Michelle Abbott Interview with Rusty Blackwood. Fall, 2013
- Posted on 4th November 2013
- in Interviews
- by admin
- Tell us something about yourself. Where are you from? What started your writing career?
I was born in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada in 1949 and grew up on my paternal grandfather’s farm in the south-western portion of the province. I have been married twice have two sons, and four wonderful grandchildren. In 1985, my second husband, our sons, and I moved to the small town of Beamsville on the Niagara peninsula, and in 1987 we moved to the cultural city of St. Cartharines which is located on the south shore of Lake Ontario. I’ve always enjoyed writing, recording my thoughts in journals, entering school competitions, and county fairs while growing up, that sort of thing, mostly for fun, but I always found that I could express my thoughts and emotions much better through words than expressing them verbally. I actually became a serious writer by accident. I was going through a very difficult time in the late nineties which finally led to the breakup of my marriage in 2003. It was through that time when I found solace in expressing my inner feelings through words. It was self-therapy really, my way of coping with what I couldn’t change, and that was when I decided to see where my writing could take me.What genre do you write in, and why?
I write in a few genres, but my favourite is romance. I suppose it’s because I’m a hopeless romantic who still believes in love ever-lasting, and everyone having a soul mate. I haven’t had the best of luck in this department, but I’ve not given up hope, and I love to express my thoughts of this in an exotic love story.What is your latest book about?
The story centers on two star-crossed soul mates, heroine Joy Wychmere, and hero Cullen Malone, and is told through an old diary, that of which is discovered following Joy’s death by her grandchildren who have gathered at her home to help plan her memorial. The book actually begins and ends in the year 2040, but the main story that the diary reveals takes place in Paris at the dawn of the 21st. Century. Joy Wychmere, finding herself in a stagnating marriage, wins a contest, the prize of which is an all expense paid trip to Paris to spend an intimate evening with Irish actor Cullen Malone, whom Joy has always had an unexplained attraction to, and who himself is also in an unstable relationship with the mother of his illegitimate daughter. Joy and her husband Dean, who secretly has his own agenda for going to Paris, arrive in the City of Light, and as Joy nervously leaves to meet Cullen, Dean secretly goes off to pursue his own interests, the result of which is not what he expected. As Cullen and Joy meet, they experience an overwhelming case of déjà vu, but before they can react to what they are experiencing they are swiftly thrown into a circumstance beyond their control. One unforeseen circumstance follows another, and along the way the couple is thrown into a life and death struggle with Philippe Robealard, a crazed, homosexual artist who has delusions about the actor’s close relationship with André Des Jardin, the actor’s assistant, who unknowingly is the object of Philippe’s affection. Philippe decides once and for all to put an end to what he believes is going on, and decides to take matters into his own hands, the result of which leave Joy and Cullen, even André to a certain extent, fighting for survival.Who designed your book cover?
I found this beautiful image that was posted on a free image site for use however one wished, and because it was the very essence of the protagonists of the story I knew it was the perfect image for the cover, so my marketing rep/publicist took the basic image and added to it until it became the finished cover as you see it.How long did it take you to write it?
The better part of ten years, this of course includes the basic idea and actual beginning of the story until total completion.What inspired you to write it?
It was an emotional outlet for me, and I wanted to create a world that would appeal to women, even men, who were experiencing the same unsatisfying situations that I was, and where the ability to escape into a fantasy world that could take them wherever they wished to go and let them escape the often humdrum realities of life was possible.Does your book have any theme songs?
It does, many in fact that present themselves as the story progresses, but the main one, the original ‘Only You- and you alone’ by the late French composer Frank Pourcel and his French Fiddles, which I dubbed ‘Joy and Cully’s theme,’ is the main one.Would you be kind enough to give us an interesting paragraph or two from your book?
