We are a couple who readers we Meeting the most interesting people. Reading Romance, Christian Romance, Contemp, Chick Lit., Suspense Romance, New Romance, YA, Some can sizzle your blood. My hubby will be writing on Hist., Sports, Cookbooks, Bio. & Mystery. What type of genres do you enjoy? Some good author interviews coming. We are on Twitter:@1RadReader59 Bookbub: 19char59, Goodread: Char(1RadReader59) Enjoy reading, we will.
LET'S WELCOME THE AUTHOR OF: Rising Star – Terri Osburn
LET’S
WELCOME
TERRI OSBURN
AUTHOR OF:
Rad-Reader: This
was a very good story, did you come up with Rising Star while you were writing
one of your other series? Or was this a book you always wanted to write?
Terri: Rising Star came about quite differently than my other
books. Back around 2008 or so, I came up with a second chance story about a
country singer on the downslide in his career reuniting with the radio DJ he
fell for back when his career was brand new. I wrote the first few chapters for
a contest but never wrote the full book. Jump to 2015, and those characters ended
up in my Ardent Springs series as Wes Tillman and his wife Harley. But they had
a backstory that never got told, and that became Rising Star, just with new
names, Dylan and Charley.
Rad-Reader: The
three ladies that work at the radio station- Ruby, Matty, and Charley- Did you
come up with these characters all at the same time or as the story developed?
Terri: Long before I put a word on the page, books percolate in
my brain and the characters tend to show up. Usually while I’m trying to fall
asleep. Charley would have come first, and I’m pretty sure Ruby walked in
second. Matty showed up much later, which is her trait in the book. Late for
everything.
Rad-Reader: Ruby’s
character can be crass but then certain times she can be okay like at the
remote at Esmeralda’s Pancake House – was it difficult to come up with
different scenes for her?
Terri: Ruby is one of those characters who takes on a life of
her own. I never knew what she was going to say next until my fingers hit the
keyboard. That makes her a very easy character to write.
Rad-Reader: Esmeralda’s Pancake House and Pharmacy Burger
Joint that you describe are they fictitious or just names changed of places in
Nashville?
Terri: Esmeralda’s is a place I made up, but The Pharmacy is
absolutely a real place and has the most amazing burgers. They also serve Brats
and make their own sodas, one of which Charley drinks in the book. If you ever
come to Nashville, I highly recommend adding The Pharmacy to your must-visit
list.
Rad-Reader: Did you
write Dylan and Charlie’s character’s separate and then put them together or
did you write them together?
Terri: I write all of my books linearly, which means I start at
page one and write straight through. Both characters inhabit my brain the whole
time. I know of writers who jump around in the book as they go, but I can’t
imagine writing that way.
Rad-Reader: Was
Dylan based on anyone you know or just a combination of people?
Terri: Dylan is his own man. I love a good guy charmer who can
make me laugh, and it seems a lot of readers do to. Lucky for me, he showed up
in my head instead of someone else’s.
Rad-Reader: Was it
your idea from the beginning to have the female lead be a DJ at a country music
station or did it just come to you?
Terri: Yes, it was. Back in the early 2000s, I was a country
radio personality and when the original second chance story that I mentioned
earlier came to me, she was a DJ right from the start. When characters step
into my head, they typically come with an occupation or some detail about how
they live their lives. Charley was never anything else.
Rad-Reader: I liked
Charlie’s story of spinning her grandfather's records and talking into chair
brush did you come up with that or did you hear that from a DJ?
Terri: I came up with that to show Charley’s drive and how long
this endeavor had been her dream. I never did the hair brush thing, but I
wanted to work in the music business from a very young age. I think I was 9
when I became permanently attached to a radio. In fact, in 2nd
grade, I won a fundraising contest at my school and got to choose between a
giant stuffed bunny or a portable 8-track player. I chose the 8-track player.
(And I just showed my age!)
Rad-Reader: You
have so many little stories inside the big story like Dylan and his manager and
the one between Pam and Casey the drummer. How do you know when to put or
bring them into the story?
Terri: I wish I could say all of this is consciously planned,
but my books come together very organically. As I write, I learn just as much
as the reader does as she reads along. It’s common for a secondary character to
be on the page for one purpose, but end up throwing all sorts of twists my way.
That’s the magic of writing, and quite possibly my favorite part of the job.
Rad-Reader: Did you
start this story out with an outline or did you just sit down and start
writing?
Terri: I don’t do an outline so much as a loose collection of
notes. Sometimes they’re in the Notes app on my phone, since they tend to come
to mind at odd times. If I could figure out a way to take notes while in the
shower I’d be all set, since a ton of my books show up while I’m singing in
there.
Rad-Reader: The way
you had them meet in the bar, but the whole situation was unique. Was
that your first idea or did you change it up to that?
Terri: Having them meet at the Wildhorse (another real place)
was always the plan. Since this is the first book in the series, I wanted to
introduce Nashville as prevalently as I did the characters. Nashville is really
a character, too, and the Wildhorse and lower Broadway are the epitome and
heart of this town.
Rad-Reader: Her
best friend Elvis a good character and so was Matty, are you thinking about a
book about one or both of them?
Terri: I’ve been surprised by the amount of reader mail I’ve
received asking for Matty’s story. I actually feared the readers wouldn’t like
her at all, but I understand why they fell for her so hard by the end. Because
of the requests, I’m trying to figure out how I can give her a novella of her
own, but if I do, I have to say that Elvis won’t be her hero. He’s great for
her for a fun fling, but Matty’s hero would have to be something a little
different than an ex-military farm boy.
