3/4/2008

TESTOSTERONE OVERLOAD

The other night, the dh and I attended a minor league hockey game. He used to play hockey in high school so he loves this stuff. Me, I enjoy the game but mostly I love the people-watching.

Minor league games are quite the spectacle in any sport, with any break in the action devoted to involving fans and making bucks. They toss T-shirts into the crowd and have drawings for various items, including a player's hockey jersey. There's even a 50-50 drawing for actual cash.

But that's not what I intended to write about. It's the violence.

The game progressed with our team, the Portland Pirates (that's Portland, Maine, not the other one, named for the East Coast city) leading 3-0. There were penalties throughout the game and some minor scuffles but the refs broke those up easily enough. Finally in the third period, tempers flared. No, tempers erupted!

After two players collided hard against the boards, they started tussling. The usual, tugging at each other's jerseys and pushing and pulling, which I don't think of as being really fighting. The crowd egged on the combatants while the refs let them vent their tempers for a minute before separating them. Then the real war broke out. The dh said this fight had been building from the start of the game. An elbow here, a slam to the boards there, and tempers explode.

Gloves and sticks were thrown to the ice. The benches cleared as players clumped together in what looked like rugby scrums, only with fists flying this time. Fighters paired off and went at each other with balled-up fists. They tugged at jerseys and padding. For a few minutes, I thought one guy was going to be stripped to his undies. I don't know how the refs came out unscathed. Finally, tempers cooled and arms tired out so the refs could stop the fighting. Multiple players on both teams were ejected from the game.

So what is it about hockey? Testosterone is the one culprit. Take young men, athletes, who are known to have higher levels of testosterone, which makes for a competitive spirit. Add a sport that encourages, no, requires them to run into and slam each other. Season with a long tradition of fighting in the sport, known for its rough and tumble style. Voilà! A bench-clearing brawl.

These testosterone-laden males are the same ones we romance writers slot as heroes in our novels. Warriors, CEOs, cops, firemen, Special Forces soldiers, Navy SEALS, Highland lords, kings, knights, even vampires and shape shifters. Of course, we give them more self-restraint and believable, strong motivation if and when the need for violence arises. The hero's violence in our books is generally devoted to protecting the heroine or besting the villain in some way. The next time I write a warrior hero, as in my new project, I'm going to remember this hockey brawl--the looks on the faces, the fists, the punches, the sound of fists striking flesh.

2/23/2008

BOBBY'S GIRL

Just a quickie today.

My author loops have been fuming about plagiarism running amok on the internet, books offered at sites as ebooks and downloads without authorization. So I went to one of these sites to check on my Silhouette books. I typed in my name and whew, found none of my books, but discovered something else. The song "Bobby's Girl" from the 60's was recorded by none other than Susan Vaughan! (Well, yeah, Lesley Gore sang it too.) I was famous back then. And so precocious. Hmm, wonder what ever happened to that Susan Vaughan....

I can still remember the lyrics: "I want to be Bobby's girl. I want to be Bobby's girl. That's the most important thing to me." Thanks, Marcie Blane, for writing the song.

2/13/2008

NEW CONTRACT!

Ready to embark. Yikes!

Big news! My single title romantic suspense, PRIMAL OBSESSION, will be published later in 2008 by The Wild Rose Press.

The story was inspired by a six-day canoe and camping trip I took a few years ago in northern Maine. First you have to know I'm the ultimate wimp in the out of doors. I like to canoe but a gentle, gliding paddle on a quiet pond. This trip meant 8 to 13 miles a day every day, cooking over an open fire, and sleeping in a tent. Not my usual fare. Why did I opt to do this, you may wonder. Well, because I really wanted to see the beauty of wild Maine, I sucked it up and the dh and I signed up. A tribute to his love and patience with me that we both survived.

But you want to know about PRIMAL OBSESSION. Imagine if Lois Lane and Sam Malone met up on just such a canoe trip--except they were stalked by a serial killer. Before you ask, no, my trip did not come with serial killer.

More on another day. Watch for the cover art, coming soon, and the pub date. In the meantime, enjoy this picture from my camping trip.

2/7/2008

THE BRIT EDITION!

Deadly Memories - Mills & Boon Centennial

A few months ago, I was thrilled to learn that Deadly Memories was chosen to be published in Great Britain as part of Mills & Boon Publisher's centennial celebration. Yes, centennial. A hundred years of publishing romance! Isn't that incredible?

Mills & Boon was founded in 1908, and Harlequin in 1949. Harlequin started importing M&B medical romances in 1954. In 1972, Harlequin purchased M&B. Because the brands were so well established in the respective countries, they kept the separate names.

So why am I writing about this now? Because the books are out and M&B has a fan page on Facebook where you can go see some of the books. Here's my cover with the M&B Centennial Seal. Pretty cool, huh? And here's the link to the M&B Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mills-Boon/7769505101?ref=mf.

12/22/2007

MAGICAL NIGHT

I know it's boring to talk about the weather but I'm going to do it anyway. A little. As you can see from the picture, the Northeast is getting socked with lots of snow. We have about two feet on the ground now in a month when we rarely get more than a dusting. I took this picture when I walked the puppy yesterday through our small neighborhood. Then last night when the moon was full, I took her out for her last potty break before bed. I guess I was under the spell of the full moon because I couldn't help just walking and walking on the snowy road. My camera refuses to adjust for night pictures, so you'll have to imagine with me this same scene in moonlight and shadows. I remember a TV show called "The Magic of Oil Painting," in which the artist created a landscape from start to finish in a half hour. The feeling of walking through the moonlit landscape was magical, as if I were in one of those paintings. Music on the stereo and egg nog to drink, and I'm really in the holiday spirit.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy Festivus to all!

12/10/2007

BOOK SIGNING THOUGHTS

On Saturday last, I participated in a book signing at a craft fair to benefit the local library. I spent way more money than I made but that's all right. I now have gifts for several people.

There were six authors altogether but two had left by the time I asked someone to take the picture. From left to right, here are the authors. J.S. Borthwick writes mystery novels. She had several there to sell, including her latest, the thirteenth, INTENSIVE SCARE UNIT, inspired by a stay she had not long ago in the cardiac care unit. Next is Kate Braestrup, the author of a novel and her recent best-selling memoir titled HERE IF YOU NEED ME, in which Kate describes her work as the chaplain to the Maine Warden Service. In addition to that, she's the mother of a former student of mine and had me autograph BREAKING ALL THE RULES for her son and his fiancée. (I taught her son when he was in third grade, so it's been awhile.) After me is Rosmarie Nervelle with her first novel, THE WITCH OF BEAVER CREEK MINE, a story for middle-grade readers.

The four of us had a great time chatting and greeting people. I sold a few books, including ones to my fellow authors. The most memorable moment came when a woman "of a certain age" came by. She studied the covers of all the books closely and even flipped through a couple. When Rosemarie spoke up to say her book was for children, the woman gave a loud sniff. Then she said, "Well, I never read books. I've never read a book in my life." Then she walked away.

My first reaction was surprise, that she'd looked so carefully at all the books. Then amazement, that she'd announced her aversion to reading books so proudly. Or was it defiantly? The reading specialist in me wondered if she was one of those students who'd slipped by without learning to read. That happens much less these days that it did in her childhood, thank goodness. Maybe she reads magazines and not books. Who knows?

Whatever the reason, I'm sad for all this woman has missed by not reading books. Look at the spectrum of books just among us four authors. Think of the knowledge and entertainment. Think of the inspiration to be gained by reading. Think of the choices of reading matter out there. Fiction and nonfiction. Romance and adventure. Mystery and suspense. Science fiction and fantasy. Poetry and drama. History and travel and political science and satire. And on and on.

I'll never know the reason this woman doesn't read books. I wish I'd had the nerve to ask. And I'll always wonder.

12/6/2007

THANKFUL FOR SNOW?

Even though I live in Maine and should be used to snow, I never thought I'd be grateful for the white stuff. I'm not a skier, even cross country. I do snowshoeing occasionally but not now, while I'm still recovering from a broken ankle.

But for the snow that fell on Monday, I have to admit gratitude. One reason has to do with its beauty. Another with the puppy. And lastly with a writing breakthrough.

Sometimes here on the coast, when it snows, the storm ends with freezing rain and ice. Not this time. It was a gentle, cold snow that three days later still covers the trees and bushes with vanilla frosting. Under a blue sky, exquisite.

This is my puppy Sasha's first snowfall. She's about 15 months old, but spent last winter in New Orleans. I wondered if a Maine winter would be a shock to her. Not to worry. I suspected there was some husky mixed in with the Border collie and her exuberance about the snow proved me right. The first morning, she raced out the door and circled in the five or six inches of snow like a whirling dervish. She ran back and forth. She burrowed in the stuff. She scooped it up with her open mouth and then she sat and grinned at me as if to thank me for this great new playground--just for her. What a joy! I have her and the snow to thank for the writing breakthrough. I'd come to the end of a scene in my book and was stuck for which scene should come next and how to open it.

Time for a dog walk = time to think.

