Any love story is a fascinating character study, and this one has the added advantage of a certain amount of suspense, and an unexpected rescue at the end.

E.B. Roshan – 22 July 2020

The Back Flap

All Anna Belko wants is a quiet cup of tea. For a young garment factory worker in the uneasy city of Dor, such moments of peace are few and far between. When she stops by a little cafe called Oxsana’s on her way home from work, she has many things on her mind, but meeting the man who will turn her life upside down is not one of them.

About the book

What is the book about?

Wrong Place, Right Time is a short romance with suspense elements. It’s the story of Anna and Boris, and how they find love despite the fact that their city is falling apart around them.  The country of Sevia, and its capital city, Dor,  in which the story is set, are both fictional locations, but they are inspired by the years I spent in some of our real world’s less happy places.

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing it Fall/Winter of 2019. I don’t remember exactly when.

How long did it take you to write it?

​ About four months, give or take a month. At just over 40,000 words, it’s a fairly quick read, and a quick write too.

Where did you get the idea from?

I wanted to write about how people can find love and forgiveness in even the most challenging circumstances, and about how life goes on, and sometimes gets better, even after the worst happens.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

It was actually hard to write Boris’s inner struggle about his cafe and the kinds of people he chooses to employ there. I wanted it to be clear that he does have a problem, without having him come across as bigoted/prejudiced…or, on the other extreme, just plain stupid, considering the choice he makes. It was a delicate balance, and I’m not entirely sure I got it right, but early readers liked him and found him sympathetic, so I think it worked.

What came easily?

Pretty much any scene from Anna’s point of view was easy to write. Despite her struggles, she’s a brave, optimistic person and she’s fun to write about.

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

Some characters share names with people I know, but none are based on actual people.

Do you have a target reader?

I expect most of my readers will be women, as it’s a romance, but really, anybody who likes a good story would enjoy this, I think. Any love story is a fascinating character study, and this one has the added advantage of a certain amount of suspense, and an unexpected rescue at the end.

About Writing

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

​As a mother and homemaker, I don’t always have extended chunks of time to devote to writing, so I just write whenever I can. Of course, I can always plan out a story or think about a problem while doing something else.

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

I do write a outlines for my stories, but they’re not super detailed. Sometimes they shift, but the beginning and ending usually stay the same.

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

I edit a lot. After each chapter, after each couple of chapters, after the first draft is done. I got a lot of help in this regard from the folks at ChristianWriters.com. I found some great beta readers there too. Also, I read my work out loud as part of the proofreading process. I catch a lot of mistakes and awkward phrasing that way.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I wish I could say I did, but I have to admit this was an operation with a budget of $0, and I am in no way endorsing or recommending this. However,  since I self-edited painstakingly, using some of the excellent online grammar/spellchecker programs out there, I honestly don’t think my book suffered for lack of a professional editor.

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

Yes, I love music while I’m writing. Anything from classical to contemporary. When I really get into the story, I don’t actually hear it, but it helps me stay focused.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

No. I wanted to try the process myself from A to Z, and I have to say, it was really fun.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

Traditional publishing just sounded restrictive and boring. I’m a bit of a DIY person, so I figured why not? I have nothing to lose.

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

I did it myself. Again, that’s probably a no-no, but I do have a background in art and I think I turned out a decent cover. Not stunning, but not glaringly “homemade” either.

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

I have submitted my book to several promotional sites and set up a website to publicize it. I’m currently in the process of getting reviews for it, using many of the helpful free reviewers on the IndieView site.

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

Have fun, write a lot, don’t get discouraged. And do hire an editor if you possibly can. I’m the exception that proves the rule.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in the heart of the Appalachian mountains, but spent a good chunk of my adult life overseas.

Where do you live now?

Missouri. A very flat place.

What would you like readers to know about you?

​I’m E.B. Roshan. In addition to being the creator of the expanding world of Sevia, I’m a mother of two sons and wife to an exceptional man. After spending several years living in the Middle East and Asia, our family is temporarily settled in Missouri, where we serve the immigrant and refugee community in our city. In my free time, I love to read, write, garden and create beautiful things.

Find me on Good Reads or at the series blog.

 

 

What are you working on now?

Wrong Place, Right Time is one of a loosely-connected group of books (I’d hesitate to call them a series, as each is able to stand alone, but technically they are a series, as they are  all set in the world of Sevia and share many of the same characters. Means of Grace, a suspenseful tale of a young woman’s attempt to rescue her husband—and herself—is coming up soon, so stay tuned. Who knows? You might see it here.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of Wrong Place, Right Time from Amazon US or Amazon UK.