Charlene Teglia is a multi-published author with a varied career.  Tune in below to see what makes her tick, and what makes her an author that you need to check out!

When did you know you first wanted to write?
When I was twelve. I couldn't imagine anything more wonderful than writing books that could take people outside of themselves.

Describe your feelings when you signed your first book contract.
Aw. Amazement. Fear that they'd change their minds, LOL! I signed and mailed that contract back to Ellora's Cave so fast the paper it was printed on practically got whiplash. I made three sales to EC before I relaxed a little and quit thinking they'd made a mistake!

How do those feelings differ from when you signed your St. Martin?s Press contract?
Pretty much the same! Aw, pride, delight, and the sincere hope I could get the contracts back before somebody came to their senses. *g*

Do you have a favorite book that you’ve written?
In many ways, Wolf In Cheap Clothing is my favorite. Because it brings together so many different things; it's erotic and funny and tense and action-packed. I loved winding all those threads together and pulling them tight!

What about a favorite character?
I will always have a soft spot for Hal from Dangerous Games, but I think the hero who's really stolen my heart is Reuben from Wild Wild West (St. Martin's, Aug. 07)

What is your favorite genre to write?
I love action-adventure erotic romance. Love it!

What is your favorite time period to write about?
I like writing about the present day, but I also really loved my trip to the Viking Age with The Gripping Beast. I want to spend more time there!

Are you a pantser, or a planner?
I don't like the term panster because it sounds so much like there's no plan. There's always a plan, I just don't always know what it is when I start.*g*  I've heard the terms "discovery draft" and "intuitive writer" and I think that says it much better. That said, I do usually have a guide to follow, it's not like flying blind. Theme is generally my roadmap through the story.

Who do you credit with encouraging you the most in your writing career?
There was a very dark and discouraging time in my life when I was very close to giving up for good. My cousin, who is also a writer, believed in me through that time, and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude for that. And since we've been together, my husband has become my biggest supporter. He read a short piece I wrote before we were married, shook his head, and said, "Quit your job. You should be doing this."

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Follow your heart, follow your bliss, and learn all the craft you can absorb from other books, from workshops, from any source you can get a hold of and suck dry. Learn about the business. Take advantage of all the free resources online. Most of all, write and read every day, make time for it, give it priority even if it never becomes your job, because it's an important part of who you are. If you want to write, write! Don't let anybody talk you out of it.

Who are some of your favorite authors?
Oh, this could be a long list. Jennifer Crusie, Janet Evanovich, Dean Koontz, Stephen King, T.S. Elliot, P.G. Wodehouse, Terry Pratchett,  Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Madeleine L'Engle, Anne McCaffrey, Lois McMasters Bujold, Laurell K. Hamilton, Kelley Armstrong, NJ Walters, Lora Leigh, Cheyenne McCray, Marjorie Liu. I could go on and on and on.

What books do you have upcoming?
Lots! Winter 07, Catalyst releases in print from Cerridwen Press. In June, I Was An Alien's Love Slave releases in ebook and paperback in Ellora's Cavemen Seasons of Seduction II. In August, my St. Martin's debut releases, Wild Wild West. Only Human will release from Ellora's Cave in 07 as part of the Torrid Tarot series, representing The Star, and Miss Lonely Hearts is coming from Samhain. I hope to squeeze in another EC book in 07 if I can.

Tell us about you.
I'm the mother of two very creative and energetic little girls, and our favorite family activity is hiking around the Olympic Peninsula. I read and write and hike and play with the small people, bake brownies, nag everybody to eat their vegetables. It's always a challenge to juggle the various roles of writer, businessperson, mom, wife, and human being.

Anything else you would like us to know?
If I can manage to make you feel good and distract you from your worries for an hour or so, I consider that a job well done! Life is stressful. We all need the mental vacation a good book provides.