Published Author Interviews
February 2008 Interview:
Debra Mullins
Interviewed by Sarah Tanner
Please welcome Debra Mullins, this month’s Beau Monde published author interviewee. Debra, tell us a bit about yourself.
I am the oldest of four sisters, and every family picture of me has me reading or writing something. I’m married and have two sons. I’ve lived all my life in the NY/NJ area and only months ago relocated to the west coast. It’s been a big change! Pizza, for one. I am on the quest to find the perfect pizza out here in the west.
How long had you been writing before you got “The Call”?
I have known I wanted to be a writer since about sixth grade, but I didn’t start actively pursuing it until I found myself a stay-at-home mom with a 2-year old. I joined NJ Romance Writers in 1992, and I got the call in January 1998.
Have you always been a full-time writer? If not, how do or did you keep your careers separate?
I am still not a full time writer, though I have been publishing steadily for the past ten years. Part of that was due to being a single mom. I have a successful career as a technical support consultant for a major payroll company. When I am at work, I am at work, period. I don’t write at work—I’m too busy! I don’t use my work email for writing business, though my editor does have my work number if she needs me for something. Usually she communicates via personal email, though. However, now that I have remarried, I hope to be able to move into full time writing over the next couple of years.
What's your writing schedule like?
I do my best writing early in the morning, either during the week before I leave for work, or on weekends. It’s a great time because everyone is either asleep or off to school/work, so I have some time to myself. Also, the phone doesn’t ring!
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Pantser. Definitely. I didn’t get the plotting gene.
Do you have any research tips to share?
Start in the children’s section of the library. Children’s books have vivid descriptions of how stuff works and lots of pictures! Then once you know what you are looking for, move on to the adult research books.
Two Weeks with a Stranger was released in February 2007. Could you tell us about it?
My hero, Simon, is a spy for the Crown. The problem is, he is usually the guy behind the desk while his friend Fox is the front man who seduces all the women and charms his way into places he doesn’t belong. Three years ago, Fox was injured in a fire and relegated to a desk job, so now Simon has to be the front man. Simon marries country girl Lucy in hopes she will stay happily at the estate in the country while he saves the world in London. But when Simon’s assignment turns out to be a beautiful Italian countess, Lucy gets wind of the so-called “affair” and comes to London to remind her husband that he has a wife. She has no idea he is a spy, though, so she really does cause some trouble both with Simon’s job and his ability to concentrate.
What are you working on at the moment?
I have just sold another historical to Avon about the illegitimate daughter of a famous actress who agrees to exact revenge on a gentleman she believes abandoned his pregnant mistress and finds the reality much different - and more alluring - than she imagined.
Finally, do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
Determination and persistence is everything in this business. If you believe in your dream and are not afraid to work hard for it, then you will succeed as long as you never give up.
Debra, thank you!