Welcome Donna Marie Rogers

Hi, all,

I'm heading off to Asia in the morning, so I'm posting this great interview before I go. Let's welcome Donna Marie Rogers, who's on a Goddess Fish blog tour. She's agreed to answer some questions about her writing process and she's also shared her blurb and excerpt. Hope you'll all rush out and buy the book. Isn't the cover fabulous???

Here's my interview with Donna:

When did you first dream of being a writer and what steps did you take to follow your dream?

I read my first romance novel when I was 20 years old. I'd picked up a couple of used Kathleen E. Woodiwiss novels for my mom, and decided to give one a try on the long ride home. By the time we arrived, I was hooked! I read every romance novel I could get my hands on (even hooked both my sisters-in-law, who are still voracious readers), and slowly the writing jones took a hold of me. Only I quickly discovered that writing an entire novel wasn't as easy as I'd thought. Several years and many half-written manuscripts later, I became discouraged and gave up. But in 2004, I sat down at my computer, a little older and with thicker skin (LOL), and eight months later I'd finished my first draft of There's Only Been You. Unsure of where to go from there, I emailed a fan letter to Jayne Ann Krentz who told me if I was a serious about writing, I should join RWA. Which I did, along with my local chapter. :-)

What do you find most challenging about being a writer? What do you love most?

For me, the most challenging is simply finding the time to write. But once my kids are both in school (this fall!!!), I hope to nail down a regular writing schedule. I love so many things...editing, fan letters, good reviews (just received my first review for MEANT TO BE & it was excellent!). And I love how proud my family is of me. :-)

In addition to writing, what are your other passions?

My family, of course. My friends. Reading, for sure. I love watching TV and I'm a longtime soap opera fan. I also love to garden. I used to love to fish, so I may get my butt out on the boat again this year.

What stumbling blocks have you encountered and how have you overcome them?

The usual, I suppose. Agents who say they love your book, but don't know if they could sell it. Editors who call, and just as you're about to have a heart attack they say, "I'm not calling for the reason you think I am." LOL Perseverence is how I overcame those stumbling blocks, until I found an editor who not only loved my work, but believed in it.

What comes first in your writing process? A scene, characters, title? Are you a plotter?

I like to simply start with the opening paragraph, which sets the scene for me. Everything else just develops, I guess, as I write. I used to be a pantser, but I quickly realized plotting works a lot better for me...less headaches...LOL

Where do you get your ideas? And what do you do if your muse decides to take a vacation?

I get my ideas in all sorts of places: the news, articles, books, real life, reality shows. Reality shows are a goldmine for quirky characters. LOL

What’s one secret few people know about you?

I've wracked my brain for something juicy, but I got nothing. Well, I cry at the drop of a hat...but heck, that's just pathetic. *grin* A few months ago, I was trying to tell my friend (co-author Stacey Joy Netzel) about the movie Somewhere In Time with Christopher Reeves & Jane Seymour, which she's never seen, and I couldn't get the words out I was so choked up. She just shook her head and said, "Really? Are you kidding?" LOL I also couldn't read the speech for this year's Chapter Service Award recipients (at the WisRWA conference) because when I tried to practice it on my friends I couldn't do it without crying. Man, I'm a blubbering fool...LOL

Anything special you wish I'd asked or that you'd like to share with readers.

I'd love to post an excerpt for the secondary love story in Meant To Be between Luke Jamison (Garrett's uncle who moved in to take care of them after the deaths of their parents) & Muriel, a neighbor who works at the police station with Garrett & Mike.

Excerpt:

Luke Jamison nearly choked on his beer when he saw Muriel strolling his way with a killer smile and a plateful of food. She was so beautiful he couldn't believe some lucky guy hadn't snapped her up already. She had a figure women half her age would envy, and today she wore a pair of those lowrise jeans with a white, spaghetti-strap tank top that had the Led Zeppelin blimp on it. Please, God, let something witty come out of my mouth. He cleared his throat and gestured toward her chest. "You know, I saw them once, but it was years ago."

"Oh, I don't think so." She grinned. "I would've remembered something like that."

Heat crawled up Luke's neck. "I, uh, what I meant was...ah, hell, I'm an idiot."

"Actually, I think you're cute. And I know what you meant, I was only teasing." She stopped in front of him and held out the plate. "Garrett asked me to bring this in to you."

