Make-Believe Monday with Bonnie Vanak

Today on Make-Believe Mondays I'm pleased to introduce my friend Bonnie Vanak. All my bellydancer friends will be thrilled to meet you here as they are always asking about books with bellydancing in the story. ;)

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

Bonnie: I just finished my first Silhouette NOCTURNE book. The working title is Empath, and is slotted for December 2007. It’s about a gentle veterinarian seduced by a fierce warrior werewolf who must mate with her and turn her into a killer to destroy the shapeshifters stalking his pack. Maggie is an empath, a werewolf who heals with her touch. She’s been living as a human, blocking out any knowledge of being a wolf. Nicolas is a big, muscled werewolf who has devoted his life to killing the enemy to keep his pack safe and he extends this protection quite vigorously to Maggie, his mate. I love the dichotomy between these two. Nicolas is a killer and Maggie is nonviolent. In the end, their differences make them stronger. He forces Maggie to acknowledge her wolf and she exposes the tender, vulnerable side of Nicolas that he’s afraid to show to the world.

Debra: The dichotomy is fascinating. I look forward to reading their story.

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?

Bonnie: Excellent question! I love that quote, and have used it often. A good author friend, Jennifer Ashley, always reminds me to “fill the well” and take a break. It’s really necessary for us as writers to take a break and sit back and relax. For me, it’s watching a good movie, relaxing with my hubby on the beach near our home or just going for a walk and letting my imagination drift. If I had more time, I’d take more trips to places that inspire me. Part of EMPATH was written on the beach on the west coast, and the opening chapters are set there. That always inspires me; being able to research a location.

Debra: The beach does this for me as well. There is something about the ever changing ocean and those shifting sands.

Bonnie: For my Egyptian books, I’ve never traveled to Egypt but I find inspiration in books, magazine articles and television specials on Egypt. Just the idea of exploring ancient Egyptian history fills my well!

Debra: You and I both share a love of ancient Egpyt. I once pulled our son out of junior high when a famous Egyptologist visited our college to speak. He wanted to be an Egyptologist when he grew up and I think he still has the tape. One day perhaps we'll both go there.

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

Bonnie: Definitely! I suppose it sounds odd, but my characters do surface and begin to speak their minds. In The Sword & the Sheath, my March Egyptian release, Tarik was quite assertive in stating his demands in wanting to seduce Fatima, the heroine assigned to guard him. And Fatima was equally demanding in her need to prove herself among the men. I remember writing one scene in Starbucks on a Sunday… it was the scene where Fatima watches women belly dance for Tarik and then one woman comes over to take him to her bed for the night. He refuses because he wants only Fatima, his beautiful Tima, his only love, not just the pleasures of the flesh. I could see and hear him as clearly as I could hear the orders at the counter for non-fat decaf mocha lattes!

Debra: I can't wait to read this story. It's every woman's dream to be the one and only.

Bonnie: I’m so thankful I was given the gift of words. Being a writer is a terrific way to express ourselves. We can soar the heights, explore places we’ve never visited, and mine the depths of our imagination. It’s hard work, sweat, tears and sometimes it feels like there’s blood on the keyboard, but I can’t imagine having a more fulfilling dream. I’m very grateful I have the opportunity to share my imagination with readers.

Thanks for the interview!

Debra: You're quite welcome, Bonnie. It was my pleasure.

You can visit Bonnie at my Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/bonnievanak
Or at her blog: http://www.bonnievanakjournal.blogspot.com/

Make-Believe Monday with Darlene Marshall

Today on Make-Believe Mondays I'm pleased to introduce my friend from RWAonline, Darlene Marshall. Darlene is just back from Epicon where Pirate's Price and Captain Sinister's Lady both won Eppie awards in the historical romance category.

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

Darlene: In my WIP, Captain Jack Burrell has a good life--loving parents, loyal friends, a fine ship with which to harass the British during the War of 1812. In fact the only really terrible thing that’s ever happened to him was the fault of Miss Sophia Deford, who robbed him, stripped him naked, and left him at the mercy of a Royal Navy press gang.

And now she’s back in his life. She has a pirate treasure map and a letter from Jack’s late mentor calling in a debt of honor. And to discharge this obligation, all Jack has to do is team up with Sophia and help her find the treasure. Without wringing her neck.

It’s a “road book”, set in 1817 Florida and I promise it will have excitement, passion, danger and laughter.

Debra: It sounds exciting! When pirate treasure is involved anything can happen!

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

Darlene: Yes, but I never know when that will occur. I’m a “seat of the pants” writer, or to use a more elegant term, “an organic writer”, and it usually starts with a scene in my head, the hero and heroine interacting in some fashion. But I don’t always know who these people are, or what makes them tick. I have to start writing about them to find out the answer for myself, and for my readers.

Oftentimes though a character will appear to me in a scene. For instance, the first time I “saw” Morgan Roberts, the hero of Captain Sinister’s Lady, he was looking into a mirror in his cabin and wondering when he got so much gray in his hair and beard. He covers the white with red paint to give him a ferocious, bloody appearance before going abovedecks to attack a ship.

Even though this scene didn’t make it into the novel, it gave me clues about Morgan right from the start–there were issues about aging, he was a pirate captain, he liked to use tricks to get his way. That was the start of how I began writing about Morgan and his desire to settle down and raise a family.

Debra: The aging pirate, how fascinating!

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

Darlene: I loved Eloise Jarvis McGraw’s Mara, Daughter of the Nile. I first read it in the 6th grade and it had everything! Danger, spies, romance, a plucky heroine, a mysterious hero, a cool historical setting and historical accuracy to make it all come alive. A heroine overcoming the odds through her own wit and courage has always appealed to me, and in Mara I found a story I could enjoy over and over again. Even today I still re-read because it’s so well written.

I hear people ask all the time, “how do you write?” and the only answer I can offer is, “If you have a story in you, just sit down and start writing it. And then write some more, and write some more. When you’re not writing, read. That’s the only ‘writing secret’ I know.”

If readers would like to see excerpts of my work, stop by my website, http://www.darlenemarshall.com/ and to keep up with my writing and what’s happening in my life, visit “Darlene’s Digest” at Blogspot, http://darlenemarshall.blogspot.com/.

Darlene, thank you for visiting Make-Believe Mondays to share a bit of the magic of writing with our readers.

Make-Believe Monday with Diane Komp

Today on Make-Believe Mondays I'm pleased to introduce a dear friend of mine. Diane Komp (affectionately known as Doctor Di) and I met at the Antioch Writers Workshop several years ago and I'm thrilled that her book is finally in print.

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

Diane: “The Healer’s Heart” is a modern setting of the life of St. Luke, who was, like me, a physician and writer. I asked the question, “If Dr. St. Luke were alive today, what kind of medicine would he practice, who would he chose for companions and where in the world would they hang out?”

My fictional “Luke” became the head of the AIDS program at Yale Medical School (where I was on faculty for more than 20 years). The best traditions say that Luke was a Greek converted to Christianity by the Apostle Paul. I wanted an engaging, larger than life Paul.

In the novel he appears as an African-American preacher who serves as chaplain to the AIDS team. I wanted the novel to climax in one of the most dangerous countries in the world and I wanted that country to be related to the American slavery story (through genealogical links to both Luke and Paul).

This took me to Sierra Leone, a country in the throes of a ten-year civil war (readers may have seen the historically accurate current film “Blood Diamond.”) In Sierra Leone, Luke seeks the answer to a question posed by his grandfather in an unpublished story of their family history: . If you have no cause worth dying for, do you really have a reason to live?

Debra: Diane, the work you do over there fills me with admiration. So many people talk about problems in our world, yet never lift a finger.

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?

