Make-Believe Mondays with Jim Hines

Today on Make-Believe Mondays, my guest is Jim Hines.

Jim, first, tell us a little bit about the manuscript you’re working on now.

Jim: My publisher just released Goblin War, the third and final (for now) book in my goblin series. So I'm now working on a new series which is basically a mash-up of old fairy tales and Charlie's Angels. Fun stuff! DAW has bought three books in this series. The first one is done, and I'm currently chest-deep in revisions on the second.

Debra: Old fairy tales have always intrigued me, from the time I was small. (And I love this Goblin cover by the way.)

Ray Bradbury said, “We are cups, constantly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.” How do you keep your creative cup filled?

Jim: Writing every day helps. I think creativity is like so many other things: the more you practice, the better you get.

The other trick is making sure you don't burn yourself out. With the latest book release, I've been spending a lot of time on publicity while also trying to write the next book. Add a pair of sick children, and my brain has gotten pretty fried for the past few weeks. I've needed to prioritize more and turn down a few events in order to have the mental and emotional energy to devote to the stories.

Debra: Yes, it's quite a juggling act, isn't it? I'm learning that publicity part right now as I prepare for the Romantic Times convention. It's a big brain switch from the world of story.

Is there a point when your characters begin to come alive and you can see and hear them?

Jim: There's definitely a point where the characters click. Sometimes it takes longer than others. In my second goblin book, I had a warrior who was ... well, she was boring! Perfectly competent and workable, but dull as anything. It wasn't until the rewrite that she transformed from a dangerous warrior woman into a crotchety goblin who liked to whack people with her canes.

Debra: Oh, my! LOL She reminds me of my great grandmother who lived to be 106 and could have whacked you with her cane if she wanted to. Now I'm going to have to get my hands on that second book.

Jim: Jig the goblin, on the other hand, was a delightful little coward from day one. It's unusual for a character to spring fully-formed into my brain, but every once in a while I get lucky.

Debra: It would be lovely if we had a magical formula for making that happen.

If there were no categories for books, no reader expectations to meet, and you could create the wildest work of imagination that you could think of what kind of story would that be?

Jim: You know, I'd like to think they'd be the same kind of stories I'm writing now. For starters, fantasy isn't exactly the most lucrative genre -- especially humorous fantasy -- but it's what I enjoy. I love my quirky goblins and their adventures. I've just been fortunate that a fair number of readers seem to feel the same way.
If I were writing full-time, I might have to pay more attention to market demands. But I have a day job which pays the bills, and that gives me a little more freedom to write what I want without worrying about whether it has "Potential Bestseller" stamped all over the manuscript.

Debra: That freedom to write is so very important. And I enjoy your quirky characters too.

Jim, thanks for joining us here on this Make-Believe Monday to share a little bit of the magic of creation with our readers.

Readers who wish to visit Jim and his quirky characters can find him at:

Website: http://www.jimchines.com
Blog: http://jimhines.livejournal.com

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Debra's news/Debra is watching:

Just last week I received my ISBN number and I was as thrilled about that as the day I received my contract! My editor has been working with me on the cover blurb which was another woo-hoo moment. Everyone talks about getting the call, and that is a very exciting day in the life of an author, but there are also the sequential joys along the road to production, all those little firsts which ought to be celebrated.

This week I am working on getting bookmarks together in time for the Romantic Times convention in Pittsburgh. I'll be there from April 15th to the 21st and I can't wait to meet up with old friends.

Over on Title Wave this week, I'm blogging today, Ruth is blogging Wednesday, and Lois is blogging Friday.

Watch for A DESPERATE JOURNEY to be released July, 2008 as an eBook. Print edition will be out in 2009.

Make-Believe Mondays With Marilyn Campbell

Today on Make-Believe Mondays I'm excited to be able to introduce Marilyn Campbell.

Marilyn, first, tell us a little bit about the manuscript you’re working on now.

Marilyn: As you may know, for the past year, all of my time has been spent establishing and developing The Lotus Circle publishing imprint. As part of that effort I completed three non-fiction metaphysical books – “Metaphysical Fitness, Ten Commandments for Spiritual Being”, “Tarot of The Lotus Circle” and “Numerology To Go” – as well as a psychic fiction novel, “Dreams of You”, which was co-authored with my daughter, Joie del Rio, under the pseudonym Campbell del Rio.

