Meet the Author - NATASZA WATERS

Welcome all.

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Natasza Waters, author of Code Name: Ghost; Code Name: Kayla's Fire; Code Name: Nina's Choice; Code Name: Luminous; Code Name: Forever & Ever; Code Name: Redemption; SEALed with a Weekend; Twila's Tempest; His Perfect Imperfection; Committed to Chase; Too Grand for Words;

ME: Hi Natasza Waters, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

NATASZA WATERS: I was born on the west coast of British Columbia and currently live in a cute little town called Sidney by the Sea on Vancouver Island. (Imagine Cabot Cove in Murder She Wrote) I committed 33 years to serving in the Coast Guard and I'm soon to retire and write full time.

ME: What genre do you write?

NATASZA WATERS: Military Romance and Suspense

ME: What are you working on at the minute?

NATASZA WATERS: In December I will release the final book in my award-winning Navy SEAL series called Code Name: War of Stones.

ME: Can you share a little of your current work with us?

NATASZA WATERS: Allowing women into combat has always been a controversial topic. In War of Stones, Seaman Sloane Austen and Navy SEAL Lt. Damon Stone clash in Operation Skirts Down. A CIA exercise opposed to women in the Special Forces.

ME: Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?

NATASZA WATERS: I guess I don't have to imagine, since a very handsome actor and model has agreed to be on the cover. Thomas Gunter resides in California and like most of my cover models, has served in the forces. Thomas was my muse for the hero in this thriller and I'm honored that he's on the cover. And it certainly wouldn't be a long shot to see his face on the silver screen recreating this powerful story that's raw with sex appeal, commitment and bravery.

ME: While you were writing, do you ever feel as if you were one of the characters?

NATASZA WATERS: Never. I may use pieces of my life experience or people I've met, but heaven forbid I put myself in a book.

ME: When did you decide to become a writer?

NATASZA WATERS: I wrote during my 20's but life got in the way. But, in 2010 I picked up where I left off and my first novel was published in 2011.

ME: Which writers inspire you?

NATASZA WATERS: So many, but I have to say Anne Perry stands out. I've attended a few of her speeches and I was honored that she sat beside me when His Perfect Imperfection won Best Contemporary novel of 2016 in Burbank.

ME: Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?

NATASZA WATERS: Computer. LOL. Heck, I'd hate to think of how much paper I'd run through if I wrote on a typewriter.

ME: Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer to just see where an idea takes you?

NATASZA WATERS: I'm a pantser, although I do have character sheets and a plot summary, but from there onward, the characters get to do all the hard work.

ME: Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors.

NATASZA WATERS: I was a professional reviewer for a few years, but now with a busy schedule I read when I can. I can say that I enjoy many indie authors, and picking one just wouldn't be fair.

ME: What book are you reading now?

NATASZA WATERS: I just finished E.L. Shen's Ruckus. Gave it 3.75 stars.

ME: Do you think that giving books away free works and why?

NATASZA WATERS: I think making the first book in a series free or 99 cents helps new readers discover my style of writing without too much investment. If they like my novels, then they'll join my writing family.

ME: How do you relax?

NATASZA WATERS: I'll do that when I'm dead.

ME: What is your favorite quote?

NATASZA WATERS: You can move mountains with words, but you need a bulldozer of creativity to find the gold nuggets. (Natasza Waters)

ME: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

NATASZA WATERS: When creativity and determination cross swords, a book is born.

ME: What does your writing process look like?

NATASZA WATERS: Messy as hell, but thankfully I have a great crit partner who gives me a good slap upside the head if I venture into dangerous territory.

ME: What is your least favorite part of the publishing / writing process?

NATASZA WATERS: Writing the blurb. Ugh. Summarizing 100,00 words into 150 is an art form.

ME: Is there a certain type of scene that's harder for you to write than others? Love? Action? Racy?

NATASZA WATERS: Love scenes are difficult. To keep them fresh and new is a tough grind.

ME: Did you learn anything from writing your book(s) and what was it?

NATASZA WATERS: I usually commit a certain amount of time prior to starting each book with some research depending on the plot. In Code Name: War of Stones, my research was based on the issues of women in combat.

ME: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

NATASZA WATERS: A good friend and talented author by the name of Sheri Fredricks. She writes fantasy and erotic romance, and she has real talent.

ME: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?

NATASZA WATERS: Agatha Christie hands down. Afternoon tea in an English garden. Think I'd pepper her with questions until she ran away screaming.

ME: What is your favorite theme/genre to write about?

NATASZA WATERS: I love to read suspense and I love to write suspense. Coiling the tension, throwing the characters under a bus and watching how they leap from danger....love it.

ME: What is your favorite theme/genre to read?

NATASZA WATERS: Suspense...and I'll throw a good contemporary erotic novel in once in a while to stir things up.

ME: What secret talents do you have?

NATASZA WATERS: Secret talent, huh? Well, believe it or not, I know Morse Code. Shocking, I know, but at the beginning of my career it was a requirement. :)

ME: If you had a superpower, what would it be?

NATASZA WATERS: Stepping into any time period I wanted with the snap of my fingers. Could come in handy, I think.

ME: Where is one place you want to visit that you haven't been before?

NATASZA WATERS: The United Kingdom, it's on my bucket list.

ME: How can readers discover more about you and you work? i.e. Website: Blog: Facebook: Twitter: Lnkedin: Pinterest: Amazon Author Page: Smashwords: Book Links: (* American, UK, etc.) Goodreads.

NATASZA WATERS:

FACEBOOK           WEBSITE           AMAZON

ME: Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?

NATASZA WATERS: Just a very big thank you to my readers for keeping the fires burning. Those are the embers that keep me writing.

ME: Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.

NATASZA WATERS: Thanks for giving me a little space on your blog.