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Recently, I
was given the opportunity to interview and learn more about a wonderfully
talented author. She took time out of her very busy schedule to do an interview
with us here at Joyfully Reviewed. Without further delay let's hear from
Lise Fuller
I know that you took a big
break between your first writing venture, the play at age six, and your current
releases, but during that break did you always know that you would eventually
get back to writing?
Never in a thousand years. It wasn’t until
my late 20’s that I even gave it some consideration, but as I went on with the
idea, I became convinced it was what I wanted to do – after I raised my first
three children anyway. Now that they’ve been gone, and the fact that I’m in a
wonderful supporting relationship with my husband, it’s been great. I love the
process, the worlds you can create, and having others read your work and
appreciate it as well...well, there just isn’t a better feeling.
How does the writing process
work for you? Do your stories come to you all at once or page by page?
It’s very strange. I have this daydream that
pesters me, then the characters come to life, then the plot thickens. I sit and
stew a long time about a story before I put the first words on the page, but
then once I have, I can’t seem to stop until it’s done.
How does your family feel
about your writing? Do they know you write hot and sexy romances?
Oh, yeah. They’ve read them. My kids and my
husband love it. My sisters, who are much more staid than I, like them as well;
however, I did have one sister tell me she wanted me to write an inspirational
romance. I just shook my head. I told my husband if I did that, the heroine
would be an ex-prostitute and the hero a holier-than-thou preacher who needed to
reform to see he wasn’t reaching his constituents because he looked down on
them. Of course, the prostitute would be his biggest enemy, because she’d throw
it in his face. And of course, he’s secretly in love with her, and certainly
very sexually attracted. But enough of that. I have too many other stories to
finish before I consider that!
Your stories seem to take
place in the present day. Have you ever considered writing about a different
time period?
Oh, certainly. Part of the many stories I
have in my head. I also have some with a hero from another planet as well as a
dragon-changing hero. My brain is at no shortage of ideas at this point!
Tell us a little about
yourself and what makes you…you.
Ooooh, tough question. I’ve seen some things
from the shadier side of life, lived through a lot of tough things—like being a
single parent to three children. I remember one time, after my separation from
my first husband and while I was putting myself through college and taking care
of the kids, being despondent about where I was at in my life. My father had
passed away two years before, my ex-husband had destroyed my relationship with
my mother and family. I was basically alone and poor. Sometimes, I didn’t know
where the food would come for the kids, how to feed or care for them. Anyway, I
remember thinking how easy it would be to not try anymore, just take a cheap job
and forget college. But I knew then, like I know now, that if I had, it would
have killed who I was, who I wanted to be. Instead, I made it through, from the
grace of God and miracles at times, but I made it. And when I think I can’t do
something, I remember those times. If I could make it through that, I could make
it through anything.
Who are some of your favorite
authors, music groups, movies, foods?
Let’s see. I’m very eclectic so I like all
music. There’s so many authors out there I love. R.A. Salvatore, Sandra Brown,
Johnanna Lindsey, Shakespeare... Yep, there’s many. As to movies, I love just
about anything with a good storyline—except horror. I don’t like blood and guts
horror just for the blood and guts. I LOVE romantic comedies and can watch them
over and over, but usually a drama I watch only once. I love it, but I can only
deal with it the one time. Unless, I haven’t seen it in a long time. Now I have
to admit, some of my favorite movies are kids movies – like Ella Enchanted,
Shrek, Mulan, even Snow White. Movies where the heroine is afraid to change, yet
does so because circumstances require her to do it, to do the right thing.
I am so impressed by the
strong woman that you must be, mother to four children raising three as a single
mom. Any advice or just tips on remaining sane?
Sane? I don’t think any writer is sane! We
all have different worlds in our heads. Maybe that’s the secret – knowing you
can control your world, at least, how you respond to it. The only thing you can
do is your best. When that doesn’t work, prayer is a great last resort. I know.
I been in some of the darkest bowels—prayer has helped me every time. Perhaps
not in the way I wanted, but after everything is said and done, it happened in
the best way it could. I keep in mind, too, that these depths I’ve trod of often
of my own making, how I responded to something in my life. If I can put myself
down there, I can mentally and emotionally get myself out. I believe in putting
out your wishes to the universe. It works. I don’t know exactly why, but it
does. See? There still are some things that are magic in this world however you
want to define that.
How do you celebrate after
finishing a book?
Uh, honestly, by thinking about the next
one. I take a short break. I need to let the next one mushroom. Sometimes I
don’t even think about it and then I wake up in the middle of the night with an
idea. Yeah, it’s weird.
Any advice for aspiring
writers?
Understand why you are doing this to
yourself. This isn’t an easy business. So, if you’re expecting to get rich and
famous, then that isn’t the right reason. You may, don’t get me wrong, but the
number one reason to do it is because you love it. If it makes you happy, then
no matter what or who you run afoul of, it doesn’t matter. You have to feel this
inside, the passion for just putting the words out there. If you don’t, look for
something else to do. If you do, don’t ever give up. It won’t matter if the
literary world poo-poos you. This is for you, number one, for your personal
satisfaction. Letting what everyone else thinks (even well-known professionals,
affect whether you think you can write is just letting others control what you
love. Why do that? You decide—inside—what you love. No one can tell you who or
what to love. That’s your God-given decision to make. So just do it. Like Nike.
