Author Interview: Clarissa Yip
Hi, Clarissa. Welcome to my blog. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us.
Thank you for having me! I’m so excited to be here!
Would you take a moment and introduce yourself to us?
Well, my name is Clarissa Yip. I write mainly contemporary romance. I love scrapbooking, video games, and new toys! No, not that type of toys…I’m talking electronics. Usually I like to spoil myself with Apple products, new gadgets, and anything that will hook me up to my ‘matrix’. Lol. Otherwise, you may find me traveling or writing in some dark corner.
How long have you been writing?
Wow. Seriously, kind of cliché. I’ve been writing since I was 9, but I seriously wouldn’t show you any of those stories. I didn’t take my writing career seriously until I had moved to Hawaii in 2008. Then I was like a monster who couldn’t be stopped. Must have been all that Hawaii sun.
Can you tell us a little more about your books, One Chance, Silent Night’s Seduction, and Tempting A Prince?
One Chance is a story where Jenna is determined to save her best friend, Cade, from marrying the wrong woman. She’s finally worked up the nerve to bare her true feelings, hopefully he feels the same way!
Silent Night’s Seduction is sweet story set in Alaska, where Lily is kidnapped and forced on a plane destined for a one-night stand, by her very own brother! Yes, I know a little disturbing, but you’ll see the elves at work to hooking her up with her ex-husband—hot DA Rafe Martinez! She’s a fiery little cowgirl, who had thought her life set until she steps into Winter-Wonderland Hell.
Lastly, Tempting a Prince is about Sarah who is determined to get over her life-long crush on her best friend’s brother and flies to Vegas with her BFF’s ready to have a night of her life and meet Prince Charming, only Prince Charming isn’t that charming and turns out to be the very one she’s been running away from—Evan Hunt. Funny how fate throws a curveball.
How did you come up with the idea for each of the stories?
Well…One Chance, I was actually sitting on my deck in Hawaii, thinking about best friends and past relationships with guys, some that I had let slip past my fingers. Lol. But we all grew up and went our own way. The whole idea of grabbing that one opportunity to make your wish come true with your best friend bloomed the story between Jenna and Cade.
In Silent Night’s Seduction, Lily, the heroine is actually Shane’s (from Tempting a Cowboy) sister, and she’d been the one to set him up on the blind date, so it was payback time.
Tempting a Prince, it is actually Evan’s story. He hooks up with his sister’s (Mia from Tempting a Cowboy) best friend, Sarah. And their date turns to chaos and fate basically hits them too.
I love seeing my characters from other books reappear.
What type of research did you do for each of the books?
I did do a little bit of research on cowboys. That was fun. But otherwise, I wrote what I knew.
Of all of the books you’ve written, which one is your favorite?
I think my favorite book right now is Love By Auction. It was the first book I had pubbed through Decadent Publishing, and the heroine holds true to my heart. It’s about my heroine who ends up participating in a Dating Auction, only to be bought by her ex-fiancé. Yup, you guessed it. It’s another second chance story. Love them.
Although, you center your writing around the Contemporary Romance genre, have you experimented with writing for other genres?
I remember a few years ago, I started writing a paranormal but it just wouldn’t work. The characters wouldn’t mold to what I wanted them to be. No matter how many times I try to plot one, I always end up with a contemporary. Maybe someday I’ll try again, but I’m happy writing contemporaries.
Do you have a favorite character from any of the books?
My favorite characters are the grandmothers from True Connections, which is set to be released some time in the next few months from Entangled Publishing. They’re just busy-body grandmother’s who are matchmakers at heart. Their humor and love for their grandchildren crack me up, and I’m hoping to see more of them in the future.
Do you have any upcoming projects that you can tell us about?
As I stated in the last question, I’m finishing up edits for True Connections, which is part of Entangled Valentine’s anthology. I’m also working on my last Tempting series book for 1Night Stand, and also a few new projects. I’m definitely keeping busy! I have a few proposals out with my editors, hoping they’ll like it, but who knows what this new year will bring? Lol.
How do you find inspiration when writing?
Inspiration? That all depends on my muse. We fight all the time. She’s not very nice. Inspiration comes in spurts when I least expect it. Guess it depends on what’s on my mind at the moment also.
What/who has influenced you the most?
Hmm…good question. In regards to my writing, I would say my peers and my critique partners. I value their opinions and they’ve never led me wrong before. In life? My family…they drive me nuts.
