Interview with Catherine Mann

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Catherine Mann. 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.

I understand you have a new release out called COVER ME. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

COVER ME is the first in my new military romantic suspense series. “Elite Force” features air force special operations pararescuemen, trained in high-risk rescue, combat or humanitarian. More books are already in the works with HOT ZONE (December 2011) and UNDER FIRE (May 2012.)

COVER ME is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

COVER ME fits the story on a number of levels. The book is a military suspense novel, so the COVER ME refers to the hero and heroine watching out for each other. The book is also set in Alaska, so there’s a very literal sense of keeping warm. And of course it’s a romance, so COVER ME has a sexy connotation on those cold Alaska nights.

Would you describe your book as a cozy, mystery, suspense, or thriller?

I would call it military romantic suspense, but it’s been interesting to see some of the reviews coming in label it s a thriller. All have agreed it’s steamy!

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I’ve always been an avid reader of both romantic suspense and romances. So it’s a natural fit for me to write in both genres for Sourcebooks, Harlequin and Berkley. As for the military angle, my husband served for over twenty years as an air force aviator.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

I had already decided to write a PJ series and was brainstorming ideas when I came across an article in National Geographic about the Aleutian Islands. The article noted how Russian missionaries referred to it as “the land that God forgot.” That sent a real chill down my spine. I knew then, I’d found the place to set the first book in the “Elite Force” series!

Do you have all the key suspense/mystery elements thought out before you begin writing?

When I begin a book, I have a basic outline in place, along with a number of key scenes in mind. I have character sketches for all the main players, including the villain. However, I do have to say the villain in this story really surprised me. I had a major revelation about his character about three weeks before I turned the book in and had to go back and re-work all his scenes. While I was surprised at the twist my story took, I am thrilled with how it all played out!

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book? What are your favorite research books or sites?

My husband served for over twenty years in the Air Force and is awesome about brainstorming story ideas and plot points. He proofreads my books for fact checking. I also live only a few miles away from Hurlburt Field, headquarters for Air Force Special Operations Command. And in a lucky twist of fate, my chiropractor also happens to be a retired pararescueman. He’s been great about sharing stories about his active duty adventures.

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

I always enjoy creating a new military squadron – especially coming up with their back stories and call signs (nick-names.) Once I have my crew/team, I’m ready to roll!

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research affect your character development?

I keep files on characters with lists of their histories (or as much as I know when the story starts.) I also choose photos of actors and actresses who resemble those characters. Research adds layers to those characters, like suiting them up for battle.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

I’m an avid romance reader and have been a long time fan of books by Suzanne Brockmann, Lori Foster, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Lisa Gardner, Linda Howard, Teresa Mederios, Christina Dodd… My list could go on and on.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

It’s tough to know what’s the most effective, but I do know what’s the most rewarding. I truly enjoy interacting with readers on Facebook (Catherine Mann author) and Twitter (CatherineMann1). I can also always be reached through my website: www.catherinemann.com

What do we have to look forward next?

I have a wonderfully busy few months ahead on the shelves:
COVER ME, Sourcebooks, July 2011
BILLIONAIRE’S JET SET BABIES, Harlequin Desire, Oct. 2011
IRRESISTIBLY HIS, Harlequin Showcase, Nov. 2011
HOT ZONE, Sourcebooks, Dec. 2011
PROTECTOR, Berkley Sensation, March 2012
PROMOTED TO PAPA, Harlequin Desire, April 2012
UNDER FIRE, Sourcebooks, May 2012

Thanks, Catherine!

CM: Thank YOU for inviting me to hang out!

To celebrate her book release, Catherine Mann is offering a free book of COVER ME to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio.
USA Today bestseller Catherine Mann has over two million books in print in more than twenty counties. A RITA Award winner, she lives in the Florida panhandle with her flyboy husband, their four children and menagerie of pets.

Check out author’s website at http://catherinemann.com
Buy at amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cover-Me-Catherine-Mann/dp/1402244959/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1290033156&sr=1-1

Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Cover-Me/Catherine-Mann/e/9781402244957/?itm=1&USRI=catherine+mann+cover+me

The Office

Question. What is your dream office/writing space?

When Tia Dani started working together several years ago things were perfect. We lived close enough so we could get together on a daily basis. Because of it, we were able to sit side by side and create our stories in one office.

By working so closely, we really got to be in each other’s head and understood what we wanted to say. We talked for hours about a scene before the words actually went down on paper. It was easy to critique each page and work it out as we went. Sure it took some time, and our story didn’t move as fast as we would have liked, but it’s how we learned to become one voice. We worked hard at it, blending ourselves to become one.

Unfortunately, because life has a habit of changing things unexpectedly, it happened to us. Personal circumstances made it so we could no longer work together on a daily basis.

