Welcome to my slice of cyber real estate! Both Trish and Tricia,
the two halves of my writing self, are thrilled to have you. I hope you enjoy cruising
through the pages to find out about my upcoming books, how I got into this crazy
writing business, and where in the world I'm going to be popping up in the future –
either online or live and in person.
My good friend Mary, who writes as M.J. Fredrick, has a new romantic adventure release that went on sale today. So I’m going to hold off one more day on putting up more conference pictures so I can share the following Q&A with M.J. By the way, Beneath the Surface is one of my absolute favorite stories she’s written. So I was so happy when this book was bought by her publisher and thrilled when she got the gorgeous cover.
Q. Tell us a little bit about Beneath the Surface.
A.Beneath the Surface is a reunion story between two archaeologists on the verge of divorce. Mallory Reeves brings the divorce papers to the Yucatan Peninsula for her husband to sign. When a storm strands her there, she has to work to remember why she left archaeology–and Adrian–in the first place. Q. What drew you to excavating sunken ships as a story backdrop?
A. You know, I don’t remember. My baby brother loves archaeology and I remember bouncing a lot of ideas off of him. I think the original idea was for Adrian to have found a Phoenician ship in the Caribbean. The way it was written, though, it overwhelmed the romance. so I revised. And revised. And revised.
Another issue was that I needed Adrian to have a specialty, and I thought underwater archaeology would be a cool specialty.
Q. Would you ever like to dive a sunken ship?
A. God, no. I’m claustrophobic as all get-out. I couldn’t even get in the submarine at Disneyland!
Q. Your couple is already married in the story but on the verge of divorce at the beginning. This isn’t usually a type of story that attracts me, but yours is wonderful. It has the same feeling of newly falling in love about it. Have you ever written about other married couples, or is this your first?
A. This is my second estranged couple book. The first isn’t published, though I’d like to go back and work on it one day. I was intrigued by the movie Twister. In fact, the first scene is similar, though my heroine goes to my hero. I wanted to find out how people who could feel so strongly about each other once upon a time could be pulled apart. This was a struggle as well, finding the balance between what had split them up, but not making it so serious that they couldn’t recover, but also not making it a big misunderstanding. I think I struck the right balance.
I loved playing with their memories, too, feeding that information of their early passion throughout the story.
Q. What’s coming up from MJ Fredrick?
A. I have another book from Samhain coming January 2010 called Breaking Daylight. It’s a story of a mother trying to find her child with the help of an Army Ranger who would rather be doing anything else.
I also have another book, Don’t Look Back, my 2006 Golden Heart finalist, coming from The Wild Rose Press in 2010, but I don’t have a release date yet.
Be sure to get your own copy of Beneath the Surface (in electronic format) from Samhain Publishing by clicking this link and following the directions.
Just call me Lamey McLamerson. I’ve not been blogging here lately because when I get to working on a book, other things seem to get shoved to the sides. I have been committed to blogging on my Healthy Writer blog every day, so pop by there if you get the chance.
But for now, here are some more pictures from the RWA National Conference. These are from Wednesday of conference week.
It was my first year to be able to sign at the huge RWA Literacy Signing. Imagine 500 authors in one room with lots of readers going from table to table to meet them and get books signed. So cool. And the proceeds go to literacy groups. We raised more than $60,000 this year. Extra cool was the fact that my next-door neighbor during the signing was my good pal Tanya Michna/Tanya Micheals. Here we look like normal, friendly authors. In a few weeks, we’ll be getting our geek on and dressing up at Dragon*Con.
Lots of friends stopped by my table. Among them were Michelle Butler, who I’ve now known for 13 years!
And Vanessa Barnevald, talented YA author and Golden Heart finalist this year. I fully expect to hear about a first sale from her soon.
After the Lit Signing was the annual Bandit Bash, sponsored by my fellow Romance Bandits and myself. Here’s a view from above of part of the crowd.
If you’re a regular visitor to the Romance Bandits blog, you’ll know how popular our Golden Rooster is. He’s a virtual rooster who goes to the first comment poster of the day, but don’t tell him he’s not real. He might get upset and karate chop me. The rooster, sporting a cape and mask, graced our party cake — along with some of his cocky attitude.
Banditas KJ Howe and Anna Sugden.
And more Banditas, Beth Andrews and Susan Sey.
Me with one of the Bash guests, Jessica Andersen, who took time away from pimping the end of the world, to come party with us. (See Jess’s books to see what I’m talking about.)
Well, you can probably tell my deadline is sucking up all my time because I didn’t get the second post about the conference up. But never fear! I’ve not forgotten.
