Guest Author & Contest Red Garnier

I would like to thank Red Garnier for coming today to Book Junkie, today we are celebrating her latest release & first full single title The Satin Sash published by Penguin and set to release Today, Tuesday, Dec 01.　You can read my review of The Satin Sash HERE. And be sure to enter the contest to win YOUR very own copy of THE SATIN SASH!

If someone were writing a story about Red Garnier, what would your blurb say?
She used to stare out the window and imagine another world, a world with sexy and exciting people, a world where nothing mattered but the enduring power of love . . .

How do you get started with writing a story (as in, how do you start developing the story, how do you get inspired for it)? Do you start with an outline, synopsis, characters; what is your writing process like?
Definitely most all of my ideas always start with either the hero, the heroine, or both. I might not know what’s going to happen in the story when I start it, but I know how they feel, what they fear, and most definitely what these people want. When I sit down to start writing, I usually play with a couple of pages – get a feel for the characters, the tone, the setting. If the story starts coming together after a couple pages, then I get even more excited, and that’s where a synopsis comes in handy.

Can you tell us a little about your newest release The Satin Sash & how you came up with the concept of this particular ménage ?
I absolutely love shopping. And although I’d been thinking for quite some time about the characters in The Satin Sash, the idea of incorporating the sash in this book came to me on a trip to Chicago. Staring at that lovely sash draped around a mannequin while this author window shopped, I pictured one of my lead characters, Grey Richards –that sexy sexy man - striding into the luxurious store in his sharp black Armani to purchase both the glamorous red dress and the matching sash for his woman.The sash was more than just a gift from him. It meant something, something important. So I wondered what would happen if Toni ever lost that sash? And I had my fun from there.

What was your favorite scene to write in The Satin Sash?
The black moment. There was so much tension between all three, the moment of choice is definitely the scene that keeps coming back to haunt me.

What do you look for in creating your Heroes and in Grey & Heath in particular?
God, don’t get me started, I just love those two men! Grey is Toni’s longtime lover. He’s totally in control. I admit I absolutely drool over self-possessed men. Grey is not only rich and sophisticated, but he’s a pillar of strength and security, and in many ways, the people around him lean on that unyielding, restrained power of his.
Heath is Lucifer – nearly two hundred pounds of temptation! He’s dark, dangerous, determined, and rebellious. A bad boy. What’s there not to love about delicious Heath? Where Grey is calm, Heath is rough and raw around the edges, a man who speaks his mind and takes what he wants. It was Heath who began this story in my mind. He was asking for something he wanted . . . and he wanted to have it now!

Do you usually cast your characters (a mental picture) before or after you have started writing? Does it help inspire you and take the story in a different direction?
To allow them a bit of freedom, I usually refrain from casting them until I really can’t help spotting similarities. Usually by mid-book I definitely see resemblances I can no longer ignore.

If you were going to cast Toni, Grey & Heath, who would you choose to play them? (I kept seeing Grey similar to a Gabriel Aubry type)
Toni would definitely be Jennifer Aniston, and I totally see Grey as a Gabriel Aubry type. Maybe even Gerard Butler—with that intensity in his eyes. Heath just has to be Henry Cavill.

If you could be any one of YOUR heroines, who would you be and why?
Well, I have to say that Toni’s a very intriguing character. I love her quiet strength. She’s a good girl, rarely confrontational, but she’s strong and you can sense this strength in everything she does. She’s not a kung-fu princess, she’s just a dedicated, passionate young woman who’s strong enough to love a man she isn’t sure can ever return that love. She’s not afraid to love and that’s really admirable in these days. I really like her.

How do you come up with the occupations of your characters, and do you find it significant?
It’s significant, yes. Usually what they do is a part of who they are, how they think, and what they like.

The house is on fire and you only have time to grab one book …… which do you take with you?
Oh, God, now I wish I’d bought a Kindle. I say I’d definitely grab my thesaurus. It’s always sitting next to my laptop. Which I’d grab, too!

Do you ever run into someone who says, YOU WRITE WHAT !!” ?
I look like a little girl, so yeah; people usually can’t believe I could carry such naughtiness in my mind. I love shocking them, I admit!

What was the most challenging thing you’ve done in the name of research that might have been out of your comfort zone?
I haven’t researched out of my comfort zone yet. But Mr. Red is really inspiring so who knows?

For you, what is the hardest part of writing a novel? Concept, Characterization, Plotting, Writing the story, Synopsis/Query letter writing, etc.
Some books are so much more difficult than others and I’m not sure why. Some characters are more stubborn and won’t bend to the plot as you outlined. Sometimes the plot just stalls and seems to have trouble moving forward. Those are dark, sad moments for an author—when you try and try and the book won’t give. And yet these bumps along the way usually propel you to make changes which, eventually, you’re grateful for.

If you could ask readers any one question, what would it be?
Your favorite heroes ever, either in books or in movies. I must know!

**WANT TO WIN YOUR VERY OWN COPY OF THE SATIN SASH? Just follow the rules below and you are entered!**

***GIVEAWAY RULES***

+1 to Comment IF you answer Red's question above
+5 For Being a Follower
+7 For subscribing via e-mail to Book Junkie (check my sidebar)
+20 for Hitting this button below and entering the Great Kindle Giveaway
**Winner chosen 12/08 11pm EST**