Chat with author Denise Robbins

The Writer's Chatroom is talking with Denise Robbins Sunday evening and you don't want to miss it.

Chat with Denise Robbins

High-tech becomes high-risk in Denise Robbins' novels. The New Hampshire-based author uses two decades of experience in computers to explore the killer possibilities in technology. Denise integrates her knowledge of computers and technology along with secrets, intrigue, suspense, and even a little romance into all of her techno-romantic thriller novels.

Readers and reviewers agree Denise writes stories that will keep you at the edge of your seat and clamoring for more.

Her fifth novel is about to be released and she's already at work on her sixth.

In addition to writing, Denise enjoys scuba diving (only in warm water), snowboarding, running, and playing in her garden.

WHEN?

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Eastern USA Time.....7 PM

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WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

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Writer's Chatroom - Talking Writing and Books

Join me Sunday, January 15, 2012 between 7 to 9 PM at Writer's Chatroom to talk about writing and books.

There will be a gab session and a giveaway!

Stop by, ask some questions, and just have fun. There's no registration necessary. Just hop on in and chat.

Click here to join me Writer's Chatroom.


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Wishing my nephew a happy birthday

My youngest nephew, Brandon, turned 21...oops! I mean he turned 12 yesterday. Don't want him to grow up too soon.

With red hair, blue eyes that glitter with mischief, and a grin that makes you forget your words, Brandon is a nephew any Aunt would wish for and love dearly.

This Aunt has loved Brandon since the moment my sister told me she was pregnant with him. I remember sitting around with my sister and brother-in-law and other friends and family tossing out baby names. When we hit on Brandon it was as if he reached out from his mother's tummy and snapped up the name because we all knew that he was Brandon.

Isn't Brandon a great name for an Irish bartender who I cast him as in my fourth novel? :-) Wait until you meet him in print!

Brandon loves to read a good book, but can't sit still for very long either. Hmm...that must be a family trait. He's an active guy who right now is into baseball.

Brandon is the next writer in the family. How cool is that?!

I am so proud that he wants to draw pictures with words and put them on paper for others to read and enjoy.

Please give a big birthday shout out to Brandon!

When a writer goes radio silent. . .

Is it because her computer died, her network went haywire, she has nothing to write about, or because she is a magnet for mishap?

My father claims that if I didn’t have bad luck, I would have no luck. I am inclined to agree. About a month ago, disaster struck at about midnight on a Monday night/Tuesday morning.

The smoke detectors woke me up and sent me flying through my house like a mad woman. I ran up and down stairs while the shrill sound of those alarms rang in my ears, telling me there was a fire somewhere. I just didn’t know where.

While the cats bolted for the highlands, I searched every nook and cranny of my home for fire. It wasn’t until I looked in the basement twice that I noticed smoke coming in from between the garage door and the door frame. When I finally managed to get the door unlocked, I swung it open and was greeted by a wall of black smoke.

Yeah, yeah, I know. I was not supposed to open the door. But when you are in a panic you kinda don’t think like a sane, rational person, you kinda go with whatever will prevent you from losing your home. You see, the garage is directly under the main part of the house.

My first response was to gasp and suck in the toxic dust…which would later prove not a good thing. I tried the light switch and nothing happened. I thought the power had gone out. Nope, that’s how thick the smoke was. I reached around and hit the garage door buttons. One of the doors went up and that’s when I heard but still could not see the fire.

I turned and ran back upstairs to the third floor for my cell phone and on the way back down dialed. As my bare feet hit my back deck, I was screaming into the phone, “Fire! House is on fire!”

“What?” the groggy voice asked on the other end of the line.

“Fire! My house is on fire!”

Then I heard CLICK and the line was dead.

No, I did not dial 911. I called my neighbors, my heroes. AGAIN. They called 911.

It wasn’t until I rounded the corner of my yard that I saw the 8-foot flames then heard my neighbor Kenny hollering for me as I ran into the garage, opened the other door and tried to pull out anything flammable and explosive. Gasoline cans, push mower that was already burning, riding lawnmower, snow blower, etc.

Kenny was helping me pull stuff when I looked up and said, “Hose!”

I ran and got the hose, which of course, was attached to a plant chemical. Sheesh! I managed to get that off and handed Kenny the hose.