Rad-Reader: Your
description of places not just in this book but in you other series, make the
reader feel that they are there, is that something you are aware of or is it
your natural talent and style of writing?
Terri: Comments like this always surprise me and make me feel
better. When you start writing, you quickly become aware of your weak areas,
and description was definitely one of mine. But I’ve worked hard over the years
to improve in that area. It also helps that I love these little towns, and
they’re always based on a real place so I have excellent references.
Rad-Reader: Did you
always want to be a writer?
Terri: As I’ve already mentioned, my first dream was to work in
the music business, but any kind of business was always on my mind. I think in
6th or 7th grade we were given one of those “What do you
want to be when you grow up?” assignments. I found mine a few years ago and
realized I’d made the whole thing come true. Basically, I wanted to own and run
my own business, and that’s what I’m doing. Definitely not in the way I
imagined at age 12 or 13, but I’ve definitely made my original dream come true.
I just made it better by adding the writing part of the gig.
Rad-Reader: Are you
at a point now where you can pick the story you want to write – like Raising
Star?
Terri: I do pick all the stories that I write. Sometimes the
first version of the idea gets twisted a bit as it’s brought to life, but the
ideas are always my own.
Rad-Reader: Do you
or the publisher decide if there are going to be more books in a series?
Terri: That’s sort of a team decision. Though this is a
creative endeavor, it’s also a business and that means money is often the
bottom line. So, if the publisher decides that a series is no longer worth
pursuing on their end, we talk about that and decide how to move forward.
Rad-Reader: Was it
always your plan to have Mitch be the so called bad guy in the story?
Terri: Yes, it was. Mitch was also in the original incarnation
of the story, and was the villain all along. I didn’t know how complex a
character he would grow to become, but he was the bad guy from the start.
Rad-Reader: The
lyrics you had in the story as songs that Dylan wrote were those your words?
Terri: They were. I dabbled in songwriting many years ago, at
least on the lyrics side since I don’t play an instrument. Due to copyright
issues, if I wanted to use someone else’s lyrics, I’d have to get permission,
which can be a complicated and often prolonged endeavor. It’s both easier to
write the lyrics myself, and more fun.
Rad-Reader: If your
book was made into a movie who would you want to play…
Rad-Reader: What
song or songs out to day best describes your couple and or their relationship
or your story as a whole?
“In Case You Didn’t Know – Brett Young"
What he wants to tell her when he can't find Charley.
“Better Man – Brett Young”
While Dylan's on the road he wants to be a better man.
“You Had Me From Hello – Bon Jovi”
The overall relationship of how Dylan feels.
Terri:
"One Night Girl by Blake Shelton"
Because it says everything Dylan was
thinking that first night he spent with Charley.
"What Ifs - Kane Brown (w/Lauren Alaina)"
Because it’s expresses how their relationship progress, with Charley
constantly saying, “What if this doesn’t work?” and Dylan saying, “But what if
it does?”
"It Happens Like That - Granger Smith"
Because it pretty sums up the whole book. Sometimes love happens just
like that.
Rad-Reader: What is
your favorite dessert?
Terri: I love a good chocolate cake, but I can be just as happy with a fudgy
brownie. That Coca-Cola Cake they have at Cracker Barrel is amazing.
Rad-Reader: Who
pushed you the most saying, “You would be good as a writer. So, go for
it.”?
Terri: This one is easy. Back in 2006 I met a group of readers
who also dreamed of writing their own books. One of those ladies in particular
spent the next five years pushing me along. I have no idea how many times she
told me I was a writer, but thank goodness she did. I’m not sure I’d have
really made a go of this without her constant support and encouragement. So
thanks, Fran!
Rad-Reader: What is
your next project and when is it coming out?
Terri: I’ve already finished the second book in this Shooting
Stars series, called Falling Star, and it should release in March of 2018.
Rad-Reader: Where
can our readers buy your books?
Terri: All of my books are available on Amazon, or you can
order the print version wherever books are sold. Most stores don’t carry them
because I’m published by an imprint of Amazon, and there are all sorts of
politics involved that I can’t do anything about.
Rad-Reader: Where
can our readers find you on the Web?
Really enjoyed the story looking forward to your next book can't wait to see what you have in store for us. Thanks again for being with us and taking time from your busy schedule. I know what it's like.
You are now a 1 Rad-Reader Misfit and you can come back anytime and bring your newest book and add it to our
Since I love your writing so much I have to say this: March of 2018???? UGH. LOL I don't understand the wait, you need to get those ideas down faster. (I'm just kidding)
This book was amazing and I'm sure the rest will be too. It won't compare to Anchor Island, that will always remain my favorite, but this is definitely up there.
As far as your bathroom writing while in the shower, may I suggest a tape recorder of sorts? Start it before you go in and that way if you get an idea you can just shout it out, you may have to edit your singing out but hey what the heck. ;)
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Since I love your writing so much I have to say this: March of 2018???? UGH. LOL
ReplyDeleteI don't understand the wait, you need to get those ideas down faster. (I'm just kidding)
This book was amazing and I'm sure the rest will be too. It won't compare to Anchor Island, that will always remain my favorite, but this is definitely up there.
As far as your bathroom writing while in the shower, may I suggest a tape recorder of sorts? Start it before you go in and that way if you get an idea you can just shout it out, you may have to edit your singing out but hey what the heck. ;)
Keep those fingers flying lady.. love ya