Maggie Marr

RWA-Women's Fiction Inaugural Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:38:00 +0000

I am thrilled to announce the inaugural workshop for the RWA-Women's Fiction Chapter. Direct Your Book! Theatrical Techniques to a Blockbuster Novel by Leanna Renee Hieber. And although RWA-Women's Fiction would love to have YOU as a member, you need not be a member to participate in this fabulous workshop!

Best selling, award winning, multi-published author Leanna Renee Hieber will teach her unique hybrid approach in writing novels. Leanna uses this remarkable theatrical background to crack open a whole new way to think about your fiction. She utilizes techniques inherent to actors, directors and other theatre professionals in the creation and telling of stories and teaches you to use these techniques to bolster story structure and characterization. As an author, think about what it takes to step into the role of actor, director, cinematographer, etc. and feel the lightbulbs go off as you troubleshoot your way towards an engaging, character-rich, one-of-a-kind hit novel.

I am very excited to participate in this workshop because one of the gifts of writing is that as a writer I have always something to learn. Writers are life-long learners. Each time we sit at the keyboard we discover something new about our story, whether it be a plot twist or a character quirk there is always something unexpected popping onto the screen of our computers.

There is also the craft and business of writing. I know from a cursory glance over my past books that my knowledge of craft has changed over the years. This knowledge is often hardwon and sometimes self taught. The result of trial and error, rewrite after rewrite, constant critique and a keen editorial eye that grows more astute with each word written. However as a life long learner I am always looking for ways to facilitate the next step in my writing whether it be deeper characterization, stronger POV or a tighter plot. And, in part, this is the brilliance of RWA-WF. We, as a group, are able to participate in workshops, critiques (soon), meetings, and panels to help us learn our craft and the business of writing.

I hope you will join me March 26, 27, 28 & 29 as Leanna teaches her workshop Direct Your Book! Theatrical Techniques to a Blockbuster Novel. This workshop is sure to bring many insights to all writers of all levels.

The final day to register is March 20th and EVERYONE is welcome. You need not be a member of RWA or RWA-WF to participate in this fabulous workshop. The price of the workshop is $20 for RWA-WF members and $25 for all non-members. Details on how to register are at the bottom of the article here.

The workshop will be a yahoo loop. You will be notified with an invitation to join the loop prior to the workshop date. RWA-WF reserves the right to cancel this workshop should fewer than 20 participants sign up for this workshop. Upon a cancellation of this workshop by RWA-WF all registered participants will receive a full refund. Please contact Maggie Marr at maggiemarr AT mac DOT net for more information.

You need to post!

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:51:00 +0000

How is it Tuesday already and I haven't posted since last Wednesday? I'm not sure.

I could blame it on the kids. I could blame it on my dear friend Ally and her challenge to me that I write 2k a day for 25 days. I could blame it on the impending arrival of my Mom and MIL. I could even blame it on my self imposed deadline to finish this draft of The Billionaire's Proud Mistress and the newest screenplay by the end of March. But while I'd like to blame my lackadaisical blog writing on any or all of those things...I simply can't.

I mean take for example my agent: Kristin Nelson. She works nearly as hard as I do (please know I write that with a grin and wink there are very few people that work harder than Kristin and I'm certainly not one) and she manages to post daily on her very famous, very witty, and very informative blog Pub Rants.

For goodness sake if Kristin can post daily, why can't I?

Hmm. Good question. So along with every other quest I seem to be on this year... (write more, complain less...exercise more, eat less...go out more, stay at home less...I see a theme emerging) I am going to attempt a minimum of three posts a week.

Three.

There. I've written it. Now back to that word challenge....

xomm

I Just Can't Choose

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:44:00 +0000

A bounty of riches! The women of the GCC (Girlfriend's Cyber Circuit) just keep cranking out the successes! The latest is Megan Crane aka Caitlin Crews. Megan/Caitlin has not one but two books out this week. And she offered up both to her fellow GCC'ers stating we could pick which book to highlight. But I'm just not good at choices...onion rings or fries? I'll have both. Red wine or white...a glass of each. Chocolate or...well chocolate...okay that one is easy. So I've decided to mention both books.

The first book is Pure Princess Bartered Bride a classic romance that she's just written for the Harlequin Presents Line under her nom de plume Caitlin Crews.

Check out the cover:

and the second book is Everyone Else's Girl:

Amazing really, two books publishing in the same week! Megan stopped by to answer some questions:

Which comes easier for you - beginnings or endings?

Definitely beginnings. I like to launch myself into the beginning and write until I hit a wall, then go back and figure out what I'm doing.

Favorite thing about being a writer?

I get to make up stories in my head, and then tell them, and make my living that way. It’s more than a dream come true. And I don’t, in fact, need algebra, as I told my math teacher in high school long ago!

Least favorite thing about being a writer?

The blank page is usually filled with all my doubts and fears, and that’s not a whole lot of fun to sift through to get to the words I need to write. And you can never really take a vacation, because the work is always in your head. And I become a little bit of a crazy person as a deadline approaches. But I wouldn’t give any of it up.

What is one thing you’ve learned about the publishing industry since getting your first book deal?

There is writing, and then there is publishing, and there is only one part of that I can control: the writing.

What is your advice for those who looking to get their novel published?

Just write. No one can tell your story the way you can, and no one will get to read it until you write it.

What's your favorite food?

Chocolate. Seriously. I'm a complete addict. I like it dark, rich, and life-altering.

Do you have a muse, good luck charm, writing vice?

I am pretty sure my extremely fat and ill-behaved cats feel that they are both muses and charms; they are not. I don't really have either, I don't think. I have written all my books (I'm on number 15!) on the same desk, which I'm a little superstitious about it these days. It's currently located in the office I share with my husband, overlooking a pretty sweep of trees and mountains and the Hollywood sign here in Los Angeles. It's filled with books and pictures, and somehow, helps the words come.

How many drafts until the final draft?

I am one of those desperately linear writers, who can't go forward if I know what's behind me is a big mess. So I usually write the day's words, then set it aside to pick up and read the next morning. I revise it before starting the next day's writing. So when I have a full draft, it's usually pretty tight, and then I go over that at least once or twice. So... three?

What's your writing process/writing environment like?

I'm pretty fierce about my daily word quotas, which are really the only way I can write as much as I do. (I wrote five books last year and will write at least four this year.) I usually write 2,000 words a day--although at a certain point last fall I had to write 3000 a day to hit a particular deadline, and I found that dizzyingly difficult. The internet is my greatest time-waster. I'm starting to use Mac Freedom to turn it off for stretches here and there, because I can't be trusted--and I will often look up to see that hours have passed and there I am reading Jezebel and hitting refresh on Twitter... Not good.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever gotten about writing?

Just do it. Just write. Everything else is smoke and mirrors.

