Autoras en la Sombra's Interview with Patrice Michelle  

AS: Patrice, first of all we want to thank you for sharing a little of you precious time with all of us. We are really honoured to have you here answering these questions, and of course we want to congratulate you for the success of your all your work, and for your upcoming books.

PM: Thank you so much, ladies! I really appreciate your kind words.

AS: When did you decide to become an author and why did you choose to write romantica? What do you like the most about writing romance-sensual novels?

PM: I've always been an avid reader, ever since elementary school.  But it wasn't until I was fifteen and I finished reading a book that left me smiling that I told my mom, "One day I'm going to be an author."  I didn't write my first novel until I was in college, and even though I didn't finish that book, I was hooked on the entire writing process. I knew that's what I wanted to do.

Fast forward a decade, and during the process of moving, I thought I'd lost the computer file of my first novel. I panicked that I might've lost all that hard work and sat down to read the story.  It was a pretty good story, the characters were strong and likable, and at that moment, I realized I really wanted to do the "writing thing" seriously.  At that point in my life I was mature enough and had enough discipline and drive to sit down and do the work-to see my dream through.  I started writing again and seven months later I sold my first novel.

I never set out to write romantica (TM). I've always preferred reading romances with more descriptive love scenes, so when I started to write my own it made sense that I would write with a sensual tone.  The way I look at it.if I'm going to spend pages and pages describing the characters, their clothes, their homes, their struggles in life, their internal conflicts, then why wouldn't I spend just as much time on their loves scenes-that one true expression of love everyone can relate to.  

What I like most about writing sensual novels is the freedom to let both the hero and heroine be themselves in a typical relationship.  I don't have to cut the scene short or soften it.  I let the people say what they want to say, act how that particular character would react in a certain 'charged' situation.basically.I let my characters "be" without censure.

AS: What is a typical day for you when you're working on a novel?

PM: I write for at least five hours a day, usually in the morning through lunch.  I go somewhere to write, to get away from my computer, email and the internet.  I find that if all I have to do is write, that's all I'll do. No distractions! :o)

AS: How long does it take you to write a story? Do you use to work in several books at the same time?

PM: It takes me about three months to write a full length novel from start to finish.  I've worked on several novellas at the same time, but not full novels. I find that writing a full novel takes all my concentration and effort so that I carry themes all the way through and paint the characters as deep as I can make them.  When I'm working on a novel I'm thinking about plot twists and dialogue scenes in my head even when I'm doing daily chores.so I don't want the distraction of other books and their characters in my subconscious while I'm trying to get the full length novel just right.

AS: I really enjoy your books and I always wonder where do you get ideas for your stories? Do you ever use personal experiences when writing your stories?

PM: Thank so much! I'm thrilled to hear you've enjoyed my books. Honestly, other than songs igniting an idea and dreaming a scene in Resurrection, I have no idea where my ideas come from.  I do start with a basic premise for a story-kind of a three line idea, but that's about all I know at first.  I used to be a seat-of-the-pants writer, but I've evolved into a hybrid type where I do very high level plotting and then I write the story. The high level plotting helps keep me on track but doesn't hamper my muse and make me feel like I can't go down a different path.if I feel that path is better for my characters and the story.

Personal experiences weaved into a story are part and parcel with every author, I imagine.  After all, the stories do come from our imaginations. But that said, for me at least.most of what I write is pure fiction because the story is about two other people and their lives.

AS: Do you read romance yourself? Who are some of your favourite authors and how do you think they've influenced your writing? What would we find on your bookshelf?

PM: Absolutely! I've read romances since I was thirteen and though I read other types of books, romances still remain my favourite genre.  When I was a young teen, I was a historical reader. Now I hardly ever read historical. I prefer Urban Fantasy and Paranormal stories.  Favourite past authors: Johanna Lindsey, Jude Deveraux, Julie Garwood, Amanda Quick, Virginia Henley and Judith McNaught.  Today my favourite authors are: Patricia Briggs, Kim Harrison, Christine Feehan and Marjorie M. Liu to name a few.

AS: What type of research did you do for your books?

PM: A lot of my research is online or personal interviews of experts in the areas I need more information on.  But here are a couple of trips I took for research purposes.

