Interview with Toni Griffin

How much of your writing is based on things you see in real life?

I would have to say everything – I constantly see werewolves and vampires walking down the street. Just the other day I ran into a necromancer at the supermarket. *laughs*

What book were you forced to read at school that no child should have to study?

I hated reading while was at school and avoided it at all costs. 

If you had a book club, what would it be reading and why?

Well that depends. If it was erotic romance we would definitely be readying anything M/M. There are so many fantastic authors out there that I don’t think I could limit the field. If we were reading mainstream then I would recommend two incredible Australian authors – Kylie Chan & Keri Arthur. Both women have fantastic series.

Name a book that you'd be embarrassed to be seen reading.

My own.

Did you ever read a book and then wish you had all that time back?

No, between full time work and trying to write I don’t have time to sit down and read a book that I won’t enjoy. If I start reading a book and it doesn’t grab me after the first couple of chapters I give up and move on to something else.

What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in your writing career?

Probably myself. As I mentioned I hated English at school, I was always so much better at Math. Even my everyday full time job resolves around numbers. When I decided, out of the blue, to try and write my own book I had absolutely no idea If I could actually finish it. Now I’m seven books down and still have no idea how the hell I’ve managed that.

Do you ever write while intoxicated?

lol. No, could you imagine what would end up on the page if I was drunk when I attempted to write. Plus my punctuation leaves a lot to be desired already, if I wasn’t operating on all brain cells I think my editor would track me down and murder me.

Have you ever faced the curse of writer’s block? If so, how did you deal with it?

I usually get writers block when I finish a book. I know that sounds silly but after spending so long with the characters talking to me when they stop it takes time for the next pair to start. Sometimes it can take up to a month, I usually just try to relax and let them tell me their stories in their own time.
 
What is the best writing advice you've ever been given?

I haven’t really been given any.

How do you feel about taking no for an answer?

Fine. Absolutely no problem with that. I was married for nearly 10 years. Have heard and said NO plenty over the years. *Laughs*