Author Interview with Dr. Barbara Holstein

As the audience applauds, the curtain raises and Carol Ann walks on stage, bows, and smiles. "Hello, everyone! I'm so happy to be back with you today. This past week has been very hectic. I visited a dear friend in North Carolina, and just got back into town. Everything about my trip was wonderful. The scenery was spectacular, but I have to confess that I have a phobia about driving across bridges that have those metal frames above them. You know the ones I'm talking about? I freeze whenever I start driving over them. Had to cross two of them on the way, and darn if those same two weren't waiting for me on the way back!"




AUDIENCE LAUGHS




"Today we have another very special guest in the blog studio. This lady is making a virtual book tour and I'm looking forward to meeting her. How about you?"




AUDIENCE APPLAUDS




"All right, then! Let's get her out here. Blog studio audience please make welcome Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein--Psychologist, Happiness Coach & Author!"




AUDIENCE WHOOPS AND APPLAUDS ASDR. HOLSTEIN WALKS FROM BEHIND THE CURTAINS.




CAROL ANN: Welcome to the Blog Studio, Dr. Holstein.




BARBARA: Please call me Barbara, Carol Ann.

(Picture of Dr. Barbara Holstein and her book cover)


BOTH WOMEN WALK TO THE FACING LOVESEATS ANGLED SLIGHTLY TOWARD THE AUDIENCE.

CAROL ANN: Barbara, Please tell me about your book. It looks so interesting and everything I've read makes me want to rush out and buy a copy.


BARBARA: The Truth, I'm Ten, I'm Smart and I Know Everything is a book I'm so proud of. It is a brand new way to help women and girls focus on what is right and heroic and wonderful about themselves. What if we could carry THE TRUTH from girlhood to adulthood? That priceless "truth" that we all recognize as kids? adulthood?What if we could pass the gift of our early wisdom and brilliance along to our children, giving them permission to hold on to their most precious jewels?I think I've found a way in THE TRUTH, I'm Ten, I'm Smart and I Know Everything. The Truth is a delightful, humorous secret diary, written by a girl who is 10-11 years of age. She is wise and yet so innocent. She makes us cry and laugh and remember ourselves. Behind this very easy read is the psychological message to the women reading THE TRUTH that they can and must recapture the fire and passion of their girlhoods not only for themselves to flourish and be happy, but for the next generation to also have the gifts of good emotional and spiritual health.



CAROL ANN: Where did you come up with the idea for this book?



BARBARA: As a positive psychologist I have always been determined to share and teach positive psychological concepts in a self help manner that truly works. I did that in all my previous books, starting with THE ENCHANTED SELF, A Positive Therapy and later with Recipes for Enchantment, The Secret Ingredient is YOU! The question was how continue to do that and not be dry or tedious. How could I pass on the wisdom I have the privilege of understanding and using in a way that women would enjoy the read and still use the inspiration from my book to integrate more fully all the positive parts of themselves and not shy away from their own powers to create a fabulous life for themselves? How also could I create a read that would help women and their daughters communicate more openly and honestly so that girl would be able to trust that as they grew up they would come into their own and not have to 'sell out.'
The answer to my question was to let the 'girl' come alive. The 'girl' is the ten, soon to be 11 year old who began to emerge as I started to draft this book. The more she came alive, the easier it was for my message to come through. I soon saw that I needed to let go of her and allow her to more away from me- become her own character who knew exactly the book she wanted to write. And she wrote it!



CAROL ANN: I can relate to that. It's true that our characters really do write their stories. Tell me, who is the target audience for your book?




BARBARA: My primary target audience with this edition of THE TRUTH is women. My secondary market with this edition is girls, ages 10-14. However, there will be a special girl's edition of THE TRUTH with a different introduction and questions out later this fall.



CAROL ANN: What do you hope your readers gain from reading this book?



BARBARA: I hope women will get back in touch with their earlier passions and wisdom. I hope they will laugh aloud and remember themselves in a new, favorable light as they join energies with the girl. I also hope they will feel an appreciation of their daughters that will result in more open sharing and loving between mom and daughter. I hope girls will rejoice in finding a soulmate and feel more courageous to approach their mother's for open conversation and also have more courage to hold on to what is most precious about themselves.



CAROL ANN: As a writer, not a psychologist, what does the word romance mean to you?



BARBARA: Romance means enchantment with life and with oneself. It means finding mystery, newness, adventure and contentment in what happens next to ourselves or to another. It means having lots of available energy and passion! We can romance life, or a meal, a wonderful sleep or a lover! The possibilities are endless.



CAROL ANN: You probably thought you'd appear on this show and just talk about your book, but we do things differently here. I like to show the audience more about the guests I interview. You know, kind of let them know that we are just people, too. So, my first "off the wall" question is this. Your life is about to become a movie. What will the title be?

BARBARA: Wow-let's see. I would say, Romancing The Truth.

CAROL ANN: What is a normal day for you?

BARBARA: I see clients and/or write, take care of all the usual family chores, take care of myself, spend time with my husband and/or family and grandkids. I like to have some time to myself but I also crave to be with people I care about. When I travel I love to shop and see what people like to eat and wear, read, etc. in a new place.

CAROL ANN: When you are down, who can make you laugh?

BARBARA: Some of my friends, my husband, my grandkids and good news.

CAROL ANN: Do you collect anything?

BARBARA: We used to collect antiques but we have too many! I collect my writings and my impressions about life. I collect information that I think will be useful. I collect ways to stay healthy, herbs to fight off food poisoning, etc.

CAROL ANN: Those sound like great collections. You don't have to dust them off! **both laugh** Oh, Barbara, the time has flown by. See that guy over there? He's been giving me the hand slicing gesture across the neck. Guess that means, we need to wrap up the interview. One last question. Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword?

BARBARA: Of course-words are our treasure-they set us apart from other living creatures and give us a way to create new world and to solve problems.

CAROL ANN: Thanks so much for stopping by on your tour. I've really enjoyed having you. before you leave, will you please tell the audience where can we purchase your book?

BARBARA: On my website, http://www.enchantedself.com/ and of course on http://www.amazon.com/. I am selling THE TRUTH, I'm Ten, I'm Smart and I Know Everything! on sale now at my site.

CAROL ANN: Thanks again.

AUDIENCE APPLAUDS AS CAROL ANN AND BARBARA LEAVE THE STAGE.

CAMERA ROLLS OVER THE FOLLOWING CREDITS WHERE THE AUDIENCE CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. HOLSTEIN AND HER BOOKS.

http://www.marthathrowbridge.com/ , http://www.goodnewsbroadcast.com/ , http://www.religionandspirituality.com/

Great News in My Mailbox Tonight...

The query letter and synopsis which I mailed on July 10 to Steeple Hill for JOSHUA'S HOPE has already received a response!! They want me to submit the entire manuscript.

I am so excited! I didn't expect to hear so soon and when I saw that letter from Harlequin, I cringed. Didn't want to open it. Wanted to open it. Heart pounding I told myself it was just another rejection letter. Especially when I noticed only two short lines for the body of the letter. But it wasn't a rejection!! Very simply stated, the letter thanked me for my query and asked for the full manuscript and a synopsis.

This is the publisher I have been targeting for six years and I'm praying this will be my foot in the door, so to speak. If they buy this manuscript, it will be a dream come true for me.

Okay, nose to the grindstone now. I must, must, must do a thorough edit and make several revisions based on feedback from advance readers.

Taking a deep breath, and preparing for the dive.....

Later, my friends. Wish me luck!!

Author Interview with Lisa Logan

The camera pans over the Blog Studio audience as the show begins. Today, we see several country music artists in the group (everyone knows Carol Ann loves country music). First waving and smiling is the beautiful and very talented Martina McBride. The camera continues to pan while the audience is yelling and clapping and we see another great country star...no, two country stars...Faith Hill and Tim McGraw!! The band begins to play and the camera pans to the stage where we see a tall, lanky man, wearing a white hat, a sport coat, and ragged knee jeans. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome country music superstar Alan Jackson. Alan begins to sing, "A Woman's Love".



The audience goes wild. Carol Ann enters from stage right, applauding and grinning.



Alan takes a bow. Carol Ann shakes his hand and thanks him for opening the show.



"Wow! Alan Jackson, ladies and gentlemen. Wasn't he great?"



When the audience applause lessens, Carol Ann takes her seat in the blog studio interview area.



CAROL ANN: Now that's what I call a wonderful opening. I love country music. Oh, hi Faith! Hi Tim! Oh, and Martina! Hello. I'm so honored to have all of you in the audience today. We have another guest who is just backstage waiting to come out and tell us all about her first full length novel, VISIONS. Please put your hands together and make welcome, author Lisa Logan!



Audience applauds. Carol Ann holds up a book and the camera pans in.

CAROL ANN: Welcome, Lisa. So glad you could be with us today. This is a gorgeous cover. The audience is as eager as I am to hear more about your story. Please tell us about it.

LISA: VISIONS is the tale of a movie star turned real-life hero, when he bumps into a stranger and somehow acquires her psychic abilities. Can he use his newfound powers to find his mysterious benefactor in time to fulfill their romantic destiny--and save her from certain danger?