I rose up, pulling him firmly against me in a hard embrace and he retaliated, lying fully upon me, easing me upon the mattress while his lips engulfed mine. Excitement consumed my entire being, climaxing with pleasure when his fingers massaged my clit. They moved with such confidence, as though they already knew they would be accepted, and I opened my legs wide for him to fully enter. Moistened fingers slid back and forth, sinking deeper with each stroke until they were buried deeply inside. I was dripping wet. I could hear suction intensify as his fingers played me as if they were fingering his favourite guitar. He brought them to his lips, openly licking them, sweetly sucking them while I watched him finally take me.The room was dark, but for the dim glow of pink neon and music played so quietly it was barely there as awareness slowly returned. I could hear the lilt of a familiar melody as my eyes opened to my reflection looking back. I lay pondering this when it suddenly hit me that I had not even moved. I remained as last remembered ,with the exception of someone’s bare arm outstretched across my stomach, and the cool, creamy sensation of spent climax between my legs. I looked around for some clue as to my whereabouts, as well as to whom the arm belonged to. I tried whispering my query but my mouth was so dry it could barely utter a sound. Deep breathing broke the silence and I felt someone move slightly beside me. Adjusting my sight, I could see Cullen lying on his side, facing me, sound asleep, covered in a soft white blanket. His hair was in his eyes and he appeared totally exhausted. Music drifted away while I stared at him with heavy eyelids still doing their best to close. Try as I might, they would not remain open, my voice could not speak, but my hearing had not been disabled for at that moment I swore I heard movement in the room, yet it just might be my imagination. Boggled thoughts filled my head as to what it might be, or who but I was certain Cullen had locked the entry doors. My sleepy thoughts drifted back to the prior evening as we entered the penthouse and the way he gently removed my coat. Suddenly a strange feeling swept over me, as if someone was standing at the foot of the bed watching us. I strained my eyes to see, but it was just too dark. I wondered if André had come back to check on my hand – possibly see to Cullys’ needs – and if he did he would certainly have his own key, but a strange uneasiness still filled my insides.
My attempt to move was suddenly averted when a French voice slowly said, “You will pay for this.”
The voice sounded like a woman’s. I knew someone was there, but whom? I tried desperately to sit up but I just could not move. The voice spoke again, and I swear it said, “You have just kissed your daughter au revoir!” The tone was most indignant.
My lips formed Cullen’s name as I tried calling out but failed to make a sound. What’s going on? I fought to embrace consciousness. I could hear footsteps moving about the room, stepping slowly but firmly as though they intended their presence known. They again stopped. Whoever it was remained silent. Finally the footsteps resumed, moving around the mattress toward my side, but I could only see darkness as fog once again engulfed me.
Where can readers purchase your books?
‘Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary’ is available in paperback edition at createspace, Barnes & Noble, and at amazon in both paperback and Kindle. Previous titles of my work are also available at these same online stores.Do you currently have any works in progress?
Yes I do, it’s another fictional romance/drama about what can happen when a situation is pushed too far, as well as the person being pushed. The title is ‘Willow’s Walk’. I hope to have it ready to publish sometime next year.What do you enjoy most about writing?
The ability to see my characters and the scenarios I immerse them in coming to life. It’s like watching the beginning of a new chapter in life, something that brings excitement in as many forms as it can.What do you enjoy least about writing?
Hitting stumbling blocks in story progression where nothing is coming regardless of how open you make yourself to your muse.What do you think is the greatest challenge for an indie/self-published author?
I would have to say being viewed as an equal in the professional world of literature, especially when it comes to talent and ability, and also acceptance as a full-fledged author in the eyes of the reading public.Where do you do most of your writing?
I own a 1920s brownstone cottage, and in 2005 I converted the attic to a loft that is bright and airy throughout the day, cozy and quiet throughout the night, and this is where I love to write.Who are your favourite authors?
I don’t really have favourites per se, but I love reading anything that is expressively written, something that truly gets inside you, pulling you deep within the pages, sweeping you right to middle of the author’s mind. I like to be able to feel what the author felt while creating the lines on the page.What other interests do you have?
I love music. I still love performing as I play bass guitar, rhythm guitar, and sing. I used to do this professionally and I still look forward to the odd performance. I love art, poetry, browsing antique shops, taking long walks, and spending time in nature.This or that questions:
Coffee or tea? Tea
Night owl or early riser? Night owl.
Music or TV? Music.
Twitter or facebook? Facebook.
Cats or dogs? DogsFavourite things:
Snacks? Peanuts
Actor? Johnny Depp
Actress? Meryl Streep
Singer? The late Dusty Springfield
Book? Margret Mitchell’s ‘Gone With the Wind’
Tags: best romance novels, Canadian Indie author Rusty Blackwood, fiction romance novels, fictional romance, fictional romance/drama, romance, romance author, romance fiction, romance fiction author, romance novel, romantic fiction author Rusty Blackwood
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