getting By as a tale about how romance can find you at the worst possible moment in your life. How at first it screws up your goals and needs only to find it is your goal and your need.
Effie the main character was named for Euphema; Sam Spades’ secretary in the Maltese Falcon. I love old movies.
She’s young pretty and desperately needs a job. She finds a passionate love instead.
She finds that one woman who fulfills her desires, strong and dominate.
Margret however has never been into sex games and comes with a creep for a husband.
I love the tension there, Effies’ fantasies vs. Margret’s reality. It makes for great story telling.
If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask?
Raymond Chandler and Max Brand, great writers who were manly in their personal life. I think that confidence in a man is very sexy, and if their good at what they do and you respect and want to emulate them in your own career that magic will inspire greatness in you.
When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?
How disappointed would you be if I said “I like to read?” LOLOLOL. I mean seriously when are you not writing? If I’m on the road, I’m learning people’s points of view and lives that goes into my writing. If I’m reading I’m learning technique. If I’m fixing a network in an office building I’m experience a new environment to be use in my next story. Short answer I never stop writing.
What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?
I want my readers to be able to escape the boredom of the familiar and be swept up into a romantic world where even a single word can change your life. I want my readers to believe such love affairs are possible. Such things do happen. Just not often. Everyone, girl or boy wants to be wined and dined and to meet that one person that meets their fantasies, that changes their life for the better. I want the reader to root for the characters to get what they desire, to be invested in the tale. When I can achieve that, I have created magic.
International Book Promotion 