SMP:  B.J., welcome: Tell us all about you! What would you most like your readers to know?

B.J.:  With a passion for historical romance, history in general, and anything Celtic, I always have an exciting work in progress. Each story offers a blend of romance, adventure, suspense, and, where appropriate, a dab of comic relief. Carefully researched historical facts are woven into each manuscript, providing a backdrop from which steamy romance, gripping plots, and vivid characters—dashing alpha heroes and resourceful, beguiling heroines you can’t help but admire—spring to life. I’m a  member of RWA, World Romance Writers, Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, and Savvy Authors, and I also write contemporary, paranormal, time travel, and romantic suspense.

C.S. Lewis first captivated my imagination in the fourth grade, and my desire to write sprang from there. Following a career in nursing and child and youth work, I married my knight-in-shining-armor, and he whisked me away to his castle by the sea. In reality, we share our century-old home in a small Canadian town on the shore of Lake Erie with three dogs and a cat. When I’m not working at my childcare job, on my small business, or writing, you will find me reading, camping, or antique hunting.

SMP:  Are you one of those writers born with a pen in your hand and ideas flitting through your mind, or did your interest develop later?

B.J.:  A true Gemini, storytelling and the gift of gab are natural traits But I always loved reading and writing.

SMP:  When did you become serious about seeing your name in print and begin writing your first romance novel?

B.J.:  I dabbled in writing for a long time, but in 2001 joined my first online writing group and took courses in creative writing at the local college. When the teacher asked me if I had ever thought about writing for Harlequin, I was not sure if she was serious or not. She told me she thought I had the ability to get published and decided to pursue my dream. Took a break from writing in 2003 when I met my husband and real life became too demanding. Dusted off the manuscripts and started writing again in 2009.

SMP:  How long did it take you to complete your first manuscript? Did it fly from your fingertips, or did the story emerge slowly?

B.J.:  The manuscript itself came fairly easy. But the edits and rewrites took a lot longer. I finished it, 107,000 words in about 3 months. But while waiting for replies from editors and agents refined the book. Those who read the first versions, would not even recognize it now.

SMP:  Tell us about your writing process. Soft lights and music? White noise? Child-and-pet confusion? Locked in a room alone? What sets your writing mood and pushes you forward?

B.J.:  Because I work and have a very busy life, I write when and where I can. Ideally I do my best work in the morning, with a cup of herbal tea, my puppy sleeping on the chair beside me and white noise is a must. The TV or radio must be on. If too quiet, I can’t concentrate. I work better when alone since I am easily distracted when someone is in the room with me.

SMP:  What are some life experiences that have infiltrated your stories?

B.J.:  I am a history nut and love anything Scottish or Celtic. My ancestry is Scottish, Irish and English and has always had a fascination with researching my family roots and ethnic background. I have a background in nursing and child and youth work, but spent several years working in a historical village as a costumed interpreter and found that field very rewarding.

SMP:  What shining moment in your journey stands out the most as a real turning point for you as a writer?

B.J.:  While signing my contract was a very special day, I think the day my book hit the best seller list on Amazon for historical romance was a stellar moment.

SMP:  Writers face many challenges. What are some of yours? What do you do to overcome them?

B.J.:  Finding the time to write. My dream is that someday, I can dedicate my time to writing when and where I want, but real life dictates that I work for a living. After being published promotion is by far the most difficult thing.  I must write when I can and where I can. It often means locking myself away or staying up to the wee hours of the morning.

SMP:  What is the most thrilling aspect of the writing process for you?

B.J.:  Seeing my story and characters come to life and knowing that what I have written might bring joy or entertainment to my readers.

SMP:  How do you begin a story? Do you just sit down with an idea in mind and start writing, or are you a person who wouldn’t dream of starting without a detailed outline, character sketches, and pages of research data?

B.J.:  I usually have an idea and basic idea of how I want my story to play out before I start to write it. I am a pantser so while I may start a book in a certain spot there is no guarantee it will be the same when the book is done

SMP:  Who or what sparks the ideas for your stories?

B.J.:  Life experiences and personal genre preferences. Always have a pen and paper handy in case an idea hits me.

SMP:  Tell us a little about what you’re currently working on.

B.J.:  I am currently under contract for the sequel to Highland Legacy. Highland Quest picks up where Highland Legacy left off and the Fraser family saga continues with Bryce, the youngest and most charismatic of the three Fraser brothers. In Highland Legacy we meet Bryce and his love interest Fallon. In Highland Quest, fate brings them together again and Bryce must chose between duty to king and country and his love for Fallon.

Book blurb for Highland Quest:

Bryce Fraser arrives too late to warn Scottish patriots of an ambush, and instead faces the leader of a rival clan, a sworn enemy who betrayed their fellow countrymen in the past.

