Lisa Sanchez

Lisa Sanchez
Interview for OMNIFIC

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?

I'm pretty gung ho with my writing. When I get a new idea for a story, it saturates my every waking thought until I sit down and start typing. The first draft of Eve of Samhain took me four months to write. I've got three girls who keep me busy playing taxi most days, so I tend to do most of my writing in the mornings while they are in school.

Omnific: What made you decide to publish Eve of Samhain as a novel?

I've dreamed of becoming a published author since I was a child. I'm a voracious reader and have always thought, "Hey, I can do that!" When the idea for EoS came to me, I threw caution to the wind, let go of my hang-ups, and went for it. I'm so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and put myself out there because now we have Quinn to enjoy.

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

No! (She laughs) I'm very much a panster. I knew the basic premise of the story and certain key events that needed to take place. Everything else was character driven. And let me just tell you, my characters are stubborn! They don't like to listen and they insist on doing things their way almost one hundred percent of the time. Feisty little buggers!

Omnific: Tell us about the main characters in Eve of Samhain.

The protagonist in EoS is Ryann Pierce, a sassy, tell-it-like-it-is college senior with a little extra junk in her trunk. Ryann works as a server at Hanaford Park's hottest nightspot called Fire and Ice. Fiercely independent and tired of the grabby clientele she's forced to wait on night after night, her plan is to make enough money to skip town once she's graduated and move on to bigger and better things. Meeting the charismatic Quinn Donegan was not part of her plan, and our bad boy throws her for a serious loop.

Quinn Donegan, or Mr. Sex God Extraordinaire as Ryann likes to call him, is the quintessential ladies' man. Tall, muscled up, impossibly sexy, and cursed with an orgasmic touch, he's living out what he thinks are his last days when he crosses paths with Ryann. Quinn is taken with our main girl when she doesn't immediately fall at his feet like every woman before her, and stubbornly maneuvers himself into her life.

Omnific: Tell us about the setting you chose for Eve of Samhain. What was it that specifically inspired you?

Hanaford Park is completely fictitious. I wanted the freedom that came with creating my own little world. I'm a proud California girl, so I did make sure my fabricated town was located in my home state so I'd be familiar with the weather patterns and all.

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

Yes! I'm currently polishing book two, Pleasures Untold, which is Martha's story. My goal for The Hanaford Park series is to write a novel for each of the four friends. You meet three of the friends in Eve of Samhain, and the fourth and final protagonist is introduced in Martha's novel.

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

I'm inspired by the people around me. My writing strengths definitely center around female relationships. I've got three daughters, all who participate in All-Star cheerleading. I'm surrounded by teenage girls morning, noon, and night, so I'm fairly good at the female bonding thing. The playful banter you see between Ryann, Jessica, and Martha in the novel is very real, though not quite as profane in real life. Ryann and Jessica's characters are loosely based on my daughter and her best friend, Jessica, who is very much the shy, sweet girl you see in the story. Several of the characters you meet in book two are also based on people I come in contact with every day.

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?

Reading is my passion. While I enjoy most romance genres, my favorite is paranormal romance. I absolutely adore Gena Showalter, Larissa Ione, Karen Marie Moning, and Diana Gabaldon. My favorite author hands down is J. R. Ward. She's beyond brilliant, her voice is amazing, and yes, I'm a total fan girl. Her Black Dagger Brotherhood series is the bomb! And in case you were wondering, my favorite brother is Butch. Yeah, baby!

Omnific: What is your best advice for aspiring writers?

Persevere. Stick with it. Don't get in your own way and convince yourself you're not good enough. If you have a story to tell, sit down and type it out. Your story may not ever be published, but that's okay. You will have accomplished a goal, which let me tell you is a wonderful feeling. I'd also have to say, don't hold back. Be "in your face" with your writing. It wasn't until I quit worrying about how I thought I "should" be writing, and instead focused on the voice inside my head, that I got anywhere with my craft. Be true to yourself and you'll never go wrong.