Claire Marti is an award winning and USA Today Bestselling author of swoonworthy Contemporary Romance novels set in Southern California, including the Pacific Vista Ranch series and the Finding Forever in Laguna series. She lives in San Diego with her husband, silly dog and two clever cats.
Claire started writing stories as soon as she was old enough to pick up pencil and paper. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BA in English Literature, Claire was sidetracked by other careers, including practicing law, selling software for legal publishers, and managing a non-profit animal rescue for a Hollywood actress. Finally, Claire followed her heart and now focuses on two of her true passions: writing romance and teaching yoga.
What made you decide to be an author? I started writing stories when I was 6 years old. I love to read and writing is a natural extension of my passion for books. I love creating a world where people can escape and enjoy new experiences.
What do you like best about being a writer? Having written. Seriously though, I love researching characters and settings and building stories. In terms of the process, I prefer the editing and polishing of a manuscript. I find writing a first draft the toughest part!
How do you think your life experiences have prepared you for writing romance?
I’ve been lucky enough to travel and live in Europe and Africa. I’ve also had several careers and started over many times. From practicing law to teaching yoga to writing novels. I love using experiences and lessons I’ve learned and translating them into the language of hope. Romance is the genre of hope––no matter how tough life has been, the potential to start over is there.
Have you ever felt as if you were being dictated to while you wrote a book--as if the words came of their own accord? If yes, which book did that happen with?
I wouldn’t say that I felt that I was being dictated to per se, I’d frame it more as certain times the words flow and I’m not sure where they are coming from. Certain characters have spoken to me and their dialogue and emotions seem to almost appear on the page.
You’ve written 9 novels and are working on a 10th, which will be Book Two in your new California Suits series, Wine Country King. What’s your favorite time management tip? I use an app on my computer called Freedom. It allows me to disable the internet for periods of time so I can work without distraction. I’m also a big believer in lists!
Are you a plotter or a pantser, i.e., do you outline your books ahead of time or are you an “organic” writer? I’m a hybrid. I spend a great deal of time researching and creating my characters first. I determine their emotional wounds because that determines their growth from the beginning to the end of the story. I know the beginning and end and the main plot points/twists/decisions. But I can’t outline in detail or I lose the thread of the story.
If you had one take away piece of advice for authors, what would it be? Be persistent and don’t compare yourself to other authors. Everyone has a different path so stay focused on your own.
Do you listen to music when you write? Do you have a theme song for this book? What music did you go back to over and over as you wrote it, or as you write, in general?
I listen to music before I write and when I’m working on character sketches and doing research. I need silence when I write.
Tell me more about Hotel King. Hotel King is an enemies to lovers romance set in La Jolla, California. It is the first book in the California Suits series which will follow the adventures of five best friends who are opening a string of luxury boutique hotels from La Jolla to Monterey to Beverly Hills as each one finds true love…usually where he least expects it.
Blurb: Entrepreneur Ryan Michaels never loses. Well, except that time, a few years ago when he lost a promotion to spoiled rich girl, Charlotte “Charlie” Ray. Now he’s forced to hire his nemesis to secure funding to develop a string of luxury boutique hotels. Not only does she not fit his corporate vision, but she’s too damn attractive for her own good. And his.
Working as VP of Sales and Marketing for a luxury hotel is Charlie’s dream job. Too bad her boss is Ryan Michaels, the same pompous stick-in-the-mud that she remembers. If he tells her that this project is his legacy one more time, she might scream. Or maybe kissing him will get him to shut up?
Because that’s the other thing. The sizzling attraction between Ryan and Charlie is impossible to ignore. But everyone knows not to mix business and pleasure. Don’t they?
Excerpt
Did his player little brother want to date her? Could he blame Austin?
He surged to his feet and stalked around the room. Charlie was gorgeous, brilliant, and full of creative, progressive ideas. Hell, he couldn’t lie to himself that she intrigued him. Which was funny because at their old job, he truly hadn’t noticed her. He’d never had this strange and annoying inability to stop watching her. What had seemed obnoxious and strident before now appeared more friendly and vivacious.
And since when could he not control his behavior? He didn’t want to be attracted to her, damn it. His complicated new fascination with his former nemesis needed to stop. Simple dislike had been a lot easier.
On a personal level, it was a terrible idea––they were opposites after all. On a professional level, it was suicide. He couldn’t blur the lines.
Where can readers find more about your stories, books and you on the Internet?
Website: https://www.clairemarti.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClaireMartiAuthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clairepmarti
Buy Links:
https://books2read.com/hotelking/
https://clairemarti.com/r/HotelKing-Kindle
https://clairemarti.com/r/HotelKing-Nook
https://clairemarti.com/r/HotelKing-Kobo
https://clairemarti.com/r/HotelKing-Apple
Thank you so much for being with us here today. I know my readers will enjoy your work, your interview, and a signed copy of Hotel King to ONE commenter on today's blog selected at random.
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