Interview with Rebecca J. Greenwood

About the Author

Rebecca J. Greenwood is an author, artist, and designer with a love of stories, especially Regency romances. She grew up in Texas as the oldest of six, and studied visual art with a music minor at Brigham Young University. Rebecca lives in Utah with her husband, where she listens to audiobooks, cooks experimentally, has an interest in alternative health, and constantly has a new project in mind. Visit rebeccajgreenwood.com to experience more of her art, writing, and upcoming projects.

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Interview

Fun Questions

1. What is your favorite dessert?
I'm off sugar right now (depressing, I know), but when I can, I love good milk chocolate.

2. What is your favorite beverage?
Hot chocolate, the thick, rich kind with spices

3. What is your favorite movie and/or TV show?
Spirited Away, from Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli

Author Questions

1. What did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was little, I was going to be an actress. In my twenties, I became an artist, graphic novelist, and graphic designer. Becoming an author in my thirties was a surprise, but I think its a good fit, and I'm going to keep writing. 

2. What authors do you enjoy? Do these authors inspire your own writing?
I'm a lifelong reader, and I love so many authors' work. A few that have influenced and inspired me are Jane Austen, Stephenie Meyer, Lois McMaster Bujold, and Georgette Heyer. Each of them for their romance, Austen and Bujold for the wisdom, Meyer for the emotion, Heyer for the Regency period accuracy and the pure fun. My writing has a tendency toward the dark and emotional, and I have to remind myself to put some fun in it. 

3. How many publishers have you written for and who are these publishers?
I've published three books now with Cedar Fort. I worked for them as a graphic designer for several years, so I had an in. After this release, I’ll have a few more though Cedar Fort, and I'll also be self-publishing other series.

4. When you are not writing, what other "hats" do you wear?
I'm a full-time graphic designer and a wife. My husband and I have been working on our health for several years. I keep trying to cut down on stress, and not managing to do it. How do you be not stressed and still get things done? Question for the ages.

Book Related Questions

1. What inspired the idea for The Darkest Summer?
I have always loved the story of Hades and Persephone. I'm attracted to dark brooding heroes who need healing and redemption, and love to read about bright heroines who help bring them happiness. I started with a hero who makes a bad choice—because kidnapping women is not a good thing, thank you—and worked to bring the hero and heroine together to a place of forgiveness, love, and happiness. It was a challenge, but I wanted to take it on.

2. What do you want readers to take away from The Darkest Summer?
That overcoming past hurts and current mistakes is possible, and love and caring for others can bring joy. That you can go from selfishness to selfless love (Adam), and you can find your own confidence and claim your own happiness when you’ve discovered where it lies (Cora). 

3. What is your current WIP?  What can you tell us about this project?
​I'm working on the sequel, The Darkest Sea. It's inspired by Homer's Odyssey, especially the relationship of Odysseus and Penelope. The hero is Adam's brother Nicolas who everyone thinks is dead. Spoiler!/Not spoiler—he’s alive, and he's also secretly married. He's been gone a long time, but he's coming back. It’s going to be fun.