Buzzin’ about with Chanta Rand, author of The Highest Bidder

Meet Chanta Rand, author of The Highest Bidder

Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?

Definitely the story. Many times, I’ll have a good idea for a book and I’ll write the outline for the story immediately, so I don’t lose the original storyline. I worry about the characters later. If it’s a flash of inspiration and I’m not near my computer, I’ll jot it on a post-it note, napkin or whatever scrap of paper I can find lying around. For The Highest Bidder, I actually polled family and friends to see what type of romance they’d be interested in reading. I was prepared to write a story similar to The Thomas Crown Affair, but overwhelmingly, folks gave me feedback about writing a story involving football. I have a lot of sports fans in my family. So, I bent under peer pressure – and I’m glad I did! I truly enjoyed writing about Tristan and Alexa.

Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?

Well, I’d like to think I’m in control, but sometimes the characters conspire against me to do what they want. For instance, for each character, I write a detailed analysis where I determine the character’s physical description, job, family background, emotional baggage and any other important characteristics. BUT there are some characters who don’t like to stick with what I envision for them, so they take on a life of their own.

If you weren’t writing, what would you be doing?

Thinking about writing! I keep a notepad near my bed because I often wake up in the middle of the night with ideas for stories or chapters. My memory is worse than a two-year-old in “time out.” If I don’t write it down, I’ll forget all about it the next morning.

How long have you been writing? Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always wanted to write or be involved with books in some capacity. I’ve wanted to be a writer, a poet, a librarian, and a book store owner.

Would you like to write a different genre than you do now?

Anything to do with futuristic stuff and fantasy/mythology really catches my attention. I have a few ideas for some sci-fi short stories, but writing it is entirely different than watching it on T.V. So, right now, I’m just poking my big toe in the waters. I’m still too timid to jump in. But we’ll see.

Who are some of your other favorite authors to read?

I absolutely LOVE all of the Blair Underwood books featuring Tennyson Hardwick. Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes did a spectacular job of bringing that character to life. I’m eagerly awaiting another book. Other authors I read are: Jeffrey Archer, ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Beverly Jenkins, Philippa Gregory, Dean Koontz, Robin Cook, and Carl Webber.

Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

1. Follow your heart and keep writing. If you don’t believe in you, no one else will.

2. If you can’t get a publisher or agent for your book, don’t despair. That’s only one person’s opinion. Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone with the Wind, was rejected by over 20 publishing houses. And John Grisham’s manuscript, A Time to Kill, was rejected 45 times before it was accepted!

3. Educate yourself on the craft of writing and the writing industry. Remember the old saying, “Knowledge is Power.”

What are some of your favorite things to do?

Besides reading, writing and shopping? I like word puzzles and games that make me use my brain. I’m telling you if I went on Wheel of Fortune, I could clean up! I ain’t too bad at Jeopardy either.

What question would you love to answer that I didn’t ask?

What do I think about self-publishing? I think self-publishing gives writers a fantastic opportunity to promote books that are often considered too risky by non-traditional book publishers. Also, self-publishing allows authors to have greater control over their royalties and the distribution channels for their books. Gone are the days when authors just wrote a book and depended on the publisher to do all the promoting. Today’s authors need to learn how to successfully market themselves – and I believe self-publishing pushes authors to do this. After all, you’re not just selling your book; you’re selling your brand.

How can readers contact you?

Please drop me a line at Chanta@ChantaRand.com. You can also check out my website at www.ChantaRand.com for more details on my upcoming projects. By the way, I’m looking for a model for the cover of my next book, Dirty Laundry, scheduled to be released in Mid-April. It’s Rated S – for SCANDALOUS. Please contact me if you’re interested. Ciao for now!

About the Book (Click cover to purchase from Amazon)

When a conceited football player who thinks he’s God’s gift to the world meets a humble doctor who’s trying to save the world, sparks are bound to fly!

It’s no accident that Tristan Rexford is nicknamed T-Rex. As a quarterback for the California Predators, he’s a hunter both on and off the football field. He lives a lavish lifestyle and carries a black book thicker than the average dictionary. Correction: “Black book” is so outdated. Let’s just say his Facebook contacts could rival the Yellow Pages. He has the world at his fingertips, and he has no thoughts of settling down. And why should he? With a seven-figure income, a dazzling smile, and a body resembling Michelangelo’s David, he’s every woman’s fantasy.

But Doctor Alexa Kennedy lives in the real world. She barely has time for her patients, and even less time for fantasies. At thirty-something, she’s lonely, bored and sex-starved. But when it comes to men, she’s short on patience and long on disappointment. When one of the hospital’s board members attends a charity benefit and ends up with the winning bid for a date with Tristan, Alexa is chosen to escort him. She could care less about watching some grown ass men run up and down the field smashing into each other. But the moment she meets Tristan, all that thinking flies out the window. He’s the sexiest man she’s ever laid eyes on – but he also has a habit of rubbing her the wrong way. They share one night of passion before Tristan retreats back into his glamorous world, leaving her aching for more. Alexa tells herself it was all in the name of charity. She’s far too sensible to fall for someone like Tristan. Or is she?