Tell us about yourself.:
Claire Gem is a multi-award winning author of romantic suspense & women's fiction.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
Claire grew up in a small town in upstate New York with her old-fashioned parents & three brothers. Attending a small, parochial school, Claire spent much of her time with her nose in a book. In the seventh grade, her English teacher told her she had a talent for writing–and not to waste it. Any time she gets discouraged, she remembers Miss Prather's advice.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
An early riser, Claire likes to get the words down before the sun creeps over the horizon.
What authors have influenced you?
Claire grew up in a small town in upstate New York with her old-fashioned parents & three brothers. Attending a small, parochial school, Claire spent much of her time with her nose in a book. In the seventh grade, her English teacher told her she had a talent for writing–and not to waste it. Any time she gets discouraged, she remembers Miss Prather's advice.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read, read, read. Whatever you want to write, read every book you can get your hands on in that genre. The library is your best friend.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Read your work out loud. It's the only way to hear the words the way the reader will perceive them.
What are you reading now?
The Potomac Point series (women's fiction) by Jamie Beck.
What’s your biggest weakness?
Lack of discipline. I have several novels in various stages of development, but I get distracted by a shiny new idea and abandon my work-in-progress.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Knight in Shining Armor, by Jude Deveraux
When you’re not writing, how do you like to spend your time?
Grooming & showing my Persian cats, and spending time at the barn with my chestnut mare, Rose.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
I read every book in the Little House on the Prairie series, and then the Black Stallion series. I loved how the stories took me out of my tiny bedroom to new places to meet new people and go on daring adventures.
What has inspired you and your writing style?
Nora Roberts' Boonesboro Series influenced my writing in many ways–the town, the people, the love stories, the hauntings she creates are an evergreen inspiration to me.
What are you working on now?
"TimePeace" is a Haunted Voices Romance about a Tomas Heissler, a German clockmaker struggling to keep his clock museum viable in America. He meets Kim Gallagher, a flamboyant salon owner looking to rent the space beneath his museum for her shop. Then a strange man brings in an odd-looking clock he claims is haunted…
What is your favorite method for promoting your work?
I love, love, love in-person book talks & signings. I've done them in bookstores, museums, & historical societies. Love meeting fans in person & talking about the inspiration for my books.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Thinking about a women's fiction series set in 19th C. New England during the Industrial Revolution.
How well do you work under pressure?
Better than without, but not happily!
How do you decide what tone to use with a particular piece of writing?
The words come from somewhere beyond me. I simply take dictation, and put them down on the page.
If you could share one thing with your fans, what would that be?
Don't be afraid to try a read by a new author. Just because their books aren't as widely advertised doesn't mean they are of any lesser quality.
Claire Gem’s Author Websites and Profiles
Website
Amazon Profile
Goodreads Profile
BookBub Profile
Claire Gem’s Social Media Links
Facebook Page
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