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URL: www.reneeknowles.com
Contact:
renee@reneeknowles.com
ABOUT RENEE
Once upon a time
there was a little girl who wanted to be a writer. Of
course, Renee wanted to be a professional ice dancer, an
Olympic gymnast, and a fashion model too. But once she
learned she had no athletic aptitude and wasn't going to be
six-foot tall and stick thin, her love for writing and books
grew. She read anywhere and everywhere she could, including
during class (especially Math and Science). Uh, not so good
for school, but it encouraged her passion for books, opening
her up to some of her favorite authors, including her
all-time fave Jane Austen.
But as her love for reading grew, so did her love for
writing. She wrote short stories and poems, which were read
out loud in class and even occasionally published. But, for
some reason in her twenties she just stopped. Cold. Oh, she
dreamed about it, of course, but her life seemed too busy.
Then she moved from upstate New York to Dallas, Texas, and
met the man of her dreams. A true Southern gentleman, accent
and all. He asked her out. She said no. Why? She was crazy,
of course! Eventually, she gave him a chance (thank God!)
and a year and a half later they eloped while on vacation in
Colorado. She's been with him for ten years, and he's truly
her hero.
Her desire for writing returned, especially stories of
love and personal journeys, and now she can't imagine doing
anything else.
Renee lives in Northern Colorado with her husband and a
view of the Rocky Mountains out of her window. How cool is
that? Renee has traveled all over the world, living in both
Europe and Asia. She has also visited Amsterdam twice, the
setting for her debut book, Going Topless. Her favorite
place to travel to is Italy, and her dream is to own a
vacation home there.
INTERVIEW
Q: Why did you decide to write romance novels?
A: Romance novels offer such hope and bring so much fun to life.
They highlight one of the best experiences one could ever hope
for—love. I've been hooked on them for years, and when I began
my first manuscript, it seemed only natural that there would be
romance in it.
Q: How has your writing craft developed over the years?
A: I think it has deepened. I've learned to add more layers to
the story and emotion to my characters. I also think that my
voice has grown and developed to a place where it is more
distinct and sassy. The old adage is true: the more you write,
the better you will become. So, for me, it's important to write
some every day.
Q: If you could be anyone you wanted who would that be?
A: Jane Austen, without a doubt. Why? While it's true she never
met Price Charming, she was such a master at her craft. I would
love to see what it was like to live in her head for a day. And
to live in Regency times would be a dream come true—ah, minus
the chamber pots :)
Q: How much of your personality and life experiences are
in your writing?
A. I think, though my writing is not based on my life, I put a
lot of my personality and life experiences in it. For example,
my current release, Going Topless, is set in Amsterdam. I've
lived in Europe twice and have visited Amsterdam a couple of
times. Plus the main heroine, Susannah, is a woman closing in on
forty, who is seeking new challenges in her life. I am very much
at that same place, although my challenges have more to do with
my inner self than romantic life.
Q: What was the biggest hurtle you had to overcome in your
career?
A: The death of my father. When he died, I suddenly couldn't
write fiction anymore. I still wrote non-fiction, but had lost
my fiction muse for well over a year. But late in 2006, I
regained my inspiration and have been writing ever since.
Q: Do you find your books draw you in and it is hard to
let go once you have finished?
A: I feel very drawn in while I'm writing the manuscript,
thinking about it constantly. But after I finish, it's almost as
if I've read the book and finished it for real. I am ready to
move on. I have so many new characters running through my head,
that I am ready for my next challenge!
Q: Can you tell us something about you that makes you
different?
A: I have traveled all over the world, and lived in both Europe
and Asia. I am very interested in the political world and must
have been a strategist in another life.
Oh, also, I am a HUGE football fan. Love pro and
college and am always home on Sunday afternoons in the fall to
watch the games.
Q: Besides writing, what is your favorite thing to do
every day?
A: Yoga. Without a doubt. It helps me keep in balance and handle
all the everyday hassles we all deal with.
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