I won’t give you all the details, but suffice it to say in spite of 8 foot flames and smoke as dark and thick as mud, Kenny, Donna, and I got the fire put out before the fire trucks, EMT vehicle, fire chief, and police cars arrived with sirens blaring and lights flashing.

My lecture for the evening came from a firefighter who asked, “Who called 911?”

I pointed a finger at Donna. “She did.”

“Who did you call?”

“Her.”

“Next time, little lady, you dial 911 first.”

“Um, she is on speed-dial and you never even crossed my mind.”

The firefighter gave a little chuckle then sobered and narrowed his gaze on me. “Next time dial 911 first.”

“Yes, sir.” I wanted to salute him, but I held back.


Physically I am fine. My neighbors and I all burned our hands, but those healed quickly. Ice is an amazing medicinal treatment. That and a cold beer bottle. The smoke inhalation affected my lungs for a period and made my voice sound a little like Kathleen Turner, but alas, that sexy, raspy voice has gone away.


For those of you wondering, “Where the heck did Denise go?” Now you know.

Thank you for the phone calls, the emails, and the notes. I appreciate everyone’s caring and concern. Please know that I have not fallen off the face of the earth, that every day I want to write, but this little calamity has kept me busy.

Instead of life imitating art, art will imitate life. Think of the fodder for my fiction.

What scary movie do you remember?

What things that go bump in the night made you afraid of the dark when you were a kid?

When I was a kid I saw this movie where these creatures/monsters came out of the fireplace in a basement only at night because they didn't like light. They would steal people.

I used to think that the movie was called The People Under the Stairs, but today I finally figured out that the movie that made me never want to sleep in the same room with a firplace was a made-for-TV horror film titled Don't be Afraid of the Dark.

The plot surrounds Sally and her husband Alex who inherit a Victorian mansion from Sally's recently deceased grandmother. Sally, exploring the house discovers a sealed and locked fireplace in the locked basement, which she thinks would make a lovely addition to her home. Little does she know why it’s been sealed up.

Despite ominous warnings from the estate's handyman, Sally opens the sealed fireplace that holds a hideous family curse. The curse comes in the shape of three little creatures, who want Sally’s soul to join them down the furnace. After seeing the creatures several times, and witnessing just what they’re capable of, Sally decides she wants to get out of the house. Her only protection is when she finds out the monsters are terrified of the light.

What movie had a huge impact on you as a youngster?

As a writer, I strive to build the kind of tension that this old film and many others and to have the reader not want to turn out the light or have to continue reading until they know they heroine is safe. . .or not.

Funny thing happened on the way to work...

I stopped at the gas station. Okay, that's not the interesting part, but what happened to me at the gas station put a smile on my face.

While standing at the pump in my funny lime green hat with pink and brown flowers on it trying to keep warm while the pump did its thing, a guy I had seen at the gas station before walked over to me, introduced himself, and gave me his business card. We shook hands as I introduced myself and he told me that if I ever needed any plumbing or heating to give him a call then he moved off to finish up at the pump.

I didn't have a business card handy, but let's not forget that I am a writer so what do you think I gave this man with the nice smile?

When I finished with the gas, I reached into the trunk of my car and pulled out a copy of Connect the Dots then walked over and handed him the book. The wide-eyed expression on his face made a little spurt of laughter bubble up inside my chest. I love seeing that surprised look on people's faces.

Then this tall, smiling man asked me if I was single and if I would have dinner with him sometime. Now who was grinning ear-to-ear?

That's right, me. I walked away from our brief encounter with a kick in my step and a smile on my face that warmed me more than any hat or jacket could.

All this this took place before 6:30 in the morning and set the tone for a very nice day.

Meet my favorite hero!

Last week I posted a blog asking authors to interview their favorite hero and post their answers. The link to that blog post is here. We want to meet your hero! Check out who has posted.

Well, in my haste to set that blog post up, it kind of slipped my mind that, oh, duh! I might want to share my favorite hero too. What can I say, yes, I am a blonde.

Anyway, please meet Jake. Sometimes a secondary character, always a lover of women, and my favorite hero.

Interview of Jake:
1. What is the name of the book where we would meet you? What genre is it?

