Dishing With the Divas

Monica talks covers one more time!

As I sit down to write this final blog for the Divas and contemplate what to say, it seems like it should be something profound—a clever, witty “bon mot” as Candice’s Regency ladies would say, to wrap up what has been a wonderful experience.  But all that I can think of is a heartfelt thank you.  Thank you to the original Divas for asking me to join this amazing group, thank you to the new Divas for the fun and friendship, and thank you to all of you who welcomed this newbie author into the fold with your enthusiasm, encouragement and support.

It’s hard to believe it’s been over two years.  When I was first started blogging I didn’t even have a book out yet—now I’m getting ready for the release of #’s 4-6.  I recently received the covers for my Campbell trilogy and thought I’d share them with you. 

I’m thrilled with how Ballantine managed to keep the same feel, but with new poses, a little more movement, and the architectural detail in the background, made them fresh.  Alas, no Nathan Kamp, but I’m not complaining.  Ing and I have been trying to figure out who the cover model is, so if you know, please share.  I might have to start a fan club. LOL.

Not surprisingly, the topic of covers has been a favorite one around here.  If there is one thing I’ve learned since I joined the Divas it's how important covers can be—particularly to a new author.  The right cover gives the readers subtle clues as to what they can expect and can drive that all important impulse buy. 

For years “clinch” covers dominated, identifying a book as a romance with one glance.  Covers are more varied today, but I think they do the same thing—conveying tone, setting, and even sub-genre.  To me, a muscled torso cover tells the reader that this is a sexy romance with a strong alpha hero.  Add a bit of plaid and we know it’s a Scottish historical.  A cowboy hat, it’s a western.  A long black leather coat, it’s a vampire/paranormal.  A woman with a low cut long dress or lying on a bed naked with a sheet wrapped around her, it’s probably a regency or Victorian.  People running or a tone-on-tone picture of a woman with her head thrown back in terror, it’s a romantic suspense.  Given that we authors typically have very little influence over the cover, the relative importance of a good cover can be a scary proposition.

So I’ll leave you with one last cover question:  If you could choose your perfect cover model who  would it be?  Me?  If you’ve read any of my posts over the past couple years, I don’t think there will be any surprise to hear that I’ll take Gerard Butler.  And just for old time's sake, I'll post yet one more picture of him! (Candice, that brings the grand total to . . . ?)

I’ll send one winning commenter a set of coverflats for my Campbell series and a copy of HIGHLANDER UNCHAINED.  I’m off to the Stanford football home opener tonight so I probably won’t pick my winner until late.  Make sure to check back!
 

Kate says a few last words

First, I want to introduce my new hero who’s waiting in the wings. He’s Xander (pronounced Zander) Jones, a well-bred bastard, oldest of the “sons of sin” of famous London courtesan, Sophie Rhys-Jones. He’s tall, dark, and utterly self-sufficient, but he needs a really big chunk of change to undo a tragic mistake. He thinks he’s ready to marry any plump pigeon of sufficient dowry who’ll overlook his birth until he meets a cheeky, down-on-her-luck heiress who drives a hard bargain and carries a lethal weapon. Their story is coming from Berkley Sensation next year.

Next with my last blog I want to thank the Divas for encouraging my sense of play and adventure. Brainstorming our books, buzz, and banter is always fun and always inspires the more daring, madcap side of my proper teacher self. I can’t say that I’ve become Jane Austen on crack, but I have jaywalked in heels, both literally and metaphorically, more than I ever would have without this group.

Thanks, too, to all of you who have lurked and posted and helped us build our online community. Today’s posters will receive a Diva book and a bit of Diva memorabilia (a cool FogCityDivas compact) as long as supplies last. But you have to work for your prize.

Here’s what to do. If you enjoyed a Diva book while you’ve been visiting our site, take a minute to write a short blurb recommending the book to fellow readers. Just mention the title and/or author and why you liked the book.

Usual rules apply. I will post winners names in tomorrow’s comments, and you’ll have to email me a snail mail address to receive your prize. Thanks again for being part of the fun here in virtual Fog City. Bookmark our sites and keep in touch. Ciao!

The Divas Welcome Roxanne St. Claire

Today I'm thrilled to welcome Roxanne St. Claire to the blog. I read my first Rocki book last year, and all I could think was, who is this amazing author and why the hell haven't I been reading her all along??  I quickly rectified that, and have happily inhaled her backlist.  Her Bullet Catchers series features a team of lethally sexy bodyguards and their fearless leader, Ms. Lucy Sharpe. I'm very excited because today,  NOW YOU DIE, the third book in a back to back Bullet Catchers trilogy (and book 6 of the series) hits the shelves. Juicy Miss Lucy finally gets her happy ending, and I, for one, cannot wait to see what happens! Rocki, thanks so much for joining us, and being my guest for my final post as a Fog City Diva.

Thank you so much to ALL the lovely ladies at Fog City Divas – I have so many friends at this blog that I feel quite at home and welcome whenever I’m here.  And please let me express my profound disappointment that the FCD doors are closing!  You’ve given so many readers and writers three years of thoughtful, funny, insightful, and entertaining blogging and you will be missed.

I’m honored to be here during the last few days, and have decided to offer my farewell with a subject near and dear to writers and utterly fascinating (I hope!) to readers:  characters who control their own story.

No, I didn’t believe in them, either.  When I would hear a writer say, “well, the character just demanded that this happen and it changed my whole story but….”  I would roll my eyes and think the same thing I did when I was childless and forced to witness a toddler tantrum in a restaurant:  Get a grip, lady!  Who is in control – you or that <kid> <character>?  (Hah.  Then I had kids.)  But with the character thing?  I admit, I was disdainful and a little condescending.  After all, I am the writer – and I am the mistress of my little world.  I can make those people do WHATEVER I want them to do.  I Am In Charge.

Enter Lucy Sharpe, the leader of the cadre of über-elite bodyguards known as The Bullet Catchers, my romantic suspense series.  Early on, Lucy thrilled me because she came to the page so well-formed.  The moment I conceived her, I knew her.  I could see her long black hair with the mysterious white streak down the left side.  I knew what caused it, too.  And I knew she had some Micronesian blood, worked for the CIA, favors crisp clothes in light colors, collects antiques, wears blood red nail polish, and is very….controlling.  Oh, yes, this character took shape nicely, and instantly earned some fun nicknames from her men --Ms. Machiavelli and Juicy Miss Lucy being two of the more popular.  And, best of all, readers responded well to the Bullet Catcher boss.  From the first book, I started to get the same question over and over:  when will Lucy have a book?  Usually followed by, “and will Dan be her man?”

