Where did your love of books/storytelling/reading/writing/etc. come from?

My whole family reads, sometimes five or six books a week. My dad, probably more than that. I can’t remember not loving books. They’ve always been a big part of my life, as has storytelling. When I was little, they called them lies. Now I get paid to make stuff up. It’s awesome.

What do you think most characterizes your writing?

This is a tough one for writers to see in themselves. My books always have a sense of humor. I feel like no matter what’s going on in life you have to laugh as much as possible.

What did you find most useful in learning to write? What was least useful or most destructive?

Letting go of my internal editor is the most useful tool in my arsenal. That internal editor is the voice in your head telling you it’s probably not very good. The truth is, during the first draft there is no room for editing. So I send that internal editor on vacation and just sit down and write.

What projects are you working on at the present?

I’ve got another sexy romance I just turned into my editor and I’m also working on a YA. As soon as I finish the YA, I’m working on a new contemporary romance. It’s a wonderful busy time for me.

 

Fun Stuff

Do you have any strange writing habits (like standing on your head or writing in the shower)?

LOL I’ve had to teach myself to write anywhere. I do like to have snacks. Usually, these days, sunflower seeds or fruit. It used to be chocolate. I also have to have my headphones on when I’m writing. Even if there is no sound they block distractions. And if I’m home, I usually light a candle or have the aroma therapy thingy (professional term) going. Vanilla and Cinnamon make my brain work better.

How many donuts are you capable of eating in one sitting?

All of them. Doesn’t’ matter how many, which is why I’m trying to change all those old eating habits.

What is your go-to method for getting rid of hiccups?

Holding my breath and drinking water upside down. BUT I’ve discovered that some of the breathing exercises from Kundalini Yoga are really helpful for hiccups.

If I gave you a pencil and piece of paper and told you to draw something funny, what would you draw?

A stick figure. I can’t draw. But I’m trying to learn. Right now I’m taking a how to draw comic figures class on Craftsy.com.

How many friendships have you ruined because you refused to play a game of Monopoly mercifully?

I’m horrifically competitive. Even when I tell myself it’s just a game. It’s just a game. I always want to win.

Do you have a favorite Girl Scout Cookie?

You were really hungry when you were writing these questions weren’t you? YES

How many times does it take for you to listen to a song that you love before you actually hate it instead?

Never. Not with songs I really love. I have some albums that I always listen to when writing or editing, and I’ve listened to them hundreds of times.

 

This or That?

Dogs or Cats? Dogs 100 percent. I’m allergic to cats.

Tea or Coffee? I’m addicted to BOTH.

Marvel or DC Comics? I love me some Thor and some Batman so I’m not picking.

Winter or Summer? Winter.

TexMex or Italian? These are really hard, probably Texmex.

Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate.

Vintage or New? Vintage.

Bond or Bourne? Why would you make someone choose? That’s like picking a favorite child.

Roller Coaster or Ferris Wheel? Roller coaster. I live in the fast lane.

Bestselling author Candace Havens has published more than 25 books. Her novels have received nominations for the RITA’s, Holt Medallion, Write Touch Reader Awards and National Readers Choice Awards. She is a Barbara Wilson Award winner. She is the author of the biography “Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy” and a contributor to several anthologies. She is also one of the nation’s leading entertainment journalists and has interviewed countless celebrities from George Clooney to Chris Pratt. Her entertainment columns are syndicated by FYI Television, Inc. She is the Executive Editor, and Editorial Director for the Embrace and Indulgence lines at Entangled Publishing. Candace also runs a free online writing workshop for more than 2000 writers, and teaches comprehensive writing classes. She does film reviews with Hawkeye in the Morning on 96.3 KSCS, and is a former President of the Television Critics Association.

Website:  www.candacehavens.com

Twitter:  @candacehavens

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candacehavensbooks/

Instagram: Candace_Havens

Goodreads: Candace Havens

Hawke Vance will do whatever it takes to protect the family business, even if it means protecting it from his own father, a man who’s just gotten hitched in Vegas to wife number nine.

Growing up seeing how much chaos wedded bliss creates, Hawke’s sworn never to fall into the matrimony trap. But to get the all-important controlling shares of the company, he does need a wife.

Being caught skinny dipping is not the way ballerina Amy Powell planned to start her vacation. When the hot biker who catches her turns out to be the owner of the house she’s staying in, she’s mortified. But embarrassment soon turns to confusion and a good dose of lust when Mr. Sex on a Stick offers her the money she needs to save her brother if she’ll agree to marry him and play pretend for two months.

Only this game of make-believe quickly starts feeling too real…

Visit the Entangled website for more info and buy links: https://entangledpublishing.com/all-i-want-is-you.html