CAROL ANN: Oooh, you are good. You tell us just enough to get us intrigued enough to want more. **laugh** Guess we'll have to buy the book to learn all about those psychic abilities and the romance.

How did the idea for this book generate?

LISA: From a dream, actually! I dreamt someone touched a psychic and was suddenly imbued with their powers. The idea, though I could find no factual basis for it, intrigued me...and before long this had sprouted into the premise for my book.

CAROL ANN: That's fascinating. I've never been able to remember enough about my dreams to turn them into a story. Of course my dreams always seem to feature me in some weird kind of twisted video flash. **grin** How many novels did you write before becoming published?

LISA: VISIONS was my first full-length novel, though it took me nearly a year and a half to beat the challenge of moving from short fiction work to novel.

CAROL ANN: What do you have planned in the near future?

LISA: I have two books under consideration right now: a murder mystery titled TWELVE STEPS TO MURDER, and the first of a series of red hot novellas called SUITE SEDUCTION. I also just signed a contract for the lead story in a Twisted Fayry Tales anthology.

CAROL ANN: Sounds like you are on the path to many more successes. A lot of Blog Studio fans want to know if I have a place of my own in which I write. What does your writing space look like?

LISA: Our dining area has been converted into a nook, where a large desk houses my entire writing universe. I utilize Feng Shui in my writing space, though clutter tends to make it less ideal than I'd like.

CAROL ANN: I can relate to that. It's so hard to keep a writing desk uncluttered! I have to confess that my writing office is the most cluttered room in our house. I'm currently working on a manuscript and I'm close to the half way point, but I still don't have a title for it. How do you decide on a title for your books?

LISA: Usually they just come to me--sometimes before the idea for the book itself. Such was the case with TWELVE STEPS TO MURDER: the titled popped into my head, then I started wondering what that book would be about. So far I've been at a loss only once, and my husband saved the day by coming up with SUITE SEDUCTION.

CAROL ANN: Ah, a supportive spouse. That's always a plus. Here's a question I love asking my guests. What does the word romance mean to you?

LISA: As a life concept or a genre? Hmm, then again, I imagine my definition is the same either way: both are rather confusing to figure out at times, but offer the wildest ride of one's life. I highly recommend it.

CAROL ANN: Lisa, do you have any pets? I've heard it said that people resemble their pets. Is that true for you?

LISA: I've had no pets for close to ten years now, though I've had the usual menagerie before then: cats, dogs, fish, birds, hamsters. Right now we have a preschooler to chase after, and she's plenty!

CAROL ANN: Do you collect anything? If so, tell me about your collection and how you got started.

LISA: I've collected many things in the past, but we've moved down to a small apartment where I've adopted a no-nonsense approach. Besides, if I tried to collect anything there'd be no room for my husband's massive collection of movie costumes and props!

CAROL ANN: Ah ha! So, tell us about this collection of your husband's. Is this collection what prompted your character in VISIONS to be a movie star?

LISA: My husband is an actor, costumer, and prop maker who has worked in the film industry. His love of movies and acting has much to do with this hobby, which he began as a teenager and is now a large part of his livelihood as well. While none of this is why Trenton Dane a movie star, his character is a complex blend of actors I know personally, as well those I've seen in the media. As such, my husband might just show up as a glimmer in Trenton's eye.

CAROL ANN: I'll just bet it does! Carol Ann holds up the book VISIONS again. Audience, please be sure to visit Lisa's website to learn more about her book and future work. I hope you are as intrigued as I am to buy Lisa's book. Lisa, final question. Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword? Why?

LISA: The pen is mightier than the sword, and the tongue can cleave a sword in two. Words are powerful, and can be used to soothe, to heal, to love, to encourage--and to wound more deeply than any steel blade. What sword can boast all that?

CAROL ANN: What sword, indeed! Thank you again, Lisa for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us in the Blog Studio today.

The television screen marquees info for Lisa Logan.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LISA LOGAN

A Call from an Old Friend...

brightened my day, today! I used to live in Maryland and I met my girlfriend, Doris when we worked together. She would come visit our apartment with her two kids and we'd spend days at the pool. We became the very best of friends the five years I was in the D.C. area. We have continued to keep in touch. Our families have met in Tennessee and spent some time together, we've gone to visit in West Virginia, and they have been here as well. Getting caught up on things via the telephone rather than just letters was so wonderful.

This has made me think about why I haven't called her. I have unlimited long distance, so there is no excuse! Sometimes I get so caught up in my day to day life, keeping commitments, working, writing, visiting family that I forget about the "sister" who has always been there for me.

Time to reprioritize!

Day in This Author's Life

This morning I slept in until 8:30am. I felt I deserved it because I had such a productive day yesterday. Since I wrote double my planned goal of pages on my manuscript, I decided to spend the day pampering me.

After dressing, I ate a leisurely breakfast at Bob Evan's, before meeting with my sexy hairdresser. He's sooooo perfect. Not only does he do wonders for my hair, he also does wonders for my body. Who couldn't relax under his scalp and neck massage? Especially after drinking a glass of champagne, which he always has cooling for me. I hated to leave. The day only got better when he told me today was "on the house." Imagine!

Next I drove to the dealership to try that key I received in the mail. Imagine my sssurprise when it opened the door to that shiny red Corvette! Yes!! I'm now the proud owner of a brand new toy. Of course, I spent the rest of the day cruising and waving at everyone I saw.

Had dinner at my favorite steak house, Longhorn. One delicious steak, baked potato, and salad.

After stuffing myself, I came home, took a long leisurely bath while reading Dean Koontz's latest novel.

Now, I'm sitting here in my silk negligee writing this blog.

NOT!!!!!!

Actually, this morning at 3:15am, a horrendous thunderstorm disturbed me from my sleep. I tossed and turned for an hour until it subsided. Then the cat jumped on the bed beside me. I petted him and tried to go back to sleep. Didn't work. Finally at 4:45am, I got up, went to the couch and read a few pages of a new Steeple Hill Love Inspired Romantic Suspense.

Hubby walked out and commented on me being up so early. He took a drink of water, asked me to get him up at 6:45 and went back to bed.

I took a quick shower, ate a bowl of shredded wheat, and got ready for work. Woke up hubby.

Went to my day job, where I pounded the keyboard and made my eyes cross with a tedious data entry job. At lunch, I sat in my car and edited the first three chapters of my completed novel while another thunderstorm thrashed my car.

Finished the data entry job. Five minutes before clocking out of the day job, another thunderstorm rolled in. Yep, a heavy rain, dark sky, and after waiting five minutes with no let up, I ran to my car.

Drove home.

Plugged away on my latest manuscript completing four and a half pages while being interrupted several times by hubby.

Now, with swollen ankles from the heat and sitting so long, I'm typing this blasted blog before heading to bed. The bed I put fresh sheets on earlier.

**sigh** I miss that Corvette already.

Wednesday - Bump in the Road

Horoscope for the day: It feels as if a million choices are lined up and waiting for your decision. Distill them down to their essence, then figure out for yourself whether it's yes or no. Listen to your heart, then make your move.

**************************

Not exactly a bump in the road, but a decision to make. Received critique of Joshua's Hope from one of my advance readers, who is a multi-published author with Harlequin and others. She gave me some wonderful feedback and suggestions to make the story stronger. Now, here is the decision. How do I fit this in and still make my five pages a day?

Authors have to learn how to juggle many writing projects at once, a dilemma in itself, but even more so when the author has a full-time job. I do work in the day, but I'm lucky and only have to work 8 to 5, and no overtime, no weekends. That gives me a firm schedule to work around. I've set my five pages to be accomplished in the evenings. I shoot to do 25 to 30 pages a week, so that allows me one evening when I don't have to write on my current project. However, I have this blog to keep up, and author interviews to schedule and put together, promotions on the internet, and now I've added edits to a completed manuscript.

That kind of makes the horoscope for today fit my life.

Nothing is impossible as long as you want to make it happen. And I do. So, I've made my decision. Instead of reading on my lunch hour, I will use that hour to work on edits. There's no set time I must complete these (which wouldn't be true if I'd received them from my editor). I'm waiting to hear back from Steeple Hill as to whether or not they want to read the manuscript. That will be a few months and plenty of time to do revisions.

Setting a schedule, and committing to it, is the key to success.

****************
Today I finally got into Vox and had received an apology from the person who had published my work on her blog. She promised to take it down immediately.

Boring Day...

Today I finished six pages of my novel and revamped my My Space page. Other than that it was a non eventful day.

I did send a private message to the person who had my story posted on their blog politely asking that she remove it. I had to join Vox to do that. I received a response to her message, but now Vox is down due to a power outage in San Francisco, so I don't know what she has to say.

I started on an exercise regime last week, and I'm feeling a lot better. So far on track to complete my yearly goals.

Vox??? Copyright Infringement

Tonight I was googling my name, which I do frequently. I ran across a bunch of "vox" blogs that had my name attached. Why?

Someone had posted a story which Chicken Soup for the Soul contracted and published in three different books:

Chicken Soup for the Soul Celebrates Mothers
Chicken Soup to Inspire A Woman's Soul
Chicken Soup for Mothers and Daughters II

The story was posted exactly as it was printed in Chicken Soup for the Soul Celebrates Mothers, which is a small hard back book with pictures by Sharon J. Wolmuth. While I appreciate the blogger crediting the work to me, it is copyrighted material and permission must be granted by the publisher for it to be reproduced.

