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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Interview with Author Roxanne Snopek and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome author Roxanne Snopek to RFTC. Roxanne is celebrating the release of her book Three River Ranch and has stopped by to answer some questions. Please give Roxanne a warm welcome.

Roxanne Willems Snopek is an award-winning freelance writer of everything from corporate newsletters to personal essays. Author of the Amazing Stories series of true life animal adventures, she now focuses on fiction. Snopek grew up in Saskatchewan and now lives in British Columbia.

Places to find Roxanne:


First off, can you tell us a bit about you?
I have the uncanny ability to get to the microwave from across the room, within a couple of seconds before it dings. Some days, I cling to this. I may have self-esteem issues.

Did you always want to be a writer?
Nope. At various times in my life I’ve wanted to be: a nurse, a professional figure skater, a tree planter, a rodeo clown, a chiropractor (which would be useful in combo with the other jobs), a motivational speaker, an off-grid hippie/hermit… I may also have attention deficits.

What kind of writer are you? Panster or Plotter?
First off, isn’t it easier to say “pantser” than “panster?” I know it gets bandied about as both, but “pansTER” drives me up the wall. Sorry this is hardly your fault and now you probably feel horrible. Or you think I’m just rude. After all, you’re hosting me today and I have the nerve to criticize such a miniscule thing… hm. I guess I should now cop to having a few obsessive tendencies as well…

But back to the question: I’m a “brain composter” and then a jotter, then a panster. I have to think about an idea for awhile, noodle around on a gigantic sheet of paper gridded with every story-structure outline I’ve ever learned, they just start writing crazily (like I have another gear) until the whole ugly mess takes shape. It’s best if I’m kept separated from the general population during this stage.

Where do your ideas come from?
Ideas aren’t the problem! LOL! I’m probably getting an idea for a book right now! Any conversation, any observation, any newspaper headline, any obsession of mine (lord help us all!) and even dreams can trigger whole books in my head.

A la Twitter style, can you describe your book (or series) in 140 characters or less.
Two wounded souls, wanting to save the world, end up rescuing each other. With cowboys, horses, dogs and babies.

What are some of your favorite kinds of stories to read?
I love love stories, of course. I love suspense, thrillers. I love family-secret stories or mysterious-past stories.

Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it?
Dean Koontz’s Watchers. He’s such a fascinating writer and this book has a lovely theme of how we all need to look out for each other. He writes with a break-neck pace and his prose is just lovely. Also, he’s a dog nut, and I always love it when there’s dogs in a book!

What are the scenes that are the hardest for you to write?
When stuff happens! You know, the plot part. I can write emotional scenes in my sleep, conflict, conversations, dialogue, how-he/she-felt-when-he/she-said/did-this-or-that. But linking these things together with a logical plot… so not my strong suit.

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?

  • Sheila Roberts – I’ve met her and she’s just delightful! Her books are sweet and funny and uplifting. We’d have no trouble making conversation.
  • Jane Porter – I love her books; they’re about real women with real problems. I met her briefly at a Romance Writers of America national conference and I want to know how she stays looking so awesome at 50-ish!
  • Kristan Higgins – I’ve got all her books. Her heroines are so engaging I just want to hug them. Plus, she’s usually got dogs – or maybe a cat! – in her books. I can’t resist that!

Last question, are you working on anything right now?
Of course! It’s the next book in the Three River Ranch series: the story of Desiree Burke and Zach Gamble. Zach’s ranch is in jeopardy after his father suffers a stroke. Des is, readers might recall, a physiotherapist who believes she can help Zach’s dad by using unconventional methods. Only, of course, Des is hiding something. When Zach finds out… well, things are said and done that cause much emotional turmoil.

Thanks for having me today! And thanks for your interest in Three River Ranch!

I should tell you, my husband has been my biggest supporter for all the years I’ve been writing, so he knows firsthand just how tough this business is. When I told him that this book could actually have a chance, he said sure, whatever, if it sells well, he’ll get a tattoo. (He truly believes in me, but he’s always trying to protect my fragile hopes from being dashed to dust. I do tend to get carried away… no, I’m NOT bi-polar. I took a test.)

So, help me out will you? I want a tattooed husband and your $2.99 could make the difference!

Any suggestions for his first ink? (I believe in planning ahead…)



Needing a fresh start from her two-timing fiancĂ©, Aurora McAllister answers a realtor’s ad for a guesthouse on the beautiful, serene Three River Ranch. She shows up at Three River tired, heartbroken, and with no one but her trusty Labradoodle as a companion.

Cowboy Carson Granger has enough trouble in his life without adding a woman and her dog to the mix. There’s the untamed mustang he’s prepping to release into the wild, not to mention his father’s crazy will, which stipulates that if Carson wants to fully inherit Three River, he’ll need to find a bride. Carson wants nothing to do with love and especially not a marriage of convenience. But he soon realizes Rory, and everything she represents, might just be exactly what he needs.

Sometimes love arrives on your doorstep when you least expect it…

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |
1 lucky commenter will win a eBook copy of Three River Ranch


To Enter:
  • Please leave a comment answering Roxanne's question: Do you have any suggestions for what her husbands first tattoo should be?
  • Please fill out the Rafflecopter form.