"Thanks." He accepted it without making eye contact. Chicken shit.

"Don't mention it." She took a seat on the beige and gold flower-patterned sofa and patted the cushion beside her. "I'd be happy to keep you company while you eat."

"Maybe I should go eat this out on the patio. Sara'll skin me alive if I plop barbecue sauce on their new furniture."

"Relax, Luke. After four kids, trust me, I'm an expert at taking out stains."

With a hesitant nod, he walked over and sat down next to her, being careful not to sit too close. With his luck, he'd end up getting barbecue sauce on her as well as the sofa.

"So how have you been?" she asked. "I haven't seen you down at the station in quite a while."

"I've been working a lot. Eating up the overtime." He picked up his fork and took a bite of the macaroni salad.

"Tasty, huh? Your Sara sure can cook." Muriel crossed her legs, her sandaled foot brushing his calf. "You know, I'm not a half-bad cook myself."

He glanced up after another bite of macaroni salad. "Can you make pierogies?"

"My maiden name is Slotkowski; what do you think?"

He held her gaze for moment before dropping his back to his plate.

Muriel took heart. Luke Jamison was easily the shyest man she'd ever met. And one of the best looking. He stood just shy of six-feet, had a thick, full head of salt and pepper hair with a matching mustache and beard that he kept neatly trimmed. Muscular, like his nephews, he was in surprisingly good shape for a man of nearly fifty. He wore a wellworn pair of Levi's with a black pocket T-shirt tucked into the waistband, which showed off a lean waist from all the years he'd spent doing hard physical labor at the paper mill. He had big, brown bedroom eyes, and some of the sexiest hands she'd ever seen.

Muriel had been itching to feel those hands on her since the moment they'd met.

* * *

Can you tell us a bit about what you’re working on now?

I'd be happy to. I'm working on a novella, Home Is Where the Heart Is, my first story for the sequel to Welcome To Redemption, a four-story anthology I wrote with my good friend & CP, Stacey Joy Netzel. Once we finish the sequel, I have to get back to Jack Sutton's story. You meet Jack in Meant To Be.

And here's a blurb and excerpt from Meant to Be:

She's running from her past, he's unsure about his future. Maybe together they can figure out what was MEANT TO BE. Officer Garrett Jamison is at the lowest point in his life. He’s lost faith in his ability as a police officer after unwittingly setting his sister up with a dirty cop. Garrett ended up getting shot, and his sister's son kidnapped right out of his own bed. He takes a leave from the force, in need of some time to make a decision about his future. Too bad he can't get a decent night's sleep thanks to his sexy new neighbor and her howling cat.

Jessica McGovern moves halfway across the country to start a new life in Green Bay, Wisconsin after her ex-husband is convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of their young son. Her new neighbor is as infuriating as he is handsome, but when her ex is released from prison early and shows up in town, Jessica discovers she's never needed anyone more...

EXCERPT:

"Come here, Miss Crabbypants."

Jessica resisted, but it was no use. The big oaf outweighed her by a ton. "Look, I just want to finish my tea and relax. Today's my last day off for almost two weeks."

He leaned back and frowned down at her. "Why are you working so many hours?"

She rolled her eyes. "Um, I have bills to pay...?"

His gaze became pensive as he massaged the back of her neck. Slowly, she relaxed until she was leaning into his broad chest, eyes closed, inhaling his spicy masculine scent. He always smelled so good...Damn, the man was a magician; she'd already forgotten why she was mad at him...Wait, oh yeah. "So what's with all that hammering?"

"We're building a doghouse."

His busy fingers moved to her shoulders wringing a groan of ecstasy from her. Oh, God, was she drooling on his shirt? Then his words registered. Jessica leaned back and swiped her mouth with the back of her wrist. "A doghouse? But you don't have a dog...do you?"

"No, but Ethan's been begging for a puppy for a couple years now. I guess he finally wore Sara down. And Mike's still in the ‘buy-Ethan-anything-he-wants' phase." Garrett glanced down at his T-shirt and chuckled. He reached out and recaptured the back of her neck. "Liked that, did you? You do seem a little tense—"

"Oh, no you don't." She ducked out of his reach and took a few steps back. He started to follow but she held up both hands. "You stay right where you are."