“You first meet me in It Happens in Threes, a romantic-suspense, Denise has coined techno-romantic thriller. Of course, Denise loves me so much, she had to include me in her second novel, Killer Bunny Hill.

As a matter of fact, she was halfway through the writing of Killer Bunny Hill when she started putting my name in place of the hero’s. HA!” [He slapped his well-worn cowboy hat against a jean-clad thigh.]

"My story, where you really get to know me is Connect the Dots."

2. Who wrote the book?

“That would be Denise Robbins.”

3. What do you think of the author? You can tell us the truth.

“Denise is this short, funny blonde, spitfire of a woman that likes my southern drawl and my ass in a pair of jeans. What do you think? [Jake spun on booted heel and flashed his butt and a wicked grin.]

“On the other hand, she did take three novels to get me and mine out there for the world to see. Sheesh! Did she really need to take so long?”

4. Tell us a little about yourself. How would you describe your appearance? More than cute or drop dead gorgeous, give us enough detail to get a clear idea of how you look.

“Well, I can tell you when Shugar, oh, sorry. When Ruby, my boss’s fiancée from It Happens in Threes meets me, she refers to me as a Neanderthal.” [Jake leaned back and rubbed his hand over his chin.]

“As a matter of fact, so does Samantha in Killer Bunny Hill. I’m a rather tall guy and my size does tend to intimidate. . .at first.” [A sly grin spread across his face making Jake’s green eyes twinkle.]

“But then, I have a way with the ladies. I flash my mist green eyes at them, give a wink, and lay on my southern drawl and snap.” [Jake snapped his fingers.]

“The women become my ally and I’m theirs.” [Jake sat down in a chair, stretched out his long legs in front of him, and crossed his lean, muscular arms over the chest that fit his polo shirt.]

5. What character are you in the book? Are you the hero, the best friend, the sidekick, or someone else?

“That depends on the book, Darlin’. In the first two books I get to play keeper of the women or bodyguard, whichever term you prefer. It’s a tough job but somebody has to do it.” [He winked then set his hat on his knee.]

“In Connect the Dots, I am the finally the hero. [Jake drew out the word finally long and breathy.]

6. Is there a specific reason why you are in the story? Don't give us any story spoilers, but share some teasers if you want.

“Well, yeah, I have to save the ladies. You know the whole damsel in distress thing.” [At this statement, Jake chuckled making the ripples in his stomach muscles tighten and pop underneath his shirt.]

“Just kidding on the damsel in distress. Actually, I’m a trained special agent, who catches the bad guys. I’m kind of the ‘go to’ guy for my boss, Mickey.

“In It Happens in Threes and Killer Bunny Hill, I am called in to keep an eye on the little ladies, who, by the way, can take care of themselves. But I’m there to protect and end up getting involved to the end.”

[Jake leaned back and raked long fingers through chestnut-colored hair.] “In Connect the Dots, I return home from an overseas trip. Hate those. When I get home I find myself with a new neighbor, a very gorgeous, if not citified woman. That’s okay, I won’t hold it against her.”

7. What time period do you live in?

“Oh, Hon, I’m in the here and now.”

8. Where are you from?

“Well, that’s difficult to say. I’ve been everywhere, seen many things, and where I live now is who I am.”

9. Do you live in the same place now?

“Now, I own a nice, old farmhouse in the boonies of New Hampshire. It’s quiet and beautiful, and just what an active field agent needs when he returns from places that would make your skin crawl. I can sit on my farmer’s porch in the chairs that I made myself, drink a beer, and enjoy the sunset.” [A wistful look slid across Jake’s face as he described his place.]

10. Tell us about your hometown and your current home.

“I bought this huge plot of land from my old neighbor with this old rundown house on it. My friends Mickey and Ruby thought I was nuts, but I like doing the work on it by myself.” [He held his large hands out in front of him and flipped them back and forth.]

“I get the greatest sense of accomplishment when I do the work with my own hands. Every time I step on my front porch, I know I built them.”

11. Tell us how your hometown or your current home affects you, the things you do and how you feel about life?

“I live in one of those small towns where everybody knows everyone. You can’t fart without everyone else knowin’ what it smells like.” [He chuckled behind his hand.]

