This week I put the Queen of Tease aka Marie Rochelle in the hot seat! Kick your shoes off, kick back and delve deeper into one of interracial romance’s biggest names, Marie Rochelle!
So how did a sweet girl from Kentucky get into writing such hot 
books?
First, I have never considered my books ‘hot’. J I think a part of me has always been interested in writing and one day I decided to put something down on paper and the rest is history. Taken by Storm was my first book and I have been sharing my characters and stories with my fantastic fans ever since.
What’s an average day like for Marie Rochelle? Where is your favorite spot to write, do you write fulltime? Any unusual rituals you follow?
I don’t really know if I have an average day when it comes to my writing. I always try to do as my characters tell me. They lead me on so many different forks in the road. Each and every day is different especially when it comes to my heroes. My favorite place to write is a place I call my ‘writing room’.
It’s not like an office, but a place in my house I go and can feel the most connected to my characters in my books. No, I don’t think I have any unusual rituals that I follow when I write. My family might tell you something entirely different if you ask them the same question. J
How do you approach your books? Do you look at the current market? Or do stories come to you at the most inopportune moments like when you’re drinking coffee?
I approach my books by trying to tell a romantic story that anyone can get lost in for a few hours out of their day. I want people to feel something when they decide to read any of my books. No, I have never looked at the current market when it comes to writing because every reader has different likes and dislikes. One person may dislike interracial time travel romances and while another reader might read them from page to page in under a week.
I write because I love to do it and it gives me so much pleasure. My characters do come to me at the craziest times like I could be out grocery shopping and get an idea for a new book. I never know when a new man might jump into my head.
From concept to the final produce, how long does it take to complete a book?
Well, it depends on the hero and how hard the heroine is fighting him. I know sometimes it had taken me three months or a shorter period of time. It all about how well my couple speaks to me.
How has the market changed since you began writing? Do you see any market trends you’re excited about? Where do you see the interracial market heading?
Since I started writing I see more interracial authors out there. I think is fantastic. I believe more markets are opening up to the idea that interracial books can be bestsellers if they are given the chance. I see the interracial market as only getting better and better in the future.
What about the interracial/multicultural genre drew you to it?
I have always been interested in interracial relationships and wanted to make their love more known to the public.
You have written in practically every genre (i.e.: futuristic-time travel-contemporary etc.) is there anyone genre you find difficult to write? What sub-genre do you prefer? Is there a genre or series you’re dying to write that you haven’t written yet?
Well, I haven’t tried my hand at time travel or futuristic book yet. I never thought I would be able to write a paranormal (vampire), but I finished one called Alpha Male Inc. Under Your Protection at Phaze Books and I was quite pleased by the positive feedback I have been receiving for fans. I think writing interracial romances are the easiest for me because I feel like I relate so well with each of my characters.
Many of your books are a part of a series. As a reader do you gravitate to series more? Or do you like many authors come attached to your characters and don’t want to let them go until you’re feel they’re fully realized or you’ve done them justice?
Yes, a lot of my books are a part of a series and honestly it happened quite by accident. When I first started writing The Men of CCD: Loving True there wasn’t supposed to be any other books in the series, but Clinton just called to me and I couldn’t leave him alone. After Clinton came Dave and finally Jim. So, those gorgeous alpha males are the ones who got me started writing series. I love doing them because each man is so different from the other one. Hayward is nothing like Jim.
In addition, my Drace brothers’ series is another set of men I couldn’t help but fall madly in love with. I mean who couldn’t have fallen for Lee and his pursuit of the beautiful and independent Cherise?
Sorry. I got totally off the rest of the question. Yes, I like when a book I read is a part of a series. I like checking in with past characters I have grown to love. It’s almost like getting a letter from a friend you haven’t seen in years. It wasn’t expected, but it couldn’t have been a better surprise to your day.
Do you or have you ever based your characters on real life people?
Hmm…I don’t know if I should answer this question just in case some of my friends decide to read this interview. So, no none of my characters are based on any real life people that I know.
Quite a few authors who went the traditional route are now self-publishing by the shipload. For an unpublished writer what route would you recommend? Are you or have you ever considered self-publishing one day?
Self-publishing is always a personal decision. I have never thought about self-publishing. So, my advice to an unpublished writer is to do all of your research and then decide wihch route will be the best for him or her.
If you could see any of your books developed into a television series, which one would it be and why? Who would you want to play the hero and heroine?
I would love to see Taken by Storm or Loving True turned into a television movie. I think Storm and Syleena are so deep and their emotions would be able to draw anyone into their love story. I can’t say who I would want to play the lead roles. It’s something I would have to think about. Hayward and True had a love that both of them had to fight for despite what was going on around them.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Wow…five years? I would love to still be writing and have fans still enjoying what I have to offer them.
I needed to congratulate you on your most recent release Accept My Love: Sasha. How did you come up with the concept of this book? Have you as a writer ever been surprised at concepts that worked and those that didn’t?
Thank you. I thoroughly loved working on Sasha and Sterling. They were a very cute couple. Who had the hardest time admitting how they felt about each other until someone pointed it out to them. Sasha is a part of a series called The William Sisters. The first book was called “Hello: Keyshia Williams.” I’m planning on writing the final two stories in the series for 2012 releases.
Yes, I have been surprised at how the concepts of my writing that have worked and drawn me more of a wider fan base. I’m most surprised by the heroes that my fan base loved compared to the ones they disliked because they were ‘too alpha.’
Finally the Fast Five. Five fun questions that delve a little deeper into who Marie Rochelle really is?
True Blood or Breaking Bad? This is a hard question because I haven’t seen either show.
House on the Beach or Cabin in the Mountains? House on the beach.
Stephen King or Rosemary Rogers? Neither.
Colin Ferrill or Idris Elba? I would have to pick my own and say Rob Lowe. He’s is just still so hot!
Michael Buble or Luther Vandoss? I would have to pick my own again and go with Prince.
Which of your characters do you prefer the most Keisha or Sasha ? Both are equal to me.
Want to learn more about author Marie Rochelle and her books, visit her website.
Accept My Love: Sasha
Marie Rochelle
ISBN # 9781454300649
Enough was Enough!
Sasha Williams was tired of dreaming about having a future with her gorgeous and single boss…Sterling Hamilton. He wasn’t interested in the same things as her…not in the least. She wanted romance and candlelight dinners while he wanted her to work late at his family owned business.
He was taking her for granted and she was tired of it.
As soon as the new promotional campaign was over for Sleep Softly Bedding and Mattress.
Sasha was turning in her letter of resignation and there was nothing Sterling could do to make her stay… or was there?
To read an excerpt or buy Accept My Love: Sasha, click here!
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2 comments
Koko,
Thanks again for the interview. I had so much fun answering the questions.
Marie
No, thank you for taking the time out to do it! I know you’re very busy with your writing so I really appreciated you making the time:)