Kris Bock

As part of the Getting-to-Know-You Blogfest, here’s a little bit about me!

1. Name two [romantic suspense] authors who inspire you.

Mary Stewart – still one of the best in the way she uses unusual settings as backdrops to simmering suspense – and Nora Roberts, not only for her stories but for her versatility and the fact that she’s gotten better over the years.

2. How did you start writing in your genre?

I’ve been writing for children (as Chris Eboch) and writing articles for over a decade, but I wanted a change. I’d been enjoying romance, particularly romantic suspense, which felt like a perfect fit for me since I’m good with fast-paced plotting.

3. You've landed a meeting with your dream agent. Write a one paragraph pitch to sell your novel to him/her. (No more than four sentences)

In Whispers in the Dark, a young archaeologist seeking peace after an assault stumbles into danger as mysteries unfold among ancient Southwest ruins. Can she overcome the fears from her past, learn to fight back, and open herself to a new romance? (Whispers in the Dark will be out in a few weeks.)

And for Rattled: When Erin, a quiet history professor, uncovers a clue that may pinpoint a lost treasure cave, she prepares for adventure. But when a hit and run driver nearly kills her, she realizes she’s not the only one after the treasure. And is Drew, the handsome helicopter pilot who found her bleeding in a ditch, really a hero, or one of the enemy? Just how far will Erin go to find the treasure and discover what she’s really made of?

4. Sabotage or accident- which would put your female lead through and why?

I like sabotage, because it suggests an enemy at work, and that adds extra tension – though I’ve been known to use a few accidents as well. I throw a lot at my heroines.

5. Plotter or Pantser? Who are you?

Definitely a plotter these days, though that’s something I’ve developed over time. I like to have a detailed plot as a roadmap for writing the book. In fact, I put together a book called Advanced Plotting, which has expanded versions of many of my writing articles and workshop notes, plus essays from other published authors.

You can download The Plot Outline Exercise from Advanced Plotting by clicking on the link to the upper left, or see my plotting advice on my Write like a Pro blog at http://chriseboch.blogspot.com/.