Diane: For “The Healer’s Heart”, I filled my cup in Sierra Leone. My fictional doctor was going to be dropped out of Yale’s ivory tower into the bush to practice medicine. To authenticate this journey, I volunteered to work in mobile clinics in Sierra Leone bush. Before I left for Sierra Leone, I updated my will and drafted the Sierra Leone portion of the book. Although my will stayed intact, I had to throw out everything I wrote from stateside research. If I had not gone to Sierra Leone, I could not have written that part of the book.



When I came home, I tipped the cup and poured out a new character, Brima, the local nurse with whom Luke works. The character is based on a real nurse named Brima with whom I worked. Parenthetically, I got hooked on the people and have gone back to Sierra Leone annually to work. Of course, this has filled my cup with sequels.

Debra: Oh, the stories you can tell... and now we'll be able to read some of them!

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



Diane: Early on, I “see” and “hear” my characters, but like Dr. St. Luke, I did not want to overwrite the physical features of my characters. The biblical writers only included physical characteristics when it furthered the plot of a story, not just to paint a picture. When I read Luke’s Gospel and the Acts of the Apostle, I appreciate the freedom the author gave me to put faces from my circle of friends onto his characters.

Although I have vivid pictures of my characters, I want to give my readers the same freedom. There are minimal but plot-important features of Luke, his wife, Paul and Brima in the book, all of which advance the plot. For example, as Luke struggles with his father’s terminal illness, he looks in the mirrors and reports the physical similarities he sees to his father. When we (and Luke) first meet Theodora, we learn of her remarkable resemblance to Botticelli’s model for women of mythic importance. Paul, whose personality is larger than life, is “plagiarized” from an African-American pastor in my community whom I saw vividly as I wrote. (Anyone who knows Rev. Woody recognized him in the book.) And, I describe Brima as slim and sinewy “like one of those African runners who always win the Boston Marathon.”

Debra: I'm looking forward to reading this book. I can only imagine how facinating these charcters must be!


Diane, thank you for visiting with us here on Make-Believe Mondays to share a bit of the magic of creation and imagination with our readers.

Visit http://www.picturetrail.com/doktordi
to learn more about Diane and her work.

Make-Believe Monday with Kate Davies

Today on Make-Believe Mondays our guest is Kate Davies.

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


Kate: I'm editing two different manuscripts right now, in preparation for submission. After that, I'm hoping to start work on a military romantic suspense trilogy.

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?

Kate: I played with language much more when I wrote fantasy fiction. Now that I'm focusing on contemporary romance, there's less wiggle room for making up words, but I certainly enjoyed it back in my sf/f days.

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?


Kate: Do daydreams count?

Debra: Oh, yes. Daydreams definately count.

Kate: My first published book, Taking the Cake, grew out of a daydream moment at an RWA meeting. I was listening to the speaker, thinking about what direction I wanted to go with my writing, when a scene popped into my head fully developed. It was of a woman jumping out of the cake at her fiance's bachelor party, only to find him cheating on her. I knew instantly that I had to write her story, if only to find out what happened next. At the time, I was writing traditional, close-the-bedroom-door sweet romances, so this image ended up changing the entire direction of my writing career.


Debra: If we would but follow where our dreams lead us.

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

Kate: Absolutely! More than I can count. I could always be depended on to get lost in a book – so much so that I missed my cousin's baptism because I was reading in the back bedroom and didn't notice that everyone else had left for the church!

Debra: LOL

Kate: For me, the author who captivated me the most was Susan Cooper. I read The Dark Is Rising series when I was in junior high, and absolutely loved it. The blend of Celtic legends, epic battles between good and evil, and mysterious quests just captivated me. I still read The Dark Is Rising (the book, if not the entire series) around the winter solstice most years. I even made it a point to visit some of the places she mentioned in her books when I traveled through the UK after I graduated from college.

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?


Kate: I love to listen to children when they're playing. The breathtaking creativity they exhibit, the casual acceptance of the possible and the fantastic, is such a gift. As they get older, that gift can fade. Writing, to me, is a chance to tap into that wellspring of the possible, to explore 'what-if' and 'why not?'

I encourage everyone to give it a try!

Debra: But sometimes, even if the gift fades, it can come back again. The thing is, we have to be receptive to it.

Kate, 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 Monday with Carly Phillips

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

Carly: HOT PROPERTY, a follow up to the three Hot Zone stories, Hot Stuff, Hot Number and Hot Item. HOT PROPERTY tells John Roper's story, a character introduced in earlier books and his happily ever after with Amy Stone who readers met in Hot Item. It's a fun story that revisits old friends. Roper's in a career slump (think A-Rod on the New York Yankees) and everyone in his family from his soon to be married sister, his jealous, do-nothing brother, and his mother want something from him - from money to his time and advice. He's burnt out and fried and needs to focus on getting his groove back before he has no career left at all. Amy Stone is his agent, Spencer Atkins' niece and unbeknownst to Roper, she's going to lead the party planning division of the Hot Zone. Some matchmaking and heavy duty chemistry bring these two opposites together - but can they make a relationship work? HOT PROPERTY will be a 2008 release.

Debra:
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?

Carly: It isn't easy! Days and weeks can go by when I think the well is dry. I believe that sometimes I need to completely empty my mind - either first thing in the morning before I get out of bed or on a vacation when I can put the stress of carpool, dinners, driving and life out of my mind - then the work flows and I pray it continues to!

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

Carly: Yes! I always say that by page 100 or so, all the elements come together, from the characters and their conflicts and how they tie together to the plot and the secondary characters. At that point the reader is fully invested in all parts of the story. Prior to that point I hope I am taking the reader on an interesting journey they'll want to keep reading.

Debra:
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?

Carly: Lucky me! I'm already doing exactly what I love!!!!!

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

Thank you! This has been fun ;)
Carly

Make-Believe Mondays with Susan Kearney

Today on Make-Believe Mondays Susan Kearney is visiting with us. I met Susan last year at the RT convention at the belly dance class she sponsored and I can tell you that Susan is a lot of fun.

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

Susan: Right now I'm working on POLAR HEAT, the sequel to ISLAND HEAT. And I'm taking the series into space, to other worlds. Usually I hate writing the beginning of a book but this one is actually working well from the start. I believe it's due to the set up - lots of conflict and tension. The heroine is a spy and the hero is suspicious. She must repress her power to dominate, but as her feelings emerge, she begins to lose her ability to stop herself from dominating him. Oh, yeah. This one's fun.

Debra: I'm looking forward to reading it. The fun you have writing your stories spills over into the fun we have reading them. :)

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?

Susan: I keep my creative cup filled by enjoying life. I figure skate and belly dance and take lots of vacations. In addition I spend time with family and friends. And since my daughter is a book cover artist, we often work together on covers. In fact, she shot the people on the cove of ISLAND HEAT. You can see her photograph on my website.
http://www.susankearney.com

Debra: It's a beautiful cover. Your daughter is very talented.

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

Susan: Yes, but it's different in every book. I'm lucky when they talk to me right from the start. But sometimes, its like sculpting, I have to keep chipping away layer by layer until I figure them out.

Debra: What a wonderful image. It makes me think of how we have to let some things go to get at the stronger features beneath.

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?

Susan: Well, this is what I do. I write futuristics. So I am always making up worlds, and filling them with new words. In my Rystani warrior series, everyone had to tap into their psi to make their suits work. These are suits that clothe and bathe and shield the people both in space and under water. In my heat series, the Firsts, firstborn, have Quait. Quait is the ability to dominate others. And in ISLAND HEAT I used Quait to explore what would happen when a former slave learned he has the ability to dominate. In POLAR HEAT, I gave the heroine the ability to dominate and it's proving . . . interesting.

