CC: I’m flattered by that but as your friend, I feel I should warn you that the list of people ahead of me more suited for being emulated is long. Very long. Very, very long.
For example, today, the doctor told me my Diet Coke habit was dangerous and I need to stop drinking it. This was after I “misplaced” my car yesterday for about half an hour and was so anxious afterward, I had to drive out of my way to find a McDonald’s and get three (yes three) large Diet Cokes. The good news is that helped yesterday. The bad news is, it set me up to fail at today’s doctor’s appointment.
We’ll have to work on finding you someone more worthy of emulation.
Hi Cardeno, and welcome. Just a few quick questions to let us get to know you a bit better. (I promise they’re not too painful).
1. What is the hardest thing about being a writer?
CC: For me the hardest thing about being a writer has always been time. I don’t have enough of it. Between my other job and life, writing time is scarce. Add to that the work that goes along with writing books (which takes more actual time than the writing itself), and there aren’t enough hours in a day and night.
2. How do you deal with criticism over your work?
CC: In a shiny, happy dream world everyone would read each of my books and decide they’re so amazing and wonderful and perfect in every way that they feel like buying me a lotto ticket to say thank you. I would then win all of those lottos. Also, I’d lose weight by eating Salt and Vinegar potato chips and donuts. And my doctor would encourage me to drink more Diet Coke. And McDonald’s would install one of their magic Diet Coke fountains in my house because their Diet Coke is the best Diet Coke.
In the real world though, I’m happy that each of us is an individual with individual opinions and tastes and perceptions. One of the magical things about books is that no two people read the same one and actually, I’d even say no one person reads the same book every time because mood/age/life experience can change.
As long as criticism is about my books and isn’t personal, I have no trouble chalking it to up the great salad bowl of life. Not everyone can like radishes, right? And if it is personal, well, I’ve been called worse to my face and in a louder voice. Such is life.
3. What is your greatest personal fear?
CC: Moving heights. I can’t do roller coasters ever and if I’m on a skinny, curvy, mountain-top road I’m terrified the entire time. Still heights aren’t super either. I stay away from edges of tall things (e.g. buildings).
4. What is your newest release?
CC: Blue Mountain, my new shifter novella released today (November 21st)! You can find links and a video trailer here: http://bit.ly/1vqCsWV and this is the blurb:
Exiled by his pack as a teen, Omega wolf Simon Moorehead learns to bury his gentle nature in the interest of survival. When a hulking, rough-faced Alpha catches Simon on pack territory, he tries to escape what he’s sure will be imminent death. But instead of killing him, the Alpha takes Simon home.
A man of action, Mitch Grant uproots his life to support his brother in leading the Blue Mountain pack. Mitch lives on the periphery, quietly protecting everyone, but always alone. A mate is a dream come true for Mitch, and he won’t let little things like Simon’s rejections, attacks, and insults get in their way. With patience, seduction, and genuine care, Mitch will ride out the storm while Simon slays his own ghosts and Mitch’s loneliness.
5. Why did this particular story need to be told?
CC: I have all sorts of stories in my head and I jot down notes about them in my to-be-written list. This one called to me louder than the others, so I decided it was Blue Mountain’s turn. I prefer reading novels but end up reading more novellas due to time constraints and I assume I’m not alone so I try to write a mix of novels and novellas. I like reading both contemporary and paranormal, particularly shifters, so I try to do the same when I write. And although childhood friends to lovers is my favourite trope, I like a romantic hurt-comfort story. Blue Mountain is a hurt-comfort shifter novella – perfect for what I was in the mood to write. *smile*
Thanks for joining me today. And I don’t need to say good luck, because I can tell this book is going to rock. I’m so excited.
CC: Thank you, Renae!
Links: Click here to buy from Amazon
You can find Cardeno:
Website: http://www.cardenoc.com/