If you check out the site, www.thelotuscircle.com, you’ll see that we now have a very nice selection of books, and there are a lot more in “the queue”.
Joie and I also co-wrote an erotic thriller, “Eye Witness”, under the pseudonym Kennedy Vance, which was released in e-book through TLC’s sister imprint Cerridwen Press.

Personally, I have been getting a lot of nudges, both from readers and my spirit guides, to do another futuristic or time-travel romance. In order to decide which book to write next, I’ve added a Reader’s Survey onto my site. I’d love to get some more opinions! (www.marilyncampbell.com)

Debra: Yes, you have been busy! The Lotus Circle is a unique website. I enjoy visiting. And I'd be happy to take your survey.

Ray Bradbury said, “We are cups, constantly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.” How do you keep your creative cup filled?

Marilyn: Whenever I feel empty, I take a weekend off from my routine and do one of two things – I go see four or five new movies in a theater plus at least that many more on video at home or I head for a theme park, ride roller coasters and play like I’m 8 years old again. For me, either activity works like sherbet between courses of a heavy meal. (Btw, speaking of food, junk food consumption plays a vital part in my re-inspiring-myself process.)

Debra: Oh, it's been years since I rode a roller coaster since there are none nearby. I grew up not far from Kings Island and we used to have season passes. What fun!

Is there a point when your characters begin to come alive and you can see and hear them?

Marilyn: Actually, for me, the characters are usually in existence before I start writing. In most cases, they tap me on the shoulder because they have a story they want me to tell for them. And woe is me if I don’t pay attention!

Debra: How wonderful to be so in tune. Mine whisper and I'm never entirely sure who they are until I'm almost at the end of the book.

Some very famous authors have played with language, creating words for people or places that no one has ever heard of. Have you ever played with words in that way and if so how?

Marilyn: In my Innerworld series of futuristic romances, I had the thoroughly enjoyable opportunity to make up names, places and words. The complete lack of any requirements to be realistic or politically correct according to current Earth standards was incredibly liberating…and one of the reasons I am seriously considering revisiting that sub-genre.

Debra: How freeing it is to play with language. Many of the best authors I've known have played with it in some way.

For some writers, dreams play a role in creating fiction. Has this been true for you? Have you ever dreamed a scene or an image that later wound up in one of your books?

Marilyn: Dreams have played a major role in creating several of my fiction novels. The premise of the first book I wrote, “Pyramid of Dreams”, came from a very clear dream about the hijacking of a yacht in the Bermuda Triangle. Another time I dreamed that I woke up naked and fully sated but the man lying next to me was a complete stranger. That book became the bestselling novel “Pretty Maids in a Row”. And most recently, “Dreams of You”, is about a lucid dreamer who works with the police.

Debra: Somehow I suspected they would. Lucid dreaming is a fascinating subject.

If there were no categories for books, no reader expectations to meet, and you could create the wildest work of imagination that you could think of what kind of story would that be?

Marilyn: It has been my habit to write what I feel compelled to write, when the compulsion hits, regardless of the market at that time. In fact, my futuristic romances were originally rejected dozens of times by editors and agents, because they were convinced that no one wanted books that combined two different genres! Within two years of all those rejections, an auction was held to determine which house would get to publish that series. I have now been published in every sub-genre I ever wanted to write in. On the opposite side, I avoid writing a particular type of story just because it is popular. For instance, I have no interest in vampires, thus I would never attempt to write about them.

Debra: It is good to hear you say this, because I think new writers need to hear this. It can take years to be published and it is important to believe in your work, to have that persistence rather than chasing market trends.

Is there anything else you would like to add about the role of imagination, and dreams in creating fiction? Any other message for our readers?

Marilyn: It is good to remember that the imagination is your direct connection to the Universal Consciousness, but you need to be open to receiving the inspiration and train your mind to be quiet enough to hear the messages. When your awake time is too full of noise and busy-ness, your dream time is all that’s left. If you know you dream but can’t remember them in the morning, you may just need to work at it a bit. Start by ordering yourself to remember all your dreams right before going to sleep. Keep a notepad by the bed and the instant you awaken, write down any images or words that come to you before they fade away. It takes some practice but it could be worth it!

