Q&A with Marie Force

I’m excited to welcome Marie Force to my blog today. She is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 50 contemporary romances, including the Gansett Island Series, which has sold more than 2.5 million books, and the Fatal Series from Harlequin Books, which has sold more than 1.2 million books. In addition, she is the author of the Green Mountain Series as well as the erotic romance Quantum Series, written under the slightly modified name of M.S. Force.  All together, her books have sold more than 5.5 million copies worldwide

Lisa: Congratulations on your newest release, Light After Dark, book 16 from the Gansett Island series. I’ve read it and LOVED it. This is such a great series that consistently delivers the feel-good reading, the believable storyline and characters, and real life issues.

Marie: Thank you so much! I love to hear that!

Lisa: What do you love best about Light After Dark, Mallory and Quinn’s story?

Marie: I loved that these two people, who have had a rough go of it, find each other at a time when they are both embarking on a new beginning on Gansett. I really think they are perfect for each other, and I loved the matter-of-fact way Mallory handled Quinn’s disability, making him see that what was the biggest of deals to him didn’t matter much to her.

Lisa: As usual when you just release a book, we’re ready for the next one. So who will book 17 feature?

Marie: I’m thinking about Riley McCarthy, the oldest of Kevin McCarthy’s two sons, for the next full-length book. In the meantime, I am launching Gansett Island Episodes in 2017, which will be shorter stories about characters we already know and love and want more of. I’m really excited to be able to tell more story for these characters, including those who haven’t gotten a lot of attention yet, such as island midwife Victoria Stevens and her hot Irishman Shannon O’Grady, who will be featured in the first episode.

Lisa: Do you plot or do you just wait and see what happens?

Marie: I never plot. I write “by the seat of my pants,” as we say in writing circles. I usually know the basics about what I want to do with a book, but I let it unfold organically. I keep thinking I should plot more than I do, but after 50 books written as a “pantser,” I think that ship has sailed!

Lisa: What do you think is more important – plot or characters?

Marie: Both are so critically important, but if I had to choose one, I’d say characters. Creating people that readers fall in love with and want to spend time with is vital to keeping them coming back for more. But the stories matter so very much, too. It’s a real balancing act for sure.

Lisa: Tell us about your writing habits/routine. Do you prefer computer or pen, do you aim for a set amount of words per day, set aside a day or time of day to write, do you have a special writing place?

Marie: I always write on a laptop (and go through about one of them a year with the way I treat them! I’m writing this on a brand new MacBook!) I usually write between 2000 and 3000 words per day. I start early, as soon as my son leaves for school at 7, and I write until my brain says we’re done. And my favorite place to write is in bed. I joke that as a romance writer, I do my best work in bed. LOL

Lisa: What do you find easier or more fun to write – the male or female character? What’s your favorite type of character to write?

Marie: I love writing both, but the guys are extra fun for some reasons. I love to write people like Mac McCarthy, who is always up to something that usually gets him in trouble. If I’m giggling while I write a scene, I know I’ll hear from the readers about it, too.

Lisa: Next time I visit Block Island, I plan on renting a moped and seeing all the island. There were some landmarks that I missed when I visited for Readers Weekend. I’m working on getting my husband to go for a mini vacation. What do you suggest as must sees? Favorite place to stay? Favorite thing to do on the island.

Marie: Glad you’ve enjoyed visiting the island. Be careful on those mopeds. There are awful crashes every year or so it seems. I would suggest staying right in town at the National, Blue Dory, Surf or Harborside. Our favorite beach is Ballard’s where they bring you drinks, such as my favorite frozen vodka lemonade, and lunch right on the beach. We love it there, and the kids love bodysurfing in the waves at Ballard’s. You definitely want to see the bluffs, which are exceptional. We love the simple life out there, but my girls and I also love to hit the stores. GREAT shopping!

Lisa: I enjoy meeting your wonderful husband Dan at your signings (I’ve made it to 3-DC, VT, and RI). At the last Readers Weekend, Dan had painted some wonderful scenes from your Green Mountain series. Any new paintings in the works from him?

Marie: He’s always working on something! His recent painting of my dad and Jake at the helm of dad’s boat is a true keeper!

Lisa: One thing I noticed at your RW, was the complete support you have of your family and friends. What a great feeling that must be.

Marie: It’s amazing. I’m so very blessed to be taking this journey with some of my closest friends working with me as well as my lovely niece Isabel on my team, too. That’s such a thrill for me. But to also have the incredible support of all my friends as well as my exceptional extended family and in-laws makes it that much better.

Lisa: Thanks for joining us, Marie. Looking forward to reading Every Little Thing (Butler, Vermont series) releasing soon.

Marie: Thanks so much, Lisa! Every Little Thing will be coming soon! J

 

GIVEAWAY

Marie is offering a signed book and a $10 gift card to two winners. (US addresses only) Leave a comment below and tell me your favorite Gansett Island couple. Winner announced Friday, December 23, 2017.  Please check back here to see if you’ve won. Winners must contact me by Wednesday, December 28^th to claim prize.

(contest runs Thursday, December 15 – Thursday, December 22, 2016)

Enter here:  a Rafflecopter giveaway