Q&A With Caridad Pineiro, Author of The Claimed

Please help me welcome Caridad Piñeiro

author of

The Claimed (Sin Hunters)

Questions for Caridad:
Q1  What is a “Typical” day like for you?

CP:  I am an early riser and during the week I head to work on the train.  I usually write on the train during the commute and that gives me some solid time to write.  When I head home, I try to get in some exercise and lots of time with my family.  I don’t normally write at night because I’m too tired, but if a deadline calls, I will do so.  On the weekends, I sleep in a little later (until 6) and then get up and put in a few hours of writing.  Then it’s off to do household chores or maybe a nice long stroll along the boardwalk.

Q2  Claimed is part of the Sin Hunter Series. I am always curious about series books: did you have each book plotted out before you started the first one or did the subsequent books flow from the first book?

CP:  I had a very strong idea about the plots for the first two books.  I knew I was going to introduce the world and the Hunters in the first book and then really build on their powers and the mythology in the second.  Of course, I also knew what the romances would be like in both because for me it’s important to have a strong emotional arc for the characters.  As I was finishing up the second book, I knew which two characters would headline in the third and based on what had happened in the battles, created the storyline for books 3 and 4 – THE SHATTERED and THE HUNTED.

Q3  How do find your characters and personalities?  Is there any special inspiration?

CP:  They say writers are the only people where it’s okay to have someone talking to them in their heads!  My characters come to me very powerfully and scream for me to write their stories.  It’s also usually the female characters and because I want them to really have to work to have the happily-ever-after, I generally try to set up the worst possible guy and/or climax for them.  In THE CLAIMED, it can’t get any worse for Victoria than to fall in love with her mortal enemy and I knew it would be hard work for them to get together.

Q4  Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality?

CP:  I am a Type AA.  I am very driven and determined, but also kind and friendly.  Basically shy which shocks a lot of people.  I’ve only learned to be more extroverted because of my day job and also because of the writing.  I’ve been lucky to meet so many fabulous people with the writing and I would have missed them if I hadn’t gotten over my shyness.

Q5  How do you handle it when some element of what you're writing decides that it just doesn't want to work the way you want it to?

CP:  It’s very frustrating to want something to work when it isn’t going the way you want.  But as Einstein said, lunacy is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.  So I guess what I’m saying is that if it’s not working, you need to step back and figure out a different way of approaching it, otherwise you will continue to be frustrated.  When that happens to me, I’ll take a long walk or a shower.  Both help me clear my brain and think about what I might be doing wrong in a scene and how to get it to work better.

Questions for Victoria:

Q6  Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality? 

Victoria: I’m determined to help my people do better, but I’m also lonely because of the weight of leadership.  I’d love to find a partner that could help me carry that burden.

Q7  What is something you would never be caught dead doing/saying?

Victoria:  “I can’t….”  There is nothing that I can’t do because I will work hard at accomplishing what I want for myself and my people.

Q8  Do you have any pet peeves? 

Victoria:  People who pollute the environment or litter.  We all share the world and leave it for our children, so we should respect it and care for it.

Q9  What do you do for fun when you aren’t helping your family, friends or managing your business? 

Victoria:  I love to do all kinds of water sports like kayaking, surfing and swimming.  My natural affinity is for the water, so I love to spend as much time as I can in it.

Q10  What is the one thing your reader’s would be surprised to know about you?

Victoria:  That I wish I was more human.  Having the powers that I have brings great responsibility and that can be tiring if you don’t have someone by your side.

Final Question:

Q11  If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be?

 If I could shapeshift, I’d love to become a ……

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for a copy of The Claimed:
1. Answer the author's Question in red at Q11.  This is required for entry.

2. For another entry:  Make a meaningful comment on the interview or review (previous post).

3.  For two extra entries: Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you find there.

4.  For one more extra entry, become a follower on any media (GFC, Twitter @MSEREADS, Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/ReviewsByMarthasBookshelf , Goodreads or Linky - links on right sidebar) or tell me if you are already a follower.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Five total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on June 22, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on June 23. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.