Published Author Interviews
July 2008 Interview:
Alexandra Ivy
Interviewed by Sarah Tanner
Welcome, Alexandra! Please tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a full time writer who has been married to my incredibly patient husband, David, for 24 years and the mother of two sons, Chance and Alexander, who are both in college, although they both live at home and commute, which means my life is closer to Animal House than Leave it to Beaver. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel all around the world over the years and it was during a stay in London that I fell in love with the city as well as the Regency era. The rest, as they say, is history.
How long had you been writing before you got “The Call”?
I was closer to the tortoise than the hare! I wrote for ten years, racking up an impressive number of rejections, some of them downright brutal. In the end it became more of a quest than a journey to become published and I’m happy to be the poster-child for those who aren’t and never will be an overnight success.
Have you always been a full-time writer? If not, how do or did you keep your careers separate?
For several years I worked in Student Activities at a local college. I loved working with the students, but it was far too demanding if I wanted to concentrate on writing. I still keep in contact with several of my former students and I miss their enthusiasm. Nothing like students to keep you young!
What's your writing schedule like?
Writing two different genres means at least three books a year, so I have crazy deadlines, and to be honest,I’m a little obsessive compulsive, which means I write from early morning until late at night, seven days a week. On the other hand, I’ve always made it a rule that I would never miss anything my sons are involved in whether it’s quiz bowls or golf tournaments, and since my husband is the high school football coach, my Friday nights are spent on hard, cold benches watching perfectly sane boys run into each other!
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I have an overview of the plot and detailed character sketches, but I allow the story to flow where it wants to go. My only rules is that I won’t start writing a scene unless I know in my mind that it’s vital to the book…whether it’s character development or a moving point in the plot or even a change in the characters’ relationship. If it doesn’t have a purpose, it has to go.
Do you have any research tips to share?
I’m addicted to research,I think most historical writers are. My one tip is that I write my books in play format first (only dialogue) to make sure the characters are in control of my story and I’m not filling the pages with an endless history lesson.
Do you write in any other genres, or could you imagine doing so in the future?
Currently I write regency historicalsand paranormal contemporaries. Someday I hope to try a huge, sweeping fantasy.
Darkness Everlasting was released in May 2008. What is it about?
Darkness Everlasting is the third book in my Guardians of Eternity series. It’s a vampire romance set in modern day Chicago.
Finally, do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
Never, ever, ever give up. I’m proof positive that it can happen to anyone!
Thanks, Alexandra!