So now I must go join Vox so I can post a comment asking this blogger to remove the material.

Sneaky Little Gremlins

Every time I go to My Space, I wind up with some of those "little risk" spyware things on my computer. I run my program and clean them from my computer. I probably know just enough about putting together a website to be dangerous, but when it comes to creating backgrounds and stuff for My Space...forget it! Don't have a clue. So...I have to go to those sites where there are premade layouts.

My daughter put her site up and I loved her background. She got it from a neat little place called Webfetti. I knew you had to agree to have their "toolbar" installed and I've always shied away from doing that. She said she didn't have any problem and it hadn't affected her internet explorer at all. So...I went against my better judgement and installed the darn thing.

I played around and added a new layout to my site, but I didn't like the color for the links being white. Couldn't figure out how to change the color, so I went back on the site and looked around at some other layouts. Somehow I closed down everything accidentally. My handy dandy little program began scanning and I had over 200 spy items on my computer! About 1/4 of them said "high risk". I managed to remove them all and restart my computer. That got rid of the Webfetti toolbar, too.

So, now I'm stuck with the layout I don't particularly like. I hate having to worry about which sites I can go to without having these horrid trojans and things invade my computer. I've been thinking of removing my My Space page because of all the issues.

Then a couple of days ago, I'd been receiving emails about some "book" thing that other authors had joined and invited me to join. I wasn't even curious. I've got enough to maintain now. It began sweeping interest through my various loops, and then...someone posted that it was full of spyware. So glad I didn't fall for that one.

**Sigh** The internet is a scary place.

The Scene That Wouldn't Die

Before I decided to pursue writing as a second career, I would sit in my car during my lunch hour and write. I'd write a poem, or a journal entry, always something. One day a scene just popped into my head.

I saw a girl sitting alone on a rock looking out across a lake. She was lonely and bereft. Her name was Emily. I began to write. I captured all the sensory details in my mind and wrote that scene. Suddenly someone pushed her so hard she catapulted into the icy water. Before she overcame the shock and surfaced, hands gripped her legs and pulled her deeper. I finished the scene and some of her backstory. Her sister had been killed and the "killer" was pursuing her even though she had changed her name. She was on the run, but he wouldn't give up.

A few years later, after having several nonfiction stories published, I remembered that scene and decided to write "Emily's" story. I wrote a few chapters and decided something just wasn't right. So, I started playing "what if" and "why".

The story emerged into a totally different one. Emily became Beth, her sister became her twin, and the first chapters allowed the readers to see them together, feel the love, the bonding, and experience their "psychic bond." The story emerged into my romantic suspense novel, HIT AND RUN.

The scene appeared in the story, but it just didn't feel right. I tweaked it, and finally rewrote it. Here's the scene:

She sat on the dock, worn smooth from weather and age, and circled her legs with her arms. The sun warmed her back. She was at peace, wrapped in memories of happier times as she gazed across the water.

A fish jumped, creating ever-widening circles that ebbed toward shore. She turned her face up to the sky where fluffy white clouds billowed, moving and changing shape. When they were small, she and Jilly had been able to find shapes within the clouds. She could hear Jilly's juvenile voice calling, “Look, Beth, a dragon. See his tail and the fire coming from his mouth?”
So many pleasant memories surrounded her, filling her with a calming peace. She fished until the sun rose higher. Slipping off her shirt, she applied sun lotion as best she could in the areas her bathing suit didn't cover. She stretched out on a towel. The quiet lapping of the lake against the dock supports lulled her into closing her eyes. Though she didn't really fall asleep, her body relaxed and she drifted in hypnotic half-awareness.

Her stomach growled. If she weren't so comfortable, she'd open the cooler and eat lunch. The sun felt so good. The lapping against the supports increased a bit. Someone must be out on the lake in a boat, but she didn't want to open her eyes. Her muscles had totally relaxed and too soon she'd have to turn over to avoid burning. She drifted close to sleep, not wanting to move a muscle. Suddenly, an icy strong hand banded around her ankle and pulled her toward the water.

***************
HIT AND RUN is available through my publisher The Wild Rose Press in both print form and ebook formats.

You can also purchase from Fictionwise in ebook format.

If you want print format, you wlll also find it available at Amazon.com

Friday Tips for Pacing Your Novel

For years I read novels without really thinking about how they were structured. I just knew what I liked and what I didn't. "Pacing" was something I thought you did when you were worried and making a path in the carpet.



The first time I became aware of pacing was in reading Stephen King's novel, IT. He began to shorten the scenes and flashbacks, as the novel moved to the ending. I felt the tension building and building! I was riveted, unable to stop reading. If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it as a good example of pacing.



I use a "foreshadowing" in my romantic suspense novels, to build the tension. And I've incorporated King's faster pacing methodology into my novels.



It's important to remember not to throw a large amount of backstory into your writing. This slows down the pace and instead of moving the novel forward, it becomes suspended. A good method of giving backstory is to drop bits and pieces of into dialogue.



As the story continues, the intensity picks up, the stakes are higher. Keep the tension tight as you move toward the climax. This is my favorite part of the writing process, and also as a reader this is my favorite part of the book. This is where the brightest moment (that sense of euphoria comes to bear) and is quickly followed by the darkest moment (when all seems lost).



The climax is a good meets bad in a final standoff scene, which leads to the resolution or ending--the place where the main character has solved the problem and achieved the award.



And most important of all, don't disappoint your reader with a fast solution ending. And do remember to tie up all those subplots you've written along the way.

Author Interview with Evan Trevane and Shawn M. Casey

"Ladies and Gentlemen, it's time for....The Blog Studio!"

Applause, applause.

Band begins to play, and the curtain rises as Carol Ann enters the blog studio wearing an olive pin striped pant suit, her curly hair pulled back from her face with tortoise shell combs that match her glasses and earrings.

CAROL ANN: Thank you!!! It's great to be here today. Wow! What a wonderful audience! I think we'll lock the doors and glue your drawers and I'll have a great audience next time, too!

AUDIENCE LAUGHTER

CAROL ANN: Seriously, I'm thrilled that I can bring today's guests out to meet you. Yes, that's right. Plural. Guests!! I've been looking forward to having this interview for a long time. These two authors collaborate together to put out some spectacular and very entertaining stories. I had the pleasure of reading their first book. But let's bring them out so they can tell you about it. Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Evan Trevane and Shawn M. Casey!!

AUDIENCE APPLAUDS AND HOOTS AS THE GUESTS ENTER THE STUDIO AND TAKE SEATS ON THE SOFA OPPOSITE CAROL ANN.

CAROL ANN: Welcome! It's such an honor to finally meet you both.

EVAN: The pleasure is ours, Carol Ann. Thanks for inviting us.

SHAWN: Yes, thank you! As usual, Evan tries to speak for the both of us.

CAROL ANN: **laugh** You know, Shawn, you remind me so much of another author I interviewed a while back.

SHAWN: **tosses her long black hair over her shoulder. Her smile lights up her beautiful face with the very distinctive high cheekbones.** Really?

EVAN: Oh, I assure you, there is no one like Shawn, Carol Ann. She's one of a kind. **Evan's twinkling, piercing eyes dance with amusement, and his smile lifts his mustache.**

SHAWN: **pats Evan's hand.** Thank you. You're quite the charmer.

CAROL ANN: The audience is anxious to hear about the book you wrote together. **Carol Ann holds up a copy so the camera can get a closeup**

CAROL ANN: Who wants to start?

EVAN: I'll start.

SHAWN: Figures.

EVAN: The Pickle, My Little Friend. This short story is published by The Wild Rose Press. There, was that short enough?

SHAWN: **laughs** Oh, this is going to get good, isn't it? **Evan raises his eyebrows** Our current published title is a short e-book with The Wild Rose Press, THE PICKLE MY LITTLE FRIEND. This is a romantic mystery set just post WWII. Yes, the story is as unique as the title.

BLURB:

The ninth victim in the Bicycle Chain murders is found dead on his living room floor grasping a paper bag containing a pickle.Detective Jack Carter is working on the biggest murder case of his life. Which means, the last thing he needs is to find out that the one woman he has feelings for might be involved in the murders. Vicky Peik knows things, and one of those things is that her boss, Detective Jack Carter, is in over his head. Vicky has stayed a step ahead of Jack in her private investigation. Only problem is, despite her ability to sense the killer, he has managed to stay a step ahead of her. Something's wrong, and it's closer to home than Jack can imagine. Can Vicky find the killer before things go too far, and Jack can't get out?

CAROL ANN: I must admit the title alone was enough to make me buy this. I loved the story. It reminded me of the old detective novels I used to read.

SHAWN: That was Evan's input.

EVAN: Are you trying to make up?

CAROL ANN: They are just teasing, audience, I promise. When you both co-author a book, how do you actually work that? Evan, you first.

EVAN: We throw some ideas around and come up with a rough theme and an idea of what we want to write about. Then one of us writes the draft and the other does the rewrite. As the book develops, we trade sections as we finish them. The draft usually doesn’t get finished until long after the first parts have been rewritten a couple times. We end up talking about the plot and characters a lot so they evolve as the book progresses.

