Bestselling and award winning author Candace Havens will be attending FenCon, a science fiction and fantasy writers and fans convention in Dallas this weekend! (Sept 18-20) Candace Havens is a columnist for FYI Television, an online news and media service, where she writes five weekly columns for an overall audience of 44 million readers. She is also an entertainment reporter for 96.3 KSCS in Fort Worth. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas. Here is a an interview about her books, advice for writers, and her Romance Writers of America Mentor of the Year Award®:
ALLEY: What wonderful news, Candy! No one can doubt that you deserve the Romance Writers of America® Mentor of the Year Award thanks to all the hard work you do with other writers, especially on your Yahoo! Groups. What got you started helping writers and how did it develop with Yahoo! Groups and the other venues you use?
CANDY: Jodi Thomas (NYT bestselling author and RITA® Hall of Famer) was such a wonderful mentor for me, and really set a good example of what one person can do for another. When I started the Write_Workshop@yahoogroups.com, I was so busy and other writers kept asking for help. It seemed like a good way to help a lot of people at one time.
ALLEY: All this mentoring must keep you mega-busy! How much time in a day do you spend mentoring vs. writing your own stuff?
CANDY: It really depends on the week. If I'm teaching a class and looking at homework, then it takes more time. But I bring in other authors, agents, and editors to teach, so it's not all me all the time. It's good for the members of Write_Workshop and it gives me the breaks I need.
ALLEY: Who was/were your mentors? And why?
CANDY: I've mentioned Jodi, but I've had a few. Jennifer Archer, Linda Castillo, the lovely Ronda Thompson (Man, I miss her.) My friend Britta Coleman helped me out a lot. And there were authors like Evelyn Vaughn who read my stuff and said, "You are ready to publish."
ALLEY: Can you share what you were thinking when you heard your name at the RWA Pro Retreat®?
CANDY: I'd just given a speech and basically told the 300 or so people in that room that if they need me to, I could kick their butt. (Laugh out loud.) I had hammered them with, "If you want to get published, you have to finish your book. You have to submit. And you have to continue to move forward with your career and on to the next project." I was still on that speaker’s high when Sherry Davis asked if I could stay for a minute. Then she gave a little speech, which I didn't hear because I was in shock. I had no idea that I'd even been nominated. So it was kind of surreal. Then when she handed it to me all I could think was, "Don't do the ugly cry. You don't know these people and they might take pictures."
ALLEY: Did you have your speech prepared or was it “off the cuff”?
CANDY: I didn't give a speech afterward. I just told them thank you. I know, go figure, me without words. It doesn't happen often. I really was in shock.
ALLEY: On the RWA National Convention® itself, what did you feel was its best attribute this year? Or what benefitted you the most?
CANDY: For me, it's always about the opportunity to meet new people and to network. That time with my agent and editor to the plan the future is just invaluable.
ALLEY: Now, back to basics: How long have you been writing, and how long have you been writing fiction?
CANDY: I've been a journalist for 21 years, and I've been writing fiction since 2003.
ALLEY: What got you into journalism?
CANDY: I'd been a dancer. I hurt my back and couldn't dance for a year. My dad said I'd always written for school newspapers and that I should check out some journalism classes. Turned out he was right.
ALLEY: What got you into writing about demons and witches and sexy women and hunky dudes?
CANDY: That made me laugh. I write about the things that interest me. I love magic, strong women and hot guys. It's as simple as that. I write the kind of books I like to read.
ALLEY: Do you have an agent? If so, when and where and how did you meet your agent?
CANDY: I do have an agent, Elaine Spencer with The Knight Agency. We met at a retreat a few years ago. I had an agent then, but when I decided to make a change Elaine was there for me. She can read my mind, which is what I need. It's a very good fit.
ALLEY: How beneficial has your agent been to your writing career and each book?
CANDY: Both of my agents have helped to guide my careers and given me great advice. The books are pretty much up to me, though I run ideas through Elaine and she's brainstormed a lot with me. She came up some great ideas I'm pursuing after Nationals.
ALLEY: What advice would you give authors seeking representation?
CANDY: It's important to be smart about what you are doing. This relationship is so important and you need to work with people who really get you. Do your RESEARCH before even submitting. You'd be surprised how many people don't do this simple step.
ALLEY: Are you still publishing with the same publisher/editor?
CANDY: I've been with Berkley for the last five or so years, and I'm working with Harlequin now. I'm mixing it up a little and trying new things. I have a Harlequin Blaze, Take Me If You Dare, coming on in Feb. 2010 with Harlequin. And Dragons Prefer Blondes just came out with Berkley.
ALLEY: What are you working on now?
CANDY: This made me laugh. Right now I'm in the middle of revisions for Harlequin. But I have a new YA paranormal in the works, and a new adult paranormal romance. I'm going to be busy for awhile.
ALLEY: Where do you see yourself as an author in ten years? What do you want to have accomplished? Experienced or not experienced? New genres?
CANDY: I'm going to continue to try new things. I would love to be a USA Today or New York Times Best Selling author. I wish that wasn't so important to me, but it is. And I'd love to do some anthologies/novellas with some of my friends and favorite authors.
ALLEY: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
CANDY: No one can write a book like you, so sit down and do it. About 75 percent of writer never finish their books. And another percentage of those never submit. We hear all about slush piles that are 10 feet tall, but if you don't send in that finished work, you'll never know.
ALLEY: I know you have websites, would you share them with us?
CANDY: I have a lot. I do Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and LiveJournal. You can get to all of those through my website
www.candacehavens.com
Candy, thank you so much for your time. I look forward to seeing you at FenCon this weekend and reading your latest book, Dragons Prefer Blondes!
Visit Candy on:
Candace Havens Website
Candy's Write_Workshop Yahoo! Group
Livejournal (her blog)
MySpace
Facebook
Twitter
Candy also to contributes to these blogs:
The Witchy Chicks
Yankee Romance Reviewers
References:
RWA National
eHarlequin
Berkley (Penguin USA)
Comments
Great interview! I always love hearing what Candy has to say. Thanks for bringing this to us, Alley! I can't wait to read that new YA, Candy. Best Wishes!
Hi :)
Thank you for having Candace Havens on your site.
Thank you Candace for sharing.
I'm looking forward to reading DRAGONS PREFER BLONDES.
All the best,
@RKCharron
xoxo
Thanks for the insights, ladies. You have great advice and your expertise is appreciated!
Wonderful guys. You're both so fun. Best--
Thank you for doing this wonderful interview, Alley. Candy rocks! I follow her news and thoroughly enjoy her books!
I appreciate your work. Thanks for the information.
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