On Sunday and Monday of conference week, I was pretty much in board member mode from the time I got up until the time I went to bed. I think we got out of the board meeting around 8 p.m. on Monday. Consequently, I slept in on Tuesday instead of going to play tourist. Two reasons: I was already run down and knew I’d get sick if I didn’t catch up on rest before the conference even started. And I’d broken my toe the night before my slamming it into the base of the bed. Ugh. Never had a broken anything before. I didn’t realize it was broken until the next morning when I discovered it was very sore, swollen and quite purple. Good thing I brought all open-toed shoes. So I didn’t think I wanted to go walking around museums all day.
Tuesday night, we had a party for the Romance Bandits and Bandita Jeanne’s house. Very fun — good food, good conversation, many laugh-out-loud moments. Plus, it was a hoot to hear Donna MacMeans’ GPS telling us how to get to Jeanne’s house in his proper British voice. Here for your viewing pleasure are several photos from the evening.
Donna MacMeans and Loucinda McGary
Nancy Northcott and Suzanne Welsh
Suz with Christie Kelley
The Golden Rooster eyeballing some of the yummies
Jeanne Adams, Anna Campbell and Caren Crane
Joan Kayse offering the GR one of her awesomely scrumptious chocolate chip cookies
After leaving Rochelle, Illinois on my trip north, I headed to Madison, Wisconsin, where my agent is located. On the way out to dinner, she drove me through the University of Wisconsin campus. I know it’s cold in the winter, but the campus has some lovely lake views. We ate dinner at a place called Nau-ti-Gal on one of the lakes. We sat outside and listened to the live band that was set up and playing under the trees in the yard. The place was packed, and I had some absolutely delicious stuffed grouper. We talked business for awhile, then just some fun non-business stuff. After leaving there, we went to a Madison landmark, Ella’s Deli and Ice Cream Parlor. This place is amazing — not just the ice cream but also the decor. It’s full of old toys everywhere, even moving back and forth across the ceiling, and a carousel.
The next day, I headed to Green Bay for the WisRWA conference. I’d never been to Green Bay, and pretty much all I equated with it was the Packers and being really friggin’ cold. I made my way to the hotel attached to the Oneida Casino, where I checked in and found this in the lobby:
Let me just say it’s still very weird to see my name listed as a featured speaker, especially with New York Times best-selling author Sherrilyn Kenyon. Now, I know Sherry, and she’s as down to earth as they come, but it’s still a little squee moment to be listed with her. Here we are together.
I spoke at the conference on Making Your Setting Come Alive, and I was also able to reconnect with writers I’d met at this conference 2-3 years ago when it was last held in Madison.
Here I am with Meagan Hatfield and Ann Voss-Peterson.
And with Lori Devoti.
With fellow guest author Karin Tabke. We were next-door neighbors at the book signing.
With Rachel Berens-VanHeest.
I was also able to have a nice meeting with Harlequin Executive Editor Birgit-Davis Todd. She’s not my editor but does work closely with my editor.
With fellow writers Ann Curtis and Cat Shield (who won the WisRWA Fab Five award for best YA manuscript).
With Publishers Weekly blogger Barbara Vey.
I’ve got one more Wisconsin trip post in me, about my post-conference trip through the lovely Door County and the journey back south. Be sure to check in over the weekend for the final installment. And for those of you in the U.S., Happy 4th of July!
Ever feel like you’ve gone nine rounds with your to-do list? That feels like what I’ve done the past couple of weeks. I’m not sure who is winning.
Anyway, I took part in a group book signing with five of my RWA chaptermates at Sherlock’s Books in Lebanon, Tennessee yesterday. Here are a few snapshots.
Last year, hubby and I had three tomato plants that produced a ton of Roma tomatoes. We were constantly eating them. Good thing we love tomatoes, particularly fresh ones. Well, this year we expanded to add cucumbers. Hubby took a shovel and carved out a small plot in the sunniest part of our back yard. Though the plants are bigger now, here are a couple of photos I took before I took my trip to Wisconsin.
Anyone out there have a garden this summer? If so, how’s it doing? What is your favorite thing to eat fresh from the garden.
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On a different note, I’m hosting author Jeanne Adams over at the Wet Noodle Posse blog today. She’s talking about how her dad helped foster her love of books and reading.
I found this interview with Outlander series author Diana Gabaldon interesting. Have loved what I’ve read of the series (I think the first three books; it’s been awhile), and she’s one of those people it’s easy to listen to. The owner of this YouTube channel, BookLounge, also has another interview with her, probably just a continuation of this one, plus lots of other author interviews.