CAROL ANN: Shawn, anything to add?

SHAWN: Verrrry carefully. HA! In all seriousness, it’s a complicated process. We feed off one another’s energy, which is a real plus, but every detail must be choreographed down to the core so that nothing gets off track.All writers walk a tightrope, what info to ration out where, what is the underlying theme, what leads to what, etc. When writing solo, that information is stored in a single brain, and the author needn’t give a second thought to another author’s style, likes or dislikes. In a collaboration the very opposite is true. In order to preserve a combination of the two authors’ styles each author has to think just a little more about every proposed change. The real plus is that story rules supreme. Ego can’t exist. The art of listening is an absolute must. Considering your partner’s point of view, especially when your inclination is to disagree early on, is a prerequisite.
It might surprise some to learn that a good collaboration thrives on the differing perspectives. After all, if the collaborators never bring differences of opinion to the table, they don’t need one another. However, the two collaborators must share a bottom line vision. Otherwise, the differences become all that exist, and a partnership is impossible.

CAROL ANN: Where do you get the inspiration for your stories? Shawn, you first this time.

SHAWN: **big laugh** Absolutely everywhere and anywhere. Right, Evan?

EVAN: Absolutely. You never know when an idea will strike or you’ll notice something that will make an interesting story.

CAROL ANN: Evan, what is your writing process? Do you outline, research, or just write?

EVAN: Shorter works, we just write. Novel lengths take some outlining to stay on topic, and to give direction in the rewrite seeing as the draft is usually not done yet.

SHAWN: That is the $64 million dollar question. The one constant is research. That is our lifeblood to situations that where we have little or no personal experience. Other than that, we have yet to discover a single process. We have both outlined extensively, and flown by the seat of our pants—more or less. The novels we’ve outlined do evolve beyond the outlines, and we’re constantly updating the outline documents. Our first completed novel, FOR HIS EYES ONLY, a romantic thriller, was written with no real outline, but we did rehash that book so many times it oozed out our pours!

Unlike most collaborations, we do not write every other chapter or separate characters. Instead, we rewrite one another’s work until the story becomes an entity neither of us could have written alone. Our collaborations are different then our separate styles. Yet, at the same time, our personal styles peak out in wonderful one liners and phrases. This delights both Evan and I, as we are one another’s most ardent fans. **laugh** How could it possibly be otherwise?

CAROL ANN: I love the way you play off each other. It seems, Evan, that you are a man of few words. Quick, short and to the point, while Shawn elaborates more. I can see how the two of you would be a great writing team. Shawn, which comes first--characters or plot?

SHAWN: Another good question! Like most authors, we’ve begun some stories with the ‘what ifs.’ That might sound like plot comes first, but sometimes it’s a ‘what sort of person would be in a situation like this?’

Our soon to be completed second novel, KNOT OF THE SLAIN, a paranormal suspense, began with plot. We had a situation that interested us, and had to create characters that fit within those parameters.

Another planned novel is built around two characters from FOR HIS EYES ONLY. Characters came first in this novel, but we had a built in parameter of plot based on their history in the first novel.

CAROL ANN: Evan? Would you like to add to that?

EVAN: For me, it’s usually plot or theme. Rarely, I get a character in my head and have to write about him or her, but it’s mostly a plot or situation.

CAROL ANN: See what I mean? You thought plot came first, and Shawn thought characters came first in For His Eyes Only. Yet, you write so well together, no one would realize two different people write your stories except for the authors name on the cover. Okay, here's a question that you will each answer differently I'm sure. What is the last book you read? Evan?

EVAN: Pursuit, by Thomas Perry

SHAWN: Christopher Whitcomb’s WHITE. Great book.

CAROL ANN: Shawn, If you could be any age at all, what age would you choose and why?

SHAWN: 40. I was young enough to still have the energy to stay up late writing, and old enough not to care what anyone thought about my eccentricities.

EVAN: It all started when I was 23, so I would like to go back and change a thing or two I did. Just kidding. I think 30. That way, I’ll have a few years before I have to start using reading glasses.

CAROL ANN: Ah, the man is beginning to loosen up! Okay, Evan, your life is about to become a movie. What would the title be and why?

EVAN: Me and My Friends, because I couldn’t have done it alone.

SHAWN: Aw, that's sweet, Evan.

CAROL ANN: Shawn, how about you?

SHAWN: It’s a Crazy Life. **laugh** That’s gotta be self-explanatory!

CAROL ANN: Let's see how you differ on this one. What is your definition of the word "romance"?

SHAWN: Never getting bored with your significant other. Sounds hokey, eh?

CAROL ANN: Not at all! That's a great answer. Evan?

EVAN: The most wonderful thing that can happen between two people.

CAROL ANN: Now that's a very romantic answer! Well, it looks like I'm getting the signal to wrap it up. One last question for each of you. Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword? Why?

EVAN: The pen because the written word touches more people faster.

SHAWN: Without a doubt, the pen is mightier than the sword—which is really lucky for me, as I can hold a pen much longer than a sword! A sword can reach but a few people at any given time. The pen can reach millions. It’s no contest.

CAROL ANN: Thank you both! This has been so much fun. **Shawn and Carol Ann hug. Evan kisses Carol Ann's hand. Carol Ann blushes and grins at the audience.** Isn't he a charmer?

AUDIENCE GIVES A STANDING OVATION

SHAWN AND EVAN BOW

CAROL ANN: Audience, I suggest you hurry and buy THE PICKLE, MY LITTLE FRIEND. You can find it at The Wild Rose Press.

For more information about this great writing duo, check out their blog.

Thanks everone! And thank you Evan and Shawn!

The Cat in the Cabinet

We have a unique cat named Templeton. I swear he must have been a human in a previous life. He has the power to process what we do and replicate it. You can just see his mind churning. He loves to torment us by banging the kitchen cabinet doors. He'll sit on the floor, pull the door handle on the lower cabinets and bang it shut over and over and over again, until we go after him. Then he talks back. And he always has the last word. He's obsessed with doors. He tries to open the sliding glass patio doors. He just hasn't figured out how to unlock them or I think he'd manage. He's very strong. On our deck we have a large cabinet I used in my office years ago for storage. It's all wood with two doors in front. It's about waist high. I keep flowers on the top now, though it used to hold a printer. The doors are very snug. I have to tug to open them. But...Templeton has learned how to open them with ease. He starts by pulling with his paws on the round knob. He'll use both paws and then he gets his teeth into the action. Finally, he gets it open, and promptly jumps inside and lays on the shelf.

He opens the closet doors, and now he's taught Wilbur, his brother how to open closet doors. When Charlotte, his sister, wants in the action, he'll open the kitchen cabinet for her so she can climb on the shelves.

So many times I come home from work to find all my doors standing open.

**sigh** I wonder when he'll figure out how to turn on the shower?

When I Grow Up I Want to Be A Cat

This is my cat, Wilbur, enjoying the cool breeze through the window while I toil away on my computer trying to finish my page goal for the day. When I grow up, I want his job.

A Tragic Ghost Story

Today's headline story in the newspaper was about a nineteen year old girl who is recovering from a bullet that went through her skull. She is slowly regaining use of her limbs through therapy sessions. For a long time she had to wear a helmet to protect her skull until the surgeons could go in and repair it. The girl suffers from short term memory loss. She doesn't remember what happened to her.

The shooting occurred as a result of some girls out for fun trying to scare themselves by trespassing on property that is unkempt and overgrown with weeds. The house sits next to a cemetery. Thinking the house haunted, they decided to investigate as a lark to scare themselves before they started their senior year in high school. One girl remained in the car and honked the horn to scare them. They all ran and hopped in the car. As they drove away they heard popping noises. They thought someone was throwing firecrackers, so they circled around again. A sad mistake, for the firecrackers were gunshots.

The man who lived in the house with his mother had purchased a rifle for protection. The police no longer patrolled the cemetery and teens were constantly harrassing the pair. Twice in the previous few weeks, teens had tried to break into the house. He scared them off by firing his gun into the air. Just as he did that night. But one of the bullets struck a girl in the head.

A ghost story turned tragic. The man has been sentenced to nineteen years in jail. Debates go on about who was in the wrong. How far can one go to protect their property?

If you'd like to read the series of articles, you will find them at columbusdispatch.com

**********************************
I tried to do the Snowflake method, but it seemed way too long a process for me. I did flesh out my characters and completed an outline for my newest story. I'm 44 pages into writing it now. Haven't come up with a title yet.

Outlining - Day One

Today I began using the Snowflake Method to outline and plot my novel in progress.

Achievements today:
Step 1 - One Line Summary of Novel
Step 2 - Expanded paragraph describing story setup, major disasters, and ending of novel
Step 3 - Began storyline for characters

Since we'll be leaving tomorrow for a weekend camping trip, I won't be updating progress until my return.

JOSHUA'S HOPE - Day One - package hit post office today.

Suspense - The Beginning

I did it! I finally finished the "dreaded synopsis" and drafted a query letter. The entire package is now in the mail...heading off to Steeple Hill Books.

Now I'll be in suspense for several weeks or months until I hear whether or not they want to read a partial of Joshua's Hope. **sigh** I'll begin a countdown on my blog to show the number of days that pass until I hear. You can look for that beginning tomorrow.

