Special Guest:: Senior Editor, Jamie West

Emma: I have a special treat today. I’m interviewing Jamie West, Senior Editor of the Hummingbird Department at The Wild Rose Press. (Jamie holds a special place in my heart because she offered me my first contract. A big thank you, Jamie!)

Jamie: You’re welcome!

Jamie does some great posts for writers at Behind the Garden Gate (courtesy of The Wild Rose Press) to include “The Big Bad Editor’s List of Pet Peeves – Act III” and “Understanding Mary Sue…” and "What Makes It Romance..."

Welcome Jamie!

Jamie: Thank you!

Emma: Before I give the floor to Jamie so she can talk about getting in the writing habit I thought I’d ask a few quick questions.

1) Where do you like to settle in for a good read? Wherever I can lay down – bed, couch, hammock. I like reading all snuggled in pillows and with an iced tea at my side. And a snack.

(I love to snuggle down while reading too, and having a snack handy means I don't have to interrupt my reading!)

2) What is your favorite genre? Romantic Suspense. I fell in love with Mary Stewart’s books when I was about 12. I actually love reading anything, though. Science fiction, fantasy, historicals, murder mysteries, biographies, archeological fiction, etc.

(I love a variety of genres as well.)

3) What length do you favor…shorts/novellas/novels? I love them all. In fan fiction, they have what is called a drabble – it is a story of exactly 100 words. It has to have a beginning, a middle and an end. Some are amazing. That said, I love a long book, too. I get so lost in books that my family claims a bomb could go off and I’d keep reading.

(I've never heard of drabble...sounds intriguing though. I might just have to try my hand at that.)

4) Whose POV do you prefer…hero/heroine/villain? – I love solid hero POVS, but don’t see them too often. However, a good, strong heroine (such as Amelia Peabody in Elizabeth Peters’ Egypt series) is good, too.

5) Do you like first/second/third person? I love a strong first person narrative. However, I really will read anything. Third person is what most editors see. A good character will always catch my attention no matter how it is written, though.

Emma: Hhm. First person hero perspective...I'll have to make sure you get a copy of His Hope, Her Salvation when it comes out! Thanks for the responses. Now, I’ll turn the floor over to you so you can share your thoughts on writing.

Jamie: Hmmm…well, those who read TWRP’s Editor Blog get to see a lot of my opinions on writing . I’ve covered a lot of the basics, backstory, what makes it romance, pet peeves. There’s a lot of information out there on how to write, how to plot, how to characterize. There are outlines to follow and methods to develop your writing. But really, writing comes down to one thing. Sit down and write the story that is begging to be let out. Get those characters on paper. Start writing and even if it’s bad, leave it on the page and come back to it later. Then look it over, delete the stuff you hate, and make it say what you want it to say. Convey the atmosphere, make your characters real. Keep doing this until you have control. Until you know what these characters really want to say and do. If you know what strength you have, such as descriptive narrative or excellent dialog…try building some other aspect of your writing. Intersperse it with your strength. Stretch that writing muscle. You know, Pinnochio wasn’t real until he started having emotions. Your writing will simply be moving puppets on a stage until you infuse feelings into it. Show those feelings, dredge them up from your own psyche. And when you’re done, submit to TWRP!

Memorial Day

In honor of all the men and women who have served our country...Thank You!

My family has long had a history of serving their country. My grandfather served in WWI. My uncles in WWII. My father devoted 20 years of his life to his country, serving 5 voluntary tours in Vietnam. I honor all of them in my heart every day.

Remember those you love today!

Friday Reminders

Don't forget to come visit with me and fellow MamaWriter Sarah Simas at her blog...The LoveStruck Novice.

Elaine Cantrell was also nice enough to post about my review of her book Purple Heart at her blog...Hope. Dreams. Life...Love.

Book Reviews

I've started writing book reviews for AllVoices, an open media site for the everyday person to post news and stories. So far, I've done two...

Purple Heart by Elaine Cantrell
He of the Fiery Sword by Skhye Moncrief

Hope you find them helpful!

Tuesday News

Congratulations, Patsy! You've won a book from the promo list under May Give Aways for posting to Roni Adams interview.

