I’m pleased to introduce you all to Bob Boze, who writes contemporary romances among other kinds of books. Let’s take a peek at his official bio and then see what he has to say about his stories and his writing process, shall we?
Bob is a diverse author with five published books and two coauthored with his writing partner, Robyn Bennett, who lives in New Zealand.
Originally from New York, Bob is an avid reader, reviewer, and guest blogger on several web sites. His travels have covered most of the world and he has lived in London, England; Istanbul, Turkey; Houston and San Antonio, Texas; and Los Angeles and Paso Robles, California, before calling San Diego home.
Bob’s education includes: Studies in Creative Writing, English Literature, and English at NYU, William and Mary, University of Maryland, and University of Delaware. He holds a dual BS degree in Electronic Systems Design and Project Management from Northrop University.
He is an active member of San Diego Writers and Editors Guild, San Diego Professional Editors Network, Romance Writers of America San Diego, and participates in local and international writers events and conferences.
You can find out more about him at his website, or follow him on Facebook, Twitter, or Amazon.
Betty: How many books have you written and published?
Bob: Five on my own. Four fiction and one non-fiction.
Two coauthored. One fiction and one non-fiction.
Betty: What genre(s) do you write in and why?
Bob: Romance/Love Stories – because I write feel good stories that fit well in romance.
Betty: What themes or motifs did you use in your recent release and why were they important to your story?
Bob: A feel good story about life, love and family. My stories are about people helping each other, whether they’re friends or family and my latest story centers around family members helping each other over some fifteen years.
When Zach and Desi lose their mother to a tragic illness, it’s left up to their father, Josh to finish molding their children into the kind, caring and loving adults he and Christine would be proud to send out into the world.
Each of them would forever remember their mother’s last words and wish: “Zach, you’re the ribbon that surrounds our family with love and Desi, you’re the bow on top that rains love over us. You’re a wonderful package and promise me you’ll always protect, guide and watch over each other.”
Five years later, out on the beach, Josh handed fifteen-year-old Zach a ten dollar bill as he started toward the beach pool. “Go make someone’s day by buying them an ice cream cone,” he told him.
At the same time, fifteen-year-old Zoey headed for the beach pool, looking forward to a few quiet hours of reading.
Minutes later, Zach and Zoey’s worlds would collide and the simple gesture of him buying her an ice cream cone would change both of their lives – forever.
Over the next ten years, Zach, Zoey and Desi would find their worlds tangled, untangled and then tangled yet again, as they meet the challenges of growing up, protecting each other, falling in love and facing everything else that life would throw at them.
Betty: Do you have a specific place that you write? Revise?
Bob: At my desk on my computer. Occasionally I’ll jot down story ideas or notes if I’m in a café or out with my writing partner but my serious writing is done at my desk.
Betty: Do you have any writing rituals while you write? Did you have a special drink, or music, or time of day that you gravitated toward?
Bob: I write pretty much any time of the day, when an idea strikes or the words are flowing. I typically have music playing in the background but not always.
Betty: What helped you move from unpublished to published? A mentor or organization or something else?
Bob: Nothing. I always planned to publish what I wrote.
Betty: What do you think is your greatest strength in your writing?
Bob: I’m a good story teller, or so I’m told. That and I love describing places I’ve traveled to and things that have happened in my life; all of which seem to work their way into my stories.
Betty: What comes first when you’re brainstorming a new story: setting, situation, characters?
Bob: All of the above. I’ve had people, places and events trigger story ideas. Robyn and I travel a lot and love to people watch at airports. That, and places we’ve been, have generated at least four story ideas that are sitting in the wings waiting to be written.
Betty: Do you have a structured time to write or is more fluid/flexible? Do you have to write between family obligations or do you set aside a block of time?
Bob: No, I’m pretty flexible and write when the story ideas are flowing. If I can’t get to my computer when an idea strikes, I’ll jot it down and type it up later.
Betty: What is one recent struggle you’ve experienced in your writing?
Bob: Getting started. I had a story in mind but just couldn’t think of how to start it. The dam broke while we were at the Romance Writers Conference in New Zealand. Later that night, Robyn and several writers helped me outline it in the bar.
Betty: Do you participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)? Why or why not?
Bob: No. I hate deadlines. I write when the ideas flow and don’t when I get stuck on something.
Betty: What are you reading right now?
Bob: So Over My Head by Jenny B. Jones. She’s one of my favorite authors.
Betty: What is your favorite genre to read?
Bob: I read just about anything from romance to vampires. If a book attracts me and looks interesting, I’ll give it a go.
Betty: What are your keeper books? How often might you reread them?
Bob: I seldom reread anything. Two exceptions are: A Katie Parker Production series by Jenny B. Jones and the Vampire Academy series by Rachel Mead. Oh, make that three: Robyn’s books, Aqua Bay and Haven River
Betty: When you’re writing, do you read in the same genre as your work in progress or something else?
Bob: I’ll read anything while I’m writing. Good writing is good writing and I’ve been inspired by good writers in almost all genres.
Betty: Do you have a “day job” or do you write full time?
Bob: No, I’m retired. However, Robyn and my editing business and my professional blogging are a lot like a job. Edits and payed for blogs come before writing.
Betty: What do you wish readers knew about the publishing industry?
Bob: Hum, readers? How much publishing with a traditional publisher changes your story. Some genres are worse than others, like romance. Some of that’s changing though and writers are getting more flexibility since self-publishing is giving them an option and traditional publishers are beginning to recognize that.
Betty: What advice do you have for new writers?
Bob: Wow. Develop a thick skin and, no matter what, don’t give up. There is soooo much to learn, there are no secret formulas, and everyone has a different opinion on how to be a good writer. Robyn and I have learned and tell writers in our workshops that there is no right or wrong way to write. Do whatever works for you.
Betty: Any hints of what your next writing project might be?
Bob: Thanks to a night in the bar at the New Zealand conference, with eight other writers, I’ve got two new books in work. Book two of what will be The Beach Pool series and a new romance novel about a billionairess who buys into a dolphin tour boat business in New Zealand. (Yeah, she falls in love with the bankrupt owner, of course.)
Betty: What kind of writing would you like to experiment with? Or what’s a different genre you’ve considered writing but haven’t yet?
Bob: I’m happy with romance but I think there may be a vampire book in me somewhere.
I wish you much success with your books and career, Bob! Thanks for stopping in to share about your writing process and available stories.
Happy reading!
P.S. If you haven’t already, please consider signing up for my newsletter, which I send out most every month, including news like new covers, new releases, and upcoming appearances where I love to meet my readers, along with recipes and writing progress. Thanks and happy reading!
Visit www.bettybolte.com for more on my books and upcoming events.
Betty Bolte's Musings 
Such a great write-up. Please have a look at my blog too.
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