Hello, Celia and welcome! It’s so good to have you hear with me today. Please tell us about yourself. What makes you angry, happy, sad, snoopy dance?
Here’s a thumbnail sketch of “me.” I’ve been happily married for a long time, my children are responsible, successful adults, and my grandsons are the light of my life. Friends are very important to me—I value our time together and our history. Dishonest people, especially those in high positions, make me angry. Lost or abused children, throw-away animals, and lost love makes me sad.
Oh, I have to agree with you here. Liars, abused children and abused animals put me right over the edge. I really don’t understand the mentality of someone who can harm helpless children and/or animals.
Love lost is just plain heartbreaking. But when it is found, omigod! What a gloriously wonderful thing.
Snoopy dance? A contract, a good review, nice royalty checks, a finished manuscript, and completed edits!
Ditto! I can definitely relate to that one:)
How many books have you written?
I have twelve complete manuscripts—one released, two have a release date. (Snoopy dance here.)
Congratulations, Celia, on your releases. That is wonderful. Any yes, Snoopy dancing required and expected.
Also, I have six WIPs—ranging in length from 10,000 words to 50,000 words. I know, I know, that’s not smart. Staying focused and on track is a problem. I have too many ideas.
I will have to admit I am in the same boat, LOL But sometimes things just nag at your mind and you just gotta sit down and quiet the muse. Go with it and get the story down as it comes to mind. Otherwise, its lost. I don’t think a writer can help that.
Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?
If I said to make money, you’d probably laugh. When I make enough money to buy my new coveted Mercedes completely with my royalties, then I’d consider replying: “to make money.” No, really, I write for the love of it. I’m having the time of my life.
How long did you write seriously before your first book was published?
I like this question.
Answer: Four years. I do one thing at a time—get married, have children, go to college at age 26, learn golf at age forty, retire early, have fun and travel…and then sit down and begin to write stories. I have no idea why, except I became bored during a convalescence period and my husband placed a laptop in my lap! He said, “Here. Learn how to use Word or something. I know you. You need something new.”
After studying the program a couple of days, I pulled up a new document page, and to practice what I’d learned, began to write a story. That one became a Western Historical, titled Texas Blue, to be released January, 2010. This will be my third published novel.
Wow! That’s a great story, Celia, and so unique. Please tell us all about your upcoming release.:)
I thought you’d never ask! Now, it doesn’t have shape-shifters or ghosts or vampires in it. Is that okay?
Of course, Celia, we’re not partial here. I love all kinds of books.
My next release is a Contemporary Western for the Wayback, Texas rodeo series by The Wild Rose Press. Title: Showdown in Southfork. A humorous sexy romance.
Ooohh…now that sounds fun.
Where can we find your upcoming release? When will it be available?
Showdown in Southfork is a short novel available in pdf, September 16, 2009. Please find it on the The Wild Rose Press website, Amazon, or any other romance source.
What TV shows do you watch?
Television is a disappointment these days, but since I only watch it two hours most nights, I do have a few favorites: Dark Blue, the Closer, Raising the Bar, Dateline Mystery, The Cleaner, The Mentalist, and HGTV.
Ho, baby! Tell me those men on Dark Blue are not the hottest! Can I tell you I will not miss a show. Everything stops for that one.
Fun question (possible blackmail material down the line, LOL) What is the most uncharacteristic thing you have ever done? Please, no censoring? I have no qualms about placing a content warning on my blog!
Honestly? Write romance novels. Not one person, friend, acquaintance, or family member could imagine my writing romance stories. Generally, my life is very conventional— high school teacher, remain married to one man for all these years, attend church, bible lesson teacher to women. People think of me as the sweet, kind soul, gentle to others, honest with no vice, loyal, and rather quiet. Even my husband still can’t believe I’m a published romance novelist. But he’s proud---and he bought my book and asked me to autograph it and he liked it! That one act touched me more than any review or glowing report I’ve received.
Sounds like you’ve definitely found your soul mate. Family support is such a wonderful thing to have, especially your spouse. It keeps you going, doesn’t it?
Thank you so much for joining me today. Best of luck with all your upcoming releases.
More about Celia. Bio:
As a fifth generation Texan, I love the rich history of our state. Even though my degrees are in science and education, I use our ancestors and their accomplishments for endless characters and situations to create love stories.
Although my husband and I travel, no place on earth is more precious to my heart than our home in the Texas Hill Country, surrounded by acres of live oaks and whitetail deer. Romance novels are not my only form of reading material, but they are my favorite, and I wouldn’t leave home without several tucked away in my luggage. Organizations and a writing group (The Write Girls) have provided information, encouragement, and guidelines to help me on my exciting journey. What fun it is!
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Find Celia here:
www.celiayeary.com
www.celiayeary.blgospot.com
Yahoo Group: The Book Spa (as a moderator)
Find Celia’s books here: The Wild Rose Press