I donned the cleats that fit on the bottom of my boots and set out with Sasha for a walk in the snow. As usual, the stroll opened the creative part of my brain and eureka, I knew what I wanted to do for the scene. Writers have all sorts of tricks for unstopping a block. My walk through nature with a dog is just one of them. I know one writer who walks on the beach. Another does yoga. Yet another sets a timer to make herself stay at the computer for a set time.

But now that I've cleaned the ice crystals off Sasha and removed my coat and boots, I need to get back to the computer and write what the winter wonderland helped me conjure.

11/15/2007

COMFORT FOOD

I know the "eating season" is coming. The holidays that offer so much tempting food are nearly upon us. But I have a fall recipe I want to share that can be an every-day dessert. This is a variation on an old Shaker recipe from one of the oldest remaining Shaker ladies in the Maine community of Sabbathday Lake.

ONE-DISH APPLE PUDDING

2 eggs

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla or Shaker rose water

Dash of salt

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup finely chopped nuts (optional)

2 medium apples, peeled and finely diced (Granny Smith or other cooking apples)

Plain cream, whipped cream, or ice cream for later./p

Butter or spray with Pam a 1 1/4 casserole. Do not use a smaller dish as mixture rises. Break eggs into a bowl and beat well and then add all remaining ingredients except the cream. Pour into casserole. Bake in a 350-degree oven for approximately 35 minutes or until slightly brown and set.

Serve warm with cream or ice cream. About 4 servings.

Yummy!

11/14/2007

COUNTING DOWN

Sasha with Susan in her office

Some of you are counting down until Thanksgiving. Some are counting down until Christmas. I'm counting down until I get the air cast off my ankle on Friday. I believe it's healed and they'll give me a brace to wear inside a shoe. Hallelujah! I've been walking on the cast, with one crutch for a couple of weeks--with no pain. But I still can't drive or do much around the house. That's not all bad. No vacuuming. No yard work. No carrying laundry. And the dh has done all the grocery shopping. Plenty of time for me to write. But I'll switch all that for a healed ankle and no cast. If you have a commment, please email me.

10/31/2007

Happy All Hallows' Eve

Happy Halloween, everyone! Hope you get out to trick or treat or party on this night of ghosts and goblins.

I won't be doing either, just sitting here with my foot in a cast. But Halloween always reminds me of those trick-or-treat days when I used to dress up and go house to house. One significant year when I was a witch comes to mind. My mom didn't sew but she hand stitched two pieces of black cotton cloth together at the shoulders to make the witch dress. A belt held the rest together. I don't remember what I wore underneath. Hope it was warm. My dad helped me make a witch hat from black tagboard, you know, that lightweight cardboard used for posters.

Once I got outside in the dark--yes, back then it was safe for kids to run around at night--I kept tripping. Well, in my case, it wasn't so safe. I tripped over the guy wires that prop up small trees in people's yards. More than once. And I tripped over things I never saw once I was on the ground beside them. Must've been a new moon that night.

Finally I gave up, left my friends and went home. By then the cone had fallen off my hat forty-seven times so I was reduced to only a brim. Not very witchy.

Oh, and the significance about that year? Soon after Halloween, my parents realized I needed glasses. You think that had anything to do with my tripping a lot? Naw.

10/21/2007

CHALLENGES

If you read my previous post, you know I am sitting here with a broken ankle in an air cast. After two weeks on crutches and not being able to put weight on the right foot, I have gained much greater understanding and appreciation of what obstacles physically challenged people have to deal with every day of their lives. Many public buildings have pushplates that automatically open swinging or sliding doors. A wonderful invention I never appreciated until now. Try pulling open a heavy swinging door when you're on crutches or in a wheelchair. Then hope that as that heavy door closes, it doesn't hit you from behind and knock you over. Even if the building's entrance has a pushplate, it's unlikely the restroom door will.

Try getting up a set of stairs, where there is no ramp, which I have to do at home and when we went to friends' house for dinner. Our house is not handicapped accessible, except for one bathroom, which has a walk-in shower and a hand-held sprayer. Since I don't have the upper-body strength to hoist my whole body up stairs on crutches, I'm scooting up and down on my butt. For a few stairs, such as the ones to enter our house or our friends', the dh helps lift me one step at a time until I'm on the level. Then at our friends', I noticed all sorts of hazards we'd removed from our house. Door sills (you know, those raised wooden pieces in doorways) that add an extra bit of challenge to crutches or, I imagine, a wheelchair. Small area rugs that could catch a crutch tip or slide.

And these are just the few I've noticed in my limited experience. A little digging online and I found a raft of other difficulties, such as finding public transportation that is handicapped accessible. Apparently the wait time for a taxi that's a van is longer than the wait time for any old taxi. And I never thought about hotel rooms, but small bathrooms and furniture in the way would present problems.

One funny story about my personal experience. Saturday I needed to go to my RWA chapter meeting in another town and the dh was going to drive me. Instead of waiting for him to lift me down the outside steps to the walk, I decided to scoot out and down on my butt. It had rained the night before but the outside steps were dry, so off I went. Unfortunately, the doormat was soaking wet. I yelped at the cold wet sensation. By the time I could scoot off to the dry step, the back of my jeans was soaked. No time to go back in and change, so off we went. I don't know if anyone noticed the wet patch on my butt but no one said a word. If they noticed, you know what they were thinking....

10/11/2007

Columbus Wrong Turn

Great Moose Lake from Devils Head

The dh, the dog and I went to Great Moose Lake in northern Maine last weekend for a leaf-peeping getaway. We live on the coast of Maine, where the color isn't that great, with all the evergreens. So it's nice to rent a cabin inland on Columbus Day weekend. I planned to blog about the nature experience and how it energized me for writing. But...well, you'll see.

The cabin was lovely, looking right out on the lake, and the weather was warm enough to swim. The canoe rides were glorious--reds and rusts and yellows all around us as we paddled along. Puppy Sasha didn't even wiggle too much and turn us over. No, that's not the wrong turn.

There wasn't anywhere for a real hike, so we drove around to see the small towns we only hear about in the news when there's a moose running amok down Main Street or when there's a dispute about solid waste or a house fire. Even did a little antiquing. I picked up a couple of new Wades for my collection. The dh did buy an old pocket watch that stopped running the next day. But no, that's not the wrong turn either.

Then we found a dirt road that purported to lead up to Devils Head (great name) where we could view the lake from above. Good thing we had four-wheel drive. Up and up we went past hunting camps with manly names like Six-Pack and faux Native-American names with obscenities embedded. I began to get the feeling we'd tumbled into Deliverance country, especially when the road dead-ended at a compound of three houses. The dh got out to talk to the man who came out of one house but then he came back to tell me we could come in and see the view from there. And man, what a view. A spectacular panorama of Great Moose Lake and the mountains beyond. So that wasn't the wrong turn either.

I've teased you enough. Here goes. When we returned from our drive, we set out to give the pup a real walk. Not fifty feet from the cabin, my right ankle turned. I heard it snap as I went down like a sack of rocks. Yup, that was the wrong turn. I hobbled back to the cabin while the dh walked Sasha. After ice, some ibuprofen and lots of red wine, I felt better. At least numb. To shorten this already too long story, when I got back home and went to the ER, I found out I'd broken the darn thing. A hairline fracture, the X-ray showed. So here I sit at the computer with my leg propped up on a bunch of pillows. Four weeks or more with an air cast and crutches and then maybe physical therapy.

Columbus, I'll get you for this.

Oh, but wait, how can I as a writer not use this experience? The pain, the tumble. And the inconvenience and pain of getting around on crutches. Maybe my next heroine has a broken ankle. And the hero has to take care of her, reluctantly, of course. Hmm....

9/19/2007

REFILLING THE WELL

Susan and Judi at Workshop

With another Maine RWA member, Judi Phillips, our president, I attended a terrific workshop this past weekend. We drove to Connecticut to a day's classes taught by award-winning author Alicia Rasley. The Charter Oak RWA chapter was very welcoming and fun to be with. Alicia is a wonderful teacher, giving us new insight and inspiration in her sessions on scenes, emotion, theme, and voice.

Don't those topics just sound dry and brain-numbing? Not the way Alicia teaches. Her explanations and examples are so clear and concrete, even entertaining. With the use of a projector and her laptop, she showed great examples from movies like Casablanca, Love Actually, and Frequency.

I came back with fresh ideas for improving the dialogue and emotion in my latest projects. Those of you who are writers, if you ever have a chance to attend workshops conducted by Alicia Rasley, run don't walk to sign up.

Now back to the WIP.

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8/31/2007

Creeping Monster in the Garden

If you have a veggie garden, I'll bet you have the same monster I do. Right, it's zucchini. I have one plant, only one, because I knew how prolific the buggers are. Even with one, no way can I keep up with the dark green veggies before they become baseball bat size monsters. We've had more zucchini casseroles than I care to mention

However, I do have a new zucchini recipe to share that's a little different. I chose it because the dh loves olives.

I adapted this recipe a little from one in Bon Appetit magazine.

Sauteed Zucchini

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds zucchini, quartered and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices

2 large garlic cloves, sliced

2 cups small cherry tomatoes, halved, or 1 can chopped tomatoes

1/3 cup halved pitted Kalamata olives

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini and garlic. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Saute until zucchini is just tender, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and olives. Saute until fresh tomatoes just begin to soften, about 2 minutes. If you use canned tomatoes, saute until heated through. Mix in basil and vinegar. Season veggies to taste with salt and pepper. Serves 6.

