Interview with Author Chelle Cordaro

Please welcome fellow author, Chelle Cordaro!

 

• Tell me a little bit about yourself.

I’m a freelance writer with 2 writing personas, one as a novelist and the other as a newspaper and magazine journalist. I’m the mom of 2 grown offspring who amaze me every day with the kind of caring and capabilities they display. My husband (of 35+ years) is a hero in my eyes for all that he does for his family and the community. I’ve always enjoyed a world of support from my family including my late parents, my sister, my husband and my kids.

• Do you use a pseudonym and if so, why?

I use my maiden name, or as I tell everyone, I use MY name. I am very proud to be Mrs. Mark E., but when it comes down to it, I am Chelle Cordero.

• What genre do you write in? Why did you pick that genre?

Writers are often told to write the kind of stories they like to read – I love a good hot romance or an edge of your seat thriller/mystery, so I combine those in my writing.

• What inspires you to write the type of stories that you write?

I’m very fortunate to be involved in my community and have a lot of friends who aren’t “dull”. I am a NYS volunteer EMT, So much happens around us every day, you just have to keep your eyes open! Snippets of all I say, do or hear stay in my mind and become characters nd situations that just have to be written down.

• How would you describe your writing style? Plotter or pantser? Why?

Basically I tend to be a pantser. With my last book ((Hyphema) I found that I was a “spurter”. I had moments where the need to sit and write just happened and there was no stemming the flow.

• Do you have a specific place where you like to write? When, during the day, is your most creative time?

I have an office with a desktop PC that I use; mostly I like to sit in my comfortable recliner in the living room and type on my netbook. I feel most creative at night.

• What’s your typical writing day?

First of all, I am not a morning person, so my day usually doesn’t’ begin until 10 or 11 am. I make myself breakfast, take it to my recliner, turn on the TV (depending on the time, sometimes to watch The Price is Right), watch the midday news (which is full of story ideas) and then I type. Depending on writing assignments for newspapers or mags, I will do research online, send query letters for interviews, etc. I spend time on Facebook, checking email. Updating my blogs, Twitter and more email (I’ve got 6 accounts!). I use online social networking sites to help promote my books, keep up with friends and family, and get support from fellow writers. And as I said before, my fiction writing is in spurts.

• Who gives you the most support along in your writing?

My family is very supportive of what I do, but I have to admit, my husband and kids rarely read my books although they do read much of my newspaper articles. My kids often make comments about something I write in a column or such. As for my novels, the MOST encouraging folks are my sister Bobi, my Uncle Erv, my publisher Kimberlee, fellow writers and good friends Charmaine and Janet, and my best friend Cheryl.

• Do you have another job (besides writing)? If so, what do you do?

My “other job” is writing. Also, even though it is volunteer, I ride as an EMT with my local ambulance corps and currently sit on the board of Directors of the organization; I am very passionate about emergency medical services.

• What’s your take on the future of ebooks and epublishing?

While it is still a joy to hold a real book in the hands, ebooks are here to stay; they are often more economical to produce and buy, ebooks are a lot easier to store (my bookshelves are literally overflowing) and they are so easy to get your hands on with instant downloads.

• Do you have a favorite quote -- yours or someone famous or even infamous?

“Thunder’s just the noise boys, Lightnin’ does the work”

• What’s your favorite food?

I don’t think it is a particular food, more a style. I love ethnic dishes, especially Mexican.

• What’s your favorite movie? Why?

The Bucket List – aside from the fact that I really enjoyed the 2 actors, it is a reminder to live life now and not to keep putting things off.

• Do you have a favorite book or author?

I used to say Dean Koontz or Jonathan Kellerman, but in the past few years I have read so many indie books by less well known authors, it is hard to single just one author out anymore. I read a lot of books by my fellow VHP authors and really enjoy those.

• Tell me about your latest or upcoming release?

Hyphema which is coming out in ebook this week and in print by July, is a suspense thriller. Hyphema features Matt Garratti, a character that was first seen in my murder mystery Final Sin. Matt, formerly a NYS paramedic, has moved his family to North Carolina where he now works as a flight medic. His wife is a Pakistani Muslim who is working towards her citizenship. They encounter prejudices and suspicion; when strange things begin happening, eyes turn towards ethnic issues.

• Where can readers find you on the web?

My website, http://chellecordero.com/
my blog http://chellecordero.blogspot.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/chelle.cordero
Twitter https://www.facebook.com/chelle.cordero

Thanks so much for hosting me here Jeanne