Today, I'm at the Roses of Houston blog (http://rosesofhouston.blogspot.com) talking about anthologies with Anne Carrole and her story Re-ride at the Rodeo, which is being released in the Return to Wayback anthology available from The Wild Rose Press this Friday.

Friday, I'll be visiting with my good friend Sarah Simas over at The Lovestruck Novice blog (http://thelovestrucknovice.blogspot.com) about my background and stories. She asks some really interesting questions.

Last, but in no way least, I received a request for a third manuscript from The Wild Rose Press today! YAY! I'm trying my hand at erotic Regency. Cross my fingers!

Roni Adams on Beauty and the Geek

Emma: It’s the start of another great week, and I thought I’d get the week started with an author interview with Roni Adams, author of Beauty and the Geek currently available through The Wild Rose Press.

Blurb:
Becky Richardson’s motto is love ‘em and leave ‘em. The only man she trusts is her best friend Louie, the local computer shop owner and resident geek. When a mysterious man shows up at a masquerade ball and sweeps her off her feet, will she remember that men are good for only one thing or will she let down her guard and open her heart?

Louie Hanson has adored Becky since they were in junior high. He lives under no illusion that the former prom queen will ever see him as anything but her geeky friend. In disguise he arrives at the Valentine’s Day Ball and manages to take her breath away. Now he’s playing a dual role, knowing when she finds out it will be the end of any hope for a relationship with her and the friendship they once shared. How could he ever have thought this was a good idea? How can he stop fulfilling every one of his own fantasies by having Becky in his arms?

Welcome, Roni! This book was great. It inspired a whole range of emotions: amusement, sadness, frustration, impatience, etc. (I like a book that makes me what to shake a character into behaving. And, the great thing about this one is that both the hero and heroine inspired me.) Very engaging read!

Roni: I love it when a reader connects with my characters. It was sometimes a challenge to write Becky as the hard-edged heroine she was and yet make the reader feel her inner emotions. I tried hard to have the reader see her as Louie does and I think it worked. As for Louie, he had to come off as not some wimpy puppy who simply followed Becky around but rather a man who can’t let go of the crush he’s had since he was a kid.

Emma: I know you’re a fan of research, especially for your contemporary Western romances. What type of research did you have to do for Beauty and the Geek?

Roni: Well to be honest, there was very little research needed for this book. Its set in Upstate NY which is where I love so it was very easy to write about the geographic location. The Ryan House which is the mansion Louie buys in the book is actually based on the Adams Basin Bed and Breakfast which is here in my town. The Ryan family owned it for years and years and for some reason when Louie decided to buy a mansion, the Ryan name popped into my head and that’s the house I see in my head as I wrote it. Of course the rest is purely fiction!

Emma: Your contemporary Western romances include a free read, Not Exactly Strangers, and The Cowboy Comes Home and To Tame a Cowgirl: Sara [The Double B], available with The Wild Rose Press. (I love short stories, and Not Exactly Strangers is a great quick read.)

I read The Double B series was inspired by your childhood play. How many other stories do you have stored up from your childhood? Care to share any other fantasies?

Roni: There’s probably only one more and its not really from childhood but rather my teenage years. I’ve started a story set on a resort up in Canada. I spent several summers at this particular resort on Rice Lake in Ontario, Canada and experienced my first kiss and my first love there. My story is based purely on fiction but the setting is definitely that area of Canada.

Emma: Ah, who didn't fantasize about ranches and cowboys in their teenage years?

You write both contemporary and contemporary Westerns. Do you have any plans to expand into other genres?

Roni: Well, I did write two light paranormals for the Faery Rose line. The stories are part of two anthologies “Tales from Christmas Town”, and “Love From Christmas Town”. The first story deals with one of Santa Claus grown children, but she’s an adopted daughter so she’s not magical like her sister and brother. The second is the tale of a couple who lost each other a long time ago and with Christmas magic end up stormed in together at a ski resort right before the heroine is due to move on to a new love and a new life. But no I’m not one to write historical or romantic suspense or anything like that. I’m pretty much a contemporary writer and when I can modern day cowboys.

Emma: Do you have any other titles available that I missed?

