Mary Ricksen interviewing Mona Risk

Today the Pink Fuzzy Slipper Writers salute one of our own. Mona Risk is an amazing author, and just as amazing as a person. I hope you sell a ton of books Mona!

Let’s see if we can learn a bit more about Mona.

What's your favorite genre to read?

I can read contemporary romances and romantic suspense all day and all night long. ~by Roxanne St. Claire, Gemma Halliday, Rachel Gibson, Christie Craig~ OR~ sweet romances ~ by Karen Kendal, Beth Andrews, Cynthia Thomason) and medical romances~ by Dianne Drake, Janice Lynn, Sarah Morgan. Since I write in those genres, I usually read with a pencil in hand, critique as I read and learn as much as I can from my favorite authors.

If I read to relax, I favor historicals, mostly Regency, but also any historical by Stephanie Laurens, Bonnie Vanak, Tracy Grant and our own PFS Beth Trissel, also the oldies by Kathleen Woodiwiss, and Johanna Lindsey, Heather Graham…

With all you have going on in your life Mona, I am surprised you have time to read. Hence the next question. How do you find time to write with the busy life you have?

Seven years ago I quit my fulltime job as a chemist and director of a chemistry lab to indulge my long time dream of writing romances. For two to three years I wrote non stop, day and night, hardly moving from my chair. I finished two romantic suspense novels and four medical romances. But then heavy responsibilities slammed at me and became top priorities. I edited and polished my books while caring for my sick mother or babysitting my adorable grandchildren. Now I write whenever I can, stealing an hour here or there, or staying awake till dawn when the muse kicks me out of bed.

Most certainly, I look at you as successful. How do you define success?

Thank you, Mary. Because I am a sentimental person, I treasure a good word as much as a hard-earned penny. Success is hearing a friend telling me she loves my book; receiving an email from a fan saying she fell in love with my hero; finding that one my book received raving reviews.

I think that networking is a great way to get into the business. How did you first get published?

It started with an unexpected, unprepared query at the 2007 FRW Miami Heat Conference in Florida. Raelene Gorlinsky was sitting at a table waiting for the next writer. I hadn't planned to talk to her and I didn't have a pitch, but a minute later I sat in front of Ms. Gorlinsky trying to summarize the book of my heart, TO LOVE A HERO, a story set in a Russian country. Raelene smiled, asked questions, and I relaxed. A week later I sent my requested material to Cerridwen Press and a month later came an official contract.

I have read and escaped into books my whole life, books were my salvation. Have you always been an avid reader?

Before I had children I used to read two books a day or night. My uncle timed me once. Apparently, I was an amazingly fast reader. It helped me a lot in my studies.

I think that what we do as children reflects on how and what we do as adults.
What was your favorite thing to do as a child?

Read, daydream and write. I started writing small stories since I was ten.

Now me I was the wallflower, if you could even drag me out. Later on in life I got more confidence but as a young girl I was a nerd. Even though I didn’t want to be LOL. Were you a geek or popular girl?

More of a geek until I went to college, learned to straighten my frizzy hair and wore high heels to add a couple of inches to my petite frame.

Life is full of ups and downs. What's the best thing that ever happened to you?

Going back to school with two teenaged kids to prepare a PH.D. in chemistry. Becoming a student again was fascinating. It made feel like I was twenty and gave me tremendous self-confidence. My children said it was the best example I could have set for them about the importance of studies.

Sometimes when we can overcome an obstacle or survive something we grow as people. What's the hardest thing you have ever done?

The hardest thing? I am doing it right now. Seeing my mother deteriorating in front of my eyes. A brilliant beautiful woman becoming a ghost of what she was. I often can’t control my tears.

I am so sorry about your Mom, Mona, I do know what you are going through and I pray you have the strength to get through this hard time. We fill our lives with things that make us happy. Sometimes we spend so much time writing we forget to have fun.

What do you like to do, besides read, that is not involved with your craft?

Play with my grandchildren. Walk on the beach and swim.

Who are the people who have been the most helpful in our quest to publish?

My wonderful critique partners, Helene Scott-Taylor and Joan Leacott, some writers from the Writers at Play had been my mentors and taught me how to “show” rather than “tell”, the contest judges who honestly offered critiques and suggestions.

Who did you dedicate your first book to and why?

My first book, TO LOVE A HERO, is dedicated to my husband, my hero, best friend and the love of my life.
My second book, FRENCH PERIL, is dedicated to my son, who created my website and edited several scenes with fights and gunshots.
Third book, BABIES IN THE BARGAIN, to my daughter whose struggle to become a neonatologist inspired my book.
Fourth book, Rx FOR TRUST, is dedicated to my mother, an example of courage and perseverance.

Mona’s fist medical romance. BABIES IN THE BARGAIN, will be released in a few days at The Wild Rose Press, on July 03, 2009.

BABIES IN THE BARGAIN is a sweet and spicy medical romance that garnered several wins in contests: Launching A Star, The Beacon, Great Expectations; Golden Gateway; Gotcha; Enchanted Words; The Suzannah; Winter Rose; Linda Howard Award of Excellence.

Short Synopsis:
With only one year left to complete her medical training in Neonatology, Dr. Holly Collier vows not to let anyone mess up her sacrosanct schedule. Especially not the drop-dead gorgeous Dr. Marc Suarez who broke her heart seven years ago.

When a tragic accident transforms the carefree playboy into a dedicated but novice father to his nephew, Holly gives in to her maternal instincts and turns her structured life upside down for the orphaned preemie. But can she learn to trust Marc again and believe in true love?

Thank you, Mary for taking the time to interview me.

Thank you, Mona, for blogging with us today.
My friend, Mona, has had a wonderfully interesting life and it amazes me all that she has accomplished. Now we have great insight into the sweet and talented woman I know and love as Mona Risk. Good luck and may all your dreams come true!

You can read more about Mona’s books at:

http://www.monarisk.com/

http://www.monarisk.blogspot.com/

www.mySpace.com/monarisk