TBR: Welcome to TBR, Rosa. Will you
share a little bit about yourself?
Rosa: Thanks for having me! I’m from middle-of-nowhere Pennsylvania, and I’m currently living North Palm Beach, Florida. I enjoy a little bit of everything—other than writing, I enjoy working on cars, listening to music, watching old movies, collecting comic books, and traveling. I am a freelance editor, as well, and I’ve been doing that for about six years.
Rosa: Thanks for having me! I’m from middle-of-nowhere Pennsylvania, and I’m currently living North Palm Beach, Florida. I enjoy a little bit of everything—other than writing, I enjoy working on cars, listening to music, watching old movies, collecting comic books, and traveling. I am a freelance editor, as well, and I’ve been doing that for about six years.
TBR: Tell us about Check Out Time and where it's available.Rosa: My latest novel, Check Out Time, is a Mystery based in Witchfire, Pennsylvania. In case you’re thinking of visiting, don’t bother—I made it up! June 13, 2012, is the release date. Readers will be able to purchase Check Out Time on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Oaklight Publishing’s website. You can also order my books through your favorite book store or library. My work is also available on Nook, Kindle, or any other e-reader.
TBR: Please tantalize us with a
story blurb or excerpt.
Rosa: Naomi Vogler blames herself for her mother's tragic death, continually reliving the accident in her nightmares. When she reconnects with her estranged father, he invites her to live with him in a little town called Witchfire. A simple job stocking shelves overnight at a local grocery store seems a perfect distraction. But when the manager of the store is found dead in the boiler room, Naomi's boring job becomes something much more complicated. No matter how she looks at it, one thing is certain: retail is murder.
Rosa: Naomi Vogler blames herself for her mother's tragic death, continually reliving the accident in her nightmares. When she reconnects with her estranged father, he invites her to live with him in a little town called Witchfire. A simple job stocking shelves overnight at a local grocery store seems a perfect distraction. But when the manager of the store is found dead in the boiler room, Naomi's boring job becomes something much more complicated. No matter how she looks at it, one thing is certain: retail is murder.
TBR: What inspired you to write
about the theme?
Rosa: I worked in a grocery store for three years, stocking shelves, and I began to construct a story around it. In 2008, I met my dad after fifteen years of not knowing him, and we became very close. I was just beginning to put the story together at the time, and I realized I wanted to make a character based on Dad. My main character, Naomi, is reunited with her father, Roy Vogler; Roy is based on my dad. Dad passed away on February 17, 2012, so the book is dedicated to him, and some of the proceeds will be going to my twelve-year-old sisters for clothes and school supplies. Although the story began in 2008, it has become my contribution to my dad, and to my family.
Rosa: I worked in a grocery store for three years, stocking shelves, and I began to construct a story around it. In 2008, I met my dad after fifteen years of not knowing him, and we became very close. I was just beginning to put the story together at the time, and I realized I wanted to make a character based on Dad. My main character, Naomi, is reunited with her father, Roy Vogler; Roy is based on my dad. Dad passed away on February 17, 2012, so the book is dedicated to him, and some of the proceeds will be going to my twelve-year-old sisters for clothes and school supplies. Although the story began in 2008, it has become my contribution to my dad, and to my family.
TBR: How do you develop your
characters?
Rosa: For the most part, my characters develop themselves. People are going to think that Naomi is me, but she isn’t—she’s much more confused than I am, and probably more depressed. She also has short hair, and my hair is quite long. People tend to think that authors base characters after themselves, and this can be true—but it isn’t always true. Someone that I see in the store could easily become a character, and I often like to take traits from one person that I’ve met, and mix them with the traits of another person. It’s also fun to listen to people talking, to pick up their speech patterns, and develop a character out of that.
Rosa: For the most part, my characters develop themselves. People are going to think that Naomi is me, but she isn’t—she’s much more confused than I am, and probably more depressed. She also has short hair, and my hair is quite long. People tend to think that authors base characters after themselves, and this can be true—but it isn’t always true. Someone that I see in the store could easily become a character, and I often like to take traits from one person that I’ve met, and mix them with the traits of another person. It’s also fun to listen to people talking, to pick up their speech patterns, and develop a character out of that.
