Interview with Farrah Rochon

Why did you start writing?
It’s just something that I’ve always done, even as a kid.
 
Why do you keep writing?
Because I can’t not do it. 
 
How has your life experiences influenced your writing?
Growing up in a small town greatly influenced my latest release, which is set in a small, fictional Louisiana Bayou town. There’s nothing specifically in the book that reflects my hometown, but that sense of community and togetherness is something that I can relate to based on my own experiences. 
 
How long has it taken you to get published?
It took me five years from when I seriously started to pursue publication to sell my first book.  
 
Where were you when you received your first call/email?
I was at my day job, working for a film production company in New Orleans. 
 
Who called you?
 I received an email from my agent.
 
Do you remember what you were wearing?
 It was back in 2005, so I can’t remember exactly what I was wearing, but it was most likely jeans.
 
Do you remember what you were doing?
 I was working.
 
How do you handle rejection letters?
 I used to stress over them, but now I may get upset for about an hour, but then I move on.
 
What do you do with them?
I’ve kept every rejection letter.
 
What is your favorite research tool: website or book?
I don’t have a specific website for research. It’s all based on whatever it is I’m looking for, but I do use the web religiously.
 
Do you plot or are you a “pantser”?
I am a heavy plotter. I usually do not start writing a book until I’ve storyboarded every chapter using sticky notes and poster boards.
 
How do you create your characters?
I don’t know if I have a specific method. I’ve written books where the characters have come to me first and the plot followed, and have also had books that started with the story idea and the characters grew from there.
 
Do you belong to a critique group?  If so, what have you gotten out of it / how helpful have they been?  How long together as a group?
I’ve been in a critique group for ten years with four other women. They have enhanced my writing so much. I cannot put into words just how much they have meant to my writing career and my life in general. They have become some of my closest friends.
 
What kind of things do you look for in a critique - basic grammar, plot, POV (Point of View) problems, etc.?
After 10 years together as a critique group, we’ve come to expect different things from different members. One is excellent at pointing out plot holes and inconsistencies, another is a copy editor in her day job, so she always catches those grammar issues. We all contribute certain things to the group.
 
How do you break through writer’s block?
 I can’t afford writer’s block. If I am struggling with a scene, I’ll sometimes skip ahead and come back to it, pull out a craft book and try to find a method of rejuvenating my creativity, or sometimes just take a 20 minute break. Often, I’ll just allow myself to write complete crap (even putting in the manuscript “this is crap”), knowing that I will eventually fix it in revisions.
 
How much time do you put into developing secondary characters?
Secondary characters, like my lead characters, tend to grow organically in the writing process. I can sense from the minute a secondary character walks into a scene whether or not he/she will have their own story.

How much of you is in your heroine?
I don’t think I have much in common with any of my heroines. I do get into their minds, but I’ve never tried to become my heroines.


For more of Farrah's interview, please go to http://www.townfavorites.com/blogs/literarylouisiana/. 
 
Check out her website at www.farrahrochon.com.

Enjoy the Journey!