Debra: Now you've intrigued me. :)

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?

Susan: Only once. I dreamed about giant kangaroos that carried people around in their pockets. I used the idea in a short story.

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

Susan: I loved Robert Heinlein. He wrote Starship Trooper and several other books for kids. He started me on my SF kick.

Debra: 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?

Susan: Exactly what I write right now. I'm so lucky Tor lets me write what I want and how I want to write it. It's a freedom I've never had before . . . and I'm taking full advantage.

In THE CHALLENGE, I wrote about a man who stimulates a woman sexually to make her psi poers come out.

In THE DARE I wrote about a 300 year old computer who wants a body so she can make love.

In THE ULTIMATUM I wrote about a woman scientist who has to make love to regenerate her cells or she dies.

And THE QUEST was about a man who had every power at his disposal, then loses them all but still must combat the greatest enemy his people have ever known.

In ISLAND HEAT, an alien falls from the sky. He's on a mission to tap into a volcano's powers to open a portal between Earth and his world. And the heroine must stop him at any cost.

And when I want to write a book that's not quite so far out there, TOR lets me write romantic suspense. KISS ME DEADLY, about 6 women who win the lottery and then are being killed one by one will be out in July 07.

Debra: TOR's ability to publish authors who write with wild imagination brings us a much richer variety of books to choose from. And for that I am very grateful.

Susan, 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?

Susan: I like to write books about people. No matter how imaginative we are in worldbuilding, the story is always about how people react to their worlds. And what fascinates me is how we take our good qualities and our weaknesses with us where ever we go . . . even into cyberspace. And I'd like to invite readers to visit my site so they can watch my book trailers. I'm at http://www.susankearney.com

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

Make-Believe Monday with Linnea Sinclair

Today on Make-Believe Mondays I'm pleased to introduce my friend Linnea Sinclair. It's late and some of you have been patiently waiting, so let's jump right in.

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

Linnea: Ever see that great fun movie, Men In Black (or Men in Black 2)? Combine that with the TV cop show, Hill Street Blues and you’ve got my The Down Home Zombie Blues. It’s science fiction. No, wait. It’s romance. No, wait. It’s police procedural. No, wait. It’s comedy. No wait. It’s edge of your seat intergalactic monster action adventure…

My working blurb for the book:
After almost twenty years on the job Bahia Vista homicide detective, Theo Petrakos, is used to the fact that almost everyone in Florida is from somewhere else. Then a mummified corpse and a room full of high tech computer equipment sends Guardian Force commander and intergalactic zombie hunter, Jorie Mikkalah, into his life. And ‘illegal alien’ takes on a whole new meaning...

I’m just about finished with the book (yes, running a month late) but my editor has the first 3/4ths of it so she and the art department have it in process already. It’s due out (pending schedule changes) Fall of 2007, which is kind of cool because the book’s action centers over the Christmas/New Year’s holidays.

Christmas? New Years? But wait, Linnea, you say in your mellifluous voice. You write science fiction!

Debra: LOL :)

Linnea: Ah-hah! Yes, I do. The Down Home Zombie Blues is science fiction but set here in Florida, USA. A first for me.

Debra: 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?

Linnea: I dare say I’m still running on imagination overload (gluttony?) from twenty years past. My brain seems to be stuck in a constant “what if..?” mode. I’m always what-iffing. Probably too much as I get ideas for books in the midst of writing a book and sometimes get distracted from what I should be doing.

I’m a relentless observer of human nature. That’s a polite way of saying I’m nosy. This started long before I was a private detective, where I got paid good money to be nosy.

So I watch people, wonder how did they get where they are, why are they where they are and from that do little novels grow.

Debra: "What-iffing" is such fun. I'm going to have to borrow your name for this game now you know. :)

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

Linnea: I can’t write until I can see and hear my characters. When their sadness brings tears to my eyes, then I’m there.

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?

Linnea: I write science fiction romance so yes, I’m always inventing things: planets, cities, ships, recipes, religions, cultures, etc.. I invent entire languages. I have a Zafharish lexicon (the language spoken in my Finders Keepers, which was a 2006 RITA award finalist) on my site:
http://linneasinclair.com/FKLexicon.htm

I also invent swear words. Those are the most fun. What does someone from another star system say when she drops a sonic wrench on her toe or finds out his plan to save the galaxy has come unraveled? Oh, darn? I don’t think so. Try:

Mullytrock or trock-brained
Vomit-brained slut bucket
Motherless son of a Procyon whore
Ass-faced demon’s whore
Dirtsucker

I’ve blogged about it here: http://aliendjinnromances.blogspot.com/2006/11/part-deux-swearing-in-alien-tongues.html

Mullytrock is from my February 2007 release Games of Command. My female protagonist is a starship fleet captain with a very sordid past that—literally—comes back to haunt her as she’s forced to relive it. As she revisits a part of her life she’d rather forget (in front of someone who shouldn’t know about that part of her life), her vocabulary reverts back to what she’d been:

A rectangular data-systems panel jutted out from the wall a few feet in front of them, its cover tarnished and dented. He reminded himself that there were very serious issues at stake here—hallucinations that could kill. The crew of Degun’s Luck had learned that. Who she was and whether she viewed him only as a ’cybe had to be tabled for now. He peeled off his gloves and answered without looking at her. “Do you really think I wouldn’t know how to get into U-Cee hardware? But if you remember the primary security codes, I can work more quickly. Are we looking for Zanorian’s dock assignment?”
“We’re looking to create a diversion. RaftTraff gets mighty testy when a ship breaks dock. And I’m not willing to wait for clearance.”
RaftTraff. Mining Raft Traffic Control. Definitely not Fleet terminology.
He flipped the cover open, studied the interfaces and crystal boards while she rattled off the codes. A patched mess but not unworkable. One stroke of luck: a compatible dataport. “What kind of diversion? I need location, start time and duration.”
“I’d love to launch a raftwide mullytrock, but then we’d have every other damned jockey in straps burning bulkheads. ’Course, that would work too. RaftTraff wouldn’t know which one of us to send the sec tugs after first.”
Mullytrock. Definitely Lady Sass. He remembered Ralland at fourteen getting his mouth washed out with soap for saying that.
“You want a mullytrock, Sass, I can give you that.” Roving, sporadic power outages, ventilation failures, lift malfunctions. For starters. “But I still need start time.” He took his attention from the panel and looked at her. “How far are we from the Blade?”
(FROM Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair, Bantam Spectra, Feb. 2007)

RaftTraff, burning bulkheads, mullytrock and others are all words I created for the book. The slang (“burning bulkheads) is indicative of the culture of a itinerant starfreighter crewmember. In the same way that someone working in a hospital, school or in law enforcement has their own slang and acronyms here on our world.

Speaking of which, for The Down Home Zombie Blues, I’ve had to learn both law enforcement slang and how to curse in Greek (because my male protagonist is Greek-American). I must say that the Greeks have cursing down to a fine art.
Ti mano popi sekone rroosooza pootanis

…has to do with your mother, her illegal occupation and resemblance to a gargoyle. A truly useful epithet. I’m duly impressed.

Debra: I'm impressed too!

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?

Linnea: I write all my scenes first in my dreams—not the middle-of-the-night-out-of-control, giraffe-driving-the-Jeep-made-of-chocolate-under-the-ocean-while-Marie-Antoinette-sings-Feelings-in-Portuguese kind of dreams (you guys all have those, right?). But rather the musing, daydreams that you can do whilst folding laundry or driving or cleaning the kitty litter pan.

Debra: Yes I have those. (And the other type as well.)

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

Linnea: Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. I think that’s why I enjoy Anne Perry’s Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series so much.