TBR: Did any music inspire your
book? Do you have a playlist?
Rosa: Definitely! Music always inspires me. Life is music, and I don’t know what I would do without it. For some reason, the theme of Check Out Time became Hey Now Now by Michael Franti and Spearhead. I’m not sure why—it might have just been the album I was listening to most when I was writing the book, but whenever I hear that song, I can see all the scenes playing out in my head.
Rosa: Definitely! Music always inspires me. Life is music, and I don’t know what I would do without it. For some reason, the theme of Check Out Time became Hey Now Now by Michael Franti and Spearhead. I’m not sure why—it might have just been the album I was listening to most when I was writing the book, but whenever I hear that song, I can see all the scenes playing out in my head.
TBR: Which of your characters would
you most/least like to invite to dinner, and why?
Rosa: I would want to get together with my private detective, Alexis Nevid. I made her up, but I still can’t figure her out. She’ll be back in the sequel. Alexis is very crafty, and very secretive; I would want to ask her why she left the police force. Maybe I’ll never know. It all goes back to what I mentioned about letting characters create themselves.
Rosa: I would want to get together with my private detective, Alexis Nevid. I made her up, but I still can’t figure her out. She’ll be back in the sequel. Alexis is very crafty, and very secretive; I would want to ask her why she left the police force. Maybe I’ll never know. It all goes back to what I mentioned about letting characters create themselves.
TBR: Any other published works?
Rosa: Yes, and definitely more to come. My first novel, Taking 1960, is a Paranormal Mystery that was published in August of 2012 by Oaklight Publishing. I have also been published in Wild River Review, Pagan Writers Community, and through Pagan Writers Press anthologies. I had stories in a couple of e-zines, as well, but those publications have since closed. I also have a short story, “Dark Impressions, Grave Chesapeake”, available for download on Kindle and Nook for 0.99 cents. You can’t beat that deal!
Rosa: Yes, and definitely more to come. My first novel, Taking 1960, is a Paranormal Mystery that was published in August of 2012 by Oaklight Publishing. I have also been published in Wild River Review, Pagan Writers Community, and through Pagan Writers Press anthologies. I had stories in a couple of e-zines, as well, but those publications have since closed. I also have a short story, “Dark Impressions, Grave Chesapeake”, available for download on Kindle and Nook for 0.99 cents. You can’t beat that deal!
TBR: What’s the most interesting
comment you have received about your books?
Rosa: My editor for Taking 1960 told me that the old house in the book was a character all on its own. I thought that was neat, considering I hadn’t been going for that. Again, let your characters become whatever they wish—you may be surprised at the results.
Rosa: My editor for Taking 1960 told me that the old house in the book was a character all on its own. I thought that was neat, considering I hadn’t been going for that. Again, let your characters become whatever they wish—you may be surprised at the results.
TBR: Who are some of your favorite
authors and books? What are you reading now?
Rosa: I recommend that everyone check out these wonderful authors: Jeff Markowitz, J.W. Coffey, and Terry Pratchett. Of course, I have to say that Oaklight Publishing, Ruby Lioness Press, and Pagan Writers Press, have all published some wonderful books, and I encourage everyone to visit those publishers on the web.
Rosa: I recommend that everyone check out these wonderful authors: Jeff Markowitz, J.W. Coffey, and Terry Pratchett. Of course, I have to say that Oaklight Publishing, Ruby Lioness Press, and Pagan Writers Press, have all published some wonderful books, and I encourage everyone to visit those publishers on the web.
TBR: Where can readers find you on
the web?
Rosa: I would love to have more followers on my website! Visit me at http://www.rosasophia.com
Rosa: I would love to have more followers on my website! Visit me at http://www.rosasophia.com
TBR: Readers, Rosa will give away a digital
copy of her book to one lucky commenter. She'll
pick a winner next week and announce the winner here. Be sure to leave your
email address so she can contact you.
Thanks for visiting TBR, Rosa. All
the best to you.
Welcome to TBR, Rosa! Your cover's stunning.
ReplyDeleteCate
Thank you, Cate!
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