Wounded in the confrontation, Bryce awakens to find Fallon MacCrery, the only woman he has ever truly loved, and never thought he would see again, tending his wounds—a twist of fate that rekindles passion, and prompts him to question his destiny.

Can their unspoken love withstand the test of time, or will a battle, one that could change the course of the Scottish history and the return of their nemesis separate them forever?

In addition I have another Scottish Historical and a Civil War paranormal/time travel in the works.

Highland Legacy

Faced with an abhorrent betrothal, Cailin Macmillan flees her father’s castle and quickly learns that a woman traveling alone in Medieval Scotland is an easy target for ruthless English soldiers. When Highland patriot Connor Fraser comes to her aid, his steadfast dedication to king and country is challenged by his overwhelming desire to protect Cailin—even if he must marry her to do so.

Accused of murdering one of her attackers and determined to rely on her own resourcefulness, Cailin dresses as a lad, intent on seeking refuge at the camp of Robert the Bruce. Can she elude an enemy from her past—a vindictive English lord bent on her utter demise—or will she fall prey to his carnal intent and be executed for a crime she did not commit?

 SMP:  B.J., thanks so much for visiting with us today, and congratulations on your phenomenal debut success!

B.J.’s wonderful debut novel, HIGHLAND LEGACY, can be purchased here:

Soul Mate Publishing:

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0065KX8P8

Barnes Noble:

Web site: www.authorbjscott.com

Blog :  http://authorbjscott.wordpress.com/

Tuesday Tidbits with BJ Scott:  http://shielassays.blogspot.ca/

Book trailer:  http://youtu.be/Yz3IA4Lu464

B.J.’S GIVEAWAY:

B.J. will give a free ebook copy of HIGHLAND LEGACY to a lucky commenter! Please include your email address in your comment.

Like this:

Article source: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/b-j-s-in-the-house-please-welcome-b-j-scott-author-of-highland-legacy-2/

SMP:  Diane, tell us all about you! What would you most like your readers to know?

Diane:  That I’m shy and talking about myself is hard. I’d rather know about you. After all, I’m always looking for character traits.

SMP:  Are you one of those writers born with a pen in your hand and ideas flitting through your mind, or did your interest develop later?

Diane:  I think I was born with chocolate in my hand (and mouth). I always enjoyed reading. I still remember the excitement of reading my first chapter book. ‘Forest’ and ‘journey’ were my first favorite big words. I chuckle when I can pull out info from my gray matter that has been stored for too many decades.

SMP:  When did you become serious about seeing your name in print and begin writing your first romance novel?

Diane:  The thought of seeing my name in print, scares me—haven’t figured out why, yet. Maybe it’s the shyness. Maybe something else. All I know is that if I don’t write, I turn restless and grouchy.

SMP:  How long did it take you to complete your first manuscript? Did it fly from your fingertips, or did the story emerge slowly?

Diane:  Don’t I wish it would fly…snippets come to me, out of order, and often for more than one project. Sometimes, I wish the characters would wait until I’m out of the shower, or at least dried off, when they talk to me or point out things that should go into a story. But I rather they speak up, I hate it worse when they avoid me. My first manuscript took years to write and is currently tucked on the bottom shelf where it’s dark and fermenting. Someday, I plan on rewriting it.

SMP:  Tell us about your writing process. Soft lights and music? White noise? Child-and-pet confusion? Locked in a room alone? What sets your writing mood and pushes you forward?

Diane:  My process is a mess and changes often. I have notes all over the house, in notebooks, on my computer, and roiling around my gray matter. Sometimes my office is as cluttered as my mind and takes a bit of effort to get both in order.

Also, in order to combat a serious case of SBS (spreading butt syndrome), I often stand at my keyboard. After all, a girl has to burn calories wherever possible. Right? Right. I love my WorkFit-S device which I can raise or lower the keyboard and screen with very little effort. The Ergotron people did a fabulous job in designing this equipment. One of the best features was that no holes needed to be drilled into my desk. And it was easy to install.

SMP:  Wow! That is one serious set-up. We’d all be better off having one. Diane, what are some life experiences that have infiltrated your stories?

Diane:  I am lucky to have worked in several industries: dentistry, medical, computer technology, major corporations, and small single owner businesses. I’ve met and observed a lot of people along the way.

SMP:  What shining moment in your journey stands out the most as a real turning point for you as a writer?

Diane:  The first major moment was when I finally mustered the guts to tell someone I was writing a novel and I wasn’t laughed at. Another turning point was when I finished the first manuscript. So few people ever finish. I can relate to that issue since I have loads of partially finished stories, which is my way of working. Start something, if it doesn’t flourish, scrap it.

SMP:  What is the most thrilling aspect of the writing process for you?