Debra: 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?

Linnea: Probably exactly what I write because I don’t write to genre. I write what I write and Bantam Spectra, bless them, pulls their hair out trying to market me.

To date, I’ve been shelved in science fiction, even though my back covers promise “sexy stellar romance”. With Games of Command, Bantam is shelving me—first time!—in romance. See, they don’t quite know what to do with me. I have a strong SF following but then Gabriel’s Ghost won the RITA award and suddenly they realized I have a strong romance following as well.

I just received a terrifc 4-1/2 star (highest number they give) review from Romantic Times BOOKreviews magazine for Games of Command,

“When it comes to high-flying adventure, political intrigue and dark romance Sinclair has it aced! This surprising tale is filled with shifting loyalties, deception and jaw-dropping flying maneuvers. The characters in this complex novel are all faced with the realization that what they have always believed may not be the truth and that powerful emotions can be stronger than any mechanical implants.”—Romantic Times BOOKreviews

and they labeled me ‘fantasy’ then in parenthesis ‘futuristic’. Which makes no sense as my cover art is clearly SF. But yes, there is a telepathic/paranormal element in Games of Command. But I would never consider it fantasy.

But some people do, and that’s okay. I recognize I don’t write inside the box. Or perhaps I color outside the lines.

Debra: Writing outside the box is good. I don't think our imaginations as writers (or as readers) want to play inside the box. There's so muchmore to be discovered outside.

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?

Linnea: Imagination—the muse part of writing—is terribly important. It’s the one part of writing that can’t be taught. But it’s not the only part of writing and if you ignore the others: craft (grammar, word choice, pacing, etc.) and business (marketing, contracts, etc.) you’re setting yourself up for failure if you’re looking to get published in commercial genre fiction.

The good news is you can be taught craft and marketing. So if you have the muse part down pat, then you’re one third of the way there.

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

Linnea:
Please do visit me on my website
http://www.linneasinclair.com/
and my MYSPACE page
www.myspace.com/linneasinclair
and my shared blog
http://aliendjinnromances.blogspot.com

I also have a fan group on Yahoo that’s oodles of fun AND I have special contests AND sneak peeks at upcoming books!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LinneaSinclair/

Make-Believe Monday with Jacquelyn Frank

Today on Make-Believe Mondays our visiting author is Jacquelyn Frank. Jacquelyn writes for Kensington.



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

Jacquelyn: Actually, I am not working on anything at the moment. I have decided to take off from work to focus on my little girl and recovering from surgery. I was working on an angels universe, but then read Meljean Brook’s excerpt from Demon Angel and scrapped it. It was just too close and she was doing a much better job of it! I prefer to be more out of step with anyone else.

Debra: I hope you are fully recovered soon, rested and ready to write again.

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?

Jacquelyn: Well, wow, neat question. Basically, the answer is: I sleep. I get most of my best stuff from my freaky little dreams. The worst thing to happen to me was falling victim to sleep apnea and fibromyalgia. Together they robbed me of dream time almost completely. Now that I have been diagnosed it is much, much better and back to normal! Boy, you can complain about the weird stuff you dream all you like, but I really missed it when it was gone. The opening scene of Jacob, leaping from pole to pole and that perspective of looking down on the world like some kind of superhero, that was the dream I’d had initially for that book. So glad I wrote it down!

Debra: I'm glad you did too! It's fascinating how rich our dreams can be and what stories they contain.

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

Jacquelyn: Oh yeah. Most definitely. Which is very handy, especially when they are running throughout several stories. Isabella, for instance, the heroine from Jacob…she has a significant amount of sass and vitality. She really has never cared what people think of her and can’t stand that Jacob does care what his people think of him…and cares deeply. She tells me so. In her voice and body language. I hear Bella’s NY accent in my head, reminding me that she grew up in the Bronx around a mix of ethnicities and cultures and strong attitudes. Coming across another race is nothing to her. She’s lived in a thick mix of cultures all her life. What’s one more?

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?

Jacqueyn: I think that’s obvious if you read Jacob and as we progress throughout the series. I use capitalizations that are inappropriate in the English language to convey the societal importance and the difference in esteem the words hold in Demon culture. I believe this is much to the dismay of the copyeditor. Poor thing. I make up my own rules as I go. My own words. For example…in our language the proper use and spelling is summonsing. I call it Summoning when a Demon is summoned. (summonsed). Ack. I can’t look at that too long or it hurts my brain. Councillor is another. Even capping every instance of the word King--when made in Demon reference. Later in the series I just plain make up my own language. But it has rules, I swear it does! Who knows, maybe one day someone will figure them all out and it’ll be like the Klingon language. I just don’t have that much time on my hands!

Debra: Oh but just think, someone may map out what you are creating instinctively. (Kind of like a musician who plays by ear.) That's pretty cool.

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?

Jacquelyn: Umm. I think I answered that already.

Debra: Yes, you did. Very well I might add.

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

Jacquelyn: These are such awesome questions. Refreshing. Let’s see…Nancy Drew was always a favorite. I started reading her when I was very, very young (long story as to why) and I used to devour the books. Usually I was looking to see how Nancy and Ned made out…back then, they never did! I got tired of Nan never putting out for poor Ned. Heh. Then on to romances I went!

Debra: Thank you! These are the kinds of questions I would ask if we were sitting around having a glass of wine. :) Nancy Drew was one of my favorites too. Poor Ned. LOL

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?

Jacquelyn: That story exists. It’s right here on my laptop. No story I create will ever lack romance or sex. They are so integral to our human drives, so I always imagine them to be integral to every humanoid species. Kate Duffy, my editor, doesn’t put limitations on me. I don’t write thinking what is popular or expected of me…I've only edited that way (before Kate and Kensington told me I could do whatever I wanted) in anticipation of submission. Sometimes people get freaked if you are too radical. I know some authors who are shunned for walking out of step and that’s as good as crushing creativity at its inception. The more I work with Kensington the more I spin out of the mainstream. I expect people won’t like that. I expect others will love it. We’ll see.

Debra: So much of the advice authors hear is about writing to the market and it makes me cringe. How many good stories are shuffled away out of fear? Kate sounds like an awesome editor to work with. I hope your stories spin as far as you want to take them.

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?

Jacquelyn: Yes. Think of literacy, art and schooling. This is where we learn to use imagination and to either think freely or become automatons. Every year more and more arts programs are being shredded away and science and math are becoming a central focus. We are also imbedding our fears into our kids and stunting their imaginations. For example, my sister once punished my nephew severely for tying a towel around his neck and running around playing Superman. C’mon…who didn’t pretend to be a superhero when we were young? When I protested she said something to the effect of “I don’t need him running around thinking he can jump off stuff and fly!” I realize she thought he was going to get hurt, but I guess I saw more damage in the way she was suppressing his natural imagination. There has to be a better way, a way of meeting the two in the middle. Safety vs. imagination. Math vs. English. Arts vs. Practicality. If we used our imaginations, we could figure that out…don’t you think?

Debra: Oh how sad. My boys used to jump off the furniture playing "soup man". It was so cute. Yes, I think if we used our imaginations to the fullest and without fear we could figure out how to change many things.

Jacquelyn, 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 Monday with Sonya Kate

Make-Believe Mondays is a day late because I just got back from a week in the Caribbean and yesterday Blogger wouldn't let me in. It should have been a quick publish but sometimes the simple things aren't so simple.

So without further delay, here is Sonya Kate!

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

Sonya: I would love to share the new manuscript with all of you, but I’m very secretive about my writing. Not one person sees it until the novel is ready for editing. My husband isn’t even privy to my work, no matter how much he pesters me for a peek.
What I can tell you is that the next book is also a contemporary women’s fiction novel, set in the south. People in the industry have dubbed me the “Queen of Angst.” I can assure you the next book will be filled with more of the same.