I had created a very nice little chemistry between Lucy and one of the top Bullet Catchers, Dan Gallagher, and my editor and I agreed that they would end up together in a friends-to-lovers story that would make everyone, including Lucy, happy.  It would end the series…so, I hoped that story was well in the future.

Then I started FIRST YOU RUN, the fourth full length book in the series (there are also two novellas) and the first of what I’d planned to be “a trilogy within in the series” – all being released very closely in 2008.  As with every Bullet Catcher book, the opening scene features Lucy with the hero, discussing the “assignment” that launches the story.  In this scene, I needed another character, the “glue” who would hold all three books together in the trilogy, the person with the motivation for solving the overarcing mystery that connects the books.  I thought it would be fun if he were a former Bullet Catcher, having left the company under a cloud, and maybe Lucy wasn’t so sure she wanted him around.

So I sketched out the character of Jack Culver (lightly, since I usually discover the character as I write) and added him to the scene with Lucy and Adrien Fletcher, the hero of that book.  Then I wrote the scene. 

No.  Correct that.  The scene wrote itself. 

When I finished, I remember distinctly that I leaned back, looked at the words on the screen, and thought, whoa.  What was THAT all about?  There was some mighty powerful chemistry between Jack and Lucy.  Who knew she had such a potent reaction – and not all good – to this man?  Hmmm.  I filed that, and moved on, writing as planned.  (Or as close to “plan” as I am able to stay.  Different blog!) 

Then I started the next book, THEN YOU HIDE.  Still, in control of my world.  But, damn, if that Lucy Sharpe didn’t climb right into my head and demand more pages…with Jack.  And every time I gave into that urge, their conflict grew, the electricity arced, and neither Dan nor I liked it.  Not one bit. 

Characters don’t dictate the story – writers do.  Right?  Then why was I waking up in the middle of the night as I reached the midway point on that book?  Why was I hearing Lucy’s voice in my head?  Why was I imagining Lucy and…Jack?  What force acted on me to sit down and – just hypothetically, mind you – sketch out an entirely different third book where Lucy and Jack teamed up to take down the ultimate killer?

Why?  Because I am here to tell you, ladies and gents, that those fictional people who exist in our heads, hearts, and fingertips -- they can talk!  And they have opinions!  And, damn if they can’t change the course of their own stories.

I ran the “hypothetical” idea past my agent.  Loved it.  Called my editor and proposed a complete change to the third book.  She loved it.  Sat down and devised a whole new plot for the third book.  I loved it.  Lucy would be the heroine, and Jack the hero.  And it would NOT be the last book in the series.  But what about Dan? 

I’ve had literally hundreds of letters about Lucy and the expectation that Dan would be her man.  But Lucy had a different idea, and I hope that my readers understand.  To help them, I’ve written an essay that appears on my web site, www.roxannestclaire.com <http://www.roxannestclaire.com/> explaining how this woman famous for her control actually exercised her power over me, too.  And Dan Gallagher gets his happy ending in the next Bullet Catcher book, coming in summer 2009, giving Dan all he deserves and more.

And, so, life teaches us lessons.  I will never again look skyward with derision when writers wax about characters who talk to them and insist plots be turned a certain way.  Like an unruly toddler, having a pushy, demanding, vocal character of my own has taught me humility and sympathy.   

No surprise, Lucy knew what she was talking about.  I’m thrilled with her story (literally, *her* story) and hope readers are, too. NOW YOU DIE is in bookstores TODAY!!!!

And I’d love to hear from others who’ve had this same experience!  I’ll be here all day to answer questions, chat about writing and life, and hang out in Fog City!

xoxo

Roxanne will be popping in all day, so feel free to ask her some questions. One lucky poster will win the Bullet Catcher book of her choice!

I'd like to take this opportunity to say a big fat thank you to the Divas for including me in this wonderful group, and to all the visitors who've taken the time to visit our blog.  I'll miss you!  And to show my appreciation, I'm giving away signed copies of DELICIOUS, A TASTE OF HONEY, and PRIVATE PARTY to one lucky poster as well.  Thanks again for all the cyber love, and take care everyone!

So long, farewell, Alverterzien, goodbye!

It seems like just the other day I was invited to become part of this dream team. I was most flattered and I can honestly say I have had a blast here. I mean how can I not when I am surrounded by such, such…divas?   

 

Carol is delightfully funny. Kate is as well but with a drier sense of humor that I so admire. Bella is sweet and sensitive. Jami is snarky and gracious. Monica is too damn smart, and too gorgeous! Barbara is grounded and has a great smile. Brenda makes the Energizer bunny look like a slacker, and Allison with her one hundred mile an hour pace and diabolical mind is right there in the crazy lane with Brenda. They are both more then gracious to others with their time. They are the salt of the earth those two.

 

And then there is Candice. She had been the glue of this dream team. She is bright, and witty, and a wonderful wordsmith, and one of the most gracious ladies I have met. I’m going to miss you, Candice. I know, I know, there is email, but I’ll miss your presence at the monthly chapter meetings. I’ll miss knowing you’re here. 

 

 I’ll miss all of the divas, and I will miss you ladies who have so regularly and so loyally come by every day or pop in when you have a chance to say hello and chat with us. 

 

So, I’m raising my coffee cup this morning in honor of all of you great gals, who I am very happy to call friends. Happy trails, ladies, and don’t be strangers, the blogsphere is huuuuuuuge, but we will be out there.   

 

As a parting gift, I’m giving away a copy of THE HARD STUFF, GOOD GIRL GONE BAD, SKIN and WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE! I’ll pick one lucky commenter later tonight and post her name here in comments.

 

 

Ps, you can always find Allison and over at www.murdershewrites.com and my personal blog www.karintabke.com/blog. 

 

Ciao for now! 