So what does a writer do while they wait? They write! I will officially begin writing on my next manuscript immediately. Sorry, I don't have a title for it yet. It's a funny thing about titles. My books seem to name themselves, and no amount of pushing can force one to fit.

On Thursday, hubby and I will leave for a camping weekend where I hope to get lots of writing done. Wish me luck!

Author Interview with Paula Stiles

**The camera pans across the audience and back to the "blogger band" as they wrap up a lively medley. The audience applauds and the curtain raises. Carol Ann enters center stage.**

Good morning, blog studio audience! Thank you for coming out today. I see we have a full house! I'm glad to see so many faces here, since I have a very special guest today. Please put your hands together for a very multi-talented lady...Paula Stiles!

**Audience applauds loudly. Enter Paul Stiles from left stage.**

CAROL ANN: Paula, how nice to see you! I've been waiting a long time to meet you, and I'm thrilled that you are giving me the opportunity to talk to you so the audience can learn more about your books.

PAULA: Thank you! I'm so glad to be here with you all.

**Audience applauds**

CAROL ANN: Please tell me about the book you brought with you today. **Carol Ann holds up a book and the camera pans in.**

PAULA: It's a mystery SF thriller called "Fraterfamilias", out as an ebook and serial (and print book later this year) at Virtual Tales. I cowrote it with my friend Judith Doloughan under the pseudonym "Peter Ferrer". Though set in the present day, its backstory includes shamanism, the Russian Gulag, the Knights Templar, Ancient Rome and even prehistoric Europe. The title stems from the main moral question of the book: how far would you go to help someone you love?The story begins when Paul Farrell, a Parisian architect, kills four people in Paris then walks into a hail of police gunfire at JFK. His eccentric "cousin", palaeoanthropologist Alan Kedward, steals the body. The investigators now have a triple mystery: what was Farrell's motive for murder, why did he commit suicide-by-cop and why did Kedward steal the body? And could Farrell still be alive?

CAROL ANN: Wow. Sounds like a great mystery! I love the cover, too. Tell my, Paula, what was your first publication?

PAULA: **Looks at the audience and smiles** A little poem called "What Is Grey?" in the fourth grade for our school's annual anthology.

CAROL ANN: **Looks at the audience.** Do you think we should have her recite her poem for us?

PAULA: **laughs** Please, not today!

CAROL ANN: All right. I'll let you off the hook this time. What do you consider your biggest challenge as far as writing?

PAULA: Revision. It's my bugbear. But I'm getting better at it.

CAROL ANN: I hear you! I hate revisions. Especially when I'm going through my story for the fourth time and all I'm doing is changing words around, then the next time I change them back.

**Paula and Carol Ann laugh**

CAROL ANN: Name one person who has inspired you and tell me about her/him?

PAULA: My friend and cowriter Judith Doloughan. We first "met" in 2001 when she emailed me a response to a story I'd written. From then on, we talked daily on IM, the phone or in person, trading stories and critiques and eventually collaborating on Fraterfamilias, until her death on June 5, 2007. I miss her.

CAROL ANN: I'm really sorry for your loss. Fraterfamilias must be very close to your heart with having Judith's collaboration.

**Paula nods and wipes at a tear**

CAROL ANN: When you begin working on a story, which comes first: plot or characters?

PAULA: Characters. Without characters, there is no plot.

CAROL ANN: How do you decide on a title for your books?

PAULA: Prosaically. Which sounds funny, considering some of my titles, but there you go. I look at the main theme of the story and then I try to sum it up in one catchy word or phrase. The oddness of some of my titles comes entirely from my personal definition of "catchy".

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

PAULA: A love story. But it can also mean a grand adventure somewhere beautiful and far away, where the true love story is between the reader and the author's world. A good romance should, like Calgon, take you away.8

CAROL ANN: Do you have any advice to a new author on how to balance promotion with writing time?

PAULA: Schedule time for both. Too many authors carefully schedule time and make goals for writing, but none for submitting, let alone promotion once they’ve sold. Selling is great, but not if nobody reads your book. And to avoid burnout, schedule the balance your own way and promote in your own fashion. Every writer has a different balance and different comfort levels.

CAROL ANN: Good advice. On the personal side, do you collect anything? If so, tell me about your collection and how you got started.

PAULA: I'm a lifelong collector, especially of books and rocks. But my current collecting passion is West Coast Native art, which I've found a great source for writing ideas. I'm especially fascinated by the artists' use of metals, though my collection of wood and metal artifacts is, for reasons of money, much smaller than my collection of prints.

CAROL ANN: Very interesting. I love learning about the things others collect. Authors are definitely eclectic collectors. Oh, no! I can't believe they are giving me the sign to wrap up. Our time together this morning went so fast. I've so enjoyed talking with you. But I have one more question to squeeze in. Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword?

PAULA: Yes. A sword can only benefit one person at a time. A pen can be used to help or destroy millions. Ghandi was a lawyer, Stalin a secretary. I doubt either man used a sword in his life; the pen was their weapon of choice. But no one would doubt their respective influences.

CAROL ANN: Thank you, again, Paula. It's been my pleasure to have you in the blog studio. **Carol Ann looks into the camera** Be sure to tune in on July 19th when I'll have Trevane and Casey in the studio. Also, here is where you can learn more about Paula and where you can purchase her book.

**Camera rolls**

Paula's Home Page

Fraterfamilias at Virtual Tales

Judith's blog

Dreaded Synopsis - Take Two

I finally drafted a two page synopsis and shared it with my writing group. Got some great feedback, but mostly all felt too many questions were left unanswered in the synopsis. So, back to the drawing board tonight.

I started working at 9pm and finished just a few minutes ago, after 1am. I now have a synopsis which answers the questions, and I like it.

One big problem.

It's now three pages long.

Guidelines for Steeple Hill are to send a query letter and a synopsis of NO MORE THAN TWO PAGES.

Arghhhh.

A Day to be Forgotten

Chalk this day up as one I sure want to forget ever happened.

My dreaded day job was the most stressful I've had in years. You would have thought I'd been gone for a month instead of one day. Every five minutes or less I received an email, telephone call, or personal visit bearing another "fire". By the time lunch rolled around, I didn't even want to eat...just needed to get away and take a deep breath. The afternoon continued much the same way, so by the time I left tonight I felt like I'd been run over by a semi and then had it back up and get me again.

But no rest for me when I got home. Time to fix dinner and then do all the clean up. Finally made it into my home office to turn on the computer. Opened my calendar and realized I'd forgotten to send questions to Paula Stiles who was supposed to be interviewed in the blog studio this morning. **sigh** So, barring no catastrophes, you'll get to view her interview on Monday morning, July 9th. My apologies to all.

Now I have to finish the synopsis for Joshua's Hope. I HATE writing a synopsis. It's the absolute worst part of writing for me. For some authors it comes easy, but for me it's like a big mental block.

But my goal is to send off the promotion package to Love Inspired Supsense no later than Monday, so I have to gnash my teeth and crank it out tonight. That allows sleeping on it for a couple days and then revising.

For anyone who might not like revisiting their writing time and time and time again, you better give it up. A writer's life is one of constant revision.

Hope everyone in the U.S. had a safe and happy Fourth!!

Thank You Zanesville, Ohio....

...and John McIntire Library...for your wonderful hospitality on June 30th at the Romance Readers Celebration. I had a wonderful time speaking with the staff at the library and the audience of romance readers in attendance.



Booksigning after event



Answering reader's questions



Listening to fellow author Marcia James (out of camera range). From left, author Tina Wittich, Author Toni Leland, and me

Author Interview with Elaine Cantrell

**The band begins to play a lively rendition of "Before He Cheats" (Carrie Underwood)**

**Band finishes and audience claps**

ANNOUNCER: Good morning, Blog Studio. Welcome to another wonderful live author interview. And now, please welcome our always smiling hostess, Carol Ann Erhardt.

**Audience Applauds**

**Carol Ann enters through the curtain opening**



CAROL ANN: **laughs** Thanks everyone for coming by today for our very special interview with a fantastic author, from my publisher, The Wild Rose Press. Her name is Elaine Cantrell, and I think you are going to enjoy hearing about her and her brand new release, Purple Heart. Please help me make her welcome. Ladies and gentlemen....Elaine Cantrell!!!

**Audience applauds and hoots as Carol Ann holds up a copy of Elaine's book.**



**Elaine bows and takes a seat on the set with Carol Ann**

CAROL ANN: Elaine, I'm so pleased that you could join us today for our special extra edition of the Blog Studio. This is a beautiful book cover.

ELAINE: Thank you so much! I am very proud of this cover. The artists at The Wild Rose Press are very talented.

CAROL ANN: I agree. **Carol Ann places the book on the table between them** Please tell the audience about this book.

ELAINE: The name of my novel is Purple Heart. My hero, Mike Hightower, is a soldier in Iraq who makes a good friend called Ramirez. During one engagement with the insurgents Mike is wounded. Ramirez saves his life, but in the process the insurgents kill him. Mike goes back home and looks for a place to live. He finds a nice apartment, but it's owned by a Lebanese woman. Purple Heart is the story of how Mike learns to let go of the hate that now consumes him and love again.

CAROL ANN: Where did you come up with the idea for this book?

