We’ve got a real treat for you today, readers. Alexa Aston is here with us to celebrate the release of her third book in the Lost Creek series, Script Of Love, and she’s not only answering a few questions for us, she’s also written up a little surprise for everyone who sticks around to the end of the Q&A!
Welcome! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what got you into writing?
Before I could even read, I was always making up stories to act out with my stuffed animals and dolls, so the storytelling bug hit me early. I became a history teacher and thought I’d teach by day and write by night. Nope! Teaching is too time-consuming. I did start writing during my final years of teaching, with the idea I would have a few finished manuscripts by the time I retired. I taught 30 years, consulted another 2 years for local school districts, and then I moved into writing full-time. This September, I will release my 100th published romance! I never knew when I started that I would hit that milestone—and now I’m going to aim for 200.
What’s changed about you as a writer from when you started till now?
The time I’m able to devote to writing. I was always disciplined, but now that I have time to focus on my writing, I’ve been putting out a dozen or so romance novels & novellas for the last several years. I’ve always got one I’m writing, another I’m promoting, another I’m working on edits for, and other plots and characters swirling in my head! It’s a hectic pace, but it’s the life I always dreamed about, so I’m happy to put in the work in order to share my love stories with readers.
What do you enjoy most about writing Romances?
Giving readers a satisfying ending. Yes, I put my characters through the wringer, but their love for one another always shines on those darkest days. Tying that bow by the book’s end so that my characters have their HEA gives me satisfaction, too. I think my favorite thing is to write the epilogue for each book, allowing my readers to pull back the curtain and glimpse a slice of the hero and heroine’s lives together at some point in the future—and see that they’re more in love than ever with one another.
What do you like most about the Texas small town of Lost Creek that you created?
The people. Small towns can be friendly places, and I love populating them with all kinds of residents. Yes, my heroes and heroines are the stars of each romance, but Lost Creek has a plethora of supporting cast members that add flavor. Lost Creek is not only home to some of my leading characters, a safe, happy place—but it’s also a welcoming town where some of my characters come to make a fresh start, which includes finding love.
What is your favorite part about the relationship between Holden Scott and Finley Farrow?
They are both creative people. Holden is a novelist who is trying his hand at writing a screenplay based on one of his novels. Finley is a teacher with a side business (photography). He’s petrified he won’t be able to produce the script; she’s terrified of leaving her teaching position and becoming a self-employed photographer. They cheer each other on, encouraging the other to go for their dreams and make them come true. I loved making them creative individuals who supported one another.
Why did you choose photography and writing as the professions for Finley and Holden?
As a writer, I’m familiar with that world—and it’s a job a person can do anywhere. Holden starts out living in Brooklyn, but I had to find a way to get him to Lost Creek AND have a job – and writing was perfect! As a former teacher, I saw many friends with jobs on the side to supplement their teaching income. This series revolves around a winery and the event center located on the property, where weddings are held frequently. I pulled Finley into this world by making her a photographer who shoots the weddings. One heroine runs the event center and is its wedding planner. Another one bakes the cakes for couples. Finley’s part-time job of photographer fit nicely into this mix.
What are you looking forward to next in the series?
Showing my readers the world of Texas BBQ! Book 4, Love in Every Bite, is going to make readers hungry. Ry Blackwood is returning to Lost Creek after a dozen years in the army. His family’s BBQ business is famous. And Emerson Frost, a local baker who makes wedding cakes, is going to be the woman Ry finds fascinating. I loved researching how to BBQ different kinds of meats, as well as learning all about wedding cake designs and flavors. I probably gained 10 pounds just from my research as I wrote about these characters’ passion for food in the kitchen—and each other.
What are some books you are enjoying reading right now? Do you have any recommendations?
I am a former history teacher, so I’m drawn to books which integrate history into the plot. I recently read Steve Berry’s Red Star Falling, and I just picked up Daniel Silva’s A Death in Cornwall. Both these authors blend history into the contemporary world in exciting, plot-twisting novels in the series they write, so you’re familiar with the characters and get to see their growth from novel to novel.
