I’ve
been looking forward to this interview, Ronovan. Your constant help to new
aspiring authors has earned you a place among the leaders in the literary
world. It’s a pleasure to interview such a great guy, but I have to say… You
are so normal and approachable. All of us are forever in your debt and are
looking forward to getting to know you a little better.
So,
let’s get started:
Heidi:
What
genre do you write?
Ronovan:
Historical
Fiction seems to be my natural leaning. Although, I have been working on a
Southern Contemporary Romance for a while now. For the most part history finds
its way into my thoughts. I have several manuscripts that deal with something
to do with the past.
Heidi:
When
did you start writing?
Ronovan:
I
guess it's been at least 20 years now, but the real sit down and do it part has
been the last few years. That's when I began to pay more attention the craft of
writing itself, in how to tell a story the right way.
Heidi:
What
are you working on now?
Ronovan:
I'm
working on the Southern Romance I mentioned. I also have a YA Historical
Adventure I go to when my brain needs a rest from the Romance. The YA book is
one I wrote in the present but it's gone back and forth between past and
present in the idea stages. The manuscript is complete in the present version
but I want to change it.
Heidi:
Who is
your favorite character in your stories?
Ronovan:
In the
book I just released, Amber Wake: Gabriel Falling, Captain Gabriel Wallace is
my favorite for various reasons. I also like a character named Gimby, he's the
helmsman for Wallace's ship and has a matter of fact way about him people can't
help but like.
Heidi:
Do you
see yourself in any of your characters?
Ronovan:
I put
a lot of me into Wallace. I have a co-author, PS Bartlett, so she took some of
me out of there when she added her details, but that's fine. The core of
Wallace is still me for the most part. I don't think you can write convincingly
unless you tap into some deep hidden part of you when you write the antagonist
in a story. We all have those moments of utter dislike and frustration we can
channel.
Heidi:
Where
do you write? Describe your workspace?
Ronovan:
I
write in my bedroom. Having some medical issues I tend to spend time in as
quiet a place as I can. I suffer from migraines that don't stop, just vary in
degree. They are present 24/7. Writing helps a little. I get the ideas that run
through my head during those sleepless moments down on paper. It's one reason I
can write as much and as fast as I do.
Heidi:
What
was it like to be a co-author? Did you have to consult regularly with P.S.
Bartlett regarding the story, or were you given a free reign?
Ronovan:
I had
free reign writing the first draft. Then I past it over to her to add her
touches and adjust here and there to match up with her future stories and ideas
in a series she is writing that involves a couple of the characters. She would
at times ask me about Wallace or other characters while she was writing her
current trilogy to get some details she could use. I would only advise
co-authoring if you work together through the process in outlining and getting
the ideas down for direction and character basics. It will save a lot of pain
and agony later.
Heidi:
Why
did P.S. Bartlett choose you to write the prequel to her pirate series?
Ronovan:
After
reviewing her book The Blue Diamond: The Razor's Edge, and then interviewing
her, we became friends and talked a lot. We both felt her book deserved more
attention than it was getting and I saw the world she had created as being
filled with potential. The idea of a prequel series of how Ivory Shepard, her
main character, became a pirate captain. At the same time the idea of the
sequel to Blue Diamond was discussed with only a couple of basics thought of at
the time. One character came up that had red hair, blue eyes, and would be the
influence for Ivory in her pirate development. We thought we could get a lot
more done if we both wrote. She worked on the trilogy, and I Amber Wake. From
the physical description of a man named Rasmus, I created Captain Gabriel
Wallace of the Royal Navy and the rest of the characters in the book. Only one
character appears that came from any other stories already written. I thought
the appearance of Ivory's love interest in The Blue Diamond would be a nice
addition, and an awkward situation in the future.
Heidi:
What
advice do you have for a writer aspiring to be published?
Ronovan:
Take
your time and find your voice. Do that by trying to write different genres
outside your comfort zone and you might be surprised at what you can write.
Listen to those who have made it in the business. And know there is more than
one way to get where you want to go. I never expected to co-author a book with
anyone, and never a Historical Adventure involving some pirates. Although Amber
Wake is not exactly a pirate novel. It's more of a war against an enemy novel.
Heidi:
Would
you like to acknowledge someone for their help/ assistance/faith in you/etc?
Ronovan:
Pretty
much all of those that follow me on my blog RonovanWrites have been
encouraging. Florence Thum, a law professor in Australia has been a big
supporter and honest. She doesn't pull punches. The beta-readers of the book,
Colleen Chesebro and author Annette Rochelle Aben have been great. I recently connected
with a writing mentor of sorts in Claire Fullerton who is guiding me along the
way in suggestions. It's an informal thing, but I enjoy her writing and I would
like to capture that feel in my Southern Romance, and she's southern like I am.
We ended up having more things in common than we realized. And oddly my cat
Spunky. When you need those quiet times to get away from the pain of writing
and the world, it's nice to have something that is amusing and will just enjoy
being with you. Spunky has appeared on my blog as well as a friend's blog and
is kind of popular. For a guy with constant noise in his head from a concussion
he suffered over 2 years ago, a quiet friend like Spunky is a blessing.
Here
are some easy ways to purchase Amber Wake, Gabriel Falling.
You may connect with Ronovan through:
