Those Romantic Texans

It isn't all gun-fights and trail drives. Texas authors write romance novels as well, and they do it with skill and style.

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My guest this morning is Caroline Clemmons, a fellow Texan and prolific writer of western romance novels. She lives in the wilds of North Central Texas with her husband “Hero” and two cats and a dog.

Dac: Good morning, Caroline. I wonder – are cats necessary companions for us western writers?

Caroline: Dac, thanks for having me today. Cats may not be absolutely necessary, but they are great companions--dogs, too. My cats are a huge tuxedo-colored short hair named Sebastian and a painfully shy orange tabby named Bailey Erin. Sebastian and Bailey share my office--rather, I share theirs. Bailey rarely leaves the room, but Sebastian follows me around the house chattering. He is so tall he can put his front paws on the kitchen counter and peer up to see what's there. Amazing when you consider he was the runt of the litter and almost starved when we rescued him. Our dog Webster is a black Shih Tzu, also a rescue, but definitely not a pet that inhabited the western ranges. LOL He is sweet and well-trained, and we are happy he's ours.

Dac: I see that we are both Texas Tech alumni. What led you to Lubbock, and how did you find living there?

Caroline: My parents moved to Lubbock when I was ten. My dad had been a home builder, carpenter, and cotton gin manager. When we moved to Lubbock, he concentrated on buying cotton. He wanted my brother and me to attend good schools and be able to live at home so we could attend Texas Tech. Growing up in Lubbock was terrific--in spite of the horrible weather. Although our parents have passed away, we still have numerous relatives in Lubbock and the surrounding area. Hero and I were in Lubbock visiting relatives just last week and had a wonderful time.

Dac: Did you meet “Hero” in Lubbock?

Caroline: Yes, and you may think this is odd. Hero has a brother and sister who are twins and my age. His sister and I were constantly thrown together in Girl Scouts, Sunday School, and school classes. When she talked about her brother, I thought she meant her twin. For her 13th birthday party, Hero showed up to take photos. I remember the moment I spotted him in the doorway between the hall and the living room, remember where I was seated on the floor, where his sister was, where his mom was standing, and what he and I were wearing. That moment is frozen in time for me. To my sheltered 12-year-old self, he looked suave and handsome. I have a photo of him at that age and he was handsome, but not suave. Usually his shirt needed tucking in, and he was pretty much a geek. (Of course he was, he became an electrical engineer who worked in the aerospace industry.) But to me, he was (and still is!) the most handsome "older man" ever. We dated a little when I was in high school and a freshman at Tech, but drifted apart. We married several years later after we had both moved to Dallas.

Dac: You’re an accomplished writer. Where do you get your inspiration for western romance novels?

Caroline: Thank you for the compliment, Dac. My love of western lore began when I was a little girl and my dad told about his family moving from Georgia to Texas after the Civil War and events that followed. I never tired of hearing those stories. Then I saw movies starring Roy Rogers and the other western stars. Roy was my favorite. I saw myself riding across the range to save the West from rustlers and bank robbers. As an adult, I never lost my love for the West. Fortunately, I had two outstanding history professors, one in junior high and one at Texas Tech. They cemented my interest in history, especially Southwestern lore. Researching family history increased my love and brought the history alive.

As for inspiration, I find it everywhere. When I read historical non-fiction, I visualize fictional characters in that setting. I simply can't help myself. I don't think there's a 12-Step program for writers, so I guess I'll keep writing western romances. I have also written mysteries set in Texas, although I've only put one on Amazon Kindle. An editor has a cozy mystery series under consideration, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed she likes it.

Dac: How do you see the future of western novels, with e-books encroaching on us and book stores losing traction?

Caroline: First, I hate like everything that so many bookstores are folding. I especially loved Borders, and miss it. That said, the availability of publishing through Amazon Kindle and Smashwords increases the ease of getting our westerns to readers. While there are some poorly written/edited books showing up as e-books, I believe the opportunity for writers has blossomed. For instance, the editor considering my cozy mystery has had the proposal since April 18th and she still may reject it. In that time, I have added several books to Amazon Kindle.

Writers no longer have to queue up and wait months--then sometimes receive a rejection only to restart the extended process. True, with our indie books, the covers are our responsibility. For those who are not cybersavvy, that might be a problem. Fortunately, Hero helps me. We have to promote indie published books like crazy, but we would be responsible for most of the marketing if we published with a major print publisher. In my opinion, e-books empower writers!

Dac, I love your blog, and find you a fascinating storyteller. Keep writing those great books! Thank you so much for having me.

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Hope your health is improving.

Thanks, Carolyn
Caroline Clemmons writes Romance and Adventure
www.carolineclemmons.com
Visit my blog http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com
Team blog http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com

Comments

[shirley white]

Interesting interview and I think it is a neat idea , interviewing other writers. It is good to get to know about them.
I like the part about Caroline meeting Hero for the frist time.
My grandma told about meeting her future husband and she thought the was the ugliest man she ever saw.

Sebastian could well be the most beautiful cat in Texas!

[Jacquie Rogers]

Celia, Dac doesn't look one bit like your sister.

Caroline, good to see you here! I drop by Dac's blog every once in a while--always something good here, so this was a pleasant surprise.

Dac, you just featured one of the best western historical romance writers around. I've been a fan of Caroline's for a long time!

[Caroline Clemmons]

Thanks Dac and everyone who commented. There are a lot of us Texas Tech people around, aren't there? My kitty's eyes really are that green. The other cat's eyes are a softer green, sort of jade.

[irene black]

Good interview, I learned something about an author that I did not know. Are you sure you all didn't go to TT at the same time.
I have a friend who did her masters there in archeology. Traveled all the way from Cleveland, OH. Spent her life creating medical history museums in Cleveland & parts else where.
Irene

[Paisley Kirkpatrick]

Waving, Caroline. I always learn new things when I read interviews of favorite writers. Since I am also a western writer it certainly is good to see them becoming more popular.

Good look with lots more sales.

[Celia Yeary]

I guess we could have a Texas Tech Alumni celebration here, today--I and my husband have TT degrees, as well.
Dac, Caroline and I are cousins--well, we're pretend cousins because we have so much in common it's absolutely uncanny. We wanted to be sisters, but we don't look enough alike to be sisters.
Caroline--I already know everything you said here today, except how you actually met Hero. Now, that is an interesting bit a news. I enjoyed it.

[Tanya Hanson]

Loved the memory and kitty (those green eyes) and reading about you, Caroline. oxox

[Lauri Robinson]

Lovely interview! Love the memory of meeting your husband!