I visited a rodeo and interviewed the stock contractor before I wrote COLT'S CHOICE.

During my trip to Ireland I took lots of notes and realized certain places would make wonderful settings for my third vampire novel A TASTE FOR CONTROL. I believe at least fifty pages of that book were set in Ireland.

AS: What is the hardest part of writing a story? What is the funniest thing that has happened related to your writing?

PM: The hardest part of writing a story for me.the editing process.  I love just sitting down and banging through the story, getting it out of my head and onto the computer.  I think this is my favourite part because so much of the story is still unknown to me at that point.  It's like a puzzling journey I'm taking.and just like my readers do when they sit down to read the final product, I get to discover the full story as it unfolds on my screen.  After I've written the story, the true art begins.ie, the editing process.  That's where I go in and make every scene pop for the readers' senses, where I'll take the readers 'deeper' inside the hero or the heroine's heads and make sure all that angst and love and any other emotions my characters experience are truly felt.

Funniest thing related to my writing.

When a friend introduced me at a party to his neighbours as, "This is Patrice. She writes smut," and then he walked off, leaving me standing there beside this husband and wife with looks on their faces somewhere between shock and horror.  To which, after contemplating all the ways I planned to choke my friend for being 'such a guy', all I could do was smile at the poor people and say, "Weeeeeell, that was a real ice breaker, wasn't it?"

AS: Is there anything in particular, like music, etc, that helps you get into the mood to write?

PM: Actually, as much as I love listening to music, I don't listen to it while I write. Because I see music as a source of inspiration, if I listened to it during the writing process, I wouldn't write. Heh!  I'd spend my writing time listening to the story the musician was trying to tell with his song.  If I'm having difficulty with a scene, I'll walk away and read a book or watch a movie, then I'll come back to writing once my mind has cleared. 

Caffeine does help me write.  If I have a cup of tea or coffee in hand, I feel more invigorated and I just start writing.

AS: What comes to you first, the characters or the plot for a new story? Once the basics are in place, what do you do next?

PM: I have to have three things before I start writing: the hero and heroine's names, the title of my book and a basic three line idea for the story.  Then I can begin to write.  Attributes and personality quirks and other internal conflicts pertaining to the hero and heroine come out in the story as I write it.  Which can be really surprising, let me tell you! *g*  My plots have started out one way and as I've written the story, they've twisted and morphed, going down a whole new path. 

AS: Do you consciously change the types of your characters or do they just form as you write them? Did you ever happen when you finish a book some of your characters are different to the way you have envisioned them in the first place? Do you outline your stories from start to finish, or do you create your story and refine it later?

PM: My characters' basics are pretty set up front, but as I mentioned above, other facets of their personalities do come out later in the book as I write.  They aren't planned. They just happen. It's like the people take on a life of their own and direct me to make sure I paint them exactly as they really are.  I haven't had a main character do a complete one-eighty change on me by the end of the book.  The issues I've run into are more with secondary characters where they'll take on a much stronger role in the story than I had initially planned. Or, I'll have a secondary character who was so strong I had to tone him down so he doesn't take the limelight from the hero.  That usually only works once I promise him he'll get his own book.  ;o)

I do a high level outline that I consider very fluid and could completely change as some aspect of the story deviates.

AS: Your characters are strong, alpha male with a tender side. Two of my favourite are Duncan and Colt. How do you go about in the development of your characters? When do you decide a secondary character must have his/her own book and why?

PM: These are my favourite heroes to write: Strong alphas with a tender side!  My characters are very organic and their little quirks, what makes them tick, their hot buttons.all those things develop as I write the story.  How I develop my heroes has a lot to do with the heroine.  I let my "men" react to their "women". Basically, I let the characters play off each other.  So they drive themselves, defining who and what they are, how they respond, etc based on the people around them and their own pasts coming into play with the present.

Secondary characters get their own stories when they become too strong in the story.  I guess they're trying to tell me, "Hey, I'm a lot more interesting." To which I reply, "Fine. But pipe down for a bit until I get to your story."  That usually pacifies them. :o)

AS: This a difficult one, we know, but... Which of your male and female characters (out of all of your novels) do you think is the most interesting, complex and compelling, and why? 

