Fireworks, Romance Anthology, Interview Michal Scott
Give a warm welcome to Michal Scott a/k/a Anna Taylor Sweringen one of the authors of FIreworks, a romance anthology. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Anna and Fireworks, A Romance Anthology, specifically her contribution, Light the FIre Again.
What makes you laugh out loud?
Excellently executed slapstick. Even when I see what’s coming it’s experienced as a surprise. One movie that does this perfectly is It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World. I’ve seen it a hundred times and never fail to laugh at all the jokes as if seeing them for the first time.
Tell us something about yourself and allow us to get to know you
I’m a retired protestant minister who writes in three different romance genres: inspirational, gothic and erotic but focused around the second chance trope and the theme of forgiveness. This past year I’ve thrown my hat into the women’s fiction ring as well with an African-American adaptation of Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle operas. I’m native New Yorker, raised in Brooklyn from the time I was two and lived there for sixty years. My favorite thing to do was sit on the Promenade in Brooklyn Heights. I relocated to the Southwest two years ago with my husband of thirty years and our two cats, Scully and L’il Cat. Since we have no children, my mom calls them her grandcats.
What secret do you use to blast through writer’s block?
I outline my stories using the templates from Mary Buckham and Diana Love’s Break Into Fiction. When I’m blocked, I refer to the template that applies to that place in the story. The questions provided never fail to blast me into action.
Why do you write what you write?
As Michal Scott I write erotic historical romance set in the 1800’s because I’ve always loved history and appreciate the resilience demonstrated by freeborn African-Americans and those newly freed as they fought for their share of the American dream. I write at steamy and erotic heat levels because the power of the erotic mimics the power that created the universe and I want to tap into that power whenever possible.
What’s your approach to writing? Are you a plotter or follow your characters flow (Pantser)?
I’m an anal retentive plotter. I always start out asking the question “What if…” then plot and develop my characters like I’m on steroids.
SPEED ROUND FOR A LITTLE ADDED FUN:
Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>
Favorite movie: Notorious
Favorite book: Topaz by Beverly Jenkins
Last book read: The Money Man by Nancy Herkness
Favorite color: Black
Stilettos or flipflops: Flipflops
Coffee or tea: Tea
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: Paperback
Pencil or pen: Pen
Favorite song: God of Grace and God of Glory
Streak or not: Not
Favorite dessert: Apple pie
Favorite junk food: Mint chocolate Smashmallows
Favorite thing to do to relax: Watch old movies
Champagne or gin: Yeech. Neither.
Paranormal or Historical: Historical
Wonder Woman or Top Model: Wonder Woman
Favorite TV show: Law and Order
Hot or cold: Hot
POV: Third
I’d die if I don’t have: Love
Review or Not: Review
Immerse yourself in the seven explosive romance stories of Fireworks: A Passionate Ink Romance Anthology:
Light the Fire Again by Michal Scott
Butterfly’s Fire by Lyla Bellatas
The Glory Girl by Cindy Redding
Lie to Me by Jennifer Kayne
Passionate Pyrotechnics by C.E. Derosier
Illegal by Barbara Campbell
Love and Two Fourths by Jane Colt
All proceeds go to support the adult literacy organization ProLiteracy, so support a good cause while you enjoy some great sex.
A sneak peek between the pages of Light the FIre Again:
Even at night Coney Island’s boardwalk on the Fourth of July swarmed with people, strolling, buying from vendors, heading for the beach. Firecrackers crackled and popped, eliciting surprised screams and plenty of giggles. Children ran to and fro waving sparklers. Fireworks, small and sporadic, burst against the sky then died into the Atlantic.
Adelaide laid her head against Hero’s shoulder and watched it all with a tired but happy satisfaction.
She yawned. “I guess we picked the wrong night to consummate our love.”
Love. She’d actually said it. A frisson of fear pricked at the base of her skull. Had Hero said he loved her? She didn’t recall love among the litany of wants Hero had spoken that won her heart.
She looked into his eyes, studied his face for a reaction to the four letter word.
“Not the wrong night. Just the wrong place.” He smiled. Love, warm and welcoming, shone in his gaze. “I know just where to take you so our love making can have the privacy we deserve.”
Her stomach lurched with joy, but fear still chilled a small part of her heart. A small part yet large enough to make her quake. She needed to hear him say it, so she said it first.
“I love you, Hero.”
Buy links:
Fireworks: A Passionate Ink Romance Anthology – https://amzn.to/2Utag6T
About the Author:
A recent transplant to the Southwest from New York, Michal Scott is the erotic romance pen name of Anna Taylor Sweringen, a retired United Church of Christ and Presbyterian Church USA minister. Anna has been writing seriously since joining Romance Writers of America in 2003. She also writes inspirational romance as Anna Taylor and women’s fiction and gothic romance as Anna M. Taylor.
author links:
Website – https://michalscott.webs.com
Twitter – https://twitter.com/mscottauthor1
Amazon Author Page – https://amzn.to/2TSHzRn
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Fireworks!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Anna Taylor Sweringen, FIreworks, Light the FIre Again, Michal Scott, Romance Anthology by Tena Stetler with 13 comments.
I enjoyed the interview and I am looking forward to reading her book.
Debbie happy you stopped by. Have a great weekend!
Great interview! Congratulations on all your hard work. D. V. 💐
Thanks for popping in Donna! Have a fantastic weekend!
Glad you stopped by Anna!
Hi Debbie, Thanks for stopping by. I hope you like the stories. They’re all so different and creative.
Wonderful interview and sneak peek. Sounds great, good luck with the anthology!
Hey Emma! Glad you enjoyed the interview! Thanks for popping in!
Due to technical difficulties, I’m posting for Anna.The computer gremlins won’t let her replies post. She writes. Hi Emma, Thanks for stopping by. Thanks for the well wishes for the anthology. The proceeds are going to a great cause.
Due to technical difficulties, I’m posting for Anna She writes
Hi D.V., thanks for stopping by and for the appreciation. Writing is hard work and I need to remember to stop and enjoy what I’ve achieved. : D
I enjoyed the interview and the excerpt! Good luck with Fireworks! Great effort that the Proceeds for the book go to ProLiteracy.
Love that you are another anal plotter, Anna. I will have to look into Mary Buckham’s book. I think I have it, actually, but couldn’t figure out how to use the templates. And I totally agree with you on favorite movie. NOTORIOUS is a real gripper. Good luck with this new anthology.
Due to technical difficulties I am relying Anna’s messages She says
Hi Sue, glad to meet another anal plotter. : ) I’m a formula freak. Mary’s templates have saved my bacon many many times. Glad to meet another Notorious fan too. Thanks for the well wishes with the anthology. The proceeds are going to a great cause.