Interview with Marissa Clarke

Today, I’m interviewing author Marissa Clarke. Her novel, Sleeping with the Boss released earlier this week from Entangled Publishing.

1. Congratulations on the release of your new book, Sleeping with the Boss! What inspired this book?

Thanks. It’s been an exciting week! ​The inspiration for Sleeping with the Boss, it was a compilation of a million embarrassing things over the course of my life.

The premise started with the elevator scene in which the heroine, Claire​, accidentally rips her skirt​ in two down the back and the hero gets a fantastic view of the results in the polished brass doors of the elevator. So embarrassing… for one of them anyway.

After brainstorming with my editor, Liz Pelletier (who is the world’s all-time best brainstormer), the other pieces fell into place.​

2. Some of your other books have a dark, ​more somber tone to them while Sleeping with the Boss is light and funny. How do you know which tone is right for the story you’re working on?

The story and characters dictate the tone. This book was for the new Entangled Lovestruck line, and though there will be heavier books released in this imprint, a lighter mood colored all five launch authors’ stories.

I’m not dark or broody by nature, so this was a more comfortable fit than the angst and woe of some of my works written as Mary Lindsey, which can be dark, especially the Edgar Allan Poe-based Gothic romance, Ashes on the Waves. ​Though, angst is fun to write sometimes, too.

3. You’ve written young adult fantasy novels. Now you’re writing romance novels. What led to this transition? Have you always been interested in writing romance or was this something new for you?

​I read adult romance. I always have. The transition was natural. Honestly, when I write YA, I rarely think about my audience. I think about my story, which just happens to be about teens. The planning and execution of the story is exactly the same for me. ​

4. What’s the hardest part of balancing two different author platforms? The best?

​Social media, hands down. I tried to have two separate identities across social media, but failed. I ended up merging all my accounts. I’m Mary Lindsey-Marissa Clarke on Facebook and @MaryL_MarissaC on Twitter and other places like Pinterest.

The only reason I did not use the Mary Lindsey name for my adult books is I wanted the two genres to be separated on sales sites. I didn’t want some of my younger readers to click on my adult books thinking they were YA. ​

5. Sleeping with the Boss is the first book in The Anderson Brother’s Series. What’s one ingredient that you think is essential in creating a hot hero?

​A hot hero has to be genuine–at least on the inside. Even when he screws up–which of course he will–his intentions have to be good, outcome be darned. He also has to be a spectacular lover (of course… because, romance)! ​

6. What’s the one thing you wish someone had told you about writing when you first started?

​It doesn’t get easier. I improve, but it just gets harder as I get better.

Thank you so much for having me on your blog today, Sonya!

About Marissa Clarke

Marissa Clarke lives in Texas, where everything is bigger, especially the mosquitoes. When not writing, she wrangles her rowdy pack of three teens, husband, and a Cairn Terrier named Annabel, who rules the house (and Marissa’s heart) with an iron paw.

Marissa Clarke is a pseudonym. Her real name is Mary Lindsey and she also writes young adult novels for Penguin USA.

She loves to connect with readers and can be found at www.marissaclarke.com and on Twitter at @MaryL_MarissaC. For updates and insider information on Marissa’s upcoming books, subscribe here: http://tinyurl.com/marissanews.