Author Interview – Colleen Connally

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you? My husband is the best. He has always supported me in my dream. I will never forget my first Mother’s Day. He surprised me with a typewriter. (I am dating myself. It was before computers.) Though, it was a few years before I got serious with my writing that gesture touched me greatly. It does help beyond words to have someone who believes in you in that way.
I am fortunate with my family and friends. The only thing that gets confusing is my pen names. I write under three names. I will admit one of my daughters questioned who Colleen Connally was when I first released Seductive Secrets.
Do you plan to publish more books? I have a few already in the works. The third book in Secret Lives Series, Seductive Lies by Colleen Connally, is due to be released late August, early September. I’m also planning on releasing a Civil War saga next year under Colleen Connally, which I’m excited about.
Under Carrie James Haynes, the fifth installment of Whispers of a Legend, is scheduled to be released by this coming Christmas. I also have the conclusion to the Winds of Betrayal series, The Heavens Shall Fall under Jerri Hines, set to be released in 2014.
What else do you do besides write? I have a full time job. I am a medical technologist and work at a major hospital in Boston. I enjoy watching my Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins, and Patriots. I am a country music fan. My favorite artist include Jason Aldean, Blake Sheldon, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, The Band Perry…I guess I have a lot of favorites. I’m an avid reader. I also enjoy walking with my husband and dogs. I’ll let you in on a little secret. I’m not a cook. My husband cooks. My oldest daughter is becoming quite a good cook herself. My kids are so good about taking me to movies my husband doesn’t want to see so I won’t have to go alone such as The Hobbit and The Hunger Games.
What other jobs have you had in your life? I have done so many things in my life. I was raised on a farm. So I’ve taken care of animals. Once, my father thought it would be a good experience for us to hoe a cotton field. I’ll never forget that summer. Summer jobs, I’ve worked at MacDonalds, a library, and a shoe factory. I’ve worked as a Medical Technologist since graduating college except for a few years I took off with my kids. Then I did home daycare. Best job I ever had. Loved looking at life through the eyes of a child. Now, I work at the hospital at night and write during the day.
Where do you get support from? Do you have friends in the industry? That’s a hard question to answer. I’m an Indie writer for most of my books. I have learned a lot through trial and error. I have to admit that the Indie world is quite supportive. There are many writers groups. I also read writers’ blogs, Publisher’s Weekly, Writer’s Digest… I have acquaintances, but not really any friends in the industry.
How much sleep do you get to be at your best? Sleep? What’s that? To be honest, I don’t need a lot of sleep. I think that’s why I can work overnights. If I can get four good hours straight, I’m good to go.