 

Karin*

Summer Lovin' Had Me A Blast

After two months in the Adirondacks, today is that day we pack everything back up (the log cabin isn't winterized, so everything in the house - and I mean every single thing from sheets to toys to dishes -must go back into plastic bags and rubbermaid containers for the winter), and it's hard knowing that we're saying goodbye to the lake for 10 long months. It seems like a strange coincidence that today is also my last Fog City Diva blog - and, of course, it's much harder knowing that this is the end of our blog. No coming back in ten months to take everything out of storage and open up again (hey wait, now that's an idea, we'll just blog for July and August every year!). ;-)

I know everyone is telling stories about when they became a Fog City Diva, but I still remember getting goosebumps when they asked me to join. I was SO THRILLED to become a part of this group. Of course, with two kids under four and tight deadlines, more often than not I would be taking a shower on a Friday morning and mid-lather think, "Oh no! I forgot to blog!" The kids were often late to school on Fridays as a result. ;-) I loved sharing not only my thoughts on writing, but also random stuff like learning to sew and recipes. 

It's been so wonderful getting to know not only my fellow Divas (you guys are the best! sniff!), but also all of you wonderful women who came back day after day to read and laugh and post your comments to whatever we had to say that day.  Let's not just let this be a summer fling, okay?

What was your favorite part of the blog? We'd love to know!

I'll be giving away a full backlist of books (Take Me, Tempt Me Taste Me Touch Me, Red Hot Reunion, Game For Anything & Game For Seduction) to someone today!

CAROL LAMENTS THE END OF SUMMER (AND THE DIVAS)

All good things come to an end.  With Labor Day looming summer is almost over.  And so is our Fog City Divas group.  I'll miss the friends we've made.  It's been great knowing you all over the past 3 years.  I know we'll keep in touch because the world of writers and readers is small.

As for summer, it's my favorite season and I'm not quite ready to say good-bye.  With any luck the warm weather will last until Halloween.  The blackberries along our road are ripe now and begging to be picked.  One neighbor has made 13 pies, but I eat as fast as I pick, so no pies for us.  Our freezer is full of peaches from a friend's orchard ready for me to make ice cream.  Summer means barbecue - ribs and hamburgers and fresh zucchini slathered with olive oil.  In case you think summer is only about food, it's also about swimming pool and beach reads.  Of course I read beach books all year round.  Books about love and life.  Books about food and exotic locations from Nantucket to Italy.  Books that make me cry and laugh.  Books I never would have found without the help of the Divas and our blogging friends - historicals, romantic suspense, old books and new books and classics.

To one of you out there I'd love to send my new 3-book YA series - MANDERLEY PREP, RICH GIRL and THE GUY NEXT DOOR.  Send your comments our way.   

Thanks to you all who blogged or commented or just lurked.  Stay in touch.   

Allison Talks About Beginnings and Endings

About two years ago, the Divas asked me to join the blog as a regular blogger. I was honored and thrilled, but as it was every blog day I always sat at the computer and stared at the Typepad box and wondered how to start my post. I often didn't know what I was going to blog about. Sometimes I did--like being stuck at the Tulsa Airport, or my Disneyland trip. But usually, I didn't know what to talk about.

The Divas have a unique and wonderful voice, a slice of life, and I've felt honored to know each and every one of them. I was always amazed at the great ideas they came up with, from travel to fashion to television. I wish I'd thought of that! I'd think. But I didn't, and therefore sat at the computer with no beginning . . .

In books, the beginning is crucial to the story. Why? Because many readers only give an author a page or two before deciding to buy her book. There are those who give an author more time, but those readers are becoming rare. I think of my two oldest daughters. #1 gives an author two pages. If she's not "into" the story, she tosses it (unless she has to read it for school, then she procrastinates.) #2 gives an author 100+ pages. She doesn't mind the leisurely openings or pages of description as long as characters or setting is interesting and there's the promise of the pay off at the end. #1's favorite books? RL Stine, Gena Showalter's Alien Huntress series, Lois Duncan (I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER), and . . . her favorite . . . WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS which she has read TWICE. Amazing for her. #2's favorite books are by Libba Bray (A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY, etc.), Scott Westerfield, and she's eagerly awaiting the third LUXE book and reading those books all in emails for the second time. #2 likes historical fiction, stories rich in detail and setting, about people and places she doesn't know. #1 likes suspense and stories about people like her--teenagers--and places she knows about--such as a school setting. She wants action on page one, or she's bored.

It's amazing that both these girls came from my womb!

Sol Stein in his book STEIN ON WRITING said:

"Elia Kazan, brilliant director of state and screen as well as a late-blooming novelist, told me that audiences give a film seven minutes. If the viewer is not intrigued by character or incident within that time, the film and its viewer are at odds. The viewer came for an experience. The film is disappointing him.

"Today's impatient readers give a novelist fewer than seven minutes. Some years ago I was involved in an informal study of the behavior of lunch-hour browsers in mid-Manhattan bookstores. In the fiction section, the most common pattern was for the browser to read the front flap of the book's jacket and then go to page one. No browser went beyond page three before either taking the book to the cashier or putting the book down and picking up another to sample."

That's scary to me. Three pages? That's it? Well, that sounds just like daughter #1.

Until the last couple of years, I always finished books I started. I'm a fast reader, even if I didn't love something, I'd read it anyway. Now? I'm more like daughter #1 than #2. I'll generally give a couple chapters, but if I'm not hooked or don't love a character, then adios.

I'm always worried about my openings. Sometimes the opening sentence just comes to me, other times it's like pulling teeth.

In PLAYING DEAD, it just came to me:

"Claire was an expert bullshit detector. That's what made her so good at her job investigating insurance fraud."

But in SUDDEN DEATH, the book I'm finishing up now, it took starting the book in a half dozen different places and rewriting the first chapter ten times before coming up with the first line which may or may not stand:

"The murder had been ritualistic, brutal, and efficient."

One of my favorite recent openings is from Nora Roberts' HIGH NOON. Nora can always be counted on to start with a bang, whichever personality she's writing in:

"Jumping to your death was a crappy way to spend St. Patrick's Day. Being called in on your day off to talk someone out of jumping to his death wasn't exactly green beer and bagpipes."

Because I don't read the ends of books first, unlike those heathens Eileen Rendahl and Toni McGee Causey--and, amazingly, others (as identified on Eileen's TBR blog)!!--I don't want to give away any of my favorite endings. Except that the ending of CASABLANCA is probably one of my all-time favorite endings . . . for recent romances, WORKING GIRL and FRENCH KISS which I can watch over and over and over again, all the way to the end . . .

