Interview and giveaway with Clarissa Yip

Welcome to my corner of the blogging world.

It’s great to be here!

Let's get a little of the formalities out of the way.

Tell us a little about your self and the genre you write.

I’m Clarissa Yip. I write contemporary romance mainly, but I do at times dabble in suspense. I enjoy scrapbooking, reading, video games, trying new foods, and I’m also a cupcake addict. Oh, and I need coffee all the time.

Love to scrapbook, but don’t find time to do it much these days. And who doesn’t love cupcakes? Tell me, Clarissa, what do you love about being a writer?

Good question! Lol. I love losing myself in another world, being someone else even if it’s for a little bit, and allowing my muse to run free, even though she does drive me nuts at times. I love most of all being able to work in my pajamas and not have to answer to anyone but myself. I set my own schedule, make my own plans, and write whenever I please. I love seeing words appear on paper. (Yes, even if it’s crap. But it’s better than nothing!) I enjoy watching stories form, seeing my characters come to life, and just being able to share my stories. I want to make people happy!

What do you hate about being a writer?

Writer’s block. It’s my worse friend. When I’m itching to write and be productive, something has to come along and push me off the cliff and then I’m totally clueless as to where I’m going with the story when I’ve spent three days plotting and getting to know my characters. I feel ingenious for the first three chapters, then everything after that I get frustrated because the story decides that it needs to go another direction. It’s irritating. You think you know your characters, then they decide to be bipolar or that they want to be someone else who they’re not!

I get that! If there was one thing about the industry you could change, what would it be?

For it to make up it’s mind! You hear these fad trends and what’s popular, then by the time you finish the book because you know everyone is asking for such, you and your story are old news. But I guess it’s all part of the game. Markets evolve, new innovations come in, and it works for some and not so much the other. There’s no such thing as consistency in this industry. But there’s always a demand for romance! Write from the heart! There’s no better advice than that.

So true. You can’t write for the trend, it doesn’t work.

What do you like better, Twitter or Facebook? Why?

Wow. I feel like I’m back in Marketing Class. All these questions on industry and social networking. I think Twitter and Facebook are awesome! I started with Facebook when it used to be only for college students and no one who didn’t belong to an organization was allowed to sign up. Now seeing it evolve with the new technological innovations, it’s pretty amazing. News and communication travels so much faster. Twitter is pretty cool. I love the apps that utilize Twitter and allow for calculations of statistics and for a company/business to know their reach and influence. But most of all, I love that it’s such an easy way to market and communicate with the public without leaving the comfort of your own home.

I do tend to ask questions about how authors market themselves because in my personal experience, without a marketing platform an author won’t find readers. And I’m always interested in what is working for each author.

But since I don’t want you to think you’re back in school… for the most important question ever... Do you roll your toilet paper over the roll or under the roll?

Wow, I must be a slob, because I really don’t think about such thing. I’m going to assume over because having it under would annoy me with the way the extra sheet falls and sits. *Runs to the bathroom to check *

Pulled you attention right out of the classroom and to the toilet! LOL My work here is almost done.

Tell us about your latest release and were we can find it.

My new release is Silent Night’s Seduction. It’s a 1 Night Stand holiday story that takes place in Alaska at one of the Castillo resorts. Lily is literally kidnapped, shoved on a plane, and flown to the lodge for a one-night stand. Only her date ends up being her ex-husband, hot DA Rafe Martinez. Sparks fly. Desire strikes. And a second chance may be in store! It’s also part of the Madame Eve 1Night Stand Holiday Anthology by Decadent Publishing! You won’t be disappointed!

Here’s the blurb:

Stubborn and proud cowgirl, Lily McCormick, is finally coming to terms with her quiet life on her parent’s ranch, until her older brother, as payback, signs her up for 1NightStand. Kidnapped and forced onto a plane to a foreign location, she faces the dreaded cold and an unwanted tryst, until her ex-husband appears before her…as her date.

New York City District Attorney, Rafe Martinez, would do anything to get his ex-wife back, even if it meant taking drastic measures to pretend he was there for another woman. When jealousy and rage surfaces and Lily’s tough demeanor wanes, desire and lust sparks their once powerful connection as truths unfold. Will Rafe convince her to return to him or push her further away from giving their love a second chance?

I'm all about twitter and facebook, so can you be sure and add your handles and links here....

Website:

Blog:

Twitter:

Facebook:

I’m also having a party at Romance Author Hotspot! (http://romanceauthorhotspot.com ) Everyone is welcome to come! There’ll be publishers, your favorite authors, and also romance book vendors hanging out from Dec. 24^th to Jan. 1^st! We’re giving away a Kindle Fire and over 40 prizes, so it’s going to be a blast! I’ll be there too!

One lucky commenter will win any e-book from Decadent Publishing’s book catalog at http://www.decadentpublishing.com

You HAVE to leave a comment to enter and please leave your .com so we can notify you of your win.

Thanks for being here, Clarissa and best of luck with your latest release.