Debra: Ah, a woman of mystery. There's nothing wrong with that. I've found the more I talk about a work in progress, the more it takes away from the momentum of actually writing it. There is much to be said for keeping the work behind a curtain until it is ready.

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?

Sonya: My creative cup stays filled by watching every day events, people and circumstances. Traveling to different states, countries and environments also helps keep my reflection on reality genuine.

I believe this is why I connect so well with country music, its artists and fans. This entire genre of music was founded on the simplicities of life mostly derived from rural or small-town America – these are places I take comfort in most.

Probably the most important factor is that I’ve been diagnosed with Lupus, Anti-Phospholipid Disease, suffered a stroke and was told six years ago that seven to ten “good” years was about all I had left. I didn’t ask the doctors whether that terminology meant “here on this earth” or “quality of life.” Therefore, not one person, amount of time or situation in my existence is taken for granted. Each day is truly lived to its fullest and considered a gift.

When someone is diagnosed with something so horrible, they tend to notice the smaller or simpler things and be thankful for the little favors that God allows them to experience. Therefore, my cup is replenished daily.

Debra: Such a beautiful message and how often we rush past the little things on the way to something we think is important.

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

Sonya: While my characters are born in my dreams, they start to come to life as each new chapter unfolds. Then, during the editing process the characters really start to shine and gain emotional momentum.

I find it exciting to edit because characteristics, a sense of self fulfillment out of angst and tragedies can be layered and layered until the final version is reached. This is what I believe adds that extra flavor and really tugs at the heartstrings of my readers.
No matter how many times editing is done, there is always some element that can be added or improved upon to allow depth and growth to any of the characters. Therefore, can we say any manuscript is truly finished?

Debra: Stories are a bit like people who are works in progress and I've always believed the best works are those in which we can come back again and again learning something we hadn't before. Little nuances we didn't notice the first time.

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?

Sonya: Yes, all of my books come from dreams. When I fall asleep, it’s like turning on a television set to the Lifetime Network or illuminating a movie screen. What’s odd is that I can wake up, lay back down and pick up the dream where it was interrupted.

In the mornings, I always remember what I’ve dreamt and type it. If I’m unable to write for a few days often times I can remember the dream and write it at a later time.

“Tides of Time” came to me in a dream several years before I actually wrote it. I literally carried the story around in my head for years until it was finally time to put thoughts to paper.

For me, sleep allows time to turn off all logic and allow original fiction to come to light in an uninhibited way.

Debra: What a gift to be able to remember those dreams and how wonderful to be able to share that gift with your readers.

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

Sonya: Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone With the Wind.” I’ve read “Gone With the Wind” more times than I can count.

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?

Sonya: It’s come to my attention recently that most readers secretly want to become writers/authors, but all too frequently find themselves too busy with life to do so.

If anyone can learn anything from me, it’s that no matter what obstacles stand in your way, if you have the urge to write – just do it. Can you imagine what it would be like if all the authors you love to read were too busy and never published their work – what wonderful stories we would’ve missed out on?

Having your work published is truly the most rewarding experience you can have as a person. When you see the delight on someone’s face that has enjoyed something you’ve written from a dream – it makes everything you’ve sacrificed to write that novel worth while.

I welcome friend requests and e-mails. Please feel free to write me with any questions or comments you may have.

SonyaKateChilders/MySpace.com

SonyaKateChilders.net

RomanticTimes.com

Make-Believe Mondays With Jade Lee

Jade Lee is visiting with us today on Make-Believe Mondays. Jade gave an excellent workshop at the Romance Writers of America conference last year, where I met her for the first time. I'm happy to have her with us today.

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



Jade: I’m working on the final revisions for Tempted Tigress, my June 2007 book. It’s probably the last of the Tigress series for a while. I need a break from dark Asian sensuality! (I’m thinking of wandering into funny, contemporary Asian sensuality!). Anyway, Tempted Tigress is a little different from the other tigress books. It’s still about a form of Tantrism (sex leading to the ultimate religious experience) but this time it’s more of an adventure story. A white woman is trying to escape China only to run afoul of the Imperial Enforcer! (yes I made up that name, but it’s still fun!) He’s the man appointed by the Emperor to get rid of opium in China. No small task. And what else would a white woman be doing in the middle of China but running drugs? Hmmm…well, she might be learning about her sexuality with a sexy Chinese cop!

Debra: That is fun! I can't wait to read it!

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?

Jade: I read. I rollerblade. I daydream. But mostly I watch tv and read.

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

Jade: About the time Stephen Spielberg calls and says he wants to make a movie from my book and has already got Jet Li to play my hero. No, actually, very early. Before I even start, I have to have a good idea of who the people are. I’m not always so sure what they’re going to DO, but I do know who they are.

Debra: Oh, I hope you get that call! That would be awesome!

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?

Jade: Something always gives me the beginning of the story. A long time ago, I had the idea of my hero and heroine making out behind a couch (in secret) when another couple comes into the room to make out. It ended up in No Place for a Lady by Katherine Greyle (my other, older pseudonym).

And of course, there’s my famous acupuncture scene that begins Burning Tigress. My heroine speeds around a corner after her young brother who has just stormed into the hero’s bedroom (hero is their First Boy servant). And the hero—Ken Jin—has done acupuncture on his male organ. Charlotte’s first thought is: What an enormous penis! Her second thought is: Why is he sticking needles into his enormous penis? That scene just cracked me up and so I built a story from there.

Debra: That cracks me up too. :) Puts acupuncture in a whole new light!

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

Jade: ALWAYS! I loved the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis. I wrote my undergraduate thesis on the books. LOVE NARNIA!! It was my Harry Potter. Read the books over and over and over. Made up stories and animals to play with there. Had hundreds of daydream hours in Narnia.

Debra: Narnia was one of my favorites too.

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?

Jade: Take time out to be quiet, to settle with your own thoughts, and to daydream. Who knows what you might discover lurking right there in your own head!

Finally, make sure to visit my website: www.jadeleeauthor.com (I’ve got the author part in there to distinguish me from jade lee the porn star.) Yes, there really is one!

Debra: I can just imagine the email inquiries you get!

Jade: And look for my latest 2 books, both just came out in January. Cornered Tigress by Jade Lee and then for you fans of Crimson City, I have a novella in the new Shards of Crimson anthology. I hope both stories feed the tigress in you!

Debra: Jade, 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 Renee Russell

Today on Make-believe Mondays I'm pleased to introduce a very dear friend of mine who writes under the name Renee Russell. Renee's first book, Kate's Pride sold to Wings and I'm thrilled for her.

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

Renee: “Kate’s Pride” goes on sale this month. I’m really excited that this book made it into print. It’s a Southern Gothic historical in the tradition of Tennessee Williams and William Faulkner – although I certainly don’t consider myself in the same league as those two giants!

Debra: I feel priviledged to have been one of the few to read the manuscript before you sold it and I can say that your voice is your own unique, Southern style. I'm counting the days until my copy arrives in the mail.


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

Renee: I start with a “What if?” and the characters grow from there. I have the broad strokes of the story in my head before I begin and the characters come alive within the first chapter. That’s usually when they tell me their names and reveal their personalities.

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

Renee: I loved the Boxcar stories and the Trixie Belden stories. I wanted to be Trixie when I grew up. Later when I read Gone With the Wind I wanted to be Scarlett O’Hara

Debra: The Boxcar Children were some of my favorites as well.