What's next for you?

I am currently working on my fifteenth novel, a romance, which should be out sometime next year!

Excellent job Megan! Now go buy one, or better yet, both of her books!

A Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:29:00 +0000

There is nothing like a challenge to get me revved up. And this week I've got two challenges that actually work together.

So a good friend of mine has challenged me to write 2,000 words a day for 25 days.

I'm in. All in. Except for Sundays, even God took off Sundays (or Saturdays depending on which ecclesiastical historian you believe.)

Luckily for me, this challenge also coincides with the LARA (Los Angeles Romance Writers of America) SPEW (Stop Procrastinating Everyone Write) challenge.

Now, for my needs, I am modifying the challenge...a bit. My latest Work In Progress demands a little different approach. Usually I write an entire first draft, just spew it onto the page and then go back and rewrite. But with this project I've found my process is more akin to Lois Lowry's process. I am actually editing as I go along. So some days I get 2,000 or even 3,000 words down and some days I may get 5 - 10 pages edited with actually very few new words. So to accomodate this process I am setting my goals as follows:

For the next 25 days (except Sundays) I will either write 2,000 words a day or I will write for 4 hours a day.

This new goal also accommodates my screenwriting needs. Because we have a NEW screenplay that we are working on. Right now the writing partner is taking his pass but when he emails it to me...well it's my turn. And word count? Just doesn't work the same way with screenplays. Screenplays, once you have the scenes worked out (and believe me with a 19 page single-spaced outline we have the scenes worked out) are more like a constant editing process.

So who's with me?! Any writers out there who need to jumpstart their latest WIP? Set a fire under their tushy?

Let's go, go, go!

xoMaggie

Sins of the Mother

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:42:00 +0000

Great news for the GCC all week long! Do you remember Orange Mint and Honey, the fabulous book by Carleen Brice? This Sunday, 8 pm eastern time, Orange Mint and Honey premieres on Lifetime Movie Network as Sins of The Mother! That's right, Carleen's book is now a TV movie!

Sins of the Mother is getting great reviews:

“…With great acting all around, including Mimi Rogers as Nona’s sponsor, this adaptation of Carleen Brice’s novel, Orange Mint and Honey is one dramatic powerhouse of a TV movie. It’d be a sin to miss it!“—NATIONAL ENQUIRER, Best Bets on TV

"As a reformed alcoholic mother trying to reconnect with her tightly wound, emotionally stunted daughter, Jill Scott (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency) delivers a performance that makes you forget you knew her as a singer first." — ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

“The magnificent Jill Scott shines as a former mess of a mother struggling to make amends to the daughter she abused…“—TV GUIDE, Hot List

So please tune in to Lifetime Movie Network on Sunday, February 21st at 8 pm Eastern Time.

Drive Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:08:00 +0000

Another GCC author with a new book out. This one is near and dear to my heart as I love Hank and I love her series. So here is the cover for Drive Time, the latest in the Charlotte McNally series.

Hank was kind enough to answer my questions about her latest book and her writing process.

Tell us about Drive Time.

Drive Time is about secrets. TV reporter Charlie McNally’s working on a story about a dangerous scheme that could absolutely happen…and let me just say, if you own a car, or rent a car, you’ll never look at your vehicle the same way after reading Drive Time. In fact, after writing the book, I now get a bit creeped out when I go into a parking garage. That’s all I‘ll say.

Charlie’s also drawn into another frightening situation—this one at the prep school where her fiancé is an English professor. When Charlie learns a secret that might put her step-daughter-to-be in danger, and might also be an blockbuster investigative story—how does she balance her loyalty to her husband-to-be—with her need to protect the public?

So this is a tough one for Charlie. And she must make many life-changing decisions. Just when she begins to think she might be able to have it all—a terrific career and a new husband and a new life--revenge, extortion and murder may bring it all to a crashing halt.

How did the character of Charlotte ‘Charlie’ McNally come about?

What a great question. I have NO idea. She was born when I got a weird spam in my email. It was what looked like lines from a play by Shakespeare. I thought--why would someone send a spam like that? And it crossed my mind--maybe it's a secret message.

I still get goose bumps telling you about it. And I knew, after all those years of wanting to write a mystery, that was my plot. And that turned out to be the Agatha-winning PRIME TIME. But Charlie? Well, I knew I had a good story, but who would tell it? A television reporter, of course. And she just instantly popped into my head. Named, fully formed. I knew her perfectly.

The other characters were more difficult to get to know. But now, Charlie surprises me a lot! And I love when that happens.

You’ve got four books under your belt, you’ve won an Agatha, and been compared to Lisa Scottoline. Will there come a time when you say goodbye to journalism to focus full time on your fiction?

Ain't that the question! I still smile in delight every time I see my Agatha teapot. And when the starred review in Library Journal for DRIVE TIME compared me to Lisa Scottoline, well, I burst into tears. But I still love my job in TV. So--you could ask me that question every day, and every day I'd have a different answer. And I guess the bottom line is: who knows?

Any plans to write a non Charlotte McNally novel?

Yup. Absolutely. It's in the works. You heard it here first.

Any other genre you want to tackle?

Yup. :-) It’s in the works. You heard it here first.

Your husband’s a criminal defense attorney. Does he read your work or give you any tips or even ideas for plots?

He’s the most patient man on the planet. Yes, he's really the only person who reads my pages while they’re in process. When I first started writing PRIME TIME, I'd give hi my five pages or so a day, and I'd hear him laughing and I was so delighted! And he would tell me every day how terrific it was. Then, about fifty pages in, I went in for my daily pat on the back. And he had a funny look on his face. "Honey?" he asked. "Is something going to happen soon?" So I knew I had some work to do.

Ideas for plots? Ah, no, not really. I'm always running ideas by him, to see if he thinks they’re plausible and believable. And sometimes he'll come up with just the perfect little thing I need to pull something together. But we think very differently. He’s much more--wedded to reality.

You’ve won accolades from some of the top writers in the business including some of my favorite authors like Sara Paretsky and Sue Grafton. Any tips you can offer for writing top notch mysteries and creating a great character like Charlie?

Well, thank you! Yes, it’s great, and Sara Paretsky and Sue Grafton are my idols. (They’re also wonderfully generous, and truly authentic. I have three little talismans on my desk that Sue Grafton gave me, and I look at them every day.)

Tips? Well, I read an interview with the poet Anne Sexton some time ago--and she was asked, "What, truly, can a creative writing teacher give her students?" And her answer was:" Courage." I think that's so wonderful. And I think my advice would be similar--just don’t be afraid. Fear is a waste of time. Write your book. One page at a time. You can do it.

Any mistakes you’ve made along the way, have you learned anything from them?