Pick up one of your recent reads. Share with us the opening line or two and, of course, the author . . . in case we're hooked!

And today I'm giving away five books, winner's choice . . . any of my backlist. Basically, anything that is already out on the shelves. All you have to do is comment . . .

I'll miss the Divas and our readers. Thanks for coming by to chat, and I hope to see you all in cyberspace.

Candice's swan song: the alpha male

This is my last regular blog as a Fog City Diva (I'm going to post a final recap on August 30, but this my last Tuesday blog). I considered several topics I might discuss on my last blog ... sadness about my upcoming move from San Francisco, excitement about a new house to decorate in a new city, what the Divas have meant to me, etc.  But in the midst of getting organized to move, I've been working on a new book proposal, and in particular I have been trying to make my hero a bit more alpha than my usual guys. Since this blog is more often about books and writing than anything else, I decided to blog about the writing topic that has been consuming my thoughts of late. And I figured it was fitting to leave on a heroic note. :-)

If you've read any of my books you will know that I don't do big hunky alpha heroes.  My guys may have a thin veneer of alpha, but inside they're always beta men. In today's market, though, the alpha male reigns supreme.  He has always been a dominant force in romance (pun intended!), but there was room for the other guys, too.  Like the nice guy beta hero.  Now, however, it seems that readers (or editors) want all alpha males all the time. So I figure if I want this proposal to sell, I have to man up my man.

Just for fun, I decided to google "alpha male."  Do you know there are dozens, maybe hundreds, of dating advice sites for men and that many of them have discussions on how to be an alpha male?  Some of it is silly, but I actually found a lot of good analysis here and there, about what defines the alpha male, his character traits, non-verbal alpha behavior, and so on.  This is great stuff for writers.

I took too many notes to share them all with you, so I thought I'd focus on one element of alpha-ness that I found fascinating: body language.  Based on several dating advice articles, here are a few key points:

* The alpha male stands with arms open and relaxed, indicating he is confident no one will strike him. Folded arms is a beta characteristic.

* He may also stand with hands on hips, elbows out, or sit with legs stretched out and arms behind his head, deliberately taking up more space, signaling he "owns" the space, or is marking his territory. 

* He stands with his chin up, exposing his neck, indicating he is not afraid of being choked.

* He only smiles when there is something to smile about; excessive smiling is beta behavior signaling he is no threat, whereas an alpha male can be a threat.

* He has a slow, relaxed walk, showing no fear of being chased or of rushing to please someone else; the alpha male never appears to hurry because he is the one setting the pace, not following.

* His movements in general are slow, deliberate, and puposeful, signalling self-confidence and determination. Except in crisis or emergency, he moves unhurriedly, as if he controls time itself.

* He gazes directly at a person when speaking, commanding attention.

* When listening, he does not allow the speaker to hold his gaze, ie to control the conversation; he will break eye contract to look elsewhere, ie at a woman’s mouth or breasts. A beta male can be intimidated into breaking eye contact and will look down in a submissive manner. The alpha male looks away to signal that he will not be controlled.

* In conversation he will frequently interrupt, but does not allow himself to be interrupted. Here again, he "owns" the conversation.  He is always the dominant participant, no matter how many others are involved.

All of the above was taken from various articles on how to meet more women, get more dates, have more sex, etc by being an alpha male.  Interesting, huh?  And though few of the articles mention the animal kingdom, clearly many of these body language signals are based on the alpha male animal, eg wolf, dog, gorilla, etc.  I think it's fascinating and very useful in creating alpha characters. I am definitely going to pay more attention to the body language of my heroes.

Can you think of any other body language or non-verbal clues that define an alpha male?  And are all these male-centric articles right, that all women want an alpha male? That our DNA is wired to be attracted to alpha men, as our best protectors, providers, and potential fathers of strong offspring? Share your thoughts, and I will pick one commenter at random to receive an autographed copy of LADY BE BAD. I'll also toss in a cover flat for the upcoming anthology IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT. Thanks for visiting our blog.  I'll miss you guys!

Barbara Welcomes Teresa Medeiros!

I'm so thrilled to welcome one of my fabulous friends and NYT Bestselling Author, Teresa Medeiros, to the blog today.  Teresa's 17 books have appeared on every bestseller list and her books have won numerous awards, far too many to list here, but let me just say that she is a seven time RITA finalist -- which means she is beloved not only by readers but also by her fellow writers. 

Teresa's new book which we're going to talk about today, SOME LIKE IT WICKED, was released this month.  She'll be popping in to answer questions on Monday, and one lucky commenter is going to win a copy of one of Teresa's books.

Barbara: Tell us a little about your new book, SOME LIKE IT WICKED ...

Teresa: First of all, I want to say that I'm so thrilled to be here hanging with the Divas today! They're so much more elegant than those chickens I used to hang out with ;).

I'm celebrating my return to the Scottish historical with SOME LIKE IT WICKED. Simon Wescott is one  of   my baddest "bad boy" heroes yet. I like to think of him as a cross between Captain Jack Sparrow and Sawyer from LOST with a spritzer of Cary Grant. When Catriona Kincaid goes to Newgate Prison to look for a hero to escort her to the Highlands, she finds an incorrigible rake instead. She offers him her dowry as payment but he has something else in mind.

Barbara: SOME LIKE IT WICKED is the first of two connected books with SOME LIKE IT WILD coming out in April 2009 -- how are the books linked and do they need to be read in order?

Teresa: SOME LIKE IT WILD tells the story of Connor Kincaid, Catriona's long lost brother—a strapping  Scottish highwayman. The books definitely stand alone but I think it would enhance a reader's enjoyment of the series if she read SOME LIKE IT WICKED before WILD because it would give her a sense of the history between Catriona and her brother Connor.

Barbara: Can you give us a sneak peek on the plot for SOME LIKE IT WILD?

Teresa: In WICKED, I take an English rake to the Scottish Highlands and in WILD, I take a brawny Highlander to Regency London to wreak his own special brand of mischief. In WILD My heroine Pamela Darby is looking for a man to pose as the long-lost heir to a duke. When Connor holds up her carriage, she believes she's found him!