He propped his hands on his hips. "So do I have a date tonight or what?"

"Or what."

He grinned. "Wear something sexy," he said with a wink before strolling out the back door. The jackass even had the nerve to whistle.

Jessica walked over and slammed the door with a muttered, "Nutjob." Then she headed into the bedroom to search through her closet.

Thanks so much, Donna, for popping by today! And readers, check yesterday's post for another fun blurb!! And remember to comment. One lucky reader on Donna's blog tour will win a copy of her book.

I'm Fashionable

Turns out when you Google my name that I have many upscale, creative businesses going. Of course, you already know I'm an author, but I'm also an artist and a businesswoman, so I indulge my creativity in other ways.

Check out these possibilities and see if you think any of them represent my other creative endeavors. Even if you decide none of them are mine, it can't hurt to help out a namesake. But you never know...

I've done many fun things in my life--including selling cosmetics, designing children's clothes, and taking classes in sculpture. I've also owned several businesses, so all of these are real possibilities:

Lily Stone London is a very classy, casual clothing line for women made from luxury fabrics that has recently opened in England. You can find out more at http://theagencylimited.com/blog/?p=145.

Lily Stone Designs specializes in architectural cast stone design. A gallery of breathtaking of houses with Lily Stone details await your at http://www.lilystonedesigns.com.

Professional makeup artist Lilly Stone has created her own line of cosmetics called Soo Lilly.

Globetrotting

"The time has come," the Walrus said, "to talk of many things: Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax-- Of cabbages--and kings..."

Of planes--and trains--and foreign lands. Of the joy that travel brings.

I'm off again on my globetrotting adventures. I'll be heading thousands of miles from home, winging my way through the sky, only to end up at the same place I left. But I won't be the same person. Every time I travel anywhere, my heart and soul expand. I meet new people, imprint a new landscape on my mind, and become one with the wider world. No longer is that place just a dot on a map. It explodes from a 2-D, easy-to-ignore spot into a fully fleshed out world. It becomes real. When I read news about a place I've been, I ache. I think about the people that live there and hope they're OK. Their pain becomes my pain.

I often wonder if the solution to world peace is travel. If everyone spent time in various spots around the world, they'd open their hearts to the people there. They'd care about that place and what happens there. It's so much harder to close your eyes to the pain and suffering of people you know. Travel to Africa. See the AIDS orphans. Look at the poverty of India--not on TV or in magazine pictures, but firsthand. Experience a drought and learn how precious water can be. Afterward, it's hard to turn your back when you see charity appeals to help the people you've seen. Suddenly, they become real. Their problems become your problems. Their poverty becomes your responsibility. You are them and they are you.

Whenever I arrive home after a trip, I've not only increased my understanding of myself and others, but I've added to my family--I now have relatives all over the globe. I've also added another country to care about. They say travel is broadening, and it's true. It enlarges your horizon, your understanding, your heart.

Coming Soon...

Watch for author Christine Clemetson's blog tour stop here in mid-August. Her historical is set in Italy during the war.

Some Wise Advice

Just read the following quote by marketing guru Seth Godin:

“The best time to start promoting your book is three years before it comes out. Three years to build a reputation, build a permission asset, build a blog, build a following, build credibility and build the connections you’ll need later.”

So those of you struggling to get published can take heart. It takes time to become a writer. Many writers practice their craft for years--10+ years is not uncommon--before they see their work in print. So if you're at the early stages of your career, now's the time to start blogging, building your platform, and making connections. Then when you find a publisher for your novel, you'll have all the pieces in place to promote it.

I've learned that marketing can eat up a lot of time. I write under several pseudonyms and juggling all the promo efforts often devours hours of what used to be writing time. I find I enjoy social networking. So much so that I sometimes spend hours reading posts and responding to even the silly and mundane ones. Not sure that any of that gains me more readers or sales, but it sure is FUN!

Anyone have any advice on how to cut back on the social media addiction & find more time to write?

The RWA Controversy

So are those of us who are e-published less legitimate as authors? Perhaps RWA needs to learn to distinguish between e-publishing, vanity publishing, and self-publishing. Many great discussions are occurring around the web on the topic of e-published romances. Perhaps this is what we need to get the dialogue started and come to an understanding between the two factions. Check out: Deidre Knight and Ecataromance for two of the many discussions in favor of e-publishing.

