Interview with Charlotte O’Shay, Author of Their No-Strings Affair

What can you tell us about your new release, Their No-Strings Affair?

This is a standalone third book in my City of Dreams series. It’s a steamy contemporary romance with two people who don’t believe in the myth of happily ever after deciding to embark on a month-long affair. Fate has other plans for them.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I don’t think I was inspired by anything or anyone. Like Gaga says, I was born that way. It’s like eye color. The desire to write was always there. I actually suppressed it for a long time like a guilty habit only writing at odd times because I knew it was a difficult path financially. I am a lawyer (non-practicing now). The desire to write never left me. Here I am writing romance and every writing day is a good day.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

That’s tough. Like many people and especially writers, I always have a book in my hand. I adore romance but I love history and non-fiction. There are many, many romance authors, starting with classic Nora Roberts and including the delicious erotic romances of Tessa Bailey, whose books have pumped me up during hard times or just entertained me when I had a couple of hours to while away. Top 5 is impossible here’s Top 9

Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Hamilton by Ron Chernow

1984 by George Orwell

Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner

Darkness Visible by William Styron

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Game of Thrones series by George R.R. Martin

Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

Stephen King, George RR Martin

I would ask them tedious questions about process and how their ideas come to them. I’m fascinated by thrillers and elaborate sagas and the minds capable of writing them. I love King’s book On Writing. I would ask them how they develop ideas into something concrete or if the story comes to them whole, and how do they channel ideas into narrative.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

This sounds weird but it’s a powerful feeling to have the spark of an idea for a story and ultimately see that idea, and the people you’ve created come to life.

What is a typical day like for you?

I don’t have a typical day. But a good day is a day I write all day long, 9-5. I set timers to keep myself on task, away from social media and remember things like making dinner. On a really perfect day I take an hour or so to walk along the Hudson River near our apartment.

What scene in Their No-Strings Affair was your favorite to write?

The black moment. When Jake leaves Honey and on Christmas Eve no less. They were both in so much pain.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

One of my favorites is Never, never, never give up. That goes for careers and people anything one is striving toward. Another favorite is Albert Einstein’s quote where he said: “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

Charlotte O’Shay is the author of the new book Their No-Strings Affair.

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