Interview With Carol Webb

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Carol Webb. It’s a pleasure having one of our own authors to interview at Much Cheaper Than Therapy. Even we need therapy now and then, so grab some chocolate and a lounge chair.

I understand you have a new release out called The Long Road Home. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

It’s about a woman who became one of the top models in the country until a plane crash disfigures her leg and ruins her career. She also cuts all ties with her boyfriend, a famous photographer at the time. Fast forward three years later. The story opens when she is forced to travel across the country with Jake, her ex-boyfriend and his current girlfriend. Clarisse knows it’s going to be a disastrous trip, and it turns out she might be right.

The Long Road Home is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

Basically the majority of the book is during a road trip from New York to San Diego. Everything imaginable that can go wrong does, so it becomes one of the longest road trips Clarisse and John have ever experienced. But the title isn’t just about the physical trip. It also describes how long it takes Clarisse and John to realize how much they truly care for each other.

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book?

Not very much. Thank goodness. When I do research I tend to get lost in the facts and procrastinate on the actual writing. Not good if you have a deadline, or for that matter if you want to get a book done.

What character did you like writing about the most, and why?

I loved writing about Clarisse and her journey of self-discovery. In the beginning of the story, she’s been taught that her body and face are the ultimate prize. When she finds herself disfigured, she’s left floundering with a crushed self-esteem. Slowly she discovers that even though she is physically flawed in the industry’s eyes, she is very much a beautiful person.

If your book was made into a movie, what actor would you like to fill your hero’s shoes?

What a fun question, and a hard one! There’s so many actors I adore who have a stage presence and an intensity in their work. But if I have to pick, I think I would pick, Jim Caviezel in the Count of Monte Crisco. Richard Chamberlain also played with role very well. He was such a wounded character and deeply in love, and the intensity of his hatred, anguish and love for the heroine through the screen.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Without a doubt, Sandra Brown. I love her work. There’s also Dean Koontz. I used to read him and Leigh Nichols at the same time and be so impatience for their next books to come out. It actually came as a shock when I learned they were one and the same. I also adore a number of historical romance writers: Jude Deveraux, Julie Garwood, Lisa Kleypas, Amanda Quick, and… well, as you can see, I can go on and on.

What do we have to look forward next?

I have another short, contemporary romance coming out from The Wild Rose Press called Protecting Katie. It’s about a bitter custody battle between two men. Morgan has raised Katie as his own for eight years, but his ex-business partner and the biological father of Katie has come back to town and threatens to file for paternity. Morgan isn’t willing to give Katie up, not when he knows that Jeff’s unscrupulous character would be detrimental in raising a precocious child. The heroine, Kristen and Jeff’s girlfriend, gets caught in the middle of both men’s hatred for each other.

Thanks, Carol!

To celebrate her book release, Carol Webb is offering a free ebook of The Long Road Home to one lucky commenter on today's blog. She will be around most of the day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Check out author’s website at http://www.carolwebb.net/

Buy The Long Road Home. http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=786&zenid=7a9bfc9d05eab1e2b0f23c1c13d658dd

"The A-B-C's of Story Construction"

Here's a class that might interest some of you new to writing. I've taken classes from Writer U. and found them to be very helpful.

Online class: June 2-30, 2008
"The A-B-Cs of Story Construction"by Patricia Kay
Registration $30 at www.WriterUniv.com/

Many times, writers confuse plotting a story with the construction of the story. The two are not the same. Plotting is what you do before you write; it's the planning part of storytelling. Story construction is how you write what you've planned. Although no two novels are alike, and there are no absolutes about how they must be put together, there is a logical way to tell your story -- one that will grab your reader's attention and keep himriveted until the very last page. In this hands-on class, with a combination of lessons, homework, and discussion, you will learn how to accomplish this goal.

Topics covered:
* What is a story? The three-act structure

* Your opening: setting the stage, the inciting incident
* Creating characters we can root for
* Writing scenes: Scenes Equal Action
* Writing Sequels: Sequels Equal Aftermath
* Whose point of view?
* Writing the love scene

Patricia Kay, whose first mainstream romance was nominated for a RITA, is theUSA Today bestselling author of more than 46 novels of romance and women's fiction. An acclaimed teacher, she formerly taught at the University of Houston, and has given writing workshops all over the country. She says there's nothing more satisfying to her than seeing that light bulb go off in a student's head. To learn more about her, visit her website at www.patriciakay.com

Kim

The Neurotic Writer and Another Stolen Book Idea

Welcome to Another Episode of The Neurotic Writer


Therapist: “Good morning, Suzie.”

Suzie Writer: “There’s nothing good about it.”

Therapist: “Oh?”

Suzie Writer: “Other writers are still stealing my ideas. The aluminum foil headband isn’t working. I went to the bookstore yesterday and discovered some else just published my cowboy alien vampire series. I wanted to throw the book across the room.”

Therapist: “The fact you didn’t shows growth.”

