Writing Wednesday: Debut Author Claire Marti

Today, I'm hosting a new author from The Wild Rose Press, Claire Marti. I was lucky enough to read an ARC of her debut novel, Second Chance In Laguna, a fun romp of a read (review coming soon) and invited her to visit!

Hi Claire! Give us your "brief bio."

Here's my "standard" pitch about myself... (sorry it's in the third person!)

Claire Marti started writing stories as soon as she was old enough to pick up pencil and paper. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BA in English Literature, Claire was sidetracked by other careers, including practicing law, selling software for legal publishers, and managing a non-profit animal rescue for a Hollywood actress.

Finally, Claire followed her heart and now focuses on two of her true passions: writing romance novels and teaching yoga. Her debut, Second Chance in Laguna, releases from The Wild Rose Press on March 31, 2017 and is the first in the Finding Forever in Laguna series.

The part about managing an animal rescue sounds ripe for more stories... What's your favorite part of being an author?
I’ve got two favorite parts. First, I love creating the characters because the entire story springs from their inner conflicts. Learning to love and accept themselves frees them up to love and accept others. Second, I enjoy transforming the crappy first draft into flowing prose. I compare it to fitting puzzle pieces together.

What's your approach to the actual writing? Do you plot or go with the flow?
I’ve got a hybrid approach. I do detailed character sketches and create and analyze the characters’ inner conflicts. Then, I have a loose story plotted over a three-act structure. I don’t do a detailed outline because I need the freedom to see what happens within my initial story concept.

I totally get that. Now, for a more creative question... If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
To transport myself from place to place in seconds. I’d love to visit my friends and family around the world in a blink of an eye. I’m impatient and would love to skip all that pesky driving and flying.

OMG, Totally get that. I recently spent 7 hours just sitting at Logan while waiting for JetBlue to fix a broken plane! Could've totally used that superpower!!

Now, for the meat. Tell us about your new release!

My debut novel, Second Chance in Laguna, won best unpublished contemporary romance in the Heart of the Molly and third place in the Maggie and releases on March 31, 2017. Here’s what it’s about:

Magazine editor and aspiring novelist Sophie Barnes left everything she knew to move to Laguna Beach to rebuild her life after being devastated by her fiancé’s jilting her at the altar. Little does she know she’ll meet the love of her life, player Nicholas Morgan, and fulfill her deepest dreams of becoming a successful author.

And I've read it so I know it's a fun read! Okay, you’re casting the movie version of your novel – who would you choose for the main characters? We’re talking dream cast.

Hero Nicholas Morgan can be played by Chris Hemsworth with green contact lenses. (YUM!)

Heroine Sophie Barnes can be played by either Allison Williams or Barbara Palvin. (Yep, can totally see that. Good choices!)

Thanks for visiting today, Claire, and best of luck with your new release! I'll be watching out for the next book int he series too - - Where can readers like me find your book and where can we find you online?

My website is www.clairemarti.com and you’ll find me on Twitter @clairepmarti, on Facebook at ClaireMartiAuthor, and on Goodreads.

My book is available in eBook and paperback at all major retailers. Here are the links:

·       Amazon: http://amzn.to/2kafVLW

·       The Wild Rose Press, Inc.: http://bit.ly/2jk8iQY

·       Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/2mpGgq9

·       Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/second-chance-in-laguna

·       iBooks:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/second-chance-in-laguna/id1196981760?mt=11

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