If you don't have enough zucchini to make this recipe, I know where you can pick some up for free.

8/23/2007

Brainstorming

I haven't been posting because I've been writing madly on my book about returning the Maya artifact. I'm also starting to plot a new book as a result of two things. One, readers have been asking for Matt Leoni's story. Matt was introduced in DEADLY MEMORIESas a secondary character. So instead of leaving my ATSA series behind, I decided to see what I could do for Matt, a quirky hero who I agree needs a story. Every summer, a group of us romance writers in Maine get together to brainstorm each other's stories. We meet at one member's camp--in Maine, vacation cottages or cabins are called camps--so we can enjoy the scenery and indulge in boat rides and swimming between work sessions. Not to mention lots of chocolate and other yummy food. Sounds rough, right? LOL. In addition to brainstorming Matt's story, my group thought up ideas for other people's books--a time travel, a historical novel, and a contemporary romance. Amazing how your brain can feel shut down one minute but as soon as ideas begin generating, the flow is contagious. I came away feeling creative and energized, with lots of ways to go with Matt's story. As soon as I can finish the Maya artifact story, I'll start.

8/8/2007

INTERVIEW WITH DIANE AMOS

My interviews have been popular with visitors so here's another. This time my victim is a fellow Maine author and member of the Maine Romance Writers, Diane Amos. Diane is a Golden Heart finalist and award-winning author. She has released five novels from Five Star and Silhouette, including GETTING PERSONAL, A LONG WALK HOME, and OUTLAW HEARTS (8/07). Diane, also an established artist, lives north of Portland, Maine, with her real-life hero. She and her husband have two grown sons. Her website is www.dianeamos.com.

1.Your new book, OUTLAW HEARTS, is very different from your other published books. What is it about?

OUTLAW HEARTS is a Western romance. As a child in nineteenth-century England, Rebekah discovered half of a medallion with strange markings inside her doll, sent to her from her missionary parents in America. Years later, Rebekah travels to America and discovers the other half of the medallion hanging around the neck of the hero, who has been wrongly sentenced to hang for murder. As they run from the law and the real murderer, they struggle to prove Zachariah's innocence while trying to figure out the inscriptions on the medallion. Is the medallion a map to hidden treasure or a message from Rebekah's decreased parents? As the mystery unravels, Rebekah is shocked to learn the medallion's secret, a link to her past that will forever change her life.

2.You've written historical romances, chicklit, and women's fiction. What is the hardest part of writing such variety? What is the easiest?

I'm an avid reader of all genres so that may be why I don't find it hard to write different genres. The rules that apply to writing a good novel apply to all genres.

3.Do you have a favorite locale for your novels? If so, what is it and why?

I love writing books set in New England, especially Maine. Since I live in Maine, I know the location and I'm a little too familiar with the weather! There's no research to do, and I'm okay with that. Plus, I think readers enjoy Maine books.

4.Which of the books you've written is your favorite and why?

My favorite book is usually the one I'm working on at the moment. People still ask me about Monique the heroine in GETTING PERSONAL and MIXED BLESSINGS. I enjoyed writing that heroine the most. However, there's a special place in my heart for A LONG WALK HOME. The ending of OUTLAW HEARTS is one of my favorites and one few readers will be able to guess—that's a challenge!

5.How do you keep track of your story--note cards, lists, outline, etc?

I try to keep a file for my characters, but I rarely remember to enter the information. To keep me on track, after I've written the first three chapters, I write a synopsis. As I near the end of the manuscript, I jot down a phrase for upcoming scenes on note cards to remind me what threads still need to be woven together.

6.You're ready to begin a new project. What's the first thing you do? Character bios? Plot and plan? Or just jump in and let the muse take you?

Sometimes a simple idea springs into my mind. At other times, it's a situation or a character that captures my attention. I jump right in and write at least three chapters. Then I go back and make sure I have GMC (goal, motivation and conflict), a strong mid-point and a black moment.

7.How did you get into writing? What is your background?

Until the birth of my second son, I was a positioning instructor for a school of radiology in Southern Maine. I now operate an art studio in my home. You can check out examples of my watercolors on my website: www.dianeamos.com. One of my art students belonged to RWA and invited me to attend a meeting of the Maine chapter. I was hooked.

8.What are your new projects? What can readers look forward to from Diane Amos?

Unfortunately, that's up the editors in NY. I'm presently working on two women's fiction series that deal with slightly older women. At the other end of the spectrum, I'm also writing a young adult series. Plus I have a couple historical romances on editors' desks that I'd love to see in print. What's next? Your guess is as good as mine!!!

9.What is the best piece of advice you can offer to writers who are working toward publication?

My advice would be to never give up. No one knows how close they are to receiving "the call." It's easy to get discouraged because publishing can be a frustrating business. The only sure thing is that if you stop writing, you won't sell.

10.And lastly, the blog fairy is granting you three wishes. If you could have anything or do anything you wanted, what would they be?

Since I married the love of my life, and all the wishes in the world won't ensure world peace, I'm going to choose shallow, materialistic things.

1. A successful writing career managed by a great agent.

3. Last and certainly not least, a gigantic barrel of red gumdrops!

Thanks, Diane, for such great answers. I can't wait to read OUTLAW HEARTS!

8/1/2007

GARDENING IN MAINE

I don't know whether it's climate change or all the rain we had this spring and summer, but everything here is green and growing. Including the lawn. By now we normally don't have to mow the grass more than once a week. This July we stayed in June mode, with mowing every 4 or 5 days. And the garden is producing more than the two of us can keep up with. That means weeds too. Broccoli, lettuce, zucchini--let me know if you need any. And the bumper crop of raspberries is amazing. All the neighbors have been invited to pick berries. For the first time, Japanese beetles have invaded and nibbled on the berry and grape leaves. We put out a beetle trap--an amazing contraption with a sexy lure. I picture horny little beetles zooming in for love and finding they're in the bag. Luckily they didn't discover the roses before we put out the trap.

Gotta go pick some more produce. Maybe I should set up my laptop at a produce stand out by the highway. Not.

7/28/2007

CONTEST EXCITEMENT

Coba, Temple of Commerce

Whoohoo! My entry in the PASIC Book of Your Heart contest is a finalist. Some of you may remember me blogging about my trip to Mexico and doing research on the ancient Maya for a book. That's the book! I entered the first 25 pages of ON SHAKY GROUND. Max and Kate are trekking through the jungle to return a Mayan artifact with a curse to its temple to stop an earthquake before the bad guys can take it from them or kill them. Now the finalists go to an editor for final judging. Yikes. Mine and the other single title finalists go to Leah Hultenschmidt at Dorchester Books.

My fingers and toes are crossed.

The Temple of Commerce you see in the picture is shaped like a beehive because the principal trading product the Coba Mayans had was honey. I think that is so cool!

7/24/2007

DOG ROMP CLASS

Sasha, down! Yes!

Last night was Sasha Puppy's first Dog Romp class. The pups are to learn manners and have fun with agility. What a hoot!

There were ten dogs, mostly puppies, and their owners. Naturally, Sasha was the best-behaved dog there. I'm not making this up. Promise. And the trainer agreed with us that she has a lot of Border collie in her and a lot of many other breeds as well, but mostly Border collie.

We were on the floor of what is an ice rink in winter. Chairs in a circle and pups on leash. Pups ranged from a tiny terrier mix to a year-old yellow Lab mix. The cutest (other than Sasha) was a four-month-old collie puppy who just wanted to play with the other dogs. The worst behaved was a puggle, a pug-beagle cross. It barked nearly the whole time. A yappy-howl bark that echoed in the cavernous ice rink building. Yikes. Finally the trainer demonstrated how to work with the puggle and set the owner to practicing. Things quieted some after that.

The trainer demonstrated and we practiced Sit, Down and Watch Me, using little treats we had in our pockets as rewards. Sasha already knew those commands, but it was a good test that she'd do them with so many distractions.

Next to us was another southern dog, a short-haired Border-collie mix rescue from Mississippi. Belle and Sasha kept eyeing each other, typical Border-collie behavior, and would've loved a romp together.

Next week there'll be more time for agility. We saw the equipment--a tunnel, barriers, and ramps--but had no time this week.

Sasha seemed to have fun, but was worn out and slept in the car on the way home. As the saying goes, a tired dog is a good dog.

7/19/2007

NORTH ATLANTIC BLUES FESTIVAL

BLUES GUITAR WOMEN

Last weekend carried on the fun with the North Atlantic Blues Festival. The dh and I attend every year because how else can you see such great performers in one venue? Especially on the coast of Maine. This year's show was no exception.

On Saturday, the women rocked big time under a cloudless sky and perfect summer temps. First the Detroit Women, seven gals from the Motor City, belted out some old favorites and some of their new tunes. Later, the ones I was waiting for, came the Blues Guitar Women--Sue Foley, Deborah Coleman, and Roxanne Potvin. A producer put these talented gals together for an album and they've been touring together since. Each one is a great singer and guitarist. They blew the crowd away, me included.