“Sorry, that was a little too descriptive. Basically, we’re an old-fashioned community of people, each with our own talents and skills, who will help each other out in a heartbeat. I love it there.”

12. What is your job? Do you like it?

[Jake leaned in and pressed a finger to his lips.] “Shh. I work for a secret government agency.” [He sat back grinning.]

“Do I like it? Heck, yeah! Why do a job if you don’t love it? Life is too short, Darlin’, to spend more hours in a place you hate, doing a job you despise than at home loving the woman of your dreams or your family. But make sure you cherish that time with your woman and your family every chance you get.”

13. How does your job affect your love life?

[Jake scratched the top of his head and his eyes glanced away.] “That’s a good question. At first, I did not get involved with women. Yeah, I like to flirt.” [He shrugged his wide shoulders and let them drop.]

“But getting involved with someone can be dangerous for them, even deadly. I don’t want to be the cause of a woman losing her life.”

[A gleam shimmered in his gaze.] “Then I met Charley.”

14. What special skills or abilities do you have?

“Besides the sweet talkin’, I am a dog with a bone. I know many languages, some computer skills of which I am getting better and better, how to investigate and research, solve puzzles, infiltrate known organizations, kick ass, and when necessary as it is in most occasions, be diplomatic and stealth.”

15. How do those affect your part in the story?

“Sweetheart, they are the story. I can put 2 and 2 together and when I come up with 5, I know something is wrong. I read body language better than my girlfriend.” [He slapped a hand over his mouth then removed it.]

“Don’t tell Charley I said that. She’ll kick my ass.”

16. Are you happy with the story?

“I think the story surprised me as much as it did Denise. It was so realistic it pretty much scared the bejeezes out of me a couple of times. And when Charley –”

[Jake clamped his lips shut.] “Don’t want to give anything away, but suffice it to say the title Connect the Dots fits well.”

17. Do you have some ideas that the author should consider about the story? You can share them with us. We're all friends here.

“Yup. I think Denise should go ahead and name places. Who cares if the CIA throws a little hissy fit because she, along with a little help from me and Charley, figured out where things are at.”

18. Tell us about your past. Can you share one good experience and/or one bad experience? I know that bad experience can be tough, but it would tell us more about what you have been through.

“Pasts are for the past. Leave it there and it can never haunt you or anyone else around you.”

19. Who is the most important person in your life? Tell us about him/her.

“Most important person in my life is my woman, Charley. She is this citified, pansy-ass, who underneath all those fine clothes is the toughest, smartest, and most feminine woman I have ever met. I’m the luckiest guy there is.”

20. Is that person in the story we are talking about?

“Charley is my new neighbor in Connect the Dots. She starts out as an intriguing pain in my backside, not to mention a liar, but after awhile she grows on me. Yeehaw! The woman knows how to bake cookies and take a man down.”

21. What do you see in your future?

“A lot of Charley and more traveling as a couple.”

22. Do you think your author is going to write another story about you? Or, are you part of a series?

“Well, all her stories so far have been standalone even though I do show up here and there. Do I think Denise will write another story about me?” [A slow, crooked grin tipped the corner of his lips upward.]

“She darn well better, but I know she has to finish that ‘pink undie’ story first and then do that sequel to It Happens in Threes for Mickey and Ruby. Too many people been asking about that. Of course, that means I will probably show up, even if it is to help my good buddy and boss’s fiancée out.”

[WINK WINK] “Watch out, Mickey. Just kidding. Mickey’s kinda the jealous type.”

23. Do you like being a character in a book? Why?

“Absolutely. It’s fun, creative, and I can wreak havoc on Denise’s plans whenever I want just by whispering in her ear.” [Jake chuckled.]

“The woman is like putty in my hands.” [He cupped his hands together then wrapped them over each other.]

24. If someone ever decides to make a movie based on your story, who should play you in the movie and why?

“I’m kind of one of a kind, don’t ya think? But, if I had to choose someone to play me. . . Hmm.” [He sat back, crossed his legs, causing his thigh to bunch up and tighten beneath faded jeans. A few seconds later, he threw his arms open wide and dropped them to his side.]

“I got nothing, nobody. How about you tell me?”