The Danger of Putting a Handsome Character to Work

By Fantasy Author Sandy Lender

http://www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com

When I started marketing my first fantasy novel CHOICES MEANT FOR GODS, I put together a couple blogs where I could get conversations going about it and about me. One of the more dangerous things I did was giving one of my main characters, Nigel Taiman, a blog to moderate at http://sandylender.blogspot.com.

Now don’t get me wrong; Nigel’s a really nice gentleman. Just ask my heroine, Chariss. But he has a naughty streak in him. He’s not really sarcastic, but he does have a biting sense of humor when you least expect it of him. He seems to enjoy mocking me, poking fun at the absent-minded things I do, and just all-around taunting me. He’s recently put up a picture on the blog of me with a cooking wound…

The original purpose of the blog was merely to promote my novel(s). It’s sort of expanded into promoting the CHOICES trilogy, fantasy author Sandy Lender, my main blog, and whatever else is happening when I can rein him in. And then I have to watch what he’s saying because I can’t let him give away plot developments.

The No. 1 problem with Nigel is his going on and on (and on) about Chariss. He’s madly in love with her so it’s very easy for him to go off on a tangent about her lavender eyes or her strength or her shapely form or her smile or the way she can tease him with just a wink. It’s enough sap to make a sane person sick to her stomach, let me tell you that. So I try to keep an eye on him that way.

Overall, I’d have to say it’s pretty dangerous to put a handsome character to work for you. It’s difficult to know just what they’re going to do or say at any given time so you’ve got to keep track of them. Nigel’s an independent sort, so it’s tough to keep track of him all the time. But he’s also a fine gentleman, so I guess I shouldn’t complain. He’s done a pretty good job of helping me with marketing. I encourage you to check out his blog when you feel like reading about an author’s less-professional moments. He’s willing to share those in abundance.

“Some days, I just want the dragon to win.”

BLURB:

Not even the gods noticed when Chariss was born with the mark of The Protector. Now she and her wizard guardian seek shelter from a mad sorcerer in a household not just full of secrets and false hope, but watched by the god who will unwittingly reveal her role in an impending war.

When an orphan sets aside a lifetime of running and fear to accept the responsibilities of guarding an arrogant deity, can she face the trials in the prophecies she uncovers? Will Nigel Taiman of her latest refuge dare to use his dragon heritage to bind her to his estate or to help her in her duty?

EXCERPT:

This is a romantic scene as Nigel Taiman and Amanda Chariss ride from the estate at Arcana to Arcana City. Her wizard guardian has already clued her in to the fact that Nigel wants to court her, and she's upset over it. The scene mentions the bear-like ryfel creature that nearly killed Nigel in the training arena...

Nigel frowned at her. Spurring his horse slightly, he reached out to take hold of Shadow’s bridle. Bringing them both to a stop, he turned in the saddle to face her.

“Hey!” she objected.

“Indeed. Have I done something to anger you?”

Her cheeks reddened with embarrassment.

“’Manda?”

“You’re staring at me.”

“By the gods, Woman. All right, I’ll look at your horse. ’Manda,” he said to Shadow, “what have I done that’s made you angry?”

“I’m not angry.”

“You’re not a liar,” he spoke to Chariss again.

“All right, so I’m a little angry. It will pass.”

“And you don’t want to tell me what it is?”

She couldn’t blame her reticence today on worry over Drake. She also couldn’t blame her health because she’d completely recovered from her telabyrinth poisoning. With Hrazon and The Master attending the summer festival, she couldn’t blame some sort of timidity at being ‘alone’ in the city. No, she had to take a deep breath and be honest with him. Considering the number of suitors she’d sent packing in the past few years, this should have been an easy thing to do again. It wasn’t. She sighed, closing her eyes as if she could make the scene disappear.

“Do you agree that you’re my friend?” she finally asked.

He watched her open her eyes then, realizing where the conversation must be going.

“Yes.” It was said with exasperation.

“And that I’m your friend?”

“Yes.”

“And does that please you?”

He sighed, but didn’t get a chance to answer.

“You see, Nigel, it pleases me. I appreciate your kindness, and I would be disappointed if we hadn’t built such a…such a…”

“Friendship?” he retorted.

