Candace Calvert Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. My bio says it, but we could add bird nerd, foodie, and gardener to that intro.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A. I always wrote, as far back as I can remember. I still have stacks of handwritten journals, and in school, I was one of those obnoxious kids who loved essay assignments.

Q: What do you write and why this genre?
A. I write contemporary romance, a unique subgenre sometimes called “medical hope opera.” My experience as an ER nurse made me want to offer readers exciting, lights-and-sirens fiction with elements of warm romance and a healing message of hope.

Q: Do you base your characters on people you know or are they totally made up?
A: I sometimes joke that my characters are bits and pieces of people I’ve known, assembled in fiction like a Mr. Potato Head toy. That said, I try my best to create characters with which readers can strongly identify. And of course, there’s a bit of my DNA in there, too.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release, MAYBE IT’S YOU?
A: This is the third story in my Crisis Team series honoring volunteer community crisis chaplains. I think this describes it well:
ER nurse Sloane Ferrell escaped her risky past—new name, zip code, job, and a fresh start. She’s finally safe, if she avoids a paper trail and doesn’t let people get too close. Like the hospital’s too-smooth marketing man with his relentless campaign to plaster one “lucky” employee’s face on freeway billboards.

Micah Prescott’s goal is to improve the Hope hospital image, but his role as a volunteer crisis responder is closer to his heart. The selfless work helps fill a void in his life left by family tragedy. So does a tentative new relationship with the compassionate, beautiful, and elusive Sloane Ferrell.

Then a string of brutal crimes makes headlines, summons responders . . . and exposes disturbing details of Sloane’s past.

Q: Where did the idea for this story come from?
A. Though my books can be read as stand-alones, this story continues the journey of a secondary character first introduced in BY YOUR SIDE.

Q: Tell us a little about your main character and how you developed her.
A. Strangely, I never intended for nurse Sloane Ferrell to become the heroine of this third story—she wasn’t in the proposal I pitched to my publisher. Moreover, she was the antagonist in STEP BY STEP, edgy, troubled . . . the “bad girl.” It was a challenge to crawl inside Sloane’s head, and in the process I ended up with more questions than answers. What caused her to make such self-destructive—and dangerous—choices? Why doesn’t she let anyone get close? What would it take for her to finally find happiness? I hope readers will be as intrigued as I was in discovering the answers.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. Actually (after the three-book Crisis Team series) I’m taking some R & R. Doing things that refresh my body and spirit, like gardening, traveling with my wonderful husband, and working in our granddaughters’ classrooms. I’m a “Sight Word Buster,” a program that helps with reading skills. An author building new readers—how great is that?

Q: What are some ways that readers of your books can help you as an author?
A. The most encouraging thing a reader can do is help spread the word of books they love. By offering reviews on sites such as Amazon and Goodreads. By posting on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, blogs—and by word of mouth: telling your friends, coworkers, church family. I have some really pretty (free) bookmarks that I’m happy to send for you to share. Your help as a story “cheerleader” is so very valuable!

Q: What one thing about writing do you wish other nonwriters would understand?
A. Maybe that writing isn’t glamorous or (for the vast majority of us) an impressive moneymaking venture or a hobby that happens when the “muse” whispers. It’s hard work and on deadline it’s stressful; it takes dedication, discipline, tenacity . . . a thick skin, and sacrifice. That said, there are some great perks: you can work in your jammies; you get to connect with the most amazing people (fellow writers, publishing and literary professionals—readers!); and if you plan it right, research can include things like Fiesta on the San Antonio Riverwalk, coastal California sunsets, and a slab of fudge ribbon cake at Rick’s Dessert Diner. Not to mention skydiving.

Q: Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
A. I did actually skydive. But I have a phobia about drive-through car washes. I helped deliver the foal who became the horse who broke my neck—the accident which (by God’s amazing plan) led to my writing career.

Q: Milk or dark chocolate? Coffee or tea?
A. Dark chocolate. Coffee—with almond milk.

Q: Favorite TV show or shows?
A. Lately I enjoy Madam Secretary and (seriously) The Great British Baking Show.

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?
A. It’s an honor and delight to mingle with your readers, Susan. And I want to invite all of you to my social media hangouts—we’re going to be having some fun giveaway opportunities during the launch of MAYBE IT’S YOU.