Barbara: How did you get started in writing?  And is it true that Donny Osmond starred in some of your earliest work?

Teresa: Ah, yes, back then Donny starred in most of my romantic fantasies and dreams! He was Sir Donald Osmond, the pirate captain hero of my first historical romance that I started when I was twelve. (It actually bore an amazing resemblance to PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN.) I started several books at that age but never made it past the first chapter before something shiny (like my bicycle) would distract me.

I finally reclaimed that dream when I was twenty-one. I sat down at my mother's kitchen cabinet and started typing out the book I was dying to read. That book turned into LADY OF CONQUEST, which Berkley originally published in 1989.

Barbara:  Do you generally start with a lengthy outline?  Or do you just dive into the story and see where it goes?

Teresa: I do a little bit of both. I usually have several very specific scenes in mind, but I quickly discover that one of those scenes may lead to a dozen other scenes. My favorite part of writing comes when you stop "writing" and really start "living the story. To me, that's when the true magic happens.

Barbara:  What is your typical writing day like?  Do you write for a specific number of hours, the same time every day? Do you have any favorite pre-writing rituals?

Teresa: I'm a morning person so it's important for me to get to my computer early but I've noticed that I putter a lot during that time--re-reading and polishing what I wrote the day before, etc. Usually early afternoon is a very productive time for me and I may end up doing 85% of my writing from 1-3 PM. But I do try to keep regular hours of 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. each day. But I was also that annoying kid who always did her homework the night before it was due and still managed to get an A+ so I tend to fall behind schedule on occasion and have to catch up when I'm on deadline. Then I work nights, weekends, whatever it takes to get the job done. I find desperation to be very inspiring and I often do my best work when I'm totally immersed in the story that way because it knocks that pesky internal editor off my shoulder.

My only pre-writing ritual probably involves chasing a cat off my keyboard. I was wondering if it was an editorial comment when I walked away from my laptop for a few moments and returned only to discover the cat had typed a long line of "Z's" across the top of my chapter!

Barbara: You've written some paranormal elements into some of your stories.  Is that a different kind of challenge for you? Is it easier or more difficult? Do you have any other paranormal stories in the works?

Teresa: Even in my "straight" historicals, there's frequently been an element of whimsy or the paranormal like a family curse, etc. I really enjoy that touch of magic because it was in so many books I adored when I was growing up like HALF-MAGIC, BEDKNOBS and BROOMSTICKS, the Andrew Lang fairy books, etc. I really don't approach the paranormals any differently than I do any other book. I think the readers who enjoy my historicals would like the paranormals just as much because the paranormal elements are woven right into the classic historical romance. I don't have anything paranormal percolating on the stove at the moment but I never say never! ;)

Barbara: What's the best advice you've received as a writer, and what's the worst?

Teresa: The best advice was to set small measurable goals. I wrote my first five books while I was also working full-time as a nurse simply by writing three pages a day every weekday. Even if you only had time to write one page a day, within a year you'd almost have a completed novel!

The worst advice was to never give away a book after it was published—not even to a beloved relative! I realized that was bad advice when my dad started giving them to hairdressers and Minit Mart clerks and then they'd be "hooked" and they'd come back and buy my entire backlist. He's like a crack dealer!

Barbara:  LOL on your father building your reading audience! Is it true that SOME LIKE IT WICKED has already hit the New York Times bestseller list? 

Teresa: Yes, I'm in my second week on the list but I can't take credit for that. It belongs to all of those wonderful readers who went out and bought the book as soon as it hit the bookstores. Thank you so much!!!

So now it's your turn to ask Teresa questions or just say hello -- and don't forget one of you will win one of Teresa's classical historical romances -- YOURS UNTIL DAWN...

 

The Divas' last hurrah

Three years ago this month, the Fog City Divas started this blog.  During that time, some Divas dropped out to pursue other projects, and new Divas joined us.  For the last 17 months, the current ten Divas have held down the blog fort.  But now it's time to say goodbye.

It's been a great ride and we've all had a blast, but when it comes down to it, we are novelists first and foremost, and that job must always take priority.  Blogging takes time and energy and imagination, and ultimately takes away from our main jobs as writers.  So we have collectively decided to hang up our blogging hats.

But not quite yet.  Dishing With the Divas will continue to exist until the end of August.  For two weeks, starting on Monday August 18, we will be having a little visitor appreciation party to thank all of you who have supported this blog and who have added to the general discussion and liveliness that made it successful.  Each weekday, from August 18 through August 29, the blogging Diva will be giving away a signed copy of one of her books.  Or maybe two, who knows?  And we will have guests, too.  Teresa Medeiros joins us on August 18 and Roxanne St. Claire on August 26. Then look for a wrap up on August 30, in which we'll take a fond look back at the last three years, and we'll announce two Grand Prize winners.  Those winners will be selected from among all the comments during the prior two weeks, and each will win an autographed book from every one of the Divas.  That's ten books! How grand is that?

So please join us in our last two weeks of blogging and dishing.  Help us celebrate three wonderful years of books, buzz, and banter. We hope you've enjoyed the ride as much as we have.

Monica Talks Cross Sub-Genre Reading

Recently, one of the other Divas and I were talking about reader preferences.  She posited that I am somewhat of an anomaly in my reading habits and that most readers don’t cross the great sub-genre divide.  By this she meant that most historical readers read historical and most contemporary readers read contemporary.  I tend to split my reading between three subgenres—about 50% historical, 25% romantic suspense and 25% contemporary. 

I would suspect she’s probably right, although I don’t have any empirical research to back it up.  And that’s what we Divas are here for, to plug these kind of egregious holes in research.  So today I thought I’d take it to the street and see what your reading preferences are in a highly scientific poll.  LOL. 

A couple of rules: The questions are for your ROMANCE reading only.  So if you only read romance half the time, just answer for that part.  For purposes of the poll the subgenres are: historical, romantic suspense, paranormal, contemporary, and erotic.  Why?  Because that’s what I could think of when I made the poll.  See…told you it was highly scientific.  Finally, "mostly" means (roughly) 75% or more. 

It was difficult to capture all the possible permutations in a simple poll, so please comment and tell us about your reading habits…do you cross the great sub-genre divide?