Hah. That’s another long blog for another day. Mistakes? Ah, on a huge level, people always yell at me for working all the time. ALL the time. Is that a mistake? None of this would have happened without that. Would I change it? I have to say no. So is that a mistake? I'm not sure. On a tiny level, I should have put together a mailing list of bookstores. Still haven’t done that. Wish I had.

What’s next for you?

Exactly what I'm trying to figure out. DRIVE TIME came out February 1, with fantastic blurbs from the much-missed and iconic Robert B. Parker and Suzanne Brockmann and Margaret Maron and Carla Neggers and a rave starred review from Library Journal. So I'm hoping people love it. (And I'll be visiting lots of places across the US--hope some of our readers come visit!) And then...we’ll see. I can't tell you how excited I am.

I'm excited too Hank! I can't wait to read the latest book in the series. Okay, everyone go get those books!

Hollywood Couch & Water Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:18:00 +0000

Another day...another production company meeting. Today we met with the producers of this well loved series:

and also this fabulously popular series:

The company creates AMAZING intellectual property in all three mediums; film, television and books. They have an immense library of material that they want adapted. And I have to say...Mike and Maggie would be wildly happy to help.

xoMaggie

Catch of A Lifetime by Judi Fennell

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:18:00 +0000

Fellow GCC member, Judi Fennell, has a new book out: Catch of A Lifetime. Book three in the series, Catch of A Lifetime, is garnering rave reviews! This fabulous book can be read alone or in part of the series too.

Judi stopped by to answer some questions about her process and her latest book; Catch of a Lifetime.

What pulled you into this story, and as a writer made you think I have to write this?

My first story, In Over Her Head was a Top 5 finalist in the Gather.com/Pocket Books First Chapters Romance Contest and I wanted to show the final judges that I had more than that one book in me, so I came up with the subsequent two books in the series. What made me choose Angel instead of Mariana, her older sister, was that I felt she had more of a story to tell at that point. Now, Mariana is poking me in the shoulder, demanding hers be told.

Tell us about your writing process. Do you outline or are you more organic?

I tried plotting, especially with my new series, coming out in 2011 about genies. I had to build the world before I wrote the first book, so I gave a lot of thought to at least the first book. And because an important element of book 1 (I Dream of Genies, January 2011) is the focus of book 2 (Genie Knows Best), I really had to know what I was talking about. But my editor's great in that, for the middle of the book, my synopsis read, "Cue the Indiana Jones music." Yep. I knew something was going to happen, but not exactly what. She trusts me enough to go with that. And I have to say, writing that "music" part was a lot of fun.

With Catch o a Lifetime, I thought I knew where the story was going, so I had some of it plotted out, but, inevitably, when I started writing what I thought was going to happen, it didn't work out. That part actually got scrapped and what happened wasn't something I had ever seen happening. I do love it, though. So I've tried plotting, but in the end, my story and characters go whatever way they please, with me just trying to hang on for the ride.

What is a typical writing day like for you?

There's no typical day for me. I'm a wife, mother, president of my local chapter, employee, friend, volunteer, etc. It's a juggling act to keep all the balls in the air and sometimes they might get dropped, but I try to pick them up as fast as I can and get them dancing. My husband is incredibly supportive and the man can do laundry, cook a great meal, yardwork and clean like nobody's business. He's my Prince Charming.

Do you have a vice that youve given up, but long to continue?

Eating hoagies at 2 am. :) Yep, I used to do that in college and it never showed. Talk about a huge adjustment after I had kids and my metabolism went on hiatus!!! I miss those days.

For you, what is the most difficult part of being an author?

Sitting. Seriously, it's painful. But pain is a great motivator, I've found. I now go to the gym three times a week for an hour and a half and while sweating is definitely NOT on my list of favorite things to do, I do feel better afterward. Still can't eat those hoagies at 2 am, though...

What do you love about being an author?

I love being able to tell my stories. I love having people telling me they were entertained by my screwy sense of humor. I love hanging out with other authors because they "get" the people talking in your head.

Whats next for you?

The genie series releases in January 2011, so I'm busy working on those. I Dream of Genies is in to my editor and Genie Knows Best and Leave It To Genie are in the first draft stage.

Thank you Judi! Happy Release! Now, everyone, go buy the book!!

Red Light, Green Light, GO!

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:20:00 +0000

treat*ment [noun] the presentation or discussion of a subject.

In Hollywood 'the treatment' refers to a document written by screenwriters so that executives might have an overview of a screenplay's story, structure, and characters prior to the screenwriters going to draft. The treatment is an attempt by executives to correct, advise, change, and or doctor the screenplay prior to the writers writing and becoming so very enamored with every word they write and their characters speak so that the screenwriters never want to change a single comma thus leaving the executives with whatever drivel the screenplay writer drips out of their fingertips onto the page.

Ah, the treatment. Mike and I have been working on a new one for...a while. And somehow this little bitty treatment, 'really, guys we only need a couple of pages.' Has turned into a monster at 17 pages SINGLE spaced. Single. Now any writer knows that 17 pages single spaced...is well...it's about 40 pages double. Wow. But we've nailed it. Finally. Or pretty much. There are of course more notes. (See post from January 27 regarding notes.) But notes are to be expected. Always. But now, after oh...one, two, three, four....okay five passes, it seems everyone is onboard with this treatment; three producers and two writers.

So now: Green Light, GO!

The fun part begins. We start to write. The script. The real thing. With the scenes, and the characters and the romance and the funny bits (oh please let the bits be funny) and the drama....and the funny bits...I mentioned the funny bits right? And once we have a draft, a really solid draft we turn it in to the producers. And guess what?

Same dance different tune. More notes. More rewrites. But if we do it right? It won't just be a Green Light to write...but a Green Light to make a movie.

xoMaggie

The Next Three Chapters of Billionaire

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:22:00 +0000

And with one big 'woosh' from my Mac Mail the first three chapters of The Billionaire's Proud Mistress are gone. Off to London. To the wonderful editor that chose me as runner up for the Harlequin Presents Writing Contest.

And now the nail biting begins. As I prepared to press the send button my heart palpitated, my stomach lurched and my palms...well they got a teensy-weensy sweaty. Why? Because this is Harlequin. The big boy (or big girl) in romance and Harlequin Presents is the creme de la creme of category/classic romance.

Why romance? Because I love, love. In film I write romantic comedies, in television I write about women and their relationships and even my first two books had large romance elements to them. Plus I am so fond of the HEA - Happily Ever After. Life is so very tragic on it own. And please don't get me wrong, I love a good tear jerker, or literary novel or women's fiction, but I also love the stability and security that a really well written romance provides me, as a reader.

So now I wait. And cross my fingers. And continue working on the rest of the book. And the next script. And the notes from the director.

xoMaggie

Hollywood Couch & Water Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:38:00 +0000

So more news from the Hollywood trenches. An update, if you will.

