Question Sunday
Mar
25
2012

Ask em in the comments if you’ve got em!

Angie asks: What is the hardest part of the writing process? What is a normal day like for you? Each book presents its own obstacles! Sometimes the story will be going along just great and then I’ll hit a wall that takes me a while to get past. Other times I go through the “oh my god this book sucks so hard” stage. Writing is a very personal and creative thing, but it also takes a lot of scheduling and personal discipline so it’s always a challenge to balance those two things. A typical day has me up at 6 to get my oldest off to school, then the other two are up at 7. By 8:30 I’ve gotten everyone to school so I go over email and my blog to be sure nothing is pressing and I try to write until 10 or so in sprints of about 20 minutes each. My goal is usually 3K words a day. Sometimes though I have to edit or revise. My kids are home in the afternoon so I try to have all my words done by then or I get interrupted too many times to get anything done!

Sarah asks: Many of your characters are have a tattoo (or more then one) . . . is this to suite the character’s development or a personal preference? I give each character a tattoo that says something about them or their lives in some way. I do choose tattoos I personally would find beautiful or sexy, but each one is something specific to that character.

Jane asks: Are there any tropes you detest and avoid at all costs(writing and reading)? I never, ever read forced sex. Ever. It is my biggest hot button. I hate it and I do not consider rape to be romance. I don’t write historical but I love reading it! I just don’t think I’ve got the voice for it.

Linda asks: Is Captivated the last book in the Federation/Phantom Corps series or will it continue on? I love the series. Roman and Abbie are my faves and would like to know what happens to Roman’s sons. Captivated is the last Phantom Corps book but I do hope to revisit the Federation to write Wil’s book as well as one for Deimos!

Louise asks: You seem to have an awesome, eclectic musical taste. Which of your characters has the closest musical taste to yours? Oh I don’t know! They all seem to have a small part of my musical taste rather than the whole enchilada. Probably Gillian I’d say

Mariann asks: Would you ever consider writing a follow up (like Laid Open) for Matt and Tate or Shane and Cassie? As it happens, I have. ALONE TIME is out in September as bonus content at the end of the print edition of ONCE AND AGAIN (and it’ll also be available digitally for free at the Samhain site). I’ll be doing bonus content I’m calling VISITS TO PETAL with the print edition of each new Petal/Chase book. This time it’s a few chapters featuring different couples from both series. They’ll be like little check ins with the various folks in town. (and thanks for the compliments!)

Christine asks: Will there be any more books following up w/ the characters w/ the Cascadia Series? I’m done with Cascadia, but I would like to at the very least give Dave and Akio their HEA. Right now though, between my current contracts and how that world is going, I don’t know if it’s going to happen any time soon.

Julia asks: Do you have a favourite of your books/series/heroes? It’s so hard to say! They all mean different things to me as I wrote them at different points in my life/career. Some of them I associate with happier times than others, LOL! I love Roman and Abbie a great deal, and Erin Brown, oh and Nina Warden. Rowan Summerwaite too. Really, I love them all for different reasons. It’s like choosing which one of your kids you love best.

Vicki asks: Who was your favorite author while in college? Oh let’s see, probably a tie between William Gibson and Margaret Atwood (still two of my favorites even now)
Do you picture actors as characters in your works or do you come up with your own “view”
? Sometimes. Sometimes it’s very vivid for me and when I write that character I see them on the page as that person (for instance Roman Lyons as Daniel Craig) Other times it’s just who they are to me.

Lisa – there were will lots of snippets coming up over the next few months, I promise!

Stacie asks: On Twitter you hinted that you were using the uber-cool Steve McQueen as a model for a future hero. Can you give a clue as to what kind of story it will be? It’s a futuristic of sorts, he’s a lone wolf sort, a lawman. I’m actually pretty excited about it so fingers crossed it sells.

Diane asks: Do you keep files on your characters and locations etc so to not get mixed up when re-visiting them?
Back when I first started I had no idea it would be so complicated so with those early books, no. But over the last few years I started with an index card system and then moved to creating book and series encyclopedias via Scrivener.