Debra: Oh, this is so important. Quiet time is very hard to come by in this modern society and perhaps it is the thing most needed. This year I started my first dream journal and I am slowly training my myself to remember my dreams. It does get easier with practice.

Marilyn, thank you for joining us here on this Make-believe Monday to share a little bit of the magic of writing with our readers.

Make-Believe Mondays With Barb Meyers

Happy St. Patricks Day from Make-Believe Mondays! Barb Meyers is our guest today.

Barb, first, tell us a little bit about the manuscript you’re working on now.

Barb: I recently completed work on my romantic comedy A MONTH FROM MIAMI which is scheduled for release as an eBook from Samhain Publishing in March 2008. They said it was only for a month--trading car repair for babysitting. But when Rick discovers stolen gems hidden in Kaylee’s car, he has to wonder: Is she the woman he thinks she is or is she taking him for a ride?

My Samhain editor is considering another manuscript entitled NOT QUITE HEAVEN. It’s anything but a romantic comedy. More of a dark, complex romance. It’s about a best-selling author whose career is flailing and a woman from his past who might be able to help him get back on top. At the beginning of every chapter, there’s a snippet of his current work in progress featuring a hero who is his alter ego.
Sitting on the back burner (which means I’m doing the hard work of figuring out a story in my head before I start to write it) is a sequel to A MONTH FROM MIAMI. I’m toying with idea of giving the hero of that story a twin brother and a story of his own.

Debra: That's an interesting format, having the work in progress of the main character highlighted. I find it quite intriguing.

Ray Bradbury said, “We are cups, constantly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.” How do you keep your creative cup filled?

Barb: The best way for me to keep my creative cup filled is to do things non-writing related. I’ve learned, perhaps too late in life, to be kind to myself. Although I guess it’s never too late. Have you ever noticed, many of us do not treat ourselves very well? We feel guilty if we indulge ourselves. I think sometimes we are nicer to strangers than we are to ourselves.
So, I indulge. That might mean a massage or a pedicure. It might mean spending an afternoon window shopping or a morning meandering the beach. If I want to curl up in the afternoon and read and take a nap, I do it. Recently, I’ve begun to meditate, which is as simple as taking a cup of coffee and sitting in the swing overlooking my swimming pool. In the early morning I listen to the birds singing and watch the squirrels race up and down the trees. Or I simply sit and appreciate my surroundings. Being good to yourself doesn’t have to cost a thing.

Debra: Yes, this is very true. Thank you, Barb. That's a message we don't hear often. It's important to learn to be kind to ourselves.

Is there a point when your characters begin to come alive and you can see and hear them?

Barb: That’s a good question. It’s hard to answer. For me, I think I almost always see the hero first. I know what he’s about and I know what he needs from the heroine. For some reason, the female protagonist is always harder for me to get a handle on. But there’s definitely a point where the characters become who they are. They aren’t even the writer’s creation. They are very much their own persons. What’s interesting is how characters can do something you didn’t expect them to do, but it’s right for them. At that point, the story’s out of your hands. It’s up to them to tell it.

Debra: It's so interesting to hear you say that, because for me the heroine always appears first. What an experience it is when they come to life and then take over.

As a child did any particular book or author pull you into their imaginary world?

Barb: Oh, my. I read avidly as a child. I loved The Boxcar Children and the Little House on the Prairie series. I remember the wonderful discovery of reading a book I loved and realizing there were more of them for me to read. Little Women was a Christmas gift and I read it over and over because we didn’t own very many books. I loved the Rapunzel fairy tale. Imagine having hair that long!
As a high school freshman, our English classed was “forced” to read Jane Eyre. Far from complaining like my fellow students, I zipped through it way ahead of schedule. I loved that book.

Debra: The Boxcar Children was one of my favorites.

If there were no categories for books, no reader expectations to meet, and you could create the wildest work of imagination that you could think of what kind of story would that be?

