Wait Until Moonrise is the book of my heart, and I’ve worked on it off and on since the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast came out.

Teri Thackston 12 July 2012

The Back Flap

Unseen. Unheard. Untouched. Welshman Nicholas Pierce is cursed to endure a lonely eternity surrounded by the living residents of Beaumarith Castle. But two hundred-plus years into his hellish existence, Bria Leighton arrives…and she can see him! Can he convince her that he’s real—not a ghost—and that she is the one true love that can save him…before the sorceress who cursed him destroys Bria, too?

About the book

What is the book about?

Wait Until Moonrise is about 18^th century Welshman Nicholas Pierce and 21^st century American Bria Leighton—he has lived under a curse for over two hundred years, trapped in his family castle, while Bria has recently discovered that her past is linked to that same castle. A sorceress cursed Nicholas to live unseen, unheard and untouched until his true love arrives, and even then she can see him only in the moonlight. Bria is the only person in all those centuries to be able to see and hear Nicholas, but she believes that either he’s a ghost or she’s losing her mind! Nicholas has to convince her that he’s real and that she is his one true love. Unfortunately the sorceress who cursed him had planned on Nicholas recognizing her as his one true love, and she’s still alive and determined to have him.

When did you start writing the book?

Wait Until Moonrise is the book of my heart, and I’ve worked on it off and on since the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast came out. Yes, that’s a long time, but I was working and raising young children and I honestly didn’t make a great effort to publish the book until I thought it was perfect.

How long did it take you to write it?

I can’t give you a specific time because it was over the course of years and I worked on—and published—other books in between. But I can tell you that it went through more than a dozen drafts!  It was also almost published at one point, going as far as the board at the publishing house to which I had submitted it.

Where did you get the idea from?

Remember that scene in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast where Belle and the Beast dance in that magnificent ballroom? The starlight and moonlight through the windows gave me the idea of a hero who was only visible in the moonlight. I imagined him appearing and disappearing as they danced. The story unfolded from that magic moment.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

My primary struggle was with one of the secondary characters, Bria’s fiancé Scott. I had to make sure he was likeable enough for her to be engaged to him (so that he would be a major conflict between her and Nicholas), but also still allow his behavior to give Bria the impetus she needed to turn to Nicholas. It was a difficult thing to do because I knew Scott well enough to realize he was a good guy but it wasn’t coming across well in writing. I finally got it right, though.

What came easily?

Nicholas’ love for Bria. He was drawn to her even before he realized she could see him. She was just the perfect love for him, so it was easy to write his emotional scenes…especially his frustration when she thought she was imagining him!

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

All are completely fictitious. I never base a character on anyone I know. That can get a writer in deep trouble!

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?

At the risk of aging myself, I’ll list Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt, Kathleen Woodiwiss…and Alistair MacLean and Ian Fleming. I started reading from my mother’s extensive collection of paperbacks at an early age. I loved the romance novels but the action-adventure pieces appealed to me, too. As a result, you’ll find that I always include a lot of action in my stories.

Do you have a target reader?

My main target is myself. I write stories that I love, which is why I haven’t stuck to a specific genre, I’ve published paranormal romances such as Wait Until Moonrise, but also romantic suspense and western romance.

About Writing

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

I have tried so many processes over the years, it isn’t funny. That’s probably because I was a working mom who had to be flexible. My original manuscripts were done longhand and then typed on a typewriter (which I still have). Then I graduated to computers. I write when I can for as long as I can but have been known to take a notepad to the ladies’ room with me to take advantage of even a couple of minutes! Right now I’m unemployed so I try to get to my work-in-progress about mid-morning (after chores, working out, and answering email). Then I break for lunch and get right back to it until late afternoon.

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

I usually begin writing with a particular scene then write a general plot scene by scene. I continue to work on the outline as I write the first draft. That allows me to keep track of timelines, locations, characters and, eventually, plot holes. The outline is quite detailed by the time I’m done—down to the weather and the time of day. But that outline is as flexible as the first, second and third drafts are because characters often surprise me and don’t go the direction I planned for them to go. Still, I find that the outline helps me to maintain details that I might otherwise have to dig for in order to maintain consistency in the story.

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

I do some editing, usually back a couple of scenes when I first start writing each day, but I try to get the first draft down before I do any major editing. Then I usually focus on specific elements in each of the following drafts. I might focus on plot, then setting, then dialogue…it varies depending on which element needs the most work.

Did you hire a professional editor?

No, but I have several writer friends and we trade manuscripts in order to get a fresh set of eyes on our work. Since they are all excellent writers, they provide most of the editing I need.

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

Music usually distracts me, especially if there are lyrics going on. But I have been known to spin a movie soundtrack while writing. The soundtrack from Superman (the Christopher Reeves’ version) and the original Star Wars music are great. They provide emotional strains for some scenes and action music for others.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I did for several years and actually had an agent for a while, but things didn’t work out with her. But since I contracted my first book with Ellora’s Cave (on my own) and then went on to publish several books with them, followed by several indie-books, I have not looked for another agent.

What made you decide to go Indie? Was it a particular event or a gradual process? (here we can just point readers at your blog post)

I heard of several authors who were getting great results so I thought I would give it a try. My first indie release — Border Heat — did all right so I wrote another – Onslaught – then decided to indie publish Wait Until Moonrise. You can take a look of some of my articles on publishing as well as our pets, ghosts, Texas trivia and other subjects at www.terithackston.blogspot.com. I also feature guest writers there, so you might find other writers to enjoy.

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

I have bought images from online photo providers and then had one of my sons do the covers. He’s a designer so he has the talent…plus he’s free! (At least so far.)

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

Marketing is tough. There are so many books out there and because these are ebooks, readers won’t just happen upon them and make an impulse buy. So I blog, use Facebook, Twitter and my website. I also visit various loops that are friendly to writers and I send magnets with my book covers to conferences now and then. It’s an evolving process because there is always some new way coming along, but I think the main idea is to just get out there and make a little noise.

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

Always ask someone you trust to take a look at your manuscript before you publish it, if only to look for the unavoidable typos that occur. Also a writer can get so close to her story that she often doesn’t see holes in the plot, or she might miss the fact that her heroine has blue eyes in the first chapter but green eyes in the third. These are problems that ALL writers experience, so find another set of eyes that can take a fresh look at your work. But make sure it is someone you can trust to be honest without being cruel.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I’m a born and raised Texas girl. Although I hate the heat of summer (which lasts about six months), I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I’ve lived on my grandparents’ farm on the Gulf coast, in the big city and small towns around most of the state.

Where do you live now?

I live with my husband (who was my high school sweetheart) just a little north of Houston.

What would you like readers to know about you?

That I’m dedicated to writing solid stories that are filled with emotion as well as action. Hopefully readers won’t find a dull moment when they open one of my books. And I’m always open to an online conversation with readers, whether it’s on Facebook or Twitter. I also visit Goodreads now and then, although I’m not as consistent there as I should be.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on my first young adult. It’s a science fiction romance—quite a departure for me. But I love sci-fi and the idea of the main male character (which came from my oldest son) intrigued me. I’m excited to be working on it and hope to have it completed and published by the end of this year.

End of Interview

You can get your copy of Wait Until Moonrise from Amazon US or Amazon UK.