My guest today is Debra Rogers. Debra, thanks for coming. Please tell us a little bit about you and your writing.

I am a retired professional ballet dancer, so I decided to heed the standard advice of “write what you know”. Dancing in Time is based on my knowledge of the professional dance world, although all the characters are fictitious. The book is a sweet romance – a time travel – and is suitable for teens as well as adults. The setting of Hidden Cove is based on a real ghost town in the Appalachians, and one episode in the book was inspired by a true story. I often find ideas for my books in real settings or in unusual events from history.

2.Wow! I've never known a real dancer before. How long did you write before you got published?

I’ve written stories since childhood. My first published work was a non-fiction article for a short-lived national dance magazine. Dancing in Time is my first novel, and my first work of published fiction. I was especially excited when it became a finalist for a 2011 EPIC Award!

What is your favorite genre? Why?

I am attracted to books with hints of the paranormal, especially those with unexpected twists and turns in the plot. I also read lots of non-fiction. I live two blocks from my local library, and the librarians there often chuckle about my “eclectic” selections.

4.It keeps you from getting bored, right? What are you working on now?

I am working on a novel set in a Shaker village. It involves a ghost (maybe), a murder, and an unusual, poignant, love affair. The book was inspired by my research into a Shaker village that existed for a short time in Florida. The plot has several twists in it, and it has been quite a challenge to sort everything out! The working title is “When the Dancing Stopped”.

5.I love the ghost town idea. What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Stay tough and never give up! Learn as much as you can all the time. Write something every day, and read, read, read. Living two blocks away from a library helps too.

6.Would you share your links with us?

www.debrawebbrogers.com
www.violetrightmire.com

7.We’d love to read an excerpt. Don’t forget to give us a buy link.

Dancing in Time by Violet Rightmire is available at:
http://thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=402

Chapter One
She noticed him as soon as they sat down. He sat alone at the counter, absorbed in his lunch, which included a ham sandwich and a large glass of milk. He looked out of place somehow, like he should be sporting a black tie, caressing a stemmed glass, and leaning suggestively against a mantel—not eating a meal in an old dime store.

Hadleigh nudged Jann under the table and jabbed her fork in his direction.
“What’s wrong with that picture?” she demanded. “I can’t put my finger on it.”

Jann studied him as she opened her napkin.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. He’s cute.” She giggled. “He looks a little like Elvis Presley.”

Hadleigh looked at him out of the corner of her eye. He did look a little like Elvis, but not quite so baby-faced. His chin was chiseled, but not too extreme, and his cheekbones were high, but not overly pronounced. His body was well developed with a deep tan, his hands large and strong. He looks like the kind of man you could put your confidence in.

“He just seems so out of place somehow,” she said finally.

“Well, I would consider Elvis being here definitely out of place.” Jann’s eyes twinkled. “I know what it is! It’s the milk. REAL men don’t drink milk,” She winked.

Hadleigh laughed. “Not in public, you mean.”

Jann returned her gaze to the counter, and then looked back at Hadleigh with what had come to be known as That Look.

Hadleigh faked a groan. “Oh no. I don’t even want to hear this.”

“I think you should send him a refill on his milk.”

Hadleigh stifled a laugh, leaned across the table and stared under her eyebrows at Jann. “I don’t recall asking you to be the Entertainment Director on the cruise ship of my life.”

“You didn’t. I volunteered. See a need and fill it...”

“Hmmmph!” Hadleigh straightened up and smiled. “In other words, I’m stuck with you and your creative meddling.”

Jann nodded. “Absolutely.”

“Why don’t you send him a refill, since you’re feeling all this motivation?”

“No, he’s more your type. The milk and all.”

Hadleigh kicked her under the table. “It would be fun, but I don’t...”

“I dare you. Look, here comes the waitress. Come on, do something risky for a change. You might even like it.”

Debra, I love the sound of your book. I'm totally hooked. Stop by again any time.