Designs On You by Carrie Pack – Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

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Author Carrie Pack is here on tour. She sat down in the Scattered Thoughts Interchair, answered some questions about herself, her latest release and writing. There is also a wonderful contest to enter consisting of several Barnes & Noble gift cards and ebooks of Designs on You. Make sure you check out the contest prizes and Rafflecopter link at the bottom of the post as well as the book excerpt and author information. Now on to our interview!

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A Carrie Pack Interview: Writing Designs On You

Melanie: What was your inspiration for the story?

Carrie Pack: Designs on You was inspired by my experience working as a production artist and graphic designer right out of college. I worked for a national retailer creating print ads, designing signage, and scanning photos.

It was interesting work, but it could also be tedious; I did a lot of repetitive tasks. And sometimes I would get crazy requests for retouching that meant zooming in on model’s crotches or putting one man’s head on another man’s body.

When I got the idea for a story about a graphic designer falling for a model, I gave him the task of retouching, which is both challenging and monotonous. I really started to think about what it would be like for someone to be stuck in a rut professionally, doing a job very similar to mine, while also being stuck in a rut romantically. How would that play out? Who would that person be?

Melanie: Do you work on one project at a time or many?

Carrie Pack: I tend to focus on just one project at a time, and if I have more than one thing I need to complete, I have to take a break between projects to reset. It’s hard for me to switch gears quickly. I need to get in the right mindset to work on something. When it comes to writing, I like to devote entire days to that project. If I try to switch gears and write something else, or in a different style, it’s hard for me to find the right voice for each project.

Melanie: Hero or Antihero? Who would you chose and why?

Carrie Pack: Antihero. Every time. I think it’s because antiheroes tend to be more complex, both in their motivations and their actions. It’s moral gray area, which to me, is more human. Heroes usually have very black-and-white decisions to make, but an antihero may do something immoral, yet have reasons behind their actions that complicate the issue. The interesting thing about an antihero is they have the opportunity to become either a hero or a villain, and I’m always intrigued to see how that turns out.

Melanie: People say write what you know. Do you think that’s right or even important?

Carrie Pack: I think it is important, to an extent, but it’s not the only thing. Did JK Rowling write what she knew? Yes and no. Obviously she crafted an entirely new world, but Hogwarts is also based on the English education system. Instead of A-levels, they take OWLs and NEWTs. So she added elements of what she knew to her fictionalized world.

I think the most successful fantasy and sci-fi books anchor themselves in reality. That way readers can recognize their own world within the pages of the fantasy realm.

With Designs on You, I used my personal, real-life experiences to shape a fictional world. My hope is that the real-world details help to make Scott and Jamie feel real to them so that they’re along for the ride when the completely fictional events happen.

Melanie: What is the first book you read that really meant something to you?

Carrie Pack: I have vivid memories of reading the other books in L. Frank Baum’s Oz series and realizing that there was more to the story than Dorothy’s quest to return to Kansas. In particular, I was hooked on The Scarecrow of Oz. I think I checked it out of my school library so many times, the entire card was filled with my name and a series of dates. I loved the idea that a story could continue and evolve after the main quest was over. Perhaps that’s why I enjoyed Wicked so much when it first came out, and I still read fanfiction as an adult. I want more.

Melanie: What do you find sexy in a man?

Carrie Pack: A sense of humor. My husband makes me laugh every day, and it keeps things fresh. Physically, though… I truly enjoy a good butt, especially if the man also has really nice legs.

Melanie: What’s next up for you?

Carrie Pack: Well, school starts in about a week—I’m a part-time college professor—so I’m sure I’ll be knee-deep in grading before I know it. In my free time, I hope to continue work on a science-fiction story I’ve been tinkering with. It involves time travel, which is something I’ve always wanted to write but have been a bit scared to try. It’s going to be one hell of an adventure for me to write it. But I have a really great idea that I’m excited to flesh out. Stay tuned!

Melanie: Thanks for the wonderful interview. For more about Carrie Pack and her latest book, Designs On You, keep reading for book details and an excerpt!

Designs on You by Carrie Pack
Publisher: Interlude Press

Sales Link: Interlude Press Store Amazon Barnes & Noble

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BLURB:

If graphic designer Scott Parker has to design one more cupcake company logo, he might lose it. So when he is tasked with retouching photos for a big fashion client, a stunning, lanky model mesmerizes Scott and occupies his fantasies long after the assignment is finished.

When the model is assigned to one of Scott’s projects, Scott discovers that the object of his desire is nothing like what he imagined. Despite Jamie Donovan’s aloof and dismissive behavior, Scott struggles to forge a friendship with him, all the while trying to keep his attraction at bay.

Will Jamie follow through on signals that he may be interested, or will he forever be the beautiful man in the photograph, an untouchable fantasy?

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Excerpt:

The model turns his head to follow Isaac’s gaze. And, of course… it’s Jamie. Scott’s intake of breath is so sharp that he has to cough to cover the sound. Because Jamie Donovan is even more beautiful in person.

Scott stares open-mouthed for a minute.

Jamie purses his lips and raises both his eyebrows when he sees Scott standing there, obviously confused by his presence, or perhaps annoyed at the blatant ogling that Scott is indulging in. He looks down to Isaac, giving him the same questioning look.

“This is Scott Parker, our art director for the day,” Isaac mumbles around the pins between his lips. He flips a strand of hair out of his face, but it immediately falls back to its original position.

Scott steps forward and smiles. “Yvonne’s got the flu,” he says, unable to think of anything else to say.

“I know,” Isaac replies. “She fill you in on the concept?”

Scott nods. He needs to give him Yvonne’s notes and try to get organized for the shoot, but instead, he walks around behind Isaac and takes in the full outfit: skinny-legged grey trousers and a jacket that looks to be a cross between a leather bomber and a straightjacket. It looks amazing on Jamie.

“Hi,” Scott says, extending his hand.

Jamie looks down at it like it might burn him and slowly drags his eyes back up to Scott’s face.

“Charmed,” he says with a lifted eyebrow. His voice isn’t as deep as Scott would have thought, but it has a seductive, raspy quality.

Scott’s eyes follow Jamie as he leans forward to look in the mirror, attempting to fix his already flawless hair. It’s swooped up in an overdramatic pompadour that should look ridiculous, but Scott thinks it looks perfect, and he almost says so before he realizes he’s still holding his hand out and Jamie has completely left him hanging.

Scott slowly withdraws his hand and shoves it unceremoniously into his pocket. “Likewise,” he mumbles under his breath.

Yvonne wasn’t kidding. This kid’s an ice queen. It’s kind of annoying. It’s also kind of hot.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

A former graphic artist, Carrie Pack turned to her early career experience as the backdrop for her first novel. She lives in Florida with her husband, where she teaches advertising writing at a local college.

Contest: Carrie will be awarding a $25 Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $25 Barnes and Noble GC and a print edition of Designs on You (US ONLY) to a randomly drawn host. A free download of an Interlude Press eBook title or an author/book swag pack (US ONLY) will be awarded to one randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter at each stop during the tour.

Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Use the Rafflecopter link provided below for the entry form and additional contest details.