Interview with Boone Brux, author of Bridesmaid Blues

Title: Bridesmaid Blues
Author: Boone Brux
Publisher: Entangled Lovestruck
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Kindle 

A wedding. An ex. And a secret.

Maid-of-Honor Dani Brown can handle anything that comes her way when it comes to her best friend's wedding. That is, until the bride asks for a huge favor-Dani needs to distract the best man, who happens to be Dani's ex. The ex she has fantasized dismembering for a year now. The ex she'll have to suck it up and play nice with if this wedding is to go off without a hitch.

Businessman Jamie Kingsland is back in Seattle for a wedding. There's just one problem - the maid of honor wants him dead. Except she doesn't. Even though he knows he broke her heart last year when things got too serious and he panicked and left, she's being way too nice about it now. And it scares him.

Something is up with his favorite bridesmaid, and he's determined to find out what...

ORDER INFORMATION

Bridesmaid Blues is available for purchase at 
 

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?

The life I’ve created. I’m not sure how it happened or how I got so lucky, but I have a fabulous husband and semi-normal kids. I wouldn’t change a thing in my past if it meant not having the life I have now.

How has your upbringing influenced your writing?

I was raised in a small town in Iowa, with Midwest values, so I have good work ethics, which is imperative when writing a book. Sometimes it never seems like it’s going to get finished so you have to soldier through. Plus, I had a great set of friends and my family members were clowns. I’ve carried that into my adult life by marrying a jokester and giving birth to two stand-up comedians. I makes me mad when they’re funnier than I am.

When and why did you begin writing? 

I started when my girls were toddlers, about ten years ago. They’re twins and their constant chatter, Dora the Explorer, and domestic duties pushed my sanity. I started writing Sunday mornings only. It took me seven years to finish my first book. It took me six months to finish my second, and three months to finish my third. Now I can kick one out in about two months, but I like to let them simmer a while. I continue to write because the idea keep coming. Being an author is as satisfying as it is frustrating. I don’t think I’ll ever give it up.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

No. It’s been lingering for decades. I loved reading fantasy, and then moved to romance. I’m totally artistic, as in don’t ask me to do math—ever, so writing came naturally. I started with an interest in writing children’s books, but once I read a paranormal romance by Christine Feehan, I knew that’s was what I wanted to write.

When did you first know you could be a writer? 

When I got a call from Liz P. at Entangled Publishing, saying she wanted my book. Until then being a writer was more like a closet addiction. I only admitted it to my closest friends.

What inspires you to write and why?

The stories beat at me sometimes. I have forty-nine books lined up to write, in a lot of different genres. Contemporary romance, young adult, fantasy, sci-fi romance, women’s fiction, a few non-fiction. I also have stories that I want to write that I have no idea where they fit. But I think if a story is good then people will buy it.

What genre are you most comfortable writing?

Humor is my favorite thing to write no matter what genre. A single punchline can spur an entire plot for me.

What inspired you to write your first book?

 The first book I wrote was the first one published and was written to save my sanity while being a stay-at-home mom. Shield of Fire started off as a historical, but I wanted to add paranormal aspects to it, but it was a weak storyline because I tamed the mystic part of it too much. Then paranormal romance hit hard and I realized I could push the envelope. The book won a bunch of contests and that’s how I landed my publishing contract.

Who or what influenced your writing once you began?

Reading other writers’ works and seeing their journeys. Also, my writer’s group was a huge support. I don’t think I’d be where I am today without them.

What do you consider the most challenging about writing a novel, or about writing in general?

For me it’s deadlines. I have a tendency to wait until the last minute and then start a book. It’s reminiscent of my high-school study habits. I’m getting better but I have been known to spend a week in my office writing all day, with only a few breaks. By the time I finish the book my arms ache, my family doesn’t remember me, and I’m cranky. I’m getting better at doing a steady 2k words a day. That gives the story time to perk and I’m able to deepen the point-of-view for a more satisfying read. Plus, I don’t become a recluse. That’s really easy to do as a writer. I spend so much time in my head it’s like I’ve had several conversations by the end of the day.

Did writing this book teach you anything and what was it?

Yes, when the plot is solid and worked through, the writing will go a lot faster. Knowing how the book ends is a must for me now. I’m pretty scattered, a sufferer of shiny-object-syndrome, so having a destination is key for keeping me on track.

Do you intend to make writing a career? 

I’m a full-time writer now and have no intentions of quitting.

Have you developed a specific writing style?

Oh yeah, but it’s tough to describe. I’d say light and humorous but some of my work is darker, like my medieval fantasy. I always have some humor though, so I’d say that drives the level of darkness. Somebody can still be funny even when they’re killing demons. The key is to not have all my characters sound the same or tell the same jokes. That gets tricky.

What is your greatest strength as a writer? 

That’s tough. I’d have to say my comedic timing. I think I do a lot of things well, but that’s probably my best.

What is your favorite quality about yourself?

My sense of humor. I laugh at myself a lot, which allows me to take responsibility for things I’ve done wrong. I used to be a control freak and super opinionated. I’m still opinionated, but now I respect other people’s views—no matter how wrong they are. *snort* Humor also defuses the severity of things. A lot of times that’s all that needed to view things in a different, more positive light.

What is your least favorite quality about yourself? 

My inner thoughts. Sometimes they sabotage me. I’m trying to be a more positive thinker and a kinder, more genuine person. It’s tough though.

What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why? 

“I’m grateful for what I have, and what I don’t have.” My friend Patty.

Boone is a bestselling author in both fantasy and series romance. She began writing in an attempt to ward of the slow decomposition of her mind while being an at-home-mom of twin toddlers. It soon became clear that storytelling was her true calling.

Her books range from epic fantasy, full of hot heroes and demons, to humorous urban fantasy, where hockey moms are grim reapers and Greek gods live next door. Though she loves writing romance, Boone prefers stories where she gets to blow something up or kill somebody.

She calls Alaska home and lives there with her husband, daughters, rescue dog, Oreo, and Velma Underfoot, a black cat who rules the house.

For More Information

Visit Boone’s website.