Well, I hope you enjoyed meeting Jake as much as I have enjoyed making him come to life.

If you haven't shared your favorite hero, feel free to do so now.

Write where you live

It's time to do something different, something interesting, and what I hope you all will think is fun.

Where do you write? At a desk? On the sofa? Is your workspace cluttered, neat as a pin? Do you have anything you keep around for inspiration?

Writers - Share pictures of your writing space. Send me an email at deniserobbins2003@yahoo.com with a picture or two and a blurb/bio about you and your writing. If you have a website or blog, pass that along as well.

In the meantime, here are a couple of pictures of my indoor workspace. Some of you know that I love writing on my deck and I have posted a couple of pictures.

This is my desk in my office where I have everything I need to be a good little writer. I've got a comfy chair to sit on and another I move into when I need to take a break. Of course, I have a bookshelf with various books for research and others. In addition, I have a printer or two (cuz one always runs out of ink), and on the walls are framed pictures of street signs that have my characters names.

This is one of my fluffly distractions, Mayhem.

Here you see my two two fuzzy guys finding their respective comfy spots so we can get down to writing business.
This little fur ball is my other distraction, Mischief.

I almost always have a soda, usually Mountain Dew with the occasional Coke sitting near by for that much needed caffeine rush.

Coffee Lit Chat

Coffee Lit Chat is a gathering of readers and writers.

Readers want to know about the person behind the stories and authors want to know who is reading their books. This is the opportunity to do just that!

This is something new that was suggested to me by a reader and I had several great responses to the idea when I asked for other feedback. I'm going to do this two different ways. . .online and in-person.

Today, we'll do it online. It doesn't matter who you are, whether reader or writer, but post a message as if you were sitting down having a cup of coffee with us and chat. Ask questions, tell funny anecdotes, just share what is going on with your reading or writing or both.

I'll start off by saying I am on pins and needles waiting for my book cover for Killer Bunny Hill. This Sunday, Marianne Arkins (http://www.mariannearkins.com) and I are going to do the video interview with Terry from http://www.romanceinthebackseat.com. It should be a blast driving around in the car while Terry asks questions.

Now, for the in-person part of the Coffee Lit Chat - Next Sunday, that will be June 14, you can come meet me for coffee and a chat at the Panera in Bedford, NH off South River Road starting at 8 AM (yes, I am a morning person). Whether you are reader or writer, it does not matter. Just come by, find me and my funny blondish red hair at the round booth (there is only one), and introduce yourself. We can chit-chat about everything. Maybe you just want to be inspired to write. Well, put a group of people together and you will get lots of inspiration.

I encourage other authors to join me! It'll be fun.

If you can't make it, then post a comment here and tell us what's going on, what your reading, what you'd like to see.

Book-A-Week Challenge

I decided that we all need to read more. Actually, I usually read two books a week. I also decided that we need to get us authors more exposure.


In honor of those two big decisions made by me (LOL!), I have created a Book-A-Week Challenge. Look to the left column on my blog and scroll down past the kitty pictures. I started the list.


What exactly is that? Well, every week we should read a book. Okay, yeah, that was kind of self-explanatory. But, besides reading the book, we should post comments/mini-reviews of the book we read.


My thought is that I will post ahead of time the book that I will read for the next week. You can choose to read the same book or read another. Either way, on Sunday, I will post my review of the book I read and ask you to add your comments for the book you read.


What will we get out of this? Simple. We can expose each other to books that we may never have heard of or read if someone else hadn't recommended it.


Added benefit is the fact that some of the books we read may not be on the NY Times Best Seller list. In fact, what I would like to do is suggest to authors like me who are just starting out that you submit on a post your book titles for the TO BE READ PILE. I'm game to read.


Here is my one caveat: I personally like to read mystery, suspense, romance, and the occasional true crime. I will read another genre if someone says "OMG! You have to read this." Well, I will if you beg and plead. :-)


Remember, it's all about being hooked, so hook us to want to read your book.


My first Book-A-Week Challenge post will be next Sunday, May 10. I'm starting with Sweet Forever by Ceri Hebert http://www.cerihebert.com/.

Online interview of me, a writer, author, and lover of the written word

HA! Didn't you just love my blog post title?