In car news, the claims adjuster should be here within the next hour or so. We’ll see what he says.
And in wasted time news, I am WAY too addicted to the Farm Town game on Facebook. But, like my sister says, it’s fun and a stress-reliever.
But I wrote 6 pages yesterday. My goal had been 10, so I’m shooting for 14 today. And if I get them, I can play Farm Town with no guilt.
Had to leave San Antonio today — sad to leave Mary’s but will be glad to get home and see the hubby. But today’s agenda included driving just as far as Houston for a meeting at the RWA office. As luck would have it, it started pouring down rain just as I was getting onto the Sam Houston Tollway and had to start looking for an exit I’d never had to locate before. Normally, I have a really good sense of direction and love maps, but there must be a curse when it comes to me and Houston. The last time I was here, I got lost. Today, I got lost twice. Ahhhh!
Had a good meeting though and dinner with several of the wonderful RWA staffers at a Mexican place called Lupe Tortillo. Headed out of Texas tomorrow toward home. We’ll see how far I get. Unfortunately, once again, I don’t have time to head to another part of Houston to visit some college friends. Next time I come here, I need to build in an extra day. And hopefully next time I won’t get lost!
On a different topic, good friend and 2009 Golden Heart finalist Kim Law just launched her new Web site. Check out the whole thing, but I’m in love with her cool crossword puzzle function on her Fun page.
Friday I drove up to Cincinnati and stayed with the fabulous and cool Liz Bemis, who is the program director for Ohio Valley RWA and a double Golden Heart finalist this year. That night, we drove through the pouring rain that had been chasing me to Ohio to meet up with the equally fabulous and cool Jenn Stark for a yummy Mexican dinner.
Yesterday, I spoke to the OVRWA chapter on perseverance, a subject near and dear to my heart since it took me 11 years to sell. I know there were people in the audience sitting in the same boat I was such a short time ago — Liz and Jenn among them — where they’ve got tremendous talent and have found success on the contest circuit but haven’t quite made that first sale yet.
Liz Bemis, me, and Jenn Stark
Since it was the day before Easter, I rewarded audience participation with Carmello bunnies, Cadbury’s Creme Eggs, Peeps and a couple of free books. Hey, I’m not above some sugar-filled bribery. The ladies were wonderful, and I was thankful for such a nice turnout the day before Easter. I even got to meet Becke Martin (aka Treethyme), who hangs out with us a lot over at the Romance Bandits blog.
With Becke Martin
After the meeting, some of us were about to chew our arms off we were so hungry. So before I hit the road home, I went to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory with Liz, Jenn, and two other great and interesting ladies named Amy and Libby (man, I hope I got that right or I’m going to be really embarrassed). Then it was time to hit the road home. I plugged in the iPod and passed the hours listening to PotterCast and an the Supernatural podcast.
Two funny signs seen along the way:
On a fence surrounding a field: For Sale, Used Cows
On the ladies restroom door inside a gas station/Subway combo: Now hiring servers. Apply within.
Two other notes:
Liz has a fun blog series going on at her site counting down the 100 days until the Golden Heart ceremony. Be sure to check it out.
And Jenn isn’t just a writer. She’s a whiz at author branding. Check out her branding site at www.knowyourbrand.com.
Today, I’m featuring one of my Wet Noodle Posse buddies, Merrillee Whren, who writes for Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Her latest release is Mommy’s Hometown Hero, out this month.
Q. I know you live near the beach (I’m supremely jealous), but if you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be and why?
A. That is a tough question. I love living at the beach, so thinking of another place is hard. We own 21 acres of timberland in Washington State just north of Spokane, and I’ve thought that if I win the lottery or someday get a six-figure advance that it would be fun to build a second home there. Of course, I’d be hard pressed to spend a whole winter there.
Q. What is the most fun part of writing for you?
A. The most fun part of writing is typing the end. Actually, I do like doing revisions once I get over the initial “They want me to change what?” Once I’ve written the story, I like to go back and make it better.
Q. Have you considered writing anything totally outside of what you’ve published so far?
A. I have only considered writing children’s books, not YA, but books for kids in elementary school. I used to be an elementary school teacher, and I enjoyed teaching reading by using novels. I’m not sure that will happen because I haven’t had any brilliant ideas, but maybe someday I’ll be struck with an idea just for kids.
To find out more about Merrillee and her books, visit her Web site.
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— sad to leave Mary’s but will be glad to get home and see the hubby. 