Barb: I think I’m already doing this, even though I don’t write fantasy and I don’t make up fictional worlds. I deal in fantasy within our own reality. The fantasy of romance is that love exists, that it can last, that two people can be happy together in a committed relationship for a lifetime. I want to believe it and I want my readers to believe it, given that there’s so much evidence to the contrary in the world in which we live. I want readers to believe it’s possible for them, if it hasn’t already happened in their lives.

I’m not saying we should all live in a romance novel. But in all our lives, there can be that seed of passion, a connection with a significant other, someone who thinks you’re the best thing in the world. It can happen. It does happen.
(In case your readers think I’m a complete lunatic, my 28th wedding anniversary is fast approaching.)

Debra: Congratulations and happy anniversary (if a bit early)

Is there anything else you would like to add about the role of imagination, and dreams in creating fiction? Any other message for our readers?

Barb: I admit it. I’m a sucker for happy endings. I don’t like books that bring me down, make me sad or depressed. When I read I want to be entertained. If I want something to make me feel bad or cause me stress, I can turn on the news any night of the week.

Reading fiction should take you out of your circumstances for just a little bit. It should be something you enjoy, maybe something that uplifts or makes you smile. Something that comforts you or gives you hope. That’s my dream as a fiction writer. That’s the experience I want to give my readers.

Debra: Oh, Barb, I agree. It's lovely when a book can sweep you away to new lands, to the world of the story.

Readers may visit Barb at:

Samhain Author Page:http://samhainpublishing.com/authors/barbara-meyers
Web Site: www.barbmeyers.com
URL: http://www.myspace.com/barbmeyers
Blog URL: http://blog.myspace.com/barbmeyers

Barb, thank you for joining us here on this Make-believe Monday to share a little bit of the magic of writing with our readers.

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Debra's News/Debra is Watching:

Last week was my editing deadline, and I'm pleased I was able to bring it in a day early. One particular scene was giving me fits and took the longest, so last week everything went on hold so I could give all my attention to it. (Yes Make-Believe Mondays went on hold, in fact I wasn't on the internet at all.) I think that first editing is a real learning experience and I expect like anything else, the more you do it the faster and better at it you become.

Now I can turn my attention to the upcoming Romantic Times convention which I will be attending from April 15th to April 21st. If you are attending, you can find me at the Samhain party on Sunday and the ebook signing. Be sure to come up and say hello! I love meeting new people. Stay tuned for more details.

I'll also be working hard to finish up another manuscript before the conference, but I can't talk about it yet. (I'm a little superstitious about that.) There are several manuscripts in the works, so I had to choose one to focus on.

Over on Title Wave this week, I'm blogging today, Theresa is blogging Wed. and Maria is blogging Friday.

Next week on Make-Believe Mondays I'll be interviewing Marilyn Campbell (March 24th) and on the 31st our guest is Jim Hines.

Make-Believe Mondays With Lyndi Lamont

Today on Make-Believe Mondays my guest is Lyndi Lamont.

Lyndi, first, tell us a little bit about the manuscript you’re working on now.

LL: Debra, first let me say thanks for asking me here. It was great to meet you at last year’s RT Convention.

I’m just starting a new manuscript, ALLIANCE: COSMIC SDANDAL, an erotic futuristic romance. It’s part of my Alliance series in which the people of two very different worlds come together to fight space raiders who are attacking their merchant vessels.

The hero of this story is Prince Myrek of the planet Zigan who is now acting ambassador to planet Mhajav. Myrek is a widower with one son who suffers from a blood disease. He hopes the Mhajavi scientists will be able to help his son. The heroine, Khira, is a Mhajavi genetic researcher with whom he falls in love.

The obstacles in their way are both genetic and legal. Their two races are genetically incompatible, meaning Khira can’t give him children. Legally, as heir to the throne, Myrek must marry a virgin. Though Khira still a virgin, Mhajavi law prohibits virgins from marrying.

Afraid his only son will not survive childhood, Myrek knows he must wed again, but Khira is the only woman he wants. In order to have her, he will defy convention, break the laws of two planets, and cause a Cosmic Scandal that will threaten the alliance between their two worlds.

