Interview with Faith Sullivan, author of HEARTBEAT and UNEXPECTED

By: Meradeth Houston on 7:00 AM

It is my pleasure to introduce you all to Faith Sullivan today, author of HEARTBEAT (you have to love this cover!) and UNEXPECTED. I just downloaded Heartbeat and can't want to read it! And if you're looking for a chance to win a copy, there's a giveaway going on at Goodreads--check it out! 


(Q) Thanks for stopping by my blog! Let’s start with the basics: where are you from? Is there any place online you’d like to direct us to learn more about you? 

Hi Meradeth! Thanks for inviting me to stop by.

I am from Pennsylvania, although I lived for a time in New York City.

You can follow me on Twitter at @_FaithSullivan_ and read my blog at http://faithsullivanwrites.blogspot.com

HEARTBEAT (only 99¢ on Kindle), the title of my New Adult contemporary romance, plays an important role in the resolution of the story. I don't want to give any spoilers away, but Adam and Katie are running out of time, and they don't even know it. The remaining moments they have together are measured, quite literally, in heartbeats.


(Q) Which authors have most influenced your own writing?

I can't say there are any in particular, but with every book I read I make sure to take note on how authors craft their stories. I examine the dynamics of the plot, how they formulated the dialogue, how they establish an emotional connection between the reader and the characters, etc.


(Q) What do you do for fun other than writing?

I love to be out in nature - hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, etc. I always feel so cooped up during the winter. I can't wait for it to end.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I quite frankly
want to kick her out of her chair and steal this spot!

(Oh, I hear you there! Winter here is apparently endless!)


(Q) If you could describe your ideal writing spot, where would it be? What music would you listen to (if at all)? What treats would you have on hand?

(Q) Plotter or pantser? Both? Neither?

 (Q) Do you have any new projects that you are working on? Care to share?)

I recently saw the movie HITCHCOCK and his wife played by Helen Mirren was given this beautiful beachside bungalow where she could write. There was a typewriter on a patio table with the ocean waves in the background. It just looked so perfect. What every writer dreams of.

I usually don't listen to music while I write, but I am inspired by it when it comes to triggering ideas in a story. I love creating playlists for my novels when they're completed.

And I always have either a can of Diet Coke or a bottle of water on my desk while I'm busy typing away.

I had specific scenes in mind while creating HEARTBEAT, especially the opening chapters, but then it took on a life of its own and Katie and Adam directed me where they needed to go. But for UNEXPECTED, I sketched a pretty detailed outline for how I want the plot to progress and really fleshed out scenes before I started writing them. Every book speaks to me in a different way, so I guess I adhere to both schools of thought.

UNEXPECTED is currently my work in progress. It will be released in April 2013. It's also a New Adult contemporary romance, but this time it's set circa September 11, 2001. It will be told in first person, present tense, but without alternating points-of-view. The sole voice of the story will be college student, Michelle Rhodes. It's been an extremely cathartic experience writing through her eyes. 


(Q) What kinds of marketing do you think are the most successful in terms of getting your name/book out there? (Curious minds are taking notes!)

I don't have a specific game plan when it comes to marketing in terms of advertising dollars or an extensive media campaign. I frankly don't have the funds for such an endeavor. I try to take a more organic approach and let things happen naturally. I love reading and reviewing other authors' work. I love tweeting with readers on Twitter. I love checking out book blogs and leaving comments. I'm a believer in paying it forward and putting good karma out there, and then let the chips fall where they may. I wish I was more agenda motivated, but alas I am not.

(Q) How about an excerpt to tantalize the readers? 

I'd love to leave you with an excerpt from HEARTBEAT, if I may.

Fate refuses to cut me a break. Sometimes I think Charlie’s right. You don’t often get second chances, and the one I had I threw away. Serves me right. Maybe she won’t even remember me if I bump into her again. How embarrassing would that be? 

But in my head, she knows me. Oh, does she know me. Fantasizing different scenarios with her is my new favorite pastime. I love imagining her with me in California, taking her away from this bleak and frigid scene.

***

It is just about sunset, and we are sitting on my surfboard a couple hundred yards off the beach in this perfect, secluded spot I like to go to. I have never taken any one here, not April, not anybody. But I want to share it with her.

She is in front of me, the waves gently lapping at our legs. My arms are around her waist; her back rests against my chest. Her long hair is wet, its red highlights catching the last rays of sunlight.

“What are you thinking about?” I ask, leaning in.

“That I hope there aren’t any sharks in this water,” she jokes.

“I don’t know. I think I might have seen one over there,” I say while pinching her side.

“Oh, don’t you dare!” she squeals. “You don’t want to capsize us both, do you?”

“No, I have better things in mind,” I say.

“Like what?” she asks, turning around. As soon as she does, I cup her face with my hand placing my lips on hers. Our kiss deepens as she slides her legs around to completely face me. She is more adept at keeping her balance than she gives herself credit for.

I feel her hands glide along my chest until she encircles my neck, pulling herself even closer. The press of her body against mine ignites my desire, but it also feels soothing, comforting. It’s this sense of peace that I crave. She is my safe place. She is my respite from the craziness of the world.

***

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!

I open my eyes. Charlie is back banging on the driver’s side window. “C’mon, kid. You can’t fall asleep on the job now. We have three more hours to go.”

And just like that, it’s back to reality.