The script that we wrote, and is beloved by all that read it, is alive and kicking. In fact, one of my most favorite directors in all the world is interested in directing. (And no, I will not say their name as I am outrageously superstitious and don't want to jinx myself.) But as the director loves the project, we (Mike and me) are sitting down with the wonderful director tomorrow. For breakfast. And notes.

The director has notes. Everyone has notes. To be a professional writer in Hollywood is to realize there WILL ALWAYS BE NOTES. And it is our job, as professionals, to take them, incorporate them, and make the script better. Not to say that all notes are created equal.

They're not.

But most notes have at least a little bit of somethin' behind them. Meaning if you dig deep enough a note that appears nutty can actually point you in the direction of even a tiny crack in the script that needs a fix.

Then next week...more meetings. Many more meetings. And a treatment. For a new script.

I'll keep you posted.

xoMaggie

The Billionaire's Proud Mistress

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:25:00 +0000

The opening chapter in my classic romance, The Billionaire's Proud Mistress is up at iheartpresents. This is the chapter that caught the eye of the Harlequin Editors and snagged me the runners up slot in the Harlequin Presents Writing Competition. For which I am EXCEEDINGLY thankful and not just a little shocked! I am hard at work implementing Bryony's notes and fingers crossed The Billionaire's Proud Mistress will be available soon.
xo
Maggie

Yeah, yeah, I'll Take Care of It

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:09:00 +0000

Oh my sad tale of woe continues. I dropped off my little baby on December 31 expecting a 7 - 10 day wait. 'A little longer than usual' my genius said 'because of the holidays.' I could understand that. So when he asked 'should we ship your computer to the store or your home once it's fixed' I thought why not save a trip ship it to my house.

'Is this your address?' he asked and then rattled off my OLD address.

'No, we've moved.' I gave him the NEW address and toddled away looking longingly over my shoulder as he took my computer to the back room.

I arrived home and checked out my receipt and I noticed that at the top is my OLD adress. I immediately picked up the phone and called my Apple store. I tell them the problem and a guy quickly takes down my address and says 'yeah, yeah, I'll take care of it.'

Now there are some sentences in the English language that instill confidence that a task will be completed such as : Right Away! or Yes, madame I shall do that post haste.' But 'yeah, yeah, I'll take care of it' is not one of the sentences that instills such confidence. But I trusted that this fellow would do as he said.

So I waited.

On the 6th of January (7 days later) I decided to check on the status of my computer. I call the store where I am put on hold for a very very long time. A woman returns sounding a bit out of breath. 'Miss Marr, you need to call apple care since you chose to have your computer sent to your home.' Okay. So I call Apple Care they tell me that there is no status update other than the technicians ordered the part to make the repair. I then say, what address do you have to ship my computer to? He recites the OLD address. I give him the new one and cross my fingers. He tells me I need to call my Apple Store and update my address with them.

Been there, done that.

But I dutifully called AGAIN. I asked my Apple Store what address they had and they recite back to me my OLD address. I then asked them AGAIN to change my address.

I've reached Panic Level Yellow. My old address is an empty house because the buyer will not be moving in until February. But it is close to our NEW address so I asked my husband to check for Fed Ex tags at the house.

I called on the 10th because I am now SURE my computer will be sent to the wrong house. But the Apple Care tech informed me that no it hasn't shipped. On the 11th my Apple Care tech forwarded me a link where I can check on the status. I finally look at the link late on the 11th. There is a Fed Ex number! Yippee! The computer has been shipped. Where is it, when will it be here. I click the link.

Oh. My. Goodness.

My little baby was shipped on the 4th! Of January. After I called the Apple Store to update my address and got the 'yeah, yeah, I'll take care of it' guy and before I called Apple Care.

Guess who didn't take care of it.

Fed Ex tried to deliver my computer to my old address since the 6th. I call the Apple Store. I call Apple Care. If only the guy who had said 'yeah, yeah, I'll take care of it,' had actually taken care of it.

Today my computer is in Fort Worth. Friday it is supposed to be here in my hot little hands. We'll see.

PS Fed Ex put NO door tags on the house, we checked. Big Business failed all the way around.

xoMaggie

Technical Difficulties or Please Don't Take My Computer Away!

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:02:00 +0000

Writers are inordinately attached to their computers.

If there were a fire and I had to choose between my children and the computer... Well of course I'd choose the kids. But if the choice were my husband and my little baby Mac on a bad day I'd grab the laptop bag and throw my man a fire extinguisher. (I am quite sure my MIL will not see the humor in the above.)

But truly. I am ATTACHED to this little machine. I spend more time communicating with this box of metal than with any other thing on the planet. It contains my most intimate details (and I don't mean naughty pics) but my stories. All of them. In all stages. My manuscripts, my scripts, my pilots, my treatments, my one liners that may become stories or scripts or pilots. Aaah. I love my little computer so.

Until Wednesday the 30th.

Just as I was about to head to the airport to return home from holiday my screen went black. Black. As in deader than a doornail black. Of course I wantedt to blame the children since they are 3 and 6 and are NEVER to touch Mommy's computer which means they ALWAYS want to touch Mommy's computer. Especially the 3 year old. She is our terror. The one that I already spend sleepless nights wondering what she'll be like when she's sixteen. Then I wanted to blame the husband. But he saw that hit coming and told me with his wicked smile that it wasn't his fault and I better keep right on moving down the list.

But there was no one else on the list. It couldn't have been me that harmed my precious little lovebug made of metal. And it wasn't. The darn graphics card bit the dust. And according to my Genius at the Genius Bar (who had some very sexy/swanky ink on his arms--gotta love a man who can really pull off a tattoo.) My computer fell within the 'range' of a group of computers that have graphics card failure.

Huh?

We have to take it for 7 to 10 days.

Gulp.

You back up right?

Gulp. Uh. Gulp. Sometimes?

Your data should be okay but I can't guarantee it.

Here come the tears. I can feel the tears. They are taking my baby away and she might not be okay? I might not be okay? My STORIES might not be okay?

Now I am on a friend's old computer. You know the one you never use once you get the killer new one but keep around 'just in case.' I am the 'just in case' right now. But of course I don't trust this little baby the way I trust mine. It's like driving someone else's car. You're not sure about that squeeky noise. Or how the breaks feel. Or if the steering is always this tight. Plus, this baby has some miles on her. Don't get me wrong I am THANKFUL I can now go through email. (Uh 290 in three days took me 3 hours.) But I don't trust this little lady with my most intimate thoughts.

Looks like I'll keep on writing those new chapters out long hand. At least until my baby gets back home.

Hollywood Couch & Water Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:33:00 +0000

As many of you know I write books and I write screenplays. And as a screenplay writer I get to embark on the amazing fun of the Hollywood Couch & Water Tour.