Becky Jean asks: Will we get to see any of the Brown’s in Tart (which I am SOOOOO cited for by the way!!!)? Yes definitely! In Tart you’ll see Adrian and Gillian’s wedding and engagement party. Erin also becomes close with Jules so she’s in it as well.

Will we get to see all of the cats and their wives in Beneath the Skin – I love to revisit!!! Yes, you’ll see Kendra and Max, Renee, Jack and Galen as well as Gibson’s parents. There are some folks from National too – Grace and Cade are in the book.

Jamie asks: Do you have any authors that inspire you? Most definitely! I have my long time favorites – Asimov, Herbert, Gibson, Atwood and then I have authors who I feel are like a master class for certain things – King for his characters and dialog for instance. Jenny Crusie for her humor, Anne Stuart for that uber no holds barred alpha male, Roberts for her characters as well. I’ll add in television and movie scriptwriters who I admire greatly – the folks who write The Walking Dead and Parks and Rec – comedy and ensemble horror? Hard as hell to do and do well.

Lea asks: Are you planning on doing a follow-on to “Goddess with a Blade? Yes I am. Right now it’s about time. I’d hoped to be able to do it this year, but the way my contracts have worked out, that’s going to be impossible. But I have spoken with Angela James, my editor at Carina and she’s on board so hopefully in 2013 some time.

Marc asks: Do you primarily have these types of contests in hopes of increasing the number of readers that hit your blog or are they primarily your way of thanking your regulars for following your blog/career? It’s a combination of those things. Certainly I like to gain new readers and IMO, there’s no better promotion than your work. So snippets and book prizes are a way to get my work out there to new audiences. But they’re also a way to say thanks to my readers and let them know what’s coming up. Promotion is part of this gig. There will be a lot of books out the same day as mine release, how do I let readers know to grab mine? I let my words do the work.

I know self promotion is part of being a writer but are there other personal reasons why you blog for your readers?
I believe strongly that you shouldn’t have a blog if you don’t update it regularly. It’s a waste of potential and if you’re not regular, you’ll lose visitors who can’t count on your blog for new content. So as I have a blog, I try to keep it updated with a variety of things. Keeping in mind the important differences between different types of media. Twitter is NOT my blog. Facebook is not my website, etc. So here at my blog I talk about my books, my process, my life, what I’m inspired by, what makes me mad. I have a blog voice and so whatever I blog about is part of that.

Michelle asks: How did you feel when you published your first book? It was awesome and unexpected. It happened faster than I expected (though lots of waiting and rejection awaited me just down the road, LOL). I can still remember how fabulous it was. But the truth is, I’m still excited every time it happens. (and thanks for the compliment!)

Azteclady – aw thanks.

Today’s prize is a copy of BENEATH THE SKIN! I’ll announce the winner from the comments here, tomorrow, March 26, in the first winner’s post!

27 comments to “Question Sunday”

  1. Julia
    March 25th, 2012 at 6:23 am · Link

    Do you have a favourite of your books/series/heroes?



  2. azteclady
    March 25th, 2012 at 7:51 am · Link

    I don’t really have questions 😀 Just cheers for your writing.



  3. Michelle Bledsoe
    March 25th, 2012 at 8:02 am · Link

    How did you feel when you published your first book? I want to thank you for the hours of entertainment that you have given us with your books. 😛



  4. Marc
    March 25th, 2012 at 8:19 am · Link

    Do you primarily have these types of contests in hopes of increasing the number of readers that hit your blog or are they primarily your way of thanking your regulars for following your blog/career?

    I know self promotion is part of being a writer but are there other personal reasons why you blog for your readers?



  5. lea redman
    March 25th, 2012 at 8:29 am · Link

    Are you planning on doing a follow-on to “Goddess with a Blade?” I really enjoyed that book (especially as I was able to purchase it in audio form) and would like to see it as the starting book in a series.



  6. Jamie Birdwell
    March 25th, 2012 at 8:51 am · Link

    Do you have any authors that inspire you?



  7. becky jean
    March 25th, 2012 at 8:52 am · Link

    Will we get to see any of the Brown’s in Tart (which I am SOOOOO cited for by the way!!!)?

