Author Rosemary Aubert is my guest today on Moving Target. Her new romantic thriller Terminal Grill explores a woman’s fall into the sensuous trap of a man so handsome, mysterious and witty that he’s just too good to be true.
Rosemary is the author of the acclaimed Ellis Portal mystery series. She is also a published poet,
Q. Tell us what inspired you to write Terminal Grill, Rosemary.
What inspired me to write Terminal Grill was my many years’ experience in the dark underworld of the Toronto poetry scene. I knew from personal experience that there were a million stories out there, and I wanted to tell one of them. I set it in the past because, for me, it was all the more mysterious back then….
Terminal Grill required the kind of research I like to do best: personal involvement with the world in which the book is set. I’ve been to more poetry readings than I could ever count—and I’ve given them, too. As for seedy bars and questionable diners, there have been a few of them as the years rolled by.
Q. Who is your favourite character in Terminal Grill and why?
Matthew is my favourite character. He remains an enigma—even though he’s my character.
Q. What was the most difficult scene for you to write and why?
I don’t know why, considering that I’m an old romance writer, but I find sex scenes really difficult to do!
Q. What other book on the market is similar to Terminal Grill?
I can’t say what other book is similar to Terminal Grill. It isn’t like any other of my books—which makes it special for me.
Q. Tell us the story behind your book cover.
The book cover, which was provided by Quattro Books, the publisher, is perfect, I think. It’s any grill in Toronto. I don’t know where it is, but I’ve been there—and so have you.
Q. Tell us about your writing schedule.
My writing schedule varies according to other demands on my time, ranging from university teaching to cooking supper. The most important thing is that when I am working on a book, I have to work on it every day, though I take weekends off. And I like to work on my book when all my other work is done. So I can relax and let myself go.
Q. Which movie star would you like to play Matthew in a film adaptation of Terminal Grill, and why?
Somebody dark and mysterious would have to play Matthew and somebody sort of innocent would have to play Marie. I don’t know the actors very well, so I think the reader will have to imagine them herself.
Q. Will there be a sequel to Terminal Grill?
I don’t think there will be a sequel. This is really a one-shot deal for me.
Q. As a writer, what scares you most?
What scares me the most is the possibility that my book won’t be as good as I hope it will be.
Q. As an author, what is your greatest reward?
My greatest reward is when a fan—a stranger—tells me he or she love my books. That is the very best.
Q. What’s the best writing advice you’ve received?
The best advice I ever got was the simplest: Keep going.
Q. What’s your next writing project?
I’m working on a new novel that will remain a secret for the time being, as well as a book of short stories and more poetry.
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You can purchase Terminal Grill in paperback on Amazon.ca, Amazon.com and at Quattro Books.