Meeting…(Once) Again: Interview with author Theresa Paolo

Happy new week! Today on ye old blog we have author Theresa Paolo here to talk a bit about her writing journey and her latest NA work (Once) Again.

Hi Theresa, thanks so much for being here on ye old blog today. It’s a real treat!

Thank you so much for having me!

Can you tell us a bit about your current work?

(Once) Again is the companion novel to (Never) Again and is about Josh a victim of a school shooting and his struggles.

The official blurb:

Josh will have to reconcile his past…

In order to make Kat his future.

After surviving a real-life nightmare, Josh Wagner is sent home from his dream college on crutches. Bedridden and tormented by flashbacks, he’s just seen his world shattered and his baseball scholarship go up in smoke. Josh’s family hires a health aide to help take care of him, but when he opens the door, the last person he expects to see is his biggest regret…

Katherine Singleton is the only girl Josh has ever loved. Now, even though she’s only taking care of him because it’s her job, Josh is determined to win her back. But Kat had to move on after their breakup two years ago, and despite her feelings for Josh, a lot has happened since he left…

When Kat’s past comes back to haunt her, Josh decides it’s his turn to take care of her. But protecting her—and redeeming himself—will put Josh in the line of fire again. Will he survive this time?

What inspired you to write this story and its predecessor (Never) Again?

Several years ago I was home and a Breaking News story came on TV. It was about a school shooting (Virginia Tech) and I kept thinking about the family and friends who were watching and couldn’t get any information. I decided I wanted to write from that point of view and that’s how (Never) Again came about. Then Josh’s voice was so strong I knew he needed his own story.

Did you always know you wanted to be a writer? 

Pretty much. I wrote my first book when I was six or seven. It was a picture book and I still have it somewhere. I went back and forth though as to what area of writing I wanted to be in.

Do you feel your works are more character or plot driven?

Definitely character driven. It’s what I love to read. The plot could be amazing but if I don’t have a connection with a character I have a hard time getting into the story.

What characteristics are essential in a hero for you? And how about a heroine?

For both a hero and a heroine I like complexity and balance. If they are weak in one area I like to see them strong in another.

This is a favorite of mine. Care to share the story of your “overnight” success with my readers?

Because it’s a favorite of yours I have to answer! As much as I wish I was, I was not an overnight success. I queried for five years, 5 books and over 200 rejections before I finally signed with my agent. I signed with Penguin 3 months later.

Wow! That’s a wonderful story. I’m so proud and happy for your perseverance. Thank you so much for sharing it with my readers.

Lastly, what can readers expect next from you?

I would love to write another book in this series, but we’ll have to see about that. I do have a YA book coming out in July under my penname Tessa Marie that I co-wrote with author Cassie Mae aka Becca Ann. It is called True Love and Magic Tricks and is the prequel to our Beds Series.

Well we can’t wait for that one too. Thanks so much for being here today. It’s been a real pleasure.

Thanks again for having me! It’s been a blast ! See you on Twitter/Facebook!

Theresa can be found in the following places on the web:

Facebook:
Twitter:
Goodreads:
Pinterest:

And (Once) Again can be picked up here:

Amazon:

Barnes and Noble:

All the best,

KMJ