Past, Present, & Future with Alissa Callen
Posted by Juliet Madison
In celebration of the upcoming release of my debut novel, Fast Forward (see announcement here), I’m doing a series of interviews with authors about their past, present & future. Today, please welcome… Alissa Callen!
1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a child I’d read books by torchlight and scribble stories that I’d put under my pillow for safekeeping only for them to end up in the wash. So have always wanted to read and write and lose self in fictional worlds where no washing ever needed to be done!
2. What did you do before you became a writer?
My background is in education and counselling but for the past fifteen years have been lucky enough to be a stay-at-home mum and traffic controller to four now-not-so-little children.
3. What is one of your most treasured memories from the past?
Reading. Being the eldest of seven kids peace and quiet was a rare commodity, so I’d take a book to the shearing shed and hideaway in the lanoline-scented silence. Even now I still have every horse book I ever bought as a child.
PRESENT:
4. What’s your latest/upcoming release about and/or what are you currently working on?
Am very fortunate to have two books coming out in quick succession in 2013. January sees the release of What Love Sounds Like with Escape Publishing and then February 1 will have a launch title for the digital-first Random Romance list of Random House called Beneath Outback Skies.
5. What’s a typical day like for you? (If there is such a thing!)
How my day unfolds is subject to the eating habits of a thirty year old grey pony. Depending on what time she finishes her breakfast, I will have either answered emails or have spent far too much time surfing the web. Then once she is back in her paddock (have learned not to start writing before then as can forget to untie her!) I write until twelve. Have lunch. Then write until school pick up at three. Then if am not required for taxi duties will sneak in a little more computer time before dinner.
6. Name three things you are grateful for in your life right now:
My long-suffering husband
Fabulous friends
Romance Writers of Australia
FUTURE:
7. If you could fast forward in time to any age or year for just one day, what would you choose & why?
I’d choose 4 days – one for each of my children – with no set date, just so I could share in one of their future milestones and check that they were doing okay.
8. If you could have any new technology or invention in the future that would make your life a whole lot easier (or more fun), what would it be?
Would love an internet connection that never drops out and only has one speed – fast! And for my husband I’d like a set of car keys that would come to you when you whistle!
9. What are your hopes & dreams for the future?
To keep writing the stories that sprout like mental-mushrooms when I sleep and to live long enough to see my children grow into the special adults that they will be.
Thanks so much Juliet for having me and I wish you all the very best for your own present and future. I don’t need a crystal ball to know that your future will be bright and filled with many fabulous new releases like Fast Forward.
You’re welcome, Alissa, and thank you for your nice words! 🙂
Website: www.alissacallen.com
Blog: Words, windmills and plot wrinkles @ www.alissacallen.com
Facebook: Alissa Callen – Author
Buy WHAT LOVE SOUNDS LIKE via Escape Publishing or your favourite ebook retailer.
About Juliet Madison
Humorous & Heartwarming Fiction ~ Experience the magic of life and love...Posted on January 11, 2013, in Interviews, Past Present & Future and tagged alissa callen, author interviews, escape publishing, past present & future, random romance, rural romance, ruro. Bookmark the permalink. 14 Comments.
Mental mushrooms! Love it. Congrats on TWO books. You are out the gates and galloping. I love. Your 30 yo pony. In my third book I have researched horse lifespans as i will have a very old one in thr story. They are amazing creatures.
Thanks so much Jenn for dropping by! We so love our old pony:)
Hi, Alissa and congrats on your writing achievements! How exciting to have two books coming out in quick succession. I’ve ordered What Love Sounds Like and will get to read it soon! I so identify with your past–reading under the bedclothes!
All the best,
Susanne
Hi Susanne, thanks so much for visiting:) All the very best too with your new White Ginger release:)
Hi Alissa, So thrilled for you with your TWO releases. You’ve worked long and hard for this and your dreams are coming true. May they sell their socks off.
Louise Reynolds
Hi Louise,
Right back at you wishing that your wonderful release ( and I’m sure it will be releases soon:) will keep selling its Italian socks off:)
Great interview. So relate to wanting a career sans-washing!! And I love that you’d choose four days one for each child. So excited about your releases. And also am grateful for RWA – otherwise I’d never have met you and so many other brilliant people!
Thanks so much Rach for dropping by – know you are only just back from hols!! Can’t imagine life wihtout RWA and all my special writing buddies:)
Hugs x
Really enjoyed the interview, Alissa and Juliet. Wishing you both much success with your upcoming releases.
Hi Claire, thanks so much for visiting as well as your best wishes:)
Great interview, i really liked number 7. I’d love to do that 🙂 Can’t wait to read both of your books.
Hi Michelle,
Thanks so much for dropping by! Even though school holidays can seem very long at times (Fact: Little Farmer DOES get hypo on red lollies!) children are so very special:)
What a big year you have coming up, Alissa! I love the title ‘What Love Sounds Like’. It intrigues me and I do like that! I’m with Louise: I hope they and Fast Foward ‘sell their socks off’!
Thanks Imelda and huge congratulations on your fabulous ARRA nomination!!!