Interview with Pepper Basham + Giveaway ~ Charming the Troublemaker (e-book)

Hey Y’all! I am delighted to share my most recent interview with Pepper Basham, author of ‘Britallachian romance peppered with grace and humor.’ Pepper has a new book out, Charming the Troublemaker. It’s another sigh worthy winner with a swoony hero! AND….if you read to the end and leave a comment, you might win an e-book!

Welcome back to Stuff & Nonsense, Pepper!

Anne, as always, it’s such a pleasure to spend time with you today. Thank you for the opportunity to share about stories and favorites and all those sorts of things.

Tell us a little about yourself and your writing journey.

Well, I’ve been writing ever since I learned how. In fact, I still have my first ‘chapter book’ I wrote (and POORLY illustrated) when I was 10 years old and my first mystery book I wrote when I was 12. Words, writing, and storytelling have been a constant part of my life, as present as faith and family. I suppose that’s why they always seem to go together in my story-creating process 😊

After YEARS of pursing publication, my first novel was published with Vinspire Publishing in May 2015. From that point on, I’ve had opportunity to publish 5 more full-length novels and one novella. It’s been a VERY busy journey!!

Wow!!! That’s a lot of books in just two years. I’m so glad you’re on a roll! And here is Pepper's youngest holding a story Pepper wrote when she was a youngster. 

What do you think makes a good story?

Oh goodness! There are various ways to make a good story, but I think the BEST is through memorable characters. I know there’s this fun writing dialogue going on about which is more important, plot or characters, in creating good stories, and though they are BOTH powerful tools for storytelling, I think characters are USUALLY the best option for story-strength. If you can have BOTH, then that’s even better.

I have to agree on that one. I recently read a story that had a good plot but the characters…dull and boring. :(

Do you have a favorite book? What about it makes it stand out from others?

Actually, I DO have a favorite (but I’m also editing another one that might become a favorite too), but the hero in my just-released novel, Charming the Troublemaker, might be one of my favorite heroes I’ve ever written!! As far as STORY, my contemporary romcom, Just the Way You Are, is one I love to go back and reread. I love the humor, the romance, the setting, the mystery…yep! Everything I enjoy best in a book I tossed into that one! British hero, clumsy American single-mom, Scooby-Doo references, 500-year old towers, a sweet and crazy family, adorable kids…yep!! FAV!!

Oh yes!!!  Just the Way You Are is de-lish! As my momma used to say. :-)

What’s the one food item you can’t live without?

ACK! Only one??? That’s like asking me who my favorite child is!?! 😉 Chicken! I love chicken. And chocolate (not together, btw).

Two of my favorites! Especially chocolate. :)

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night and just have to get up and write down a thought? If so, do you keep a tablet on your bedside table or go to the computer?

I keep a tablet by the bed but RARELY (read really NEVER) use it in the middle of the night. Sleep is WAAAYYYY too important to me 😉

Haha! I like sleep but at my age, I do wake up a lot in the middle of the night.

Do you talk to your characters? Keep story boards? Pictures? 

I definitely talk to them and have pictures of the characters, setting, buildings. I don’t really keep a storyboard but I do map out my towns. I do a whole lot of daydreaming.

Um. Your stories cause all of us to do a whole lot of daydreaming. 😉

Can you give us a glimpse into your next book or story idea?

Let me tease you with two!

I have an upcoming historical and an upcoming contemporary.

The historical romance set in WW1 Appalachia. It has a Christy spin but is actually based on some of my own personal family history. City boy teacher comes to Appalachia and lives change 😊

I plan to have the second Pleasant Gap novel arrive in 2018 too. It’s about two introverts, which is a new thing for me, but there’s humor, heart, family, and a historical mystery thread like its predecessor.

I also have two novellas coming out in 2018 as part of compilations – one historical and one contemporary, so you can keep your eyes open for those too 😊

2018 is looking better already!

Have you traveled to locations that your books are set in? Where is the one place you would love to set a book but know you cannot possibly go there? Would you write it anyway?

I have been to England – where my Penned in Time series and Just the Way You Are are partially set. I’d gladly go back ANY time. LOVE Britain. I’m not really sure of a place I wouldn’t write about just because I haven’t visited there. I have a few fantasy book ideas and the only way to get there is in my mind 😉

Point taken!

Since you write swoon-worthy romance, what is the most romantic thing your husband has done for you? Only if you can share ;)

Hee hee, well, on a little scale…I’m a BIG fan of hugs. He’s not a hugger, but he works REALLY hard to give me hugs on a regular basis because he knows I’m super-affectionate (and love hugs…kisses too). As far as grander things, sacrificing time and money to take me on my first trip to England 10 years ago was pretty romantic (as in REALLY romantic).

That is so sweet! Sounds like you found a keeper. 

Where can you be found on the internet?

I LOVE interacting with my readers!! You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and on my website.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pepperdbasham/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pepperbasham

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pepperbasham/?hl=en

Website: www.pepperdbasham.com

Thanks again, Pepper, for indulging my curiosity about the writer life.

GIVEAWAY INFO - Pay attention!!! :-)

You’ll need to be a GFC follower in order to be entered for the giveaway because I am ditching the email sign up through Feedburner. Technical difficulties with the backend of the program are causing hundreds of spammy email followers. Until I find another way to have email sign ups, PLEASE follow thru GFC. I've announced this a couple of times. If you want to continue to get updates about giveaways etc, you'll have to switch. Sorry! 

Pepper is offering an e-book copy of Charming the Troublemaker to one of my followers. Since Pepper writes both contemporary and historical, leave a comment letting us know which genre you enjoy best, along with your email address in a non-spam format like this -- jane(at)doe(dot)net -- in order to be entered. Giveaway ends Nov 27^th