PM: I can't pick just one, so I'll narrow it down to three: 

Colt from COLT'S CHOICE.  He had such a sad past and then being thrust into fatherhood at such a young age, I could understand his cynicism when it came to trusting women.  I loved his sense of honor, his fairness with business partners and family, his tender side with Elise-the total package made him a great character to write. 

Duncan from A TASTE FOR CONTROL had so much angst about his hybrid status, yet he still gave a part of himself to thousands through his music.  I liked how complex his character turned out to be.

Jachin from RESURRECTION, my upcoming Nocturne.  Jachin is a tortured hero who has "duty" pulling him one way while his heart tugs him in the opposite direction.  His journey was one of the hardest, yet most satisfying I've written.

AS: Why do you think romantica is so popular today?

PM: Personally, I believe that if a story is written with deep emotion, the descriptive love scenes are just icing on the cake, making the appreciation of the story and the connection the readers feel with the hero and heroine that much stronger and more intimate.

AS: You have been writing in the erotic romance genre so far, have you considered writing other types of books?

PM: I definitely plan to write in other genres.  Currently I have a mainstream fiction storyline I'm working on and a Young Adult storyline that I've started as well. 

AS: In the erotic genre there's a tendency to write a story with a lot of sex and very little, and sometimes non-existence, plot. So one of the things I like the most about your books is them are not just a collection of sex scenes, there's also a good plot. Do you think a good plot is important in this genre?

PM: A good plot is key. Every scene in a book is supposed to move the story forward, to help the reader discover something knew about the hero, the heroine and the underlying plot.  Love scenes aren't excluded from this.  They also should enhance the story.something new should be learned about the hero, the heroine, a new complication should arise or even how the hero and heroine react to each other during or after a love scene.  When a relationship goes to a deeper, physical and emotional level, a bond has been formed and that connection should ripple throughout the story, touching every element.

AS: One of the most difficult scenes to write are the sex ones, I can still remember the scene on the elevator from Harms' Hunger and some others. Is difficult for you to write the sex scenes for your books? Is it made any easier knowing that the majority of romance readers are female? Is it hard to keep these love scenes fresh and hot book after book?

PM: I don't find the love scenes hard to write because they are an expression of a physical and emotional response between the hero and heroine.  Sometimes the relationship is in the early stages, like the elevator scene in Harm's Hunger, so the emotions don't/can't run as deep because the characters don't know each other as well.  Other scenes, when the hero and heroine have learned more about each other, go much deeper into the emotions. At that point, it's not about the hero's point of view or even the heroine's point of view, but how they both view each other and how their internal hang-ups and past issues play into their relationship.  Because the vast majority of romance readers are female, I write my love scenes with the female in mind even though the scenes are in both the hero and heroine's points of view. 

As for keeping the love scenes fresh, I only write the scene if the hero and heroine dictate it. In other words, what will make that love scene unique is incorporating the characters' personality traits, their internal conflicts as well as their desires when they finally connect physically and emotionally.

AS: Dark Vampires and sexy cowboys are two kind of characters so many people enjoy. Why do you think a man with fangs and another with a big... hat appeals so much?

PM: For vampires, I believe it's the whole bad boy/he's-from-the-dark-side-and-different-from-me thing.

As for cowboys, these men believe in and uphold a code of honor that seems to be a throwback to the old west days.  I think both archetypes appeal to many women. 

AS: To someone who is just being introduced to your work, what novel of yours would be the perfect introduction?

PM: Since my books are written to be read stand alone, it doesn't matter which book they start with.  If the reader is interested in a contemporary story, I'd tell them to start with Colt's Choice.  If they're interested in paranormal, I'd tell them to start with A Taste for Control.

AS: Can you tell us a little bit about your books and give us a glimpse about the new ones?