The men were great, too. There was a Piano Blowout, with three boogie-woogie musicians. Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King mixed their heavy rock and jazz styles and had us dancing by our chairs. The headliner was Bernard Allison, youngest son of Luther. His heavier metal, Jimi Hendrix style isn't my thing, but the dh loved it.

But the ladies ruled the day! You go, girls!

I didn't attend Sunday's performances. A friend walked the puppy on Saturday but we didn't want to leave her two full days. Just as well. On Sunday afternoon, it clouded up and stormed--thunder and lightning. The dh came home early.

7/17/2007

SCHOONER FEST

Schooner Sailing by Rockland Light

On Friday the dh and I went out on our small (19 foot) sailboat, the IRIS. He's the captain. Being a landlubber from West Virginia, I just do what I'm told. I know how to put up the jib (the triangular sail in the bow) and "come about," that is, change directions. I can even handle the rudder in a calm, even breeze. Friday's was not a calm, even breeze. Tricky winds kicked up the harbor and outside, so we got a tad bit wet. Not bad but not an easy sail.

But that's not what I'm writing about. The reason for that particular outing was to get an up-close and personal look at the schooner fleet. The schooners that do windjammer cruises in the area all were due to parade by the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse that afternoon. We tacked back and forth several times and so did they, so I got some awesome shots. I also got some odd ones of my feet and water sloshing up over the rail, but never mind.

7/15/2007

DAPHNE AWARDS

The Romance Writers of America Conference has come and gone and with it all the awards. The Mystery and Suspense Chapter's Daphne du Maurier Award did not go to my book BREAKING ALL THE RULES. Sob. Sob.

BUT!

Two of my fellow nominees whom I interviewed here did win!

Ann Voss Peterson won in the Long Contemporary category for her nailbitingly tense story VOW TO PROTECT. This was her third nomination for the award, so Ann was due. No, overdue to win. Congratulations, buddy.

Roxanne St. Claire won in the Single Title category for THRILL ME TO DEATH, her sexy and suspenseful entry. Rocki also won a RITA, RWA's top national award, for her novella, "Tis the Silly Season," in A NASCAR HOLIDAY. You cleaned up, girl!

So ends my soujourn with the Daphne. For this year. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists. We're all winners in this prestigious contest!

7/13/2007

CONCLUSION OF INTERVIEW WITH GAIL RANSTROM

Here is the last part of my interview with fellow Daphne finalist, Gail Ranstrom. Two of Gail's books are Daphne finalists, so we'll learn more about the other one today. The first part was posted on July 10.

6.You're ready to begin a new project. What's the first thing you do? Character bios? Plot and plan? Or just jump in and let the muse take you?

I generally have the kernel of an idea for the next story before I finish the previous book, either with an existing character or situation. One or the other usually becomes quite interesting to me before I have finished the current story. I may not know the character well, but something in their behavior or something they have said leads me in a direction I’d like to explore. Then I ‘see’ them in a single scene that inspires me. Sometimes that scene is at the beginning, sometimes in the middle, but occasionally (rarely), it is the last scene or dénouement. I have a rough idea of what has to happen to lead the characters to that scene, and then I jump in. For instance, in INDISCRETIONS, my other book that is nominated for the Daphne, a secondary character from THE COURTESAN’S COURTSHIP became quite vivid to me, and I realized he wasn’t at all what he seemed—a respectable member of society. I wanted to explore that, and how such a man could lead a double life and what the cost to his soul must be. Thus, another book was born. The process hasn’t failed me yet, and I’ve learned not to question my muse.

7.How did you get into writing? Why historical romances, not contemporary or paranormal, for instance?

I grew up reading and adoring historical romance. Laurie McBain, Roberta Gellis, Kathleen Woodiwiss and Johanna Lindsey were my favorites. They couldn’t write fast enough so I just had to read everything again and again. My favorite contemporaries were written by Agatha Christie, so I suppose it was natural that when I started writing, I blended mystery/suspense with romance. The historical period was more intriguing to me, more romantic. We often think of their lives being so much less complicate and simpler than ours, but the opposite is true. Social mores were more rigid and the consequences of straying to the side or crossing the line were dire, and that provides instant tension and conflict.

8.What are your new projects? What can readers look forward to from Gail Ranstrom?

LORD LIBERTINE will be released in October this year. It is a very dark story with elements borrowed from the Hellfire Club of previous years. I am currently writing a story about a character from that book—working title, DEVLIN’S GAME, but who knows what it will be by the time I’m finished. All my stories are loosely connected, featuring characters from previous stories, delving into my favorite themes—the thin line between justice and revenge, the individual pursuit of justice, and even the ambiguity between treason and patriotism. There are so few ‘absolutes’ in those two subjects and that makes them interesting to me.

9.What advice can you offer to writers who are working toward publication?

Persevere! You won’t get published if you give up. Surround yourself with those who share your journey—other writers, critique groups, RWA chapters and workshops wherever you can find them. They will be your core group in the years to come, and the only ones who will truly understand what it’s like to sit at a computer and bleed onto a page. They will support you through rejections, bad reviews and writer’s block and they will help you celebrate each book as it’s completed, every good review and every validation of your talent.

10.And lastly, the blog fairy is granting you three wishes. If you could have anything or do anything you wanted, what would they be?

World peace, the end of hunger, justice for all? Travel, good friends and good wine? An endless supply of chocolate, money and men? Or Bestseller-dom, fame and fortune? So hard to choose.... I’d settle for any of them.

It was fun for me, too, Gail. Best of luck to us both in the Daphne, though I think the awards were last night. I have heard nothing yet, so I didn't win, but I hope you did.

This concludes my series of interview for now. I'll have new posts next week on new subjects. If readers enjoyed these interviews, let me know and I'll work up some new ones. Any suggestions?

7/10/2007

Interview with Gail Ranstrom

My last interview for a while is with Gail Ranstrom, another Daphne-nominated author. Gail writes historical romances for Harlequin Historicals. A lifelong love of words and reading led her to a wide range of careers--inventory clerk, advertising account coordinator, and antique business partner, to name a few. She can get lost completely in the past and loves traveling in the United Kingdom. Critiques have raved about her books as "suspenseful," with "strong and likeable characters," "hard to put down," and the best of all, "keeper." Gail's Daphne-nominated book is THE COURTESAN'S COURTSHIP.

1.Romantic Times Book Review Magazine gave THE COURTESAN'S COURTSHIP a glowing review, calling it "a tale of murder and danger, of a man afraid to love and the woman who shows him how." Just reading the review gives me chills. I admit I haven't read the book. Would you describe a little of what it's about?

Dianthe Lovejoy, a prim society miss, is found bending over the body of a dead courtesan and is accused of the crime. She goes into hiding before she can be arrested. She knows that the authorities believe she is guilty and will look no further than her door, so she will have to investigate the crime herself and find the true killer. Alone, with limited resources, Dianthe has no choice but to accept the shelter of her enemy, notorious rake and gambler, Lord Geoffrey Morgan.

2.Your hero is a nobleman and a notorious rake and gambler. Yet he's the one to whom the heroine must turn. How did you manage to redeem this clearly flawed and troubled man to become a true romantic hero?

Geoffrey Morgan, who first appeared in A WILD JUSTICE, was commitment phobic. His former neglect resulted in the death of the woman he loved. Now, he does not want deep relationships and avoids them at all costs. He isn’t just afraid of being hurt—he is afraid he will fail in all the things that make a man a good mate. He helps Dianthe, but only under protest and because he owes her cousin-in-law a debt of honor. He only means to give her shelter, but finds himself drawn more deeply into her problem and assisting her in her quest for justice. In telling himself that he is only trying to teach Dianthe to protect herself, he allows himself to grow closer to her than he ever intended. Once that barrier is breached, there is no going back for either of them.

3.You've written many historical romances for Harlequin Historical. What particular heroes and heroines in your books are your favorites? Which one was the most difficult to write?

I’m rather fond of Rob McHugh in THE RAKE’S REVENGE. He was my first really dark hero, and a struggle to write and redeem. Since then, I have enjoyed the challenge of writing alpha heroes with just the right touch of vulnerability As for a heroine, I think Isabella O’Rourke in LORD LIBERTINE (which won’t be released until October this year) is, so far, both my favorite and most difficult heroine. She is driven by guilt and a deathbed promise to find her sister’s killer, and the only course of action open to her is one she loathes. The stakes are as high as the danger, but duty drives her and nearly destroys her chance for happiness.

4.What in your opinion is the hardest part of writing historical romance stories? What is the easiest?

I think most historical writers would say the hardest part is the research, and I would agree. Getting everything ‘right’ is a monumental challenge, but we keep trying. Perhaps equally difficult is the challenge of writing a heroine true to her times yet sympathetic to modern readers. But women have always had their little ways of subverting the status quo. I cannot believe that there were not ways around the strictures of society if one were willing to suffer the consequences. And some of my heroines do pay the price.

5.How do you keep track of your story--note cards, lists, outline, etc?

