**INTERVIEW with RENEE VINCENT**

It is an honor to interview author Renee Vincent. author of: "RAELIKSEN" Genre: Historical Romance INTERVIEW Geri: When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer? Renee: I haved always loved books. However, when I was four years old, my parents had a child's book personalized with my full name in it. I was a hero in the short detective story, and I can still recall how grand it was to see my name in print. Geri: What type of books do you enjoy writing? Renee: When I read, I want to be taken elsewhere...to a different place and time...not one of modern existence. So when I write, I aim to take someone else with me and historical romances fit that bill nicely. Geri: Did a special person inspire you to write? Renee: I cannot say that my sister, Lindsey, inspired me to become a writer as I have always wanted to be one. But I do have to credit her for lighting the spark beneath me. It was shortly after her untimely death in 2005 that I heard her words of encouragement constantly in my head. Finishing my first novel, solely for her, became my motivation and the real reason it is finally "finished" today. Geri: Have you ritten any books based on a true story? Renee: No, I can't say that I have, considering Raeliksen is my first book. But many of the characters are based on real live people in my life. Geri: Who is your favorite author? Renee: Hands down, Emily Bronte with the classic, yet scandalous, Wuthering Heights. Geri: Are your characters created from people you've known in real life? Renee: I'd have to say that most of my characters are based upon people I know, whether it's in looks, traits, or even mannerisms. I think it would be difficult for an author not to create some characters from the familiar, while still, in some sense, adding a bit of their own imagination to spice up personality traits from the mundane. Geri: How many books have you written? Renee: As a child, I wrote many and I still have them, complete with illustrated covers and titles drawn upon old beaten up notebooks. But as an adult, just one so far. Geri: Where can your book be purchased? Renee: www.amazon.com www.barnesandnoble.com iUniverse.com The Country Heart in Alexandria, Kentucky Geri: Describe how you felt the first time you were published? Renee: Elated, I felt so much joy knowing that the whole world would have the opportunity to see my sister's name in print and to read an intricately woven love story that I, myself, had spun. Geri: Do you have any current work in progress? Renee: Yes! I am currently working on the sequel called MacLiam, where Raeliksen delves into the life of a Norse hero, MacLiam journeys into the life of an Irish one. But both men-despite being on completely opposite ends of the spectrum-are in love with the same woman. Geri: What are some links to your websites? Renee: http://www.reneevincent.com http://www.myspace.com/reneevincent http://www.twitter.com/ReneeVincent http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1178901023&ref=ts Geri: Do you have goals set for the future? Renee: Had you asked what my dreams are for the future, I would have answered-to be on the Best Seller's List. But since you asked about my goals, then I would have to say-to write one book after another. You see, I always keep my goals attainable, but my dreams as big as I want them. Geri: Are you exactly where you want to be with your writing? Renee: I think I've exceeded where I thought I would be. I never dreamed that my books would be bought in seven different countries. Of course, I want to take it further, but I am comfortable with where I am. Geri: What can help authors to reach their dream? Renee: Keep your goals attainable, and your dreams big. Use each attainable goal as a stepping stone-adding one after another- sort of like a staircase that will get you closer to your dreams. Determination doesn't hurt either. Geri: Have you ever experienced writer's block? Renee: Oh, many times! But I do not let it discourage me. I stop writing for a while, whether it be hours, days, or even weeks, and eventually the descriptions or dialogue come to me. I'm never at a loss for words, just sometimes at a loss for the perfect words. Geri: What can prevent writer's block? Renee: Take a break, if you sit there and try to force the words to come, then your story will come off as "forced." No one likes to read a story that seems to have words in the paragraph for the sake of meeting a word count. Your story should sound and feel as natural as uttering your own name. Geri: As a child, did you have favorite books? Renee: The Poky Little Puppy, all the Nancy Drew Mysteries, The Three Investigators Detective Series, Flowers in the Attic, Petals on the Wind, If There Be Thomas, etc... Geri: As a child, did you enjoy reading a lot? Renee: Yes! I loved the places those stories would take me! Geri: If you had the opportunity to one day live the life of a famous author, who would it be? Renee: Stephenie Meyer. The woman is a genius to be able to take a worn-out, driven-into-the-ground character such as a vampire, and create a whole series that is unique and timeless. She has hooked countless readers, has continued to keep their interest peeked through four books, and has still brought about a whole new perspective on the bloodsucker's cruel world...making it sensual and absolutely beautiful in the process, and just look at her now... Geri: Many authors feel a sense of self-satisfaction, achievement, after publishing a book. Can you relate? Renee: Yes...I collect old hardback books and to be able to slip my hardback onto the shelf amongst other great works was indescribable. It's all I have ever wanted and at the moment, I could release an alleviating, yet congratulatory sigh. Geri: How do you balance occupation with writing? Renee: To be honest, I am still trying to balance this equally. Being an author is very new to me, and my first responsibility is to be a mother and wife to my family. I write when I can, most times late at night when eeryone has gone to sleep. But if a good idea comes to me, then I write regardless of the time and make it fit in between school field trips, laundry, homework, and dinner. I know every mother knows well, and has perfected their own system of multi-tasking. Geri: How did you feel at your first book-signing? Renee: I believe my first wave of feelings fell on the ecstatic side of the scale. But after a few people had shown up that I knew had driven hours to get to my signing, I felt so touched and speechless at their dedication and loyalty. I will never forget that. Geri: If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would change? Renee: I'd be writing the rest of MacLiam from a cottage on the west coast of Ireland. Geri: As writers, we begin with a manuscript, and end in promotions. What was your most difficult task? Renee: The most difficult would have to be creating my own website. I've never done anything like it before and if anyone knows me, they know I am not computer literate. So to me, it was utterly painstaking with codes, colors, and the necessary "layering." I did, however, have great help from some of my friends. My website, my book trailer, and all of my other networking venues-myspace, facebook, etc.-would not be as good as they are now without their generous time and efforts. Thanks guys! you know who you are! Geri: Some writer's need to listen to music, some need to focus on a particular scenery while writing. Can you relate? Renee: For writing most of Raeliksen, it was water. I have a five-acre lake outside of my house that is tucked within the woods. So, at some angles, it looks like the River Shannon and it was there that I found a lot of creative influence. However, if I was about to write a battle scene, listening to Breaking Benjamin or Nickelback seemed to be the necessary jolt I needed to put me in that frame of mind. Geri: If you were to publish in a different genre, what would it be? Renee: A children's book I think. My ten year old daughter has asked on several occasions if I'd write a book that she could read. I haven't made any promises, but I'd love to surprise her. But don't worry, MacLiam comes first! Geri: Thank you for your time, it's been a pleasure! Renee: You're welcome!