The rest, as they say, shall come. Yes, learn things along the way. Examine what
others have to say, but decide for yourself what you think is right and what is
just bad advise for you.
If you could travel anywhere
during in time in history where would it be and why?
There are too many to name. I have so many
places and times I would want to see. Even in the future. I love all historical
things, I love understanding why cultures do/did the things they do/did. And the
great happenings—like why was Alexander the Great so driven to conquer the
world? How were the pyramids made? Did the American Indian actually come from
some early Asian people across a land bridge? The early explorers—what made them
take those steps into the unknown? God, weren’t they afraid? How did they
overcome their fear? There’s so much. And I think it’s all fascinating. Then the
future? Where are we going? What’s the 25th century going to be like?
It’s wild.
Can you tell us a little about
what you have coming up?
Intimate Deceptions, the second in
my Dangerous Encounters series, was released in e-book November 30,
2006. The first book in this series was On Danger’s Edge, which received
4 ½ stars from Romantic Times. I’ll post the blurb for Intimate
Deceptions here. It’s as fast paced as the other and in this one, the plot
thickens and has several more twists.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Intimate Deceptions
Trapped
in a world of suspicion and lies, love was the only way out.
Spurned by
Brodie Crawford years ago, Elena Alvarez Ramirez couldn’t hate the man more. Yet
when the Special Forces Army Sergeant comes to her aid to help rescue her
daughter, repressed desires for Brodie flare and Elena wonders if he has any
idea that Janie is his child.
Brodie
Crawford wanted only one woman in his life – Elena. But when he came home eight
years ago and found her married to his best friend, her betrayal was more than
he could stand. Now the bastard that took Elena from him has killed a man and
fled across the border with the child. Compelled by an emotion he refuses to
name, Brodie leaves to help Elena rescue her daughter and finds that they have
fallen into an even bigger game of deceit, one with lethal consequences.
Embroiled
in a world of danger and intrigue, Brodie prays they’ll get out alive.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I hear you are in the process
of moving. That is always quite an adventure in and of itself. Are you changing
states or just moving to a different home?
Well,
hopefully we’re not moving! My husband’s in the army (my number one source of
military info) and he just got back from Afghanistan. He’s hoping to get a
position here at Ft. Carson, so keep your fingers crossed!
Fitness is very important to you. Any
suggestions for those of us who need to get into better shape, but cannot seem
to motivate ourselves?
You have
to prioritize and define what you want in life. My cholesterol was through the
roof. I was overweight and the doctor wanted to put me on drugs. I didn’t want
that. The doctor had given me an angiogram at the time to see what was going on.
It came out great, but how much warning did I need? I saw issues in my family
where members got sick just because they refused to take care of themselves. I
didn’t want that. I saw my mother have a serious stroke and become totally
incapacitated because of it. She eventually died, but day after day, lived as a
virtual prisoner of her body. I don’t want to live as an old person with a
catheter and a bedpan. I know that. I knew what I had to do--change my
lifestyle. So, the first thing I did was evaluate myself. Could I stick to a
routine myself? I decided not so I hired a trainer. I checked a few out and
settled with this guy. He put me on a diet and I still train with him this day.
Yeah, it’s expensive but I don’t care. I’d rather pay him than some doctor
trying to fix me, or some long-term care facility to take care of my broken
body. It’s a matter of choice. And we all have that. Don’t put on blinders on.
See what you’re doing to yourself. If it’s a choice between a Godiva chocolate
and one more good year of living active – give me the year. My husband would
howl with laughter hearing that, but it’s so true. You have to think ahead. Have
a rudder and steer your life. Don’t make excuses—oh, I had to do whatever,
didn’t have time. Make time. Your time is your own. Prioritize yourself and your
health. Yeah, you have the kids to shuttle, dinner to make, a husband that makes
demands. Yet, how well are you going to take care of them if you’re not taking
care of yourself first? If you’re down, there is no one else, so your health
comes first. I look at it this way, in an airplane, if the air masks deploy,
they tell you to put yours on first. Why? Because you can’t help your child or
the person next to you if you’re not breathing. Period. As women, we need to
redefine taking care of our families. It means taking care of your health needs
first. And sorry, I’m probably preaching, but it’s too true. And THAT’s why I’m
such a fitness nut. Because I love my family and the life I have with them.
Is there anything else you
would like to share with us?
LOL!
That’s probably enough for now. If any of your readers would like to reach me
and talk about fitness, writing or my books, they can email me at
lise@lisefuller.com. Thanks for your time and I
appreciate the opportunity to touch your readers. Many blessings to all.
~ Lise
~Lise Fuller,
taking romance to the edge of Danger,www.lisefuller.com
~On Danger’s Edge,
12/05,
Cerridwen Press, still available, will be out in print 2/07
~Cutting Loose, 02/06,
Cerridwen Press, still available
~Intimate Deceptions, 11/30/06,
Cerridwen Press
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