Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Paula Dombrowiak
Book Title: Breath to Bear
Released: 11/30/21
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Breath to Bear”?
Dombrowiak: Initially I wrote Blood & Bone intending it to be a standalone because I didn’t know how it would be received. Pleasantly surprised people started connecting with Jack’s story and wanting to know what happened to Jack and Erin after the interview. There was a lot unfinished between them and they both had interesting backstories that needed to be resolved before they could find their HEA. That is when I started writing Breath to Bear.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Dombrowiak: I’m not terribly creative with names. I go with my gut and what seems to fit the character most.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Dombrowiak: The books in my Blood & Bone series are not standalone. The characters are so intertwined that it would be very difficult to read them out of order. I love character driven plots and I’m interested in human nature, what drives us, what motivates us and what experiences make us who we are. There is a lot of that in my books and I love exploring and letting the characters drive the story.
If "Breath to Bear" was adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Dombrowiak: That is so hard because while writing I never imagine celebrities or use references for my characters.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Dombrowiak: Writers block is so frustrating and I always feel it at the beginning of each book. I guess what I will sometimes do is start in the middle and then work my way out. Knowing the middle helps me to build up to it and the drive it towards resolution. Music always helps too, especially while I’m driving and I hear a lyric or just the feel of a song and I think about something in my book that I could incorporate.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Dombrowiak: Your first draft will always be the ugly duckling. If you keep refining, adding layers, editing, editing, editing, your ugly duckling will eventually become a beautiful swan.
What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?
Dombrowiak: I’ve always loved reading young adult fantasy because I love being brought into a new fantastical world. Maggie Steifvatar and Cassandra Clare are two of my favorites. In the Romance genre, I love Madeline Sheehan, Penelope Douglas, Sierra Simone, Kate Stewart and oh so many more.
What are you working on next?
Dombrowiak: I just released Bonds We Break, the third book in the series, at the end of March. Right now I am working on Bound to Burn, the fourth book in the series which is set to be released later this year. I am hoping to finish Born to Blaze by the end of the year and release that in Spring of 2023. That will conclude the series.
Learn More About the Author and Heretic here:
Website: www.pauladombrowiak.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pauladombrowiakauthor/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/paula-dombrowiak
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pauladombrowiakauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20529493.Paula_Dombrowiak
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