Roni: The ones I mentioned above are out in the Faery Rose line. Next month, June I have a story called “Under a Rodeo Moon” coming out as part of a three story anthology with Cindy Pape and Stacy Dawn. It will be called “Return to Wayback” and will release in time to celebrate Yellow Rose month at The Wild Rose Press. “Under a Rodeo Moon” is the tale of a bullrider named Dusty who has his heart broken by a spoiled socialite named Carrie. But Carrie wakes up and realizes that Dusty is all she ever wanted and she gives up everything to move to WayBack. Dusty isn’t pleased when he comes to town to find her waiting tables in the diner and Carrie knows it will be a long road to convince this stubborn bull rider that she’s changed and loves him no matter what.

Emma: I won’t keep you much longer, but are there any ongoing projects you want to discuss?

Roni: I’m working on the rest of the books in the Double B series. “Trouble in Texas” is due to come out this summer. Readers of my series have met the wild red head Charli Boyd and hopefully are ready to watch her fall hard for our quiet vet, Grant Clark. Poor Grant has no interest in the wild ride Charli wants to take him on but he’s soon convinced that sometimes making a mistake is way too fun. After that one is “The Cowboy Duet” which hopefully will release either end of 2009 or early 2010. This is the story of Teddy and Susan who have had a long standing feud since they were kids.

Emma: Thank you for your time, Roni, and good luck on your future books!

Roni: Thank you for having me. I’m so excited to share my stories with all your readers and to spend some time with you. I appreciate the opportunity.

Contest Winners for Author Interviews

Thanks to everyone for stopping by my author interviews with Robyn Wren and Sky Purington.

Congratulations to Margaret Tanner and Helen Pilz!

Please email me at EmmaLaiWrites@gmail.com your book of choice and your snail mail address.

Sky Purington on Highland Muse

Emma: Today, I am featuring an interview with author Sky Purington on her Song of the Muse story Highland Muse currently available from The Wild Rose Press.

Blurb:

Melpomene, muse of Tragedy, has loved before, but not like this. Not so thoroughly it blinds her, tears her from her path and her obligation to mankind. A warrior of Scotland, one she watched grow from a boy to a man, claims her heart with his self-sacrifice and courage. She’ll not let him perish, die defending another. Stepping in, defying fate and her father, Zeus, Melpomene risks all.

Rowan Stewart, of the royal house, is immersed within a whirlwind of disbelief, struggling to understand the woman responsible for his odd outcome, his misplaced life. But promises were made, destiny yet sealed, and Ares, God of War, seeks him. Caught within a vortex of Scottish politics, Greek Gods, and newfound desire, Rowan and Melpomene are doomed to separate, wallow in eternal despair. Will love surpass? Give them each other? Or will tragedy reign without its muse and rip them apart forever?

Welcome Sky!

Sky: Hi Emma, thanks so much for having me!

Emma: The blurb definitely sets the scene for tragedy. I know your husband inspired your first story, what inspired this one?

Sky: Honestly? I would have to say Melpomene herself. When we began this project last year we were given the choice which muse we’d like to write about. The Muse of Tragedy jumped right into my head. Of all the muses, she seemed to deserve a chance at love the most. In that I’d previously written about historical Scotland and understood well the tragedy the country had suffered somehow I knew this was where she would find the man meant for her.

Emma: I’m sure you know Melpomene was originally the Muse of Singing and then somehow morphed into the Muse of Tragedy. Do you have a theory on why?

Sky: Good question! I couldn’t begin to understand why but could speculate. Depending on when portraits/portrayals of her were created, maybe it stemmed from the mask she held and sometimes wore. Or perhaps the club or knife she held. My thoughts on the matter have the ancient arts and theatrical side of Greece 100% responsible. I can’t help but envision a singular memorable theatrical production happening in ancient Greece in which the actor portrays Melpomene singing an intensely tragic song while holding the club and mask. Next thing you know, performances across Greece mimic this concept of Melpomene. Hence, the Muse of Singing morphs into the Muse of Tragedy. Again, just a theory. I’m sure someone out there knows the truth!

Emma: Your bio fascinates me. You were the first second grader in the state of New Hampshire to win The Young Author’s Award. You attended the Highland Games in New Hampshire and found out your’s and your husband’s clans intermarried in the thirteenth to fifteenth centuries. You’re self-educated. You used to write poetry, but believe you’re a better story teller. The list goes on.

