Katie Reus-THE INTERVIEW

July 21, 2008 by Melissa 

Katie took the time to answer a few questions for us today:) Remember, comment to get your chance to get your hands on a print of City of Secrets, the bone-chilling romantic suspense from Wild Rose Press!

What brought you to writing romantic suspense?

I don’t think I ever had a choice. I love writing and I can’t seem to write more than a few chapters without someone dying. I love writing internal conflicts between characters and adding life threatening external conflicts just makes the story that much more exciting. I majored in psychology so I love dissecting what makes people tick. The way people react under dangerous circumstances says a lot about who they are.

You write in several different genres. Do you have a favorite?

Definitely romantic suspense. Even my erotica and paranormal romances have elements of suspense.

What do you think is the most important thing aspiring authors need to learn?

Have thick skin and don’t take rejections personally. Writing is a tough business and if you can’t take a rejection from an agent or a publisher, how are you going to deal with your first bad review?

Since you write from sexy to erotic, how do you figure out what sensuality to use?

I’m honestly not sure how to answer this one because it comes naturally. Running From the Past started out as a contemporary romantic suspense, but the characters took over and carved a new path for themselves. All my stories are character driven and they pretty much decide what they want to share with the world.

Can you name three authors who inspire your writing?

I’m not sure if they necessarily inspire my writing, but my three favorite authors are Lisa Marie Rice, Linda Howard, and Iris Johansen. In college I discovered All the Queen’s Men by Linda Howard and my perception of romance changed. I’d never read a romantic suspense before and she opened up a new world to me.

What do you have coming up in the near future?

Running From the Past is a September release from Ellora’s Cave. Trust No One should be a 2008 release from The Wild Rose Press but I haven’t received a firm release date yet.

Now for the fun questions.

You win a free trip around the world on a cruise ship. You get to pick one person you love and one celebrity. Who are they?
I pick my husband for obvious reasons and Shakira because she is amazing. Not only is she extremely talented, she cares about the planet and she’s an avid reader.

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Can you name your favorite type as a reader? Do you love the tortured soul, the hero, or the joker?

Hands down, I love the tortured soul. If I’m in the mood, I like reading about a funny hero, but I’m a fairly serious person by nature. And while the hero is great, he’s the one doing the saving. I like reading stories where the hero and heroine save each other. The heroine always saves the tortured soul from himself and I love that.

You have a choice between a Hollywood premier of your choice or night at home with your favorite person, a gourmet meal, and a DVD, which one do you pick?

This one is a no brainer. A night at home with my hubby. What can I say? I’m a writer, I like my cave. ?

Filed under: Random Thoughts from an Unbalanced Mind
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Comments

36 Responses to “Katie Reus-THE INTERVIEW”

  1. Terry Odell on July 21st, 2008 7:30 am

    Great interview, Katie. I, too, love the tortured hero (and love that I get to torture the ones I write!). In a good way, of course.

    Congrats on all your success.

  2. Abigail McKenley on July 21st, 2008 7:41 am

    Katie, great interview! I can’t wait to read ‘City of Secrets’ It sounds great.

    Congrats!

  3. Devon Gray on July 21st, 2008 7:44 am

    Great interview! I’ve found my characters often have a mind of their own as well and what I started out writing is not always what I finish with. Congratulations on your success!

  4. Laurie on July 21st, 2008 7:57 am

    Great interview - thanks to both of you for taking the time to do it! Those poor, tortured heroes are the best - so long as you give them a capable, caring woman!

  5. Katie Reus on July 21st, 2008 8:01 am

    Thanks ladies! You’re right Laurie, the tortured heroes need the strongest kind of heroine :)

  6. Cindy Spencer Pape on July 21st, 2008 8:04 am

    Great interview, ladies! Katie, the book sounds fabulous!

  7. Carolyn Jean on July 21st, 2008 8:57 am

    What a fun interview. Tortured hero: Yay!

  8. Dara Edmondson on July 21st, 2008 9:22 am

    Nice interview. A Psych degree would definitely help to draw characters well! Can’t wait for Running from the Past because I really loved City of Secrets.

  9. Teresa W. on July 21st, 2008 9:37 am

    I liked the interview and City of Secrets sounds good!

  10. Sarai on July 21st, 2008 9:44 am

    For the record City of Secrets rocked!! Great interview Katie!!! I can’t wait until Running from the Past is released.

    PS don’t enter me in the contest I just wanted to pop in and say HI!!!

  11. JenB on July 21st, 2008 9:45 am

    Great interview! Running from the Past looks really cool. Congrats on your success thus far, and best wishes for the future. :)

  12. Katie Reus on July 21st, 2008 9:47 am

    Thanks ladies! I know you’re not supposed to have favorites, but I really LOVE the hero from Running From the Past. He was so much fun to write!

  13. K. Z. Snow on July 21st, 2008 10:01 am

    Romantic suspense isn’t easy to pull off, Katie. I admire anybody who can do it. I LOVE books that are rife with tension and internal conflict. Character-driven stories, both in writing and on film, are my favorites.

    You go, girl!

    KZ

  14. KATHLEEN GRIEVE on July 21st, 2008 10:30 am

    KATIE!! Love that COVER! I now have a couple of new books to add to my TBR pile! Have a great day!

