Frequently
Asked Questions
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I’m writing a book. Can you
look at it or tell me how to get it published?
Answer: I’m sorry, but for legal reasons, I am NOT allowed to look at any book ideas or manuscript pages. I can give you advice, though.
First-- Study the craft of writing and practice a lot. You may not get your first book published. You may not get your tenth book published. But you will improve over time. Try to discover you own unique voice. Here are some books I found very useful:
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass
GMC: Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon
Scene & Structure by Jack M. Bickham
How to Write a Damn Good Novel, II by James N. Frey
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King
Secondly-- Read a lot. Read great books from all genres. Soak it in so you can acquire good instincts for things like pacing.
Thirdly-- Study the business of writing. Learn about publishers and agents. Learn how to format your manuscript correctly. Learn how to write a dynamite query letter. And make sure you can finish the book!
Fourthly-- Join a writers’ group like Romance Writers of America. You can find them online at http://www.rwanational.org/. They have local chapters and online chapters. They hold workshops and classes, both physical and online, where you can learn everything from the craft of writing to the business of getting and staying published. They hold conferences where you can meet editors and agents. They run contests where the final entries are seen by editors and agents. (That is how I acquired my first sale). If you don’t write romance, find another writers’ group. They are out there, and they are the best way for you to educate yourself about craft and the industry.
And finally-- Never give up!
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Where do your ideas come from?
Answer: Anywhere and everywhere. I love
to people watch. I like to look at ordinary
things and play What if?
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Which comes first—the characters
or the plot?
Answer: Each author will be different, but
for me, the characters come first and they run the
show.
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4. When will Connor/ Gregori/ Phineas / Zoltan, etc. find their true loves? Will they ever get a book of their own?
Answer: I have definite plans for Connor and Gregori, but it will be awhile before they get their books. As for the rest of the guys, I hope they each get a turn! I love playing matchmaker for them!
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How long will the Love at Stake series
go on?
Answer: I am currently under contract for books 9 through 12. If you keep buying them, it could last longer than that!
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Will you ever write another historical?
Answer: I would love to someday, but I’m kinda
busy right now! I really appreciate those who
enjoyed For Love or Country. Unfortunately,
it’s very unlikely that I’ll manage to
sell another historical set in America. The publishers
aren’t buying them right now. Of course,
things change over time, so who knows?
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How can I ask you other questions?
Answer: Come to the Forum in the Vampire World section of this website. There, you can chat with me and other readers. Or join my Fan page on Facebook.
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How can I get my book signed?
Answer: You can mail your book to me, enclosing a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) that’s big enough for me to mail the book back to you. Or you can mail me a smaller SASE, and I will send you a signed bookplate plus some bookmarks. My address is P.O Box 5512, Katy, TX 77491-5512. Please use real stamps on the SASE, since metered mail comes with an expiration date. You can also order my books through Katy Budget Books, and I will drop by the store and sign them to you before the fabulous folks at KBB mail it to you. You can find them at http://katybooks.com/.
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