H K Carlton

H K CARLTON CROSSES U.S. BORDERS

 

H K Carlton is a multi-published Canadian author of historical, erotic and contemporary romance.

Could you please start by telling us a little about yourself?

I am a Canadian author of historical, contemporary and erotic romance. I live with my hard-working husband and lovely teenage daughter. We also have two grown sons.

Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?

Characters tend to develop as I write. Their individuality becomes clearer as the scenes and dialogue come together and the cast interacts with each other.

What main genre do you write in?

When I began writing, I thought that I was going to be strictly a historical romance writer. At the time the vast majority of books that I read were HR. Write what you know, they say. But to date, I have only written two historical romances, You Found Me and The Devil Take You. The rest have been in the erotic romance genre, with three already published Swap, Lost Time (also in print) and Streetlight People; and three others with contracts signed. But even in those, the sub-genres vary; from m/f to m/m to ménage m/f/f.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

My love for writing, I think, came from my love of reading. I used to read a book a day almost. I don’t have the time to read as much as I used to. But I’m not complaining. I love writing just as much.

What is your writing process? Do you outline, fly by the seat of your pants or a combination of both?

A combination of both. In the beginning, when I first penned You Found Me, I wrote it from beginning to end. I didn’t stop and write a scene out of sequence. I’m not sure why now looking back, but that’s the way I felt it needed to be. I was almost afraid to jump ahead. Now, if I have an idea, I jot a brief outline just so that I won’t forget. I’m usually in the middle of another project and need to refer back when I have time to begin something new. But now when I write a story, I can jump ahead and come back to it and fill in the required details.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I’m not sure that I have a specific writing style, but I do like to write in first person. I have several books published in that POV.

What would be the best way for readers contact you? Do you have a website? Email address? MySpace site? Blog? Message Board? Group?

I have a blog. I call it Pick a Genre Already, http://pickagenrealready.blogspot.ca because I write in several genres and sub-genres and I will probably never just stick to one. My favourite way to connect is Twitter, because you can get your message out there in 140 characters or less. I am also on Facebook, Goodreads, Manic Readers and a couple of Yahoo groups.

How can readers find out more about you and your books?

Readers can find out more about my books by visiting my blog or my publishers websites. Total-E-Bound, MuseItUp Publishing and eXtasy Publishing.

What's your favorite genre to read?

Just as I believe I will never settle into one specific genre to write in, I am the same when reading. I will read anything that captures my imagination. But I do love a good time-traveling historical romance.

When did you first decide to submit your work? Please, tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step.

I first started sending out manuscripts a few years ago, but have only in this past year or so found my stride. My children have supported me immeasurably. They are my biggest cheerleaders and never allowed me to give up. It was my sister though that tipped the scales. I didn’t share my stories with anyone until I finished You Found Me. When I finished writing it, I just had this overwhelming feeling that this one was different from all the other stories that I’d jotted down before. Just taking that first step and allowing another person to read it was a big one for me. I knew that she would tell me the truth, good or bad. After she read it, she encouraged me to send it out to potential publishers and that’s really when it all began.

What was your first published work and when was it published?

My first published work is entitled Swap an erotic contemporary m/f romance. It was published October 2012 by Total-E-Bound Publishing.

Is there anyone who really mentored or inspired you to keep writing until you were finally published? 

My family, the children and my sister, as I mentioned earlier.

But since I have been published the multi-published and talented Lisabet Sarai has been an incredible source and mentor to me. She is extremely insightful and helpful, especially to the newbies. She will answer any question, give advice, point you in the right direction, give an honest answer. Not afraid in the least, to share her knowledge, which I have found some are hesitant to do. I have learned so much from not only the way that she writes but also the way that she conducts herself as an author and as a person. I am grateful to have come in contact with her.

Also author Kay Dee Royal has been tremendously helpful to me. She has also taught me tons, which I am also appreciative of. Another talented writer, who is willing to share her knowledge and experience.

I have also been blessed with some brilliant, patient and supportive editors who have helped me put out work that we can all be proud of.

I have been extremely lucky to have met some wonderful people on this journey, people from all over the world, that I will possibly never meet face to face, but even if this writing gig doesn’t work out for me, these are relationships and friendships that I will treasure forever. 

More links will be provided HERE as they become available. 

H K’s Blog http://pickagenrealready.blogspot.ca 

Twitter https://twitter.com/AuthorHKCarlton 

Facebook www.facebook.com/authorhk.carlton 

Manic Readers http://www.manicreaders.com/HKCarlton/ 

Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/HK-Carlton/e/B009KVR7EW/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

 

CONTEST ALERT:  H K will be giving away an ecopy of The Devil Take You to one lucky commenter.

 

Scotland—1307—During the Scottish Wars of Independence 

Gard Marschand will stop at nothing in his pursuit to regain what is lost. Concealing his true identity, he will associate with his enemies, kill his own countrymen, even sell his soul to the devil if all else fails. He will lie, cheat, steal, rape and siege his way across two countries gaining power and reputation in his malevolent wake. His determination all consuming, until King Edward commands Gard to lay siege on Ross-shire holding, where Braelynn Galbraith obliterates his single-minded purpose.

Braelynn Galbraith wants peace for her beloved Scotland, marriage to her childhood sweetheart, Callum, and a house full of children. In that order. But evil incarnate in the form of Gard Marschand, turns her life inside out and destroys all hope of a decent marriage.

Can Gard abandon his deep-seated need of revenge for a love that might just save his soul, or will he succumb to the demons that hound him and surrender to the devil within?

I believe your stay in purgatory has only just begun…

 

MuseItUp Publishing