It meant Tia Dani had to change...and...WE both hate change.

But we are committed to our team writing. We are determined to figure out a way to make it work. And, we have. Though we now have separate offices on the other side of town from each other, we communicate daily (one way or another). We talk by phone, by email, and we added Skype to our arsenal. We still write and it’s working.

You might say, by being able to spend so much time together in the beginning it made us successful as a team. It’s also made our friendship extremely strong.

Could we have still been a writing team by not spending so much time together in the beginning? Maybe...maybe not. Team writing is hard no matter how it begins. There are lots of sacrifices to make, as there are in any partnership. Partnerships work if you are committed. And we are. Tia Dani plans to be around for a long time to come. We have lots more stories to tell and we hope you will read them and enjoy them as much as we have writing them.

Be watching for our newest release coming from Sapphire Blue Publishing in August. We guarantee it will be hot.

This is our writing space/office.
Tia’s new office

Dani’s new office

This is us working together in Tia’s old office.

What a glamorous life. Pass the bon bons, please.

Death Unseen, Available in print and ebook

Seduction to the Altar, ebook

Who Doesn't Love a Mystery?

DESERT SLEUTHS CHAPTER
SISTERS IN CRIME

2011 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Write STRONG: A Writer's Workout


Desert Sleuths WriteNow! 2011 Conference, “WriteSTRONG: A Writer’s Workout” will be held August 20, 2011, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. in the Webster Auditorium at Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008.

Registration $75, $80 at the door. Professional editing sessions with Carol Test, $15 per submission.

Featuring multi award-winning, bestselling authors Sophie Littlefield, Kelli Stanley and Juliet Blackwell. This will be a high-energy event designed to whip you and your writing into shape. Visit
www.DesertSleuths.com for more details and to register.


This is one of my favorite conferences and I never miss it. Always
conveniently located, as of late it's also had some classy venues. Last
years it was at the Wrigley mansion and this year's will be, as mentioned
above, at the gorgeous Botanical Gardens.

The speakers cover truly diverse topics from supernatural mystery to using
grammar correctly, and . . . a great editor to run your work by. Carol Test
is my colleague in the Creative Writing program at Phoenix College. If
you're ready to have a sample of your work evaluated, I highly recommend
that you take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

Plus, did I mention that the conference price will be easy on your wallet -
-$75 in advance and $80 at the door. That includes lunch.

I hope to see you there. All good books contain suspense and learning how to
build a strong mystery can only improve your stories no matter what genre
you write in.

For more detail, check out the Desert Sleuth website
http://www.desertsleuths.com/WriteNow_2011.html

And you might want to stop by a monthly meeting -- Grimaldi's, Old Town
Scottsdale. 4000 N Scottsdale Road, 6pm, third Wednesday of the month.

Submitted by Connie Flynn

What Concerns You?

Last night I dreamed I was awakened on America’s Top Model by a 4am call to a surprise modeling gig. I’d slept in my clothes, my hair was a mess, my breath probably worse, and we were leaving NOW. The girls and I had partied in our model’s apartment the night before and I was badly hung over. And because I was still the age I really am (shouldn’t I have been younger and better looking? It was my dream!) and the other girls were young and beautiful and probably handled their booze better than I do, I was already at the back of the pack. America’s top model? Please.

Soon I was hanging out on the sidewalk in front of a designer’s studio and I got to assess how bad it was. I had on blue jeans, the I’m-about-to-paint-the-house kind, with a t-shirt bearing some rude slogan I refuse to share, and flip-flops, which — according to my friend who was subtly gloating because she’d done everything right — was something designers absolutely hated. Hey, they were wedgies and in a tasteful black, so how bad could that be?

I woke up defending my flip-flops, if you can imagine that.

But it wasn’t a bad dream. How many middle aged women get a chance to pretend they’re hot models? And, of course, I’m still a writer and a writing teacher and in no time I noticed that my dream was an inciting incident. My character had a (barely) achievable goal, a worthy motive to prove that old broads had a chance, and a conflict revolving around overcoming not only age, but being fully unprepared that morning.

If I were to actually take off with this unlikely premise what else would I need? After all I have this huge goal, a good reason, and an obstacle.

What’s missing is focus. Having caught a few episodes of Top Model, I discovered these girls have lots more to worry about than just looking good. They’re expected to be versatile – looking like an angel in one shot, sultry in another. They’re expected to be outgoing. Graceful in movement. Adaptable. And to never, never complain, no matter that the boning in that gown is threatening to give you an unscheduled mastectomy. x

It’s true — who would have thought it? — and it was the breadth of the demands that made me see what rich material this reality show provides. One girl, well, actually a woman — me — would worry about wrinkles, stamina, whether that roll around the waist was too big to hide. Another is too shy, someone else is not classy enough, another’s boobs are too big, another is too thin and suspected of being anorexic.