What is the Hollywood Couch & Water Tour you ask?

Well let me explain. My writing partner and I wrote a lovely little screenplay. We received some truly rave reviews and based on that screenplay now we go and meet all the execs that loved our writing. Where do we sit? The couch. What do we drink? Water. Hence the name Hollywood Couch & Water Tour.

Last week was meeting #25. We met with Laurence Mark Productions. They are an amazing production company. They made this movie:

One of my favorites and one of the movies we studied while writing our script.

Laurence Mark Productions recently produced this film:

Another one of my faves.

At the meeting we riffed on films. Television. What makes a good story vs. what makes a great story. We even pitched them a couple ideas as well as the screenplay we are working on now.

Next stop on the Hollywood Couch & Water Tour is January 6 2010...stay tuned.

The Writing is Never Easy

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:55:00 +0000

Writing is not easy. Not as a business. Not as a creative endeavor. But for me, writing can be filled with joy.

For the past year I've worked on a contemporary romance. And I love this book. I continue to love the book even though I struggle to write and then rewrite the manuscript each and every day. Perhaps that is why my entry to the Harlequin Presents Contest was so effervescent. Now please, do not mistake effervescence with ease. They are two separate words.

Every story, every chapter, every storyboard, every outline, every sentence, every word takes work. However, it was with great joy that I discovered as I worked on my entry that two amazing characters came forth. Ease? No. As I've said. Writing is never easy. But joyful? Yes. I believe the joy came from the intensity of the attraction these characters felt for each other. And the tight word count in which I, as an author had to convey this intensity. There is something, I found through this entry, thrilling about needing to convey as much as possible about the chemistry between two people in so few words. But yes, the characters and their story came fast. But does that mean I didn't work on the pages?

No.

I am an author. And every author works. We work on craft. Just because a story comes fast doesn't mean it's not rewritten, tinkered with, rewritten again. We should all know, based on one of my favorite authors, just because there is speed in the writing doesn't mean there isn't work. Not that I will ever be nearly as talented nor as prolific as the great Nora. A girl can dream.

I end with this... There is no greater gift given to an author than a story to convey. Who knows where the stories come from? I don't ask. I merely write the words.

xoMaggie

Classic Romance Something New

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:48:00 +0000

So... A few months ago a good friend of mine (Ally Carter) said, "Maggie, I think you should write a category romance."
"A what?" I replied.
"A category romance," said Ally. "You know from Harlequin." And although I often read romance because I am all about the love and the Happily Ever After, I am embarassed to say I hadn't read a category romance in years. But because Ally is a little bit psychic (don't tell her I told you..actually she probably already knows) and because she's sold a BILLION books I decided I'd listen to my dear writer friend. I got on line and ordered a couple of these little treats.

Oh. My. Goodness.

They are like mini-milky way chocolate bars! Fast, addictive and sweet! The books are four dollars, I can read them in a few hours, and they are REALLY GOOD! Before I knew it I had consumed a whole bag...wait...that was the chocolate...I had read a whole dozen.

Then, because I am a writer...I started thinking about characters. Two characters. Then I started surfing and I found a contest! Not just any contest but a big contest...at Harlequin. I was in the midst of my 5th rewrite (which felt like my 20th rewrite) on my contemporary romance and I wanted the freedom the joy of writing new characters. So I did. I sat down and let these two fabulous characters spring to life. Wrote a one page synopsis and shipped it off to the UK with barely a moment to spare.

Flash forward four weeks. And I get a phone call. A phone call with a 44 prefix. Now I have friends in London but usually they don't call at 8:15 am.... This phone call was the lovely Joanne Grant! Telling me that although I wasn't the bride, I got to be a bridesmaid in a flashy little dress. I was a runner up!! Out of 544 amazing entries! Wow! Talk about thrilled, excited, astounded! What fun to dash off this lovely little chapter (that practically wrote itself) and then become a finalist! I get the honor of a critique by Bryony Green, an amazing editor. And every writer loves working with amazing editors!

I am humbled. And honored. And thrilled. Thank you Joanne. Thank you Bryony. Thank you Harlequin. And thank you to my good friend, the psychic, Ally.

xoMaggie Marr

Rewrites

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:36:00 +0000

As I plow through yet another rewrite of my current manuscript...is this 5 or is it 6? I can no longer remember I am both enchanted and disheartened by the process. Enchanted in that I always have something new to learn in every draft. Whether it be about a character, a plot layer, or my craft this job provides me with a steep learning curve each time I sit down to write.

And the disheartened bit?

Well I often wonder, as most writers do, whether the writing is good enough. Whether the writing will ever be good enough to tell this story. And that constant wondering (aka fear) although it acts as a magnet to get my butt in the chair can also be a drain on my psyche. When faced with the idea of yet another rewrite that potentially could change an entire book I initially become paralyzed.

I liken this moment of paralysis to standing at the foot of Mt. Everest after sumiting five times in the last twelve months, taking a deep breath and beginning to climb yet again. And although with each climb I know the perils of the mountain a little better I can only prepare so well. Storms whip up. Blizzards. Ice fields. Equipment fails. Oy what writer hasn't fought with their computer or word processing software at some point? And still I climb on, upward into thinner and thinner air.

Why?

Because I love the feeling of the words rushing by, I love the sound of all the voices in my head, and most of all, if I'm completely honest, I love the view from the top. Looking down at all the consonants and vowels I've formed in millions of ways to make thousands of words and hundreds of sentences. All the tippity tappity sounds of my fingertips on the keyboard and hours of work culminate in one book. One book written by me. And really, I guess, that finish, the mountain of pages that lie before me after each and every rewrite, my view of the world, is well worth the climb.

xoMaggie

Love In Translation by Wendy Tokunaga

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:56:00 +0000

Wendy Tokunaga's latest book Love In Translation was just released. Wendy agreed to stop by and answer some of my questions about her process and her latest book.

What inspired Love in Translation?

Many things. LOVE IN TRANSLATION is my cockeyed valentine to Japan, which is a place I’ve both loved and loathed, a place that has fueled both fascination and frustration. And it is also a place that has had a huge impact on my life and writing. I also wanted to explore what it means to be a gaijin (foreigner) in Japan and the benefits and downsides of that status and what happens when a gaijin sings in Japanese. I also am fascinated by the concept of the homestay, (something I never experienced), and how that would impact someone as an adult who grew up in foster homes and who never experienced a real family.

What do you consider the heart of your story?

My stories seem to have several “hearts,” or at least I see them that way. In LOVE IN TRANSLATION it’s how Celeste Duncan, a woman without a family, finds one in a foreign culture. It’s also about the power of music on the soul and heart and the meaning of finding your own voice, both in the singing sense and the identity sense.

