Interview with Alexa Padgett, author of Midnight Dance

by grant

in Author Interviews, News, Romance

24 Nov 2020

What can you tell us about your new release, Midnight Dance?

We first met Colt Rippey way back in Book 4 of my Seattle Sound series, and my readers have asked me to tell Colt’s story ever since. I really wanted to move into romantic suspense (that’s sprinkled much more lightly through some of the Seattle Sound series books, specifically 3 and 8) than another straight-up contemporary romance.

That’s when I came up with the idea of a bridge book. This book allowed me to meet both those goals.

And…I hate to admit this, but this manuscript didn’t come together cleanly. It has a complicated plot that needed to be tied up at varying intervals. I’m proud of the ambition there, but my original execution wasn’t always as clear as it needed to be.

I’m pretty sure my editor, Sarah Allan, cursed me a few times during the initial read-through. Thanks to her patience and thorough commentary, I was able to clarify problem sections, which created better pacing and improved the characters’ growth. I hope she’s proud of where we ended up because I am.

What books are currently on your nightstand?

The Rope by Nevada Barr. I’m so looking forward to digging back into this series!

What advice would you give your teenage self?

Hmm…probably what I tell my teenage kids: do your best. That’s all any of us can do, really. Sometimes my best doesn’t get me to the goal I’ve established, and that’s frustrating. But continuing to work hard and learn helps me grow as a person and as an author.

If you had an extra hour each day, how would you spend it?

I’d like to learn to meditate. I’m terrible at quieting my mind. I’ve been told meditation improves creativity, which could make me a better storyteller. And I’d read. There are so many fantastic books I want to devour, but I rarely find the time to sit and enjoy a novel for as long as I’d like.

What makes your world go round? Why does it bring you joy?

My family. Walking my dog. Finally mastering crow pose (in yoga). Pushing myself creatively. Developing deep connections with author friends. Having a new, fantastic book premise smack into my brain.

What scene in Midnight Dance was your favorite to write?

The action scenes were a blast to develop! I never expected Hemp to show up at Tawny’s apartment like that, but as soon as I began writing that scene, my fingers flew over the keys. There were a few moments where I was as breathless as I hope my readers are.