Welcome Ginny Albert to Love Romances & More. We are excited to have the opportunity to speak with you and learn more about your work. 

Thank you.  I’m delighted that you have chosen to interview me.  It’s quite an honor. 

How long have you been writing; was it something you have always wanted to do? 

I’ve been writing since I was 15, just snippets, mind you, as I wasn’t aware of the value of the exercise at the time.  I wasn’t until my mid twenties that writing became compulsive; only then did I begin to think of ways to make it matter. 

What influenced you to get published? How long did it take you to get your first book published? 

I took decades!  And I know why.  My voice has always been different, both vocally and literally, according to some people.  I was never more aware of this than when I submitted a manuscript to an on-line publishing entity.  They advised me to rewrite the novel “in your [my] African-American context.”  I was taken aback, as what other context could I write in, being African-American?  Further, the implication seemed to be that all African-Americans speak the same, despite the fact that we might have different backgrounds, and therefore different speech patterns.  That one piece of advice let me know that many of the other rejection slips I had received possibly alluded to the same thing, but they didn’t want to say that.  Because I despaired to continue receiving that kind of response, I had to find another way to introduce my work to the reading public.  Self-publishing, minus its former vanity press stigma, seemed the only answer.  Through self-publishing, I have discovered that African-Americans had absolutely no objection to the way I write.  If anything, they found it refreshing, as many of them are no more “street” than I am. 

WHICH MAN was published by iUniverse. Can you tell us a little about this book? 

Even though Which Man is not the first novel I’ve written, it was the one I felt would truly resonate with romantic suspense readers.  I also felt that the two male characters, James Waverly and Wade Grisham -- both handsome, suave, black men – deserved an introduction.  They are both dynamic, but, of course, one must be the villain.  The villain, who has all the physical and professional attributes of the near-perfect male character, nonetheless, lacks a certain psychological/spiritual ingredient that the other man possesses in spades.  Readers will divine the difference, and will have to wonder until the end whether the villain will seek to reform.  Further, the heroine, Sierra Bradford, is caught between both men.  Given the fact that both men are terribly desirable, will she listen to her spiritual guide, and make the right choice? 

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Dr. Kwakiutl Dreher selected your book WHICH MAN as required reading for her Women in Popular Culture classes. How exciting. What does this mean for your career?  

Dr. Dreher has given me a new launch pad for the novel.  I look forward to addressing her students, answering their questions, and discussing the self-publishing journey at some point in the near future.  In fact, Georgia State University (where I am currently enrolled) agreed to purchase copies for the student bookstore.  A book-signing at GSU is also being negotiated.  This leads me to believe that college campuses are a great place for African-American romantic suspense.  I hope to arrange similar alliances with other universities.  We’ll see. 

What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing? 

Art.  My medium is ink, though I have used acrylic paint on occasion.  I participated in two exhibits in March and April 2008.  In 8/08 a book-signing/art exhibit are scheduled at Clay’s Gallery here in Atlanta, Georgia.  At www.cafepress.com/ginnyart, my designs adorn Chic Shirtsä (a/k/a tee-shirts), and other items.  Scrabble is my favorite word game.  Debating the political issues of the day, archaeology, and ancient history are also favorites. 

Often a writer’s first book is the toughest to write. Was this true for you? If so, what helped you get through it? If it wasn’t the first, which one was the most difficult to write? The easiest? 

Love At Shadows Edge was by far the most difficult.  Love was actually written before Which Man.  For reasons that still escape me, I didn’t feel that I could adequately write such a complex tale.  It was too voluminous, and since I didn’t know what to do about it, I put it aside.  Which Man proved to be less complicated, and quite fulfilling.  It taught me how to use fewer words, without losing content, or destroying my style.  The old adage “Less is more” proved to be true, in this instance.  I applied the same format to Love At Shadows Edge, and it worked.  I am now pleased with the finished product. 

Do you usually outline your stories before you write, or do you "go with the flow"? 

When I get an idea for a novel, I don’t trust myself to stop to write an outline; something gets lost when I go that route.  When my muse speaks, I write and write.  If/when an obstacle shows up, then I’ll stop, and do a read through.  That way, new plot twists emerge, which I incorporate, and then move on.  This might occur several times throughout the process. 

Most authors are also avid readers. Is this the case with you? If so, who are some of your favorites? Have any influenced your writing? 

Yes, I was and continue to be an avid reader.  As an adolescent, I watched Perry Mason (the TV show) religiously, and was positively thrilled when I discovered that Erle Stanley Gardner had written a multitude of mysteries, featuring the famous attorney.  I devoured each and every one.  The romantic suspense and regency novels of Victoria Holt and Georgette Heyer, were also inspirational, as well as the standard classics (Alexandre Dumas, Dickens, Shakespeare, etc.) 

Do you feel each of your characters live with you as you write? Do their lives sometimes take over a part of your life? Can you name an example? 

Well, I don’t want to spoil anything, but a particular male character has been with me for years.  I suppose he is the man of my dreams.  He is the barometer by which I measure every man I meet.  As for a certain female heroine, friends swear they see me in her.  Telling them that her experiences are not my experiences, hasn’t proven to be convincing, so I simply shrug, and let them think what they like. 

Have you ever suffered from "writer’s block"? If so, what did you do to get passed it? 

Since I don’t read while I’m writing, I read when I can’t write.  Often, I will just revise the written parts, which usually puts me back on track. 

If you could write and be guaranteed publication of any genre of book, what would it be? 

It would be romantic suspense. 

If you could have 3 wishes, what would you wish for? 

1.  Spiritual growth for mankind -- that we will learn to withstand whatever comes our way, with faith that everything happens for the best; that we will transcend all stumbling blocks; and thus become the beings God meant us to become when He created us. 

2.  That my grandson, Jason Wesley, who turned a year old on 5/23/08, becomes the dynamic hero he is already showing signs that he is; and that he overcomes all obstacles to that outcome. 

3.  That I gain financial independence through doing the things I love most – writing and sketching. 

What is your idea of a romantic evening? 

Sitting outside in a porch swing, slowly swinging, while looking up at the moon and the stars – with the man I love. 

Are you working on anything right now? Can you tell us a teaser about these projects? 

Love At Shadows Edge is completed.  It features two of the main characters in Which Man.  Someone must research their past in order to live a normal life – is all I’ll say.  A few women readers want to know what happened to one of the male characters in Which Man, so I am currently writing his story --  The Harem of Dead Flowers. 

Any final advice to aspiring authors? 

Only that if you have the urge to write, even small bits of dialog – you should feed that desire.  Let nothing stand in the way of writing.  Most of the things that we put writing aside for (including friends) will be there when we are finished writing.  We all have a mission here; for some people that mission is writing.  Use the talents that you were given, and you will be rewarded. 

Thank you so much for spending time with us at Love Romances & More. We wish you the greatest success in all of your future endeavors. 

I truly appreciate the opportunity.