ELAINE: My nephew was sent to Iraq and after hearing him talk about things that he saw I decided there was a story that needed to be told.

CAROL ANN: I can't wait to read this! What do you think audience? **Audience applauds** I think they're in agreement. So, Elaine, when you are writing, which comes first: plot or characters?

ELAINE: Plot usually, but I have done it in reverse. I'm working on a sci fi romance which features characters I've written about before. I just couldn't let them go.

CAROL ANN: Being a romance writer, what does the word romance mean to you?

ELAINE: Magic. Heart stopping, thrilling, warm, and forever magic.

CAROL ANN: One of the hardest things for me is choosing a title for my books. How do you decide on titles?

ELAINE: I try to make my title relevant to the story. In the case of Purple Heart, Mike was wounded so he automatically received a purple heart.


CAROL ANN: Which is a fantastic title. I have my father's purple heart. He was killed in action. But, enough about me and sad things. Let's pep up the interview a bit. Let's say your life is about to become a movie. What will the title be?

ELAINE: It Can Happen To You. I've always believed that if you want something bad enough you can have it. Look at me; I wanted to write, and now I've had four books published.

CAROL ANN: Wonderful! The blog studio audience always wants to know more about how we writers operate. So many think that we get up in the middle of the morning, put on our comfy slippers, sit in front of the computer and bang out a hundred pages, then take a shower, get dressed and relax for the remainder of the day while we wait for our royalty checks.

ELAINE: **laugh** Yeah, right!

CAROL ANN: What is a normal day for you?

ELAINE: I'm a teacher so during the school year I have to go to work, but in the summer I get to be a writer full time. On those days I get up and have some coffee while I check my email. I write until lunch time when I take a break. I do errands, chores, etc, and after dinner I write for another hour or so. My husband sometimes reads what I wrote that day and makes suggestions to improve it.

CAROL ANN: So in the summer, you almost fit the sterotype! **laugh** I'm sorry, couldn't resist. There are some days when I get up and wonder why. When you are down, who can make you laugh?

ELAINE: My grandson, David. The child is totally adorable. And I'm not prejudiced either!

CAROL ANN: I love my grandkids. They are so much fun! They keep me young. Tell me, Elaine, do you collect anything?

ELAINE: I used to collect angels because they were so beautiful, but I filled up the display cabinet so I haven't bought any in a long time.

CAROL ANN: I can relate. I used to collect music boxes until I ran out of space. Now they just collect dust. **laugh** Whoops, looks like our time is running out. Quickly, one last question. Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword? Why?

ELAINE: Yes, of course it is. I'm a history teacher so I'll use the American Revolution as an example. The Founding Fathers were influenced by Enlightenment writers such as John Locke and Montesquieu. Our constitution and the Declaration of Independence are full of Enlightenment ideas. Without the pen, men like Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin would never have known about the Enlightenment, and our country might have been quite different. Bet you didn't know you'd get a history lesson, did you?

CAROL ANN: **LAUGH** No, but it was very appropriate to the question.

ELAINE: Teachers can't help it.

CAROL ANN: Elaine, it has been so much fun having you today. Thanks again for coming by.

**Carol Ann stands and applauds. The audience joins in.**

CAROL ANN: And here is the link where you can learn more about Elaine and her published work.

Website: http://www.elainecantrell.com/

Joshua's Hope - Ready for Book Proposal

My latest manuscript is in the hands of my first advance reader. I'll be mailing out three others on Monday.

Now, I have to do the hard part...writing a blurb, synopsis, and query letter. Whenever I finish a book, I can hardly wait to begin the next, but it's what keeps me motivated to complete these very important pieces of the book proposal.

I'm very proud of this book. The characters, the plot, everything just seemed to gel. It's my first inspirational romance, but it won't be my last.

Be sure to join me tomorrow, Saturday, June 30th, for a special interview with author, Elaine Cantrell. You'll love her book and the cover is awesome!

Author Interview with Shiela Stewart

**The deep maroon curtain raises and Carol Ann runs onstage.**

Good morning, Blog Studio Audience!

**applause, applause**

Oh, it's so great to be back in the studio again. Today I have a very special author lined up to chat with us. Not only is she stunningly beautiful, but she writes stunningly beautiful romance novels. Please put your hands together and help me welcome...Shiela Stewart!!

**audience stands and applauds as Shiela walks onstage. Her long auburn hair gleams beneath the bright lighting.**

CAROL ANN: Welcome, Shiela. I'm so glad that you were able to join us today.

SHIELA: I would like to say thank you, Carol Ann for this interview. I love your blog and find it very informative. I enjoy reading what other authors have to say.


CAROL ANN: Thank you, Shiela. That's so nice to hear. And I'm sure everyone is anxious to hear what you might have to say. I know I'm anxious to see what book you've brought to share with us. May I?

**Carol Ann reaches out and accepts the book from Shiela. She holds it up so the camera can pan in.**



CAROL ANN: What an intriguing cover. Please tell me about Secrets of the Dead.

SHIELA: Secrets of the Dead is a paranormal romance centered in a haunted house with a deep dark secret that one of the entities prefers to keep buried. Jessica Coltrane is a die-hard skeptic who believes that ghosts and paranormal activity are nothing more than a figment of some poor fool's overactive imagination, until she finds herself locked inside a house with the enigmatic paranormal investigator C.J. Dowling, that is.

C.J., born with the ability to see and speak to the dead, thought this would be a job like many others. Calm and self-assured, he knows his business. After all, he's been listening to the Secrets of the Dead since he was three. He's prepared for anything except the smart and sexy Jessica.

Working together in close quAarters, C.J. and Jessica find it's all too easy to get under one another's skin during the day. As darkness falls and the tension between them mounts, a spark is ignited. Fueled by passion they give into their desires. only C.J. and Jessica aren't alone.

As the light dawns the couple discovers they're trapped. Trapped with the ghost of a child long forgotten, an amorous entity that is threatening Jessica, and a powder keg of a spine-tingling mystery that might just be better left buried.

CAROL ANN: Oh, that sounds like a movie! I know this isn't your first novel. What was your first publication?

SHIELA: Kidnapped. It's a Contemporary Romance and was released last February, available in both EBook and Print. Mackenzie Tyrell is in a desperate need of money and kidnapping Elizabeth Crowmell seems like his only way to achieve it. He soon finds that abducting her isn't as easy as he'd thought when not only does she prove to be a handful, but he finds himself falling in love with her.

CAROL ANN: That one sounds intriguing. How many novels did you write before becoming published?

SHIELA: Believe it or not, I have over 70 novels written just waiting to be published. Some of them can be seen on my website with blurbs to give you a glimpse into the story, and the others are still begging to be put on the computer.

CAROL ANN: Where do you get your story ideas?

SHIELA: I have a vivid imagination, and those that don't come from my imagination have come from dreams I've had. I keep a pad and pen beside my bed for those dreams that wake me in the mjiddle of the night begging to be put to paper.

CAROL ANN: What does your writing space look like?

SHIELA: I work mostly on my laptop now, which is always in my living room beaside my favorite comfy chair. I have a beautiful view of some lovely trees and brilliantly blooming flowers outside my patio window that inspire me.

CAROL ANN: That sounds like a perfect setting in which to write romance. What does the word romance mean to you?

SHIELA: An intimacy and bond with one individual that no other can compare to. Romance, to me, is having my hubby show up with one long stemmed rose for absolutely no reason what so ever, or a quiet walk on a warm summer night with the sun setting, knowing you're with the one person in the world who matters the most to you.

CAROL ANN: I love asking that question. Everyone has a different, yet so similar answer. Tell me, how do you decide on a title for your books?

SHIELA: Mostly, they just come to me like the stories do. On ocassion when I struggle with a title, my husband and I brainstorm until we come up with the perfect title. With my series to be relaseased later this year, The Passion Series, the titles, Discovery, Escape and Mercy in Passion were a collaberation between my husband, my publisher and myself.

CAROL ANN: How wonderful that your hubby gets involved with your work. Do you have any pets?

SHIELA: Do I ever!

CAROL ANN: I've heard it said that people resemble their pets. Is that true for you?

SHIELA: LOL, if that were true, I would be one odd looking person. I have four cats of various breeds and colors, six Angel fish, three turtles and one Black Lab named Bella. I'll have to say no to my resembling any one of them. **Sheila laughs**

CAROL ANN: Ah, that's what they all say. **Carol Ann laughs** Okay, so you don't look like an angel fish for sure. Do you collect anything besides pets?

SHIELA: I used to collect Unicorns, though I haven't kept up with it as of late. I can't really remember how it got started, but it skyrocketed quite quickly. Before I knew it, everyone was giving me a unicorn. I've always had a love of hourses and I find the Unicorn not only lovely, but mysterious. And doesn't everyone like to slip into a fantasy world now and again?

CAROL ANN: I love unicorns and especially pegasus. I have written some children's stories about a fairy and a pegasus. Guess I like fantasy, too. I have just one more question to ask and then we'll have to go. The guy in the wings is giving me the slicing motion. **laugh** Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword?

SHIELA: Yes I do.I find any form of comunication better than violence. Nothing is accomplished with bloodshed but so much can be learned from a few little words.

CAROL ANN: Shiela, thank you for joining us. I've enjoyed our time together. Before we leave, I'd like the audience to know they can learn more about your books by going to your website.