Do you have any recommendations for books that you think the blog’s readers may enjoy?
Oh, this list would be too long to list here. I love J.R. Ward’s series. Can’t get me enough of her sexy vampires. And I also love the older books too by Judith McNaught, Jude Devereaux, and Julie Garwood. I find myself rereading them all the time.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I’m a good mix of both. I’ll spend three-four days just plotting like crazy, getting to know my characters, then once I start writing, my muse wreaks havoc and I end up pantsing and things that I never expect happen!
Do you have any tips, or thoughts, that you would like to offer to the blog’s readers?
Well, if you’re a writer, Never Give UP! Keep perseverance and motivation!
And if you’re a reader, keep reading! There are so many amazing stories out there. Oh and never put your ereader near a sink…
Thank you so much for the interview, Clarissa. I hope my reader’s have enjoyed learning more about you. I look forward to more of your work. Best of success always.
Synopsis for One Chance:
Shy tomboy Jenna Faulkner has been in love her whole life—with her best friend. Except he’s marrying the wrong woman, and he doesn’t know it yet. But she’s determined to save him.
Instead of the normal bachelor party, Jenna decides to throw a different type of gathering…with just her. Alone. Will Cade finally come to his senses and see Jenna for more than a friend, or has she ruined their friendship once and for all?
Available for purchase via the following retailers:
- Publisher – http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=27&products_id=392&osCsid=6c1232251c1e45744bd0b3ee7262f414
- Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/One-Chance-ebook/dp/B0068RBQUC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1324688646&sr=8-2
- Barnes & Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-chance-clarissa-yip/1107553001?ean=2940032877998&itm=1&usri=clarissa+yip
Synopsis for Silent Night’s Seduction:
Stubborn and proud cowgirl, Lily McCormick, is finally coming to terms with her quiet life on her parent’s ranch, until her older brother, as payback, signs her up for 1NightStand. Kidnapped and forced onto a plane to a foreign location, she faces the dreaded cold and an unwanted tryst, until her ex-husband appears before her…as her date.
New York City District Attorney, Rafe Martinez, would do anything to get his ex-wife back, even if it meant taking drastic measures to pretend he was there for another woman. When jealousy and rage surfaces and Lily’s tough demeanor wanes, desire and lust sparks their once powerful connection as truths unfold. Will Rafe convince her to return to him or push her further away from giving their love a second chance?
Available for purchase via the following retailers:
- Publisher – http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=27&products_id=404&osCsid=6c1232251c1e45744bd0b3ee7262f414
- Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Silent-Nights-Seduction-Night-ebook/dp/B006FD0F88/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1324688646&sr=8-4
- Barnes & Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/silent-nights-seduction-clarissa-yip/1107821925?ean=2940032903208&itm=2&usri=clarissa+yip
Synopsis for Tempting A Prince:
Sarah Westfall is on a mission. Living the mundane life of a near spinster school teacher and sick of her parents throwing eligible men at her, she is determined to get over her crush on her best friend’s brother. She wants a prince and wouldn’t settle for less. What better way than a 1Night Stand?
Evan Hunt needs to figure out his enemy’s game plan. Chasing his nemesis to Las Vegas and signing up for Madame Eve’s service and masquerade, he never expected the woman he’s desired for years to appear before him…as his princess.
When their attraction fires the night, the inevitable happens. Her prince isn’t as charming as she’s hoped, but he does save her from trouble. Would he be willing to fulfill her fantasies also?
Available for purchase via the following retailers:
- Publisher – http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=429&osCsid=8v7d0n8clahj8ud71octkmgbk4
- Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Tempting-Prince-Night-Stand-ebook/dp/B006OUZ3PM/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1324688646&sr=8-9
- Barnes & Noble
About The Author:
Contemporary romance author, Clarissa Yip, leads a life of adventure and mischief. Constantly on the run, she’s always hanging out with her muse, plotting the next best story, and looking for anything that will fuel her imagination. Besides being an avid reader and writer, Clarissa enjoys scrapbooking, video games, immersing herself in addictive TV shows, and engaging in anything that will challenge her mind. A lover of food and languages, she also loves to try new things. Her dreams involve finding the ultimate way of sharing her world with yours. From the Hawaiian island of Oahu to the beautiful season-changing New York, you never know where she’ll be.
Please join her as she ventures to the unknown as she wields her stories, escape to exciting adventures across the country, and shares the view of the world through the eyes of a writer.