What comes most naturally for you to write, dialogue? plot? character? What’s the hardest?

Easiest for me is plot and that’s what I try to spend time sorting that out on the first draft. I also like to “talk out” my plot to friends and keep refining it that way. The most difficult is slowing down and spending time on description. I don’t care for long passages of description, but you must have some. So I try and strike a happy medium, but it isn’t easy for me.

What has brought the greatest joy since you were published? The greatest angst?

I’d say the greatest joy is having readers who appreciate your writing. And the greatest angst is in working hard to keep those readers and gain more.

What do you love about being an author?

There’s so much that I enjoy. First, it’s great to be paid for something you love to do. But I also find it inspiring to help other writers. I enjoy telling my story of woe on my road to publication and let others know that they don’t need any special connections to the publishing world in order to get published. I like to promote the message that you should never give up. And if you work hard, keep at it and be flexible, your publishing dream may come true. I also like helping other writers make their work the best it can be.

What’s one piece of writing advice you’ve found valuable on your journey to publication?

That often you won’t discover the real story you’re trying to tell until the revision process.

How do you promote your books? Are you going on tour for this book? Any upcoming signings?

I do a lot of my own promotion for my books, much of it online. I’m on MySpace, Twitter, Facebook, have blogs, a website, etc., etc. It’s fun, but it can be overwhelming sometimes. I actually was dreaming in Tweets the other night and I often spend way too much time thinking about what my Facebook status should be. I generally do readings and signings in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have events coming up for promotion of LOVE IN TRANSLATION in early December in San Francisco, Half Moon Bay and Corte Madera, which are all listed on my website. And I may be doing some more in January. At some of the events I’ll be performing “The Wishing Star (Nozomi no Hoshi)” the “theme song” from LOVE IN TRANSLATION, which is the fictional song portrayed in the book brought to real life. I also really like appearing at writers conferences and I’ll be at the San Francisco Writers Conference in mid-February. I’ll also be teaching a class called Your Novel: The Road to Publication at Books Inc. Opera Plaza in San Francisco in January.

What’s next for you?

I’m working on a novel that is a different departure for me: it has very little to do with Japan!

Good Review

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:36:00 +0000

Every writer likes a good review and Secrets of The Hollywood Girls Club got one at ChickLit+

Enjoy!

xoMaggie

The Secret of Joy by Melissa Senate

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:35:00 +0000

The Secret of Joy by Melissa Senate was just released. Here is her fabulous cover.

Tell us about your latest release and the inspiration behind it.

28-year-old New Yorker Rebecca Strand is shocked when her dying father confesses a devastating secret: he had affair when Rebecca was a toddler—and a baby he turned his back on at birth. Now, his wish is that the daughter he abandoned, Joy Joyhawk, read the unsent letters he wrote to her every year on her birthday. Determined to fulfill her father’s wish, Rebecca drives to a small town in Maine—against the advice of her lawyer boyfriend who’s sure Joy will be a “disappointing, trashy opportunist” and demand half her father’s fortune. But when hopeful Rebecca knocks on her half-sister’s door, Joy—a separated mother who conducts weekend singles tours out of her orange mini-bus—wants nothing to do with Rebecca or the letters her father wrote to her. Determined to forge some kind of relationship with Joy, Rebecca sticks around, finding unexpected support from Joy’s best clients—the Divorced Ladies Club of Wiscasset—and a sexy carpenter named Theo . . . .

The inspiration: Several years ago, I received an email out of the blue that said: I think you might be my half-sister. I was. Am. It took me a long time to decide to take that little (huge) nugget and write a novel to help me figure out the answer to some burning questions, such as: if you haven’t seen or heard from your biological father, or any member of his family, since you were little (or, in Joy’s case, never at all), is his child from another relationship really your sibling? Or just a stranger? Does the word father or sister or brother mean anything without back up? I had a ton of questions and set out to uncover how I felt through a fictional character, but it’s interesting to me that I flipped everything on its head in the writing of the story. Nothing but the basic questions that are proposed in the novel are autobiographical. Just the questions! And I surprised myself quite a few times during the writing of this story with how I felt about certain things. Amazing how writing fiction can teach you so much about yourself.

What's one piece of writing advice you've found valuable on your journey to publication?

Trust yourself. Your gut knows. You know.

Tell us why your editor is the best editor ever in the universe.

I’m crazy about my editor, Jennifer Heddle at Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books. I love working with her. She’s just so razor-sharp smart and aware and interested in the world and pop culture (which I’ve learned via being her friend on Facebook!). Her suggestions, starting with our first conversation before she even bought my book, were so intelligent and thoughtful. And she’s New York honest in a very kind way with her editorial letters and edits. I absolutely trust what she says. As I’ve gotten to know her, I’m even more touched that she bought my book. She’s a tough customer, I think. And that’s a good thing.

Any tried and true tricks for beating procrastination?

Tried but not true: taking laptop to a library or coffee lounge without wi-fi. I can’t handle more than an hour or two without checking email or reading through Twitter or Facebook. Tried and true: a deadline, whether self-given or publisher-given.

Which 'craft' book has inspired or helped you the most throughout your writing career?

The most inspiring, to me, is Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. But I also love Stephen King’s On Writing; Carolyn See’s How To Make A Literary Life, and Elizabeth Berg’s Escaping Into The Open.

If you could only own and read 5 books for the rest of your life, (excluding your own) what five books would you choose?

The Portable Dorothy Parker; the collected works of William Shakespeare; To Kill A Mockingbird; Anne of Green Gables; The Color Purple; and I can’t leave off this gem: Why I Like My Mommy by Max (my son’s latest work in first grade!)

What’s next for you?

Next up is my second novel for teens, The Mosts, which will be published by Random House in June 2010. Then, my next women’s fiction novel from Simon & Schuster, The Love Goddess’s Cooking School, about five people in an Italian cooking class, will be published November 2010. I’m staring down a 1/1 deadline (the worst deadline to have!) And I’m being poked at by a new idea . . . .

Love Under Cover by Jessica Brody

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:06:00 +0000

Jessica Brody's latest book Love Under Cover comes out this week. Here is the cover:

Now here is all the praise:

"With a complicated, sympathetic protagonist, worthy stakes and a clever twist on the standard chick lit narrative, Brody will pull readers in from the first page."
– Publisher’s Weekly

"Those who enjoyed Brody's debut will be eager to catch up with Jennifer, but newcomers will be intrigued, too...an honest, witty portrayal of modern love."
- Booklist

“With her usual smart, deft, and witty prose, Brody delves deep into the psychology of a woman who tests the fidelity of strangers for a living but struggles with commitment in her own life."
- Joanne Rendell, author of Crossing Washington Square and The Professors’ Wives’ Club

Wow! And wait until you see her picture, it seems almost unfair that someone should be so talented and so beautiful and I would absolutely hate her if she wasn't so gosh darned NICE too!!

