Theresa Ragan is the author of many books (see the entire list) including her latest book titled Abducted (under the name T.R. Ragan) which has been enjoyed by many readers based upon a rating of 4.3 stars on 69 reviews. Book description of Abducted: Elizabeth Gardner (Lizzy) is seventeen-years old when she tells her parents she’s going out with her girlfriends. Instead, she meets up with Jared Shayne, her boyfriend of two years. As she walks home beneath an inky black sky, her perfect night becomes her worst nightmare. Fourteen years later, Lizzy is a licensed PI known as the “one who got away.” When she’s not searching for runaway teenagers, working on insurance scams, or talking to her therapist, she’s at the local high school teaching young girls to defend themselves. But her world is turned upside down for the second time after she receives a call from Jared Shayne. He’s an FBI special agent now and he needs her help. Lizzy has no plans to get involved. Not until Jared tells her the kidnapper left her a personalized note. Escaping from a madman should have been the end of her nightmare…but it was only the beginning.
Interview with Theresa Ragan
Why did you write this book?
I had written two time travel romance novels, a few romantic comedies, and a couple of romantic suspense novels, but I still had not made a sale. Frustrated, I decided to heck with it, I was going to write a dark thriller and kill off a few characters. I had just read about Lisa Gardner’s transition from writing romance to writing thrillers and I thought the whole process sounded interesting and challenging. So I began to research real-life serial killers and I wrote Abducted by T.R. Ragan. I used the pen name because I wanted readers to know that the book was different from my other books. I loved writing about a woman, Lizzy Gardner, who despite living through a horrible ordeal, comes out triumphant and stronger in the end.
How did you come up with the title?
Abducted was named Kidnapped until a few weeks before I started working with a cover artist. That’s when I started looking up other books with the same title and I felt like I needed something just a little different. My sister said, “Title your book Abducted.” And that was that!
How did you choose your genre?
I like to write what I like to read, which is why I wrote two medieval time travels after reading Jude Deveraux’s A Knight in Shining Armor. I also love to read and write romantic comedy and I released Taming Mad Max in April 2011. I love fast-paced suspense, which led me to write Finding Kate Huntley. I have always enjoyed reading Lisa Gardner, Stephen King, Harlan Coben, and Laura Lippman, another reason I enjoyed writing Abducted, my first thriller, which was released at the end of May, 2011.
What inspired you to be a writer?
I have four sisters and I am the only writer in the family. Neither of my parents were writers, but my best friend loved to read, and she inspired me to read everything I could get my hands on. I would not be a writer today if I had never read Jude Deveraux’s A Knight in Shining Armor. That book provided me with some much needed escapism and inspired me to become a romance novelist. I devour all of Susan E. Phillips’ books. Nobody’s Baby but Mine is one of my all-time favorite books. I also love to read anything by Lisa Gardner, Laura Lippman, and Stephen King.
What has been the toughest part of your writing journey?
The journey has been long and hard for me, but there isn’t anything I would change. Everything happens for a reason. For 19 years I wrote nearly every day. I worked hard at my craft and put in my time. I signed with two agents, worked with editors, garnered six nominations in Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart competition, but nothing was getting me a coveted sale with a NY publisher. I won many contests and I had readers tell me they loved my stories, but still no sale. Finally, with my last child going off to college, it was time for me to get a job that pays. With nothing to lose, I decided to self publish five of my ten finished novels. Instead of selling a dozen, I sold thousands and now I get to write full time. I’m having the time of my life. I love being a writer. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. My dreams have definitely come true.
Do you need to be in a specific place or atmosphere before the words flow?
I need quiet, which is difficult because I for most of my writing life I was raising four kids. Now that most of them have moved out, I have a Chihuahua that makes this horrible hacking noise ALL day long. I turn on a fan because I like that constant white noise while I work. No music for me because then I would have to dance instead of write.
How do you come up with ideas?
I could come up with a dozen story ideas right here, right now. The ideas flow out of me, non-stop. This can be frustrating because I have five books waiting for me to polish and release and so many ideas that I have to jot down notes and get the ideas onto paper and out of my head. I am furiously working to finish Dead Weight so my other books will have to wait their turn.
Thanks for having me!
Author website: Theresa Ragan Website
Great interview Theresa! Can’t wait for your new book to come out.