PM: I have ten books published in eBook format, nine of which are currently available in print as well.  Right now I have two running series, my Kendrian vampires and my Bad in Boots cowboys.  And now I have a trilogy with Harlequin called Scions.  Several of my other stories are included in anthologies.  Once I get the go ahead from my editor at Harlequin, I'll put up information about Scions on my website as well.  To check out my novels, here's a link where readers can read reviews, blurbs and excerpts at their leisure. 

http://www.patricemichelle.net/novels/index.html

My website also includes a printable listing of all my books, the order they fall in the series and the appropriate ISBN numbers.

http://www.patricemichelle.net/novels/printable.htm

AS: We want to congratulate beforehand for your new Scion Trilogy, which has been sold to Harlequin's Nocturne Line. How do you feel about it? ¿Could you tell us a little about this new Trilogy?

PM:I'm very excited about my Scions Trilogy! Right now the titles are tentatively: Resurrection, Insurrection and Revelation.

The first book Resurrection was inspired by a dream.  The scene in my dream was so surreal I knew I had to write it.  Once I did.an entire story formed around that one scene.

Resurrection is about a librarian who writes a fictional novel about vampires.  Her novel stirs controversy because vampires, though now extinct, at one time did exist in her world as violent, bloodthirsty creatures.

AS: What advice would you give an aspiring writer?

PM: Publishing can be a tough business at times, but always remember why you started writing in the first place.for the love of telling a story.  Continue to hone your craft, attend conferences and make connections in the industry and most of all.keep believing in your talent and capabilities.  NEVER give up! You never know if that next story will be the "one"!

AS:  Do you have anything you'd like to add? Would you like to say anything to your Spanish fans from Autoras en la sombra?

PM: To my Spanish fans: Thank you for enjoying my stories! I'm delighted that my writing translates and speaks to your heart.  It makes me believe love truly is the universal language.

AS: Thank you so very much for sparing the time for this interview for Autoras en la Sombra, it has been a real pleasure to talk to you. We wish you success in your writing career. We are looking forward to see your books published in Spanish very soon. Thanks again!

PM: I would like to thank Autoras en la Sombra for their interest in my novels, for their well-wishes and for taking the time to do this in depth interview with me.  It was a pleasure!

Interview with Bill Freda  

Who wouldn't want to ask a hunky cover model the secrets behind his success?

I first met Bill Freda at the 2003 Kansas City Romantic Times conference where he placed first runner up in the Mr. Romance contest. I was thrilled for Bill when I learned he was picked as one of the cover models that would grace the 2004 Ellora's Cavemen anthologies along with three other well-built models: CJ Hollenbach, Rodney Chatman, and Peter DeCicco.

When I decided to participate in this year's New Jersey RWA conference, I asked Bill if he would attend the book signing sponsored by NJ RWA so he could meet readers and sign the cover of the Ellora's Cavemen: Tales from the Temple II anthology for them as well. What a perfect opportunity for a captive audience.bwahahahhaha, the poor man had no idea I'd be so full of questions!

While Bill was signing away, I asked him what life was like as a model/actor.

Patrice: How long have you been a model?

Bill: 9 years doing print, 7 years runway and stage

Patrice: What do you like most: acting or modeling? **Psssst, my guess is he'll say acting because Bill's good with a crowd.Mr. Social! <g>**

Bill: Acting, it's more dimensional and my true passion.

Patrice: In your RT bio, it said you're a degreed engineer. How did you jump from being an engineer to being a model? Do you miss the 9 to 5 hours from your old job?

Bill: I was both for a while....but when the modeling got really busy, and the acting started, I decided this is what I really wanted to do. So I bought into a fitness facility and began doing modeling/acting full time. No, I don't think I'll ever miss 9 to 5!!!

Patrice: Did you initially set out to be a romance cover model?

Bill: No

Patrice: Has becoming a romance cover model changed your view of the romance genre?

Bill: For one, I never realized how big of an industry it was, and two.....I've learned about the industry itself and how a book makes it to and through publication (not as in-depth as an author would know, but a general idea).

*~*~*~*~*

"...book cover modeling stays what we call "hot" for a longer time after release..." ~ Bill Freda

*~*~*~*~*

Patrice: How does romance cover modeling differ from other modeling jobs?

Bill: Well it pays a lot less (haha). There is a lot more fan interaction and follow-up. Also book cover modeling stays what we call "hot" for a longer time after release. Meaning, it's not like other modeling where the finished product crescendos with its release, and then it's over.

