Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I’m Wendy Cooper and write as W A Cooper. I live in the beautiful North Island of New Zealand on the Volcanic Plateau, near Lake Taupo. For Lord of the Rings fans, Mt Doom is 30 minutes from my doorstep. Working as an international flight attendant for thirty years, gave me a chance to experience many countries and cultures. Previous to my aviation career I worked for a publishing company in London and in our family bookselling business. I’ve always written stories and poetry but have come full circle and I’m enjoying writing women’s f/f romance fiction.
How do you make time to write?
Like most of us, I fit it around my lifestyle, but I’m making changes so I can dedicate more time to this wonderful thing called writing.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
I’ve always had a healthy respect for things I don’t understand or haven’t experienced yet. Coming face to face with brick walls in creativity is a big part of my new novel. So far, I’ve escaped the clutches of writer’s block, but I’m very susceptible to being in the groove and if I’m overly stressed, I find this inhibits my ability to create. Note to self…remove the stress from your life!
Tell us a bit about the genre you write and why you love it.
I’ve started my journey in Women’s female/female romantic fiction because, hey if you live it, why not write about it! I would like to branch out later, but I want to establish myself in this genre and be consistent with the quality of writing I produce. Lesbian romance is a very small genre but there are some very, very good authors turning out great work and my aim is to listen and learn the craft of writing so I can too, produce novels that all readers, regardless of sexual orientation might enjoy.
How are you publishing your recent book and why? (*e.g. Indie, traditional or both)
Junction Publishing/Happy Ever After Publishing, New Zealand/UK signed me and I’m very grateful for that because it allows me to concentrate on learning my craft. I would like to self-publish also, but at this early stage of my writing journey, I’m happy to be tucked under their wing.
Are you an Introvert or Extrovert? How does this affect your work?
Is it possible to be both? I’m a hybrid blend. Like most people, in my younger days, I was incredibly shy, then life experiences and choices give you a voice and you come into your own. It affects my writing by allowing me to write outside the square, and be pulled back into line by editors if I go off track. I’m lucky, my publishers let me tell my story the way I want to and with gentle nudges, fine tune my rough edges when needed. Hopefully, I’ll get better at this as I learn more.
I’m incredibly shy when it comes to self-promotion or talking up my writing. It’s the Kiwi (New Zealand) way! But I’m improving…
What is your favorite motivational phrase?
Dream a little every day, even if you aren’t physically writing, you’re writing in your head!
I think about the plot, characters, storyline consistently and sometimes come up with absolute beauties which will make my story sparkle. Daydreaming is good!!!
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Learn your craft, and read authors you admire in your genre. Multiplied by a million, million times.
Where can readers find you on the World Wide Web?
W A Cooper (Wendy) https://www.facebook.com/wendy.cooper.77398
Cooper’s Confidantes https://www.facebook.com/groups/319958225228238/
W A Cooper (author) https://www.facebook.com/W-A-Cooper-Author-290199028270397/
https://junction-publishing.com/authors/
https://www.amazon.com/W-A-Cooper/e/B07GL6LS3B/ref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7674588.W_A_Cooper
Do you have an excerpt you’d like to share with us?
From my debut novel, Decree Absolute…#1 in Genre Amazon Australia, #3 in Genre, Amazon UK
RENÉE PARKED in Jessica’s driveway and sat for a few moments. Slowing everything down, she opened the car door.
Smiling, Jessica waited on the steps.
I don’t know if I can do this. Renée’s stomach lurched bile. She stepped back from Jessica’s embrace.
Jessica’s smile faded. “Darling, what’s wrong?”
This is torture. “We need to talk.”
“Come inside?” Jessica’s perplexed gaze searched her.
“I’ll say it out here.” I have to do this.
“Please…tell me this isn’t what I think it is?”
Renée braced herself. If she didn’t do this now, she never would. Then their world would be torn apart by Amy ‘fucking’ Winton. “We’re not going to work.”
Jessica’s complexion drained. “I…I don’t understand.”
“I took advantage when you were emotionally compromised.” A knife twisted in Renée’s heart. At this moment, she hated herself.
“It was me who took advantage of you,” Jessica argued. “Please don’t do this.”
“I take full responsibility. I abused my position.” Renée’s voice strained.
“I don’t believe you.” Jessica cupped Renée’s face in her hands. “We’ve shared the most intimate moments. I’m in love with you. The children love you. What’s happened?”
She lowered Jessica’s hands. “You don’t understand.”
“Make me understand,” Jessica shouted.
“I…I…” I can’t bear doing this.
“I gave you all of me. My heart, my soul…my body.” Jessica cried through her anger. “Do you know how much courage that took?”
Through tears of her own, Renée nodded. “I can’t be with you.”
From my soon to be released novel, A Convenient Deception…
Ariana:
Spurred on by an auditorium full of admirers, I had watched Braer’s every move, fascinated by the artistic aura that hung around her like a halo. It made a change to watch someone else perform for a crowd, and she’d certainly done that. Reluctantly, I had joined the melee on stage and was more than happy to retreat to the restroom, before joining her peers for supper.
At the restaurant, we sat at opposite ends of the dining table. Every time I looked at Braer, her eyes seemed to undress me or was that wishful thinking on my part. Squirming in my seat, my nipples hardened like oversharpened pencil tips. Her gaze continued to strip me naked all night, and my arousal responded by drenching my skimpy g-string.
If I wanted Braer, she was mine for the taking, and, by God, tonight, I was going to have her.
The Clog Blog 