Author Interview with Kim Baccellia

Hello, audience! **Carol Ann enters the studio in a chic casual outfit of olive green cargo pants and a cream colored cotton sweater with three quarter length sleeves** How is everyone today?

Fabulous, Carol Ann (The audience answers as one)

Glad to hear that! We're going to have fun today interviewing a Young Adult author whose first book is doing very well in the market. Kim Baccellia, please come on out!

Kim enters the studio waving to the audience. She's wearing tailored jeans, a v-neck red silk blouse, and a stylish jean jacket.

CAROL ANN: Welcome, Kim. From the sound of the applause, the audience is looking forward to learning a lot more about you. Please sit down and let's begin.

You've written a fantasy novel for young adults. Tell me a bit about the story and how you came to write it.

KIM: EARRINGS OF IXTUMEA is a fast paced fantasy featuring a young Latina who discovers ancient traditions in her family history that propel her to a magical civilization, where she struggles against evil forces that threaten her family, her heart, and her life.
One day, after reading the latest Junie B. Jones book to my first graders it hit me. Why couldn’t I write a book that had a Latina as a heroine? I found it ironic that here I was a sheltered English teacher reading a book on an Anglo heroine to mostly Latino children. So I practiced what I preached—I wrote the story.


CAROL ANN: That's fantastic! I've heard many different stories of how an author got started, but yours is classic. It takes a lot of guts to move forward with an idea like that and bring it to fruition. You are an inspiration. Have you written in any other genre, or do you have plans to do so in the future?

KIM: Yes. I’ve written poetry and a number of essays. My poem, MY FATHER, was in the poetry anthology, MIND MUTATIONS. My essay on the adoption of my son, FINALLY OUR TURN, was printed in Adoptive Families.

I’m currently working on a contemporary YA that deals with bipolar disorder in 1976. I also would love to write a historical romance based on the life of my Sicilian great-grandfather and the love of his life, my great-grandmother, Cipriana Acuna.

CAROL ANN: Wonderful. I'd be very interested in your novel on bipolar disorder. My grandson suffers from this and it is a very difficult disorder to understand. Hats off to you for tackling such a difficult subject. I see you wore jeans today, and they look fantastic, by the way. Are you a blue jeans or skirt kind of woman?

KIM: **laughs** I’m totally a jean chica.

CAROL ANN: Okay, now for an off the wall question. I like to keep my guests on their toes and give the audience a glimpse of your true personality. Question: If you learned a distant relative died leaving you the sole heir to an uninhabited South Seas Island, what would you do?

KIM: Ohmigosh, I’d move there! No questions asked! Can I take Antonio Banderas with me? Uh, maybe not!!

CAROL ANN: **claps and laughs** Nothing like having a wonderful dream! Okay, here's another. If you were at a writing convention, and you noticed an award wnner, who wins year after year after year, heading to the stage with her long gown stuck in her waistband, what would you do?

KIM: Do I know this writer personally? Ah, it depends. If she was someone from my writing group or local schmooze group, I’d get up and unstuck her gown.

CAROL ANN: **grin** So, then I have to assume that if you didn't know this woman personally, that you'd let her embarrass herself. **laugh** Glad we have gotten to know each other. Um, we are close now aren't we? **Kim just grins and raises her eyebrows** **Carol Ann hopes she never has this happen to her...um, well not the winning, but the dress stuck...well, you know what I mean** Seriously, Kim, if you had the opportunity to address the world via satellite, what would you say about yourself?

IKIM: have one wild imagination! No, seriously, I’m a serious writer who doesn’t like the word, no.

CAROL ANN: Love it! You have to develop that determination and go for it. How about collections? Do you collect anything?

KIM: I collect dolls. I love dolls of color. I also have the original Princess Di doll in her wedding gown. I put a copy of the newspaper announcing her death inside.

CAROL ANN: Oh, that's interesting...and touching. I remember the day of her death and watching the news and not wanting to believe it. That doll must be special.

KIM: Yes, she is.

CAROL ANN: Kim, who can make you laugh when you are feeling down?

KIM: My five-year-old. He’s at the age where even the simplest things, like dancing or running through the water sprinkler can be fun.

CAROL ANN: Children are truly a blessing. Through their eyes you can see a totally different world than when looking through our older jaded eyes. You are such an inspiration to me in so many ways. There are a lot of people in the audience who would like to take the chance and write the book of their heart, just as you did. Can you offer any advice to those who have a dream of writing, but are afraid they aren't good enough?

KIM: Be persistent. Don’t give up. Seize any opportunity that comes your way.
Be like that one contestant on AMERICAN IDOL who tried every season to get on. He didn’t let those rejections affect his dream. Finally, after five times, he made the cut.

CAROL ANN: Wise words, Kim. What are you currently working on? Can you share a bit?

KIM: Right now I’m finishing revisions on a YA paranormal called CROSSED OUT. Here’s a little taste of my novel:
Helping the dead to the other side sure sucks sometimes.


CAROL ANN: Oh, wow! What a teaser. I've never had anyone give me a one line hook that made me want to read the novel before. I'm sure the audience would like to learn more. Do you have a website where we can learn more about your books and how to purchase them?

KIM: My website is http://www.kim-baccellia.com/ The wonderful and talented SCBWI illustrator Liz Jones illustrated both my portrait and the jungle scene.

You can purchase my eBook at http://www.virtualtales.com/ and http://www.mobipocket.com/
Also check out my You Tube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw9itX3KG3E

And my CafePress merchandise too!


CAROL ANN: Thanks, Kim. One last question, do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword? Why or why not?

KIM: This is a tough question. I wish all the current problems in the world could be taken care of with one touch on the keyboard.
The pen is very strong. I think of those in the countries that were ruled by the Taliban that refused to burn their books. Or the young girls and women that refused not to learn to read, even at the cost of their lives.
Books have always been a source of comfort to me, especially when growing up in an abusive home. With books I could leave the craziness and enter whole new worlds.
The pen is powerful. I hope that my words can be both a comfort and a sense of enjoyment to others.

CAROL ANN: **Kim and Carol Ann share a hug** Thank you for being with us today. I've truly enjoyed out time together and getting to know you. **Carol Ann turns to the audience** I recommend you check out Kim's website and if you have a young adult, why not purchase EARRINGS OF IXTUMEA as a gift.

Til next time...

The Ebook - A Practical Solution

My house is full of books! I'm not talking just a few books here. I've been collecting hard back books since...well for nearly forty years! I should probably donate them to a good cause, like a senior citizen's center or something. Maybe one day I'll be able to do that. There's something comforting about having all those wonderful volumes on my bookshelves. But...I'm running out of space.

For several years, I bought paperbacks and then passed them on to others...well, except for the ones that I found extremely moving. **sigh**

Now with the expansion of ebooks and the quality of authors, including best-selling authors, I'm starting to collect these treasures. Recently, I purchased an ebook reader and I can download books, books, and more books. The best part is I can carry them with me anywhere I go. If we vacation, I can take as many as 80 books in one small package. It's a readers dream come true.

So, if you haven't tried the new technology...I encourage you to do so. Especially if you are as avid a reader as me.

My favorite place to purchase is Fictionwise. Yes...you can find my books there, too! And my short stories!

www.fictionwise.com

Foxfire...Excerpt--In the Beginning

In the beginning:

"I'm sure you understand that given the circumstances we can't be married."

Connor's words hit Grace with the force of an invisible fist. The restaurant sounds grew louder with multiple conversations, a burst of laughter and the clink of silverware on fine china. All normal sounds in a normal world.

Connor lifted his crystal goblet as if to propose a toast to the termination of their engagement.
Beneath the artificial lights, the diamond on Grace's finger winked lewdly. She yanked it off and dropped it into Connor's glass of merlot, where it landed with a satisfactory clink.

"You hypocritical bastard."

He slammed the goblet on the table, sending forth a shower of wine. With an oath, he mopped at the spots of red on his otherwise pristine, and very expensive, designer shirt.

"Damn it, Grace, look what you've done."

"I haven't done anything." Her voice rose. "What happened to innocent until proven guilty? Who made you judge and juror?" More angry words sat on the tip of her tongue, but she squelched them. She slammed her hands on the table and leaned into his face. "You're off the hook, Counselor." Grace's voice turned the heads of the couple seated at the table next to them.
Connor gazed over the glasses resting on his nose. His eyes, which once heated her blood, now froze her with a blast of contempt.

"For God's sake, keep your voice down."

Grace pushed her chair back and walked away, defying the bulls-eye she felt between her shoulder blades. The press loved Connor Thomas, prosecuting attorney and aspiring senator. At any moment she expected an eager reporter to jump out and blind her with flashbulbs. She maneuvered her way through the throng of waiting customers, pushed open the doors of the restaurant and burst into the warm Tennessee night.

How to Write a Synopsis

I've always been against writing a synopsis saying that I couldn't write one without having the book written first. I've struggled, taken classes, agonized...and still fell back on being a panster. Lately, I've been getting hung up on "what happens next". So, I decided to write a blasted synopsis.

I did it and shared it with my writing group who gave me wonderful feedback. It showed me the weak points. I've spent several days working on making changes, adding to the plot, creating those all important things, like tension and the black moment, and I now believe I have a great synopsis from which I can create my manuscript. It's just a bit over four pages.

But, I haven't shared with you the most important thing that helped in my success. Wilbur. Yes, that's right, my Wilbur, my big fluffy lovable cat. Well, rather than just tell, I'll show you.

Author Interview with...???

Please accept my apologies. Due to computer glitches, yahoo glitches, or spam glitches, I have not received responses from the author planned to be interviewed today. Hopefully, we will connect and I can include her later in the scheduled year.

Today is my mother's birthday! I was so pleased to get the press kit for Chicken Soup for the Soul Celebrates Mothers and Daughters. You can preorder it on Amazon, but the release date will be March 1. Inside is a story I wrote honoring my mother, titled "Hands of Time."

It's back to work for me today. The secondary roads were still ice covered tracks. Driving on them made me feel as if I were in a covered wagon traversing a trail where the muddy ruts had hardened under the hot summer sun. It was a rocking and rolling ride!

I'm nearly finished with the synopsis for Beautiful Deception. Having to revamp a few plot points before posting. Hope you have a blessed day!