Patrice: Since RT, I believe you mentioned you've added some movie credits to your résumé. What types of roles have you played? And what are the titles of the upcoming movies so the readers can be on the look out for you? Do you have anything new in the works you can share with us?

Bill: I just finished filming the lead in a music video and Bud Light commercial. The song name for the music video is "Warning" by Cheryl Engelhart. I have two films booked for Winter and Spring 2005. They are The Big Cream (no not a porno), and Football. They are both supporting lead roles and they are both independent feature films. I am also slated to play a character in a new television pilot, but I can't disclose any information about that at this time.

Patrice: Are there some days you're so glad you can just get up, throw on a cap, and not have to look your very best or smile for a camera for hours on end?

Bill: Yes, but not because I don't enjoy what I do, but just because I have my business and personal life to attend to as well.

Patrice: Have you ever wanted to role-reverse and be the man behind the camera for once?

Bill: I do some PA (production assistant) work, but other than that.....NO.

Patrice: I took a stroll through your website. It's a very nice site. I imagine the photo gallery is one of the most hit pages on your website. I see you've got some interesting poses and action shots in your gallery. You mentioned that some of the more uncomfortable shots turned out to be some of the best ones. Why is that the case?

Bill: It's kind of a joke, but it does have some truth behind it. It just seems the more uncomfortable the position, the better the shot.

Patrice: When you're not acting or modeling, what do you do in your spare time?

Bill: Running my business, working out, traveling, enjoying movies, and playing & watching sports. (Go Yankees)

Patrice: What do you see yourself doing or want to see yourself doing five years from now?

Bill: Same as what I'm doing now, just a hell of a lot more of it!

Patrice: I'm sure the readers will want me to ask.can they expect to see you at the 2005 Romantic Times conference?

Bill: Most likely.

Patrice: Thanks for being such a good sport in answering my questions! 

