I’m
delighted to welcome Paige Onsen to
my blog.
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| Paige Onsen - Author |
Hello
Paige - It was lovely to connect with you through our mutual publisher, Evernight Publishing. Before we learn more about your latest release I’m Your Man, here are a few questions that
will hopefully give your readers and followers and insight into some of the
things that matter to you.
Arabella: Authors can
release books, making them available to readers in various ways … via an agent,
or working directly with a traditional publisher, or they can even go the
self-publishing route. Which method of publishing do you prefer, and why?
Paige: I have always dreamed of
having my book published by a traditional publisher. I’ve envisioned this since
I was twelve. When I think of my childhood, I remember sitting at my desk, getting
completely lost in writing my newest story and then taking a book from my mini
library and showing it to the world. I’d open the window and start expressing
gratitude to the audience outside. I doubt anyone listened, but it felt great. J
In
April this year, I manifested working with Evernight
Publishing. The entire team is very professional and knowledgeable. A few
months prior to sending my manuscript, I read the interview with Stacey
Adderley and was impressed with her forward thinking and the advice she gave
aspiring authors, so I decided to give it a try. The experience has been
amazing so far.
I
can’t wait to hold my book in my hands. The first thing I’m going to do is take
a deep breath and sniff it.
Arabella: A slice of Chocolate Cake, a piece of Fruit, or Burger and
Fries?
Paige: What an interesting
question! Food is always a great conversation starter and I have to say a piece
of fruit for me, please. I love anything that comes from mother nature in its
purest form. Although, ten years ago I would have said a piece of chocolate cake.
When I was younger, I had a serious sugar addiction (it’s a real thing and can
be pretty nasty) and I got to the point where I had to choose between destructive
indulgences and my health. Of course, I chose me and worked very hard to get
where I am now. Still, while I don’t eat sugar—not nearly as much as I used to—a
slice of chocolate cake would be a delightful treat as long as it is vegan.
Arabella: Who or what inspired you to write your latest release, I’m Your Man?
Paige: This book came to me in my dream
and was inspired by a friend’s story and an influencer I’ve known for many
years. I started writing in April 2018 in a shiny pink notebook that I got from
my mom. (I am a stationery addict and I cannot live without notebooks and
pens). I first write my ideas and paragraphs in my notebook and then I type and
save everything in a computer program file. I’ve always been a pen and paper
gal and there’s something about that action of gliding a smooth-writing pen on
paper that awakens my creativity every time.
Arabella: If the person of your dreams, (husband/wife/partner/or
superstar), were to take you out for the night, where would they take you and
what would you do?
Paige: I’m always up for
adventure although I am not a big fan of going out. I’m an INFJ and I am most
energized in the morning. I wake up at 4:30 and go to bed at 9:00. By 8 p.m.,
I’m in my PJs, curled up on the couch, reading. I do love to go out on dates,
so if hubby wants to take me on a trip around the world, I’d never say no. But
right at this moment, I would love to spend a romantic evening on one of the
famous rooftops in Paris.
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| Paris |
Arabella: Who or what chases away your blues?
Paige: An emotion-filled
romance novel or a romantic comedy. Long hugs from my boys. Talking to my mom
and dad over the phone since we don’t live in the same city. A swim in the sea.
Watching the clouds from the top of the hill. A vigorous early morning run.
Journaling.
Arabella: Currently, what is your most favourite T.V. programme, and
why?
Paige: I’ve been watching Ted
Lasso lately. I’m a soccer fan and there’s something in that show that
intrigues me. I recently finished watching Sex/Life, and I enjoyed it very
much. I also love documentaries. Real-life stories inspire me.
Arabella: When writing a book or chapter, which do you concentrate
on first: plot, character, or setting?
Paige: Hmm, let’s see. I usually like
to start with writing a story down in as many details as I know. But to answer
your question accurately, I’d say characters. Dialogue is very important to me
and this is usually where the story begins. I have a character sheet that I
always keep in the notebook of the book I am currently working on. I write
everything I know about my characters and as I write the book and the story
progresses, the characters speak to me. I don’t have everything planned out all
at once, but I know the main points that I want to focus on. I also have to
know the setting, as this helps me better visualize the most important scenes
and where the action takes place. For example, when I started writing I’m
Your Man, I knew my hero, Jason Tanner, would be a strong, sexy,
down-to-earth guy who is confident around women (of course) and I knew he had
to be a photographer, surfer and a passionate biker. I knew his age, where he
lived and what his history was. With Rhea, it was similar but with a few tiny
details that I changed along the way. In my process of writing, my main
characters are the pillars of any book I write, and I like to keep them in
close proximity at all times without interrupting the flow of their interaction
for too long.
