Besides being one of the absolute coolest and most awesome writers out there, today's inteviewee is an awesome and cool person, too! Let's give our loudest and most welcoming...uh, welcome...to: the fabulous Riley Ross!!! On to business...
Her latest stories, The Getaway and Coming Undone, are part of the Twisted Sisters Anthology, Twisted Love. She was also a part of the first TSA, The Twisted Veil.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I really wanted to be an actress. However my failure to memorize lines for a play that I was in stopped that dream in its tracks.
When did you first start writing?
In second grade we had to write short stories. Writing always stuck with me after that. I would go through notebooks of short stories. I stopped for an extended period of time but picked it back up in 2009.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes and it was horrible. It was about how I hated being picked last for kickball. I was a menace to everyone when it was my turn to kick.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in a small town in Virginia. My location didn’t really influence my writing.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
French Silk by Sandra Brown, Dragon’s Portal by Sally Slayer (*blushes* Shucks), The Chronicles of Valen by Dovey Mayali Cralk, Becoming Us by Amy Daws, and Smother by Lindy Zart. These are my favorites because they are so well written and you can immerse yourself into these books and forget about all of your troubles.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I can plan out the course of the story but the characters take over. When I get into the writing zone, I lose track of time and I forget everything else around me.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
I think what surprised me the most was how twisted and dark my sense of humor can be.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Writing the final chapter for my characters. It is hard for me to say goodbye to the characters that I created.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I learned that you should have fun with writing. It should not be a chore to churn out words. Go at your own pace and be in competition with no one.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Write the story how you want to write it. Do not let others tell you that you should not write.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank you for reading my stories.
While growing up in rural Virginia, I dreamed of making my escape. Don’t get me wrong I loved the beauty of Virginia but I didn’t have the happiest of childhoods. It was a struggle to survive an alcoholic and abusive father but reading was my escape to a happier place. I was reading Jackie Collins books before the age of 12. Jackie Collins, Sandra Brown, Danielle Steele and others were my inspiration to write stories. I would love to thank them for providing me with a safe haven to escape to. Also a huge thank you goes to my grandparents for introducing me to wrestling and romance novels. My grandmother would always read a Harlequin romance novel; I got my love of books and wrestling from her. I joined the Air Force when I was 18 and I didn’t look back. I was in the service for twelve years and on my first day, I met my version of Prince Charming, we are parents to two little Siberian Huskies, Sammie and Demon. Our furbaby family has grown to include Brutus, Shy, and Fluffy. So for those that are in dark situations dreams do come true.
Her latest stories, The Getaway and Coming Undone, are part of the Twisted Sisters Anthology, Twisted Love. She was also a part of the first TSA, The Twisted Veil.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I really wanted to be an actress. However my failure to memorize lines for a play that I was in stopped that dream in its tracks.
When did you first start writing?
In second grade we had to write short stories. Writing always stuck with me after that. I would go through notebooks of short stories. I stopped for an extended period of time but picked it back up in 2009.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes and it was horrible. It was about how I hated being picked last for kickball. I was a menace to everyone when it was my turn to kick.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in a small town in Virginia. My location didn’t really influence my writing.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
French Silk by Sandra Brown, Dragon’s Portal by Sally Slayer (*blushes* Shucks), The Chronicles of Valen by Dovey Mayali Cralk, Becoming Us by Amy Daws, and Smother by Lindy Zart. These are my favorites because they are so well written and you can immerse yourself into these books and forget about all of your troubles.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I can plan out the course of the story but the characters take over. When I get into the writing zone, I lose track of time and I forget everything else around me.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
I think what surprised me the most was how twisted and dark my sense of humor can be.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Writing the final chapter for my characters. It is hard for me to say goodbye to the characters that I created.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I learned that you should have fun with writing. It should not be a chore to churn out words. Go at your own pace and be in competition with no one.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Write the story how you want to write it. Do not let others tell you that you should not write.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank you for reading my stories.
Riley Ross
While growing up in rural Virginia, I dreamed of making my escape. Don’t get me wrong I loved the beauty of Virginia but I didn’t have the happiest of childhoods. It was a struggle to survive an alcoholic and abusive father but reading was my escape to a happier place. I was reading Jackie Collins books before the age of 12. Jackie Collins, Sandra Brown, Danielle Steele and others were my inspiration to write stories. I would love to thank them for providing me with a safe haven to escape to. Also a huge thank you goes to my grandparents for introducing me to wrestling and romance novels. My grandmother would always read a Harlequin romance novel; I got my love of books and wrestling from her. I joined the Air Force when I was 18 and I didn’t look back. I was in the service for twelve years and on my first day, I met my version of Prince Charming, we are parents to two little Siberian Huskies, Sammie and Demon. Our furbaby family has grown to include Brutus, Shy, and Fluffy. So for those that are in dark situations dreams do come true.
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