Debra: Lyndi, it was lovely meeting you at the RT convention. I can't wait for this years convention. RT is such a wonderful place to meet new friends. Your new novel sounds fascinating and I am wondering how they will overcome genetic obstacle. That's a a tough one.

Ray Bradbury said, “We are cups, constantly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.” How do you keep your creative cup filled?

LL: The story ideas never stop coming, but periodically I do run out of steam, and words to put the ideas to paper. Music helps me to keep focused on my story. I write to sound tracks or New Age-type music, instrumental, no words. I usually do a short meditation and affirmations before starting to write to get myself into the right state of mind to let the ideas flow more freely.

Debra: Interesting that you should mention that, as I am looking into tapes which stimulate creativity, much the way a hypnosis tape puts you into a certain state. It's important to be able to clear that busy mind.

Is there a point when your characters begin to come alive and you can see and hear them?

LL: Yes, but don’t ask for more details. Each story is different.

Debra: Some very famous authors have played with language, creating words for people or places that no one has ever heard of. Have you ever played with words in that way and if so how?

LL: I didn’t do much of that until I started to write futuristic romance. In creating my two worlds, I’ve taken liberties with both names and words, often changing the spelling. Creating the imaginary worlds was a lot of fun, esp. the “social engineering” of a traditional society teaming up with one that is much more socially and sexually open.

Debra: For some writers, dreams play a role in creating fiction. Has this been true for you? Have you ever dreamed a scene or an image that later wound up in one of your books?

LL: I wish. My dreams seem to be odd and rarely, if ever, have anything to do with my writing. Day dreaming is a different story. That works much better for me.

Debra: Daydreams are very important for creativity. I've always suspected that the authors I've met were the children who daydreamed out the window when they were in school. I know I was. ;-)

As a child did any particular book or author pull you into their imaginary world?

LL: As a child, I had a number of favorite books. I can’t remember how many times I re-read LITTLE WOMEN, and cried every time. Another favorite was THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND by Elizabeth Speare. It was after reading her book that I decided I wanted to be a writer. I ended up a librarian instead. My dream was postponed until I was in my 40’s, but I eventually started writing.

Debra: THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND. I haven't thought of that one in years. :-) Thank you for reminding me of another one of my favorites.

If there were no categories for books, no reader expectations to meet, and you could create the wildest work of imagination that you could think of what kind of story would that be?

LL: I’ve kind of done that with my futuristic stories for the Alliance series. I’ve always felt that science fiction and fantasy were the most imaginative genres, and I’ve always admired people who could create whole worlds from scratch. I’m learning that it’s not easy to do, but can be very rewarding. I didn’t know how readers would take to my futuristic stories, but I’ve been happy with the sales.

Being able to take chances like this is one of the nice things about writing for a small e-publisher like Amber Quill Press. They put very few restrictions on their authors, and if something new comes up, the editorial director creates a new category on the website. J

Debra: Is there anything else you would like to add about the role of imagination, and dreams in creating fiction? Any other message for our readers?

LL: Imagination is a wonderful thing, and the world would be a depressing place without storytellers in it. I suspect that people who read are happier than those who don’t. A good book can take you away from your problems for a short while. Reading keeps us sane and emotionally healthy, in my opinion.

Debra: Oh, I so agree, Lyndi. Thank you for joining us here on this Make-believe Monday to share a little bit of the magic of writing with our readers.

LL: Thank you, Debra. Congratulations on your upcoming book. I hope it’s a big success for you. J

Debra: Thanks, Lyndi. All my fingers and toes are crossed. ;-)

Readers may visit Lyndi at
http://www.lyndilamont.com
http://www.myspace.com/lyndi.lamont

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Debra's News/Debra is watching:

I'm just back from a great weekend in Hot Springs Arkansas (celebrating our 27th wedding anniversary) and ready to get back to work on the first round edits of A Desperate Journey. Its been a challenge getting this post up today as we've had lightning and thunder all day and the internet has been up and down.

Over on Title Wave this week, I'm blogging today, Ruth is blogging on Wed, and on Friday, Lois is blogging on ladies riding side saddle in history and when it is appropriate to use it in your own writing.

Watch for the E-book version of A Desperate Journey coming in July, 2008 from Samhain publishing. The print version will be released ten months later.