Author Interview with S.P. Wilcox
I’m hosting an author interview today with contemporary romance author S.P. WIlcox. S.P. Wilcox is the author of two novels: Wishful Thinking and Not Another Wish.
The Interview
1. When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I didn’t know I wanted to be an author. Actually as a child I hated to read. As an adult I started to read Danielle Steele novels, but once I had children well all my free time was no longer mine. Then in April 2012, my niece came over one day with the first book in the 50 Shades series and said “You have to read this book!” So I did! That series (which I loved and read twice, but don’t tell anyone!) made me become a contemporary romance novel addict. I could not stop reading my husband thought I was nuts! I was ordering books on line and then starting using a Nook and Kindle, so I didn’t even have to go out anymore to buy books. I also love the Nook and Kindle because you can find books on line you would never come across in a book store. Some of my favorite books have been ebooks only.
Anyways, I had always wanted to tell the story about my dearest friend and me growing up together. You know all the stuff we went through together. But when I tried to wrap my mind around changing all the names, places, and people to protect the innocent (I use that word very loosely…LOL!) it became such a daunting undertaking I didn’t think I would be able to do it.
Oh, I think I have gone off on a tangent here, what was the question? An author right, okay, my husband said to me one day when I was sitting at my laptop (already writing the first book, he didn’t know that yet…he…he!) “You know you have read so many of these romance books, you should write one of your own.” I turned my head to the left and looked up at him and said, “That is a good idea, maybe I will!”
2. Why Contemporary Romance?
I have never really liked romance novels that take place in another time period. They drive me crazy. I like books which have contemporary themes, times, and places I can relate too. Which is kind of funny because I was a history major in college so you would think I would like stuff from the past but not in the books I read.
3. How did you come up with the inspiration for Wishful Thinking and Not Another Wish?
Well, as I mentioned earlier I wanted to tell the story of my friend and me. Since I couldn’t tell the true story I picked some of the events that really did happen and expanded on the truth. So, yes most of the characters in both books are based on actual people who are a part of my life. The books just evolved from there. I let the characters develop on their own. and only about 2% of the books is based in truth.
4. Which book was most difficult to write?
Not Another Wish was much more difficult to write. Wishful Thinking was easy, it came to me quickly, I wrote non-stop on Wishful Thinking for about 6 weeks. But I would get easily stumped with the 2nd book. I didn’t want everything to come easily to Sydney because life just isn’t like that and Grant well he just couldn’t get it right with her. I wanted them to be together in the end but getting them to that point was difficult. I wanted Sydney to become a success and know she didn’t have to have Grant by her side or any man to be strong and independent.
There were times I just didn’t know what was going to happen next. One of the hardest parts was getting Sydney and her best friend out of college. When Sydney and Kendall meet Jackson and Colby, it opens another world for both of them beyond what they know. This is where I had to decide if the book was going to take off in a different direction. I struggled with whether or not Sydney and Jackson should become a serious couple or would he be a stepping stone for Sydney. In the end I am glad I didn’t have Sydney and Jackson become more than what they were, she was undeniably in love with Grant and her heart always belonged to him so having her get too serious with Jackson seemed to easy. You know what I mean? Making her struggle with her emotions and realize no one could replace him in her heart was the best path for Sydney.
For me the most difficult part of writing any of the characters in the books was the emotional attachment I formed with them. You want the perfect story with the perfect ending and yes this is fiction but to me a good romance novel has a certain amount of turmoil and angst in it because that is how love really is.
5. Where do you write mostly? Do you have a writing schedule?
You will probably laugh at me, but I write mostly sitting at my kitchen table. I don’t have an office. So, either I am at the kitchen table or sitting in my back yard at the patio table. Not very glamorous. Nope, no writing schedule. I write when the ideas come to me. Sometimes, I might look like I am playing a game on my iPhone, but really I am either reading on my Kindle App or making notes for my next book.