A Valentine's Day Gift

What a wonderful gift! Received a call about two hours ago and my office is closing for tomorrow due to the weather! I had forgotten how great it felt to be a kid and have school close, but now the feeling has returned! Woo hoo!!

I get an entire day to sit here and write! I'm very excited. I'm nearly finished with the synopsis for my newest manuscript. Tomorrow I can put the finishing touches on it and post it to my writing group for feedback. Then I can spend the remainder of the day writing the first chapter or maybe more!

The picture is a Hibiscus which is in my back yard. I think I took it last summer. Thought this would help those in cold snowy climates remember that spring is right around the corner!

Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day!!

New Cover - Rose Petals

This is the new cover for the anthology my story THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR will be published in. These stories were all first place winners in various Romance subgenres in the Premiere Rose Bouquet contest-The Wild Rose Press. I'm thrilled to be included with some of my favorite authors.

No date yet for publication, but this will be a print book which should be available through Barnes and Noble and other bookstores.

More to come...

The All Important Beginning

Where a story opens is critical. You need to capture the reader, make them care, make them wonder what is going to happen. You've heard it...so have I. So how do you determine that all important opening scene?

What I've learned is you must open with action, with your main character in their current world and an event that is going to blow that world apart. What I've been struggling with this past week is how to start my story, which has lots of critical backstory, without confusing the reader, and still have my heroine and hero meet in the first few pages. Big daunting task.

My first shot confused the reader. They needed to know "why" the emotions were so high and controversial. Yeah, I knew why--it is all in the backstory. It's been drummed into my head to incorporate backstory in small doses. Hmm, so how to correct that and still have that all important first meeting.

I went to one of my writing critique groups and asked how I could accomplish this. And I received the answer. Use different POVs. By starting with the big bang in the POV of the heroine and then switching to the POV of the hero, I can write in the backstory, build anticipation for the reader for when the two finally come face to face. All sorts of possibilities exist.

Yesterday I felt as if I were standing in front of a huge wall that I had to climb with no rope, no footholds or handholds and a sinking feeling of despair that it couldn't be done. Today, I'm looking at the world on the opposite side of that wall. A vast horizon with many paths to choose.

The morale of the story? Writing may be a solitary occupation, but it is much better accomplished if you build a strong support system. And always remember to "pay it forward".

Interview with Author Vicki Taylor

Good morning, blogging audience! How are you this fine morning? It's great to see so many smiling faces. Today, I have a treat for you. I'm interviewing Vicki Taylor. (Carol Ann claps along with audience as Vicki comes into the studio)

CAROL ANN: Good morning Vicki. I'm so honored that you came to visit today. I'm anxious to learn more about you and your books. Your latest release is Trust in the Wind. I viewed the book trailer and it's really good. Please tell my blog audience a bit about the book.

VICKI: Thanks for looking at the book trailer. It helped tell the story, I think. Trust in the Wind is about two people who've had it rough. Joanne got pregnant and then disowned by her parents, while still a teenager. Roy had a family but they were killed during a burglary while he was away on duty. Joanne learns to become independent and not rely on anyone. Roy buries his feelings and becomes somewhat of a "cowboy" when it comes to his job, always volunteering for the most dangerous missions. A call to Joanne's apartment complex throws them together and they begin a journey to discovering what it is that makes them want to be together, all the while as Roy falls hopelessly in love with Joanne's little boy, Joey. Inch by inch, they hack away at each other's walls until a tense hostage standoff shows them exactly what's important in their lives.

CAROL ANN: Sound like a wonderful and heartwarming story. Vicki, you've had several books and novellas published. Which has been your favorite to write and why?

VICKI: That's a difficult question to answer, because each one is special in its own way. Forever Until We Meet brought the Internet romances out in the open and the tragic results of some people getting too intimate too quickly. March Madness was my first attempt at a mystery with a murder and I liked the character development very much. I've always thought that I'd like to go back and expand that story into a novel. Not Without Anna is special to me because the idea originally came from my daughter. She wrote a short story for school that intrigued me. I kept the basic premise of the story and the two young characters, while using the "what if" process to develop a complex and disturbing story of teenagers involved with drugs murder, alcohol, and suicide. Trust in the Wind came to me in a dream. I woke the next morning full of the story and wrote the whole synopsis down in its entirety. That dream is still fresh in my memories. I have a book, Out for Justice, with a publisher right now and it is another attempt at suspense and murder. This book, as well, came to me in a dream. My current work in progress, Good Intentions, takes me away from murder and suicide and puts me into the heart of adopting teenagers and teenage pregnancy. It's a story straight from the newspaper headlines.

CAROL ANN: Sounds like you are keeping very busy. I've never had a complete story come to me in a dream. How interesting! So when you write, do you have your own little corner or space?

VICKI: I have my own space in a spare bedroom that we've turned into my office. Part of the room is still available for guests, but my desks, computer, printers and files are in there as well. It's away from the rest of the "living" area of the house, so I don't hear my husband if he's knocking about. I'm home during the day, so the house is pretty quiet anyway. Except for my parrot, Bailey and my dog, Jack. They tend to want to be with me, so Jack will lay under my desk and look out the window, while I bring Bailey and his cage to my office so he can still see and hear me. We listen to music, and what's playing depends if we're listening for my pleasure or Bailey's. My journal sits near my bed so that it's close by for any time I wake up with a story idea and need to get it down immediately. I've learned to listen to the voices inside of me and stop and write them down when they come. My space is cramped and crowded, filled with all the gadgets that go with a home office. But, I know that when I go in there, it's "my space" and I can do whatever I want and build whatever world I want with my words.

CAROL ANN: I think it's important for a writer to have a place they call their own. I love the idea of you writing with Bailey in the office with you! It's nice that you are home during the day. So many writers don't have that quiet time. But even so you must have a lot of other commitments. How do you schedule your writing around your personal life? Do you have a set time to write?

VICKI: Thanks to my husband, I don't have an outside of the house job. But, I do have a house to run and a husband and pets to take care of so there is a limited amount of spare time to write. I tend to write more in the afternoon, than I do in the earlier part of the day. I'm not the type of person who can just jump out of bed and start writing. I'm obsessive compulsive enough to know that for me, certain chores need to get done first so that I have the mental state to write. I try to get all my writing done before my husband comes home. That's our time. I don't always make my goal, and he's understanding and supportive. I write until I reach a good stopping point and then we determine if it's too late to make dinner or we call for delivery. I like writing on a schedule, because I know there's always something to go back to in the story. Although, I've gone through my rough periods too, and have been abandoned by my Muse. Those days are rough. I go about my daily activities, wondering when the Muse will find me again. But, eventually it does. It may not always bring me back to the old project right away, but it does infuse me with creativity for other fun things to write.

CAROL ANN: I was perusing your website and ran across an entry that you like stunt kite flying. Please tell us more about this! Sounds really interesting.

VICKI: Stunt Kite Flying. It's exciting. Thrilling. Exhilarating. Instead of the one kite string on normal kites, you get two, with handles. The kites are made specifically to gather as much wind as possible. You control the kite with the handles and can put the kite through maneuvers like twists, spins and dives. It's a very popular sport with competition events all along the coast. I don't compete, it's just a hobby for me.

CAROL ANN: Sounds like a great way to get outdoors and release some tension. I understand you have a collection of teddy bears.

VICKI: Yes! A teddy bear gift from one of my children started my collection. From there it grew into a serious hobby. Soon, everyone knew I collected teddy bears so from then on, I could always predict what gift I would be getting. Anything to do with bears. I have a very large Polar Bear collection, including the Coca Cola bears. My Winnie the Pooh collection isn't too bad. I could always use more Poohs. I have some Steiffs which are the pride of my collection, including a large Coca Cola Steiff polar bear. I have some very old bears, even one of the first ones to have a belly button. My husband is a scuba diver, so I even have a scuba diver bear, complete with fins, mask, and air tank.As my collection grows, I am more particular about what I add to it. There's only so much room in my house. They've already claimed most every available space there is. What's not claimed by teddy bears is claimed by books.

CAROL ANN: Oh, I hear you. My grandmother gave me a music box. That started my collection. I have lots of interesting music boxes, but finally had to say to my family, "Please no more!" **laugh** Do you have any other hobbies?

VICKI: Well, reading is a hobby. I love to read. And, I read a wide variety of authors. From Stephen King to Barbara Delinsky to Piers Anthony to Lisa Gardner to Tim Dorsey and so many more it would take up so much space to list them all. I have a lot of books. My bookshelves are overflowing and books are stacked on every space available in my house. Even the floor. LOL I can thank my husband for the other hobby I spend a lot of time with and that's the computer game World of Warcraft. My character is a Night Elf and she's a Hunter. It's a Role > Playing Game played on the Internet with millions of other characters/users. It can be very addictive. And then there are my pets. My parrot, Bailey and my dog, Jack. Do those count as hobbies? I know they're spoiled, that's for sure.

CAROL ANN: Well, maybe not a hobby, but definitely family. I have three very spoiled cats. You mentioned Stephen King first, when you listed authors. What draws you to his writing and since I, too, am a fan, which of his books is your favorite?

VICKI: I have to admit, of all the books I have, there is no other collection bigger than the Stephen King books. Although, Patricia Cornwell is starting to give him a run for his money for space on my bookcases. Stephen King has a way of writing that draws the reader in and > encourages the reader to use their imagination. He will write characters or descriptions in such a way that will leave you wondering later if you read everything you saw in your mind's eye or if he gave you just enough to fill in the details for yourself. That talent to draw the reader in so completely that they live the story in their mind is one I haven't seem among many other writers. I'm not sure if I have a favorite Stephen King book because they all have touched me in some way or another. But, I can tell you that the scariest Stephen King book I've read was Tommyknockers. I had to sleep with the light on for quite a few nights while reading that book. I even had a rule, no reading it after sundown.

CAROL ANN: Oh, I loved that one. My hubby gave it to me for Christmas and I couldn't put it down. It scared the living daylights out of me, too! Okay, time for a serious question. Are you a "girly-girl" or a tom-boy?

VICKI: Definitely a tom-boy. I joined the Marines after high school and in my 30's rode a motorcycle. Well, my motorcycle was red. My jacket was pink. My helmet had an airbrush rendition of Winnie the Pooh, and I rode with a Winnie the Pooh backpack. Was that too girly? **Carol Ann laughs** I like doing girly things sometimes like being pampered or drinking tea, but I don't mind getting into the middle of things either. Uh oh. Now you have me wondering. Am I a girly-girl or a tom-boy?

CAROL ANN: Sorry, Vicki. Didn't mean to give you such a hard question. **laugh** Let's try another. Which comes first? The plot or the characters? Where do you get your ideas?

VICKI: I get my ideas from all kinds of places. Dreams. Newspapers. Magazines. Life. Sometimes I'll have a character and she'll have a story to tell. Then I build a plot around her. It depends on the story I'm telling. Every one is different. Unique. However, come to think of it, I think that my novels are more character led. My stories develop around my characters and their lives. A plot develops from there. I give a talk on where I get my story ideas and I tell my listeners that there are all kinds of ideas, but those that are strong enough to build a story upon take work. They way it works for me is I use the "what if" process. Start with an idea, then ask "what if..." and continue until a story is built or the idea becomes a dud.

CAROL ANN: What does the word "romance" mean to you?

VICKI: Romance? It means a few different things to me. It is an emotion or a mood or a feeling. Romance means a loving relationship between two people who show each other in their own ways how much each means to the other. It could be the way he holds her door open, or it could be the way she folds his socks and puts them away. It's not a holiday or a commerical enterprise. It's the kiss before you go to sleep at night and the little card you slide into his pocket that says "I love you." It's him putting his dirty clothes in the hamper without being asked and it's her gentle touch when she applies aloe vera to his sunburned nose. Romance is all of those things. It's knowing that you wake up and go to sleep next the only person in the world you would want to be there. Some people think romance is flowers and chocolates. It could be for that person. But, for me, it's so much more.

CAROL ANN: Here's a question I ask all my authors. Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword? Why or why not?

VICKI: This is a hard one. I believe that there is a time and place for both. It would be wonderful if all conflicts could be solved with words instead of weapons. But, words can be so forceful. They are weapons when wielded with a viper's wrath. They can be as soft and gentle as a puppy's kiss, making you feel comforted and safe. Whatever the case, words stand forever in time, etched in the stone of records forever in our memories. Words as weapons can strike fear and cause chaos in generations. Great thought and care should be considered when words are used. I believe that there are times when words do more damage > than any sword could do. People destroy one another based on words.

CAROL ANN: Vicki, thank you so much for spending time with us today. It's been fun learning more about you and I hope the readers have gotten a glimpse of your warm personality. Please share your website link and any other links or email addreses you'd like our readers to have.

VICKI: Thanks so much for having me as your guest. I enjoyed your questions and I hope my answers helped others learn a little bit more about who I am. The links below are other sites I manage in my "spare" time.
http://www.vickimtaylor.com
http://www.vickimtaylor.com/blogs/
http://www.vickimtaylor.com/forums/index.php
http://www.myspace.com/vickimtaylor

Shelving and Empowering

Like a movie script, Joshua's Hope has been meeting with the cutting room floor. I'm not really sure what's wrong, so rather than waste any more time, it's being shelved...for the time being.

Beautiful Deception characters have been whispering in my ear now for the past couple of weeks, so I've decided to let them tell their story. I've whittled and chopped at the first rough draft chapter and applied Margie Lawson's "Empowering Character Emotions" workshop. So...this is going to be a new experience for me. Instead of just dumping the rough, I'm going to experiment with spending the time to get most of it right the first time. That means analyzing every sentence.

How will I do this? Well, of course, I'll write it as the characters tell the story to me, but I'll be looking back over everything I write each day to "empower" it.

Wish me luck!

A New Contract

Yesterday I received a new contract from The Wild Rose Press for a short story titled A Faded Photograph. It will be in the Last Rose of Summer line. This was a different step for me, as it's written in the POV of a male rather than female. I really like this story and I hope you'll check it out when it's released.

Also, today I posted a "craft" blog on Sweeter Romantic Notions Author Blog. It's all about "empowering" the word smile in your manuscript. On Friday, I'll be posting some examples of what I changed in my current ms, and I'm challenging everyone to do the same. I hope you'll take a few moments to read my blog entry, and then look what you are currently writing. Then on Friday, join me to add those brilliant lines you've revised.

Happy Monday!

You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks...

I've been looking at all the neat book trailers that everyone has been making and finally decided to put together my own using Microsoft Movie Maker. I used all my own photographs that I took at various times in Tennessee. And the dog is my late beloved dog, Katie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o60j0FCDxes

I'd sure love to hear how you think I did. I kind of like it.

Blah, blah, blah

Ever had one of those days where everyone wants to talk to you? My favorite co-workers have all stopped in to chat this morning. I enjoy talking to them, but I feel really at loose ends today.

Ever had one of those days when your mind can't grasp hold of one thought for longer than two to three minutes? Maybe it's because Friday is wind down day...the last day of the work week.

My characters have gone on vacation. Everyone else is talking to me except them. **sigh** Okay, maybe I should be concentrating on my day job, which isn't writing, but I've finished all my projects, my boss is in Florida for the Super Bowl, and the halls are filled with sales personnel, yacking, laughing, and totally disrupting me. I could close my door, I suppose.

What I really want to do is sit here and listen to my characters and sketch out the next few chapters...but it's just not working. That's why I decided to open the blog and write this totally senseless trivia. At least I'm writing.

Have you ever had one of those days?

Interview with Author Christine Columbus

Hello dear blog studio guests! It's great to see you on this frosty morning in Ohio. Thank you for stopping by. I have a very special guest for you to meet today. Author Christine Columbus. Her stort stories are receiving five star reviews and very deservingly so!

**Carol Ann sits down across from Christine as the audience applauds**

CAROL ANN: Christine, thank you so much for traveling all the way to the studio today. I'm honored to be interviewing you.

CHRISTINE: Thank you. And thank you everyone for the round of applause. This is my first interview so please don't ask too hard of questions.

CAROL ANN: I promise they won't be hard. So, just let your hair down and have fun. No need to be nervous.

CHRISTINE: Do I have the option of not answering something?

CAROL ANN: **laugh** Sure. But it's not like a test or anything. Tell us a little about Christine Columbus. What kind of stories do you write?

CHRISTINE: I write Great Stories…the kind you want to read….LOL

CAROL ANN: **laugh** Great answer!

CHRISTINE: Seriously, today I write sweet romance, tomorrow might be murder mysteries. (Switch in genre would be due to Hormonal Imbalance – I’m 47, I also live with two teenagers and working with all men)

CAROL ANN: **turns to the audience--Doesn't she have a great sense of humor? That alone should make you want to hop over to the Wild Rose Press and buy her stories. **turns back to Christine** I'd love to hear about your publishing history. Can you share the journey with us?

CHRISTINE: I have had poetry published, creative fiction, children’s stories and short romance stories.

CAROL ANN: Where do you get your ideas for stories?

CHRISTINE: I hear a sentence from someone’s conversation, which sticks with me, and all of a sudden, I’m making up a story. I heard a boy mention that his Grandpa always gave him a quarter. I thought about that quarter and came up with Uncle Mike’s Love.

CAROL ANN: I'm going to have to buy that story. You've received some great fan letters about this story and the reviewers love it. So when you write, do you have a special place?

CHRISTINE: In the summer, I love to sit out on my patio with my laptop. Now, that it is winter. I sit at my pub table in my living room and write and if all the conditions are right. I even have a glass of wine, a fire in the fireplace and a country station tuned in.

CAROL ANN: I love wine, country music, and fireplaces. But if I were in that setting, I wouldn't be able to write. I'd be too relaxed. **laugh** If you had to describe yourself, what would you say?

CHRISTINE: I’m certain I was kidnapped as a small child from a warm and tropical climate and brought to Minnesota, because I hate the cold, but apparently not enough to move. I lived in MN my whole life, I’ve worked for the same company for 27+ years and the same house for 21 years.

I think I need a mid-life crisis.

CAROL ANN: **laughs and wipes eyes** That might make a good story! When you write, do you just let the whole story flow until finished, or do you edit as you go?

CHRISTINE: I’m always going back to see what is I wrote the day before and of course I always find something I need to change – on good days it is one step back and two steps forward.

CAROL ANN: Okay, now for some really serious questions. First, What is your favorite color?

CHRISTINE: Red

CAROL ANN: Do you collect anything?

CHRISTINE: Dust, cobwebs, streaks, dirt and grime.

CAROL ANN: Oh, my God! **laugh** You're making my mascara run. I like that answer. I may have to borrow it. Maybe I'll cross stitch that on a sampler and hang it on my wall. Okay, another question. What is your favorite meal?

CHRISTINE: Cheesecake

CAROL ANN: I don't think I've laughed so hard in a long time. **takes a deep breath and pours a glass of ice water. Sips.** All right. What does the word romance mean to you?

CHRISTINE: Romance is walking to the edge of the cliff, love is jumping off and true love is when you have someone to catch you when you fall.

CAROL ANN: Wonderful answer. If Oprah Winfrey called and asked you to be on her show to promote one of your stories, which one would you pick and why?

CHRISTINE: Uncle Mike’s Love, because that is the story that people always ask me about, they want to talk about Patty, and they have questions about Mike.

CAROL ANN: What are you currently working on?

CHRISTINE: Just waiting to get the edits back on my novel, “The Perfect Country and Western Story” I am also working on what I believe is another short story “Back Up”, but I thought “The Perfect Country and Western Story” was going to be a short story too, ends up a novel.

CAROL ANN: Sometimes you just have to give those characters enough space to tell their story. I love the title "The Perfect Country and Western Story". What can we expect in the future?

CHRISTINE: Longer short stories and a few more novels.

CAROL ANN: And the last question. Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword?

CHRISTINE: I believe it depends on who’s hand in on the pen and who is holding the sword.


CAROL ANN: Christine, thank you again for joining us here in the studio. It's been a lot of fun and I look forward to reading your novel when it is published. Can you give us a website and or blog address so the readers can learn more about you and your work?

CHRISTINE: Thank you for the interview….this was my first one…I guess this means I’m no longer a virgin?

http://christinecolumbus.blogspot.com/
and of course www.thewildrosepress.com

Tune in Later Today...

My humble apologies to Christine Columbus and all my readers. I forgot to post the interview with Christine this morning before I left for my D-day job.

The interview will be posted this evening. Please do check back tonight or tomorrow and read the interview. I guarantee it will be worth it. Christine is a wonderful author and a very fun person.

Promotion and Guts

When I entered the realm of published author, I knew there would be promotion involved. The internet was a way to reach people...but how do you connect? There are yahoo groups that allow promotion and "author", "publisher" days. What I've learned the past five months, is that I'm reaching the same people each time I participate in one of these events. Does it spur sales? Maybe by one book. And the cost of participating highly outweighs the results. So, what is one to do?

I've sold most of my books in print form myself. But now that I've exhausted my source of friends and family, it becomes like any other selling position. You must reach a broader audience. Since my print books are through a POD distributor, it is more difficult to get them into a traditional bookstore. If I lived in a small city, it might work, but I live in a large metropolitan city and the big bookstores aren't interested. I'm making a list of the independent bookstores, and I'm going to have to stiffen my spine, throw away my inhibitions, and learn how to sell myself. I'll have to beat the pavement like any other salesperson, be upbeat, confident, and professional. And I have to work it around a full-time day job.

Additionally, I have a website. I need to draw people to that. So...how does one promote their website? Sure there are companies you can pay to drive traffic, but you know what? It's expensive and all it does is drive traffic. Traffic is different from visitors who are interested in what you have to offer. How does one reach readers on the internet? Sure authors are readers, too, but we need to tap into the huge resource of readers who are not writers.

It takes guts to tough it out in the publishing world. It takes determination. It takes a love for what you are doing.

So, does anyone have any insight in how to promote and market to a broader audience?

Know When to Hold 'Em, Know When to Fold 'Em

That old Kenny Rogers song kept playing in my mind last night while I was staring at the monitor wondering what would come next in Joshua's Hope. It made no sense, and as much as I tried to shut the music off, it just kept running through my mind. Have you ever been there?

Frustrated, I turned away from the monitor and keyboard and flipped on the television and watched a bit of Deal or No Deal. But that song kept repeating in the background. I summoned my muse and asked her what was going on. That's when she hit me with the hammer. "You're trying to force the story. It isn't working. It's like playing poker. You need to know when you have a losing hand and throw in the cards."

She was right, of course. I had been forcing it. And it didn't work. So I took a deep breath and began to think about what needed to be cut. The entire last chapter! It was too soon for this particular scene to take place. Immediately I knew what needed to take place, and that old song stopped playing.

Yeah, now I'm playing dice. I'm rolling on.

Ever had a similar experience? Care to share? I'd love to hear!

FOXFIRE in Print!!!

Woo hoo! I just heard from my publisher. Foxfire will be available in paperback beginning February 2 at Amazon and Borders online.

I'll be ordering some books in and will be offering autographed copies on my website as well.

I can't wait to get my copy! Hope you'll check me out at Amazon!

The Writer's Office - Oh Me! Oh, My!

Ever wonder what a writer's office looks like? I used to envision the writer's life...an office with bookshelves, a gorgeous desk, state of the art computer, scanner, printer, comfortable leather chair, mood music, subtle shades of rich color and a huge window to view the world while the creative juices flowed and the words sang across the monitor. Perhaps, this euphoria exists somewhere, with some lucky author...but not with me.

First, I don't have the luxury of staying home all day and writing full-time. Maybe someday, but for now I must work the dreaded day job to stay alive. But I try to create my writer's office. In 2006, after receiving my first full-length novel publishing contract, I decided to revamp my "office" to meet my dream vision. Oh, I had already painted the walls several years ago a nice shade called twilight, a very light lavendar gray, placed a border around the top in burgundy, with a victorian lace and flower design in shades of navy and mauve. The berber carpet in shades of gray blue with flecks of navy and burgundy is the perfect compliment. I purchased a new desk and a flat screen monitor, placed it in front of the two windows and added burgundy drapes, which keep out the bright sun which bakes through the windows in the late afternoon, and the bitter cold in the winter months. So much for looking out over the scenery. Alas, the office is on the upper floor, so all I might see from my chair, which isn't leather, but a burgundy cloth, are the tops of the trees. The bookshelves are overflowing with craft books, and some of the latest novels I've been reading. One top shelf has six stuffed animals given to me over the years by my DH. The other top shelf has Elvis memorabilia given to me over the years by my loving children. I have a 13 inch TV and several VHS movies and DVDs when I need to escape into a good romantic getaway. My printer, scanner, copier sits on a small two drawer file cabinet next to my desk, and provides the perfect launching pad for my cats to reach the windows. Nothing deters them from using it, but I haven't found a better place to put it.

Currently on my desk is: a homedics radio which never gets used, the cable modem (an outer space looking piece of equipment with enough flashing green lights to resemble a landing strip at an airport, a picture of hubby and I fifteen years ago, a baby Furby, speakers, a ceramic cat business card holder, a palm pilot (rarely used), a plastic air-tight jar of almonds, a wire rack holding two online class folders and my "needs to be completed" tax info for 2006, two mugs filled with pens, pencils, and highlighters, a wild rose press ceramic tile and mug, my cordless telephone, a crystal paperweight with ATM receipts below, a small calculator, Romance Writers Report (latest), a piece of mail from United Health Care, a tablet, a calendar, my remote control, an unopened bottle of wine brought home from work two days ago, my cordless keyboard, my trackball mouse, and my flat screen monitor.

Okay, I tried to keep my desk clear. I really did. It was beautiful. And when I sat down, I was not at all creative. I just wanted to bask in the beauty. Now, with everything I need close at my fingertips, well...I did manage to create this blog entry!

Sigh, the writer's office. Is the dream a myth?

Come Party With Me!

Join me for a party at Sweeter Romantic Notions this Sunday, January 28 from 10am until 6pm EST.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SweeterRomanticNotions

It's going to be a blow your socks off party with lots of confetti, noise, snacks, giveaways, and good old gossip. I'm going to bring along a few of my characters for you to get to know. Feel free to ask any questions. I'm always willing to share. I love people and love getting to know more friends.

Let's let down our hair and have a great time! Everyone who comes to the party will qualify to win several free goodies. I have a kitchen witch, some great pen bookmarks, some autographed personalized bookmarks, a magnetic sculpture and more!

So, mark your calendars and come party with me this Sunday!

Author Interview with KyAnn Waters

Good morning, readers! So happy to see you here in the blog studio with us. I'm so happy to introduce my good friend, and fellow author, KyAnn Waters. KyAnn, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to come to the studio and chat with me. I'm delighted to see you here.

(KyAnn and Carol Ann hug and whisper excitedly. Laugh!)

CAROL ANN: All right. Have a seat and let's get started. First of all, I'm sure my readers would love to hear all about how the name KyAnn Waters came to be. Readers, you won't believe this!

KYANN: **LAUGH** When I decided to take on a pen name for my erotic novels I had no idea what to call myself. I wanted something that reflected the flavor of my stories. Are you ready… the name came from… the spice rack. Cayenne Pepper morphed into KyAnn and then Waters just seemed to be a fun way to play with the spicy name. And then from there my girlfriends and I laughed at all the ways it fit into my writing persona. Like who needs KY Jelly when you have KYAnn Waters. I’ve always written hot, but never ventured into erotica until recently. Now that I’ve had a taste I’ve become gluttonous.
All of my completed erotic titles are sold to Triskelion Publishing. Releases are – The Cougar and the Best Man Feb. 15th! Delicious Darkness (Eternally, Yours Anthology) May 07, Johnny Loves Krissy May 07, Trick or Treat (Baby Haunt Me One More Time Anthology) Halloween 07

CAROL ANN: Okay, so now we know you have a pen name for erotic, which means that you also write on the "sweeter" side of romance as well. Um, well, as sweet as you can be. **grin** How much time is spent on each genre? Do you work on only one manuscript at a time?

KYANN: ? LOL I don’t think any of my stories are necessarily sweet. And anything by KyAnn is going to be kinky.
Yep, I only write one story at a time. But that doesn’t mean the others are put to bed. Currently I’m working on a complete rewrite of a historical. Just finished up edits on two projects, and expect edits on another any day from the editor. I enjoy writing short more than full length novels. But I do recognize the need for both. So I complete a few novellas between each full length book. In 2006, I completed 3 novellas (2 erotic) and 1 full length erotic story.

CAROL ANN: Busy lady! What do you do for fun when you aren't writing. I assume there are a few opportunities to stray from the keyboard, right?

KYANN: **wink** Play with my kids, go to coffee with my girlfriends, oh God, I’m going to out myself. I watch reruns of Little House on the Prairie.

CAROL ANN: No way! **laugh** (Carol Ann hands KyAnn a bottle of water). Here that calls for a drink. **wink** (Carol Ann takes a swig of water). Okay. Now. People want to know. You've got quite a few contracts under your belt...or should I say carved on your bedpost? **giggle** How many books did you write before receiving your first contract?

KYANN: It has been an incredible year. In January 2006 I had a heart to heart with my husband about what I wanted to do with my writing because up until that time I’d simply wrote for pleasure. 13 years ago I wrote my first book. It’s a monster with famine, flood, and fire— basically an apocalypse with a happily ever after. Think dramatic Danielle Steel. (I hope you see the humor in that.) Back to the story, so in January I decided I would put all my effort into getting published. I went to my first writer’s conference in February where I pitched for the first time. In March, I had requests for full reads from two agents and two editors. In April I signed an agent for a Mystery/suspense. And then in May I signed my first contract for a Historical to Champagne Books, Marion’s Train.

CAROL ANN: That's a wonderful year indeed. Kind of a fairytale come true. So what kind of a writer are you technically? A plotter or a pantster? **giggle no pun intended**

KYANN: **laughs hysterically, takes a deep breath** Seriously, I can’t write a word until I know the story from beginning to end. I need to feel like the characters are my friends. I have numerous conversations with them usually over several weeks. I carry around a notebook and jot down ideas. And that may sound like plotting…okay so it is, but I consider myself a panster because I don’t know how my characters are going to react to the obstacles I put in front of them. I love pithy dialog that vibrates with sexual innuendo and kinky humor. My characters have to be witty. I also love a fast-paced read so that’s what I write.

CAROL ANN: I like to ask all my authors, since most of them write romance, how do you describe romance?

KYANN: Romance is the journey of falling in love. Whether erotic or traditional, we all want to feel new love’s emergence.

CAROL ANN: Great answer. I love that..."feel new love's emergence". **sigh** Romance always has heroes. And in real life, we all have those people we look to as heroes. Who do you see as a hero in your life?

KYANN: Not a hero in the typical definition. I am grateful to my husband every minute of every day for providing a life that allows me to follow my dreams. I’ll give you an example of how incredibly considerate he is. My children go to school all day and yet if I’m in a scene I don’t want to break from, after school he’ll take them to the movies and out to eat to give those extra hours to wrap up.(He’s seen Arthur and the Invisibles twice this week.) He never complains about the house and as long as there is peanut butter and bread, he doesn’t complain if I haven’t made it to the grocery store.
There’s more. He does research for me and if it happens to be of a sexual nature and he happens to come across some unusual naughty pictures, he saves them in a folder for me. Most of the time he rolls his eyes when I tell him what I’m up to, but always with a smile. However, I can’t ask him to help me plot or I end up with dark, demented subplots better suited for Law and Order- Criminal Intent. (As he cocks his head to the side and asks, “Are you going to eat that?” in his best VINCENT D'ONOFRIO voice.)

CAROL ANN: **laugh** Sounds like you are one lucky woman. Not all of us have such supportive husbands or partners. Mine lots of times feels very neglected and pouts. Then I get down and feel guilty. If you get down, who can make your laugh and lift your spirits?

KYANN: Monty Python, Mr. Bean, Phil Hendry, Dave Chappell. I love to laugh. I usually see friends just about every day, so I seldom get depressed. I come from a large blended family. (The blending has happened a few times over) With 10 siblings, most of us married with children and living within a 20 mile radius. Needless to say there is always plenty of comfort around.

CAROL ANN: You do have a wonderful support system! But, how does your family feel about you writing erotic romance?

KYANN: Hmmm. That’s debatable. I know that they’re proud that I’m a writer. But truthfully Secret Surrender is probably the only book they can all read. My mom and a couple of my sisters could handle Marion’s Train and Crashed. As for the erotica, only one sister would publicly acknowledge her love of the naughty stuff. Thanks Krissy. Yep, I named a character after her. (Johnny Loves Krissy) My Mom would read my erotica if I asked her to, but I won’t. I don’t think she wants to know what goes on in her daughter’s head. And knowing my mom, she’d assume if I wrote I could do it. Which isn’t true, well mostly isn’t true. **big grin**

CAROL ANN: Now for some really serious questions. First, what is your favorite color?

KYANN: Color is an interesting concept for me. I believe in using the color energy of Chakras in my writing. When I need to write a sex scene, I’ll do a short meditation and open the root charka. The same way I’ll open the throat Chakra when I want to focus on dialog. There are 7 energy points, Chakras, in the human body. Each one with color and properties. If you want to find out more about Chakras go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakra#The_Seven_basic_chakras
In Delicious Darkness, an erotic paranormal, I use the powers of the Chakras to combat dark forces.

CAROL ANN: Since I'm a Scorpio, I love to look at things like this. I recently read another book which dealt with Chakras. Interesting. Thanks for the link. Okay, another serious question. Which do you prefer? Broccoli and Cheese or a Big Juicy Cheeseburger?

KYANN: Oh Juicy Cheeseburger. Have you seen the commercial for the new one at Carl’s Jr.?They’ve combined my two favorite sandwiches. Philly Steak and a Cheeseburger. Hat’s off to Carl. He is a genius. **grin** Now I have to go get one. (I’m trying to be good and eat at home. So hard with Carl up the street.)

CAROL ANN: Hey, maybe we can go have lunch when the interview is done. I've never been to Carl's Jr. My treat.

KYANN: Cool!

CAROL ANN: Done! Okay, just a few more questions before I let you off the hot seat. Again, no pun intended. **laugh** What type of clothing do you wear when you write?

KYANN: Comfy pants I’d never wear in public and large, short sleeved, button down dress shirts. I have a slipper fetish. You can’t walk into a room in my house and not see at least one pair of my slippers. Today I’m wearing my furry lime green slip-ons, but glancing around my workstation I can see my soft pink ones, and my dark green, hard soled slippers I can wear if I go outside for something. I usually buy slippers to match my silky PJs. Yep, I’m a Victoria Secret girl. Love their silky jammies.

CAROL ANN: A slipper fettish! Somehow that one surprised me. But a Victoria's Secret girl. Yep, that one I would have guessed. **grin** Do you collect anything? If so, tell me about your collection...but remember, keep it clean!

KYANN: **LAUGH** I rarely talk about my collections because once people know, it’s all they ever give you and then the collection ceases to have meaning. But I’ll share one with you. I love lighthouses. And this is the collection that I don’t buy anything for myself. I have a beautiful framed print in my front room that looks fabulous against my purple walls. Now, the walls are very light lavender, but you can’t convince my husband. He wasn’t with me when I picked the paint. **big laugh**

CAROL ANN: That's interesting. My sister-in-law also collects lighthouses. I know what you mean about collections though. I collect music boxes, but now I have so many that I have to tell everyone, "Don't buy me any more!" It's kind of like bunnies, they just keep multiplying, you know? Okay, one more off the wall question. If you had the opportunity to address the world via satellite, what would you say?

KYANN: I wouldn’t address anything religious or political; I’d simply tell people to relax. Why stress over what you can’t change.

CAROL ANN: Great philosophy. Too many people stress over things that are out of their control and I never quite understood that. There are so many things to be positive about and to focus good energy elsewhere. Do you have a favorite quote?

KYANN: Oh yes! Several. These are my two favorites.

"The only way to write is well and how you do it is your own damn business." --A.J. Liebling
No truer words were ever spoken. And

"I write for the same reason I breathe - because if I didn't, I would die."Isaac Asimov

CAROL ANN: Love them! Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword? Why or why not?
KYANN: I think wounds inflicted by words, whether by the pen or spoken take longer to heal. They can fester and eat at the soul. I have the beautiful words of the Desiderata by Max Ehmann hanging by my work station. Here is the link if you’d like to read it. http://www.desiderata.com/

CAROL ANN: Thanks for sharing so much with us today, KyAnn. I've had so much fun chatting with you and from the sound of the applause, it sounds as if the audience enjoyed it as well. Before we head out for lunch, tell us what you are currently working on.

KYANN: Something naughty. LOL. Meg Snow has booked herself on a singles cruise. Imagine her surprise to discover it is a geriatric clientele. What’s a girl to do but get off the ship and spend her vacation in Jamaica.

CAROL ANN: Now that sounds like a lot of fun. You come up with some great ideas for stories. I'm in awe. Readers here are the links where you can learn more about KyAnn and her writing.

http://www.LisaDawnMacdonald.com where there is a link to KyAnn Waters. You can also find her at My Space, Yahoo 360, and yahoo groups. Links are on the websites.

Tomorrow's Author - KyAnn Waters

Join me tomorrow for an interview with my friend and fellow author, KyAnn Waters.

I promise you won't be disappointed. She's a barrel of fun!

Tuesday Outlining

How do I progress through writing my manuscript since I'm a pantster? First I have a vague idea of my entire story. I know my characters, the main plot, and how it will end. But, how do I get there without outlining the entire thing?

My method is simple. I finish writing the chapter I'm on, and then before calling it a day, I outline what I want to happen in the next chapter. That gives me a starting point for the next day's work. My outline is not a step by step, blow by blow, but more what I see as moving the story forward. The characters seem to take control once I begin writing and the chapter develops with their interactions. It's kind of like watching a movie unfold. Sometimes it takes a strange twist that I didn't expect. That's when it's fun.

So how do you go about writing your manuscripts? Do you outline any parts of it?

Curious minds want to know.

Sunday Reflections - January 21, 2007

Ick. That's all I can say about this past week. I'm glad it's over. I can only look forward and hope I'm on the road to recovery. I'm sick of being sick.

It snowed here today. 3.2 inches actually and it's still on the ground. That promises for a mass destruction of the germs that have been invading our air space. Grrrrrr.

As for writing. I did exactly what I planned to do and put writing first and foremost today. And even though I'm still dragging around, I managed to accomplish my minimum goal. Yipppee.

I vegged all weekend. Watched Jodie Foster in Flight Plan DVD this afternoon. While I watched that I signed and added ribbons to 100 bookmarks. I managed to get out and buy groceries yesterday and now my freezer is stocked and clean. So...I guess it was a fairly productive non productive weekend.

And that's enough reflection for this day.

Getting Down to Business

The issue of the week for me is to grab myself by the neck and shove my face into my manuscript. In order to finish two full length manuscripts and get them sent out to publishers, I've got to do something productive. Well, I guess promoting is considered productive, as well as taking a tax class for writers, and a plotting class for writing...but

I kind of feel like that gal who wrote STOP THE INSANITY.

I'll never be able to bring in the extra money required to allow me to retire in a few years if I don't get some manuscripts written and published. That ain't gonna happen with me pushing my current manuscripts to the bottom of the to do list.

So...turning over a new leaf beginning today. First things first. Writing. No further promotion. No checking emails. No reading. No blogging. Nothing gets checked off the list BEFORE my writing goal for the day.

I'm number one. I deserve the time to write. I owe it to myself. I'm my own worst enemy. And I'm now taking control.

And I mean it!!

Meet the stars of FOXFIRE

Join me Saturday, tomorrow, January 20 at Ann Cory's Storyboard from 2pm - 3pm. Tyler and Grace will be making appearances to share a bit about their background and what is happening in their lives as FOXFIRE unfolds. I'll be giving away a $5.00 gift certificate to The Wild Rose Press to one lucky winner. The certificate can be used to purchase any book of your choice, or to be used for Wild Rose Press items in the Cafe. Here's the link.

You can purchase FOXFIRE at The Wild Rose Press website under the Crimson Rose line. It will be available in print form soon from Amazon and from Borders On-line.

Update on my writing:
I've been busy working on Joshua's Hope which is panning out to be what I hope is one of my best books. It's a romantic suspense set in Tennessee (no surprise there). The story is Hope and Jared's. Hope, divorced from her abusive husband, has moved into the home she inherited from her grandmother. The only bad thing resulting from her divorce is leaving her three year old stepson behind, but she has no legal claim. Refusing to give up, she's been devoting her energy to finding an attorney willing to help. When her ex-husband discovers where she's living, he leaves a grisly gift--a dismembered anatomically correct male baby doll. With no other option, Hope decides to take matters into her own hands. What she doesn't bargain on is someone murdering her ex-husband, leaving her as the suspect. She turns to Jared Stone, the sheriff for help.

Ever since rescuing Hope in a downpour, Jared has been interested in getting closer to Hope. She's like a small bird with a broken wing. He senses the heartbreak she hides along with the bruises after her encounters with her ex-husband. When she comes to him with her problem, he wants to help...but he's also the sheriff. He must turn her into the Chattanooga police. If her story is true, she has nothing to worry about...except losing Joshua to foster care. Only one person can verify that Hope left the house before her husband was killed--the nanny. But, the nanny was also shot and is in critical condition.

Then the unthinkable happens. Joshua disappears.

Personally:
I'm still battling a horrid virus that has kept me down for almost three weeks. It started with a sore throat that lasted 7 days along with a sinus infection. The antibiotic did little to help. Then I began to cough--long and hard and it felt as if my entire throat was turning inside out. After three days, I went back to the doctor. Now I have a tracheal infection. The doctor prescribed a codeine cough syrup to stifle the cough and a 10 day steriod medication for the inflammation of the throat. I sound like an old cigarette smoking broad with deep voice and hacking cough. Ugh! I keep hoping 2007 will get better...but so far not much good has happened.

Author Interview with Jennifer Mueller

Good morning, Jennifer! Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed on my blogspot today. I must apologize if you have trouble hearing me since I have this nasty tracheal infection. If you need me to clarify at any time, just holler!

CAROL ANN: You have written many books, mostly historical romances. Of all your
published novels, which is your favorite and why?

JENNIFER: "Can it be one coming soon??"

CAROL ANN: Of course!

JENNIFER: " A wolf in angel's clothing coming in November is the 13 year culmination of the first story I ever wrote. I started writing it in 1992 and would finish it, put it up and then go back and the next thing i knew i had a new story. Oregon trail story set in 1851 at 90,000 words plus its actually cut down from 120,000 plus. It's the one that got me started in the whole business in the first place."

CAROL ANN: Wow, that's a lot of words. I must confess that I've never written a book with that many before. My first, HIT AND RUN, originally had over 100,000, but was scaled way back. So A Wolf in Angel's Clothing sounds like a historical romance. Romance is a word that has many meanings to people. Tell me what romance means to you.

JENNIFER: "I'm going to sound odd, but when i hear a question like that I always think of when i was in the hosptial in Nairobi, kenya with severe food poisoning and my now husband sat there holding my hand while i shook uncontrollably. The nurses had to kick him out when it was time."

CAROL ANN: That, to me, is very romantic. It's very close to my own feelings about the word. Actually, Jennifer, you've led a very interesting life. I encourage the readers to go to your website and learn more about you. We'll post it for them later. But for now, I have a serious question to ask. Are you a blue jeans or a skirt kind of woman?

JENIFER: (laughs) "Dress clothes now what are those again??? LOL Oh yeah they take up space in the closet and that one drawer i can't get open."

CAROL ANN: A gal after my own heart! I've told my readers that I love to write when my hubby and I go camping. I've got an AlphaSmart that I take with me to do rough drafts. Otherwise, I'm lucky enough to have a nice room I call my writing space. Do you have a special place where you write?

JENNIFER: "i have my little office upstairs that over looks the lake a few blocks away at least for a while longer our house is on the market right now, want to move it minnesota anyone I can put you in touch with a nice house."

CAROL ANN: Okay, readers!Anyone want to move to Minnesota?? (Carol Ann reaches for her cup of hazelnut coffee and takes a sip.) Okay, Jennifer, now let's pretend that you are "deep in the zone" with your latest manuscript when you are interrupted with the telephone ringing. What do you do?

JENNIFER: " oh I just answer the phone."

CAROL ANN: I hate to be interrupted when I'm in the zone, but that darned ringing telephone always draws me, too. I usually check caller ID first and decide whether or not to answer it. You're much nicer than me! So I'm a panster writer. Are you a pantster or a plotter?

JENNIFER: "panster definitely. written murder mysteries where i don't even know who the killer is until 3/4's of the way though the story."

CAROL ANN: Oh, I've done that! It's always fun to see where you characters lead you. So, let's say you take a break and go for a walk. You pass a McDonald's fand decide to stop in for lunch. What do you order?

JENNIFER: "a big and tasty or chicken nuggets. But frankly i'm not much of a mcDonald's
person."

CAROL ANN: I like to find out more about my authors than just what they write. It helps to show the readers that we are just people too. We have our ups and downs, just like everyone else. Who can make you laugh when you are down?

JENNIFER: "my husband usually."

CAROL ANN: Okay, so let's delve a little deeper. You just received a letter from an attorney telling you a relative you barely remember died and lef you the sole heir of an island in the
South Seas. What will you do with it?

JENNIFER: (Laughs and throws up her arms) "What kind of question is that? Move to a south sea island of course and start researching books set in the south seas until i got tired of them and then maybe I'd rent it out to fund my traveling around to see the rest of the world."


CAROL ANN: What a great idea! So, on the writing scene, what's next? Are you working on something special right now?

JENNIFER: "I just finished a story about a treasure hunt in portugal. I'm toying with doing a non-fiction about the two years i lived in kenya while serving in the peace corps, but that might end up an on off project sort of thing. Other tha that though i'm in between projects right now."


CAROL ANN: Where can the readers find out more about you and your books?

JENNIFER: I have a website at http://www2.blogger.com/www.jennifermuellerbooks.com that has links to almost anything of mine. I say almost because i still have to google myself regularly to find new reviews, wish some places would let you know about those."

CAROL ANN: Yes, I've been surprised a time or two myself! Okay now for the final question. It's one I ask all authors. Do you believe the pen is
mightier than the sword? Why?

JENNIFER: "Well i'd like to say that it is, but most of the reason i can think of why can be applied to the swrod as well. Those would start getting into a far more philosphical discussion than i feel like right now."

CAROL ANN: (Stands and shakes Jennifer's hand.) Thank you so much. I've truly enjoyed getting to know more about you.

Readers, please take time to leave a comment for Jennifer. I encourage you to visit her site and see all the wonderful books she has available. Til later...

Dear Carol Ann - We Have a Winner

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and left questions this week! As promised, I drew a name from the entrants and one person will be receiving an autographed copy of HIT AND RUN. That lucky person is...JUDY!!! Please email me at cae@carolannerhardt with the subject HIT AND RUN winner. Provide me with your snail mail address and I'll get your book out to you.

For the others who didn't win, you can order an autographed copy of HIT AND RUN by contacting me off my website.

It's Dear Carol Ann day. Looking forward to seeing your questions on any topic, personal, reading, writing, or just in fun.

Also, be sure to check out the interview yesterday with author Erica DeQuaya, and leave her a comment.

Til tomorrow....

Author Interview with Erica DeQuaya

Good morning, Readers!!! It's rather cold here in Columbus, Ohio this morning, but the sun is supposed to come out soon and the temp will warm up to near 50. Today, in the blogging studio, I have with me multi-published award winning author, Erica DeQuaya. Erica, thank you for agreeing to let me interview you today. Help yourself to a cup of fresh macadamia nut coffee. **Erica hangs up her coat and places her coffee on the table between us.**

CAROL ANN: While perusing your website in preparation for this interview, I noticed that you write romantica. Your reason for choosing this genre is that you got tired of reading romances and having the bedroom door slammed in your face. **grin** So, can you tell me a little about what you do write, but keep in mind this is a PG-rated blog. **chuckle**
ERICA: **takes a sip of coffee and crosses her legs, leans back and grins** Glad to, Carol Ann! My claim to fame is erotic romance with a plot. I don't throw sex into a book just so two people can get their rocks off. That's fine for other writers, but it just isn't my style. There needs to be some kind of connection there, whether through a friendship (such as in my novel Mixed Media); a long-term marriage (from my novella Double Mitzvah) or even an antagonistic relationship (Rave Review, a short story).

Having said that, I start with a plot first, THEN work in the erotic scenes rather than the other way around.

CAROL ANN: Wonderful! I like to hear that. Romantica or erotic romance gets a bum rap sometimes because there are authors out there who do write nothing but sex without a plot. I've read a couple myself, and unfortunately, decided this wasn't for me. It's important for me to be entertained, and the book has to have a good plot to keep my interest. When I first started writing, I didn't realize there were so many different categories of romance, but I've always been a fan of the genre. That said, romance is a word which has many different meanings depending on the individual. Tell me what romance means to you.

ERICA: Romance is more than pretty flowers, sparkling jewelry or sultry words. Romance involves a deep connection between two individuals, which happens not only between the sheets, but in life. For example, I've spent romantic evenings with my husband where we don't end up in bed. Those times are romantic because of the sheer enjoyment we both get from being with one another, talking to one another and the physical things we do, such as holding hands, hugging and kissing. Sometimes those actions can be just as satisfying as bedroom gymnastics!.

CAROL ANN: So true. I see you are wearing a pair of jeans today. I'm glad you decided to come comfortable. As you can see, I'm wearing jeans myself. So tell me, are you a blue jeans or a skirt kind of woman?

ERICA: Oh, gosh. Blue jeans, definitely. I'll go one step further and say sweat pants!

CAROL ANN: Yes! I love sweat pants and sweat shirts. Although I work during the day, I can't wait to come home and change into my comfy clothes before I start writing. I'm lucky enough to have converted a bedroom into an office where I can get away from the other distractions of home life. Do you have a special place where you write?

ERICA: I'm a journalist with a "paying" job so I'm lucky enough to have a home office where most of my book writing and other stuff gets done. But last spring and summer, I spent a lot of time drafting my paranormal romance novel Soul Obsession at a couple of Starbucks. Soul Obsession is scheduled for a summer release under the name of my alter ego, Amy Wolff Sorter.

CAROL ANN: You also wrote Servant of the Gods under that alter ego. Servant of the Gods, readers, is a historical romance. **turns back to Erica** Since you're the journalist, maybe you should be interviewing me. **both laugh** Let's pretend you are in your home office working on your latest manuscript. You are "deep in the zone" with when you are interrupted with the telephone ringing. What do you do?

ERICA: I ignore the phone if I'm that deep into a manuscript. I figure that's what voice mail is for! Besides I have ADHD, and if I'm interrupted, it takes forever for me to re-find that "zone."

CAROL ANN: Oh, I wish I had your discipline. I just can't ignore a ringing telephone, especially if I know who is calling. I've been berated by many of my writing instructors because I just can't write an outline before I write my novel. I guess I'm a true seat of the pants writer. What are you-- a pantster or a plotter?

ERICA: I fly by the seat of my pants. When I sit down, I have a general idea of plot and characters and beginning and end, but then I let my stream of conscience go. It might take a little longer to get the story done, but I think it allows for some great creativity.

Soul Obsession is a case in point. In earlier drafts, I'd introduced a Chanukah menorah as an aside that the heroine had made in her childhood. In subsequent drafts, that menorah gained more importance, and it came out that both the hero AND heroine had created it when they were kids, which linked them further as adults. Had I followed an outline, that subplot likely never would have come to light.

CAROL ANN: I knew we had a lot in common! It's great to meet another panster. **Carol Ann and Erica drive a fist toward the sky** Woo hoo! Okay, enough of that. So tell me, Erica, of all your published novels, which is your favorite and why?

ERICA: **Cherie uncrosses her legs and leans forward for another drink of java** Mixed Media is my favorite because I like the characters so much. The hero, Stephen Lemont, made an appearance in my first novel, Backstage Affair. Unlike a lot of my other heroes, he isn't dark, tortured or tormented, but rather, has a great personality and terrific sense of humor. I also really liked Jennifer, the heroine. Those two forged a really terrific relationship, but I'm not biased or anything.**big grin**

CAROL ANN: I'm truly intrigued with your books. Stephen Lemont sounds like my kind of hero. Now for a very serious question. You walk into a McDonald's for lunch. What do you order?

ERICA: **laughs**OK, the secret's finally out. Alert the National Enquirer. McD's fries are my particular weakness. I could be happy with just two orders of those and a milkshake.

CAROL ANN: I can relate! Especially when I'm depressed. Gotta have a McD milkshake. I'm sure you have times when you are feeling a bit in the dumps, too. Who can make you laugh when you're down?

ERICA: My husband does a pretty good job of making me laugh. He knows the most godawful jokes and puns that can put me out of my misery more often than not. If he's not around, funny movies like Austin Powers or Monty Python'll do it. I'm a sucker for British comedy.

CAROL ANN: Laughing is a wonderful cure. It's healthy, and low in calories, too! **laugh** Here's another off the wall question. I want to make sure the readers get to know the real Erica. **wink** You just received a letter from an attorney telling you a relative you barely remember died and left you the sole heir of an island in the South Seas. What will you do with it?

ERICA: I'd probably visit it for a month, then sell it for obscene amounts of money. I'm not one who can languish on a South Seas island for too long without going stir crazy. Sun, fun and surf only go too far with me!

CAROL ANN: Yeah, sweat pants wouldn't be too good on that hot sunny island. And finally, a question I ask all authors. Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword? Why?

ERICA: Definitely. I believe words have a power and when used correctly, can educate, enlighten and entertain; and be unforgettable. When words are just tossed out, or used hurtfully, it can have a negative effect. That's why I'm ultra critical of my own stuff, and polish it again and again because I want to be sure the words I use convey the right moods and meaning for my characters and stories.

It's an awesome responsibility being a writer. As writers, it's our job to take care of our readers. Whether it's taking care of them by giving them a few hours of enjoyment or by opening them to a new world with fascinating characters, it's something we need to take seriously. Every time I sit down to write a book (or review one), I ask myself what the reader will take away from it.

CAROL ANN: Erica, thank you so much for taking time to visit the blog studio. I had a wonderful time getting to know you. In fact, I think I'll be purchasing one of your books soon. You've been a wonderful guest and I wish you much success in the future.

Readers, you can learn more about Erica and her books by visiting the following links: http://www.thepinkposse.net/index3.html
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/bio_DeQuaya.html
http://www.amberquill.com/ServantGods.html
If you'd like to contact Erica about her books, you can do so at ericadeq@yahoo.com

Books, Books, Books - Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

I finished reading DEAR JOHN by Nicholas Sparks last night. It left me in tears. Nicholas Sparks has a way of bringing his characters to life, of pulling you right into the story and grabbing hold of your emotions. It's the story of John, a rebel bound for trouble, who finally joins the Army where in the old cliche, he learns to become a man. But for John, it's more than that. It's his journey to learning the truth behind his father's "indifference" over the years. Once he learns the reason for his father's dull and routine life, he learns to forgive and to love unconditionally. One woman, Savannah, the love of his life helps him on this journey. They plan to marry when John gets out of the service, but September 11, 2001 is a day that changes everything, for John re-enlists. How long will Savannah wait for him? Can he expect her to put their lives on hold while he puts his own life in danger? I won't give away the ending, but I recommend this book to anyone who loves a heart-tugging story of love, forgiveness, and learning. It's a keeper on my shelf.

Woe is Me...and Flying Body Parts

What a horrible game. We Buckeyes got our royal **butts** kicked...and good. Actually, I turned the game off in the fourth quarter and went to bed. **sigh**

Since nobody responded to the Tuesday Challenge last week and I've really only had a couple of people who seem interested, I'm doing away with it altogether. Tuesdays will be a day to post a tidbit about writing...something that I've learned along this journey to publishing.

One fun thing I learned: Flying Body Parts

What are flying body parts? Let me give you a few examples.

Susie dropped her eyes to the floor.
Dustin's feet tap danced across the stage.
Susie's fingers ran up Dustin's leg.

Let's look at these "literally". First, can Susie really take her eyes out of her head? How else could they drop to the floor? Dustin's feet aren't attached to his body? How can his feet take off on their own? The same with Susie's fingers! Can you picture these? Eyeballs falling onto a floor? Eeeuw!!! Feet detaching and dancing away? Maybe in a cartoon! Same with Susie's fingers. Well, unless this is a weird horror book.

This was the hardest lesson for me to learn, I think. My coach kept sending back my papers with red marks on all these "flying body parts". Once I started looking at these literally, I found myself laughing aloud at other author's books. Especially romances, where the hero would caress the heroine with his eyes. It seemed so natural for me to write this way, too.

How should the above be written?

Susie glanced at the floor.
Dustin tap danced across the stage.
Susie ran her fingers up Dustin's leg.

Make sense? I'd love to see some examples you run across in your reading adventures. Feel free to share them for a good laugh!

Reflections - Sunday January 8

Looking back over the week, it's been a roller coaster of ups and downs. First a feeling of euphoria when I was accomplishing all my daily goals, then a sense of failure when sickness dropped me to accomplishing only one or two over the weekend. Also, I've found that I seem to procrastinate the most when it comes to writing my manuscript. I found myself going through the list and accomplishing all the easy goals first and leaving the writing until LAST!! Well, writing is the hardest because I have to "be in the mood" to write something good. But, if I just open that page where I left off and get started, I'm always in the mood and I'm usually please with what I manage to create. At least I've learned something about myself in setting these goals. Now, if I can just put that to use and make sure I do the writing first...

Of course, I know the reason I don't. Once I start writing, everything else gets shoved aside. I write and write and don't want to stop.

Hmmm, how to come up with a perfect solution? Guess I'll have to do some more reflecting to come up with the answer.

Daily Lists, Goals, and Feeling Out of Control

So, I began to keep a daily list of things that I wanted to accomplish each day. Each is achievable. By looking at the list and checking things off, at the end of the day I felt great! Then everything fell apart. Friday my hubby went to the doctor and was diagnosed with a sinus infection and acute bronchitis. He was a breath away from pneumonia. And at that same time my grandson (5 months) was admitted to Children's Hospital with RSV. Guess what happened to my lists? Yeah, I'm not feeling very good about accomplishments right now...

Release Day!!!

It's official!!! Today is the day FOXFIRE will be released at The Wild Rose Press! I'm so excited!! I'm celebrating by giving away something special!

Today is usually "Dear Carol Ann" day on my blog, and I'm going to continue with that today. So, go ahead and ask me any questions you'd like...either personal or about my books, or writing in general. I'll answer your question and I'll put your name into a drawing to win a free autographed copy of Hit and Run!

You will have through next Thursday to post your questions and be included in the drawing!

NOTE: If you aren't familiar with blogging, all you have to do is click on the comments link below. A window will pop up with the other comments and you will have a blank window to ask your question. Be sure to include your name to be eligible for the drawing. You will have to click as "anonymous" in order to post since you don't have a blogger account.

Author Interview with Catherine Stang

Good morning, readers. The full moon is descending and it's promising to be a rainy day today here in Columbus, Ohio. Today I'll be interviewing author Catherine Stang. She currently has a novel titled, RAVENSTHORPE LEGACY, published by New Concepts Publishing. RAVENSTHORPE HEIR is contracted with New Concepts Publishing, which is coming soon. Additionally she has three books contracted with Whiskey Creek Press: CROSSING THE LINE, SWEET SERENITY, and BLINK OF AN EYE, all due to release in 2007.

CAROL ANN: Welcome, Catherine. I'm so happy to start of the new year with you as my first author to be interviewed.

CATHERINE: How exciting that I get to be your first interview of the new year. Thanks for asking me.

CAROL ANN: You're welcome. It's my honor. Before asking you to be my guest, I perused your website. I have to tell you how much I enjoyed watching the words marquee behind the glasses! Very unique and "eye catching". Did you design your own website or did you contract someone?

CATHERINE: Thanks, I’ll tell my sister that you liked it. She does my website. A few years ago she got my domain name for me as a birthday gift. Then after I got published, she helped me put my website together. She has a graphic design business and mostly does business websites. This is her first author one.

CAROL ANN: She did a wonderful job! You have quite a few novels coming out this year. That's always exciting. I see that you write both historical romance and romantic suspense. If you were to write something totally different, and out of your sub-genre of choice, what would you choose and why?

CATHERINE: I have done some paranormal and I would to explore more of that. I would also like to write a time travel. It would be fun to blend the past and present.

CAROL ANN: I love time travel books, but I don't think I could write one. It does sound like fun, though. A lot of my readers are aspiring to become published. When you decided to start writing with a goal of becoming published, did you taken any writing classes, either classroom or on-line? Would you recommend classes to someone who is aspiring to be a published author?

CATHERINE: I went to the pre-conference workshops that Romantic Times offered. I also belonged to RWA and to a local chapter. That was where I learned the most about the craft of writing. RWA national conference has many great workshops for writers who are just starting out. They also offer online classes through some of their internet chapters. Those are helpful because you get to ask questions. Suzanne Brockmann taught a couple through the Kiss of Death Chapter. If you get a chance to take one of hers, I highly recommend it. Many of the online places I took classes from like Painted Rock are gone, but I’m sure others have taken their place. If you are looking to go the college route, the University of Iowa has a wonderful writing program. They have a great summer writing program with many famous authors who come to share their time and talent.

CAROL ANN: Local chapters are a great source of support. I would encourage everyone who is writing, or thinking about writing, to join one. RWA and their sub-chapters do offer a wealth of classes. In fact, I'm taking two this month. I'm taking Taxes for the Writer and Plotting Bootcamp. I don't usually take two at a time, and I don't recommend it, but it just happened coincidentally that both were offered at the same time. Anyway, back to you, Catherine. When you received word of your first contract, how did you react/celebrate?

CATHERINE: I got my contract from Whiskey Creek the same day I had critique group, so I got to celebrate with my critique partners. After so many rejections, I honestly was afraid to open the email from Debra. I think it took me a full minute of rereading it to realize that they bought the book. I was alone, of course, so I called everyone I knew, starting with my parents. I left the email on my computer for months and clicked on it all the time just to feel my pulse race. What was even more exciting was that a week to day I got my contract from Whiskey Creek, I got one from Andrea at New Concepts. That book, Ravensthorpe Legacy, is the first one I have out. The first one I sold is Crossing the Line which will be out May 07.

CAROL ANN: Awesome! You've done well for yourself. Everyone has a different writing process. I believe Stephen King doesn't name his characters until after the book is written. When do you name your characters?

CATHERINE: Most of the time that is first thing I do. They aren’t real to me until the have names. Once in while I have written my first chapter with he/she, because the name hasn’t come to me. That doesn’t happen very often.

CAROL ANN: We are both romance writers. Every person has their own idea of romance. So, I'm going to ask you to tell me what romance means to you.

CATHERINE: I think Romance is a mix of feelings ranging from the heart pounding rush of initial attraction to the small little moments that melt your heart.

CAROL ANN: In romances, there is always a building to that first kiss between the hero and heroine. I remember my first kiss. I was thirteen and had gone to a dance with a boy I liked. He walked me to my back door and gave me my first kiss. **sigh** I'll never forget it. Do you remember your first kiss?

CATHERINE: **laugh** I remember the rush of emotions, but most of all I remember being shy and not know knowing exactly what I was supposed to do.

CAROL ANN: I can relate to that! As an author, we spend a lot of time doing edits with our editor. There's always another read through to make sure everything is "just right." Have you ever cried when reading one of your scenes?

CATHERINE: I write emotional stories, so I have gotten a lump in my throat. I have to have put the book away for awhile for that to happen. When I’m too close to story all I see are the flaws.

CAROL ANN: I love the picture on your website with you and your dogs. How did you get into working with "therapy dogs?"

CATHERINE: I had an extended stay in the hospital after complications from surgery. There the therapy dogs visited me. Having them come cheered me up and I wanted to pass the feeling on, so I looked into it after I got home. When my older dogs passed away, I found a breeder. Once my dogs were old enough, I began the training process. You have figure out what type of therapy work your dog is most suited for. My dogs love to bond with people, so we hooked up with a local nursing home where they can see the same people week after week. My husband and I go together with each of us taking a dog.
If you want to know more about therapy dogs, I have link on my website to Therapy dog, Inc. which is the group we received our training under. There are number of organizations that do this, but this was the only one in our area.

CAROL ANN: Have you incorporated your experience with therapy dogs into any of your books? If not, do you plan to do that in the future?

CATHERINE: Not yet, but I do often have dogs in my books. Right now I don’t have story in the works that lends itself to that, but I never say never.

CAROL ANN: That's a good policy. One never knows what might appear in the next novel. So, tell us, what is a typical day for you?

CATHERINE: I’m a stay at home mom with a teenager. Most days I get up early to walk on the treadmill. I love listening to books on tape when I walk. I have to take turns with it, since my son like to run on it. Days when it’s nice, I start a bit slower and take my dogs to park by our house for a walk. Once I get my family off the school and work, I settle in to write. My husband comes home for lunch. Then I work until my son gets home from school.
Of course, that is an ideal day. Living in a house with three dogs and a teenager my days get crazy. I have the run to high school with whatever he forgot. Then there’s the days my dogs get into everything like the Christmas tree. Being at home means I get watch all my son’s cross country meets, tennis matches, ride the band bus on the spur the of the moment, and judge the two debate and speech tournaments. I feel blessed that I get to be there for him. I also, hope that by following my dream, that I taught him that it’s okay to dream big and go after what you want.

CAROL ANN: That's wonderful. I'm sure you have given him inspiration. What words would you offer to aspiring writers?

CATHERINE: Keep writing and don’t let the rejections get you down. It might take more than one book to break in, but remember that with each book you write your voice gets stronger. Find some writing friends. They’ll be the ones who keep you sane and grounded.

CAROL ANN: Before we close, I want to give authors a link to your website so they can learn more about you and your books.

CATHERINE: My website is http://www.catherinestang.com/

CAROL ANN: I encourage all the readers to check Catherine's site. I truly enjoyed perusing it.
Finally, I never let an author go before asking this last question. Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword? Why or why not?

CATHERINE: Yes, I think the pen has the power bring out problems that are difficult to speak about. I found books that deal with dark, emotional issues can sometimes be healing. I also believe that escaping for a moment can give your mind a much needed retreat.

CAROL ANN: Catherine it has been my pleasure to host you on my blog. Thank you for being so gracious with your time.

CATHERINE: Thanks, Carol. I have a cold, so my head is a thick today, so I hope everything I said makes sense.

CAROL ANN: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. You are a trooper for coming in when you aren't up to par. I hope you feel better soon.

Thanks, readers, for stopping by. I hope you will leave Catherine a comment or two, or even ask a question. I'm sure she'll be checking and will answer anything you might have to ask. Next Thursday, I'll be interviewing Erick DeQuay, so be sure and stop back.

Cross, by James Patterson

I finished reading Cross this past week. In true Patterson form, he reeled me into the story and kept me captive until the very end. I love all the books in the Alex Cross series. Patterson doesn't just write a thriller, he writes a "romantic" thriller. No, not the fall in love and fall in bed kind of romance, but his characters are so vivid, so real, and so compassionate. Alex Cross is a family man, who has been disappointed in love several times since his wife died in his arms. But he deeply loves his grandmother, who has cared for him and the children since Maria's death. He loves his children, and the bonds of this family reach out and grab the reader by the heart. In this latest book, Alex is chasing a man known as "the butcher", for fairly obvious reasons. He's a hit man who "butchers" the people he kills. In fact, he killed his own father and cut him into little pieces and took him out on a boat and fed him to the fish. Alex has reason to believe this man is the one who murdered his wife. It's a riveting story, and has a surprise ending...although the book is open for another sequel. I'm glad, for I've really come to like Alex Cross and I would be disappointed if I couldn't read more of his adventures.

January 2007 - Tuesday Challenge

Beginning this month, the Tuesday challenge will only be offered the first Tuesday of each month.

Your assignment, should you decide to accept it will be to write a brief scene about a woman who sits down in a bus and finds a bag of money under her seat.

You may post your comments any time between today and this coming Sunday. The winner will be announced on Monday January 8, based on random drawing.

What is the prize? A free download of my brand new romantic suspense novel, FOXFIRE, due to release on 1/5/2007.

Happy New Year - Tuesday Writing Challenge Winner

As the New Year comes tumbling in, I'm sitting here feeling just like I'm caught in a snowball that is rolling downhill out of control.

First, yesterday I received an "emergency" call from my son-in-law. My daughter had "rolled" her Rodeo getting onto the freeway headed for church. (Thank goodness we go to an early service and were home.) His truck needed a new starter so he had no transportation to get to her and he was watching their two youngest boys. I sat with the boys, while he drove my car to the accident scene. Thank the Good Lord she was not injured. It was raining and she lost control on a curve. The vehicle skidded off the road onto the grassy area, which proved to be just as slippery. At some point it became airborne and rolled ending on its top. She thinks she blacked out during the roll, which might have saved her being injured more. She released the seat belt and fell, then climbed out the driver's window, which had busted out. That was the only window that actually broke completely. The windshield was shattered completely and bowed, but did not explode. She escaped with a small bruise beside her knee, and some pain in her neck from the fall. God was definitely with her.

Then last night we went to the youngest daughter's house for a family get-together, which we do from time to time. We all play Encore, a game that requires "singing" eight words of a song in a back and forth battle of teams. We had a fantastic time bringing in the New Year together.

Rising late this morning, my husband found someone had stolen the license plate from the back of his truck. We filed a report with the police, and now have to wait until tomorrow to get replacement tags. He'll have to miss work and drive me to work in order to have transportation to get his plates.

**Sigh** I hope this isn't a preview of what to expect during 2007. So far, it isn't looking too promising.

But I did accomplish one thing yesterday. I changed my entire website appearance. If you have a chance, I'd love to hear what you think!

I had two people enter the writing challenge from last week. Rather than drawing names, since both have been winners before, I'm going to send each of them a gift certificate to The Wild Rose Press. So, Betty and Lesa, please email me off my website so I have you email addresses to send the certificates!

Since the Tuesday Challenge hasn't been a big participation event, I'm going to offer it only once per month rather than weekly. Tomorrow will be the next challenge and you'll have one week to respond. The winner will be announced next Monday. Be sure to check in tomorrow for your chance to win a free download of my new book to be released on Friday!

On the other Tuesdays of the month, I'll be posting little tidbits to help new and aspiring writers.