Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Debra St. John

Welcome back to Writers' Wednesday! Today I'm chatting with Wild Rose Press author Debra St. John...

Debra, welcome! When did you first begin writing? Was there an event or moment in your life that triggered your desire to write?

I started writing in high school. (Not well, but the enthusiasm was there!) I subscribed to Harlequin American and got four shiny new silver books in the mail each month. After reading half a dozen or so, I thought, “I want to write one of these some day.” And I’ve been writing ever since. Not always seriously, but it was always something I came back to time and time again.

Tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

Right now I’m I the middle of working on a sequel, or spin-off, to “This Time for Always”. This story features Zach as the hero, who is a secondary character in the first book. I also have a new release coming soon called “Wild Wedding Weekend” which is currently in the final editing stage with my editor at The Wild Rose Press.

What advice would you give to new writers just starting out?

Keep at it and don’t give up on your dream. I played around for a long time before becoming serious about my writing, but I learned a lot along the way. Enter contests. You can get such great feedback from them. Join a writers’ group. My local RWA chapter, Chicago-North, has been invaluable to me. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I’ve learned from the talented and wonderful ladies in that group. Find a critique partner or group. You’ll learn a lot from reading other people’s work.

Describe your writing space.

The computer in my den is what I like to think of as “home base” for my writing. I have pictures and sticky notes and such pinned up all over the place. I also have award certificates for contests I’ve won hung up to keep me going when I hit a wall. The den itself is decorated with old family pictures, so it’s a cozy and welcoming space.. Then last summer (I know I’m really behind the times!) I bought a laptop. This has been one of the best investments I’ve ever made. Now I can take my writing virtually anywhere. In the summer I like to take the laptop out to the back porch and spend an hour or two writing in my jammies before I start the day. My living room couch and the rocking chair on my front porch are also favorite “portable” writing spots. I go wherever the mood strikes me!

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

When I’m not writing I love cuddling up on the couch and watching movies with my hubby. In the summer I like to play in my garden or sit on the front porch in a rocking chair with a good book. Spending time with friends scrap booking or just hanging out is also one of my favorite things to do.

When you write, do you use the computer or compose by hand, oral dictation, or some other method?

I work mainly on the computer, but if inspiration strikes suddenly and I’m away from a computer I will hand write a scene or two and then transfer it into the manuscript later.

Debra, thanks so much for being here today! Readers, want to know more? Visit her website here.