Special Guest A. Catherine Noon

Today, I'd like to welcome special guest author A. Catherine Noon (half of the writing team Noon and Wilder with fellow author Rachel Wilder) to tell us a little about her upcoming release.

PGF: It's such a pleasure to have you here today. What can you tell us about "Taking a Chance"?

ACN: “Taking a Chance” is a contemporary M/M romance short story, written for the Torquere Press 2012 Charity Sip Blitz event to benefit the charity NOH8.  It’s a bit of a departure for us, in that we usually write paranormal or science fantasy.  Here’s a short blurb:

Doctor Jacob Davison has outgrown the hookups of his younger days and wants to settle down.  When he’s abandoned by the side of the road, a leather-clad stranger stops and offers him a ride. Chance Renton is different from anyone Jay’s ever met. He’s caring and helpful, yet cynical and world-weary. 

From the first moment of their shared motorcycle ride, an attraction begins to simmer between them. Between Jay’s ex-boyfriend showing up and the misconceptions they have about each other, does this relationship have a chance?

PGF: Okay, that already sounds awesome. Bikers and misconceptions--two of my favorite things. :) What inspired you to write this book?

ACN: The theme of the event is “Leather,” and we didn’t want to do the two obvious ones (BDSM or cowboys).  Instead, we conceived of a character on a motorcycle, with some very subtle hints toward BDSM play that don’t materialize in this story, but may in sequels.  We’re already planning a novel with these two characters as well as a possible offshoot novel.

PGF: Subtle is good and sequel is even better! Which character do you like best? What is it you like about him? Can you see yourself in either of your characters?

ACN: “Best” is a tough one, since, for me, each of my characters are different.  I don’t like any one over any other, because of the work involved in creating them.  I like Jay because he’s gentle but driven, focused on his medical work.  Chance, on the other hand, is jaded and a bit world-weary; for him, the blush has come off the rose.  In Jay, he sees someone with whom he can reconnect to the fire and passion of life.  Together, they reinvent each other.

PGF: Do you have a dream cast for your book?

ACN: Not for this one, no; however, for others, we do.  In fact, for our first book, Burning Bright, we cast figure skater and artist Johnny Weir as our main character (not that we’d ever admit that out loud, smile).  For other characters we actively look for models, actors, and other public figures that we can use as inspiration.  In the process of creating the character, though, they become individuals and aren’t related to their original genesis.

PGF: Is there a particular song you think of as being the theme song for your book or any of your characters?

ACN: Yes, definitely.  I use Pandora.com extensively for my characters (sadly, due to licensing constraints, the website is not available to those outside the U.S.).  My profile is here:  http://www.pandora.com/profile/a.catherine.noon and I build stations for projects and books as well as specific characters; it depends on my mood when I’m writing.

PGF: Oh, that's a great idea! What's the best advice anyone has ever given you? Or what's the one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

ACN: Keep writing.  Get on the page.  Learn to rest on the page, play on the page, meditate on the page.  Do any of it, but do it on the page.  Best advice?  From Julia Cameron, “Keep the drama on the page.”

PGF: Hmm. Yes. Very good advice. I think I need to remember that more myself! Now, let's get personal. What's your favorite season?

ACN: Seasons in general are my favorite.  I spent a lot of time in Southern California and, if you can believe it, got tired of the sun.  The seasons bled endlessly into one another without any real demarcation.  I’ve been in Chicago for over a decade now and love the abrupt changes – they still catch me off guard.  By the time I get used to the heat of summer, I’m having to bundle up because it’s snowing outside.  This is, in my view, a good thing, because it reminds me I’m a physical being and not just a brain with legs.

PGF: What?! You're dissing Cali weather? Okay, let's move on. Favorite places to travel?

ACN: Anywhere.  I love to travel.  I’ve found something of interest everywhere, from tiny towns in the Midwest with nothing to their name but a dusty building with a sign proclaiming “Museum” to the fancy urban centers with their glitzy, polished tourist attractions.  I love travel because I think it brings you out of yourself, and in the process you meet yourself.

PGF: Oh, yeah. I hear that! Favorite time of day?

ACN: I’m totally a night person.  The world was designed by and for morning people.  I mean, who said “The early bird catches the worm?”  Honestly, it was an alert night person out when the sun rose who caught it before the morning person even thought to brew coffee.  Night.  It’s where it’s at.

PGF: You're so, so right about that!  Okay, one more. If you were stranded on a desert island what essentials would you absolutely want with you?

ACN: Yarn, dark chocolate, and coffee. Oh, and a radio.  You know, TO CALL FOR HELP??  ~grin~

PGF: But, who're you gonna call? lol! Okay, awesome answers. Thank you so much for stopping by today. I will definitely be checking out "Taking a Chance" next week.

Check out a short excerpt HERE
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My links: Blog | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | LinkedIn | Pandora 

Knoontime Knitting:  Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Ravelry
Noon and Wilder links: Blog | Website | Facebook
Team Blogs: Nightlight | The Writers Retreat Blog | Beyond the Veil | LGBT Fantasy Fans and Writers
Publishers: Samhain Publishing | Torquere Press

Check out BURNING BRIGHT, available from Samhain Publishing.
Check out EMERALD FIRE, available from Torquere Publishing.

Watch for "Taking a Chance" part of the Charity Sips 2012 to benefit NOH8, coming September 12th.