~return to top~

 

~~~

An Up Close and Personal Interview with MaryJanice Davidson

You know how sometimes you meet a person and you just immediately click? That's how I felt with MaryJanice Davidson. Actually, maybe I should back up a moment and tell you how MJ and I met. I met MJ when I entered Lori Foster's writing contest. Lori put on a contest where aspiring and established authors could send in 750 words of their work and Lori would pick the best ones. Of those winners, Lori's editor at Kensington would pick the winning entry and that person would get a book contract. That person was MaryJanice Davidson and the subsequent book was Under Cover published by Brava this past year.

I read MJ's 750 word entry and fell in love with her humor. Not only does she have the timing in her humor down to a science, but she also writes steamy-a great combination in my opinion. I laughed so much throughout the Ellora's Cave version of Undead & Unwed that my sides hurt. I can't wait until the Berkley version of Undead & Unwed comes out March 2! Now, to just my hands on a signed version..<grin>

During Lori's contest MJ and I became friends. Not only is she funny in her writing, but her emails cracked me up on a daily basis. So one day, this aspiring author screwed up her courage and asked MaryJanice: Would you consider being my mentor? And she said yes, without ever seeing a bit of my writing. Now that takes courage! LOL!

Sometimes you've just got to believe in fate. With MJ and our friendship, I do. She's been a wonderful friend and an invaluable mentor to me as I went on to sell my first book to Ellora's Cave. She's been there for me from proofing my first query letter to advice on where to submit my work. And even though we don't get to talk as much as we used to (that's a good thing since it means we're busy writing <grin>,) I can't thank her enough for everything she's done for me. All this generosity from a person I'd never met face to face! It was so wonderful to finally meet MaryJanice in person at the Romantic Times conference in Kansas City. It might have been the first time we'd met, but I felt like I'd known her for years instead of only through emails for a year and a half.

I'm so excited to announce that almost every month this year MaryJanice has a book coming out. I thought now might be a great time to get inside MJ's head and get her to tell us a bit about herself. If I know MJ, her answers will be just as entertaining as her books. LOL!

Okay, MJ, the first couple of questions are standard rigmarole. No griping. I'll get to the good stuff later. :o)

P: How long have you been writing?

MJ: I never write. I've been secretly plagiarizing off my protégées for years. That's the big industry trick that nobody ever tells you: writing = stealing = book contract.

Okay, not really. In truth, I've been writing since I was thirteen. I'd scribble short stories when I should have been paying attention in class, then pass the stories around. They were lurid and violent (you know, like my books today). This made me very popular, and explains my mediocre G.P.A.

P: When did you get your first book published?

MJ: In 1999 I published a YA e-book with Hard Shell Word Factory, called ADVENTURES OF THE TEEN FURIES. It's still for sale and is now in paperback as well; www.hardshell.com.

P: Has your writing always been humorous?

MJ: Well, yeah. Even my non-fiction book, ESCAPING THE SLUSH PILE, was funny. It's not that I'm this deep comedic thinker who tries to reach the audience through humor, it's more like I'm this immature 7th grader who never grew up. Poop. Now there's a funny word!

P: What made you chose to write sensual romance?

MJ: I mostly write what I read or, if I can't find them, what I want to read. And I love the connection a couple can make when they make love...especially if they're in danger, or furious, or not even sure there's going to be a tomorrow. I mean, you can always snuggle. The house can be burning down your ears, but you can snuggle. My house burned to the foundation when I was seventeen, so I'm not talking through my ass, here.

P: You write both contemporary and paranormal. Which is your favorite genre to write and why?

MJ: Paranormal, absolutely. It's not that I don't love writing contemporaries, but paranormal is always going to be my first love. (You can love your husband but still have your heart go Tha-Thump whenever you catch sight of The First Guy You Ever Did It With.) I'm 34 and still buy comic books, for God's sake. When I was a kid, the three shows I never, ever missed were Superfriends, The Bionic Woman, and Wonder Woman. I love a heroine (or a hero) who has extra powers, or can turn into a wolf, or rise from the dead. The whole reason I made up Betsy (heroine of UNDEAD AND UNWED) is because I wanted a vampire who wouldn't be caught dead sleeping in an alley, or sulking in her coffin. I wanted a vampire who seemed real. That's what I try to do with all my paranormal work...even if the characters are doing incredible things, they've got to seem real, like people you'd meet up with after work to have drinks with.

P: When you're not writing what do you spend your free time on?

MJ: Reading, reading, reading. I'm voracious. And eclectic! I'll come home from the library with a true crime book, a young adult book, something from the Martha Stewart section, something from the Stephen King section, something from romance (of course!), and sometimes a book on writing. I don't think you can ever know everything in the world about your craft. I get new writing books all the time.

P: What do you find hardest about writing? What do you enjoy most about writing?

