ALL THINGS ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

SPOTLIGHT AUTHOR:   SARAH BALLANCE

Before we get started talking about your books, tell us a little about yourself.  Where are you from?  What is your occupation outside of writing? 

I've lived on the mid-Atlantic coast my whole life, which is fitting because my hubby and I love boating and hanging out at the beach.  We've produced six children in nearly 14 years of marriage, all homeschooled.  But kids and schooling aside, I don't "work." *Grin.* I can claim the distinction of being a full time writer, though, so I'll take it.  ;c)

Would you describe yourself as an introvert or an extrovert?

Introvert.  THE introvert.  The people in my computer never believe me, but I am painfully shy and would rather die than have anyone look at me.  Being the center of attention is positively mortifying!

Where is the most unique place you have traveled?

I've been all over the U.S. and have toured Spain, but I think the prize for most unique goes to the Bay of Fundy in Canada.  It was a few years back, but I remember walking across the exposed sand to some rock outcroppings, just looking around in amazement at everything that had so recently been under water.  We were out there just a few minutes, and unfortunately no one turned around.  It seems we stood on a high point, and the tide swept back through so quickly that we had to wade back to shore, water growing deeper with every step.  The power of nature—the force to move all that water—just astounds me to this day.  (I just looked up the stats:  in 6 hrs and 13 minutes, 100 billion tons of seawater flow through the bay—a number topping the flow all of the world's freshwater rivers combined.)

How many books have you written and how many of those are published? 

My first two completed novels, DOWN IN FLAMES and RUN TO YOU, are both published with Noble Romance.  I'm currently working on a series of three suspense novels and a standalone suspense title, but thus far every story I've written (all *both* of them, LOL) has been published.  (You can look over my shoulder as I write by clicking here.) 

Do you have one particular genre that all your books fall under (i.e. suspense, romance, etc.)  or do you write in many different genres?

DOWN IN FLAMES is a romance, but I think I found my niche with my romantic suspense, RUN TO YOU.  I love weaving clues into the plot and coming up with twists and turns for my characters to navigate.  Plus, I think the element of suspense adds a whole new kind of tension to the story. I adore that!

How much character and plot detailing do you plan out before you begin writing a novel, or are you a “pantser” (fly by the seat of your pants) ?

I used to try to plot because it seemed like the right thing to do, but in reality I just jot notes at the end of my manuscript and change them as needed. 

Prior to becoming a published author, how many rejections did you receive?  How did you handle the rejections?

I didn't get a single rejection!  LOL.  DOWN IN FLAMES was my first story and Noble the first publisher I subbed to.  Believe me, no one was more shocked than I when the contract arrived!

How and when do you write? Do you keep yourself on a schedule or do you work while the muse is with you?

I try to carve out at least two hours a day for my writing.  I have to work around the kids—in particular, the ten-month-old baby—but my husband is incredibly supportive.  Not only does he take over house and kid duties every evening after dinner, but he'll even take all six to the store or the park or something just to give me some peace and quiet.  Is he awesome or what?

What's up next for you and your writing?
I'm on a tight deadline for my upcoming romantic suspense series, with a goal of getting all three novels out this year.  If I'm lucky, I'll also take a breath, and I might even amaze myself and get my standalone suspense finished as well, LOL.

Where can we read more about you and your work?

You can visit my website, (http://www.sarahballance.com/)  blog, (http://www.sarahballance.wordpress.com/) follow me on Twitter, or friend me on Facebook.  And – ssshhh – here's a tip.  If you "like" my Facebook Fan Page you are instantly eligible for random giveaways, including gift certificates to Amazon, plus you'll be the first to know about contests and freebies.  Not a bad place to hang out. ;c)  You can also check out my books on Kindle or PDF, EPUB, MobiPocket, and Microsoft Reader.

Thanks so much for letting me hang here for the day!