    Will we get to see all of the cats and their wives in Beneath the Skin – I love to revisit!!!



  8. Diane
    March 25th, 2012 at 10:23 am · Link

    Do you keep files on your characters and locations etc so to not get mixed up when re-visiting them?



  9. StacieD
    March 25th, 2012 at 10:30 am · Link

    On Twitter you hinted that you were using the uber-cool Steve McQueen as a model for a future hero. Can you give a clue as to what kind of story it will be?



  10. Lisa
    March 25th, 2012 at 10:52 am · Link

    No real questions, just a request for more snippets. Of anything. I’m not picky. A little greedy perhaps, but not picky. 😀

    Needless to say, I’m waiting for this book. Impatiently.



  11. Viki S.
    March 25th, 2012 at 11:10 am · Link

    Who was your favorite author while in college? Mine was Fitzgerald.
    Do you picture actors as characters in your works or do you come up with your own “view”? I never picture the characters as actors while I’m reading. In fact I often don’t even give them a full body view in my mind.
    Thank you.



  12. Christine
    March 25th, 2012 at 11:15 am · Link

    Will there be any more books following up w/ the characters w/ the Cascadia Series?



  13. Mariann with Belle's Book Bag
    March 25th, 2012 at 11:24 am · Link

    Hi Lauren,
    I am a HUGE fan–love your books!!! Would you ever consider writing a follow up (like Laid Open) for Matt and Tate or Shane and Cassie?? Thanks for the chance to win!! 🙂
    Mariann with Belle’s Book Bag



  14. Louise
    March 25th, 2012 at 11:35 am · Link

    You seem to have an awesome, eclectic musical taste. Which of your characters has the closest musical taste to yours?



  15. JenM
    March 25th, 2012 at 12:19 pm · Link

    I always love the snippets and I’m glad you keep your blog updated since I’m not on Twitter or Facebook.



  16. Linda
    March 25th, 2012 at 12:41 pm · Link

    Hi, Lauren:

    Is Captivated the last book in the Federation/Phantom Corps series or will it continue on? I love the series. Roman and Abbie are my faves and would like to know what happens to Roman’s sons.



  17. Jane
    March 25th, 2012 at 1:48 pm · Link

    Are there any tropes you detest and avoid at all costs(writing and reading)?



  18. Sarah
    March 25th, 2012 at 3:51 pm · Link

    Many of your characters are have a tattoo (or more then one) . . . is this to suite the character’s development or a personal preference?



  19. Vic
    March 25th, 2012 at 4:12 pm · Link

    Thanks for all the answers. Dying to get your new releases next week. Both are pre-ordered on my kindle and I’m sure I’ll be getting up extra early to get some reading in before work! I’m not sure which one I’m actually more excited about.



  20. Kell
    March 25th, 2012 at 4:40 pm · Link

    No questions from me. Some of them were already answered. The week can’t fly by fast enough for me. 😉



  21. Angie Hammons
    March 25th, 2012 at 6:32 pm · Link

    I am so excited for the upcoming releases! What is the hardest part of the writing process? What is a normal day like for you?

    I also want to say thanks for the great books. It has provided many hours of entertainment for me.



  22. bn100
    March 25th, 2012 at 8:18 pm · Link

    Are there any questions you wished someone would ask you?



  23. Tez Miller
    March 25th, 2012 at 8:21 pm · Link

    TART is the perfect name for both the book and Jules’s business 🙂 Did the name come instantly, or did you go through a few options?



  24. Manda
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:14 am · Link

    I’m glad to hear that Wil and Deimos might get their own books, but what about Alexander, Roman’s brother? He seems like he could be a scoundrelly-type hero. Will he ap



  25. Manda
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:15 am · Link

    I’m glad to hear that Wil and Deimos might get their own books, but what about Alexander, Roman’s brother? He seems like he could be a scoundrelly-type hero. Or is he too bad for his own story?



  26. Melanie J.
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:52 am · Link

    CANNOT WAIT FOR TART!!



  27. Lori T
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:59 am · Link

    Do you know how many books will be in the Petal Georgia series? I absolutely loved the first book!