Author Interview With Ariella Talix by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits

For those new to your work, please tell us a bit about yourself, your books and your genre/s

• I became addicted to romance books because I love the assurance of a happy ending. In 2018 I had a sudden brainstorm that prompted me to Write Make Believe. When I got to 70K words, the feeling was like none other. I was hooked! It took a lot of editing and rewriting, but the book is still something I'm terribly proud of. Then I realized there were more and more stories percolating about these characters, and each needed their own book. I tend to become attached, so I keep characters around- often through several books.
• And then I got the idea to write an MMF book, and the result was that sales skyrocketed. So, I guess I'm pretty good at those. ;) They are certainly fun to write.
• The majority of my books are contemporary, and I've stuck to areas and subjects I'm familiar with. Many of my characters are writers and artists because I've lived that life, and they do things like ski and ride horses. I love writing about creative people, and I couldn't resist writing about the sports l grew up doing.
• But then I decided to incorporate some family history and write about the California Gold Rush in The Golden Rush and Fiddle and Fire. It's been a lot of work and a labor of love. The research was fascinating, but the challenges were huge.

What lessons have you learned as a writer?

• You need to learn to ask for help.
• Keep your ego in check.
• Most writers are wonderful people.

In your everyday life how do you give back to the world?

• By being the best wife and mother I can. My son is a great gift to the world. I know that sounds odd, but you'd have to understand his accomplishments to see that I'm right.

If your life was a song what song would it be and why?

• "Summertime." I had it pretty easy growing up.

Name two authors you wish more people knew about

• My two author besties- Ava Cuvay and Sutton Bishop.

What are some of your hobbies?

• I don't have any hobbies because when I start one, it always turns into a business. I guess I could say reading, though.

When reading reviews, what is something you love to see written?

• I love it when someone really "gets" it. Best feeling ever.

What are you currently working on?

• I'm starting a new contemporary story, but it hasn't yet revealed whether it will be a short story or a full-length novel. I'm experimenting with the style a bit, so It also may never see the light of day. To be determined...

​What books are currently in your to-read list?

• So many! My Kindle lists no fewer than 770 unread books, but just today, I added The Rules of Dating My Best Friend's Sister by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward.

What is your favorite book made into a movie/tv show?

• Forrest Gump

What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

• I would say that I have a second-degree blackbelt in karate, but that's in my bio, so maybe I ought to say that I've lived in Norway.

Its Release Day! How do you celebrate?

• Nice dinner with my husband and a margarita. Nothing huge.
  

What gives you inspiration for the stories you write? 

• I try to incorporate things I love. Many of the books have animals, and lots of dogs show up in important roles. Also, as I mentioned before, I love creative people and try to be sure my characters have interesting personalities. Small inspirations happen all the time in normal conversations with new people. Something triggers a thought, and it snowballs.
  
  

What is your writing routine with a new book? Do you outline your stories or do you do what the characters tell you to do as you go along? Mix of both? 

• I don't listen to characters the way most authors describe, and I rarely make an outline. When I've made them, I look back a couple of weeks later and crack up at how everything has gone astray. The way I write is that I have a very visual memory and imagination, so the story plays out like a movie in my head. I just have to "take dictation" and write it down. Sometimes the characters surprise me in a great way, and often in a conversation with each other, an important plot line is revealed. This was true in Fiddle and Fire when Suzette was getting to know Walter and Isaac. She announced something about herself, and my response was, "Whoa! Cool!" I didn't see it coming.
• I also find that naming the characters is a big help in determining their personalities, and fairly early on, I try to have a cover finished. The visual also inspires me.

What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?

• Watching the reports that say most of my books sell every single day. :) It's truly not a money thing; it's the fact that people are paying attention to the books and coming back for more.

If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

• I would ask Walter why he didn't speak up way sooner. I love that he's such a gentleman, but I wonder if he was afraid or polite.

If you were offered a movie deal for just one of your books, which would you choose and why?

• I think I'd choose The Passion of 3. It's my favorite story, and it has many visual elements and plenty of excitement that would make a great movie. But really, any of my books would fill the bill. The Golden Rush would make an incredible epic tale kind of movie too, and people would learn about American history from it.

Have you ever met a celebrity? Which celebrity would you like to meet if given the chance? 

• Growing up in southern California, meeting celebrities was fairly common and often not particularly impressive. I would, however, enjoy meeting Craig Ferguson. I like his convictions as well as his humor.

Other than necessities, what is one thing you cannot go a day without?

• Kissing my husband.

You are filling out this interview as part of a tour with Itsy Bitsy Book Bits. What made you choose Itsy Bitsy Book Bits?

• It was highly recommended by more than one person.