Interview with Crimson Romance author Lynn Crandall

Hi Lynn! Tell me, do dreams ever inspire your writing? What did you last dream about? 

My dreams are crazy. They always have been. Sometimes even the crazy ones inspire me, which fuels my writing. I especially love it when I have a flying dream. The feeling is so free and inspirational. In one of my flying dreams, Brad Pitt flew with me and we kissed. Even in the dream it left me “inspired.”

When did you first start writing? And when were you first published? 

I first began telling stories, made up stuff to entertain my younger sister, so I was very young. Back then I made up stories about aliens and witches. But I have been working as a freelance writer and editor for about 15 years. Kensington published my first romance in 1998. It was unbelievably thrilling.

What is it about 'chick lit' that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres? 

I enjoy the accessibility of ‘chick lit.’ The characters are relatable and they go through many of the things typical women face, but take things up a notch.
I’ve been in a reading-paranormal-mostly stage for a while, too. I’ve actually learned a lot about myself from reading about were-animals, wizards, demons, and witches.

Can you tell us a little about your latest book?

I’ve been working on books in a series for a while. The latest release, Heartfelt, is the third book in the Fierce Hearts series, which follows the lives of a colony of were-lynxes. Heartfelt tells the stories of Asia Blue and Conrad Pike. Throughout the series the colony has been in conflict with a diabolical organization, The Nexus Group, which plans to change the world and control all the resources, power, and money. In Heartfelt, that struggle continues and while BFF Asia and Conrad face death and destruction, they also confront their developing feelings for each other.

What inspired you to write it? 

Crimson Romance had published two of my books that were related to each other but were not a series. Those stories, Dancing with Detective Danger and Always and Forever Love, followed the lives of private investigator sisters Sterling and Lacey Aegar. When I started the next book, Secrets, I planned to make the sisters’ office manager the heroine and her hero was a friend of the sisters. As I did characterization on him, Casey Mitchell, a question arose: Could Casey be a were-lynx? My editor liked the idea and the Fierce Hearts stories began. So, to answer the question, I was inspired to write Heartfelt, and the other books in the series, because I loved the idea of a group of were-lynxes coming together as a family of sorts and using their keen senses and special powers while living among humans and saving the world, all under the radar. I love giving them human issues to grow and learn from, with the added challenge of their identities. If my stories have themes, they would be something like, the world is not what it seems, everything is evolving, and being different is not a flaw. Those concepts inspired me to write Heartfelt.
Who designs your covers? 

My publisher is Crimson Romance and someone in the company takes care of that.

If your latest book was made into a film, who would you cast? 

I can imagine Angelina Jolie as Asia Blue and a younger Brad Pitt as Conrad.

What's your favourite 'chick lit' book that made it to the big screen? 

He’s Just Not That Into You. I love watching the struggles of the young women and men searching for meaningful relationships. Who doesn’t enjoy a movie about people finding self-love and peace, and then connecting with an unexpected love?

What were the last two books you read? 

Jim Butcher’s Small Favor and Kelley Armstrong’s Wild Justice.

Name one female author you think deserves to be better known. 

Hah! Me! There are so many skilled writers who “deserve” recognition. Other than me, Jennifer Lawler.

Where do you write? 

I have a dedicated office space in my home. I’m very comfortable with the things around me that inspire me and fuel thoughts. If not at home, it’s fun to write at a coffee shop or book store or nature setting.

Tell us a random fact about yourself. 

I’m a natural red-head.

Who would play you in the movie about your life? 

This is stumping me. How about Emma Stone?

Tell us an interesting fact about where you live. 

I am ten minutes away from a forest preserve. It’s another place I escape to for writing, but it’s also simply a very peaceful, natural setting where I can just be.

What are your (writing) plans for the future? 

That’s such a good question! I plan to complete two more books in the Fierce Hearts series. I am presently working on the next book, Probabilities, and will finish the series with Waiting. I have lots of half-ideas for stories yet to come.

Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list. 

I’m not really a bucket list type of person. There would be pressure to complete the list! And I’m always changing and my values and needs and desires reflect that.

Name one of your all time favourite songs. 

I grew up in a family of musicians (I play the alto and soprano sax). Music in varying forms has always been in my daily life. My tastes have changed over the years. Still, I have so many all-time favorites. I guess I would have to pick John Denver’s Annie’s Song, because it’s “Our song,” my husband’s and mine.

What do you listen to whilst writing? 

I used to write to Gloria Estefan and a whole lot of other musicians. Now days I’m very much into quiet. Silence is so rich in texture and feelings. I prefer it often. But just the other day I tuned my iPod to Ingrid Michaelson’s Afterlife. It has a peppy beat.

Who (or what) did you want to be when you were a kid? 

I determined at a very young age I wanted to be an artist. I had a drawing journal and I was always sketching. I kind of lived a sheltered life and didn’t have awareness that I do now of all the possibilities. I think studying art history would be amazing, and philosophy. I could go on. But 15 years ago when I read On Becoming a Novelist by John Gardner, it was an aha!! moment with all the fireworks, and I’ve been writing ever since. 

Lynn Crandall lives in the Midwest and writes in the company of her two cats. She has been a reader and a writer all her life. Her background is in journalism, but whether writing a magazine or newspaper story or creating a romance, she loves the power stories hold to transport, inspire, and uplift. In her romances, she focuses on vulnerable, embraceable characters who don't back down.

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