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

To learn more about Renee visit
http://www.reneerussell.com/

Make-Believe Mondays with Gerri Russell

First I'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year! It's hard to believe it's been a whole year since I started Make-believe Mondays. Your response has been so strong that I have decided to continue this blog for many years to come. Monday is always a difficult day of the week, returning to work after an enjoyable weekend and it is my hope that this blog brings a smile and a good start to your work week. Thank you for making us a part of your Monday.

Today is also a very special Monday because today my friend and ATII sister Gerri Russell, winner of the American Title II contest is here with us on Make-believe Mondays. This is a day all the ATII sisters have been waiting for and I'm thrilled to be able to announce that Gerri's book The Warrior Trainer hits the bookstores tomorrow!



Gerri, 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?

Gerri: The kind of dreams that play a role in creating fiction for me are not the kind you have while you're asleep. I'm an active dreamer. One thing I have always been grateful for is that my mother, and other very influential people in my life, never set limits for me. I was never told I had to be any certain thing--only my own dreams could hold me back. So I grew up dreaming big dreams. And definitely one of those dreams was to become an author.

I feel that it is our dreams that give our lives focus and drive. I've had the desire to become an author for so many years, and have actively pursued that goal for the past thirteen. Finally seeing that dream become reality with the publication of my first book, The Warrior Trainer, has been one of the most amazing moments of my life.

Many people have asked me lately, "where will you go from here? What's your next dream?" I would have to say, the next big dream is to have a career as an author and to keep writing stories that touch people's hearts, fill their lives with joy, or bring them hope during difficult situations.

Debra: Gerri, you're an inspiration. You've achieved a dream and your story will motivate hundreds of authors to follow their dreams of being an author. I'm sure you'll achieve every one of your goals.

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

Gerri: I grew up reading everything and anything I could get my hands on. Favorites of mine will always be the classics: J.R.R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, but also when I was younger I used to devour mysteries featuring Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. I'd say my reading tastes now are very eclectic at best! I'll read science fiction, and romance, and murder mysteries, and autobiographies with the same passion.

Debra: 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?

Gerri: If there were no rules but those dictated by the imagination, I'd probably be writing what it is I write now. As a writer, I've evolved over the years to write about characters who are trying to figure out who they are. Mix that with a bit of the mystical and a bit of legend and a bit of fantasy, and that's the kind of story you'll get from me.

Debra: And that is a story I can't wait to read. I'll be first in line at my local independant book store tomorrow!

Gerri, thank you for visiting us here on Make-believe Mondays to share a bit of the magic of writing with our readers.

You can find Gerri on the web at www.gerrirussell.net or at www.blogspot.titlewave.com

Make-Believe Monday with Emily Erdlin

Today on Make-Believe Mondays our guest is Emma Sinclair.

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

Emma: A few months ago I was driving to my local RWA Chapter meeting and a hero popped into my head. His name was Harold Satanski, and he informed me he was the devil and wanted a story.

His story seems to be evolving quite a bit, and wouldn't ya know it, he has a bunch of manly hero material brothers. I have a feeling they could keep me busy for quite a while. But it promises to be quite a ride!

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?

Emma: Honestly, I don't think I'm in danger of my creative well ever running dry. There's just too much stuff rattling around in that brain of mine. Especially, with reading, people watching, that just adds to the well and it's stuff that I can't not do.

The bigger problem for me is (to keep going with the well analogy) the crank that moves the bucket and brings the water to the surface. The well is always full, but it's not always easy to get the words on paper. Especially, as Bradbury said, letting only the beautiful stuff out. There's usually a lot of extra crap to go along with the beauty!

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?

Emma: I make up words all the time, lol!!! Of course, it's usually because the word that I actually want is just right there on the tip of my brain, but I can't come up with it. And I like to take words and make them into different parts of speech (NaNoliscious is one I used frequently during November.)

So I don't necessarily do it to be creative, or because I'm playing with language. I do it because I'm forgetful, lol!

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

Emma: I think as authors we get asked this question a lot, and EVERY time I'm asked about a book from my childhood, one book instantly pops into my head. It was a book called Hester in the Wild by Sandra Boynton (she draws cards and books and lots of other stuff today still). The thing was, I HATED this book, and it totally traumatized me.

Hester was a boy going on a camping trip. First, he got a hole in his canoe, so he cut a hole in his tent to patch it. But then that night, it started to rain and water came in the hole. So he flipped the tent over, but the gophers came and took over his tent. He somehow tricked the gophers into leaving, but then they got their friend the bear to come and avenge them and the bear kicked another hole in Hester's canoe.

Hello?

That was a kids book?

Maybe that's waht inspired my extreme need for Happily Ever After?

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?

Emma: Honestly, I'm not sure I'd write anything differently than I am now.

When I write, I'm not out to make a statement, or change the world, that's fine and dandy if people want to do that, but really, all I want to do is tell a good story.

I don't really care if readers remember the nitty gritty details of my book, heck, I don't even really care if they remember the hero and the heroines names. But I want readers, when they hear my name, or the name of one of my books, to smile and say, "hey, I read that, and it was an enjoyable few hours of my life."

That may change in the future, it probably will as things in my life change, I'm sure. But right now, I'm not trying to help anyone or touch anyone or make anyone think. I'm just trying to entertain.

Visit Emma at http://www.emmasinclair.com
and http://www.emmasinclair.com/blog

Emman, 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 Monday with Jane Beckenham

Today on Make-Believe Mondays I pleased to introduce Jane Beckenham. Jane writes for Treble Heart Books.

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

Jane: Hi there, Right now I’m working on a Regency set in 1815, just before the battle of Waterloo. This is a real departure for me, as although I’ve written time travel/romances and contemporary romances, the Regency period is something quite new. But I’m loving it. I started it as a chapter for the Avon Regency chapter competition online and it’s grown into a story all its own.

Debra: Quite a few authors participated in the Avon competition. It will be interesting to see what stories come out of that.

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?

Jane: Sleep! Really. Sometimes I find the best answers to writing quandaries and new ideas come just at about 5 a.m. when I’m starting to wake up. I love to think of characters and their names and dream up book blurbs and often a story evolves simply from that.

Debra: I'm convinced our subconscious works as we sleep, creating and planning. This time of year we all get less sleep than usual, with the holiday parties and extra things on our to do lists. Writers find it harder to write during the holiday season and this is a great remiinder to remember to get enough sleep. Thanks, Jane. I needed that reminder.

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

Jane: Usually by about chapter three. I’ve got to know them, and particularly the heroes I find by then I’m starting to fall for them big time.

Debra: There is something about chapter three. Several other authors I know experience the same thing (myself included)

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?

Jane: Yes I did this in a manuscript – as yet unsold set in a make believe island off the Mediterranean, a mixture of an Arabic world and Spanish culture. Perfume was a big ‘industry’ for the island and so the research was great fun. So too was creating the country’s history and flavour etc.

Debra: Fascinating! I hope to read this one day.

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?

Jane: My recent release – Always A Bridesmaid (www.trebleheartbooks.com) began as a dream at the Romance Writers Conference here in New Zealand, I dreamt of the hero in his cupid boxer shorts rescuing the heroine from a hotel fire, I could see him so well. He made my toes curl!

Debra: Mmmm. I can just see this.

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

Jane: Only a story about Tina the talking doll. I loved my dolls.

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?

Jane: Probably a time-travel going back to the past, but of course with a great romance in it, one where the true test of belief and love everlasting is tested to the limits, but of course will always come true. Think of the harshest thing a person might have to go through and life, and think of them succeeding, overcoming everything all because they absolutely love the other person so much, they couldn’t live without them.

Debra: Then, Jane, you must write that book.

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?