Suzie Writer: “Whatever.” (Glances down at therapist’s desk.) “Wait a minute. Your last name is Ogryzek. The author who wrote my cowboy alien vampire book was named Ogryzek.”

Therapist: “Suzie, I did not write a cowboy alien vampire book. I strictly write nonfiction.”

Suzie Writer: “Nonfiction? You think you’re too good to steal my ideas, don’t you? Admit it. You’re an intellectual snob.”

Therpist: (exasperated) “Of course not. I think your cowboy alien vampire book is…unique and…imaginative.”

Suzie Writer: “I knew it! You stole my idea.”

Interview with Paige Wheeler

I’d like to welcome our guest agent today, Paige Wheeler. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

Can you please give us a little information about your publishing background? How many clients do you have? How many agents? And how many of those agents represent romance? What other genres do you represent?

I started working in publishing in London for a financial publishing company called Euromoney. I then moved on to NYC to work in the editorial department for Harlequin/Silhouette. After a number of years there I decided that I really wanted to represent the authors rather than the publisher, so I joined an agency called Artists Agency. In 1997 I decided to hang out my own shingle and I started Creative Media Agency. After 10 years of running CMA, I was approached by two people and asked to start a new company. We started FOLIO in 2006 and have been doing tremendously well ever since. We have 7 agents (including a foreign rights agent) as well as a marketing director and a speakers bureau agent. Only two of us represent a sizeable chunk of romance but almost all of us have worked on a women’s fiction or romance project at one time. Although I represent a lot of romance and women’s fiction, I also represent mysteries and thrillers as well as literary fiction and all types of nonfiction.

What fees (if any) does your agency charge? What is your agency’s commission rate?

We charge the standard 15% commission for domestic and 20% for foreign and film.

What’s your response time for queries, partials and full manuscripts?

Well, I’m just coming back from maternity leave, so I’m a little behind. (congratulations! KW) Normally, I’ll respond to queries within two weeks, 4 weeks for partials and 6 weeks for manuscripts.

What new author have you recently signed?

I recently signed this fabulous writer who has written a beautiful work of narrative nonfiction. I’m super excited about his writing.

What new project made you grab for that hidden piece of chocolate in your pencil drawer?

How do you know about that piece of chocolate! (I'll never tell. KW)

Oh well. Aside from the nonfiction project I just mentioned, I haven’t really been wowed lately—but then again, I’ve been on maternity leave. I’m looking to get wowed now!

What can an author do to grab your attention?

First and foremost, write well. Ideally, this should be coupled with a fresh, terrific idea. I can always help with the idea, but the voice and writing style is really up to the author.

What houses have you recently sold to?

I have sold to most of the major houses. Some recent sales have been to HarperCollins, St. Martin’s, Penguin, and Simon and Schuster.

What do you love/hate most about being an agent?

I love working with authors to build their career and I love selling books. The paperwork can be overwhelming at times.

What trends do you see for the future of publishing?

I’m a bit worried about mass market books at the moment, but I’m hoping that will change. Historical romances are supposedly making a comeback, which is good. E-readers are getting better. Independent bookstores will continue to decline, unfortunately. Those are just some random trends that I see.

Any other chocolate nuggets you can give authors looking for representation?

Keep working at your craft. Do your research and look for an agent whose interests and skill set will help you. Realize that most writers take years to become established and that the ones that are hugely successful are few and far between. Be prepared for rejection but be resilient enough to bounce back. Network at conferences and with fellow writers. Those are my nuggets!

Thanks, Paige!

Check out the agent’s website at http://www.foliolit.com

The Neurotic Writer and The 27 Dresses

Welcome to Another Episode of The Neurotic Writer



Suzie Writer: “I can’t believe there’s a movie out with my book title.”

Therapist: “You published your book?”

Suzie Writer: “No. The book I was going to write is called The 27 Dresses.”

Therapist: “Cute movie. You were going to write a book about a woman who has 27 bridesmaid’s dresses?”

Suzie Writer: “My idea is better. She wears 27 different dresses on a single date.”

Therapist: (Creases brow in confusion.) “On top of each other?”

Suzie Writer: “Of course not. That would be silly.” (Rolls her eyes) “Editors want writers to Show, Don’t Tell, so I’ve come up with a brilliant idea. I’ve made my hero so hot, sweat pours off her every time she’s around him.”

Therapist: “So she has to change clothes 27 times?”

Suzie Writer: “See? Great idea, huh? She has to take a suitcase on every date.”

Therapist: “Can’t you call it The 26 Dresses?”

Suzie Writer: “No. It would ruin the series. The second book is called The 28 Negligees.

Therapist: “Let me guess. He’s extra hot in bed?”

Suzie Writer: “You’re catching on! The last book is called The 29 Halloween Costumes. It’s a thriller.”

