Rasha Selim has a New Series for Us

~ Plans, Travel, and the Importance of Friends to Text ~

Fellow Wild Rose author Rasha Selim is here today to talk about writing, travel, and her newest romance novel.

Welcome Rasha…

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I was born in Cairo, Egypt, and moved to Dubai, United Arab Emirates when I was four. For the next 13 years we lived between both countries. I moved to New York to pursue my college education with plans on remaining Stateside when I was done. My parents are passionate readers and I grew up reading my mom’s romance novels, and my dad’s true crime novels. Early on my passion for understanding the criminal mind, especially that of a serial killer, grew in leaps. I studied Forensic Psychology in my higher education with a plan to join the FBI when I got my American Citizenship. Although, I became an American Citizen, the FBI was not my future. I worked with children from middle school to high school ages at risk for incarceration, then worked with males in prison. I loved my job, but it was draining and with children on the way, I wanted to commit my time to family. I decided to be a stay-at-home mom and that’s when my passion to write re-ignited. I wrote my first novel when my first born was one but that will never see the light of day. I attended a few on-line classes as my three boys grew older, all the time telling myself it was for self-improvement. Yet when I found myself an “empty nester” when my youngest started Kindergarten, I wanted more and wrote the first book I was okay with publishing. To Honor is my third published novel.

Do you have an unusual hobby?

When I was younger I used to cliff dive. Loved it. Spent many a day at the Red Sea jumping head first of cliffs and not understanding why my mom cringed every time. I used to windsurf as well. However, I now live in the mountains of New York. No ocean in sight. I tried skiing, but it wasn’t for me.

Do your travels influence your writing?

My dad was an avid traveler. Always wanted to explore. He loved all things Asian, so that’s the continent we have traveled most. My favorites were always the beach communities, Bali, Okinawa, Krabi, Mykonos (Greece) are just a few. They definitely influenced me as a person. I’m wild in nature, always in the thick of things. I love adventure. New cultures, meeting people. Beach communities always subdued me. Made me stop and smell the ocean breeze. I am calmest by water. I used to have pen and paper with me, and I wrote many short stories with my toes in the sand. They are some of my favorite stories. I have no desire to publish them, but I do go back to them often. They transport me back in time, and I find inspiration in them and the memories they elicit.

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

I don’t think I experience writer’s block in the traditional sense. I am never at a loss of ideas—at least thus far—but I get stuck with wording. English is my second language and there are many times where I stumble on sayings, euphemisms etc. I hear them said, and I note them down for later use, but I often find myself stuck coming up with the right order of words. My friends laugh because that’s when they get random texts from me. It might go something like this—Hey …Fill in the blank for me. Kettle, black, calling something or the other—I actually know this one, but I’m using it as my example, because at this very moment, I’m having a brain fart and can’t think of any others. See what I mean?

In Dubai, I went to a British-based school, and my grammar and wording tend to lean toward the British. My first English college professor told me I had horrible spelling and grammar—this was before the red and blue squiggly lines—and almost failed me until we talked, and he understood my background. My first book editor corrected all my British sayings, but I have learned how to keep a few in each novel. Sorry I went off on a tangent here. So back to answering. No, I don’t experience writer’s block. Thus far I have too many ideas still swirling in my head. I have two great plotting partners who help me get over humps I encounter, especially when I write my characters into a hole, and I have a friend who answers all my American-based English questions for me without hesitation.

Can you tell us about any other upcoming books, series, or writing plans?

To Honor is the first in an eight book contemporary romance series I am working on with The Wild Rose Press, Inc. However, my roots keep coming back to haunt me…so to quiet them down, I am working on another series of romantic suspense. Murder, mayhem, and strong heroines. I have pitched the idea to several agents and have received great feedback. The challenge is to find time to continue writing in the Evergreen Point series, while working part-time, raising my boys, and writing a whole other series. Having said that, I am eager to write the murder, who-done-it books with a romance twist. The first book is partially written, but I have six others plotted out. If there were more hours in a day, I would fill them up with both projects, as they call to me constantly.

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

All my books, both published or living in my hard-drive, have many elements from my life, whether it be friends, or experiences. I tap those for inspiration and expand on them with research. I do my best thinking and plotting while driving, which is a good thing since I do play chauffeur to my children seven days a week. I talk to text via my Bluetooth and then sit in bed at the end of the day and turn my thoughts into viable novels. I’ve been known to walk away mid-conversation to take notes as ideas pop in. My friends describe it as my quirky habit. They have also become quite accustomed to receiving random text questions. They no longer ask me why I’m asking them something, they simply reply.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

Best compliment – “Damn you. I stayed up way too late reading your book.” I stay up so many nights when I know I have a full schedule the following day just to finish reading a book so when anyone tells they did that with mine, I appreciate the sentiment. Worst criticism – I haven’t really got any. I’ve gotten a lot, A LOT, of feedback, but it was constructive. On that note, I have to admit I did receive a hurtful comment once. It didn’t pertain to my actual writing, nor was it constructive. It was prejudiced in nature and had no basis on what I do. Writing romance is fun, but sometimes upsetting, especially when my characters are apart for whatever reason, but in the end I’m smiling because I love me a good HEA.

There are people who view my writing as frivolous and ‘stupid’.  What they don’t realize is writing a feel-good story can be gut-wrenching. It takes time to cultivate relationships, pain to hurt my characters on purpose, and many re-writes to make the story flow flawlessly. I keep working on honing that skill and in the end, I hope I give my readers a story they enjoy and a smile on their face, with a few tears thrown in and some belly-laughs to go with it. Whenever I remember that person’s comments, I remind myself that at end of the day I’m doing something I like, something satisfying, following a dream. I set an example for my kids. Do it, and be proud.

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To Honor by Rasha Selim

One kiss, two destinies. Love or loyalty? Friend or family?

Firefighter Pax Anderson has a job he loves, a family he cherishes, and a code of conduct he lives by. He should be on top of the world, but he’s not. The one thing that would make his life perfect—the woman of his dreams—is his brother’s best friend…and off limits.

 Susan Hayes has had a crush on Pax for years, but after her mother’s death, the Andersons became her surrogate family and she won’t risk her relationship with them. Her thriving animal shelter helps keep her thoughts off Pax, but when he chooses her shelter for a fundraising event, her resolve goes up in smoke.

When a dangerous force threatens to drive them apart, Susan and Pax are put to the ultimate test.

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Buy Links

AMAZON  |  B&N  |  iBook  |  KOBO

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About Rasha Selim

RASHA’S RAVENS FACEBOOK GROUP  https://www.facebook.com/groups/332475540759412/

FACEBOOK PAGE https://www.facebook.com/authorrashaselim/

INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/rashaselim/

TWITTER https://twitter.com/RashaSelimS

GOODREADS https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7834544.Rasha_Selim

 

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How do you rely on your friends?

Rasha would love to hear from you. Please comment below.