I’m a pantzer, so I use a spiral notebook! Bless Mead and the Five Star 2 subject notebook. I use it all—every last page. In the first half, I make notes on characters, scene ideas, my list of 25 Things That Could Happen, and research on specific items pertaining to that particular story. In the middle pocket, I keep pictures I’ve torn out of magazines, etc. of photos that look like my characters, maps, and any tidbits I’ve found that pertain to the time or subject matter. In the second half, I keep a chapter by chapter log of the story as I write it. Sometimes I fill it in as I go along, and sometimes I may actually plot a chapter or two in advance – generally one page per chapter with just a couple of lines for each scene on what I want to accomplish in that scene. I use the rest of that section to keep notes of loose ends to tie up, and occasionally several paragraphs or tiny sections of handwritten scenes that contain elements that I need the characters to say, do or think. Then, because my stories tend to take place in a fairly short time frame, I use a calendar page to keep track of the events and the references to when something took place. Was it Tuesday or Wednesday when she went to the milliner and overheard that gossip? I just check the calendar and don’t have to wade back through the manuscript to verify.

I love the idea of a calendar page, Gail. I'll have to add that one to my set of plotting sheets. I admit to being more of a plotter than a pantser.

More of this interview with Gail Ranstrom will be posted in a few days. In the meantime, check out Gail's website at www.GailRanstrom.com.

7/7/2007

MORE OF INTERVIEW WITH JENNA BLACK

Jenna Black's Latest Release

Here's the continuation of my interview with paranormal author Jenna Black. The first part of the interview was posted on July 3.

6.Jenna, you're ready to begin a new project. What's the first thing you do? Character bios? Plot and plan? Or just jump in and let the muse take you?

I’m a bit of a hybrid between a plotter and a pantser. I started out as a pure pantser, and I never believed I could write a synopsis before writing a book. Then I went to a writing workshop where I HAD to write a synopsis for a book I hadn’t written yet. I discovered that when push came to shove, I actually could do it. I then took to writing a synopsis before every book, even though I knew that I’d veer away from it by the end.

7.How did you get into writing? What is your background?

I wrote my first book when I was in fifth grade. It was an autobiography. It’s written in pencil, with crayon illustrations and a construction paper cover. So I’ve pretty much been writing forever. I wrote my first novel my senior year of high school for my English class on creative writing. (Actually, it was really a novella, but I considered it a novel at that time.) I then wrote my first real, full-length novel in college. In college, I majored in anthropology and French. My intention was to get a PhD in physical anthropology and become the next Jane Goodall. Obviously, my career and my ambitions ended up taking a different path.

8.What are your new projects? What can readers look forward to from Jenna Black?

I’ve got two more books in my Guardians of the Night series coming out in the next year. SHADOWS ON THE SOUL comes out in August, and HUNGERS OF THE HEART comes out in May 2008. The first book in my urban fantasy series, THE DEVIL INSIDE, comes out in December. While this one is not a romance, there is a strong romantic element, so it should appeal to paranormal romance readers—especially if they like their books spicy hot. I’ve also got a second book, THE DEVIL YOU KNOW, in that series coming out in summer of 2008.

9. Wow, both sound really exciting. You worked long and hard to be published, now you have two series. Very impressive. What advice can you offer to writers who are working toward publication?

Don’t give up! The process of trying to get published is grueling, frustrating, and often highly discouraging. But if being a published author is your dream, hold on to that dream and work as hard as you can to make it come true. No matter how good you are now, you can get better. The better you get, the better your chances of selling. WATCHERS IN THE NIGHT, my “first” book, was actually the 18th novel I completed in my 16-year quest for publication. For most, the path to publication is a marathon, not a sprint. So build up your endurance and be ready to stay with it for the long haul.

10.And lastly, the blog fairy is granting you three wishes. If you could have anything or do anything you wanted, what would they be?

This is actually a hard question for me to answer. I’m not a very materialistic person, so I can’t think of anything major I’d actually want to have that I don’t have right now (or couldn’t get). I’ve got a great house, great husband, great dogs, and a fabulous home office. These are the things that are really important to me. I’ve also had a very adventurous life, so I’ve managed to do most of the things I’ve really wanted to do (which tended to be travel-related). So that leaves me with somewhat mundane wishes:

1)To have an NYT bestseller (what writer doesn’t hope for that?)

Many thanks for your insightful answers, Jenna. And best of luck with the two series. The blog fairy sees great things in store for your future.

One more interview next week. So stay tuned!

7/3/2007

INTERVIEW WITH JENNA BLACK

My next Daphne nominee interview is Jenna Black. Her Daphne book is a paranormal romance, WATCHERS IN THE NIGHT, and a delicious, spine-tingling read.

Jenna Black is your typical writer. Which means she's an "experience junkie." She got her BA in physical anthropology and French from Duke University. Once upon a time, she dreamed she would be the next Jane Goodall, camping in the bush making fabulous discoveries about primate behavior. Then, during her senior year at Duke, she did some actual research in the field and made this shocking discovery: primates spend something like 80% of their time doing such exciting things as sleeping and eating. Concluding that this discovery was her life's work in the field of primatology, she then moved on to such varied pastimes as grooming dogs and writing technical documentation. She writes paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Her website can be found at http://www.jennablack.com.

1.WATCHERS IN THE NIGHT is the first in a paranormal series about the Guardians of the Night. Would you tell us a little about what the Guardians are and how you created this series?

I have always been drawn to characters who are not painted in black and white. I like flawed heroes and sympathetic villains. That was the impetus behind the world I built for my Guardians of the Night. I wanted to have vampires be the good guys, but I wanted there to be very little separating the good guys from the bad guys. And so I created a world where the kill is an addiction. There are vampires who live on animal blood and don’t kill humans (the Guardians), and then there are vampires who have succumbed to the addiction and have to kill to stay alive. The Guardians are always tempted by the kill—especially since Killers are more powerful, both physically and psychically—and sometimes the Killers become addicted only because they don’t know they have a choice. It’s a world that lets me have just the kind of heroes and villains I enjoy writing. (Though I manage to have some unequivocally evil villains as well.)

2.Gray James is a strong, sexy hero-vampire. A love relationship with a mortal woman seems very tricky for a writer to manage--and for a vampire to manage. What problems did you run into and how did you deal with them?

The biggest problem I had was in figuring out how to reveal the truth of his “condition” to Carolyn, the heroine. I generally find myself disliking this kind of scene in paranormal romances. I often find that the person who’s discovering the paranormal world is ridiculously dense, refusing to believe what is before his or her eyes. On the one hand, I understand that a lot of people would be flabbergasted when faced with the idea that vampires exist; on the other hand, I’m tired of reading about their shock and amazement. I solved it to my satisfaction by having Carolyn pretty much figure it out on her own. I still had to give her some difficulty in believing, but I didn’t drag it out for very long, and I shoved plenty of incontrovertible proof in her face.

3.I know I've asked this before but for everyone, what is urban fantasy? And tell a little about your urban fantasy books.

The term “urban fantasy” is usually used these days to describe books that are told from a first-person (usually female) point of view and are set in a modern-day world that is just like our own—only with a paranormal/fantasy twist. There’s a very definite voice associated with these kind of stories, and they’re usually full of wit and sarcasm, even though the stories themselves are deadly serious.

4.What in your opinion is the hardest part of writing paranormal stories? What is the easiest?

The hardest part—especially when you’re writing a series—is the world-building. Not only do you have to create all the rules for your world, but you have to stick to them. Unless you’re the most incredible plotter in the world, you don’t necessarily know where you’re going to want the series to go in, say, three or four books. Every decision you make about your world will have repercussions later down the road, and sometimes you find that you’ve shackled yourself to an idea you wish you could get rid of. For me, it means that every time I make a decision about my worlds, I agonize over how that decision might affect future books. Will it put me in some kind of bind? Restrict my freedom? Of course, there’s no way of knowing for sure.

5.How do you keep track of your story--note cards, lists, outline, etc?

I must admit, I’m not terribly organized about this. Mostly, I do it all in my head, but occasionally I’ll scribble notes. I’ve taken to keeping a notebook near my computer so that I can write down the timeline for my book. But, as my copyeditor discovered on my last book, I don’t always remember to write down every important detail. I actually skipped two whole days in my timeline, and I didn’t even notice it when I was proofreading. (It’s amazing how hard it is to keep track of how many days go by in the story! At least for me.) Good thing I had a great copyeditor and she caught my mistake!

That's it for today. I'll post more of Jenna Black's interview later in the week. All you USA folks, have a wonderful Independence Day! And a belated Happy Canada Day to my Canadian friends and readers!

7/2/2007

SASHA-PUPPY

SASHA-PUPPY

In Janet Evanovich's latest newsletter, she has a column devoted to her dog Barnaby's summer plans. Here's my version.

SASHA-PUPPY'S SUMMER PLANS

1. Go for walks.

2. Chase squirrels in the woods.

3. Sleep beside Mumma while she writes.

4. Go for rides.

5. Learn manners at Dog Romp Class.

6/28/2007

INTERVIEW - PART 2 - NINA BRUHNS

Here is the rest of my interview with best-selling Silhouette author Nina Bruhns. For the first part, go to the June 26 entry. Now for the Q&A.

6.You're ready to begin a new project. What's the first thing you do? Character bios? Plot and plan? Or just jump in and let the muse take you?

