Author Interview with Clarissa Yip (Sizzling PR)

Featured Author Friday Presents:
Contemporary Romance Author, Clarissa Yip
About Clarissa:
As an avid reader and contemporary romance author, Clarissa had always been one to hide behind her romance novels so her evil friends and family will never find her. Child of four, she is known as the mischief maker and the runaway. Born and raised in New York, she left her mundane life as a manager in the beauty industry and traveled across the country and somehow ended up in Hawaii. On the beautiful island of Oahu, she has found a home with a foster family (aka. best friend) that took pity on her and her innocent wiles. Sent to scrub floors and wash dishes. (Partly true.)

Besides hiding on her Hawaiian island, Clarissa is also a content editor for Breathless Press.

She enjoys writing, reading, scrapbooking, video games, shopping, and of course, torturing her friends with crazy ideas. She has an undergrad in Asian Studies and is also working on her Master’s degree in International Marketing with big goals of being published around the world.

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.

Email: clarissayip@gmail.com
Website: http://clarissayip.com

Author Interview:

When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?

I think I first realized I wanted to be an author when I decided to make a career change. I used to manage a few spas and realized that it wasn’t what I wanted to do. So I packed up my whole life and changed everything. Went through a few months of mental therapy trying to figure out what I wanted to do and all I did was read. I started pulling out old stories that I had written since I was a kid and just started writing again. It was liberating.

On average, how long does it take you to write a book?

It depends on how corporative my muse is. Sometimes I can write a book in two weeks, sometimes a few months. Also depends on how long and how complex the story line is. But most of all, it’s finding the time to write. It’s very rare I get that spurt of energy and momentum where I feel as if I have to write a whole book in a sitting…since my muse likes to run off to the beach.

Where do you find writing inspiration?

LOL. Umm...in the shower? I know it sounds funny, but I find that my muse throws me ideas at the most random places.

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

Well...I don’t now if I would call it a book. I find snippets and long outlines that I’ve first written in 1989…so that makes me about 7? I used to carry a notebook with me as a kid everywhere and would write things down and I guess I actually plotted a lot. Not that I would show anyone those stories now…lol.

What do you think makes a good story?

I’m an emotional writer. I think it’s important for a story to have awesome and likeable characters, a conflict-filled plot, and some humor. Something to keep my blood pumping. I get bored easily…

Does your family (and/or close friends) know that you write and are a published author of romance fiction? If so, are they supportive of your efforts?

Ohhhh….well, my friends know I write…My parents? That’s a different story. They’re pretty old-fashioned and they measure success differently. They actually think I sit at home and play on my computer all day. Lol. But that’s okay, I’ll tell them someday.

Aside from romance, are there any other types of fiction/literature that you enjoy reading?

I actually read a wide range of things. I’m an avid learner, so I could be reading how-to books depending on what I want to learn at the moment. Right now, I’m doing research on Navy SEALS. But otherwise, I love reading paranormal, historicals, and suspense.

How important is reader feedback, good or bad, to you?

I love reader feedback, good or bad. I like to know what people think of my stories and if I’ve made them happy or not. Writing is a very lonely profession. So it’s always good to hear from readers.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Hmmmm...I edit, play video games, listen to music, scrapbook…and eat cupcakes, and drink lots of coffee. I do need to start tanning or something. Hiding in my cave is making me pasty white. 

What advice, if any, do you have for aspiring authors?

Never give up. No matter how many times you get rejected, keep striving to fix up that manuscript and find it a home. Never stop writing. No matter how discouraged or bummed out you are, keep writing. You can do it!

One Chance
by Clarissa Yip
Published By: Decadent Publishing
Word Count: 8,000
Sub-Genres: Chick Lit, Contemporary, Erotic

Available at:
Amazon (Kindle Edition)
Barnes & Noble (Nook Book)
Smashwords

Blurb:
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?

Silent Night's Seduction
by Clarissa Yip
Published By: Decadent Publishing
Word Count: 12,200 (approx.)
Sub-Genres: Chick Lit, Contemporary, Erotic

Available at:
Amazon (Kindle Edition)
Barnes & Noble (Nook Book)
Smashwords

Blurb:
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?

Tempting a Prince
by Clarissa Yip
Published By: Decadent Publishing
Word Count: 13,500 (approx.)
Sub-Genres: Chick Lit, Contemporary, Erotic

Available at:
Amazon (Kindle Edition)
Barnes & Noble (Nook Book)
Smashwords

Blurb:
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 won’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?