Thursdays Questions for Carla Capshaw with giveaway

Todays Thursday feature is a little different. A couple of weeks back I asked for questions for Carla Capshaw and here are her answers. Thanks to all who asked and thanks to Carla for her time.
There is also a giveaway at the bottom of the post.

From Cecelia when did you know you wanted to be a writer?
***Hi Cecelia.  Thank you for your question.  The writing bug first bit me when I was about ten years old.  I watched a TV movie about Marco Polo as an English assignment for school and fell in love with the idea of writing a book and traveling.  I traveled a lot for years and then about ten years ago decided it was time to sit down and write.  Since I'd always been a Romance fan, I naturally gravitated in that direction.  I started with
contemporaries, but quickly learned I loved historicals more.  I started researching one of my favorite time periods and began work on a Colonial set in Charleston, SC.

From Lyn Have you always been fascinated by ancient Rome. She always starts with a setting and is curious what prompted your choice.

***Hi Lyn, my fellow LIH author!  I like history in general, but ancient Rome is one of my very favorite times and has been since elementary school when I studied it and ancient Egypt.  I love the people and beauty of the period.  Everything was so colorful, inventive and lively.

From Jennifer she would like to know why you picked the period of the Roman Gladiator to first write about. (she's not disappointed she loves Caros!)
Pol also asked the same question commenting its such an intense background.

***Writing The Gladiator started by accident.  I was debating on whether or not to start another novel, so I prayed about it.  The next morning the entire story played out in my mind. I wrote the synopsis and first three chapters in no time (unheard of for me).  I sent it to my agent.  She loved it and passed it on to Melissa Endlich at LIH.  Research  and getting the details right took some time, but Melissa bought the manuscript once I finished it about eight months later.

From Camy how did you do your research. What were your favourite books/websites? Did you have to interview history professors or anything like that?

Hi Camy.  Thanks for your question.  I'm a very visual person, so I do my research by visiting the places I write about.  I tour old homes, explore old towns, visit antique stores, haunt museum, etc.  For my Roman series, I went to Italy for three weeks, toured the Coliseum and spent four days exploring Rome specifically.  I also visited Pompey and the Amalfi coast, which provided tons of villas, ruins and ideas for the books.  I use the
Internet and libraries to check historical facts and background information.  Basically, I do whatever I can to make sure I get the story as authentic and "real" as possible.  :-)

Jennifer again, Do you model each of your characters after someone you personally know. She knows the last story was influenced by your parents.

***Hi again, Jennifer!  No, I don't intentionally base my characters on specific people.  I think each of my heroines probably shares some of my own likes, dislikes, fears and struggles, but none of them is entirely me or anyone else I know.  Like you said,  the hero and heroine's journey in The Champion was based on my parents, but that is probably as close as it gets to actually using a real person's story within the story. For me, the fun of writing is creating a character and letting that person grow and change along with the story.  When I start a book, I usually have a general idea of where it's going, the basic conflicts, a few details of the characters, like what they look like and what their job is. From there it's as much a mystery to me as anyone in terms of how it's going to turn out.  LOL

Janet asks Have you visited Rome and if so if you found enough in today's world that related to the time period of your book (almost wondering if it would be best to just see it all in your mind through books or if it helps to see it in today's world)?

***Hi Janet!  I did visit Rome and found so much history there to soak up and use in the books.  It's true that what's left of this time period in the present day is ruins, but there is enough that the flavor and feel of the era are everywhere.  I recommend going to Rome to everyone.  It is a truly beautiful city that is steeped in history. nbsp;Everywhere you look there is something beautiful to see and enjoy.

Momofthree asked How do you balance your writing and home/family life? Is it difficult finding enough peace and quiet to write? When are you most productive? Are you sad to leave this series of ooks in Ancient Rome?  (Jenny here commenting if Carla isn't I am).

Great question, Momofthree.  When I first started writing, things were harder than they are now because my son was much younger and life was a lot more hectic.  These days, my son is twenty-one and spreading his own wings so I'm on my own more.  In the early days, I made things work by writing after my son had gone to bed and I could concentrate better, but for years I functioned on four to five hours of sleep a night.  It also helped that I explained to my family that I considered my writing a real job.  I took that seriously, wrote a certain number of hours each day the same as if I had to go out to work, delegated household responsibilities and over time they took me seriously as well.

As for leaving Rome, yes, I'm sad to move on.   I love my gladiators and Rome, but I'm also excited because I'm researching a new time period (Victorian England) and getting to explore new conflicts and a new culture.

Jenny's question is do you have a favourite book in this series? do you have a favourite hero and heroine. After reading the last book I think this one is the best. I loved the other two but Tibi is special and I really like Alexius there was something special.

***I love this question, Jenny and so glad you loved The Champion.  I loved writing it because Tibi and Alexius were just so sweet together. I was constantly smiling at them.  lol As for the rest of your question, it's hard to answer.  I really don't have a favorite book.  Each of them is like my child with things I love and things I wish I could tweak a little.  If anything, my "favorite" tends to be the book I'm working on and when it's released, I'm crazy nervous that people aren't going to like it. lol  I honestly don't have a favorite hero.  Heroines?  I don't have a favorite, but I admit that Adiona is special to me.  She's very misunderstood and needs love *so* much.  I was glad there was a man like Quintus to love her and help her find the Lord.

Last question how do you come up with the names I found it hard to pronounce some of them.

***LOL I think some of them are hard to pronounce too.  I pick names from websites and books.  I research them for their meaning and origin.  I try to make the main characters' names something that will be recognizable to most readers or at least easy to sound out. Other, less recognizable names, I use on minor characters so the reader won't have to deal with them too much.   On a happy easier-name note, the hero and heroine of my next book are Rose and Sam. ;-)

Thank you for all these wonderful questions.  I'll come back and answer anymore you may have for me later.

Ciao for now,

Carla Capshaw

www.carlacapshaw.com

Product Description:
Triumphs in the Coliseum-and society bedchambers-made gladiator Alexius of Iolcos famous for his brutal skill and womanizing ways. Yet the only woman who intrigues him is Tiberia the Younger, who now needs his help. Protecting Tiberia places Alexius in the greatest danger he has ever known-from her vengeful father and his own heart.
Becoming a temple priestess may be an honor, but Tibi can't bear to surrender her freedom or her newfound faith. Alexius's solution stuns her. Marriage.to a gladiator! Scorned by her noble family, Tibi always felt unworthy. But with her champion by her side, can she accept-and give-a love strong enough to vanquish their enemies?

Giveaway:

Carla is giving away 2 prizes to 2 lucky readers. One will be a copy of her new book The Champion and the second is a chance to name a character in one of her future books. Just leave a comment answering the below question and saying if you wish to be in both draws. 


Carla has had a couple of unusual pets in these books, a pet tiger called Cat and now a pet panther what animal would you like to have as a pet?


Please leave a comment by Friday night 2 September 6pm Australian time