Anyway, Stephanie Giancola, a writer for www.examiner.com, posted the interview she did with me. Check it out here. http://www.examiner.com/x-2533-Romance-Novel-Examiner~y2009m4d14-Romance-author-QA--newly-published-Denise-Robbins

Writer's Dilemma

For 3 days now I have done very little writing because I have spent the majority of my time mentally debating with myself.

About what you ask? And I'm glad you did.

On Tuesday, I was offered a job (contract-to-perm) at a company in south boston. The money is good. The commute is not. That's at least a 90 minute drive in traffic each way and it could be more.

I've just recently gotten comfortable with my current situation and have found myself VERY happy because I am writing. . .like a crazy woman! I mean I just had book 3 signed for publishing and I'm 1/3 of the way into writing book 4, which I hope to have completed by end of April.

It's killing me because I am ecstatic that I believe I am doing what I was not only meant to do, but love doing, and now I have to decide if making a living is more important.

Yes, I believe that is the choice I have to make. Why? Because the commute will take extra hours from me. And if you don't know me, I am one of those people who is a perfectionist so therefore I pour all of me into anything I take on, which mean I will also spend more time at the office cleaning up the mess the company has. (Which is the only kind of place I like to work :-) )

It's a 6 month contract to permanent position, but just like everything else in life there is no guarantee.

Now that I have spilled everything, I need feedback. I've had some people say get a grip and walk away from it as life is too short. Others say, the pay is good so go for it, especially in this economy. And yet, others who say consider it for just the contract portion and decide after that.

So, I ask you all, my fellow writers and friends. . .what say you?

You know you're a writer when. . .

It's not the day you decide to write a story. It's not the day you finish your first or even third manuscript. You're not a writer when a publisher accepts your manuscript. You're not even a writer when the book hits the stand and you can hold it in your hand.

Although all of those events make you feel good, make you believe in your skill or talent, make you feel like you accomplished something major in your life. And you have! But none of those things make you a writer.

It's the culmination of all of those that lead up to the one event that marks you as a writer. For me, that was yesterday. For me, that was having two women I barely know who purchased my book come up to me at different times and tell me that they love my book.

One woman came up to me yesterday at breakfast and with a smile on her face and cheer in her voice exclaimed that not only did she read my book, but she loved it. You should have seen and heard the surprise in her voice. She proceeded to exclaim that she had never read a romance before, but was thrilled that she had read my romantic suspense because she liked the mystery. Not fond of a lot of swearing, she was happy to see that there was a minimum in the story. She also loved the fact that she could tell when it came to the computer stuff, I knew what I was talking about and that I described it so she could understand. She loved that she got to use her own imagination to get a feel for the characters and they weren't spelled out in every detail. She cannot wait for the second book. :-)

Yesterday afternoon when I met my friend Nora for critique, another woman who had my book approached me in the ladies room. (Yes, us women do those things.) Anyway, drying her hands, she told me with a great deal of excitement she had read the first 135 pages of my book the previous evening and didn't want to put it down because it was so good. She said it was even funny and went on to tell me the funny part she liked with Jake and Ruby in the bathroom. She could not wait to read more.

All the 5-star reviews could not do for me what those two ladies did. Those two ladies not only made my day, but let me know I had achieved something I didn't even realize I hadn't until yesterday. When I started writing It Happens In Threes, I knew I wanted to be a writer. Yesterday. . .I became a writer!

Thank you.

What undergarments do your characters wear?

Like the topic? What can I say? This morning this question struck me.

What do your characters wear for undergarments? Do the womem all wear thongs or "granny panties"? Why? Is it because that's what you the writer wear or is it because of something your character has revealed?

And if your character sleeps in a G-string, have you ever? I mean seriously, have you ever worn a pair to bed and woken up with the string some place it just should not be?

Do the men wear "tight whities", Speedo type underwear, or what? Again, why? Especially the Speeedo type. Ick! I would gag if one of my characters did that. That's like going to the beach and seeing these bigger men walk around in the "barely-there" swim suit thinking they look sexy when in fact their wife or girlfriend should tell him to go put on those white socks and flip-flops because then his outfit would be complete.

