In My Fuzzy Neighborhood: Interview with Sharon C. Cooper

In My Fuzzy Neighborhood today is award-winning and bestselling author, Sharon C. Cooper, is a romance-a-holic – loving anything that involves romance with a happily-ever-after, whether in books, movies, or real life. Sharon writes contemporary romance, as well as romantic suspense and enjoys rainy days, carpet picnics, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. She’s been nominated for numerous awards and is the recipient of an Emma Award for Romantic Suspense of the Year 2015 (Truth or Consequences), Emma Award – Interracial Romance of the Year 2015 (All You’ll Ever Need), and BRAB (book club) Award -Breakout Author of the Year 2014. When Sharon is not writing or working, she’s hanging out with her amazing husband, doing volunteer work or reading a good book (a romance of course). To read more about Sharon and her novels, visit www.sharoncooper.net

Let get to know a little more about Sharon C. Cooper:

FF: Can you tell us four words that describe your writing style?

SC: The first four words that come to mind to describe my writing style are: Entertaining. Fun. Passionate. Free-flowing.

FF: Do you have a writing process? If yes, briefly explain.

SC: I do have a writing process.

• I usually start with identifying the main characters: what they do for a living, what they look like, what their issues are.
• Then I play around with whatever their issues are and think about possible scenes for the story.
• I create a character sketch and then I outline the story with my initial scene ideas. Unlike some authors, I would be totally lost without an outline!
• From the outline, I plow through a first (rough) draft.
• Once I have a solid first draft, I go back into the story and beef it up some. I go a little deeper and start layering the story with more information and I fill in some blanks.

 FF: Why do you write books?

SC: I write books because I have an active imagination and enjoy telling stories, especially love stories. I also write books because characters and story ideas always pop up in my mind. So writing helps get the characters out of my head. Lol. Usually once I’m in the middle of one story, another story idea manifests, hence, more books.

FF: What genre do you write in? Which genre is your favorite?

SC: I write multi-cultural contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Though I enjoy writing both, romantic suspense is my favorite to read and write.

FF: Describe your ideal place of escape to write your books.

SC: I enjoy writing in coffee shops if the place has comfortable seating. Though I do a little people watching while there, the environment stirs my creative juices. But in all honestly, I have learned to write anywhere.

FF: Tell us about your current book.

SC: My latest release is Seducing the Boss Lady, book 5 of my Jenkins Family Series. The heroine, Peyton “PJ” Jenkins runs the family’s construction company. She’s poured her life into the business and has sacrificed her social life. She comes from a very close knit family of nosy, well-meaning individuals. She is 35 years old, divorced for about 5 years now, and has been watching her sister and female cousins fall in love, get married and have babies, one by one. Although she’s extremely happy for her sister and cousins, PJ secretly–or not so secretly– wants to have what they have; to find a man who truly loves her and have a family of her own. The weight of her failed marriage, working nonstop and her loneliness, coupled with all the wedded baby bliss, is starting to take its toll on Peyton.

And in comes Michael Cutter. He’s handsome, has a great personality, charismatic and sexy. However, his initial and subsequent interactions with Peyton are rocky. But Michael manages to charm Peyton into seeing him in a different light and all goes great…until it doesn’t. Lol. Michael has…some challenges in his life that causes some strife in their budding relationship.

Seducing the Boss Lady is a fun story of love, family, trust and forgiveness that I think readers will really enjoy.

Here’s the blurb for the book:

Master electrician, Peyton Jenkins, is tired of being the responsible Jenkins’ girl. She’s ready to hand over the reins of the family business for a chance to live life and find love. However, fear of getting hurt again keeps her from letting down her guard. That is until her world intersects with bad-boy, Michael Cutter. Their sparks ignite a passion that can’t be denied.

Private investigator, Michael Cutter, has no intention of falling for another pretty face, not even someone as beautiful as Peyton. But her smokin’ hot body and sass can’t be ignored. She desires love and commitment, yet the sins of his father continue to haunt Michael, deterring him from pursuing any type of relationship other than a casual fling.

Will their pasts keep them from taking a chance on love? And will love be enough to heal old wounds?

Buy links: Amazon– http://amzn.to/21aGKO6

Barnes & Noble – http://bit.ly/1WIbdED

Smashwords – http://bit.ly/1TY0v7k

ARe: http://bit.ly/1YgYVCN

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1RZmHeM

iTunes: http://apple.co/1tt17vs

Though most of my books are a part of a series, they all can be read as standalones.

Fun Facts

FF: What is your favorite thing to do before a book signing?

SC: I’m in introvert by nature, so I’m usually pretty nervous before a book signing. I guess trying to relax and remember that I’m amongst readers who enjoy my work would have to be my favorite thing to do before a signing. Once the signing starts and I connect with the readers, I usually forget about my nervousness.

FF: What city would you love to have a book signing or speaking engagement?

SC: Hmm…my first thought is New York, which is one of my favorite places to visit. I wouldn’t mind doing a book signing there, especially if I wasn’t the only author signing (makes me less nervous).

FF: What is your favorite drink or beverage?

SC: I’m pretty simple: drinking water (not spring water) is my favorite.

FF: Are you an early bird or night owl?

SC: Definitely an early bird. My most productive writing time is around 6 in the morning.

FF: If you could collaborate on a book with any author, who would it be and why?

SC: I’m currently collaborating on a project with two of my best writing friends – Delaney Diamond and Candace Shaw. So they would definitely be on this list.

There are some amazing writers out there and I could fill a page with a list of authors I’d love to collaborate with. Since I’m sure you don’t want a list that long, the first ones to come to mind (besides Delaney and Candace) are: Brenda Jackson, Phyllis Bourne, Maureen Smith, Farrah Rochon, Iris Bolling, Joy Avery, Roxanne St. Claire, Beverly Jenkins, Sheryl Lister, Synithia Williams, Naima Simone, A.C. Arthur, Kaylea Cross, and the list goes on. Lol.

FF: What is one tip you would give authors on how to show appreciation for their readers?

SC: Hmm…good question! I have found doing giveaways is a wonderful way of showing appreciation to readers. Giveaways can be autographed books, gift cards, and gift baskets just to name a few.

Also, I would express the importance of interacting with readers. Some of them are super thrilled when one of their favorite authors acknowledges them, whether accepting a FB friend request or giving them a shout out in one of their books. Most times it doesn’t take much. Social media makes it a lot easier to meet your readers and I think authors should do what they can to reach out to readers.

Another way to show appreciation to readers is by attending reader events. There are tons of reader events that go on throughout the year and readers love to rub shoulders with their favorite authors.

Getting Serious

FF: What advice would you give your younger self?

SC: Don’t hold back and embrace new (positive) experiences whenever possible and have fun.

FF: What is one thing you would change about your life?

SC: At the moment, I can’t think of anything that I would change about my life. I have been truly blessed and have a great life.

FF: What is your motto for life and career?

SC: My motto for life is – treat people the way I want to be treated. That’s not to say that I always get it right, but I do try to live by this motto.

My motto for my career is – work hard and the rewards will come. And I can honestly say that my writing career has exceeded my expectations and I am truly grateful for the success I have experienced. I would also say giving back to other authors is super important. So many amazing authors played a role in my success and my hope is that I’ve done the same for other authors.

FF: What is your favorite scripture or quote?

SC: My favorite scripture is from Proverbs 3:5, 6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.”

To learn more about Sharon C. Cooper or to purchase any of her titles, visit her at http://www.sharoncooper.net/