Author Spotlight: Raine Miller

Raine Miller

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So, tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a mom of two teenagers and a wife to one husband who acts like a teenager sometimes.  I live in California and I used to teach First grade until I started writing full time.

Now, tell us one thing about yourself that you do not usually include in your regular author bio.

I love those giant dill pickles you can get at fairs and carnivals.  I just discovered they sell them packaged separately at my grocery store. : )

Who and what did you grow up reading? Do you remember the first book that you fell in love with?

Laura Ingalls Wilder, Nancy Drew, Anne of Green Gables.

Little House in the Big Woods, by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Who would you say has had the most influence over you becoming a writer?

My mother.

What made you decide to sit down and actually start something?

I was home on a medical leave after a surgery.  I left my teaching job in May and it lasted until the end of the school year.  I was home alone, everyone was gone all day and I just started writing.  Once I began I could not stop.  It became an addiction.

How long have you been writing? Do you write part-time or full-time?

Four years.  I am now a full time writer.

What is your normal writing style? Do you outline and plot or do you just start writing to see where the story takes you?

I have to outline my books.  I need a starting point and an ending.  I can write out of order that way and then fill in where I need to.    In the doc I will write a sentence or two about that chapter and set it up that way.  My writing is organic while I am writing, but within a guideline and a solidly outlined plot.

Do you have any quirky writing habits?

Hmmm…by quirky do you mean my son’s two pet rats, Gloria and Sandy sitting on my desk while I write???  If so, then yes.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

About 3 months for the writing portion.  All the fine tuning and edits take more time.  Also, during the writing process I am busy with promo and a million other projects that take my time.  I am not a speed reader or writer.  I take it pretty slow and steady.

What would you say is the hardest and the most enjoyable thing about writing?

The hardest part for me is the critical process.  I just don’t want to know mostly.  I rarely read reviews.  The most enjoyable thing is hearing from fans who really loved my books and really felt something while reading.  I love when they share with me.

What has been your most memorable experience since publishing your first book?

Having my editor call me to say that Eyes Wide Open had made #2 on the New York Times.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to your younger self?

Start writing some romance novels.

Give us a little hint and insight into what you are working on at the moment.

I am working on a new historical romance that is part of The Rothvale Legacy.  It is a stand-alone novel called The Muse.

Now, let’s have some fun. What is your favorite pizza topping?

Pepperoni, mushroom and onion.

Describe to me your most perfect Ice Cream Sundae.

Vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, toasted almonds.

As a reader, do you prefer ebooks or paper/hard backs?

I prefer to read on my kindle now.  It took me all of about 1 day to get used to it.

Where is your favorite place to read?

In my back yard by my pool.

If you found yourself stranded on an island, what is the one book you would want with you? And why?

Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett.  It is a masterpiece of story craft. 

I am a huge lover of book quotes, what is your all time favorite quote from a book? And what book is it from?

“I almost wish we were butterflies and lived but three summer days.  Three such days I could fill with more delight than fifty common years could ever contain.”   John Keats in a letter to his fiancé, Fanny Brawne.

And last but not least, I am an animal lover. Do you have any pets? And if so, what kind and what are their names?

I am an animal lover.  I grew up with a pony and several Great Danes.  We don’t have any dogs or cats right now.  Just my son’s two pet rats—Gloria and Sandy.  They are plenty, trust me.

Be sure to check out all of Raine Miller's books!


A HUGE thanks to Raine Miller for taking the time out of her busy schedule to be a part of my Author Spotlight.  I am so very excited for the fourth instalment of The Blackstone Affair series... on major countdown for more Ethan Blackstone.