These are their concerns and are the core of unique characterization. You can make your character an Amazon or a cherub or a tough-as-nail cop but what makes this person behave like an individual are the things/people/events/desired images that concern her/him. Does she strive to be thought of as competent, then her concern is to do things correctly. Does he think of himself as fearless? Then his concern is to keep alert for frightening things to stomp on. Do his children mean everything to him? His concern is to keep them safe and happy.

This is a self-evident truth writers easily forget. Partly because concerns stem from external demands.but we tend to think they're internal. If one person is a go-getter who is hell-bent-for-leather after success, and another is a laid-back party-hearty guy, their concerns would be different. Character A is intent on impressing the boss. Character B is more interested in keeping beer in the fridge. They seem motivated by widely different things, but it is their concerns that drive them. If Character B got kicked out on the street, with no fridge, and no bucks for beer, he’d suddenly become intent on impressing the boss, any boss. Likewise, given enough bad luck, Character A could end up a beer-guzzling slacker. External demands and expectations drive the concern.

So, back to my dream. Although I risk making a fool of myself, I’d like to go into what my concerns might be if I really were on America’s Top Model competing with a dozen women young enough to be my daughters.

Well, I’d probably be the first one to hit the gym each morning, making sure that nothing sagged. And I’d watch my diet more closely than the younger ones. I’d also make sure everyone liked me. I’ll need the support since I’m already one down.

If I’m smart and actually hope to be a winner, or at least snag a modeling contract, I’d make sure I didn’t lead with my weaknesses. Nope, I’d be up first in the morning, getting the makeup on perfectly, styling my hair (gosh, I’m getting exhausted thinking about it). All of these concerns, these efforts to make these little things right, create events. I, for instance, might need my particular curling iron to get my hair just so. Another girl keeps borrowing it without asking. Micro-conflict coming up, which could possibly get bigger depending on the concerns of the other girls.

Now this is the most important thing to remember when you strive to give character’s individuality: each character has their own concerns, which blends or clashes with other characters, or make that person seem weird. But it doesn’t take much backstory to make the weird believable. All you need is a reason. I want to win the modeling contest. If I’m reasonably successful at hiding my age, my insecurities will seem weird. But as soon as the reader know the reason, it no longer does. Concerns are the outward evidence of motivation and when used effectively they make every character unique.

Which leads me to think, with this much concern would I have partied hard enough to have a hangover? It looks like I did. What’s up with that?

A new concern, one not yet revealed. One that derailed me. What could it be?

Well, the dream ended so we’ll never know, but if you think of something include it in your comment and maybe share what you would do if you found yourself trapped inside a reality show. What show would you be on? What concerns would reveal your motive?

Until next month, follow your dreams,
Connie Flynn
BootcampforNovelists

And the winner is......

Congratulations Trish. You're Caris's winner. Please contact Kim at kwatters21 (at) hotmail (dot) com to claim your prize. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.

Independence

This weekend we celebrate Independence Day in the United States. We recognize the fact we won our freedom during the American Revolution. We may be a free country, but there are all types of binds we place on ourselves. During these weekend celebrations, I challenge you to take a good, long look at your life. What do you need to free yourself from? Do you spend too much time with toxic, negative people who deplete your energy? Do you eat too much junk food that clogs your body and also drains your energy? Are you spending too much working and not enough time with your loved ones? Identify what detracts from the quality of your life and start your own revolution to free yourself.

I am going to increase my energy levels by increasing my water intake, eating healthier food, and exercising more. What will you do?

Interview with Caris Roane

I'd like to welcome our guest today, Caris Roane. It’s a pleasure having you doing the author interview today 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.

I need therapy! I do, I do! The chocolate kind anyway. But I’m thrilled to be here talking about my favorite things: writing, books, and the series I’m currently working on!

I understand you have a new release out called BURNING SKIES. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

BURNING SKIES is the second installment of my paranormal, winged vampire series, called GUARDIANS OF ASCENSION. In a world of six ascending dimensions, BURNING SKIES tracks Warrior Marcus and his woman, Havily Morgan, as her darkening power emerges, the enemy wants her dead, and Marcus makes it his mission to protect her.