First I need an inciting vision . In other words, that all-important kernel of Story that has intrigued me to the point that it won’t leave me alone. I’ve found that’s often a visual of the opening scene. Something quirky or wildly incongruous or shocking. Then I figure out who the character is and why they’re doing this outrageous thing. And who would be the perfect person to foil them. Then I start writing. After finishing the first 2 or 3 chapters, I go back and do the chapter by chapter outline and character chart (tho sometimes I do the character chart before starting to write...it just depends). Unfortunately, sometimes one has to write a synopsis in order to sell a book. :D I hate doing that. Because I know it’s going to change completely before the book is done. Luckily editors tend to expect that, so I don’t worry overly much about what I put in the synopsis, as long as it sounds great .

7.How did you get into writing? What is your background?

LOL! Well, I’m actually an archaeologist. Egyptologist to be exact. But the job market for Egyptologists is even more dismal than for writers ... So when I got married and started having kids I looked around for something else, that I could do at home. I’d always wanted to write mysteries, so I figured that was the time to give it a try.

8.What would you like to say about your next releases, the books we can look for in September and October?

Well, as I mentioned in #1, my Sept 07 SRS release is TOP-SECRET BRIDE. The hero works for a secret international investigative firm, the Lazlo Group, and the heroine works for British MI6. It’s a page-turning spy thriller, in the vein of ENEMY HUSBAND. The excitement starts in chapter one and doesn’t let up :D. It was great fun to write.

Both books sound really exciting. I'll be sure to pick both up as soon as they appear because I'm sure they'll fly off the shelves.

9. What advice can you offer to writers who are working toward publication?

There is really only one piece of advice that an aspiring author needs to follow. That is: write every day. If you do that, everything else will fall into place.

10.And lastly, the blog fairy is granting you three wishes. If you could have anything or do anything you wanted (not necessarily about writing), what would they be?

Okay that’s easy! 1) two million dollars (hey, inflation!), 2) #1 on the NY Times bestseller list, and 3) my kids to start behaving like angels. :D

Thank YOU, Nina, for a terrific interview. And the same good luck to you in Dallas. I'll be pulling for you with the RITA but not the Daphne ;-).

6/26/2007

INTERVIEW WITH NINA BRUHNS

Here is another in my series of interviews with fellow Daphne Award nominees. Nina Bruhns is the best-selling author of many Silhouette books, including Silhouette Intimate Moments/Romantic Suspense and Silhouette Nocturne. Writing as Nikita Black, she has also written three erotic romances. Although Nina is a full-time writer now, she has held many different jobs and traveled the world. She lives with her husband and children in Charleston, SC. A previous Golden Heart finalist, Nina's books have won myriad awards, including the Daphne (twice!), Romantic Times Book Review Magazine's Reviewer's Choice Award, and the Dorothy Parker Award. In 2007 ENEMY HUSBAND is a finalist for the RITA Award, Romance Writers of America's most prestigious award. Her Daphne nominated book is ROYAL BETRAYAL. In addition to all those honors, she's a witty and generous person and a good friend.

Here's Nina!

1.I read and loved your RITA-nominated book ENEMY HUSBAND, but I have to admit I haven't read your Daphne book, ROYAL BETRAYAL. What is that book about and what did you especially love about writing it?

ROYAL BETRAYAL is part of a Silhouette Intimate Moments (now Silhouette Romantic Suspense) continuity (see #2) called CAPTURING THE CROWN, so it wasn’t really my original invention. Sometimes it’s a challenge to take someone else’s vision and make it your own. I won’t say I actually love doing that ...but it’s always interesting. And I think I ended up with characters who were “mine” and I was very happy with that. But what I especially loved about this one was working with the 5 authors who wrote the other books in the series. In fact, we enjoyed working with each other so much that we came up with another, spin-off series called MISSION: IMPASSIONED! which kicks off next month (July 07)! There are repeat characters in every book from the first series. My book in that series is TOP-SECRET BRIDE.

2.In a continuity series, like the one ROYAL BETRAYAL is part of, the books are penned by different authors. Would you talk a little about what it's like to participate in a publisher-generated series?

I absolutely loved working with the 5 other ladies in the series (see the CAPTURING THE CROWN webpage for details!). What happens is that your editor calls and asks you if you are interested in doing XYZ continuity, so it’s your choice to accept or not. If you say yes, you are told who the other authors are, and are given what’s known as the “bible,” which is essentially a catalogue of the setting, the characters, their backgrounds, the mystery set-up, the continuing suspense plot, and some of the individual threads in the books (just like for a TV series). Then you take those basic elements and come up with your own individual story to fit them. Generally you have to invent an additional mystery that you can actually “solve” in your individual book, or the readers will feel cheated. But the larger, overriding suspense thread continues from book to book, with parts of it exposed, developed and solved along the way. It can be very complex to work with 5 other authors to make sure everything fits together, and all ongoing elements are consistent. It’s both what makes it fun, and what can make it frustrating! Luckily, we were all so into the series, it went like clockwork :D.

3.Your books for Silhouette are very sensual and sexy but you also write erotica under the pen name Nikita Black. Erotica is very hot these days (pun intended) but you were an early author of this type of book. Why erotica? And what is the difference in the sensuality in your Silhouettes and your eroticas?

Hmm. Well, I actually started writing erotic romance (and there is a difference between erotic romance, sensual romance, and erotica) because I couldn’t do everything I wanted to do in my Silhouettes. After all, it’s category!!! To be fair, I have to say that Intimate Moments (now called Romantic Suspense) was and continues to be very, very open to ultra-sensual stories. However, there are certain guidelines that you must follow, and they only go so far . I have had handcuffs and mild bondage and even a spank or two in my Silhouettes, but it’s always in the spirit of having fun. :D I mean the characters. But as an author, I wanted to go further than that. Sexuality is often a very dark, forbidden part of one’s psyche, and I wanted to explore that. Partly, I wanted to help show everyday women that we all have fantasies, and that no matter what those fantasies involve, even if it’s terribly politically incorrect, it’s OKAY. They’re just fantasies! A woman should not feel guilty for having certain ideas turn them on, like rape fantasies or multiple partner fantasies, or anything else. It’s not like that means you really want to go out and do these things or have them happen to you in real life! Reading (or writing) of those adventures between the pages of a book is the very safest way to enjoy them. The other reason is because I wanted to explore the dark nature of some relationships between men and women, and the part sex plays in them. I find that very compelling. I really wish I had more time to write Nikita books. I’d love to do more of them. But unfortunately, they’re too dark and edgy for NY publishers, so right now I can only do them in-between books that actually pay the bills (well, some of them anyway!.

4.What in your opinion is the hardest part of writing romantic suspense stories? What is the easiest?

For me, hands down, the hardest part of writing RS is plotting the suspense. Argh, that is SO hard! I can plot the romance fairly easily. But my way of writing suspense is to come up with a basic premise and just start writing, letting the suspense part grow organically, throwing in twists, dead bodies, and subplots as needed ;D. I have a terrible time trying to organize a complex mystery plot in advance, with all the clues, twists, villains, etc etc.

5.How do you keep track of your story--note cards, lists, outline, etc? Or are you an author who does no planning, who just writes?>/p>

Well, I usually do a 2 page chapter by chapter outline, listing 1 major thing that happens in each chapter for each major thread (romance, suspense, subplot, etc). I also do a main-character chart, which includes goals, motivations, conflicts, major personality traits and what they have to lose by falling in love. Once I start writing, I keep a chart chapter by chapter of whose POV each scene was in and for how many pages, along with overall word count. That’s pretty much it.

Come back for more of Nina's interview later in the week! Stay tuned...

6/25/2007

MAINE FESTIVAL OF THE BOOK

I had a fantastic time this weekend at the first ever Maine Festival of the Book. Here I am (on the left) with Kelly McClymer, historical romance and young adult author; Karen Baldacci, First Lady of Maine and the sponsor of the festival; and Diane Amos, romance author. Missing is our moderator, author Michelle Libby.

We Maine romance authors were invited by Karen Baldacci, the First Lady of Maine, to present a panel about romance fiction during the festival. Friday night was a gala reception and readings by four authors. We met Mrs. Baldacci at the reception. She and the governor mingled with the crowd. I don't know if they partook of the scrumptious appetizers weighing down the tables, but we all did. Yum!

On Saturday, after I attended some morning presentations, I had a tour of the Portland Police Department. The desk officer took me around the entire building, including the shooting range. I met one of the detectives, who explained more about his work and showed me the interview rooms (interrogation, you know) and the polygraph equipment. No two-way mirror like they have on TV, though. The detectives do have a lovely view of Casco Bay and the harbor, though.

Later in the afternoon was our panel and who should be in attendance but Tess Gerritsen! We were honored. We had a nice crowd who asked lots of good questions. The festival photographer took our pictures. (I hope to get a copy.) And later at the book signing, we had our picture taken with Mrs. Baldacci, as you can see above.

