Alice Clayton

Contemporary romance author ALICE CLAYTON is proud to have Omnific Publishing offering her debut novel, The Unidentified Redhead. Alice’s writing sparkles with authentic witty dialogue that will have you grinning from cover to cover. Her writing skills were cultivated in a dynamic online writing community she called home for more than a year, and in honor of the release of The Unidentified Redhead on February 16, 2010, Alice has agreed share a little bit about her writing process and the publication of her first book.

Omnific: What is your writing process like? How long does it take you to write a book and where does it fit in your schedule?

The Unidentified Redhead did not take very long to write at all, in fact it came pouring out rather quickly. Since this was my first novel, I didn’t have a strong sense of what I needed to do to craft a story initially, and it was awhile before I came to what I could call my own “process.”  I now typically sit down to write a scene at a time, and if I don’t think I have enough time, I don’t start. I like to work one scene at a time, with each chapter outlined ahead of time. While working full time, writing becomes something I do before bed, or on days off. I find I actually write better when I am at a coffee shop or somewhere out of the house, as it is easier to focus that way. My local Panera loves me!
 
Omnific: What made you decide to publish The Unidentified Redhead as a novel?

When I sat down to write this book, I never thought anyone else would read it. I was thrilled to find out that others had stories similar to Grace’s, and that readers were seeing themselves in her. I knew that I wanted her story to reach more women, and because I need a laugh as much as the next gal, I thought her zany, wacky adventures would translate well into a full-length novel.

Omnific: Did you know how The Unidentified Redhead would end before you started writing, or was it more of an organic process?

I always knew where the ending would naturally be, although there are definitely more adventures ahead for Grace and Jack, and really all of the characters. I knew the rough ending, and I knew the nuts and bolts of how they would get there, but it was truly a discovery process as we went along together, with Grace kind of hinting here and there to me where she needed to go.

Omnific: Tell us about the main characters in The Unidentified Redhead.

Well, first we start out with Miss Grace, our redhead. We find her living in Los Angeles with her best friend Holly, a talent manager. Grace had a chance, years ago, to become an actress, but things don’t always work out the way we plan. She is now back on the West Coast to make another run at it, older, wiser, and a little sillier. Enter Jack. The new up and coming “It” boy in Hollywood, he is 9 years her junior but light years ahead of her in emotional maturity. The two meet, and sparks fly almost instantly. Holly is Grace’s best friend, but also Jack’s manager and while supportive of her friend, is concerned about her client appearing ‘unavailable’ at this pivotal moment in his career, when he is becoming quite the heartthrob to women across the world. At its heart, this story is about love, and the many forms it takes.

Omnific: The setting for The Unidentified Redhead is Los Angeles and you write about it with a sense of familiarity and a great love for the city. What about L.A., the celebrity life, and Hollywood specifically inspired you?

I adore Los Angeles. I was lucky enough to live there for a while after college, and there is something about Southern California that is simply intoxicating. I had never even visited L.A. until I was finished with school, and the friends that I had at the time showed me a side of L.A. that I don’t think all tourists see. It is easy to get lost in the splash and the synthetic that definitely is there in that town, but underneath that, L.A. is lovely. There is also something very cool about knowing that wherever you are in Los Angeles, every star you have ever admired or watched or sighed over or kissed on the pages of a magazine is right there, probably right around a hidden corner. It is a magical town, if you see it the right way.

Omnific: Do you have any plans to publish any sequels, and if so, how many more Redheads do we have to look forward to?

Yes! There is most definitely a sequel to The Unidentified Redhead, and in fact, it will eventually be at least a trilogy. There are all kinds of things to come for these guys!

Omnific: Where do you find your inspiration and your most interesting story ideas? Music? Real life? A trip to Home Depot?

I find inspiration in the strangest places. I was inspired once at Pet Smart! But mostly, I just observe the world around me, and the relationships that I see. I tend to see things in Cinemascope, and so I am always asking, “what should he say next?” or “what is she really thinking?”  Ultimately, I write things that I think I would want to read.

Omnific: Many established authors have said that reading books is the best research you can do when you want to become a writer. What are your favorite books and authors? Do you have a favorite genre?

I am an equal opportunity reader. I snuck around and read a lot of Stephen King books when I was in junior high. I say snuck around, because my parents wouldn’t let me read those kinds of books, mainly because they knew if I read them they would have to put up with the nightmares for weeks! But I read them anyway, and the nightmares were terrible! I recently began rereading a lot of those books that I read as a kid, and I am amazed at the way he can craft a story, the way you want to know everything about these characters. I usually read a lot of nonfiction, but I have realized that I am quite a fan of paranormal romance and romance in general. I tend not to like sappy, but I am a sucker for a good happily ever after.

Omnific: What is your best advice for aspiring writers?

Write what you know and write what you like. And don’t let anyone tell you that because you don’t have a literary degree or can’t quote Shakespeare on demand that you don’t have something to offer as a writer. Have fun with it, and if you can knock your own socks off from time to time, then you are doing it right!