Welcome to the Literary Library Lounge where I interview fellow authors. Today, I am chatting with Heidi Renee Mason from Ridgefield, Washington.
Thanks for joining us, Heidi. Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable.
How long have you been published? What titles have you published and with which publisher? Have you self-published any titles? Please give details.
My first book, Investigating the Heart, was released in 2015 with Solstice Publishing. The second in the Follow Your Heart Series, Goodnight, Sweetheart, was released in 2016. Always Hope, a standalone novel, is being released by Hot Tree Publishing today, November 26, 2016.
Congratulations on the new book. Tell us a little bit about it and your other books.
Investigating the Heart and Goodnight, Sweetheart are part of the Follow Your Heart series. These books are romantic suspense. Always Hope, a standalone, is Romantic Women’s Fiction.
Describe your goals as a writer. What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? What are you planning to do to reach these goals?
My goal as a writer is really to allow my readers to escape, even for a little while, into the worlds I create. I plan to continue to create characters and environments to entertain my readers. My goal is always to make the reader feel something- joy, pain, happiness, or surprise. If I can accomplish this, I’ve met my goal.
That’s a great things for an author to strive for. I hope to do the same for my readers.
What type of reader are you hoping to attract? Who do you believe would be most interested in reading your books?
Due to the strong romance element to my work, I generally attract a female readership. However, my Follow Your Heart series has enough suspense that I’ve picked up some male fans as well.
My books are mainly mysteries with some romance in them, but I still feel they are directed at women, although I’ve been told men enjoy them, too.
What advice would you give other authors or those still trying to get published?
My advice is always to follow your dreams. If you are passionate about writing, keep working at it. Keep honing your craft. Never lose your passion, because that comes through in your work.
Excellent advice.
What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?
As a home schooling mother of three, my struggle is always time. There never seems to be enough of it to go around. I have to carve out writing time, or it just doesn’t happen.
Yes, it’s important for all authors to make time to write. I work full-time as a librarian and write early before work each morning.
What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?
Besides writing, my main hobby is reading. I think all good writers are readers. I also enjoy hanging out with my husband and kids, and doing genealogy.
I agree. Before I became published, I was an avid reader and still am today.
What do you like most and least about being an author? What is your toughest challenge?
The biggest challenge for me as an author is self-promotion. It doesn’t come naturally to me. As an extreme introvert, book signings and speaking events are a stressful, but extremely necessary part of being an author, too.
I think promotion is difficult for most authors. I was very nervous at my first author talk, but it helps to prepare and realize that people are attending because they are supporting you. You get used to it and even begin to enjoy it after a while.
Please list your social media links, website, blog, etc. and include some book cover graphics and author photos if possible.
www.facebook.com/heidireneemason
www.twitter.com/heidireneemason
www.instagram.com/author_heidireneemason
www.heidireneemason.wordpress.com
Thanks for the interview, Heidi, and best of luck on your new release.
Ruff Drafts 