Kicking week 2 off with an Author grilling.
I have to warn you now, this Q&A needs to be read when you are on your own otherwise you might get a few looks due to the laughing you will do. I must admit when Rich sent this over to me I could not stop laughing, he was most definitely in a silly mood when he wrote this and he was a bit worried I would hate it. OH. MY. GOD. I LOVED IT!! You most definitely get his personality shining through in this post!
Ok, I am going to start with a tough question ?
What is your favourite book that you have written and why?
I am biased and love them all in their own special way, but I do have to say that I am especially fond of It’s Not PMS, It’s You. I’ve always wanted to write a story about a strong confident woman who doesn’t take crap from men and isn’t afraid to say what’s on her mind.
Interesting choice there!! I am not sure what my favourite is now! I think 5 minutes late is still my favourite – just!! Followed by Dog Day Wedding!!! Very close
Alright let me do something a bit easier and chat about your writing processes…..
As a writer do you have a schedule you keep to?
I try to have some structure, but it doesn’t always work out that way. Here is my typical weekday: I get up at 6:05 in the morning and prepare breakfast for my hot Spanish wife, then I wash the dishes, and prepare lunch for her to take to work. After she leaves for work, I take our hairy daughter (Tara: A two-year-old mini Goldendoodle) for a 30-45 minute walk and then settle in around 8:15 to start writing.
I usually have an early lunch around 11:00 am, check emails and do business stuff related to my books, and then take a nap. After my nap, I make myself a cup of coffee, and then write for an hour or two until my wife comes home from work.
I prepare a late afternoon cup of coffee for her and we chat about life and silly things that make us laugh. We play with the dog a little in the backyard, and then we both work on the computer until our evening walk around 4:30 or 5.
Then dinner (we take turns cooking), then a little more time on the computer until we’ve both had enough, and one of us says, “Hey, let’s watch a romantic comedy.”
I love this!! Such a fab day and you do make me laugh!
Ok, now I have composed myself!! How do you come up with your characters? Are they based on anyone or are they all from your imagination?
Mostly from my imagination, but occasionally I meet someone or see something and think, I need to put that in one of my romantic comedies! Like the infamous wedgie scene in the first chapter of It’s Not PMS, It’s You. That actually happened to someone I know. Spoiler: It was my hot Spanish wife! LOL.
Oh no!! I hope she forgives you for telling us that ?
Do you have a writing Kryptonite?
Social media. I block Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with an app for four to five hours every day, so I can write. Otherwise, I would get too distracted.
In your writing, do you hide any secrets that only a select few know about?
Yes, in my latest book, I have cryptic messages letting you know where there are buried treasures all around the world, plus I hid the winning lottery numbers for next week in the dialogue. Buy a copy of the book now and you will be rich beyond your wildest dreams! But seriously, there are no secret messages in my writing. Now, if you want to ask me about my author website, there’s definitely a secret there! Check out the colorful banner at the top of the page with the dog flying the airplane. On the side of the plane is a federal aviation identification number. That number is our wedding date. Now you know!
Ok! Last one from the “serious” questions
If you could have one of your books on the big screen, which one would it be? Who would you cast?
I’m SO looking forward the day one of my stories makes it to the big screen! That would be a tough choice, but I would have to pick my latest, It’s Not PMS, It’s You. Since Hugh Grant and Tom Hanks don’t do romantic comedies anymore, I would go with Ryan Reynolds or Hugh Jackman. As for the leading lady, I would say Rachel McAdams, but also keep in mind I would not be that picky if Hollywood came calling and said they wanted to make a movie out of one of my books. I would be thrilled beyond belief and would trust their judgment to do what’s best to make the story come alive. See? I’m so easy to work with! Have your people call my people and let’s do this!
Well I would not turn my nose up at that cast!
Ok! I want to have some fun now!!
Tell me a unique or quirky habit of yours, don’t worry it will not go any further……..
I sleep on my back with my hands folded on my chest. If you stick me in a casket, you’d think I was dead. I can also juggle.
If you were the last person on this earth, what would you?
I would develop the technology to bring my wife back from the dead because I can’t live without her.
Cue the awwwwww’s!
My favourite question now….
What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer it?
Interviewer: Rich, how does it feel to be voted the sexiest man alive?
Rich: To be quite honest, I’m getting quite bored of it, you know, this being the tenth year in a row and all. John Legend, Idris Elba, Chris Hemsworth and a slew of other hunky men have been sending me threatening text messages, telling me enough is enough. But I can’t turn this beauty off and they shouldn’t hate me for it.
Well, I think it must be a tough award to have to bear every year! I hope they stop the threatening messages soon. Look forward to hearing the speech when it’s number 11!
Ok, sadly this is the last question I have for you and it is back to a “serious” questions
What are you working on now?!
My fifteenth romantic comedy is called Just Another Silly Love Song. This is an enemies-to-lovers story about two rival radio personalities who get thrown together on the air. Let the fireworks begin! LOL. Seriously, I’m having fun writing this one because I worked on the radio for thirty-three years at some of the top radio stations in Silicon Valley before I started writing rom-coms.
I want this book now!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much Rich again you have been such fun doing this for me!
Hope you have all enjoyed reading this!
Check out his books below.
Until next time xxx
Shalini says
Omg omg the best interview ever. I loved it. Now you are making me see his books everywhere.
Zoé says
How awesome is he!! I loved it when he sent that over to me. I was crying ?
Shalini says
You are awesome… One of the best people in my life. If you don’t mind me saying, your mini me is lucky to have you.
Zoé says
I’m not going anywhere lovely! Always at the end of a DM! ❤️ that is such a lovely thing to say thank you! I think she agrees with you ?
yvonnembee says
Absolutely brilliant post. I love all the covers together they’d make a fabulous poster xx
Zoé says
Don’t they just! They look awesome! I loved this Q and A xx
nickimags @ The Secret Library Book Blog says
Fab interview! xx
Zoé says
He’s the best isn’t he ? xx
carhicks says
Love this interview. I need to read more of his books.
Zoé says
Oh they are fab! I’ve read them all now! X
carhicks says
I’ve only read one, but I hope to read more.
Zoé says
If you have Kindle Unlimited they are all on there to read!
carhicks says
I do.
Shalini says
I do too
Zoé says
Yay! You can get them all! X
Zoé says
Oh yay! Then you can get them all! Woohoo
Kelly says
Brilliant! Not my genre at all but I’m thinking I may have to make an exception for Rich ?
Zoé says
Oh you have to ! Some of them are cheesy but they are smiley cheesy! I just love them! Plus he has such a fun personality it shines in his books x