Loretta C. Rogers Author Interview

Good morning! Flossie Benton Rogers here. Allow me to introduce our interviewee, the fabulous Loretta C. Rogers. It is truly my pleasure. Her books and generous spirit continue to provide inspiration to me and countless other readers and writers. Although we have the same last name, Loretta and I are not related. We are, however, spirit sisters of the pen.

Hello everyone. I hope all of you are having a great day. I’m excited to be Flossie’s interviewee this month.

Let's jump right in, Loretta. How many books have you published and in what genres? 

My first book was published in 2007. In all that time, I’ve had twenty-two books published. I write romance novels such as cowboy westerns, historical, contemporary, and paranormal. My tag line is “Romance with a Twist…Expect the Unexpected,” which means in all my romance novels there is a little mystery, a little paranormal, a little psycho-thriller mixed in.

When you first started, which writers inspired you the most? 

I am an eclectic reader and when I would read Judy Bloom, I’d think, oh I want to write like her, but then I’d read Kathleen Woodiwiss, Rosemary Rogers, Virginia Henley, and Mary Higgins Clark, and I’d gush over their styles, then along came James Michner, Clive Cussler and John Grisham, and I’d change course again. I’m also a huge fan of Louie L’Amore, Zane Grey, Luke Short and William Johnston. All these writers took me on thrilling journeys. I wanted to write like all of them. The one thing about these great authors’ writing that influenced me the most was to develop my own style of storytelling.

What influence do your former jobs or avocations have on your writing? 

Most people don’t know that in my very early years of employment and long before I became a teacher, I was a rape crisis suicide prevention counselor and an auxiliary sheriff’s deputy. Although I write fiction, many of the characters and plots in my books are fictionalized versions of events that I’ve experienced firsthand. For example, in Murder in the Mist, the antagonist, Bennie Noone is based on one of my case studies. Birdie Mae Dix, the heroine in Bitter Autumn, a Historical romance, was influenced by my great grandmother’s story when, at the age of thirteen, she was abducted by a band of warriors and held captive for three years before being rescued. My newest novel, Christmas at Hope Ranch, was influenced by students that I taught, many who were considered ‘throw away’ kids because they lived in foster care.

Why do you write? 

First let me say that I don’t write for fame or fortune. If I did, I would have given up years ago. I write because the voices inside my head, the ones that visit me when I’d rather be sleeping, all want their stories to be told. (Oh, wouldn’t a psychiatrist have fun analyzing that statement. LOL!) Also, I’m the world’s biggest coward. Writing allows me to live vicariously through the, often, dangerous situations that I put my characters through.

Who is your favorite of all your characters and why? 

Oh, this is a toughie because I love all my characters—even the villains. If I had to choose a favorite I think it would be Fiona Quinn in Bannon’s Brides. Young and beautiful, Fiona is all alone in the world. She’d rather become a mail-order bride than be forced into prostitution. In a women’s only wagon train, she braved rattlesnakes, Indian attacks, electrical storms, and being kidnapped by two demented brothers, before reaching Oregon where the man who bought her was rotten to the core. I admire Fiona’s tenacity.

What do you think is the hardest part of being a writer? 

For me, the most difficult part of being a writer isn’t crafting the story. It’s eking out quality time to write. You know, all those mundane things that wives must do. And then before a book releases there’s promo materials to create, then posting on all the social media sites to promote the book, and when edits come in, well, edits take precedent over the current work in progress because it’s a huge no-no to miss an editorial deadline. It’s a good thing I have insomnia, otherwise, I’d never find time to write.

What advice would you give a beginning writer? 

My first advice is not to set yourself up for failure. If a beginning writer is expecting fame and fortune they’re setting themselves up for disappointment. Over the years there has been a gigantic shift in what traditional publishers require from writers. With indie writers flooding the market, the competition for getting a book noticed is fierce. My second bit of advice is to join a professional writers group because education is vital to learning the craft of writing and how to navigate the entire book promotion process. Also, read, read, read. Decide on the genre(s) you wish to write, then read novels in those genres by bestselling authors and by little known authors. Compare their writing voices and writing styles. Then sit down and write, but don’t copy any authors’ style and voice—develop your own. In the words of Stephen King, “Don’t be afraid to kill your darlings.” In other words, don’t fall in love with your first draft, or even the second or third draft. Slicing and dicing is the name of the game. You’ll find that editing and rewriting makes for a stronger story.

What is a typical work day like for you? 

I treat writing like a business. I go to work (which is a bedroom converted to an office.) about 11AM. I check emails and social media first to get that out of the way. If I have a new release coming up, I work on developing promo material. Then if I have edits from my editor, those get first priority over working on my WIP. I do take a break because I have meals to prepare. The old adage of ‘write every day’ doesn’t work for me. I belong to an online reader/writers group, and my publisher holds informational chat sessions every Tuesday. I make time for those. If I’m not exhausted when hubby’s TV is off and the lights are out, then I’ll work on my WIP until my eyes get droopy. Although I try not to work seven days a week, I very often do.

What is your process for layering your story?

I’m a panster/lineal writer. When I sit down at the computer and put my hands on the keys, it’s fly by the seat of my imagination. I’m not a writer that hop-scotches around. Before I begin a story, I do a GMC sheet (goal motivation, conflict) this lets me know what the H/H want and helps drive the plot. I also do character profile’s to give me a general idea of eyes, color, body shape, education, etc. Once I’ve done that, then I sit down and write. I layer as I go. When I write “The End,” I sit the story aside for about a week. Then I go back to look at it with fresh eyes to add layers where needed.

What dreams or goals are you still working toward? 

At my age, my goal is to continue waking up and greeting each new day. Seriously, before the pandemic my dream was to spend a month in Ireland and Scotland which are my ancestral countries. That is still a dream and hopefully it’ll happen in the near future. My goal is to continuing writing for as long as the characters inside my head keep demanding I tell their stories, and to tell their stories well so that readers will keep buying my books.

What other activities besides writing do you enjoy? 

Not to repeat myself, but before the pandemic, my husband and I were avid travelers, and we liked to try new restaurants. Perhaps that day will return. In the meantime, I don’t have hobbies like crocheting or scrapbooking. I do, however, enjoy working crossword puzzles, researching my family genealogy, experimenting with new recipes, and reading.

Loretta, I know readers have enjoyed your responses and finding out more about you.

Thanks for all these wonderful questions, Flossie. I’ve enjoyed answering them.

How about it, Dear Readers--do you have a question for Loretta? Now's your chance! Make sure to check out her website and blog as well. Thank you for tuning in. 

Heart, Humor, and Happily Ever After from the Pen Dames!