Self:
Tell us about yourself:
I'm the youngest of 5 children. I grew up in a small rural town in Texas. I graduated from Texas Woman's University with a degree in Nursing/Psychology-Sociology. I have one daughter, Michelle..
How long have you been writing?
A long time. It took me about 4-5 years to find a publisher for my first novel, FALLEN ANGEL. The call came on Christmas Eve 1992. My scream could probably be heard for miles. Before then, I sold 16 short stories to magazines.
How did you get from nursing to writing romance?
Nursing actually led me to writing. I heard my co-workers talking about this great book. It was SHANNA by Katherine Woodiwiss. The day after I finished SHANNA, I distinctly remember going on my lunch break to Target to push her other 3 books. By the time I finished, I knew I wanted to write similar stories of everlasting love and unforgettable passion.
Book
NOBODY BUT YOU hits stores March 03, 2009. It is Book # 2 in my new Grayson Friends Series. NASCAR champion Cameron Dunlap is poised to win this year's Sprint Cup. But being a successful race-car driver comes with a price. Cameron knows that his profession puts him at high risk. Thankfully, his latest visit to the hospital left him intact. That is, until he bumps into Caitlin Lawrence...and is thrust back into his painful past.
Caitlin left Cameron at the altar because she could never accept Cameron's fast and furious existence. The threat of losing him on the racetrack was just too much for Caitlin - and the young son Cameron never knew he had. Now that this chance meeting has changed their lives forever, will Caitlin and Cameron find a way to recapture what might have been?
Your writing
What is the appeal of writing contemporary?
For me the appeal is the creating stories where love endures and can withstand any challenge life might throw at it.
What kind of writing turns you off?
I don't like books with weak characters and or thin plots.
What stops you from writing?
Almost everything. I'm the worlds worst at procrastination, especially when I'm trying to write a love scene, which, for me, is the most difficult part of the book to write.
How have you shocked your readers?
I think my last book, THE WAY YOU LOVE ME, might have surprised and shocked readers. I was definitely nervous about their reaction to the couple not being intimate until after the marriage in the prologue. Once again, my readers came through. I didn't receive one negative comment. They enjoyed that the hero, an ex- Army Ranger, loved the heroine enough to honor her wish, her childhood dream to marry chaste. He was definitely her Black Knight.
How do you get your ideas?
I get ideas from life, from television.
What is your writing day like?
After I come into my office, I try to answer email initially, then I start writing around 8-PM. On weekends, I write early Saturday morning and late Sunday evenings.
Other
Your fictional hero thinks you're gorgeous if you smile.
How much do you love cake?
I love cake more than chocolate. One of my favorites is Italian Cream. I can just eat the high-caloric icing -cream cheese and confectioner sugar. Yum!!
Thanks for giving me this opportunity,
Francis
www.francisray.comreadersoffrancisray@yahoogroups.commyspace.com/francisrayNOT EVEN IF YOU BEGGED - Jan 22, 2008 - MainstreamTHE WAY YOU LOVE ME - Shane's story - Grayson Friends -August, 2008UNTIL THERE WAS YOU - Book 1 - Reissue - A Grayson Romance - November 04, 2008NOBODY BUT YOU - Cameron's story - Grayson Friends - March 03, 2009
Tell us about yourself:
I'm the youngest of 5 children. I grew up in a small rural town in Texas. I graduated from Texas Woman's University with a degree in Nursing/Psychology-Sociology. I have one daughter, Michelle..
How long have you been writing?
A long time. It took me about 4-5 years to find a publisher for my first novel, FALLEN ANGEL. The call came on Christmas Eve 1992. My scream could probably be heard for miles. Before then, I sold 16 short stories to magazines.
How did you get from nursing to writing romance?
Nursing actually led me to writing. I heard my co-workers talking about this great book. It was SHANNA by Katherine Woodiwiss. The day after I finished SHANNA, I distinctly remember going on my lunch break to Target to push her other 3 books. By the time I finished, I knew I wanted to write similar stories of everlasting love and unforgettable passion.
Book
NOBODY BUT YOU hits stores March 03, 2009. It is Book # 2 in my new Grayson Friends Series. NASCAR champion Cameron Dunlap is poised to win this year's Sprint Cup. But being a successful race-car driver comes with a price. Cameron knows that his profession puts him at high risk. Thankfully, his latest visit to the hospital left him intact. That is, until he bumps into Caitlin Lawrence...and is thrust back into his painful past.
Caitlin left Cameron at the altar because she could never accept Cameron's fast and furious existence. The threat of losing him on the racetrack was just too much for Caitlin - and the young son Cameron never knew he had. Now that this chance meeting has changed their lives forever, will Caitlin and Cameron find a way to recapture what might have been?