SHIELA: Thank you Carol. These were great questions, some of which I've never had before.

**The audience stands and applauds as Carol Ann and Shiela wave and walk off stage. The curtain slowly drops**

Upcoming Author Interviews and.....

I am going to give the Snowflake method a try on this next novel I'm writing. I read through it and though we all have heard "outline, outline, outline", I've never been able to do it. I've tried other various methods of putting the story and characters together before I start, but basically I've been a "seat of the pants" writer. With this last manuscript, I've found some plot errors which I have to now correct during the edits. Would this have happened if I did a great job of plotting, character development and outlining first?? Probably not.

I'm not sure why I'm so averse to outlining. I do remember always hating to outline in school, too. I've always been an impatient person. I just want to dive into every project I tackle. Believe me, I've had a lot of hobbies over the years, and I did the same thing. Tackle first, read instructions later.

But, I am going to give this Snowflake Method a good try. Why not? If I keep on schedule...ack, I'm actually going to disclose this here which makes it like a goal to keep...I'll write three more novels before the end of the year!! Well, barring anything unforeseen, that is. Like procrastination. LOL!

Enough rambling. I am going to use this blog to post my daily accomplishments as I go through the Snowflake method. Maybe it will help me, and hopefully it will help or inspire someone else.

First though I have to finish the edits on Joshua's Hope. My goal is to begin the new novel on July 12. I even bought some new notebooks and matching pastel pens today to help keep me motivated.

And...I will have TWO author interviews in the blog studio this week. Shiela Stewart will be here on Thursday morning and Elaine Cantrell will be here on Saturday morning. I hope you'll all stop by then.

As for now...ta-ta!

Wild Hogs

Hubby and I don't go to movies very often. When we do, we wait until they come to the "cheap" theater. Today we decided to go see "Wild Hogs." I had heard mixed reviews on this, some say it wasn't funny and not worth the money. But our family members who had seen it loved it.

I haven't seen any John Travolta movies that I didn't like, and this was no exception. I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was funny and had some great scenery as well. This is one that I'll buy the DVD to have on hand for future viewing.

The only downfall to the afternoon was the popcorn. They forgot to put butter on it, and I didn't want to miss any of the movie to get that corrected. **sigh** That's what comes from getting to the theater just in time for the movie to start. And, let me tell you...walking into a dark theater is a scary thing. LOL!

Tears on my Keyboard

Okay, I admit it. I'm a hopeless romantic.

I've been working on my latest manuscript, Joshua's Hope, and just knew that tonight I'd be able to write that final scene. I have to admit that the last few scenes I wrote were so emotional that I could only write one at a time. Tonight I actually cried as I wrote the ending scene.

Has that ever happened to you? Have you ever gotten so wrapped up in your characters and your story that you were sucked in so deeply that you felt every single emotion?

I'm elated that it's finished, and I'm praying that it really is as good as it felt.

A Bit of This and That

I'm back in the groove again after a short vacation. Lots of things piled up on my desk at work which makes the day pass faster, and lots of things to accomplish on my desk at home as well.

I realized last night that I had to write a blog for Sweeter Romantic Notionson the writer's learning curve. I put together something last night on not disappointing the reader.

I checked for my interview schedule and tried to find the email address for Paula Stiles who I have penciled in for this Thursday, but in cleaning out my email files, I've somehow deleted her contact information. If anyone knows Paula, please have her get in touch with me so I can reschedule that interview.

And I managed to read through my manuscript as far as I'd written it (205 pages) while I was on vacation. I spent tonight working one of the final scenes. Tomorrow night I should be completely finished with the first draft. I have to make the changes I penciled in on my first read through then give it one more before sending it off to my advance readers.

Read an interesting article on Writing a Novel Using the Snowflake Method by Randy Ingermanson. Very interesting. I may try using this method for my next novel, which by the way I will start writing immediately after this one is finished.

The Organized Writer - Not!!!

Received a fantastic review from my boss last week. Excellent right down the line with nothing that needs improvement, strengths in everything...okay, he must really think highly of me, as he also said. One comment he made, that I was highly organized, made me stop and think.

I am very organized at work. So, why can't I apply that to my writing life? I have a calendar and I diligently write in every appointment, meeting, blog date, etc. Then I forget to check it! I can't begin to list the number of blog dates I've missed.

My desk at work...spotless. Everyone comments on how neat it is. My desk at home...totally hopeless. No matter how I try everything seems to wind up in my office and on my desk. I have to move things to find my keyboard!

And my files at work are so organized I can put my finger on everything I need at a moment's notice. Ack! I can't find anything in my desk drawers at home. Things are randomly stuck in folders, stacked in drawers and even on every available shelf space.

Someone please tell me I'm not the only one!!

******************
I won't be posting for the next five days. Heading out with hubby tomorrow for a five day camping trip. Have finished book printed out for editing, plenty of red pens, a stash of books, sunscreen, bug repellent, and lounge chair. Ah, the joy of no commitments for five whole days. **sigh**

Author Interview with Larriane Wills

**The curtain rises in the blog studio and Carol Ann walks on stage with a huge smile.**

Hello everyone! It’s so great to be back in the studio. I’ve been really busy in my down time. I’m nearly finished with writing JOSHUA’S HOPE, an inspirational romantic suspense, and I’m so excited about this project. But I’m not going to waste any time talking about myself today. Instead I have invited a very special guest to join me. She’s a multi-published author and a really fun person to talk to. Please put your hands together for a warm welcome to…

LARRIANE WILLS!

**Carol Ann steps aside and Larriane walks on stage. The audience applauds loudly, and from the seats comes a chant of … “Larriane, Larriane, Larriane!”**

CAROL ANN: Hi Larriane. Welcome to the blog studio. I see the audience is very happy to see you. By the way, I’m glad to see you wearing jeans.

**Carol Ann looks down at her denim clad legs and grins**

LARRIANE: I’m always in jeans. Even in the summer, I don't wear shorts because it's been so long since the sun has seen my legs they look like the underside of a fish's belly, white that is to say, not scaly.

CAROL ANN: I hear you, sister!

LARRIANE: It isn't that I don't like dresses you understand, it's just that jeans are so much more convenient and comfortable and where I live casual is the name of the game. I bought all kinds of 'dress up clothes' in anticipation of needed them when I contracted my first book. I've come to understand, I would be over dressed. Okay, I admit it, putting on a bra is 'dressing up' for me. I've never been so over-endowed that my chest took on a life of it's own if I had to run or jump and I hate a bra. I think my cousin said it best where they're concerned, God may have created breast, but some MAN invented the bra.

**Larriane looks at the audience and pushes out her chest.**

As you can see, I’m dressed up today.

**Audience laughter**

CAROL ANN: Thanks for clarifying that. **small laugh** So, tell me about the book you brought with you.

**Carol Ann holds up the book and the camera pans in**



LARRIANE: Looking Glass Portal is my latest release from Swimming Kangaroo Books. Portal is a science fiction with suspense and comedy. It’s received two reviews so far, one reader and one professional. The reader said ‘it had a sense of wonder in spades’ and the reviewer said it should be on film. I certainly have no problem with visualizing it on film, but then I see all of the characters, humanoid, alien humans, alien creatures, and bio-mechanical beings in my head. Oh, yes, there’s even a Pegasus. A theory of one of the characters is that like minds are connected over even the vastness of space, what are legends on one world are thoughts received from a planet where they do exist. Garrett, a modern day cowboy, has to decide if he’s crazy, living in some rubber room in mental ward or if it is all real after he’s attacked by a primitive humanoid and taken aboard a research vessel. He can either stop treating it as some warped joke of his mind or get serious before he ends up dead. The suspense begins when he discovers all the others were taken as specimens to be studied and when he’s well enough to be given his own quarters in the hunters section. He manages to upset just about everything and everyone and ends up making himself a target for murder. I have no idea where the story came from. It just did. A like mind maybe, somewhere across a vast distance. Being a fan of science fiction I’m sure had something to do with it also.

CAROL ANN: I was perusing your website yesterday and I noticed that you write fantasy, sci if, and romance. Do you have a favorite genre and why?

LARIANNE: Romance in any time or place is my favorite. Portal is unusual for me in that it isn’t one, although when I started it I had a romance in mind. I’m not saying there isn’t some romance in it. I can’t seem to get totally away from it, but it just isn’t the main thrust of the story. I thought of something I decided was better that made the story more interesting.

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

LARIANNE: A man and woman falling in love, over coming any obstacles thrown in their path and living happily every after. I don’t necessarily equate things like candle light and soft music to the word. For me it’s more a look or touch, support and comfort when it’s needed, sweet words and thoughtful gestures.

CAROL ANN: Where do you get your ideas and how what process do you go through before actually writing the story?

LARRIANE: **Larriane pushes her long auburn locks away from her face** My ideas come from everywhere and anywhere. Maybe something I read will spark something off, or watch in a movie, or even see. Many times it’s just a single sentence that pops up when I’m trying to go to sleep. I get that ‘ummm, that sounds interesting’ thought and build from there, going forward and backward until the story is complete. As to how long it takes, that depends on how many distractions are going on and whether it’s a piece I need to do some research on. Sometimes I’ll start about the same time the idea comes to me. Others it may bounce around in my head for a week or two before I start putting it down.

