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Q.
Tell us a little about your writing journey so far.
A.
I joined RWA in 1999. I’d written an attempt at a Harlequin in
college, and actually got a very nice rejection, but I didn’t
realize at the time that that was something to feel pleased about.
After I graduated, I wrote a 600-page Tudor historical based
partially on a project I’d done for a cultural anthropology class.
My husband supported me while I wrote. I wasn’t brave enough to join
a local RWA chapter until 2001, which is where I met my amazing
critique partner, Tatia Totorica.
Since I became
a mom in 2005, my writing time has been truncated, forcing me to be
more disciplined. I have about 90 minutes a day while my toddler
naps, and I pour everything into that time. I’ve found a rhythm
since I started targeting Presents, and things feel like they’re
starting to fall into place. Last month, I signed with my dream
agent. I’m having a wonderful time working on dramatic, glamorous,
escapist stories. Maybe I can’t physically travel to Morocco or
Spain right now, but for 90 minutes a day, I can be there in my
books. It’s delicious.
Q.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received from another
author?
A.
In 2002, Linda Needham gave a workshop for our chapter. She said,
“An idea is not a book.” Writing the ideas into a cohesive story is
the hard part, and that’s what makes it worthwhile. Unwritten ideas
are basically nothing. My ideas about how to achieve world peace are
no more valuable than my cat’s ideas about how to get more tuna in
her food bowl. A book is composed of millions of ideas all woven
together, and therein lies the work, the skill, and the value.
Q.
If you could spend an hour picking the brain of anyone, who would it
be?
A.
Hmmm. Since I’m trying to break into Presents, one of the Mills &
Boon editors. Either that, or I’d want to talk to Jane Porter and
Debbie Macomber about their amazing marketing talents. I am in awe
of the way they personally project the “feeling” or brand of their
books. Just being around them is like teleporting into one of their
stories. My credit card just falls out of my wallet to buy their
latest releases. I have no idea how they do it, but it’s brilliant.
Q.
What do you feel is your best strength as a writer?
A.
My passion for melodrama and my love of humor. Oh, and my deep,
genuine fascination with alpha heroes. I’m married to one, and after
ten years he still enthralls me with his strength and mystery.
Q.
Is there a type of book you’d love to write that you haven’t?
A.
Do teleplays count? I’d love to be a staff writer at All My
Children. I started watching the show shortly after my baby was
born. I admire the writers’ ability to surprise me with twists and
turns, ending every commercial break, daily episode, and Friday
episode with a commensurate hook. The AMC writers make it
look easy, which means that they are highly talented. I would be
happy to be their Starbucks girl if it meant I could eavesdrop and
learn all their tricks.
Q.
What, in your opinion, are the three writing books that no writer
should be without?
A.
I tend to get impatient with writing books because they mostly seem
like procrastination tools. But based on writing workshops I’ve
attended, I’d have to pick Goal, Motivation and Conflict by
Debra Dixon and The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler.
My last pick is more personal: the novel Second Draft of My Life
by Sara Lewis. I’ve read it at least five times, every time I’m
thinking of chucking this writing business and finding a “real” (as
in salaried) career.
Q.
What is your writing process like?
A.
I’ve written eight books – or is it nine? – so my process is pretty
streamlined. First, I come up with the title, since it’s both my
handle and my theme. Then I write a book concept, then the first
chapter, then the outline. Tatia vets the outline, and once we’ve
hammered out the problems, I write the full first draft. I polish
the first chapter or two for contests, then fix the structural
problems in a second draft. I do cosmetic changes in the third
draft, and Tatia reads it. Finally, I incorporate her changes, along
with any input I’ve gotten from contests, and polish the fourth
draft. By the time I submit the book to editors, I hopefully have
the title of my next idea and I’m working on a new outline.
Q.
Other than writing and reading, what other activities do you enjoy?
A.
Watching movies with my husband in our home theater is just the
best. Even bad movies are fun since we just mock them the whole way
through.
Q.
What is your dream vacation?
A.
A world cruise with my husband when our kids are old enough to come
along. I’d love to spend four months at sea, seeing South America,
Antarctica, Africa, Arabia, and Europe. Places like Muscat, Dubai
and Aqaba sound so exotic I can hardly stand it. Crystal Cruises has
a
great worldwide itinerary. But that cruise doesn’t include
Northern Europe, Australia or Asia, plus it starts at about $50,000
per person (a wee bit out of my price range), so I’ll keep looking
and dreaming. Anticipation is the best part anyway!
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