6. Who was your favorite character to write about?
Well of course Sydney Stanton. I loved watching her evolve from a teenager to a young woman. She becomes strong and independent going after what she wants. She learns to put her needs of becoming a success in front of the needs of the man who has broken her heart. But also learns how to forgive him and give into the love they have for each other.
7. Do you have advice for aspiring authors?
Advice…well…if you have a story to tell, then tell it. Write it, review it, get a great editor to edit if for you. Hire a programmer to set up your books for ebooks and print on demand, it is so worth it. Learn that not everyone will not love your book like you do or for that matter understand your book like you do. Don’t get too wrapped up in why they don’t like it, look at all the people who do like it.
8. Are you working on something right now? If so, can you tell us more about it.
I am working on a new book. It is a young adult book, romance/comedy. I am not sure of the title yet…currently it is called, “My Narrative.” It takes place in a small Southern California town in Orange County. It is about a girl and a boy…of course. The girl, has a bad reputation (which may or may not be accurate) at school and the boy, is the all American boy next store…sort of! Anyways, they meet on a mini-vacation over Thanksgiving break and become quite taken with each other. But everyone knows what happens on vacation does not always pan out in real life. They end up spending the entire week together and when their friends, school, sports and life itself get thrown in to the mix there is all kinds of chaos.
I am not very far into the book yet. I have only written about 65 pages so far, the book is told from both of their points of view, which is fun, but more difficult to write. Oh one thing I love about this new book is it has some cross over characters from my first two books, so you will have to keep an eye out when reading to see who may pop up!
The Books
Title: Wishful Thinking
Author: S.P. Wilcox
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Left heart broken by her high school sweetheart Sydney is in no means interested in having a serious relationship. She has just finished her freshman year of college and is headed home, leaving her best friend at school and no hopes for an exciting summer.
Sydney is presented with the opportunity of a lifetime by her longtime friend Heather. Accepting this opportunity could make or break her summer vacation. When a gorgeous young man crosses her path more than one time, Sydney is almost torn to pieces by her immediate attraction to him. Making her choice simple, she will take the offer from her friend and embark on a summer she will never forget.
Sydney is looking for a summer filled with endless amounts of fun. What she doesn’t know is this is the summer that will change her love life forever. See what happens to Sydney in her quest to have a summer filled with no ties.
This is an adult contemporary book. It is not meant for anyone under 17.
Title: Not Another Wish
Author: S.P. Wilcox
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
“Grant, I have to go,” I told him.
“No, please talk to me, will you talk to me… tell me how you feel.”
I am dying right here on the patio.
“What do you want me to tell you, that all is forgiven and we can be together?”
“Is that an option?” he asked me. I laughed a little.
“It is going to take more than one phone call asking for me to forgive you for it to be an option,” I told him.
As Sydney decides to throw caution to the wind and begin another relationship with the man who has captured her heart. As their relationship strengthens and their fears and jealousy’s are explored, they become closer than they thought they could ever be even with the thousands of miles separating them.
When Sydney and Grant’s futures get in the way of them being together see the rocky road they lead and the changes in their lives that make their paths criss- cross. Sydney finishes her college career and begins life as a young adult. She becomes a strong independent woman and is reluctant to give up her heart to any man especially the one who keeps floating in and out of her life leaving her heart broken. Can Sydney live with all of her feelings for the only man she has every truly loved tucked away in a small box in her soul?
Is Grant her only true love or does someone else come along to show Sydney that she can love again? These questions and so much more can be found in the pages of “Not Another Wish”!
Author Bio
S.P. Wilcox is an independent author living in Southern California with her husband, for children and puppy. She enjoys writing, reading, going to the beach and spending time with friends and family. Look for more works by this Author including Wishful Thinking and a new YA book out in 2013.
Goodreads Wishful Thinking | Goodreads Not Another Wish | Amazon Wishful Thinking | Amazon Not Another Wish