    Kathleen

    http://www.kathleengrieve.com

  15. LesleyW on July 21st, 2008 10:34 am

    Yep, another tortured soul fan here. :)

  16. katiebabs on July 21st, 2008 11:10 am

    Hey Katie!
    What a great name :P How hard do you find it to write sex scenes? And how far would you go in writing certain sexua acts between the hero and heroine?

  17. JenB on July 21st, 2008 11:27 am

    There goes Katie(babs) again…always thinking about sex.

  18. fedora on July 21st, 2008 11:31 am

    Thanks for the terrific interview, Melissa and Katie! I always love learning a little more about what makes authors tick :)

  19. Katie Reus on July 21st, 2008 11:54 am

    Katie(babs) - the first sex scene I ever wrote (that ms is still gathering dust) was difficult to write b/c I was targeting a certain house and thought there were certain ‘rules’ I had to follow. Now, I write what I want and no, I don’t find it difficult. I enjoy sex and I enjoy writing it.

    As for how far I would go, I’m not sure if I understand what you mean, but I’ll push my characters as far as they’re comfortable. As a writer, I’m not into creating stories with toys, BDSM or any form of menage (*disclaimer* - I do read stories w/ those, I just don’t write them). The characters I write are just discovering their mate and aren’t at a point in their life where they’re bored with sex so adding stuff like toys to the bedroom isn’t necessary (maybe in the future, lol). As far as sex, it’s important to the plot, and for my characters sex is also about bonding them together in the most intimate way possible. I hope I answered your questions :)

  20. Beth on July 21st, 2008 12:06 pm

    A tortured hero and life-threatening external plots…doesn’t get much better than that!

    Looking forward to checking out your story :)
    Beth

    http://www.writer-in-progress.blogspot.com

  21. Tracy on July 21st, 2008 12:53 pm

    Add me to the list of loving tortured heroes. Just love them. I like when the hero and heroine are saving each other too.

    That last question? I’d stay at home with the hubby too! :)
    Great interview.

  22. Cathy M on July 21st, 2008 12:57 pm

    It was so nice to get to know you, Katie. I like romantic suspense stories and City of Secrets sounds like a book I would enjoy. Will also look forward to hearing more about your new EC release.

  23. Holly on July 21st, 2008 1:21 pm

    Great interview!

    I love the tortured hero, also. Is there anything better than seeing a truly tortured soul healed by the power of love?

  24. Barbara Scott on July 21st, 2008 1:23 pm

    Good interview.

    Your advice to writers in the interview:

    “Have thick skin and don’t take rejections personally. Writing is a tough business and if you can’t take a rejection from an agent or a publisher, how are you going to deal with your first bad review?”

    should be made into a screensaver to float around writers’ monitors.

  25. Katie Reus on July 21st, 2008 2:41 pm

    Lol Barbara! Unfortunately yesterday I had to take my own advice. One of my paranormals was rejected on the same day it came in 2nd in a contest. I was like, huh, should I be depressed or happy? I had a glass of wine and settled for happy :)

  26. Christine on July 21st, 2008 3:51 pm

    Hi Katie & Melissa,
    I like reading stories where the hero and heroine save each other. The heroine always saves the tortured soul from himself and I love that.

    ME, TOO!!!! My favorite kind of romance.

    Thanks for the interview. I always enjoy reading them. :D

  27. cyclops8 on July 21st, 2008 4:34 pm

    Welcome Katie,
    Romantic suspense is my favorite genre. I can’t wait to read your books. What crime/suspense tv shows or movies do you like?

  28. Katie Reus on July 21st, 2008 4:44 pm

    Thanks cyclops8! I’m addicted to Law & Order (all of them!). I’m definitely more of a movie fan though. I love any thriller or suspense movie that keeps me on the edge of my seat. Red Eye & Eastern Promises are two of my favorites :)

  29. Sheila on July 21st, 2008 7:58 pm

    I like your answer about favorite hero. Its nice to see authors will write stories about people who are not perfect.:) And that the hero and heroine can save each other. Thank you for the interview.

  30. Amy S. on July 22nd, 2008 7:12 am

    Great interview!

  31. Deidre on July 22nd, 2008 8:09 am

    I’m not a writer but I like my cave as well. The hubby even complains about it on the weekend because I don’t want to go anywhere.

    Deidre
    deidre_durance@hotmail.com

  32. Jodi S. on July 22nd, 2008 9:39 am

    Now, that’s a great cover! Gotta love the cowboy! Great interview. I like being at home, and I’m not a writer. I just like to be able to relax and not give a hoot about anything!

  33. Cherie J on July 22nd, 2008 10:06 am

    I can so relate about the cave as well. I am a bit of a homebody althought it is nice to get out once in awhile. Great interview!

  34. Larena Wirum on July 22nd, 2008 10:47 am

    Great inteview. Loved the questions and answers. :-)

  35. Katie Reus on July 22nd, 2008 11:32 am

    Thank you everyone for dropping by and thanks Melissa for having me!

  36. Tami C on July 22nd, 2008 12:38 pm

    That cowboy makes me drool everytime!!

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