Good Luck =)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

24 comments :

  1. Ah tattoos! I have 10 so far. As far as what your husbands first should be??? It's hard to say without knowing him. My advice for him would be to get something meaningful. Something that 10 years from now he won't regret.

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  2. You know, Patricia, I got my first one this past spring, with my oldest daughter, to mark her graduation from university. I can totally see how they could become addictive.

    *He* can't imagine getting something inked on his body that he'll still be happy with in ten years. I remind him the older we get, the less of an issue this is...

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  3. i don't have any tattoos as yet but for your hubby...have him do something that will mean something like now and in the future

    parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

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    1. Hi Laurie! Are you ever tempted to get a tattoo?

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    2. yes i have been tempted to get one. i have always wanted to get a Celtic tattoo but have never had either time or the money to do it

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    3. My youngest daughter is in that same place... I keep telling her to wait, wait, but at 18, patience isn't a virtue. So I'm just glad she's broke.

      No problem with tattoo, obviously. Just want her to know herself a bit better first...

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  4. Thanks for a great post and giveaway! Hopefully something meaningful and significant!

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    1. Thanks for joining us, Erin! Good luck in the draw!

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  5. Hi

    Great post - your books sounds wonderful - cowboys, need I say more?
    I do not have any tattoos but love them on others. I am partial to the tribal tattoos on mens arms for their first tattoo.
    Thanks for the chance
    Pam
    tpibrew@msn.com

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    1. Tribal tattoos! Yeah, I like them too, but I like it more if there's an actual connection to the "tribe" in question. It's awfully easy to get something wrong, when you're looking at the language or symbology as an outsider.

      For instance, my brother lives in Asia, and he says he sees North American people tattooed with Chinese symbols and words all the time. (Of course they're popular images - they look really cool!) Unfortunately, he says they are often insensible or ridiculous or truly hilarious because neither the tattoo artist nor the tattoo-ee knew what they were talking about.

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  6. I'm tat-free but sometimes briefly consider getting inked... then I start thinking about where [somewhere covered by clothes for when I stop being a career student & get a real job!], what [no clue!], how I'm a poor little graduate student with a penchant for scuba diving & travelling [both expensive] and no money, and a bit of a wimp when it comes to pain, and the desire to get a tattoo passes, haha.

    Like everyone has said, the hubby's first tat should be something meaningful to him/the both of you. If Three River Ranch has some sort of symbol, he can get that to commemorate the (undoubted) success of your book :P

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    1. Aw, Cris, thanks!

      And for what it's worth, I found the experience relatively, well, not pain-free, but tolerable. I've got a quote on my right shoulder that says, "Listen: to live is to be marked, to change, to find the words to a story." It's a paraphrase from Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible.

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  7. It should be something that means something to him and also something that he wont regreat putting on his body now or in 20 years....location of the tattoo is very important and his pain limit should also be considered when trying to determine the size of the tattoo.

    susanmplatt AT hotmail DOT com

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    1. You're right, Susan. My shoulder tat was okay, but my daughter got her first one on her foot (yikes!) and second one along her ribs. Both of them were worse than mine. Our tattoo artist (who's pretty much covered) said the butt is the worst. Who knew?

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  8. Oh, hey guys, can you click the Amazon and B&N buttons above and hit "Like" please? They tell me it makes a difference...

    Thank you!!

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  9. Don't have one. Yet. Youngest (in her last year of fine arts) has announced she wants to become a licensed tattoo artist after graduation so at least I can get it done for free. For your husband, I might suggest a word or two, or a significant date, on the inside of his wrist. Covered by a watch or shirt sleeve when he wants, uncovered when he feels daring. But what do I know? I'm a tattoo virgin. Good to see you again in Surrey! Pam

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    1. That's a great idea, Pam. Stay covered up for those corporate dinners.

      So glad we could hang out together on Thursday. Both those workshops were incredible, exactly what I needed. See you next year!

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  10. I love tribal tatoos on men. You know, the black armbands you see on so many football players? HOT!

    Thanks so much for the giveaway opportunity. Your book sounds wonderful!

    sandy(dot)wolters(at)q(dot)com

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  11. I'm not that crazy about tattoos so I haven't really thought much about which ones look good on guys. Thanks for having the giveaway! Good luck getting him inked ;)

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  12. How about a stallion? I've seen some beautiful ones.

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  13. I'm having trouble posting - the ol' Intra-Web seems to have me blacklisted... so Sandy, I'm not ignoring you. I've answered about FORTY-FIVE times (okay, maybe not) and have been locked out each time.

    So Sandy, I'm trying to say YES! Those armbands are hot! But I think those football players could also tattoo daisy-chains on their arms and it would look hot.

    Thanks for the good wishes, Alicia! He's a tough sell, so we'll see.

    And a stallion! What a great idea, Mary! Hm. Maybe I'LL do that if he doesn't!

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  14. Without knowing your husband I can't say what he should get but since it is very permanent it should have real meaning behind it!

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  15. Hey, Maria, thanks for playing! Good luck with the giveaway!

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