“I have definitely borrowed from real world people. I grew up in the South and got to know a good many women with strong views. These women, like Mama in the book, made it their chief occupation to run their children’s lives. Some of the other characters are based loosely on people I know, but I’ll never tell. I’ve had a number of readers contact me and tell me that Susan’s family is exactly like their family, so I must have struck a chord.” – L.C. Evans 24 January 2011

The Back Flap

Since her divorce a year ago, Susan Caraway has gone through the motions of life. Now she is finally coming out of her shell. Just when she decides on a makeover and a new career, her family members decide she’s crisis central. First there’s her sister DeLorean who has come back from California with a baby, a designer dog, and no prospects for child support or a job. As soon as DeLorean settles in at Susan’s home, Susan’s son Christian returns from college trailing what Susan’s mama refers to as “an androgynous little tart.” Then there’s Mama herself, a southern lady who wrote the book on bossy. A secret from Mama’s past threatens to unravel her own peace. But not before Mama hurts her ankle and has to move into Susan’s home with her babies—two Chihuahuas with attitude. Susan would like to start her new job as a ghost tour operator. She would like to renew her relationship with Jack Maxwell, a man from her past. But Jack isn’t going to stand in line behind her needy family.

About the Book

What is the book about?

We Interrupt This Date is the story of an insecure woman with an overdeveloped “nurturing gene.” Eventually she finds her strength and learns to trust her family members to manage on their own.

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing it five or six years ago.

How long did it take you to write it?

I worked on the book off and on for about three years. I kept changing my mind about how I wanted to develop main character, Susan, though I had a pretty clear idea of where I wanted her to end up.

Where did you get the idea from?

Late-blooming women who escape from emotionally abusive relationships seems to be a common theme in my books–some of them, anyway. I love the city of Charleston, South Carolina, and decided to make that my setting. While I was there researching the area, I went on a ghost tour and that gave me the idea to make ghost touring Susan’s new profession.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

The ending was the hardest part to write. I wanted Susan to break free of the emotional chains she’d put around herself, but I had to make the change believable.

What came easily?

The easiest part of the writing were the scenes between Susan and Mama and Susan and her sister, DeLorean.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

I have definitely borrowed from real world people. I grew up in the South and got to know a good many women with strong views. These women, like Mama in the book, made it their chief occupation to run their children’s lives. Some of the other characters are based loosely on people I know, but I’ll never tell. I’ve had a number of readers contact me and tell me that Susan’s family is exactly like their family, so I must have struck a chord.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I can’t really say there’s any particular author who’s influenced my writing. From an early age, I’ve read voraciously. It’s hard for me to keep track of all the wonderful books and authors, though I take away something from every book I read.

Do you have a target reader?

Not really. I want my books to appeal to everyone, though I understand that men in general aren’t fond of reading chick lit or romantic comedy. That’s what my husband tells me, though he did read my books. I’ve gotten fan mail from men who say they never expected to read and enjoy chick lit, but they loved We Interrupt This Date.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

My writing process starts with my characters. Once I work out who they are I start to write down my ideas for the book. When I have enough information and a general idea for beginning, middle, and end, I start writing.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just Chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I don’t outline enough and this has caused me some grim moments. There have been times when I’ve written the characters into a corner or gone off on the wrong tangent and had to scrap whole chapters. It’s my new year’s resolution to outline extensively on the next book I start.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I start each day’s writing session by reading over what I wrote the day before. I find that by giving my mind time to think about what I wrote, I can come up with better dialogue and descriptions. After I go over and improve on what I wrote in the previous session, I start the next scene.

Did you hire a professional editor?

No. I’ve been fortunate enough to have some talented writers to work with in my critique group and I also have some very astute beta readers who don’t let me get away with much.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Music with lyrics or upbeat music is too distracting. I occasionally listen to music, but it has to be soft and melodic.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

In the beginning I tried for several years to get an agent. I did get some positive comments, but no one took me on.

What made you decide to go Indie? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

Going indie was a gradual process. I got tired of getting feedback from agents and publishers that said I write very well, but they wouldn’t know how to market my book. Or mysteries/chick lit/kids’ books are dead this year. Or the field is too crowded for my book to stand out. At that rate, I’d have left the planet before my novel ever got published.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did it you do it yourself?

I am a complete dunce when it comes to working with graphics or any kind of visual art. I get my covers professionally done. One thing I’ve recently learned about covers is that it’s important to give the cover designer a good idea of what you have in mind. I recently changed my cover for We Interrupt This Date to better reflect the tone and content of the book. When I got the original cover, I told the designer the book was Southern fiction, and he gave me a picture of a Southern mansion. I thought that’s what I wanted. Then I started getting feedback from reviewers and readers and realized the cover was hurting the book. My fault. Now I’ve learned and I’ve gotten so many positive comments about the new cover.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I have no particular marketing plan. I’m learning as I go, but I’m starting to get a pretty good idea of what works and what’s a waste of time and money. My next book is coming out soon and I’m planning some promotions right from the start, which is something I didn’t do with We Interrupt This Date.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

The most important advice I have for newbies is to get their manuscripts evaluated by professionals before publishing. I’ve seen so many books that were one edit away from being really good and others that were simply terrible. All writers have to work hard to develop the writing craft and they have to have thick skins. Don’t ever rush a book into print. Learn to take constructive criticism and use it to improve. When the book is the best it can be, get a professional cover.

About You

I grew up in Southwest Florida and now live near Charlotte, North Carolina.

What are you working on now? My current project, The Witness Wore Blood Bay, is almost ready for publication. I have my cover and the book has just come back from the beta readers. As soon as I finish my revisions, it goes out to a proofreader. This book is the second in my Leigh McRae Mystery series. The first in the series, Talented Horsewoman, was published by Draumr Publishing. I thought about going back to this publisher with the new book, but decided to remain indie.

End of Interview

You can buy We Interrupt This Date here.