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pens

If there is a “sisterhood” of writers, it is the RWA and all its sub-groups, of which, of course, the FogCityDivas, is a great example. Through RWA we found each other for brainstorming, promotion, and weathering the highs and lows of our writing careers. And through over three years of blogging together, we’ve built our sisterhood. Recently, we celebrated the other friends who have joined us for buzz, biz, and banter with a great party at Citizen Cupcake (see July 31 and August 1). Though most of us travel with major technology from laptops and Kindles to iphones and blackberries, we all also travel with pens and pads of paper, ready to jot down a cool idea, a title, a bit of dialogue, whatever scrap of inspiration will serve our story. We are truly a sisterhood of traveling pens!

Among those who came to our party were Victoria Alexander on the right and Connie Brockway, below, two wonderful writers who gave the keynote speeches at this year’s RWA conference. Today I’m giving away one title from each of these award-winning writers to two lucky folks who post at Dishing with the Divas—Victoria Alexandra’s “A Little Bit Wicked” and Connie Brockway’s “Skinny Dipping.” (Usual rules apply.)

My question for all of you is—are you or have you been in a readers’ group? If so, what do/did you read? How does/did your group work? Would your group be interested in reading a Diva book and commenting about the book and your conversation about it here at Dishing with the Divas? And do you always have a pen or pens in your purse?

Jami Has Olympic Fever!

The Olympics are here! And I, for one, am so excited. In general, I'm not much of a sports fan. I don't follow football, baseball, or basketball. The only reason I watch the superbowl is for the commercials and because my brother in law always throws a party which includes his awesome barbecued ribs.  I never know who's playing in the World Series (2004 being an exception, Monica!), I couldn't even tell you who  my local NBA team is.

But I've always watched the Olympics, both summer and winter.  When the winter Olympics were in Lillehammer my senior year of college, my roommate and I hosted a happy hour featuring Norwegian cocktails and treats. The following summer, I watched nearly every event (no mean feat in the days before Tivo).

So it's no surprise I've stayed up way too late the last few nights, watching the coverage.  Like I said, I'll watch pretty much anything, but here are the things I'm especially looking forward to:

Watching Michael Phelps go for a record 8 gold medals. Okay, I'll admit it, I'm just looking forward to watching Michael Phelps, period. Sure, he's a little goofy looking, but those arms, those abs, that sheer, competitive determination... ahem.  Seriously though I love the fact that he still seems so excited to compete, excited to swim, excited to win.

Watching the "over the hill" female athletes kick some major ass. Sure, the press is going crazy over Dara Torres - as well they should. 41 and beating her own world records? 

But how about Oksana Chusovitina?  She's a 33 year old gymnast from Uzbekistan who is now competing for Germany. That's right 33. Oh, and she has an 8 year old son. And she's doing really well, especially on the vault.  Now,  I'm not trying to take anything away from Torres - I think it's really cool that she came out of retirement after having a baby to prove to the world she's still got it. But swimming is known for being one of those sports you can do forever. Gymnastics?  Not so much.  I think her body must be made of titanium for her to maintain that kind of physical condition.

Watching Kerry Walsh and Misty May-Traynor defend their medal. As I'm sure millions of men want to see them roll around in the sand again when they win.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg.  I didn't even get to track and field (love the decathlon!) basketball (go redeem team!)  or so many others. How about you? Are you watching the Olympics? What's your favorite sport? Who's your favorite athlete?

And the Beat Goes On

And the beat goes on! 

I’ve always been one of those folks who runs at full speed, then when it comes time to vacation I slow way down, veg, and then, once it’s time to get back into the rat race, I find myself having difficulty picking up the rhythm again.  It’s almost like I need a reentry period from my vacation.  And while RWA National was not a vacation, it was six solid days on not one person asking me what the heck was for dinner.  I didn’t have to feed the dogs, the cats or the birds.  I didn’t have to blog, or get online. I didn’t have to do anything but eat, drink and be merry.  I slept for the entire day I came home, slept in every day last week (but I did stay up to my usual 2 to 3 a.m.), but despite my fatigue, I actually was able to get a lot done.  But yesterday morning I woke up with a nagging cough and by last night I felt like I had an elephant sitting on my chest.  It’s been a long time since the ol’ asthma has reared its ugly head, but damn if it isn’t back (okay, so screaming my head off as the American men swim team whopped up on the French didn’t help matters).  So, last night, I had hubby searching our small town for Abuterol.  He found it at Food Max of all places. 

So, while my brain is ready to get back on track, for the first time in several years I’m actually ill.  But, for me, the beat must go on.  I have things to do, people to see, and places to go. My week this week is slammed.  Every day I have something.  Luckily the evenings are open, and it’s a good thing because I write at night, and writing I must do. 

As I sit here typing this blog, my chest is screaming hot, my throat hurts from the coughing and the yelling at the tele, and I have a fever, and for the first time in my work life, I can’t call in sick.  It’s a good thing I can take my work to bed with me though; otherwise I’d get in big trouble.  I might cancel one or two of my luncheons this week, but two of them are in my honor, so probably not. Besides, my friends always make me smile, and this one place we’re going has the most decadent chocolate soufflés…

Hell, who has time to be sick!  The beat goes on for me, does it for you?  When your body shuts down what do you do?  And does your family take good care of you?  And do you always feel like you need another vacation after your forts vacation to get back into the swing of things?

The Divas do RWA in Fog City, Thursday

Today we hosted our very own Fog City Divas party at the fabulous Citizen Cupcake in San Francisco.  Here are some of us getting ready for our guests to arrive (Kate, Carol, Jami, Barbara, Candice, and Bella):

Below left, is what the room looked like before our guests arrived, with the serpentine bar loaded with designer cupcakes. Below right, the guests have begun to arrive.

Below left, the room fills up fast until it is shoulder to shoulder. That's Julia Quinn in the foreground. Below right, Veronica Wolf and Diva Jami congratulate Diva Karin for receiving the Mentor of the Year award from the RWA PRO organization.

Below right, Christina Dodd, Diva Barbara, Stephanie Laurens, and Susan Andersen enjoy champagne and cupcakes. Below right, Susan Kay Law and Christie Ridgway.

And finally, huge congrats to Diva Monica for winning the National Readers Choice Award for Best Historical Romance of 2007 for HIGHLANDER UNTAMED!

More pics later ...

 

The Divas do RWA in Fog City, Wednesday

As promised, here are a few pics from the RWA conference in San Francisco.