MJ: Hardest...well, I used to have an SDJ (Stupid Day Job) and I'd cram in writing when I could. That was my escape, so it didn't seem like hard work. Now I write full-time, and oddly, sometimes it's hard to slam my butt in the chair and make myself write. I'll think of other things to do (like, I dunno, answering interview questions, for example) instead of what I should be doing: working on the project or projects coming due (I often write two books at the same time).

As to what I enjoy most, it's probably a tie from getting a really great idea, selling it to my editor, and getting to start it...and writing THE END. There's such satisfaction in both. The first is like starting an adventure with old friends, and the latter is like finishing the adventure and tumbling into your old familiar bed.

P: Are you a seat of the pants kind of writer or do you plot out your stories?

MJ: Seat of the pants, baby. And stop talking about my pants! I'll usually get a paragraph of an idea, and then have to make up 100 pages about it, or 400. Very occasionally I'll write a synopsis first, but I prefer to make it up as I go along. It's fun to be writing halfway through a book and realize, "Ohhhhh! There's the bad guy! I didn't know that. And he's bad because...ah-ha!"

P: Where does the humor in your writing come from? I'd like to bottle it. I'm sure I'd make a mint! :o)

MJ: Simmer down, Grabby McGee. It basically stems from my raging immaturity. Seriously, I'm 34, I'm married with two kids, and the eight year old is more of a grown-up than I am. But it can bite me in the ass sometimes. I mean, I cannot be serious. It makes me nervous. When I'm around serious people, I start cracking jokes, which makes them more serious, which makes me talk faster, and it's a trainwreck. When I went to the funeral of a friend's father, I got the giggles and had to leave. Was I embarrassed and mad at myself? You bet I was. Could I have stopped? No way.

P: Sometimes the voices in my head nag at me and won't let up until I've written the final word, ie, the story practically writes itself. A TASTE FOR PASSION was that story for me. And no, I don't need to take my pills today, MJ, the men in white coats made sure the straps are extra tight. I'm typing this interview with my toes. <g> Has there been a story like that for you, one you just couldn't stop until it was done?

MJ: UNDEAD AND UNWED, for sure. I just got this idea in my head of a secretary waking up in a coffin, and it wouldn't leave me alone. I knew she was a vampire, but I didn't know how she'd become one (neither did she, as it turned out). It bugged me and bugged me and finally I sat down to write it.

Another one is my single title for Brava, THE ROYAL TREATMENT. I read an article about Seward, who lobbied so hard and so successfully to get the U.S. to buy Alaska. I remember thinking, what if Seward hadn't cared? Or wasn't in Washington that year? What if we hadn't bought it? Then Alaska would have gotten free of Russia and...what?

That bugged me so much, we eventually took a trip to Alaska so I could do some serious research! Anyway, THE ROYAL TREATMENT will be out in stores in May, and thank goodness, because it was digging in my brain like a fishhook until I got it all written down.

P: Out of all the books you've written so far which one is your favorite?

MJ: The two UNDEAD books, and THE ROYAL TREATMENT. If there was a race, UNDEAD AND UNWED would win as favorite, but only by a hair.

P: One of the things I like about your writing other than the humor is that you come up with unique twists, ie the villain from one story is the hero in another. Where do you get your ideas?

MJ: Basically, I look at a shelf of romance books, and try to see what isn't there. Back when I wrote the e-book version of U&U, there were lots of broody male vamps, or bitchy female vamps, but no fun, upbeat, worried-about-her-hair vamps. It was like Betsy was standing in the back of the store, jumping up and down and yelling, "Do my story! Mine!" Then I took my pills and she went away, but only for a while.

For UNDER COVER, I never thought Peter (the villain from the first novella) wasn't such a bad guy; he had a sucky job that forced him to do sucky things. Hey, we've all been there. Or maybe just I've been there. Anyway, I figured, if he met the right woman, he could be...well...heroic. He just needed a chance. So the "hero" for the second novella was born.

P: I think every writer has someone who has inspired them. Who has been inspiring for you?

MJ: Stephen King, actually. I read his book On Writing and it blew me away. But what I really liked about him was that a) he started writing when he was very young, and started writing for publication when he was in his teens, b) his family didn't have a pot to piss in when they were growing up, c) he married young and his new family didn't have much money, either, and d) he eventually struck it rich with his writing, in a manner that changed his life and his family's lives. That's pretty much my story, too (on a much lesser scale, of course, at least right now<g>) so I could really relate to him. Also, he's funnier than shit. And the guy can write. On my best day I couldn't reach him on his worst. I think it helps to have someone to look up to, to aspire to, even if you'll never beat him, or even write him to a draw.

P: You've had a phenomenal past year and a half! In every respect you deserve it. Why don't you tell the readers what it's been like to be MaryJanice Davidson lately? I'm kinda partial to the 'rock rolling down a hill' analogy myself. ;o)