Jane: I’ve always been a great daydreamer, thinking of myself in different situations, places. Dreams are free, they give us freedom to wander the world and be whoever we want to be just for this moment in time. Isn’t that a wonderful thing we have the chance to do, and as often as we want to.

Happy reading everyone.
Jane Beckenham

Visit my web site at: www.janebeckenham.com
Receive my newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RomanceauthorJaneBeckenham/

Always a Bridesmaid - by Jane Beckenham
Be My Valentine - by Jane Beckenham
Woman of Valor - by Janelle Benham
Available through Treble Heart Books
www.trebleheartbooks.com
Coming soon: Leap of Faith - by Janelle Benham

Jane Beckenham lives 'down-under' in New Zealand, a land also known as Aotearoa. As a mother to two daughters (teenagers!!) and wife to Neil, life is a round of playing mum's taxi service, hoping she can conjure up a gourmet delight for the evening meal and scraping every moment at the computer, all the while wondering what her hero and heroine are up to behind her back!

Jane, thank you for visiting us here on Make-Believe Mondays to share a bit of the magic of writing with our readers.

Make-Believe Monday with Jenna Bayley-Burke

Today on Make-Believe Mondays I'd like to introduce Jenna Bayley-Burke. Jenna writes for Harlequin Mills & Boon.

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

Jenna: Egad. Right now? I’m in the last throws of a story I wrote for pure decadence – Her Cinderella Complex. I hope my editor likes it, but I did it without a plan so she has no idea that a runaway bride gets to have her honeymoon anyway story is coming her way. I have to finish it this week. I’m writing a new book for NaNoWriMo (www.nanowrimo.org)

Debra: Well, if she chances upon this blog, your secret is out! It sounds like an intriguing story.

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?

Jenna: Reading. Reading is my favorite thing. It really recharges me. As does taking walks with my kids. We have gorgeous nature parks near by and running them through the trails wears them out, so I can write while they nap.

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

Jenna: Absolutely. Sometimes it happens right away, other times it takes a few chapters. When it takes a bit, I find I wind up starting the book where the characters came in and throwing away those first pages.

Debra: Yes. Because in those early pages, they weren't alive yet.

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?

Jenna: My heroine in Cooking Up A Storm plays with words. I don’t. It was strange writing her, she had the strangest way of putting things. Most of her musings were cut by my editor who doesn’t think I am as funny as I think I am. Lauren, the heroine, had a fresh take on most things – calling parties a social swirl, boring party guests were socially stunted, and terming people who monopolize discussions conversational masturbaters. She was one of those witty people you see on TV, and she lived in my head.

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

Jenna: John Dennis Fitzgerald’s The Great Brain (and all the rest in that series).

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

Visit Jenna at http://www.jennabayleyburke.bravehost.com/

Make-Believe Monday with Becky Motew

Today on Make-Believe Mondays I'd like to introduce Becky Motew.

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

Becky: It’s about three women who shop at the same grocery store. Well, it’s about other things too, including lottery theft, treacherous boyfriends, and academic intrigue.

Very soon I plan to write a book called DALLIANCE WOMAN, about a woman who dates three married guys at the same time. It’s not me, I promise!!!

Debra: Well I should hope not!

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?

Becky: That’s a very good question. It’s a combination of what you let into your brain, including books, TV, regular life (whatever that means for you—for me it’s teaching, for someone else it’s log rolling), and what kind of program or schedule you have for letting all that out onto the page. If you only sit down to write once every six weeks, you’re going to be filled way up with creative ideas (probably), but some of them are buried underneath by then and you won’t remember them. The brain is a big saucepan and you provide the spoon, stirring up ideas.

Debra: Oh, I like that image, creativity being like a stew rich with flavors. And no soup or stew ever tastes the same unless you follow a recipe.

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

Becky: Definitely. I think that happens for me when I write their dialogue. That’s when they seem most real. “HEY! IT’S ME!!! DON’T KILL ME OFF!!! PAY ATTENTION BECAUSE I’M A REAL PERSON!!!”

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?

Becky: Mostly I think I stay in the realm of the real, so I don’t think I have created places that no one has ever heard of. The places I create are places we have all been. But I do adore names. I think names say everything, for instance Jane Austen’s gossipy character Fanny Assingham. Sometimes I go overboard on that, I know I do, but I can’t help it. Names are such an opportunity—they’re like titles in that regard. I named a character in COUPON GIRL, the big boss from the corporate headquarters, Lou Lambaster. It seemed right.

Debra: That's a great name! Dickens is another author who used great names. Tiny Tim and Scrooge. So fitting.

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?

Becky: No, but a couple of nightmare dates have.

Debra: You realize I'll be pestering you for those stories at the next RT convention.

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

Becky: Many many books pulled me in as a child. LITTLE WOMEN was one. The Enid Blyton mysteries were favorites. NANCY DREW of course and all the girl detective sagas. My father took me to the library every Friday night while my mother went to the grocery, so I had the leisure of working my way through the stacks. I’m sure my mother appreciated the peace and quiet. Little did she know I would eventually write a grocery store book, haha.

Debra: What a wonderful father daughter outing!

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?

Becky: I think I would still write in a realistic context. The wildest imaginary plots are sitting right beside us in church, or on the bus, or next door. You’ve heard the saying “truth is stranger than fiction”? It is.

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?

Becky: What would life be like without imagination and dreams? They are two of the privileges we get as humans, aren’t they? They make life better because we can escape from the humdrum and see something new and different shining in the distance, even if it’s only Harvey the imaginary rabbit, and worse because we can’t sustain it or make it last or stay there as long as we would like. A writer doesn’t give up, though. A writer tries to capture this world and make it last, at least on paper. Don’t forget, I have no idea what I’m talking about.

Debra: Oh, but you know more than you think you know. We all do.

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

Becky: Thank you for having me, Debra.

Debra: You're quite welcome.

Visit Becky at www.beckymotew.com

Make-Believe Mondays With Shobhan Bantwal

Technically today is Tuesday, but I'm hoping you'll all forgive me for running a day late. I was on deadline to get a manuscript to my agent and when that happens everything else goes on hold. (Yes, even sleep.) But this is what it takes to have a career in publishing. This is a hurry up and wait kind of business. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Today our guest is Shobhan Bantwal. I'm not going to try to categorize her books because they are unusual. So I'll let Shobhan tell you herself.

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

Shobhan: My manuscript, The Dowry Bride, is set in India and the theme is woven around India’s notoriously offensive dowry system. Yes, sadly the custom still exists. This project is the first of a two-book deal, and is slated for release by Kensington Books in Sept. 2007.

It’s the tale of a young Indian bride whose parents can’t afford to pay a dowry, hence she’s about to be killed by her husband and mother-in-law. She accidentally discovers their evil plot just in time and escapes a potentially gruesome death. She seeks asylum from a man who not only protects her but helps heal her broken heart.

Debra: Already this young bride tugs at my heart.

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?

Shobhan: My creativity is constantly fueled by reading other authors, seeing news items that capture my interest, by talking to people from all walks of life, and even day-to-day experiences.

Recently, my husband and I were on a cruise of the Greek Isles and the airline lost our luggage before we boarded the ship. We managed to make do with two sets of clothes for several days. Despite the aggravation of it I saw a story in there somewhere. There’s always a story in every event, be it good or bad, dramatic or mundane.

Debra: How true! Whether in an exotic location or a small town, there are stories just brimming all around us.

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

Shobhan: My characters seem to take shape and come alive in my mind even before I start writing a story. They’re the ones that usually form the framework of my books. I then build up the plot around their personalities. I use as many elements of my Indian culture as possible to make the characters unique and the story richer and more intriguing.

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?