What was your inspiration behind Love Under Cover?

As soon as I finished writing my first novel, The Fidelity Files¸ I knew that Jennifer’s journey wasn’t over yet. Although she had seemed to find her happy ending there was so much more fun stuff I had in mind for another book. Setting Jennifer up with an entire agency of fidelity inspectors was definitely the first and foremost on my mind for the next instalment.

Plus, I really wanted to explore what a fidelity inspector would be like in a committed relationship. After everything she’s seen—all the cheating, dishonesty, and betrayal—would she really be capable of settling down herself? So that’s what I set out to focus on in this book.

Which scene (or scenes) in your novel did you love writing? Why?

I love writing any of the scenes with Jennifer’s friends. They’re all fun in their own way. Zoë has a terrible road rage problem and she has a habit of talking on the phone while driving so those conversations with Jen and Zoë on the phone are always really entertaining for me. I get to channel my inner turrets patient. Sophie is totally neurotic. I love going over the top with her.
And John is the flamboyant gay boy from West Hollywood who is always quick with his sarcasm and wit. Sometimes I don’t know where his remarks come from. I must be channelling my inner gay man because I’ll write something that he says and think, “That’s really funny. Where the hell did that come from?”

Which 'craft' book has inspired or helped you the most throughout your writing career?

SAVE THE CAT, by Blake Snyder. It changed my life. People tell me my books read like movies. Well, that's probably because SAVE THE CAT is actually a book for screenwriting. But I've found it translates exceptionally well to novels. A well-told story is a well-told story, regardless of the medium and a fast-moving story keeps the pages turning. Blake Snyder lays out a simple (yet effective) step-by-step beat sheet of how to tell any story and I'll never write another book without it! He's very well-respected in the industry and I know many writers (screenwriters and novelists alike) that utilize his books. Plus, the book is extremely funny and entertaining to read!

Since becoming a writer, what’s the most glamorous thing you’ve ever done?

When my first book, The Fidelity Files, came out in France last year, my French publisher actually flew me out to Paris to promote it! It was a dream come true! I speak French almost fluently so I was able to conduct all my interviews in French, which was both nerve wrecking and exciting at the same time. Paris has always held a special place in my heart. I was a French major in college and I lived in Paris my junior abroad. Plus, I spent a month in Paris in 2005 finishing the novel so it was all very magical and kismet to be back there to see it in French book stores!

Do you have a sample chapter posted?

Absolutely!

If you could only own and read 5 books for the rest of your life, (excluding your own) what five books would you choose?

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella to make me laugh.
My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult to make me cry.
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger to make me believe in fantastical love
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer to give me a hot vampire to fantasize about daily.
Bridget Jones’ Diary by Helen Fielding to remind me of why I write.

What's one piece of writing advice you've found valuable on your journey to publication?

Jump and the net will appear. Although I think this applies to any career you’re trying to get into. You have to jump in with both feet. Right into the deep end. You can’t wait for the perfect opportunity to come along, you just have to go for it. When I decided I would be a published author, I made the decision and I leapt off the cliff…without a parachute. I quit my high-paying, corporate job at a move studio, started taking odd jobs off of Craigslist to make ends meet, downgraded my car, my apartment and my lifestyle to save money and just went for it. I never looked back. I turned down three job offers from other studios, all which paid even more than I was making when I left my previous one. I sold my first novel a year and a half after I quit. Now I write full time and this year, for the first time since I quit my corporate job in 2005, I’m making more as a writer than I was making as a “suit.” Do what you love and the money will eventually come. I’m a big believer in this. And I am living proof that it works!

Why do you write?

I once heard someone say, “Dancers dance because they have to.” I really loved that and I think it’s the same for writers. I definitely have to write. Like I have to breathe. If I don’t, I get very stir crazy. All of that energy has to come out somehow and for me, it comes out in words. Lots and lots of words. Some of them are actually worth publishing.

What’s next for you?

Although I strive to live in the moment, I can’t help but be excited about the future! I’ve got three young adult books scheduled to come out in the next three years from Farrar, Straus, & Giroux. The first, THE KARMA CLUB, releases on April 27 and I simply can’t wait! It’s about three teen girls who are tired of waiting for Karma to get off its butt and do its job, so they decide to give Karma a helping hand by getting revenge on their evil ex-boyfriends. But they soon discover that when you mess with Karma, Karma messes back. It’s a story I wanted to tell for years and I’m so glad it’s finally going to be put out to the world. The teen voice feels very natural to me (not sure what that says about my inherent maturity level, but whatever!) and the YA novels are such a blast to write. I think the teenage years resonate with everyone in some way. For me, my teen years were very painful so it’s somewhat therapeutic to be able to “go back” and relive them with all the knowledge and wisdom that I have now!

Thank you Jessica. Now go buy Love Under Cover.
xoMaggie

Spinning Forward by Terri DuLong

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:41:00 +0000

This week, Terri DuLong a fellow member in the Women's Fiction chapter of RWA has a new book coming out; Spinning Forward.

Terri stopped by to tell me about her book as well as her writing process.

Tell me about your book.

A New Englander born and bred, the last place Sydney Webster expects to find herself starting over is on an island off the west coast of Florida. Yet here she is in Cedar Key, trying to pull herself together after her husband’s untimely death—and the even more untimely revelation of his gambling addiction. Syd takes shelter at a college pal’s bed and breakfast, leading her to discover her true identity and feminine soul. Her passion for spinning and knitting draws attention due to the unique composition of her wool and a door is opened. She finds herself in the embrace of a community rich with love, laughter, friendship . . . and secrets. A tale of new beginnings, old friends and lives forever bound.

What pulled you into the story and made you think 'I have to write this'?

The actual people of Cedar Key, the small town where I now reside, made me feel I wanted to write about the closeness and caring of a small community. As far as my main character, not all women have the final say-so when it comes to decisions or financial matters in their marriage and although it may seem fine and easy at the time, my story deals with the fact that women owe it to themselves to be aware of these issues. For Sydney, her uninvolved attitude came back to bite her.

When did you first begin writing?

I’ve been writing all my life. As an only child, I had an imaginary playmate and looking back now, I feel that’s when my creative process began. I’ve kept diaries and journals and I began writing professionally for Bonjour Paris about eleven years ago. I did over forty travel articles based on my travel to France through the eyes of a fictional canine character.

What is your writing process and where do you write?

When I’m on deadline, I begin around ten in the morning and generally work six to eight hours a day. When we moved to Cedar Key, we had a writer’s studio built for me, detached from our house but connected by a screened lanai. So this is where I work.

What is your favorite thing about writing? What is your least favorite thing?