FOR WRITERS: Victorian Research Links:

Here are some of the most helpful links I’ve discovered from the web. I’ve organized them by subject where appropriate, to make this list a quick reference. Also, you’ll notice that this list is specifically for writers, touching on the subject areas needed for recreating the time period in a book. Most of the links also give me ‘quick’ answers, although some are just packed with info. If you would like to add any of your favorite website links, please add a comment to this post. I’m sure other writers will appreciate it!

American Cultural History (by year)
http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/19thcentury.html

Food:
http://www.victoriana.com/christmas/menu-99.htm
Timeline of food history: http://www.foodreference.com/html/html/yearonlytimeline.html
http://www.foodtimeline.org/


Names:
http://www.behindthename.com/
http://baby-names.adoption.com/origin/English.html
Victorian English: http://timegames.org/old%20site/dickens/names.htm
http://www.issendai.com/rpgs/victoriannames.shtml
Victorian American:http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~poindexterfamily/OldNames.html


Homes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belton_House
http://www.gaelenfoley.com/index-history-homes3.html

Buildings:
http://www.victorianstation.com/palace.html


Historical Research organized by subject:
http://home.insightbb.com/~d.lawson/
http://www.victorianlondon.org/
http://www.mariannepetitbooks.com/links.html
http://www.victoriana.com/Articles/index.html
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/browse/ListAll.php?title=0&fl=A

Nineteenth Century Fashion:
http://www.fashion-era.com/early_victorian_fashion.htm
http://www.teacheroz.com/fashionhistory.htm
http://www.fashion-era.com/
http://www.marquise.de/en/1800/notes1885.shtml
http://www.costumes.org/
http://del.icio.us/TheBeaumonde/Fashion

Maps:
http://www.charlesdickenspage.com/dickens_london_map.html#cheapside
http://www.victorianlondon.org/entertainment/sightseeing.htm
http://www.motco.com/map/

Furniture:
http://www.furniturestyles.net/

Word (not world) History:
http://www.etymonline.com./

Historical Timeline-Victorian:
http://www.dur.ac.uk/alan.heesom/chronology.htm

Victorian Website Links:
http://lang.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~matsuoka/Victorian.html
http://www.victorianweb.org/vn/victorov.html

Historical Photographs of England:
http://viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk/

Quick Reference by Decade:
http://www.writersdreamtools.com/view/decades/default.asp?Decade=1840

Free Victorian Clipart:
http://karenswhimsy.com/free-victorian-clipart.htm

Until next time,
Kathryne

Interview with Loretta Rogers

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Loretta Rogers. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

Thank you for inviting me. I’m excited to here, and believe me I need all the therapy I can get, so bring on the chocolate.

My pleasure. I hope you like dark. (KW)

I understand you have a new release out called, THE TWISTED TRAIL . Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

I’m really excited about this novel. Not only is it a Western, but it’s a Western that takes place east of the Mississippi. Most publishers prefer this type story take place West of the Mississippi. The Twisted Trail is set in 1840 in both Florida and Georgia, when gold was discovered on Cherokee lands.

THE TWISTED TRAIL is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

The plot is a race between two freight line owners to see who will out smart the other to be the first to get their supplies over a twisted trail to a bunch of starving gold miners in the Georgia mountains.

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book?

Although a native Floridian who lived in Georgia for several years, yes, I did quite a bit of research. Even though the novel is fiction, I wanted to make certain my facts were correct.

What character did you like writing about the most, and why?

Most writers might choose the hero, but I actually like Joe Panther. Part Seminole Indian, he calls himself a white man’s woods colt. Joe Panther has a rather dry sense of humor that comes across as funny.

If your book was made into a movie, what actor would you like to fill your hero’s shoes?

When I begin a novel, I always try to envision which actors might play my characters, and that includes the villain. However, I think either Jim Caviezel or Christian Bale would play the part of hero, Matt Logan very well. Both are tall and have that rugged masculinity about them that is needed for heroes of western movies.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Jackie Collins once said that every person has at least one good book in them. I always wanted to write, but doubted myself. When I heard her make this statement, I decided to ‘go for it.’ I’ve been fortunate to have two books out, ISABELLE AND THE OUTLAW, published by The Wild Rose Press, released December, 2007, and was on the publisher’s best seller’s list for several weeks.

What do we have to look forward next?

Currently, I have another Western under consideration by Avalon Books, and a historical western inspirational under consideration by The Wild Rose Press. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. You know how we writers love getting those contracts.

I can agree with that. (KW)

Thanks, Loretta!

Bio.
When not writing, Loretta and her husband take trips on their Suzuki motorcycle. As a child, Loretta used to sneak her father’s Zane Grey and Louie L’Amour Westerns from his sock drawer. Thus grew her love for cowboys, horses and the old west. Winner of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlins Writing Award, she is also multi-published with Dorchester Media. She also writes under the pseudonym – L. W. Rogers.

Check out Loretta’s website at http://www.lorettacrogersbooks.com/

Buy ISABELLE AND THE OUTLAW at http://www.thewildrosepress.com/ or THE TWISTED TRAIL at http://www.avalonbooks.com/