Meet Author Peggy Bird!

One of my favorite parts of being a writer is meeting other writers. In my experience writers are some of the most friendly, genuine people on the planet...and I feel lucky to know many. Today, I'm introducing you to a new author, Peggy Bird, one of many amazing authors I've met through my publisher, Crimson Romance. Welcome, Peggy!

Kristina: M&Ms, Chips 'n Dip, Jell-O Shots…what's your snack of choice when you're on deadline?

 

Peggy: It depends on what's left after my husband has raided the pantry or what's still around when I've been writing for days and haven't gone to the store. Ideally, it'll be something easy to pick up and mindlessly munch, like Goldfish or pretzel nuggets filled with peanut butter. Then there's always chocolate-in any form. I have been known to get so desperate I tear into a bar of baking chocolate but don't tell anyone.

 

Kristina: What most surprised you about the publishing process?

 

Peggy: The rapid formation of a community of writers created by our connection with Crimson Romance. It has been fun, supportive and inspirational. To fall into this group of wildly different yet like-minded women has been a kick. I never know what's waiting for me when I open my Facebook page and email every day.

 

Kristina: When the writing gets tough, who do you lean on?

 

Peggy: Other writers. Couldn't survive without them. I've always been lucky to have writer friends who are there for me, willing to provide whatever I need from a shoulder to cry on to a high-five to celebrate. Lately, I've added the Ladies in Red. In addition to the upbeat spirit they project, there are often, shall we say, visual inspirations from one or more of our Crimson sisters that work. 

 

Kristina: What are you listening to right now and does your listening choice influence your writing?

 

Peggy: Music from the Coffee Lands, a Putumayo CD. The hero of my new novel is a Cuban-American coffee broker and I was writing from his perspective today. Absolutely music influences my writing. Or maybe it's the other way around. I listen to everything from classical to jazz to indie (and every other kind of) rock and world-beat music depending on my mood and what I'm writing that day. I'm particularly fond of music by local/regional artists--Pink Martini, Storm Large, Esperanza Spaulding, Death Cab for Cutie, Chris Botti--whose music makes an appearance eventually in my novels. 

 

Kristina: Tell us one interesting thing about this book or its characters that didn't make in 'between the covers'?

 

Peggy: Liz Fairchild, my heroine, was a character in another novel--"Closing Arguments" which will be released by Crimson early next year. In a rewrite, at the suggestion of a couple of my critiquers, I removed her scenes from the story. Liz wasn't happy about that. So, last November, during National Novel Writing Month, I gave her a shot at making it on her own. She accepted my challenge and here she is. Funny thing is, when I did the last edit of "Closing Arguments" she muscled her way back into that book, too. Come to think of it, she's been in all three books since then. She's a very determined lady. 

All About Beginning Again: Not long after Liz Fairchild opens an art gallery in Northwest Portland, a sexy and mysterious sculptor named Collins bulldozes his way into her gallery, her life and her bed. In spite of her determination not to, she finds him irresistible. But he's holding something back. What are the phone calls he makes when he thinks she isn't looking? And what's the real reason he walked into her gallery? Liz doesn't know what worries her more--that she's falling for him or that she could lose him.

“Beginning Again” is a story about starting over in love and life, finding happiness and fulfillment at any stage of life. It was released June 4th by Crimson Romance as an e-book.

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Again-ebook/dp/B008195BQK/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1336776092&sr=1-3

Stay up to date with Peggy by visiting her website http://www.peggybirdwrites.com