Arabella: How do you research your novels and characters?
Paige: I’m a very visual
person and I believe that imagination can take us anywhere we want to go. After
I write the storyline and visualize details of specific scenes, I go online and
look for photos that I immediately put on my vision board. Then, once I start
writing and I am fully invested, I have the help of the vision board in case I
struggle to finish a scene. If my characters have deep emotional issues, like
my heroine Rhea who suffers from PTSD, I spend a great deal in learning about
the topic if I am not familiar with it or I speak to my friends who are physicians
and people I know who’ve been through similar situations (including myself).
When it comes to settings, I rely on my imagination and the trips I’ve taken so
far. I have been so lucky to have had the chance to travel the whole world in
my twenties and see some of the most magnificent places on earth. Despite my
being an introvert (that’s a whole new topic), I love meeting people and
absorbing different cultures while I secretly plot my next novel in my head.
Oh, and I always, always have a
playlist that I listen to as I write.
Arabella: What advice would you give to someone who is starting out
on their writing journey?
Paige: Read, read, read, then
write. And always believe in yourself. Someday you are going to be someone’s
favorite author.
Thank
you for this wonderful opportunity, Arabella! Keep up the amazing work you’re
doing.
Thank
you for being a super guest on Arabella’s Blog and Chit-Chat, Paige. I must
confess I didn’t know who or what INFJ meant. After Googling…
An Advocate (INFJ) is someone with Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging personality traits. They tend to approach life with deep thoughtfulness and
imagination. Their inner vision, personal values, and a quiet, principled
version of humanism guide them in all things.
Wishing
the best for your latest release - I’m
Your Man
Arabella
www.arabellasheen.co.uk
About Paige Onsen
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| Paige Onsen - Author |
An
incurable romantic with imagination in constant overdrive…
Paige
Onsen is a contemporary romance author who started writing from a very early
age. As a curly-haired girl with giant pink glasses on her skinny face, she has
always been an avid reader of romance, mysteries, and adventure books.
After
secretly writing for years, Paige finally decided to come out in the open and
share her stories with the world. She enjoys a hot and steamy story but she is
a sucker for romance novels that are emotional, strong and irresistibly sexy.
She is best known for her sexy, witty and emotion-filled contemporary romances
with strong independent heroines.
When
she is not writing, plotting or swooning over her sinfully sexy alpha heroes,
she takes care of her family and enjoys a delicious cup of tea in her lush
green garden. An avid globe trotter, she has traveled the world lengthwise
and crosswise and loves using her experiences and faraway corners of the
world as motivation to create memorable characters and dazzling settings.
Paige
is a badass at smashing goals when it comes to writing, but her life goals are
pretty simple: to raise two happy and healthy young men into strong and
compassionate real-life romance novel heroes, to continue traveling for as long
as she can, and to never stop writing powerful love stories with passion.
Website and social
media links:
Website: paigeonsen.com
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/paigeonsenauthor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100058555543265
Book Blurb: I’m Your Man
Rhea
Torres is a powerful woman. She runs an extravagant multi-million-dollar
company while enjoying the benefits of the lavish lifestyle she’s worked so
hard to achieve. Yet, under that perfect facade is the girl who has never been
enough. Growing up in foster homes, she knew what it meant to go through hell
and work her butt off to get to where she is now.
Jason
Tanner is a vibrant, utterly fulfilled man who leads a life of purpose. He
lives in LA. He lives in Hawaii. And he is everything she is not—healthy and
energetic with a vigorous desire for life. With a smile to kill and a body to
seduce, he is the ultimate catch.
Too
bad Rhea’s not interested. Because she knows not to trust men. She never
has.
As
Jason tenaciously pursues Rhea and she gets to know him, there’s something
about him that draws her in and she accepts his dinner invitation. But when
things start to sizzle and she realizes that Jason is so much more than the
hunk she first thought him to be, she lifts her guard up and lets him in. Until
she finds out that Jason hid a very important piece of information from her—a
secret that could potentially ruin what they have and change their lives
forever.
BUY LINKS:
Paige's Website: paigeonsen.com
Evernight Publishing: https://www.evernightpublishing.com/
