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Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest Alexandrea Weis author of Recovery and To My Senses

Good day Alexandrea and thanks participating in our interview.

Norm:

Could you tell our readers something about yourself and when did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? ? What keeps you going?

Alexandrea:

I started writing when I was eight. But as far as being a writer, I did not really pursue my writing until after I finished graduate school. I had been away from creative writing for a while and after my dissertation, I picked up an old short story I had written in high school and decided to expand upon it. I just started writing and that turned into my first novel, To My Senses.   

Norm:

What do you like best about your own prose?

Alexandrea: 

The emotion I try to convey in my words, I guess would be the best way to answer that question. I try to impart to the reader the emotions and thoughts of Nicci Beauvoir, the narrator. And I think becasue of those words, you get to see who she is.  

Norm:

Is there much of you in Recovery?

Alexandrea:

Everything having to do with the aftermath of Katrina comes from my own experiences. Especially the destruction described in Lakeview. I lived in Lakeview and when I was finally allowed back in to see my home... well, I don't think anyone can put those feelings into words..

Norm:

Are the characters of Nicci and Dallas based on anyone you know?

Alexandrea:

Nicci is in many ways like me. Her thoughts, life expereiences, and observations mirror my own. And Dallas? He is a conglomeration of people I have known. The good parts and the bad parts, all mixed together.

Norm:

What is the most favorite part of Recovery?

Alexandrea: 

Christmas dinner with Nicci's family. I think anyone who reads this book will relate to that scene in some way. We have all been to family dinners like that at some point in our lives. 

Norm:

What has been the best part about being published?

Alexandrea: 

After my first book, To My Senses, was released, I was really touched by how moved people were by the story of Nicci and David. When people connect with your characters, that is the best part of being published.   

Norm:

How much research did you do before writing Recovery?

Alexandrea: 

I have experience using guns and being a nurse I have worked with a lot of police officers in the past. Having worked at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, I saw a great deal of gunshots, stabbings and beatings. I learned about wounds caused by different types of weapons. You also learn to pay attention to details in the medical business.

Norm:

What are the preponderant influences on your writing?

Alexandrea:

New Orleans for one. Being born and raised in this city tends to have a major influence on your life and how you view the world. I also grew up in the motion picture business. My father had an independent production company in the French Quarter. I helped him write screenplays and learned a lot about what is important for making a movie work. Those experiences taught me how to write. I see the scenes in my head and then put them down on the computer. That is why dialogue is so important to my writing. It's my movie roots coming through.   

Norm:

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Alexandrea:

Tennessee Williams. He was a friend of my father's growing up and he influenced me a great deal. He taught me how to develop characters and how to make every word and every action count  He also taught me how to cheat at gin rummy. 

Norm:

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

Alexandrea:

I hear from my readers all the time. They find me on Facebook and Twitter or send me e-mails. Most of the time they write or send messages to tell me how much they have enjoyed my first book. I love hearing from them.

Norm:

What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

Alexandrea:

Characters. You cannot write a believable story if the reader does not believe in the people you are writing about.

Norm:

What are you upcoming projects?

Alexandrea: Book III in the Nicci Beauvoir Series. It is called Sacrifice and takes up right where Recovery left off.

Norm:

Where can our readers find out more about your and Recovery?

Alexandrea:

Go to my WEBSITE or they can got to my FACEBOOK PAGE page at to learn about upcoming events and furture books in the series. 

Norm:

Is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

Alexandrea:

Thank you to all the readers of my first book, To My Senses  Their support and encouragement is the reason Recovery is here today.

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