6/18/2007

SAD NEWS AND GLAD NEWS

I have lost my sweet elderly doggy Sarah. She was twelve and had been deteriorating with arthritis for some time, but some neurological complications ended her happy life. We miss her but are trying to concentrate on the happy memories. To paraphrase Cynthia Rylant's book Dog Heaven, Sarah is now running freely through meadows and woods. She's barking whenever she wants, with no one to hush her. She has treats and biscuits galore and birds and squirrels to chase. I hope she has met up with our other sweetie Freya so they can pal around together.

The good news is that my husband convinced me we needed a new dog. The picture above is of our new puppy, a ten-month-old mix named Sasha. I know, the names are similar, but Sasha came from the humane society shelter already knowing her name, so we didn't want to change it. She was found on the streets of New Orleans in March and shipped here to Mid-coast Maine last week with several other strays. She appears to be a mix of border collie and chow or maybe Australian shepherd, much smaller than Sarah, about 45 pounds. She's very sweet and affectionate and wants to be with us at all times. I'll be posting more later about puppy antics. She's very entertaining.

I hope Sarah and Freya approve.

Comments:

I want to see more pictures and hear more stories. We haven't been brave enought to get a dog, but my 11 year old keeps pushing.

Posted  by Michelle Libby on 6/19/2007

Thanks for visiting, Michelle. I'll definitely have more puppy antics later. I'll bet you don't need the problems with house breaking though.

Posted  by Susan Vaughan on 6/25/2007

6/13/2007

More of Interview with Ann Voss Peterson

Here is the continuation of Ann's interview. For the other part, see the June 12 entry.

5.How do you keep track of your story--note cards, lists, outline, etc?

I plot my major turning points on a dry erase board and then write an outline. I have also used note cards, but have found the dry erase board is so easy to alter that it encourages me to make changes. Never be afraid to make changes, hopefully changes for the better.

6. You're ready to begin a new project. What's the first thing you do? Character bios? Plot and plan? Or just jump in and let the muse take you?

I start by coming up with a suspense situation that intrigues me. It can be something “ripped from the headlines” or ripped from my imagination, but it has to be urgent and intense and it has to scare me. Once I find that suspense hook, I turn all my attention to character—the hero, the heroine and the villain. I ask myself not only who my characters are, but why is this situation especially horrible or frightening for them? What do they stand to lose? What do they want and why? Then I use the answers to those questions to plan the course of the story. Once I have a draft down, the real writing begins. It’s in the rewriting process that the story comes alive for me. My first drafts are horrible. Luckily, no one sees them but me.

7.How did you get into writing? What is your background?

I’ve been writing stories since I could form letters. When I went to college, I really wanted to get a degree in a respectable field, but soon realized that either I had to major in creative writing or drop out. So I chose writing. After graduation I had to earn a living, so I worked in jobs ranging from horse show groom to bartender to window washer. The hard, unglamorous work not only prepared me for the unglamorous reality of being a novelist, it gave me grist for the mill. In VOW TO PROTECT, my hero works as a window washer. Guess where that research came from!

8.I loved your recent book, SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT, that came out in April. What are your new projects? What can readers look forward to from Ann Voss Peterson?

Next March Harlequin Intrigue is releasing a series of books I’m really excited about. They will have a THRILLER flash on the cover, and mine will be the first in the series (3/08). It’s a story of an accountant who goes on her company’s big game hunting trip in the mountains of Wyoming with hopes it will land her a promotion. But instead the boss starts hunting her.

6/12/2007

Interview with Ann Voss Peterson

Here is the second in my series of interviews with authors whose books are finalists in the Daphne duMaurier Award for Excellence in Mystery & Suspense.

Ann Voss Peterson is one of my best buddies, so I'm thrilled to have made the Daphne finals with her and to have her answer my questions. First, a quick bio of Ann.

Ever since she was a little girl making her own books out of construction paper, Ann wanted to write. So when it came time to choose a major subject at the University of Wisconsin, the only subject she could choose was creative writing. Of course, that wasn't a very practical thing to do. One needs to earn a living. So Ann turned to jobs ranging from proofreading legal transcripts, to working with quarter horses, to washing windows. But no matter what she did for a living, she continued to write the type of stories that captured her heart and fired her imagination. Romantic suspense stories.

In 2000 Ann saw her first novel published by Harlequin Intrigue, and her wide variety of job experience became material for her stories. Since then, she has published eleven novels and novellas with several more on the way. Her books have been nominated for many awards, including the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award in 2002 and the Daphne du Maurier Award three years in a row!

Now Ann spends her days writing, reading, and enjoying life in her home near Madison, Wisconsin where she lives with her husband, her two young sons, and her Border collie.

VOW TO PROTECT, Ann's Daphne nominated book, is also a finalist in four other contests, including the Book Buyer's Best Award. That's very impressive, Ann. Congratulations! Now for the interview:

1.VOW TO PROTECT is the third in a miniseries spun off from an earlier book about serial killer Dryden Kane. Kane is, by the way, one of the creepiest villains I've ever read. What prompted you to develop further books based on a villain?

I love Kane. His mix of narcissism and insecurity and utter evil intrigued me, haunted me and generally scared the starch out of me. I didn’t want to let him go after the first book he was in, ACCESSORY TO MARRIAGE (1/02), but for several years I couldn’t think of a way to bring him back that satisfied me and did justice to him. When the idea for the Wedding Mission series (SERIAL BRIDE, EVIDENCE OF MARRIAGE, VOW TO PROTECT) came to me, I knew that was it. Kane was too important to me to only give him one book or even two. He needed a three-book series to tell the rest of his story. In VOW TO PROTECT, Kane finally gets his due.

2. You have very strong characters in VOW, especially the hero. Can you describe a little about how you developed him?

Since Kane was such a real and strong character for me, one of my biggest challenges for the series was finding heroes and heroines capable of standing up to him and ultimately defeating him. As the hero of the final Wedding Mission book, Cord Turner was the most crucial of all the characters. Cord is Dryden Kane’s son, and from the very first I set out to give him many of the same challenges Kane had and show how he was able to make different choices than his father. Cord is not a serial killer (obviously), but he had a challenging childhood, killed a rival gang member as a teen and has spent many years in prison for his crime. Now that he’s out, he must choose what he is: a killer or the good man his childhood love, Melanie Frist, always believed he could be. And he must choose what kind of legacy he will pass on to the son he didn’t know he had.

3. You had four books published in 2006. I know you have a husband and two sons. How did you manage the books and family life, too?

Well, it sure wasn’t easy! I said no a lot. I wrote every day, even weekends. And I didn’t do much else. I had to be very disciplined. Either I wrote, exercised and/or spent time with my family. But my biggest challenge was continuing to write even if what I was putting on the computer screen was garbage. I had to trust I could rewrite it into a book of which I could be proud and get it all done before deadline. Exercise was key during that year. Without it I wouldn’t have been able to keep my stress level in check.

4. What in your opinion is the hardest part of writing romantic suspense? What is the easiest?

The hardest part of romantic suspense for me is the love relationship. Showing two people falling in love and making it not only convincing but truly moving, is really tough. I work very hard on this part of my stories, rewriting nearly endlessly to bring out true emotion between my characters. Luckily, rewriting is my favorite part of the process.

You all come back now, later in the week for the rest of Ann's insightful and exciting answers. Don't miss the scoop on her next books.

6/7/2007

Continuing interview with author Roxanne St. Claire

The beginning of this interview can be found at the June 5 entry.

5. Rocki, what in your opinion is the hardest part of writing romantic suspense? What is the easiest?

Nothing about romantic suspense is easy. Seriously, it is such a challenge to braid an escalating romance and suspense, to create a story that makes sense and is compelling, that isn’t cliched or obvious, yet isn’t so out there that no one wants to read it. And all along, it’s got to have romance and sizzle and be scary and move fast and not have too much sex but plenty of sexual tension and the villain shouldn’t be obvious, nor should he appear from left field on the last page and please don’t forget that the hero has to be perfect, but not too perfect, and you better know how to shoot a Glock if you’re going to write about one and the heroine should kick ass, and not do anything remotely stupid, but be vulnerable and wonderful and flawed and ….oh, oh, oh this genre is not for the faint of heart. But, honestly, all of that is true for any romance, for any good book.

But when it works, it’s so darn satisfying. THRILL ME TO DEATH, the book that has been nominated for a Daphne (and a Booksellers Best and Book Buyers Best!!!) was very, very hard to write. There were times I wasn’t sure where to go or how to get there. I called my editor mid-book, something I rarely do, and needed to be talked off the ledge. While stoic makes for a good alpha hero, it also became a challenge to dig humor and heart out of big bad mad Max. Also, the reunion romance aspect of the story was hard. And then I had this secondary character who I knew all along was the villain but I couldn’t make that obvious, and that person darn near stole the book right out from under me. But, somehow, it all came together and that’s what makes the Daphne final all that much sweeter!

6. How do you keep track of your story--note cards, lists, outline, etc?

The three ring binder I mentioned where I keep every article, email, outline, character chart and note and that binder stays next to me for the duration of the writing. Sometimes I use a plotting board. Once I’m into a story (about 1/3 of the way), I usually end each day with a long list on a yellow notepad of “where the book is going” – a handwritten outline of the next few chapters.

7. You're ready to begin a new project. What's the first thing you do? Character bios? Plot and plan? Or just jump in and let the muse take you?