Shobhan: My nightmares certainly play a role in my plots. I’m especially terrified of snakes and they feature in my stories often. In the Hindu religion, the cobra has religious significance and it is alluded to in this first book. An entire scene is devoted to the protagonist’s evil mother-in-law becoming obsessed with a cobra getting killed in her home and the possibility of a curse befalling her and her family.

Debra: Fascinating!

Shobhan: Naturally, like me, the character’s screaming bloody murder when she sees a reptile slithering into her kitchen.

Debra: I'd be screaming too. (I can't even watch them on TV. I have to close my eyes during the snake scenes.)

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

Shobhan: Growing up in India, I loved reading Enid Blyton and an illustrated British series called Schoolgirls’ Picture Library. Both of them had a tremendous influence on me. They made a fictional world come alive for someone who grew up in a small, rural town in India, and where reading was just about the only source of entertainment.

Debra: But what a rich source of entertainment it is.

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?

Shobhan: Funny you should ask that, because most of my stories fit into the no-genre, no-category area. I just write what interests me, i.e. a little romance, a bit of mystery, and a sprinkling of various other elements.

I wasn’t sure if there would be a market for my kind of writing, but thank goodness, a few agents liked what I wrote and then Kensington has an editor who feels very passionate about it. I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed that a wide audience will like it enough to buy it and spread the word as well.

I sure hope you’ll read my books too, Debra.

Debra: I will definately be reading them. And I'll suggest them for the bellydance book group I belong to. (They are just finishing the Dancing Girls of Lahore.)

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?

Shobhan: A wild imagination is what a fiction writer thrives on. I used to suppress that creative portion of my brain, until I decided to become a writer. Now I let my mind roam as it pleases. I try to take notes when something interesting comes to mind.

My message for readers is this: Keep an open mind when you pick up a book, any book, especially one that deals with a different culture. You not only derive entertainment but learn so many interesting things about people around the world.

I hope everyone who reads your blog will visit my web site and read my short stories and articles. The site is: http://www.shobhanbantwal.com/

I love feedback, so feel free to post it on the web site.

Thank you, Debra, for your kind invitation. I’ve enjoyed doing the interview and sharing my thoughts.

Debra: Shobhan, thank you for joining us here on Make-believe Mondays to share a bit of the magic of writing with our readers.

Make-Believe Mondays With Alice Brilmayer

Today on Make-believe Mondays our author is Alice Brilmayer, who is celebrating her birthday in two days. Happy Birthday Alice! Alice has written for Red Sage and Cerridwen.

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

Alice: I’m working on a historical English erotic romance. For some reason lately, fantasies of kidnapping a handsome man for purposes of hot sex have intrigued me. I had to figure out what would justify a woman doing that, so I thought I’d make her (mistakenly) believe that he’d stolen her sister’s virtue. As her sister was the family’s hope for moving up in society, her parents then married her off to an older and sadistic nobleman who treated her as little more than a prostitute for him and his lecherous friends. My heroine plans to make the hero pay for his seduction of her sister. When he protests his innocence, she doesn’t believe him. It doesn’t help that he has a well-deserved reputation for being a rake (although he doesn’t mess with virgins for practical reasons and on general principle).
The book has been requested by a New York house, but it hasn’t been sold yet. We shall see.

Debra: Fingers crossed for you Alice. It sounds like a good one.

Alice: I also just finished an erotic shapeshifter novella for www.changelingpress.com. My hero can change from human to motorcycle and back. That was a trip.

Debra: How unusual!

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?

Alice: I love dreams for inspiration. Often, they get changed substantially before they make it into the book. My second novella for Red Sage (Secrets, Volume 6) “The Education of Miss Felicity Wells,” was the result of a dream in which I was two different women on a barge floating down a river. One of the women was an adult teaching a young man how to pleasure a woman. The other was a young woman being schooled by an adult man in her own sexual response. The second story got translated to Victorian Boston in which Miss Felicity Wells approaches a well-known hedonist to teach her how to satisfy her husband in bed. Needless to say, they end up together.

I have a fantasy coming out from Cerridwen (Child of Balance) that started as a dream. I was watching the birth of a remarkable child. She was much too mature for a newborn and emerged within the sac. When she tore through the sac, she made instant eye and emotional contact with me while her parents were oblivious to what was going on. I also used some other sequences from my own dreams in that book.

Debra: What a fascinating dream!

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

Alice: C. S. Lewis! The Narnia Chronicles and the Space Trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength). What magnificent fantasies. Even as a child, I wanted to be able to recreate that kind of world – at least for myself, but ideally for other people, too. I haven’t yet achieved anything close, but I’m hoping my fantasy from Cerridwen starts taking me in that direction.

So far, I’ve been extremely disappointed that romance hasn’t done much in the way of fantasy. It appeared there would more overlap, but I don’t think that’s coming to be. What a shame. Specifically, I’d like to see fantasy romance other than unicorns, fairies, and dragons. I don’t have anything against unicorns, fairies, and dragons, but I think we should do even more fanciful stories that come completely from our imaginations, not out of pre-existing folklore. Child of Balance contains a romance in part of the book, and the hero and heroine are united in the end, but it isn’t a romance. If I do a sequel, I think I’ll make it more of a romance within the world I’ve created. I’m afraid I’m no C. S. Lewis, though. Sigh.

Debra: He was a master. Few that have come after him even come close. But maybe one day...

Alice: For romance, I fell in love with Mr. Rochester and Rhett Butler. What girl hasn’t?
And then, Shakespeare. There’s no one else in the English language like Shakespeare.

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?

Alice: See my answer above. Romance, love, and sex in a world like the ones C. S. Lewis could create. I hope to live another 30 years. Maybe I’ll get a little closer to that in my lifetime. Maybe not, too.

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?

Alice: I should add that I was a child of television. I watched TV, including old movies, the whole time I was growing up. It did great things for my imagination. Television – even things that aren’t particularly “cultural” can expand minds. I’d avoid violence for kids, though.

Old movies are great, too. Some of the best movies ever made were from the 30’s. All the screwball comedies – Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart, the Marx Brothers, W. C. Fields. What great fun and really good for kids. Everyone should see Harvey at least once in their lives. I watch it at least once a year.

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

Visit Alice at http://home.pacbell.net/halice

Make-Believe Mondays With Kim Amburn

Today on Make-believe Mondays I'm pleased to introduce my friend from RWAonline, Kim Amburn. Kim sold her first book to Triskelion this year and we're all very excited for her. (Have you noticed how many of my author friends have come from this writing chapter?)

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

Kim: A divorced housewife desperate for money takes a job with a private investigator uncovering suburban secrets and stumbles across a dead body, a missing socialite and the love of her life.

Debra: It sounds like an intriguing story!

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?

Kim: Mainly by reading all different types of genres. I not only try to read all the subgenres of romance, I read outside romance as well - mystery, horror, YA. My love of reading is why I became a writer and it helps stimulate my imagination.

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

Kim: Absolutely. About seventy-five pages in, the characters start to take over. I've tried to plot extensively before I start the book but have found that the characters tend to come up with better scenarios themselves so I've learned to let them take over and my manuscripts are much better for it.

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?

Kim: Funny you should ask. Dreams, which will be released by Triskelion Publishing in April of next year, arose from a dream, or rather a nightmare I had. The final book didn't resemble the dream, but the basic plot stemmed from the image I awoke with in the middle of the night.

Debra: Fascinating! I can't wait to read it.

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

Kim: Growing up, I read just about anything I could get my hands on, but, even then, I loved a book with a mystery. I still have several Trixie Belden's and Nancy Drew's which I plan to pass on to my daughter.

Debra: What a treasure, to be able to pass that joy along to your daughter.

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

Visit Kim at http://kimamburn.blogspot.com/ and watch for her book in April!