Your writing
What is the appeal of writing contemporary?
For me the appeal is the creating stories where love endures and can withstand any challenge life might throw at it.
What kind of writing turns you off?
I don't like books with weak characters and or thin plots.
What stops you from writing?
Almost everything. I'm the worlds worst at procrastination, especially when I'm trying to write a love scene, which, for me, is the most difficult part of the book to write.
How have you shocked your readers?
I think my last book, THE WAY YOU LOVE ME, might have surprised and shocked readers. I was definitely nervous about their reaction to the couple not being intimate until after the marriage in the prologue. Once again, my readers came through. I didn't receive one negative comment. They enjoyed that the hero, an ex- Army Ranger, loved the heroine enough to honor her wish, her childhood dream to marry chaste. He was definitely her Black Knight.
How do you get your ideas?
I get ideas from life, from television.
What is your writing day like?
After I come into my office, I try to answer email initially, then I start writing around 8-PM. On weekends, I write early Saturday morning and late Sunday evenings.
Other
Your fictional hero thinks you're gorgeous if you smile.
How much do you love cake?
I love cake more than chocolate. One of my favorites is Italian Cream. I can just eat the high-caloric icing -cream cheese and confectioner sugar. Yum!!
Thanks for giving me this opportunity,
Francis
www.francisray.comreadersoffrancisray@yahoogroups.commyspace.com/francisrayNOT EVEN IF YOU BEGGED - Jan 22, 2008 - MainstreamTHE WAY YOU LOVE ME - Shane's story - Grayson Friends -August, 2008UNTIL THERE WAS YOU - Book 1 - Reissue - A Grayson Romance - November 04, 2008NOBODY BUT YOU - Cameron's story - Grayson Friends - March 03, 2009
12 comments:
I enjoyed your interview. And good for you for holding to your guns and being true to your characters; I love the fact your h/h held off until the prologue to make love. Italian creme? I've never heard of it. Details please! Take care and I wish you every success.
Diana Cosby
www.dianacosby.com
His Captive/Alexander MacGruder
His Woman/Duncan MacGruder - 4 star Romantic Times review
Title TBA/Seathan MacGruder - Date TBA
Title TBA/Patrik [Cleary] MacGruder - Date TBA
Your new book sounds like fun. I love those Oops stories and seeing what stuff the hero is really made of.
And I'm amazed at the popularity of Nascar. Do you follow Nascar or did you just decide to write it as the backdrop of your book?
Terrific interview! I can remember reading Shanna too. I wanted to read more of books like that. And how wonderful to get The Call on Christmas Eve! What a fabulous Christmas present!
Vicki, thank you for brining us Francis Ray!
Francis, I've adored you for years, and I love your books! I'll be getting my grubby hands on NOBODY BUT YOU soon as I can!
Light,
Nancy Haddock
Francis, Shanna was also my first romance book, and like you, I was hooked after the first chapter. CW remains my favorite author to this day.
I also adore Italian Creme Cake.
Since our interests seem so much alike, I can't wait to check out your books.
Thanks for the enjoyable interview.
Lovely interview, Francis and Vicki! There sure a lot of great writers in Texas.
Francis, I agree with you on the thin plots. A pet peeve of mine as well. What is your greatest strength as a writer? Plotting? Characterization? Setting?
Misty
www.readmistyevans.com
Not know Italian Creme Cake? Oh, Diana, you are missing out. However, you aren't the first person who has mentioned not knowing to me. Maybe it's a Southern girl thing. I know of a pretty good place here and will pass on the address to you later. VBG
Thanks for stopping by. Vicki
Hi, Edie. How nice to hear from you. I loved Shanna as well and recently, wanted to read it again. My favorite is A Rose in Winter.
I think getting the call on Christmas Eve is a terrific present.
And good luck to you and Am Title. Vicki
Hi, Chris. You are an absolutely super friend to comment. I don't know much about NASCAR and unfortunately, we won't have Francis' thoughts on this. I do know Handsome has gone to the drag races and talks about the cars with the jet engines on them. Sounds scary to me.
Nancy! Thank you so much for stopping by. And good luck with your next book.
I love Francis, too, and can't wait to read her book. Is she coming to Dreamin'?
Hi, Misty. Thank you for your comments.
I'm glad Francis shared about her writing pet peeves. I tend to read for plot. How about you?
Liz!!! So good to hear from you and see you last Saturday.
Isn't it funny how so many of us have begun with Shanna. I did go waaayy back before her, though, to Emilie Loring books. In fact, I have all of them and most in hardback. I love the stories.
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