I’d have to say my favorite thing about writing is all the feedback I get from my readers. Their comments on my characters, plot, how my story affected them, etc. Least favorite? Call me Pollyanna, but I really don’t have one. I love writing and the feeling of accomplishment when I finish a story.

Please name the five movies and the five books you want with you if stranded on a desert island.

5 books would be: A Woman of Substance, To Kill a Mockingbird, The House at Riverton, The Shellseekers and The Thornbirds
5 movies would be: Casablanca, Pretty Woman, Saving Private Ryan, Ghost and Steel Magnolias

What is your advice to aspiring writers?

Don’t ever give up. If writing is your passion, then keep writing. Believe in yourself and make great things happen.

What is next for you?

My Christmas novella that I’m doing in the anthology with Fern Michaels headlining will be released November 2010—the same time that my second book in the Cedar Key series will be out.

Sounds like a great read! You can get Spinning Forward at any local bookstore or here and here.
xoMaggie

Romance Writers of America Women's Fiction Chapter

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:57:00 +0000

The amazing Therese Walsh decided that there needed to be a home within Romance Writers of America for authors who write stories that have romantic elements but don't neatly fit into the category of 'romance.' Her vision and determination led to a new online chapter being established; RWA-WF.

Here is the amazing logo:

Fantastic isn't it! And today the amazing RWA-WF website is up; click here.

Also, I am the VP of Programs. So please come join our fun. This is an amazing group with an ferocious amount of talent.

xoMaggie

The Gift by Deb Stover

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:36:00 +0000

The award winning author Deb Stover has a new book out this week! The Gift, here is the cover:

Looks good! Deb was kind enough to stop by and answer some questions about The Gift as well as her writing process.

Tell me about THE GIFT.

Certain members of the Dearborn Family are born with some
variance of an empathic gift. Beth's "gift" manifests in
a particularly frightening manner, by enabling her to
experience the final moments of those who've died violently.
As an adult, she chooses a career as a homicide detective,
and--obviously--is very successful. However, the
experience of being "murdered" repeatedly takes a terrible
toll and she turns to alcohol for solace. When she hits bottom
and seeks treatment for her addiction, she is convinced the only
way she can stay sober is to somehow suppress her
gift-turned-curse by avoiding places where the spirit of
someone who died violently might contact her.
She leaves her position and takes one as a nomadic
insurance investigator.

Her new career keeps her safe and sober for three years.
Convinced her gift has faded from lack of use, she finally
accepts an assignment involving possible life insurance fraud,
which leads her to a small town in eastern Tennessee.

Ty Malone's wife, Lorilee, disappeared over seven years ago.
Though the town and his father-in-law remain convinced she
ran away to pursue a career as a painter in Europe,
he has always maintained that the only thing that could
keep his wife away from her children is death. It's time
to learn the truth, so he petitions the court to have
her declared legally dead. The life insurance claim brings
investigator Beth Dearborn into his life.

THE GIFT is part mystery, part ghost story, part suspense,
part romance, part thriller. The novel also touches on the
issue of women and alcoholism on various levels. Beth
is a recovering alcoholic, and the reader will also meet a
character who is a practicing one.

Both Beth and Ty will be forced to face their
greatest fears to learn the truth, and to find
happiness.

When did you first begin writing?

I think I was about eight. My first publication was a letter
to the editor of the WICHITA EAGLE at age eleven. I majored in
Journalism, then worked for a newspaper. I wrote my first
romance manuscript in 1984. It was a monster of almost
200,000 words. I still need to burn it....
I dabbled for a few more years, then joined RWA and got
serious in 1991. I sold my firstbook in December 1993.
SHADES OF ROSE was published by Kensington in 1995.

What is your writing process and where do you write?

I prefer to write at my desk, mostly for comfort.
Since I have rheumatoid arthritis, ergonomics are extra
important. I have a special keyboard, keyboard tray,
chair, mouse, etc. I love my laptop, but if I spend too
much time on it, I pay the price. I'm typically a
very early morning writer--a lark--and often wake
hours before dawn to work while the rest of the
house is sleeping soundly. I love quiet, and
rarely listen to music while working--especially in
first draft. While editing, I can listen to anything,
but in first draft I can't have any lyrics.
They pull me out of the story.

I'm very much a "pantser"--and I have to say I hate that term.
I muchprefer Jo Beverley's "writing into the mist" description.
I start with a character in a situation, then start writing.
Once I have a global idea of the general plot and the cast of
characters, I write a narrative synopsis and send it to my agent.
Once we go to contract, do any revisions to the proposal,
if requested, I plunge ahead. I confess my finished product
does not always follow that synopsis verbatim.
And I NEVER outline. Perish the thought....

What is your favorite thing about writing?
What is your least favorite thing?

My favorite thing is that it's my favorite thing.
Okay, seriously, I love being able to work in my pajamas.
I stagger out of bed in the morning, get my fuzzy slippers
and robe, my mug of strong coffee, and plop myself
in front of the computer with an adoring dog at my side.
Much better than dressing up and fighting traffic on the
freeway.

My least favorite thing would have to be worrying about
the business side of this, and promotion. In a perfect
world, writers could just write and not have to worry
about numbers and promo and covers and... ::sigh::

Please name the five movies and the five books you want with you if
stranded on a desert island.

I hate this question. The thought of being stranded
with only five books is pure torture. I can live
without movies, but not books. Can I trade five
movies for five extra books? No...?
Okay, I'll try.

Books:
1. THE PROMISE OF JENNY JONES by Maggie Osborne
2. GONE WITH THE WIND by Margaret Mitchell
3. Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy by Nora Roberts
(have them all in 1 book club hardcover edition--
is that cheating?)
4. Three Sisters Island Trilogy by Nora Roberts
(same as #3)
5. Boatbuilding: a complete handbook of wooden
boat construction By Howard Irving Chapelle [ :-) ]

Movies:
1. PRACTICAL MAGIC
2. INDEPENDENCE DAY
3. ROOTS
4. LONESOME DOVE
5. CASTAWAY (I couldn't find a movie about how to build a boat)

What is your advice to aspiring writers?

It's your book. Trust your instincts. There are no rules.
Critique is a smorgasbord--take what you want and leave
what you don't. There are a thousand how-to books, workshops,
and know-it-alls out there dying to tell you how to do your job.
There is no special handshake. There is no secret potion.
There is no magic elixir. You only have yourself, your muse,
and the blank screen/Big Chief Tablet/whatever medium you
choose. Keep throwing the spaghetti against the wall until
something sticks.

What is next for you?

I am currently at work on the sequel to THE GIFT--working title
is THE SECRET. When you read THE GIFT, you will meet
Beth's cousin, Sam Dearborn. His "gift" manifests
in a different way. He jokingly refers to himself as
a "psychic errand boy."

Thank you Deb for stopping by. Now go get The Gift!