Nine Divas at the annual Literacy for Life booksigning
Top: Monica, Brenda, Karin
Middle: Carol, Allison,Bella
Bottom: Jami, Candice, Barbara.

More later ...

The Divas take a brief hiatus

We are taking a break from our regular blog schedule for a couple of weeks and won't be posting daily.  During the week of July 28, look for occasional posts of photos and short reports from the annual RWA conference.  The week of August 4, we're going to unwind and retool, then we'll be back on our regular schedule beginning August 11. 

And don't forget that bestselling author Teresa Medeiros visits the blog on August 18.

Countdown to Conference: Day trips from SF

Can you believe the RWA National conference is less than a week away?!I'm excited. I've heard on the loops that many people are flying in this weekend and doing some touring around Northern California for a few days, then rolling into the literacy signing Wednesday night. And since I lived in the wine country (Sonoma Valley) for a decade, I thought it might be helpful to tell you some of my favorite places to drink, eat, and hang out. (And since I lived in Sonoma, rather than Napa, I must admit to a bit of a bias toward my own town. ;-) Plus, I know it way better.)

For a start, drive into the Sonoma square, which is an hour north across the Golden Gate bridge from the Union Square Marriot. Sonoma Valley has great shops. Amazing restaurants. And in the middle of the square, in the historic library building, sits the Visitor's Bureau. (The web site for the Sonoma visitor's bureau has a lot of great info: http://www.sonomavalley.com) Pick up a map here, find out about any wine tours you want to go on, and then make sure you walk across the street to the Basque Boulangerie. The have the BEST pastries I've ever had. Even in Paris I haven't tasted better. Yum! Can someone please Fed Ex me a cinnamon roll?

Wineries
Chateau St Jean - Good Fume Blanc
Valley of the Moon - Good red.
Ledson - Nice building, deli and grounds.
Gloria Ferrar - good champagne and great view while you're sipping.
Sebasiani - nice shop, good cave tour
Gundlach-Bundchu - nice wines, neat old place, nice view over pond

Restaurants
Red Grape - good casual thin crust pizza (our favorite shrimp and artichoke "white" pizza ever...yum!).
Ledson Hotel Restuarant (on the square next to Sebastiani theatre)
Rin's Thai - truly delicious Thai, great outdoor patio
Saddles - really good steak place
Glen Ellen Inn Restuarant
Saffron - nice quiet restuarant (evidently Barbara Streisand loves it....how's that for random info?)

Napa and up
Domaine Chandon - a winery with a good $$$$$ restuarant and nice grounds
Copia - The new center for food and arts. Lots of hype. I'm a little so so on it, but if you're in town, why not check it out?
Mustards Restaurant - yummy food, very wine country
Angele Restaurant - looks out over the napa river
The Napa Valley Wine train - a fun tourist experience!
And then, of courrse, there are a zillion other great wineries up Highway 29 in Napa County.

If you head 15 minutes north from the town of Napa, you'll hit Yountville - which has some of the best restaurants in the world. (The French Laundry is there, but I've heard it's a 4 month wait for a table) St. Helena is also a really cute town - another 15 minutes north. Calistoga has the hot springs and a little town. - another 20 minutes north.

If you or someone you know is heading early to San Francisco for a visit, please pass along the diva blog. If you have any questions, ask away! What I don't know, I can find out. ;-) And if anyone has a suggestion for a Sonoma/Napa/Healdsburg winery, restaurant or other destination that I left off my list, please tell us all about it!

Bella's BOOK WINNER (from Monica's Game For Anything blog)!!! Could Fedora please email me at bella@bellaandre.com and let me know which book from my backlist (Take Me, TemptMeTasteMeTouchMe, or Red Hot Reunion) you'd like me to send you. Thanks!

10 THINGS CAROL LOVES ABOUT HARLEQUIN MILLS&BOON

Next week at the RWA conference in San Francisco I'm on a panel to discuss 10 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT WRITING THE YA NOVEL.  In the interest of fairness, I feel I have to tell the 10 Things I Love About Writing Category Romance for Harlequin as well.  The first 9 reasons are the foreign translations like the Japanese version of PREGNANT BY THE BOSS on the left.  I love the secretary arriving with the boss's coffee to confront him with the announcement - "I'm pregnant!" which didn't exactly happen like that in the book which came out in the US a few years ago. 

Harlequin Mills & Boon, my British publisher is a world-wide company publishing my books and many others in Italy, Spain, France, Denmark, Sweden, Lithuania, Argentina, and many more.  The covers may change and the titles always do.  THEIR GREEK ISLAND REUNION appears in France as THE SUMMER OF ALL THE PROMISES.  In Italian it's APPOINTMENT ON AN ISLAND.  In Danish BEAUTY AND THE BIG BAD WOLF is SKONHEDEN OG DEN SLEMME ULV. 

Every few days I get a package of my books translated into a language I may or may not understand.  But I do understand the krone and yen that appear on my royalty statements and I'm very grateful.  Which brings me to Number 10 Why I Love Writing for Harlequin Mills&Boon - the wonderful, kind, helpful, smart and dedicated editors across the pond in London.  They're the best! 

How do you choose the books you buy?  By the covers?  The back copy?  Did you look like the lady on the cover when you were pregnant?  (Maybe it's the shoulder pads that conceal her condition.)

The Divas Welcome Romantic Suspense Author Michelle Gagnon

The Divas and I are thrilled to have romantic suspense novelist Michelle Gagnon here with us only one week before the Romance Writers of America conference in our home base of San Francisco. ESPECIALLY since Michelle is one of us :)

Michelle is a former modern dancer, bartender, dog walker, model, personal trainer, and Russian supper club performer. (Look at that fabulous picture! She certainly LOOKS like a dancer . . . model . . . personal trainer . . . frankly, she looks like she can do anything she sets her mind to!)

Her debut thriller The Tunnels (great book, BTW, according to my mom--and we all know my mom has great taste, right?) was an IMBA bestseller. Her next book, Boneyard, depicts a cat and mouse game between dueling serial killers. In her spare time she loves to eat out. (Who doesn't? I mean, if I don't have to cook, I'm in Heaven!)