Shop. Experiment with the latest in martinis. Call a friend and whine. I hate, loathe and despise page one. In fact, I detest every single new chapter and scene. Here’s a dark and ugly secret: I don’t like to write. I love to rewrite. I love to edit and revise and polish. Love it so much I don’t want to leave a scene because I’m having so much fun perfecting it. So when I begin a new project, I try to get that first chapter on paper as soon as possible so I can be finished with the most despicable part of the book – starting it.

I’ve written 20 manuscripts that have been (or will be) published…and the process for every single one has been different. Sometimes I start with a premise or story question, and that drives the characters and they drive the action. Sometimes I pick two people and their issues drive the plot and that drives the emotion. Sometimes I get a “gimme” – a book so easy it sings. Sometimes I want to shoot the characters, and be done with it. It’s never, ever the same experience twice, and that’s the fun of it.

8. What are your new projects? What can readers look forward to from Roxanne St. Claire?

Four new Bullet Catcher books in 2008! First off is a paranormal romantic suspense anthology with Allison Brennan and Karin Tabke called WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE. My story is a Bullet Catcher novella entitled “Reason to Believe” pitting man of science Chase Ryker against woo-woo TV psychic Arianna Killian. Completely fun! Then my first real trilogy hits the bookstores in April, July and October, featuring three Bullet Catchers on the hunt for triplet sisters who were separated at birth in a black market adoption. Turns out the sisters, when finally reunited, unwittingly hold the answer to a thirty-year-old murder mystery that has kept their birth mother unjustly behind bars. Although each book stands alone, there will be an overarching suspense and mystery that isn’t solved until the end. The books are titled FIRST YOU RUN, THEN YOU HIDE and NOW YOU DIE. As you can tell, I’m very excited about the project.

I'm going to find it hard to wait for those books. Such an original premise.

9. What advice can you offer to writers who are working toward publication?

Run fast, little bunny! You might still be saved! No, JUST KIDDING. My advice would be to listen to your gut. I don’t mean that as a cliché – I mean really, really, really and always Trust Your Instincts. In storytelling: if that little voice is telling you the scene has no purpose other than to show that the hero is cool, but doesn’t move the story and needs to GO, the cut it. In business: if that same voice is telling you this agent doesn’t get your sense of humor and makes you uncomfortable, no matter how big he/she is, don’t sign with him/her. In craft: if the dialogue sounds unnatural, don’t tell yourself no one else will notice, just change it. In the writing community: if that woman in your chapter is toxic and sucks the life and creativity out of you, avoid her. In life: if your friends treat your writing as a cute little hobby, don’t share with them anymore. In your heart: you know if you were meant to do this. When a rejection comes in, don’t let it derail your confidence. This business is about believing in yourself.

10. And lastly, the blog fairy is granting you three wishes. If you could have anything or do anything you wanted, what would they be?

(SCROLL DOWN TO THE NEXT FRAME FOR HER ANSWER.)

6/7/2007

Rocki

Well, obviously I wish for good health for my family, world peace and a night of wild monkey sex with this particular truck driver:

Thank you!!!

Thank you, Rocki, for a fascinating interview. I just finished reading TAKE ME TONIGHT. I have to say I loved it even more than THRILL ME TO DEATH. I need no crystal ball to see more bestseller stats and more awards in your future.

6/5/2007

INTERVIEW WITH ROXANNE ST. CLAIRE

As part of my own celebration of having my book Breaking All the Rules final in the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery & Suspense, I'm posting a number of interviews with fellow award nominees. First up is Roxanne St. Claire, whose novel Thrill Me to Death is also a finalist. Here's a brief bio of this stellar writer.

Roxanne St. Claire is a bestselling author of sixteen novels of romance and suspense for Pocket Books, Silhouette Desire and HQN. Her books have won numerous industry awards and routinely reside on the Waldenbooks Top Ten lists. In addition to her Daphne final this year, the book is also nominated for the Booksellers Best and Book Buyers Best awards. Two of her novellas have RITA nominations. Prior to launching a full time career as a romance novelist with her first release from Pocket Books in 2003, Roxanne spent nearly two decades as a marketing executive and public relations consultant. She lives in Florida, with her husband and two children. Visit her web site at www.roxannestclaire.com

Hi, Rocki. (Waving frantically from Maine to Florida!) Welcome and congratulations on all your successes. I'm thrilled to have you kick off my interviews.

Thank you so much for the invitation to join your blog and celebrate the Daphne nominations! Congrats to you, Susan, and to all the finalists in this highly regarded contest! I can’t believe the company I’m in – what a talented group of writers!

1.THRILL ME TO DEATH is part of your Bullet Catchers series. I absolutely loved your hero, stoic Max Roper, and Cori is the perfect heroine to test him. How did you develop those two characters to be so perfect for each other yet so at odds?

Thank you! I don’t do a lot of “reunion” romances because I really love to write (and read) about the first meet and the initial rush of attraction, but Cori and Max have a deep history, and were once engaged, until tragedy pulled them apart. I thought that would really solve the problem of presenting intimacy early in the book – since they’ve already been there, how difficult could it be to get them in bed together? Uh…very. I’ve heard that reunion romances can help on that score, but these two had so much baggage and history that setting it aside for the sake of sex seemed unrealistic. So I used the opportunity to build sexual tension, and play on the fact that they knew what they were missing, as opposed to just wondering what it might be like. Max is a indeed the definition of stoic, a man who prides himself on being unemotional…except that Cori is the only woman who turns this six foot four beast into a bowl of Jell-O. I had a blast with that, and I think that added to the sense that they were perfect, yet, as you say, at odds.

2.You wrote KILLER CURVES, which involved auto racing, and are participating in the Harlequin NASCAR series. Is writing about racing a stretch for you or are you a fan?

When I wrote KILLER CURVES…no one mentioned that “romance” rule of “no race car heroes.” Remember that from about six years ago? Back in 2002, when I wrote the manuscript, I was blissfully naïve and quite unpublished. Pocket ultimately bought that book, and published KILLER CURVES as my third single title. In the process of researching that book, I became a NASCAR fan. So, when Harlequin and NASCAR teamed up for a “racing/romance” series and invited me to write a few of them, including one of the series launch books, I was delighted to accept. The sport is just plain fun, and writing about the world of racing was challenging and rewarding. KILLER CURVES remains one of my absolute favorite books, and I still get mail on it two and half years after it was released.

3. You have four Bullet Catcher books scheduled for 2008, three more books for Harlequin in 2007, and who knows how many for 2008. How do you juggle such a complex writing schedule and family life?

Wine, chocolate, caffeine, a cleaning lady, religious adherence to a productivity schedule and a family that loves me even if the laundry baskets overflow and I miss a baseball game or two. I don’t know any other way to live. I don’t have to commute, and I usually only write while my kids (9 & 14) are in school (except in the summer, and then I get up at 4:45, write until the house stirs around 9, play mom for three or four hours, then write all afternoon and late in the evening until I crash). I strive for one good scene a day and by reaching that goal I’m able to produce about four books a year. I am also viciously organized, focused and able to function on about five hours of sleep. I do have a secret weapon in my arsenal, however. My husband retired early from IBM, and he is the official “kids chauffeur” and he does all the grocery shopping and cooks every dinner (gourmet, too!). I’d be lost, lonely, miserable and really hungry without him.

4.As a writer whose output is slow and painstaking, I'm wondering how do you keep all those different books separate in your mind?

I guess because each story, character and scene are so vivid in my imagination, I feel as though I’ve lived them and don’t forget them. I don’t worry too much about “repeating” something because I write in a fairly deep point of view, and every single character is unique to me. I do keep an individual binder for each book, with print outs of research, story notes and characters all three hole punched for easy referral. I didn’t start this until book 10 or so (I am just finishing my 20th manuscript) and I highly recommend this technique to writers. I heard someone describe this system on an RWA workshop tape and it absolutely clicked for me. (Listen to those CDs – there’s a gem in every workshop.)

Rocki, thank you for such terrific answers. I'll get back to you for the rest soon.

To read the rest of Roxanne St. Claire's interview, come back Thursday.

5/30/2007

Daphne Finalist!

Whoohoo! My book Breaking All the Rules is a finalist in the Daphne! For those of you who don't know this award named for author Daphne DuMaurier, here's the scoop. The Daphne is presented for excellence in romantic suspense by the RWA Mystery & Suspense Chapter, better known as the Kiss of Death, or KOD. I'm absolutely thrilled to have this book I loved writing make it into the Daphne finals.

I created two of my fav characters in Breaking All the Rules. Simon Byrne is a hunky bad boy, a rebel within an elite anti-terrorist agency. And Janna Harris is his opposite, a by-the-rules kind of girl who's also a geek. Janna has some heavy baggage from her abusive marriage. I threw them together on a luxury yacht as they pull a con on an international arms dealer. I can't express how excited I am that the Daphne judges liked this book.

The award is given out at the RWA Conference in July, at the chapter's Death by Chocolate party. My fingers are crossed!

Comments:

Hurray, hurray! I loved Breaking All the Rules. It was awesome and you deserve this! Thinking of you!

Posted  by Celeste Gleason o