CAROL ANN: I always find it interesting to learn where other authors get their ideas, but I’ve found that we all have similar experiences. How about sharing a peek at a day in your life?

LARRIANE: In a writing day it starts with computer first, checking my emails, maybe a bit of TV before my shower, and then to writing. When I’m trying to be domestic (or think of it) I might start a load of clothes in the washer before I sit down, either with a notebook for first drafts or a laptop for any after. Hunger or thirst might drive me into a break and I might remember to put the clothes in the dryer but don’t take any bets on it. Once the story gets flowing not much interrupts me. I do have to stop for dinner. Hubby is very tolerant over things like having to go to the dryer to find clean clothes, but he always wants his dinner. After dinner and clean up, it’s back to writing until I can’t keep my eyes open or concentrate any longer.


CAROL ANN: You are lucky to have such an understanding hubby. Treating writing as if it were a job away from home is difficult without having that kind of support.

**Larriane smiles a secret kind of smile.**

CAROL ANN: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?

LARRIANE: I’m pretty content where I am (Arizona). My family is in this area, and I’m comfortable with familiar surroundings like the local stores. New and strange places are exciting to visit, but I hate relocating and readjusting.

CAROL ANN: I’d love to visit Arizona. In fact, I’d love to visit a lot of states. It’s my dream to one day visit each one. But back to you. If you are feeling down, who can make you smile?

LARRIANE: Just about anybody. I hate for anyone to see that I’m down so just talking to someone makes me come up.

CAROL ANN: If you received an inheritance of a remote private tropical island, what would you do with it? Move, sell, or something else?

LARRIANE: Off the top of my head I’d say use it for a vacation retreat. Remote and private does have its draw backs on a permanent basis, but it would be nice to have a get away.

CAROL ANN: I like to ask questions that give the audience a glimpse of the person behind the “author.” So many times we are looked at as celebrities, when we are just like every other woman in the world. We have families, and sometimes jobs other than our writing, kids, and even funny collections. Larriane, do you have any collections?

LARRIANE: **huge laugh** Funny, you should ask that. I’ve tried, reaaaaally hard to stop collecting. After a while you just plain run out of room. My mother started me on dolls, a friend on beanie babies, I’m a sucker for Stars Wars stuff, and books, old and new. And that is just to name a few. Please don’t get me started on anything else.

CAROL ANN: How many books do you read in a month?

That depends on what I’m doing. If I’m in limbo between writing, I read a bunch. That’s my writing substitute. I might read 6-8, one right after another, before I start off writing again. It seems to re-charge me in some way. On a regular basis, especially now that I’ve started publishing and promoting, which takes so much of my time, 1 or two a week.

CAROL ANN: Who is your favorite author?

LARRIANE: I have a lot of favorite authors and read in a lot of genres, romance, suspense, crime, mystery, historical, contemporary, science fiction, pretty much what I’ve found the day I go shopping. I’ve also started reading ebooks by authors I’ve met on line.

CAROL ANN: Well, nuts. Some guy is pulling his ear. That means we’re running out of time. I have to ask you one more question. Answer quickly. Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword?

LARRIANE: I’m going to do a little converting here, pen to words and sword to violence. It’s the words that lead to the violence. How many children listen to words from their parents that condemn a race and breed hate that lead to violence? How many leaders in the past have used words for the same purpose? For that matter, how many times has the written word been corrupted to suit or excuse horrendous acts? Just think of the books written hundreds of years ago and the affect they still have on us. The swords used then are long gone, the swingers of those swords long ago turned to dust, but the words, sworn to be accurate and true despite the many translations and interpretations still dominate the thinking of nations with those nations still at war. It’s rather ironic that you asked this question in that some of these issues are part of the plot of my first book, The Knowing, also released by Swimming Kangaroo Books. The waste of lives and the uselessness of hatred is something I’m sure is on everyone’s mind these days. We can’t get away from it unless we shut ourselves up, never look at a paper, never turn on a tv or radio, and it boggles the mind, mine anyway, that the basis of it started with written words from so long ago.

CAROL ANN: **laughs** And, that my friends in the studio, was the “quick” answer. **Carol Ann turns to Larriane.** Thank you so much for joining me today and allowing all of us to know more about you. Your book sounds intriguing. In fact, I’d love to continue our conversation over lunch. I know a great Mexican restaurant and I know you like Mexican as much as I do.

**Larriane stands and Carol Ann has to look up to meet her eyes. They laugh and walk off stage. The curtain closes and the show closes with Larriane’s website information**

WWW.LARRIANE.COM

Conflict

Today I was prepared to end my novel...and I just couldn't do it. Reason? Easy to spot. I didn't have the right conflict between the main characters. What I'd thought would work, just wasn't heavy enough to carry through to an explosive climactic ending.

Whenever I find something of this nature, I just have to make quiet time to reflect on the characters and put myselves in their heads. Get that, I'm in their heads instead of them being in mine. Quite a twist. Usually they are sitting on my shoulder or turning my brain in erratic directions.

However, once I'm able to become them, it's easy to find the thing that drives the plot in the correct direction. I found what I needed and began to make some critical changes.

Tomorrow I should be back on track and my book will be finished the weekend. Perfect timing. I can print it out and take it with me when we go camping next week. Lots of quiet time to read and make notes for editing.

One thing Donald Maass always says is "Conflict on every page." That, in his words, is what makes a break-out novel. Some day I may achieve that goal!

When in Doubt, Say Yes and Nod

...so, I was at a reader and author's get together this past Saturday and after drinking several glasses of water, I had to use the bathroom. I left the conference room and headed across the hotel hallway to the ladies room. On the left was the ladies room and on the right the mens. Between the two doors stood a very pleasant looking man wearing a light blue uniform with one hand on one of those universal cleaning thing-a-ma-jiggies--a large waste can with a mop attached to it and cleaning rags and bottles.

I came to a stop and asked, "Is the bathroom closed for cleaning?"

He smiled and nodded. "Yes!" Then he looked at me expectantly. I hesitated and took another step forward.

"Is it all right if I go in or is it being cleaned?"

"Yes!" He nodded, his smile bigger, his eyes widening.

Okay, I thought. Which question did he answer? Once again, I asked, in a bit louder voice, "Is it all right if I go in..." I paused for a moment, then pointed to the door. "Or is the bathroom closed for cleaning?"

His eyes opened wider showing whites all around and once again, he flashed those pearly whites at me. "Yes!" He nodded several times. Though he smiled so sweetly, his eyes almost showed fear.

Then I realized he must know only one word of English. So, I pushed open the door and went inside. Much to my relief, the little man didn't follow and I took care of business. When I left, he was gone.

Either I scared him away or he headed off to find a translator.

I just know this experience will someday find it's way into one of my novels.

Inspiration

Sometimes I'm inspired by the weirdest things. Scenes play out in my mind when I see a person that interests me, or see people doing something that makes me wonder what their lives might be like. I believe most writers do the same thing. It's that creative piece of our brain that tells us we have to write a specific story.

Well, today, coming home from church, I saw this beautiful cardinal in our neighbor's yard. I've seen him, and you can't convince me it isn't the same bird, in our yard and in various places nearby over the past few weeks. I began to imagine looking closely at a bird's spread wing...at all the little bones and soft and vivid coloring, the incredible softness of the feathers and I feel inspired to write something. I'm not sure what it will be, but I'm being called.

Being a pantster is so much fun, because not only do I have the pleasure of doing something I love (write), but also to be surprised at what is going to come from placing fingers on keyboard.

Carol Ann

Booksigning, Lucky Me, and Recommendation

Today was a very full day at the 2007 Readers and Authors Get Together. I'm not usually lucky...I never win anything. Today I bought 20 raffle tickets for various donated baskets. There were so many different baskets that they were piled on six foot tables lining three quarters of the entire conference room. Well, I was surprised when I won in the morning drawing...but then in the afternoon drawing, I won three more times. I was so embarrassed that I told them to redraw for that last one. LOL! The good news is over $3,000 was raised to help the Cincinnati YWCA Battered Women's Shelter. That was such a wonderful feeling.

After the last raffle drawing and picture taking, authors were to have a two hour slot to sign books. I've never attended a book signing so I didn't know what to expect. I took my own books since Barnes and Noble couldn't (or wouldn't) order mine because of the printing publisher. I thought that B&N would set up the books in the room where we were sitting at our assigned tables, but that's not what happened. The readers went into a separate room and purchased books they wanted, then came back to the room to have them signed. So, that left me (and several others) sitting at tables with our books in front of us hoping some would wander by and check out our "wares." I sold two books in one hour and decided I was too pooped to stay any longer.

All in all it was a fun day. I did a lot of PR work and met some interesting and very nice people, and signed a lot of autographs on book bags and shirts.

I was so happy that one of the baskets I won was put together by Jules Bennett, fellow author of The Wild Rose Press, and the items inside were all by WRP authors. Really cool! I have some great reading material on my shelf.

The last book I read was Coming Home by Jules Bennett. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Jules is a great character writer. She takes you deeply into the minds of her hero and heroine, while weaving a story that keeps you turning the pages. Coming Home is a story of abiding love, guilt, and forgiveness. I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good romance.