Please welcome Michelle as she adds some great advice for RWA to our own . . . without further ado, Michelle Gagnon!!!! (Cheers, applause, bows . . . )

I wasn't born in San Francisco, but have made it my home for the past decade and thought I might add some information to the Diva Tip Sheet and Candice's Survival Guide.

Getting out and about: What makes San Francisco so unique is its proximity to breathtaking natural settings. If you get a chance, slot in an excursion to Muir Woods, the redwoods really are astonishing. Or head just across the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands for a quick, easy hike and tour of WWII bunkers. Alcatraz is also definitely worth the trip (take the audio tour, it's great), and offers unparalleled views of the Golden Gate Bridge. But be forewarned, you usually need to book a spot on the ferry a few days in advance.

Closer at hand, one of my favorite spots in the city is Crissy Field. Great views of the bridge from here, too, and there's an easy walk along the shore where you can watch kite-surfers jetting across the Bay. (Also, there's a hot dog vendor in front of the warming hut that sells organic all-beef hot dogs: delicious, and a far cry from your average sausage). If you keep following the road around the warming hut, it ends at Fort Point, where in Vertigo Kim Novak jumped into the frigid waters. Sticking to the Hitchcock theme, take a cable car up Mason Street from Union Square. At the top of the hill you can visit Grace Cathedral, our miniature version of Notre Dame. And at the intersection of Mason and California is The Brocklebank, a historic building featured in both Vertigo and Bullitt (any other Steve McQueen fans out there?)

San Francisco Landmarks you won't find in any travel guide: Keep your eyes peeled for "The Twins," elderly twin sisters who dress in matching hats, dresses, and wigs, frequently spotted strolling arm-in-arm around Huntington Park (across the street from Grace Cathedral-also a great place to see Chinatown locals practicing Tai Chi in the morning).

If you're in the mood for a more serious walk, head to Coit Tower. Interesting art exhibits inside, and great views of the city. Afterwards, walk down the east stairway (on the Bay Bridge side). Halfway down, keep your eyes peeled for the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill, a flock of birds that have escaped their owners (there's wonderful documentary and book about the birds available).

My Favorite Restaurants: I love all the restaurants in the Ferry Building, which range from cheap eats to more highbrow fare (there's a fantastic independent bookstore here too, Book Passage). Try Mijita for the best fish taco you've ever had in your life, or the Slanted Door for upscale Vietnamese. Lulu Petite sells delicious sandwiches, and Taylor's Refreshers has milkshakes and burgers. Or grab fixings from the Farmer's Market and stroll along the Embarcadero to picnic at the base of the Cupid's Span (Embarcadero and Folsom Street-tough to miss, it's a sixty-foot tall bow and arrow. What could be more perfect for romance fans?) Houston's along the Embarcadero has fantastic ribs and a cute outdoor patio in back. And granted it's touristy, but no stay here is complete without eating chowder from a sourdough bread bowl at Fisherman's Wharf.

North Beach is the place to go for Italian. My personal favorite is Da Flora, a bit pricey but very romantic with its muted lighting and fabulous food. A cheaper option is Steps of Rome, the food is decent but the real treat tends to be the handsome Italian men packing the place. If you're in the neighborhood, grab a drink at Vesuvio, an old beatnik hangout, and check out Jack Kerouac Alley which runs along the side of the bar and features an amazing mural.

For French food, try local favorite Café Bastille. This restaurant is located on a cobblestoned alley with a slew of other wonderful restaurants, and they close off the street on Bastille Day for a major fete every year.

Best fish restaurant (and one of the oldest eateries in the city to boot) is Tadich Grill. They don't accept reservations, so there might be a bit of a wait, but the food and atmosphere is worth it.

Best breakfast: line up at Sears Fine Foods (Powell Street and Post) for a terrific and reasonably priced breakfast. Order the Swedish pancakes, you won't be disappointed.

I'm more of a foodie than a shopper (in case that wasn't already apparent) but the best department stores are all located around Union Square. If you're looking for something out of the ordinary, right behind City Hall is Hayes Valley, where there are a number of boutiques stocking local designers (most of them are located on Hayes Street itself). Union Street (oddly enough, not located anywhere near Union Square) also has high-end boutiques, but you'll need to cab there (this would partner well with a Crissy Field excursion!)

Safety: Not the most fun topic to close with, but it bears some discussion. As Candice said, the streets of San Francisco are filled with characters, homeless and otherwise. And there's generally safety in numbers. That being said, 6th Street is to be avoided at night at all costs. Just a few blocks from the hotel, it's one of the most dangerous spots in the city (as is Market Street for a block before and after it). Then, when 6th Street crosses Market, you're entering The Tenderloin, so named because in the past cops who worked that beat received a higher salary, enabling them to bring home a better cut of meat in exchange for putting their lives at risk. And not much has changed. The safest bet at night is to stay fairly close to the area around Union Square, or stick to the streets between the hotel and the Ferry Building. And I recommend taking cabs after dark if you're going more than a few blocks.

I think that's everything, but if you have any other questions fire away! I'll draw from the pool of comments, and the winner will receive a signed edition of my first thriller THE TUNNELS. If you don't win, console yourself by signing up for my newsletter at www.michellegagnon.com and I'll toss your name in the hat for an Amazon Kindle, iPod Shuffle, Starbucks gift certificates, and other fabulous prizes.

Looking forward to seeing you all next week!

Ask Michelle anything you want! She's on the hot seat, LOL.

Candice's Survival Guide to San Francisco

Next week approximately 2000 romance writers and other publishing professionals will descend upon Fog City for the RWA conference. Maybe I'm prejudiced, but I think it will prove to be one of the best sites ever for the conference, despite the expense. There's so much more to do here than in some of the other conference cities *cough* Dallas *cough* that I figure many people will come early or stay late.  Or at least get out of the hotel more than usual.  So, as a long-time resident of the City, I hereby offer a few bits of advice for out-of-towners.

The Weather: It used to be as predictable as the sunrise.  Every February all the chery, plum, quince, and other flowering trees came into bloom; my lilac tree burst into bloom the first week of May, like clockwork; my roses began their first big bloom in late May and finished that bloom cycle in late June; and July was fog-bound and chilly, meaning we never saw fireworks on July 4. Now, things have changed and I can't count on anything.  I blame global warming.  This year the flowering trees began to bloom in January, my lilac tree burst into bloom the first week of