I’m delighted to welcome Francine Beaton to my blog.
Hello Francine,
Like you, I’m a member of The Romantic Novelists’ Association and it was through the RNA that I’ve been able to connect with so many wonderful writers. It’s marvellous how everyone shares the experiences - both good and bad - they've faced on their writing journey. I'm looking forward to reading the nuggets of knowledge you're willing to reveal.
Here are a few questions which will hopefully give your readers an insight into some of the things that matter to you.
Arabella: How did you manage to get your first novel published and what did you learn from the experience?
Francine: I only started writing in July 2018. For the next months, I’ve written non-stop. In May 2017 I went to a Romance Masterclass with Sarah Bullen from The Writing Room in Cape Town. Throughout that weekend and the following months, Sarah mentored me until I was ready to approach publishers in September 2017. I sent out 64 submissions, got several rejections but three indie publishers accepted me. I signed with Roane for my first three books. Before book 2 was at the editors, I realised that for me to get print books to South Africa, it would be too costly. I got my rights back and started to self-publish.
Arabella: If you could choose, which would it be: A walk in the woods, a walk along a beach front to dip your toes in the sea, or a day shopping for clothes?
Francine: A walk in the woods, for sure. I love forests. There is something magical about it.
Arabella: Who or what inspired you to write your latest release, Leading from the Front?
Francine: As Leading from the Front is a rugby romance, the third in the Playing for Glory series, I got my inspiration from three rugby captains, Springboks Francois Pienaar and Victor Matfield and All Black Richie McCaw. They are all retired now. I’ve read both Victor and Richie’s biographies.
Arabella: Some authors write at first light, others need a mug of coffee or a glass of wine before putting pen to paper. When writing, are there any “essentials” you need to help the words flow?
Francine: The muse often wakes me up at three in the morning. I then need tea. Lots of tea and peace and quiet.
Arabella: You’re halfway through the work-in-progress, you’ve hit a brick wall, inspiration has gone, and you’re stuck! Urgent action is needed. How do you solve the problem?
Francine: I usually have a few projects on the go so if one character don’t talk to me, another one usually does. If all else fails, I have a couple of techniques. The first is to find another place to write, using a pen and paper and using the five senses. I may go sit in a coffee shop or a pub or in the garden and describe what’s going on around me. Or I’ll write something like describing my favourite recipe, a thunderstorm, etc. Some of those scenes have ended up in my books. Others are still loitering in my computer.
Arabella: The T.V. is on and you’re in control of the remote. Which is it to be: A quiz programme…An afternoon of sport…A family soap…or…A romantic film you’ve always wanted to see but missed when it was shown at the cinema?
Francine: I don’t watch television much but of course I watch rugby on Saturday afternoons. It is a wee problem if hubby wants to watch football and I want to watch rugby, but he is quite nice about it. He is usually in control of the remote. If I do get an opportunity, I’ll watch a romantic film or series like The Mentalist and CSI.
Arabella: Where do you read? Sofa or bed or ____?
Francine: Bed and sometimes, in the afternoons, I will sit outside on the veranda with a glass of wine to relax with my Kindle.
Francine: Bed and sometimes, in the afternoons, I will sit outside on the veranda with a glass of wine to relax with my Kindle.
Arabella: Do you have any great writing, publishing, or marketing tips you’d like to share?
Francine: I wish. The best advice I got was to keep on writing. Everyone told me that marketing will get easier as you’ve published ten or more books. I’ll soon find out if it is true.
Thank you for joining me on Arabella’s Blog and Chit-Chat, Francine. It was great to learn about your latest release, Leading from the Front, a book that features in your Playing for Glory series. I wonder which path Daniel and Melissa will choose…a career, or love? I also found your tip about finding another place, getting a pen and paper, and writing using the five senses, helpful.
All the best, and happy-ever-after writing…
Arabella Sheen
About Francine Beaton
FRANCINE BEATON is a contemporary romance writer who lives in South Africa with her Scottish husband. She now suffers from empty-nest syndrome as her daughter is now studying in Melbourne.
When she’s not reading or writing about love and Happily Ever After, she’s most likely busy painting or taking photos of everything that catches her eye.
During rugby season, you’ll either find her next to the pitch or in front of the television, following her favourite teams. It’s probably not difficult to figure out why her debut novel, Eye on the Ball, as well as the series, Playing for Glory, has rugby as a theme.
Whenever she gets the opportunity, she loves travelling to faraway places and considers Scotland her second home.
Francine is a member of the Romance Writers Organisation of South Africa (ROSA), the Romantic Novelists' Association (RNA) and the Romance Writers of America (RWA).
LEADING FROM THE FRONT (BOOK 3 IN THE PLAYING FOR GLORY SERIES)
Temptation can come in any form.
As long as it wasn’t Melissa Roux. Daniel Cooper had known that since the first moment he’d seen the new physio for the Buffaloes. As captain, he had to set an example and falling head over heels for the feisty blonde with the endless long legs, wasn’t the way to do it.
Melissa knew Daniel was going to be a problem from the first day she walked into Buffaloes Stadium. There was no way she was going to risk her career for an arrogant chauvinist who called her a blonde bimbo. For that, she worked too hard to get her dream job.
Neither had reckoned with the undeniable chemistry between them and the famous Cooper curse. When he couldn’t hide it anymore, Daniel made a simple request which had more repercussions than he expected. In his quest to find the truth, he made another error in judgement, risking not only Melissa’s career but also the loyalty of his team and the Club.
Daniel and Melissa both had to make important decisions: what’s more important? Your career or love?
Buy Link:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2TLBbZd
Hello Francine - Thank you for being such a great guest on Arabella's Blog and Chit-Chat. I hope your readers have learnt a "little something" about you that they didn't know before...
ReplyDeleteAnd good luck with your latest release, "Leading Form The Front".