Before we move on, we want to thank Alexa, again, for taking the time to answer all of our questions. And feel free to chime in down in the comments, readers, to add your thanks, too.
And now it’s time to announce that the surprise Alexa included for all of us is a Character Interview with Holden Scott, one of the leads in Script of Love!
Holden Scott Phone Interview with Texas Arts Magazine; Callie Campbell, reporter
CC: Thank you for agreeing to speak to me, Mr. Scott.
HS: Make it Holden, Callie.
CC: I can do that. You’re a Texas guy, Holden. Born and raised outside of Austin. SMU graduate. How did you make the leap from high school English teacher to bestselling author? Your first novel, Capitol Crimes, topped the national bestseller lists, and was made into a blockbuster movie.
HS: It was a leap. I’d always been a writer, scribbling neighborhood plays. Poems for girlfriends. Short stories for classes. But it was at SMU when I decided I wanted to write novels. I researched—and the best place to learn the craft was through the renowned Iowa Writers’ Workshop. I taught a couple of years, saving money, and then moved to Iowa. I came out of that program with my masters in fine arts, a completed novel, and recommendations for agents from my favorite professor, Dr. Ingram.
CC: You signed with agent Evan McGill, right?
HS: I did. Evan sold Capitol Crimes to my publishing house and then shopped the film rights. Overnight, my life read like a fairytale.
CC: Your second novel, Hill Country Homicide, is out now and selling briskly. It’s very different from your first published effort.
HS: That’s on purpose, Callie. I’ll be happy to one day return to writing a political thriller, but I wanted to push myself and show readers that I’m not a one-trick pony and can write in different genres. I’m from the Texas Hill Country. I know small towns. A murder mystery just sounded like a whole lot of fun to write.
CC: I hear you’re in Texas now. That the rights to Hill Country Homicide have been sold to Wolf Ramirez, who directed Capitol Crimes.
HS (chuckling): You’re well informed. Yes, Wolf has a proven reputation. We became friends during the Capitol Crimes shoot and talked about working together again someday. I just didn’t know how soon someday would be! Wolf has recently started his own production company, located here in Texas, and he’ll be pursuing projects he’s interested in. Hill Country Homicide happens to be one of them. For now, I’ve just moved to Texas—but I’m thinking I may stay for good.
CC: Since you’re in Texas, will you have anything to do with the production? Helping cast it? Watching filming?
HS: Actually, I’ll share with you that I’ve accepted the challenge of writing the screenplay for Hill Country Homicide. And no, I’ve never attempted a screenplay before, but Wolf said he’ll hold my hand throughout the process. I recently finished the first draft of my next novel and was looking to clear my head. What better way than to come home to Texas and try something new, working with someone I respect.
CC: Isn’t writing a screenplay very different from writing a novel?
HS: It is. Frankly, I’m half-thrilled and half-terrified. But my gut tells me it’s something I’ve got to do. Do you think you have enough for the profile you’re working on, Callie? I’ve promised Wolf that he’ll see some new pages of the script today, which means I need to get back to work.
CC: I think I’ve got what I need, Holden. Thank you for your time—and good luck with writing your first screenplay.
HS: Thanks, Callie. We’re hoping to hold the premiere in Austin. I’ll be sure to send you a couple of tickets.
CC: That would be terrific. And if I have any follow-up questions?
HS: You can reach me at this number. Bye.
Award-winning, internationally bestselling author Alexa Aston lives with her husband in a Dallas suburb, where she eats her fair share of dark chocolate and plots out stories while she walks every morning. She loves reading, watching movies, and attending sporting events when she’s not watching Survivor, The Crown, or The Great British Baking Show.
A former history teacher, Alexa’s historical romances are set during the Regency, Medieval, and American Old West Eras—where she brings to life loveable rogues, dashing knights, and rugged cowboys and lawmen. She also writes contemporary romances which are light and flirty and sometimes contain a bit of suspense.
You can find Alexa on her Website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and BookBub. If you’d like updates sent right to your inbox, sign up for her newsletter!
