Fridays off the Wall with Grace Greene

Today, I'm welcoming Grace Greene for Fridays off the Wall.  Her latest book, Beach Rental, will be available from Turquoise Morning Press on July 11.

Joselyn: What is the most unexpected thing that has happened in one of your books?  As in you didn’t expect it to happen until you wrote it?

Unexpected things happen in my books all the time. I imagine that’s especially true of writers who don’t plot heavily. In my current work-in-progress, I knew something of value was hidden at an old, decaying mansion, but I didn’t know what – only that it would be the constant in the story and something the characters would ultimately be at odds over, and even in danger because of. I didn’t know what it was, but moved forward with writing the book anyway trusting my people to clue me in when they were ready. When the characters finally told me what the ‘treasure’ was, it seemed perfectly obvious. I should’ve thought of it myself!  (Smile).

Sorry, I can’t divulge what the item is because the book is still in draft stage.

Joselyn: Sounds fascinating.  I don't plot either.  I like discovering the story as I write. What is your favorite line from your most recent book? 
I have many favorite lines. A contest judge once said I had a knack for one-liners. The one I’ll offer here isn’t the most descriptive sentence or the snappiest quip, but it’s a little story in itself and sums up the first part of Beach Rental quite well:

“The waves rolled in, gulls squawked and scavenged from the few beach-goers, and she, Julianne Cooke Bradshaw, sat on her new porch and wondered how long her marriage would last.”

Joselyn: Oh, I like that.  The tone is at once artistic, ominous and quirky. Do you have any characters who keep bugging you for their own book? Will you give them one? 
One of the characters in Beach Rental wants her own book. Her name is Maia and she’s a strong secondary character – and such a sweetheart that I’d like to help her find the love of her life. Nothing is in the works for that right now, but maybe down the road, especially if I decide to write another book set in Emerald Isle.

Joselyn: What author would you be delighted to be compared to (in a positive way, of course)? Karen White. Is this your favorite author? 
I have many favorites, but writing-wise many are outside my genre or heat level. For instance, I love Sue Grafton’s voice (who doesn’t?) but she’s a mystery writer and I’m not. Karen White’s southern fiction is more in my genre and her style and voice resonate with me. I’d love to be compared favorably to her someday.

Joselyn: Last one. When the power goes out, what do you do? (Cell phone service is out too.) 
First, I’d use my laptop until the battery died, then switch to my mini laptop whose battery lasts a good seven hours. Somewhere during that time, bedtime is bound to hit and I’ll get some sleep.

More about Beach Rental:

On the Crystal Coast of North Carolina, in the small town of Emerald Isle…

Juli Cooke, hard-working and getting nowhere fast, marries a dying man, Ben Bradshaw, for a financial settlement, not expecting he will set her on a journey of hope and love. The journey brings her to Luke Winters, a local art dealer, but Luke resents the woman who married his sick friend and warns her not to hurt Ben—and he’s watching to make sure she doesn’t.

Until Ben dies and the stakes change.

Framed by the timelessness of the Atlantic Ocean and the brilliant blue of the beach sky, Juli struggles against her past, the opposition of Ben’s and Luke’s families, and even the living reminder of her marriage—to build a future with hope and perhaps to find the love of her life—if she can survive the danger from her past. 


You can stay in touch with Grace at her website, http://gracegreeneauthor.com. 


Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.