MJ: That damn rock. It's gonna gain on me and kill me one of these days. Well, Patrice is right, it was definitely an amazing 18 months. Sort of makes me scared to see what 2004 holds, to be honest! In a very short time (I quit the SDJ in September 2003), I went from trudging into a job I hated to being a full-time writer. Just the other day I looked out the window and saw it was snowing pretty hard, and then I turned my back on it and sat down at the computer. I didn't have to go anywhere; my new job is writing in the living room. Or I can take my laptop and stretch out on the couch, writing romance and sneaking peeks at M*A*S*H reruns. We're also going to build a new house next year, as we've outgrown this one (I swear I can see the file cabinets inching toward me while I write) and my husband has taken to referring to it as The House That Smut Built. I've also gotten to have more time with my children...I'm home when they get home, now, as opposed to staggering in the door at 6:00. For years, when we lived in Boston, I'd drop the kid (this was when we only had one) off at daycare, take a train for half an hour, take a bus for 25 minutes, get to work at around 9:00 a.m., leave at 6:00 p.m., take the bus, take the train, pick up the kid, and walk in the door at 7:30 p.m. Already past the kid's bedtime and she hasn't been fed yet.

Needless to say, I didn't see a lot of my daughter in those early years, and I bitterly regret it. I'm trying to make up for it now. In fact, I think they're both getting kind of sick of me. J

The rock analogy...well, I once said (Patrice has a frightening memory) my career is like a rock being pushed down a hill. Slow going at first (queries, partials, more queries), then it gets easier (a short story published here, a novella with a small press there), then easier (more novellas, a couple of single titles ), then races down the hill with no help from you (Berkley called, I entered Lori's contest, Kate Duffy called) and finally it's racing along and you can hardly remember that it got all the way down there because you pushed so hard.

P: What advice would you give aspiring writers? (Ahem, no, they can't have you, MJ. You're mine, mine, I tell you!)

MJ: Never never never never never, I mean never use a No. 2 pencil. Okay, I'm kidding, I mean, never give up. If you want to be a writer, you have to write. And don't tell me you're too busy. I don't want to hear from busy. There was a time, not too long ago, either, when I was juggling a full-time job with two kids, and the DH had his hands plenty full, too. Lots of evenings I'd rather doze in front of the TV instead of pounding out chapter seven. And support? Forget about support. Believe in yourself; never mind what your mother or brother or teacher or aunt thinks. They're not the ones in your head, dealing with characters who want to be out, who want to be free. Listen to them. And write.

P: Currently you write for Ellora's Cave, Berkley and Kensington. What challenges do you face writing for several different publishers?

MJ: Juggling deadlines, mostly! If my agent calls telling me Berkley or Kensington has a project they want me to work on, the first thing I have to do is call up my calendar to see what's due when, and figure out when I can deliver. I'd never want to short-change Berkley to get a Kensington work done, for example, and vice versa. But that's really the biggest challenge; Berkley and Kensington are both very easy to write for.

P: Speaking of writing for several publishers, I mentioned above that you have several books coming out this year. Woohoo!!! Why don't you tell us what books are coming out and when so the readers can make a wish list.

MJ: Errrr, why don't I? (Okay, you guys heard it, it was HER idea, not mine.)

Well, let's see.

I just had a novella come out with Ellora's Cave in the FORGOTTEN WISHES anthology; my story's called "Love's Tender Fury", and it's about a jaded novelist in love with her best friend.

In March, the long-awaited paperback version of UNDEAD AND UNWED comes out. It's twice as long as the e-book was, so I'm hoping it'll be worth the wait!

THE ROYAL TREATMENT (the Alaskan parallel universe) is out in May from Brava.

PERFECT FOR THE BEACH is an anthology out from Brava; my story is called "My Thief", and Erin McCarthy and Lori Foster are also in it! It's out in June.

In July, CRAVINGS, an anthology from Berkley, is out. It's got Laurell K. Hamilton and Rebecca York in it as well, so you can imagine I was pretty amazed to find myself in such fine company. My story's called "Dead Girls Don't Dance".

UNDEAD AND UNEMPLOYED, the sequel, is out in August from Berkley.

Also in August, HOW TO BE A WICKED WOMAN, an anthology from Berkley, is out. My story is called "The Wicked Witch of the West Side".

In September, I'm in another Berkley anthology, this one called MEN AT WORK. My story, "The Fixer Upper" is about a haunted house.

In October, the Brava antho MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY is out, my story is called "Undercover Clause".

Finally, in November, I'm in the Brava BAD BOYS WITH EXPENSIVE TOYS anthology, and my novella is a James Bond type called "The World Is Too Darned Big".

There now. Aren't you sorry you asked?

P: Is there anything else you'd like to say that I didn't cover? Hey, I left your kitchen sink intact, didn't I? <veg>

No you did not; I can't find it anywhere. Oh, well. My husband can find it when he gets home.

But seriously (for once), I think that's about it. In fact, most likely more than anyone wanted to know. But I've got to get back to work now...and so do you. Stop reading and go write something.

Warm regards,

MaryJanice

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