Seriously. How many of you describe that part of your characters wardrobe? Including what color are they or the type of material? Does the heroine always wear silk or does she occasionally wear cotton?

Is there ever any humor involved when you show these undergarments? Like what?
Like does the hero get caught going commando? Who catches him. . .the heroine?

These are all very interesting questions. Let me know.

You Write - but do you Read?

Every week you manage to do some kind of writing. Whether it is 100 words or 1000 words, it does not matter because it is all good.


Do you also read?


Me, I read at least 1 book a week and sometimes several just depending on the length and obviously how good it is. This week I have managed to read three, oops four books. Thanks goodness for excellent writers. My TO BE READ pile is dwindling. I now only have one cabinet of books to read.


How many books do you read? What was the last book you read and when?


Do you read the same kind of books that you write?


I write romantic suspense. I usually read romantic suspense, mysteries, romance, and even true crime. When I do research for my books, I read anything and everything, but have to admit I tend to shy away from reading a whole non-fiction novel.

Why do you read?

Relaxation? Escape? Learn more about your craft?

New Year's Resolution and Writing

With the New Year just around the corner, I think it is time to start think about a New Year's Resolution related to writing.

Last year, I had written down (yes, you must write your resolution down) that I wanted to get published. Wow! I did!

I also listed that I wanted to finish my second book. Whew! Did that with one month to spare. Bonus! I actually had it accepted to be published.

Plus, let's not forget that my one and only poem was published. That never even entered my mind when I wrote up my 2008 resolutions.

In 2009 readers will be looking for 2 books by me. It Happens In Threes and Killer Bunny Hill

Now for my writer's New Year's Resolution for 2009. You'll notice I am sharing this with all of you so my feet get held to the fire.

1. Finish my current WIP by February for submission. (And of course, hopefully published.)
2. Finish the teen novel I started. (No date on this one...just do it.)
3. Get one of my articles related to writing published in a magazine by September.
4. Get a DRAFT of a new novel to the end, but not necessarily polished by December.

Whew! That's a lot to accomplish but between you and me, if I want it bad enough I will get it.

Share some of your New Year's Resolution related to writing here. Remember to write the list down and if possible give everything dates, even if just the month as this will give you added incentive to do it.

Wahoo! Good News for Book 2

Ha ha!! I am doing the happy dance. Know why? Come on, guess.

Nope, too late – I’ll tell you. Cuz my editor just signed Killer Bunny Hill.

Writing and Family Visits

Sorry for taking so long to write. Last week had to drive to NJ to visit some family. And of course that means that writing is next to an impossibility and getting on the web is a real treat.

What do you do when you take a vacation or visit with family? How do you keep up with your writing schedule??

New Story Idea

Hello everyone!

As you know, as of yesterday I finished my second manuscript. Yippee for me, right?

Yes, well, now I need to write the next story. And when I say need, I mean "lookout honey, where's the chocolate before I shoot you" kind of need. It's an addiction!

That doesn't mean I didn't get up this morning and write. As a matter of fact, I wrote 1200 words this morning, the start to my new manuscript. The problem is, I don't have a clue where I want to go with this story.

I have 2 great characters and they just met, but what is going to happen? Here's the other thing, I write romantic-suspense. I really like to read and write romantic-suspense so it needs to be one of those kind of ideas. Plus, my hero has already been seen in my two previous books and he works for a secret government agency.

Now, I did just skim through a bunch of gosh-darn (midwest accent showing through) articles on the net about how to sit down and come up with several ideas. HA! Are they kidding or what? I can't force an idea. Kinda isn't the definition of "idea" if I can PLAN it. Sheesh!

So what I need is inspiration and brainstorming. Any suggestions?

What do writer's drink?

I'm sitting at Panera waiting for Nora so we can critique our work and hopefully brainstorm me through the ending of my WIP. As I sit here drinking my Mountain Dew, I started to wonder what do other writers drink when they're in the creative spirit. For me, there are only two things that boost me along. Mountain Dew during the day or a lesser caffeine soda if MD is not available, and a Corona Light when I'm writing at night.

Occasionally I'll drink a Caramel Apple Spice from Starbucks when I can get it, but that's not as often.

What do the rest of you drink when you lock yourself away to write?