Do you get to devote all of your energy and creativity to your writing? How much of your personal life do you use in your stories?

Sky: Well, currently my energy and creativity are divided between my three year old son, self-promotion and writing. I typically run more creative in the evening so write once my son has gone to sleep. Works out well for both of us! I actually use quite a bit of my personal life in my stories. The old colonial that’s a fixture throughout my Scottish Trilogy was in fact owned by my family. Destiny’s Denial: The Mac’Lomain Trilogy 2, is chock full of tid bits I pulled from my life to build Caitlain’s character.

Emma: Sky has other works to include A Christmas Miracle (a free read), The King’s Druidess, Fate’s Monolith: The Mac’Lomain Trilogy 1, and Destiny’s Denial: The Mac’Lomain Trilogy 2 available through The Wild Rose Press. Did I miss anything, Sky?

Sky: No, you got them all!

Emma: Well, I don’t want to keep you too much longer, but I have to ask what we get to look forward to next. When can we expect Book 3 of The Mac’Lomain Trilogy?

Sky: Sylvan Mist: The Mac’Lomain Trilogy 3 is currently in edits and should be released this year! Also, I have another story, titled Darkest Memory, contracted. This tells the tale of an eight hundred year old lovelorn vampire. You can learn more about both upcoming releases at my website.

Emma: Thanks so much for dropping by. Good luck on your future works!

Sky: Thanks again for having me, this has been a blast!

Author Interview - Robyn Wren on Destiny's Light

Emma: Today, I am featuring an interview with author Robyn Wren her Song of the Muse story Destiny’s Light currently available from The Wild Rose Press.

Blurb:
They’d always been sent to help mortals. Euterpe had longed to return, to provide her gifts to another human. Her chance to go back had come. If she’d known what would happen next she might have had second thoughts.

Ceris was a loner, never one to surround himself with others, music was his only source of company. He could feel the words hidden deep inside but could not unlock them from his soul. Could the woman he saves help? By saving her could he save himself?

Hounded by the shadows of Hades, will Ceris be able to save Euterpe from the pursuits of the Dark God or will he lose his soul as he fights for her past? As the bond between them grows from a spark to a white hot flame, will their newfound love be enough to save them both from the darkness and bring them into Destiny’s Light.

Welcome Robyn!

Robyn: Hey Emma… thanks so much for inviting me over!

Emma: The blurb does an excellent job of establishing a sense of suspense in the reader. Do you like to bring light and hope to dark situations?

Robyn: Yes. The world around us always seems to highlight the darkness of humanity. I want my readers to know that there is always a light out there. Even in the darkest of nights.

Emma: Euterpe was known as the “Giver of delight.” Do you think music is a source of delight? What type of music brings you delight when you’re writing?

Robyn: I think music can do a lot of good things. It brings inspiration, hope, wellness as well as so much more. I listen to a wide variety of music when I’m writing. What I listen to is very dependant on what type of scene I’m writing at the time. I do love Celtic music but also dark songs (ie. Within Temptation and Evanesence)

Emma: Robyn has another work Scottish Whispers available through The Wild Rose Press. Did I miss anything, Robyn?

Robyn: I have a couple books that will be coming out through Tease Publishing. They are part of my Darkness Unleashed series. Shadow of the Wolf and Kiss of the Wolf are the first 2 in the series. Cry of the Raven is the third book and will be nearing completion very soon.

Emma: Well, I don’t want to keep you too much longer, but I have to ask what we get to look forward to next.

Robyn: I am hoping to write a follow up to Destiny’s Light in the near future. I also have 2 other series that are going to hopefully find homes very soon. One is a trilogy with the first novel called Dragon’s Legacy. The other is a vampire series with the first book in that series titled Shades of Night.

Emma: Thanks so much for dropping by. Good luck on your future works!

Robyn: Thanks for having me around Emma. As always I can be reached by my website at www.robynwren.net and I am always open to friend invites on my Myspace page.

Contest Winner

Congratulations Eliza! You have your pick of promo books (listed in the right panel) for commenting on my author interview with Beth Trissel. Please email your choice to EmmaLaiWrites@gmail.com.