BURNING SKIES is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

For some reason, I don’t excel at titles. I mean, every once in a while I can have a true inspiration, like the first title of the series, ASCENSION, which actually was my idea. HOWEVER, the rest of the titles in the series, which I absolutely LOVE, have been the result of real team work between my fabulous editor, Rose Hilliard, and my equally fabulous agent, Jennifer Schober. They seem to have magic when it comes to titles. I mean listen to these, and these are in order: ASCENSION, BURNING SKIES, WINGS OF FIRE, BORN OF ASHES, and OBSIDIAN FLAME. Aren’t they great?!? But what I love best about them is that they truly reflect what’s going on in the series! My vampires have wings, they do battle in the air, they’re fighting death vampires, a war is on the horizon, firebombs have exploded in the air. This is a world in deep trouble and the titles give us a flavor of that.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

Pure passion! I absolutely fell hard for the paranormal genre beginning with Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series. But I should add, that I had already dipped my toe in these waters during the early 90’s when I included both vampires and Greek mythological characters in several of my early Regencies.

Where did you get your idea for this particular series?

Once I read the Dark Hunter series, I was determined to write my own vampire tale. I had no idea what it would be about except that I wanted a brotherhood of hunky warriors. Beyond that, I wanted a HUGE world, so that should I develop a real following, I could write in this world for years to come! What emerged were six ascending dimensions in which powerful mortals receive a ‘call to ascension’ and the opportunity to live in a new world and to take on the mantle of the vampire.

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

I absolutely LOVE writing about each of my warriors, of which there are nine in the series. Currently, I’m working on Thorne’s book so of course I’m carrying him around in my heart and loving every second of it. HOWEVER, I do have one recurring character that is both a blast to write and about which I get all sorts of website and Facebook comments, and that’s the ruler of Second Earth, the mucho-snarky Endelle. She’s fun because she’s irreverent, and profane, and pretty bad at her job, but she’s uber-powerful, loves the warriors, and down deep has the best heart in the world. Oh, and she dresses like it’s Mardi Gras everyday.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and/or world affect your character development?

I use a lot of different methods to develop my characters, as in character sheets and interviews. But I often find that the depth of the character really starts to surface once I begin to write the story. Plot and character work hand-in-hand at this point as well, all the way through the first draft. I go back and forth, making adjustments both directions. Plot often influences who a character is and a character can often tip a plot in a new direction. The whole thing is a lot of fun…occasionally frustrating, but mostly fun!

How do you go about building your world if you use one? Do you use maps, charts or drawings?

For this series, I have pictures in my head about what each setting looks like. It’s rare that I would actually sit down and draw something out. Once it’s fixed in my mind, I can usually get back there with a thought. Also, because this is a series, once I include a setting in a scene, or part of the world, I’ll frequently refer back to how I originally described that setting or part of the world. I also keep a huge spreadsheet on character details, like which powers each character has, what color their wings are, when each person ‘ascended’ to Second Earth, that kind of thing.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

My favorite authors in the paranormal genre totally inspired me: Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter, Lara Adrian, Kresley Cole, JR Ward, and many more. In addition—and this is something of a mystery to me—I find I go through periods of weeks when all I want to read is women’s fiction and general fiction. Some of those authors who have really affected me are: Marisa de los Santos, Lolly Winston, Elizabeth Berg, Anne Tyler, Barbara Kingsolver, and Anita Shreve.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

I think the most effective promotion has been the total effect of doing it all: having a website and a blog, having a newsletter, being active on Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, and Shelfari, doing book trailers, and doing other blogs like this one. Each time you reach out into the cloud, you have the opportunity to tap into an entirely new group of readers and possibly reviewers. Every reviewer, for instance, is the center of their own universe, and therefore can usually offer a large group of potential readers who have probably never heard of you. My current goal is to blog on other blog and review sites once-a-week just on principle.

What do we have to look forward next?

I’m really excited to be releasing, in e-format, a novella based on my GUARDIANS OF ASCENSION series. During the month of May, this novella was available to read for free on the website Heroes & Heartbreakers. But now, it will be available for $.99 on Kindle, Nook, etc. ALSO, for readers who might not know this and don’t own an e-reader, all kinds of apps are available for PCs, for iPhones, for iPads, etc. That way, you can read the occasional e-only novel or novella without having to invest in one of the dedicated e-readers. (One of my fans on Goodreads and another one on Facebook enlightened me on this subject…I wish I’d known. I purchased a Kindle but discovered that I’m just not crazy about the electronic form. I LOVE holding a book in my hands!)

Of course following close on the heels of the novella, is my next full length novel, the Third book in the series, WINGS OF FIRE, which is a September release.

Thanks, Caris!

To celebrate her ongoing series, Caris is offering an ARC of WINGS OF FIRE or a signed copy of BURNING SKIES to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

Also, Caris is considering expanding her world, once the Third Dimension opens up, to include shifters. Do you enjoy shifter books? If so, tell us what you’d like to see on Third Earth.

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio.

Check out author’s website at www.carisroane.com Buy ASCENSION, BURNING SKIES & BRINK OF ETERNITY.