Spotlight On Author: Loretta Wheeler

Happy Tuesday Everyone,

There's a gem of an author I've had the privilege of coming across...I'm talking about my friend, Loretta Wheeler. She's a sweetheart and very talented author. I enjoyed her YA Paranormal novella, The Pan Man immensely. And, she also writes Romance.

So without further ado, come into my parlor and meet Loretta Wheeler:

Me:  In your YA novelette, The Pan Man, you mention Pan's looking for his long lost soul mate. What made you choose Pan out of all the Greek/Roman gods and goddesses?



Loretta:  I chose the Greek god Pan, because of the connection with the music. I found later on in the story, (my stories take over and write themselves usually) it applied even more than I realized because of the band's name. I won't mention the name of the band in here, because it's part of the surprise ending.


Me:  You're mostly known for your Romance stories. How would you describe your writing style? Hot, suspenseful, sensual, sweet, contemporary, paranormal?

Loretta:  My style is usually paranormal, sometimes supernatural, and leans toward the thriller genre. With each story, the sensuality may vary. In Dark Pleasures, it's more suspense, with a very low intensity in the romantic side of the story. Dark Pleasures and The Pan Man are both written under the name Loretta Wheeler. Pieces written under my real name are very low key in the romance area. When writing under my pen name, L Reveaux, the writing may heat up on the sensuous side, along with the language. This allows the reader a fairly clear choice of what they're selecting to read, depending on which name I write under. The Rising, and its soon to release sequel, Out of the Ashes are both written under L Reveaux.


Me:  For Fun: What's your favorite way to start your day?


Loretta:  I'm one of the lucky ones, I get to begin most of my days the way I choose. I usually wake to Lil' Dickens (my blue-eyed, highly communicative cat) slamming a cabinet door to wake me. When I finally get my wits about me, I drift down the hall, and make myself a cup of coffee. My coffee is always flavored by the way, usually hazelnut or chocolate. When I have my eye-opener in hand, Dickens and I sashay out the door to the deck. Dickens' strolls, and I sit in my porch swing near the garden. If it's summertime, the fountain is going, and I usually have music playing. Music is something I love having on while I'm writing or sitting on the deck. When I'm on the deck the music is something like Enya, Chris Botti, or Jazz. When I'm writing, it's nearly always Jazz, because all of my settings occur in the south and most often take place in the French Quarter.


Me:  Did you always want to be a writer?


Loretta:  Actually, no. I have always been drawn to the arts, with the strongest direction being art itself. My love of drawing was my primary focus, and then, once I was grown, it shifted to decorating (several courses ensued with that). In high school I wrote a couple of pieces that drew some attention, but my focus was still on drawing. It wasn't until I was older that I began writing. After having a strong response to my writing style from the people I was working with, I decided to try my hand at it. My hand kept writing, and all these character's kept crowding into my head, and so, here I am.


Me:  What advice do you have for aspiring writers?


Loretta:  The most recent advice I've given, is invest in a couple of good books on writing, find a critique group that suits you, (that may take a few attempts) and then sit down and "do it". I think I've found with a lot of people, unfortunately they begin writing first, and then do the study. It saves a lot of frustration if a brand new person knows there's more to the profession than just grammar. And of course, after they begin, their crit partner or partners is very important. There is such a fine balance with that...finding someone that relates to what you're writing, can help you tweak it, and yet not crush the spirit, can be difficult. In other words, find someone who can juggle roles well, and do it with kindness:)

Me:  What do you think is the hardest thing about writing?

Loretta:  I think that's different for each writer. I don't usually suffer from writer's block, but I do suffer horribly from "not in the mood". I am a very moody writer. To tempt me to continue with a piece when I'm "not in the mood", I've found little writing bursts or prompts in a completely different direction can get me started again.

The next most difficult thing on the list for me, is editing. I'm one of those who dislikes editing. It is a four letter word, you know:)

Me:  For Fun: Aside from cats (because I know that's your favorite) what other animals do you like?

Loretta:  I love all types of animals:) I find them to be delightful...companions given to us for love, company and enjoyment. I love their hearts, their souls, and that little telepathic mind of theirs. (That's another topic. We won't go there today:)

Me:  If you weren't writing, what would you want to be doing?


Loretta:  Well, if you mean as a profession, decorating. If you mean what would I be doing on a "play day"...shopping, or going to the movies. I really think I could be one of those "dedicated shoppers" too:)...I usually know which store has what, and in what price range. Sigh. In looking back at all these answers, I think you could definitely color me on the artsy side. I swear there's a serious side in there also :)


Me:  Do you have a favorite character of one of your stories or do you love them all equally?


Loretta:  No, I certainly do not love them all equally :) Isn't that pitiful? Remind me NOT to let my Muse see this:) Now, let's see, my favorites. My all time loves are Deidre, Sue Ellen, and Loutrec in The Midnight Dance. The Midnight Dance hasn't released yet, I'm still trying to decide if I want to run after agents and publishers with it, or indie-pub it.


In Dark Pleasures, I like the two main characters, Samantha and Richard (Richard is more commonly known as Dick, I had to put that, he thinks of himself as Dick;) but the dog in Dark Pleasures, Hob, will finally control my heart. Dark Pleasures will be continuing by the way, with Hob coming on strong.


In The Rising I like both of the main characters, Ryze for her essence, Rick, for what he is, and who he will become. I also like Bartholomew...he's come forward as a very strong secondary character. And of course, I'm going to love all those birds who move toward center stage in the sequel, Out of the Ashes:)




With The Pan Man, I liked both of the main character's, Christy and Alexis...but eventually the gypsy, Larue, takes the spotlight in the novella, The Image. The Image is one of my WIP's written to release as an e-book.

Me:  Do you have any up and coming releases you'd like people to know about?


Loretta:  I think I've named all of them in here already, but the most current upcoming release is Out of the Ashes, the sequel to The Rising. It's due to publish this month, (February 2012). Firebird will release after it, completing the series.


Me:  Anything else you'd like to add?


Loretta:  Yes, I'd like to send a big Thank You, to you, Bethany:) I enjoyed the questions...they were just like a writing prompt! So, guess what I'll be doing tomorrow? :)

Thank you, so much, Loretta for doing this interview!

Want to find out more about Loretta?  Visit her on her Loretta Wheeler site or go see her under her L. Reveaux pen-name.

You can find her work on Amazon Kindle Loretta Wheeler / or as L. Reveaux on Amazon and you can also find her on Barnes & Noble Nook Loretta Wheeler or find her as L. Reveaux on Barnes & Noble.

Have A Tantalizing Tuesday!