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.

Today’s Thursday Three features author Jana Mercy. Let’s give her a big welcome, and be sure to ask her your own questions after seeing how she responded to mine.

Q. Jana, have you ever caught yourself getting embarrassed by anything you were writing?

A. No, so far I haven’t caught myself getting embarrassed by anything I’ve written. I enjoy writing sensual romance as I feel it is a very real part of the world we live in and definitely a part of my life. I do thing there is a difference between blatant flamboyance and sensuality. Sensuality is in, flamboyance, not so much in my opinion.

Q. What is the most difficult thing you’ve ever written?

A. STRIP OR TREAT was the most difficult book I’ve written due to the intricate plot. I usually write character driven stories and that story had a lot going on plot wise.

Q. If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?

A. Well, my favorite superhero is Ironman, but I don’t see myself as an Ironmaiden. Maybe I could be Magneto-woman so Ironman would be super attracted to me.

LOL! I’m trying to envision Robert Downey Jr. trying to figure out what that irresistible force pulling at him is.

Jana’s books:

Strip or Treat (10/29/08)
Underground Pleasure (12/21/09)
Her Big Bad Wolf ~ coming soon from Wild Rose Press with co-author McKenna Chase

Visit Jana online at www.janamercy.com.

I’m taking part in an online auction, the proceeds of which are going to help a mother and daughter in California who are dedicated readers and who have recently found themselves homeless. You can see the details of their story, including a link to the daughter’s blog about her homelessness experiences, and all the items up for bit here. I’m donating a critique, and I think it’s on the third page of the item listings. There are lots of critiques, books, and other items available.

Welcome back to our second installment of The Thursday Three, the regular mini-interview where I ask an author three random questions. In the spotlight this week is debut author Elisabeth Naughton.

Q. You write romantic adventure. I know two other writers who write stories in this sub-genre as well, and yet it doesn’t seem to be a huge market despite the popularity of these types of movies. Do you think there is a big untapped romantic adventure market out there?

A. I think the romantic adventure market is extremely untapped. So many people have been e-mailing me – even before STOLEN FURY was out – telling me how much they were looking forward to the novel. The blurb and cover really sparked interest in the sub-genre as a whole. And with the success of movies like National Treasure, Indiana Jones and Romancing the Stone (which I hear they’re remaking now), I think the potential for romantic adventure novels to really take off is enormous.

Q. If you were going to be stranded on an island for a year and were able to only eat one type of meat, one type of vegetable and one type of dessert during that time, what would they be?

A. Oooh. Hard question. Let’s see…

Meat: Salami. Okay, don’t read anything into that one! I just like hard salami (Oh, boy. I’m totally stopping there). (Insert Trish falling out of her chair laughing here.)

Vegetable: Green peas. Fresh off the vine. Do they grow on deserted islands?

Dessert: Coconut cream pie. MaryAnn was always making them on Gilligan’s Island, so I’m pretty sure I can get one on my island. I LOVE coconut cream pie.

Q. What was the last movie that made you cry?

A. The Lazarus Project. There’s a scene early on in the movie where the hero, played by Paul Walker, is sentenced to death for a crime he didn’t plan but found himself wrapped up in. He’s in prison, sitting at a table with his wife and daughter, trying to explain to his daughter that he won’t be coming home, ever, as he’s being executed the next day. I had tears running down my face when I watched that scene. It was heartwrenching.

Elisabeth’s debut novel, Stolen Fury, is out now from Dorchester Love Spell.

To unearth a centuries-old secret, an archaeologist must team up with the rakish thief who’s stolen both an ancient relic and her heart…

“A rock-solid Debut” — Publisher’s Weekly

Now it’s your turn. What would you like to ask Elisabeth about her book? About the romantic adventure sub-genre? About, um…, her food choices?

One of my writing pals, Elisabeth Naughton, is having a fabulous contest to celebrate the release of her debut novel, Stolen Fury, a romantic adventure. Be sure to check it out before the Jan. 17 deadline.

Also be sure to check back here on my blog this Thursday when Elisabeth will be the author in the spotlight for my second The Thursday Three.

Today, I’m starting something new on the blog. It’s called The Thursday Three. Each Thursday, I’ll be asking an author three random questions, and I’m starting off with my Romance Bandits pal, Anna Campbell, whose newest book, Tempt the Devil, is in stores now!

Q. You live in Australia, which many Americans find fascinating and romantic. Do Australians feel the same way about the U.S.? What is your favorite spot you’ve visited in the U.S.?

A. We get a lot of American culture like TV shows and movies here in Oz so most current trends seem to be based on American things. I think for various reasons we’ve always had a close relationship with America (although not a relationship without the occasional hiccup which is true for most long relationships!). A lot of Australians still remember with gratitude the way America came to help us fight in World War II for example – we have a long memory for stuff like that! We were so close to being invaded – you only need to look at a map of where New Guinea is (which was invaded) to realize just HOW close. Darwin was bombed and Japanese submarines entered Sydney Harbour. Real skin of the teeth stuff! Sorry, I seem to have meandered off into a history lesson. It’s likely to happen when you ask someone who writes historical romance a question! So far, I’m seeing America courtesy of RWA conferences, LOL! I’d say my two favorite places so far are New York and San Francisco, both such exciting cities. I’m looking forward to seeing Washington in 2009, and I think Nashville in 2010 is going to be a hoot!

Q. Of all the characters you’ve written, which has been the hardest and why?

A. Hey, what a good question. In general, it takes me longer to get my heroines right than my heroes. Never been quite sure why! I found Olivia in TEMPT THE DEVIL took me a lot of work. I had to just keep digging and digging to get to her essence. The heroine in the next book (out in November but currently without an official title!) was difficult too for different reasons. She was the youngest girl I’ve written (only 20) and that threw up all sorts of issues for the story that I had to deal with. I wanted her to be spoilt and immature at the beginning and then to develop her strength of character gradually but of course, she still needed to be sympathetic and compelling even in the early stages of the story.

Q. I’m fascinated by writers’ writing processes. How would you describe yours, and what is an average page count for you in a day?

A. I’d describe my process as a mess! I start with an idea of hero and heroine, sometimes a villain. A problem or a conflict. An opening scene. And then after that, I fly by the seat of my pants. The characters nearly always change from that first conception. Generally my subconscious will guide me but there’s a lot of rewriting involved! I write a very long, very dirty first draft and then it’s a case of refining and cutting and layering until the story is in the shape I want. Because of this somewhat erratic way of working, my page count tends to vary. Depends what the subconscious is up to! I can steadily do about eight to ten pages a day if things are going well. Often though, it’s fewer pages than that. The most I can do in a day is about 25 pages but I can’t keep that up for long.

~~~

Thanks for being with us today, Anna. Okay, now that I’ve asked Anna my questions, it’s time for you to ask yours. So ask away! And be sure to look for Anna’s Tempt the Devil at your nearest book-buying outlet.

I’ve updated my What I’m Reading page with the first book I’m reading in the new year, J.R. Ward’s Lover Enshrined. I’m also going to be starting a new feature on my blog each Thursday called The Thursday Three in which I will ask an author three random questions. First up this next Thursday will be Anna Campbell, whose Tempt the Devil is out this month. So be sure to check back to see what I asked her and how she responded.

I want to try some new things on the site and blog this year, and I wanted to get some feedback from you out there in Readerland about one idea. Would you be at all interested in an online serial, a story you could only see here by coming back perhaps once a week to read the next installment?