Biography
Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Paranormal Romance, Contemporary Romance, and Young Adult novels from a multitude of publishers. She has appeared in Cosmo and Seventeen magazines, on MTV, and has also been featured on many regional and national news programs.
Good to Know
Gena credits much of her success to her wonderful fans, amazing family, and the three slobbery English bulldogs who sleep under her desk. She is a self proclaimed coffee addict and when she's not writing she likes to...well, we're not sure. We've never seen her do anything but write.
Feature Interview
In the fall of 2009, Gena Showalter took some time to talk with us about her favorite books, authors, and interests. What was the book that most influenced your life or your career as a writer -- and why? Warrior's Woman by Johanna Lindsey. Before this book, I had only ever read historical romances. But I was intrigued by the idea of a futuristic society, spaceships, females who could kick ass, and strong alpha men. Then I started reading and intrigue became utter adoration. I loved the story, and I realized I could write about anything I could imagine.
What are your ten favorite books, and what makes them special to you? A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole. The hero chews and claws off his own leg to reach the heroine. Now that is an act of love! I'm still waiting for someone to do this for me. But I digress. I was glued to every page, couldn't put this down, and actually threatened my family with bodily harm when they dared interrupt my reading. This is a true masterpiece, as well as the most amazing start to a series that I've ever read! But then,
all of Cole's books are masterpieces.
Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Moning. This was the first book I ever read featuring time travel and the Fae. Plus, Karen paints such a vivid picture, I always feel like I'm in the book with the characters. In this one, I time traveled with the heroine, I was seduced by the hero, and I was enveloped by magic. To all three I say yes, yes, a thousand times yes.
Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Cruise. I have never laughed so hard while reading a book. Cruise has the most amazing sense of humor -- humor that stems from her characters and their lives, rather than slapstick. What's more, her characters are people I want so badly to hang out with.
Demon Moon by Meljean Brook. A vampire hero who knows how beautiful he is yet can't look into a mirror. An everyday heroine I could identify with, even be. And wow, is this book sexy! Brook made me believe her characters were falling in love and by the end, I knew they were meant to be together.
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh. A heroine who has been taught not to feel and a hero who lives by his emotions. They balanced each other out, and watching them fall in love was so amazingly beautiful. This is a truly powerful book.
Warrior Rising by P. C. Cast. I love how P.C. twisted the story of Hercules to make it her own. In this book, he has a beast trapped inside him and that's why he is such an indomitable, ferocious warrior. Throw in a modern day heroine, white-hot attraction, and it's an instant page-turner!
Hitting the Mark by Jill Monroe. A hero undercover, a con artist heroine trying to go straight. Perfection! I loved their banter -- and the fact that the heroine wasn't afraid to dish the most delicious kind of revenge. And then, how the two overcame their problems -- dreamy sigh.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. I love the intensity of the hero's love. I love how irresistible he finds the heroine. I love how much they need each other. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. First love meets true, everlasting love, and that's an irresistible combination for me.
Lover Awakened by J. R. Ward. The hero was abused for many years, is physically scarred, and wants nothing to do with love. But the heroine is attracted to him, and knows they belong together. Plus, she's been abused, as well, and feels safest with him. This book shows the healing power of love, is packed with gut-wrenching emotion and is utterly compelling.
Red Fire by Deidre Knight. I was sold the moment I saw the book was about sexy Spartan warriors (I have a thing for warriors) But there is so much more to the book. It's an amazing blend of urban fantasy and romance, with those delicious warriors I mentioned, fighting gods and demons in modern day Savannah. I love the way history, mythology and romance come together!
What are some of your favorite films, and what makes them unforgettable to you? Twilight. I loved seeing one of my favorite love stories come to life.
Anchorman. I laugh every time I watch this movie. Will Ferrell is a comic genius.
Braveheart. Snippets of history, love, and the heartbreak of war. So touching!
Idiocracy. Hilarious! But hopefully not true.
What types of music do you like? Is there any particular kind you like to listen to when you're writing? My tastes are eclectic. Rock, pop, gospel, ballads, soundtracks, you name it, it's listed in my iTunes library and playing while I write.
What are your favorite kinds of books to give -- and get -- as gifts? Romances. Always. Especially the first in a series. If l enjoy a series, I want the rest of the world to read and enjoy it, as well.
Do you have any special writing rituals? For example, what do you have on your desk when you're writing? I drink coffee while I write. That way, I don't hurt the people around me and my characters get to live another day.
Many writers are hardly "overnight success" stories. How long did it take for you to get where you are today? Any rejection-slip horror stories or inspirational anecdotes? I have so many rejection slips I can't even count them. It took me four-five years to sell (after writing seven books). Then it took me another four painful years to start hitting bestseller lists.
What tips or advice do you have for writers still looking to be discovered? Write the book the way it needs to be written, not the way you think others will want you to write it. If you love the story, that love will shine through. Magic will happen.
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