“Such a rapport.”

He rolled his eyes. “A fancier word with even less affection.”

“My stay at Arcana is much more pleasant because I have this relationship with you. But someone has tried to convince me that your…your…”

“Feelings?”

“Well…your…”

“Intentions?”

“Well…your opinion of our relationship might be somewhat different from mine.”

“’Manda, just say what you’re thinking. You won’t hurt my feelings.”

She looked miserable then. “I don’t want to say what I’m thinking.”

“Good!”

“No, that’s not good. Hrazon thinks you’re…Hrazon believes you spend time with me because…” She paused, searching for the words.

“Because I’m in love with you?”

She nearly fell backward. “Just blurt it out!”

He chuckled slightly. “This is uncomfortable, isn’t it? I’m sorry to embarrass you. This conversation would be better in a darkened corner of Arcana’s parlor. ’Manda, I’m not going to lie to you. Hrazon has every reason to believe I’m after his ward because I am. It’s no secret to anyone I enjoy your company. What, where are you…You’re the only woman I know who can scoot that far away on a saddle without falling off.”

“I don’t think you should say those things.”

“Aye,” he sighed, watching her fidget with Shadow’s reins. But he made a decision to press the matter. “I’m going to say them and get them out in the open. Then we can decide if you’re to die of embarrassment, or slap me across the face.”

She couldn’t help smiling, even though her heart beat as if it would burst through her bodice from the tension she felt.

“I enjoy being with you because you’re my perfect match,” he said. “Have you noticed that we agree on almost everything? And the few things we don’t agree on are intriguing to argue because you make them intriguing. There’s no one at that entire estate, The Master and every intelligent student combined, who can hold my attention as you do. None of them compare.

“I’m attracted to everything about you, including your compassion. Even now, when you’re on the verge of falling off a horse with embarrassment, your concern is for my feelings, not your own. Godric, who doesn’t deserve to wash your feet, who finds every excuse to correct you, gets your respect because you remind yourself that he’s your benefactor. Do you know what strength of character that shows? Do you know how it endears you to me to know you bite your tongue after his arrogant remarks to save my mother’s feelings?”

She merely nodded, her eyes cast down.

“And do you know how it endears you to me to know you would fight to the death for little Kaylin?”

She nodded again.

“And do you know how it endears you to me to know you instinctively threw yourself into healing spells to save my life?”

“You shouldn’t assume that means—”

“I remember sliding toward death that night, life spilling out of me, and poison seeping into me from that thing’s claws. But do you know what I remember most distinctly? I remember you commanding me not to bleed to death…and I remember your hands afterward. Once I was healed, once Master Rothahn became preoccupied with the dead ryfel, you crawled over to me and put your hands on me again, as if you had to be sure He’d done a good enough job of healing me. But you would’ve done it for any member of my family. I daresay you would’ve done it for any student in the school. And it’s because you care about others, and you want the best for everyone around you. And you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

The last comment caught her off guard. It didn’t seem to fit with the logical argument he tried to make.

“I fail to see how these things tell you you’re in love. Kaylin enjoys my company. Mia enjoys arguing with me. I saved Sorne’s life once. Does this mean they’re in love with me?”

“If love could be explained that easily, it wouldn’t be real.”

“But what makes you think it’s real now? If you can’t explain your feelings, how do you know you’re not misled?”

“How does the rose know to bloom in spring?”

“Oh, now that talk I’ve heard before. I didn’t believe it then, and I don’t think you should let yourself believe it now.”

“’Manda, I’m telling you the truth and I’m telling you what I know. If I’ve made you angry by falling in love with you, you’re just going to have to deal with it. Because you’re not currently interested in me, you have to give me time to change your mind.”

They were silent then; he waited for some sign that she wasn’t going to cast him aside, she waited for her heart to stop beating so loudly in her ears. As far as she was concerned, she was often a foolish girl, but her intentions at the beginning of this conversation were foolish beyond compare. She realized—with alarm—that the blood rushing through her veins, the lightheadedness, the excitement at getting to spend an afternoon with him, were all signs she had chosen to ignore.

She swallowed hard against the fear in her throat, and, with as much calm as she could muster, said: “What gives you the idea that I’m not interested in you?”