Diane:  The surprises that come as a story evolves. And then months later, when I go back and read something I’ve written, I say to myself, “Wow, I wrote that?” It’s either the blessing of having a short memory, or a curse that I have too much going on in my mind.

SMP:  What aspects of the writing process do you find most challenging?

Diane:  All of it. This is how I feel sometimes—no reasonable way out. Luckily I was familiar with this parking ramp in downtown St. Paul.

SMP:  Okay, that’s different! I’m sure we can all relate. So, how do you begin a story? Do you just sit down with an idea in mind and start writing, or are you a person who wouldn’t dream of starting without a detailed outline, character sketches, and pages of research data?

Diane:  I get an idea, or a title, or part of a scene and go on from there. Often I get a vision of a character and want to know what they are up to. Then I ask questions like: what would happen if…, or what if what I’m seeing isn’t the truth…, or what’s the worse thing that can happen….

SMP:  Who or what sparks the ideas for your stories?

Diane:  I got the idea for ‘Chaos at High Altitude’ while stopped at a red light. I took an Altoid mint, snapped the cover closed, and by the time I crossed through the intersection, I had a working title ‘Altoids at High Altitude.’ The main characters came from memories of working a contract job for a major insurance company in downtown St. Paul. To protect the innocent, I can’t tell you who Aunt Gertz is patterned after.

“Chaos at High Altitude,” is about a stressed out project manager with an inner voice that gets her into trouble when she meets the handsome IT contractor who intends to de-stress her. Problems arise when she is whisked away in his private jet for lunch thinking it’s a joke.

SMP:  Tell us a little about what you’re currently working on.

Diane:  I’m working on ‘Chaos at The Zoo’ (suggested by my dear husband—the idea to write another chaos story is his, the title is mine) and is about a mailman proposing marriage to a chiropractor who he has never dated. My other project is a ghost story: ‘Jane Doe Escapes the Morgue,’ about a woman who suffers from claustrophobia and wants out of the morgue. One of her problems is she can’t leave until her body is identified.

SMP:  We’ll definitely look forward to seeing those. Diane, thanks so much for visiting with us today!

Kate is a stressed out project manager with an inner voice that gets her into trouble. When a deadline is pushed earlier, her stress level rises to the point of giving her a severe case of sassy-mouth.

Marco is the handsome IT contractor who intends to de-stress Kate. Their gray cube wall is not the only thing that separates them.

Can an impulsive flight to Des Moines determine whether they have what it takes to break down the barriers?

Diane’s novel, “Chaos at High Altitude,’ can be purchased here:

Soul Mate Publishing:

Amazon:

Barnes Noble:

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Article source: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/dianes-in-the-house-please-welcome-diane-pearson-author-of-chaos-at-high-altitude/

SMP:  Callie, welcome! Tell us all about you! What would you most like your readers to know?

Callie:  Although I’ve lived in several states, I’m originally from New Jersey. I’ve called the great state of Oklahoma home for several years now, which is where most of my books are set. I have two grown children, two rescue dogs, and one rescue cat. Oh, a husband of thirty-five years. He’s my biggest fan, and self-appointed publicist. I’m a voracious reader, historical and contemporary romance being my genres of choice. I also like suspense—as long as there’s some romance involved.

SMP:  Are you one of those writers born with a pen in your hand and ideas flitting through your mind, or did your interest develop later?

Callie:  Both. I’d been making up stories in my head to entertain myself before I fell asleep, and on long family car trips since I was very young. I always seemed to be writing something, and had a number of things published over the years, from Letters to the Editor to a short story in a magazine from Scotland. It wasn’t until about two years ago that I sat down and wrote my first book. I had just finished another romance novel where I said (out loud—I do that stuff), “I can do better than that.” And I was off and running.

SMP:  How long did it take you to complete your first manuscript? Did it fly from your fingertips, or did the story emerge slowly?

Callie:  Before I started my first manuscript, I bought and read “You Can Write a Romance” by Rita Clay Estrada and Rita Gallagher. Then I went through the historical romance I had just finished reading, and outlined the entire book, chapter by chapter. Then I started writing mine. It came pretty easy, actually. Of course, it was a mess, being my first book, but I’m going to be re-writing that same book later this year with the hopes of getting it published.

SMP:  Tell us about your writing process. Soft lights and music? White noise? Child-and-pet confusion? Locked in a room alone? What sets your writing mood and pushes you forward?

Callie:  I’m of the ‘silence’ ilk. I find it hard to focus if there’s a lot going on around me. But once in a while, I find I’m able to block everything out, and just write. Then, if I’m home, someone will ask me a question, something really important, like ‘where is the butter?’ Then like a child’s balloon, everything in my head deflates. Probably my overloaded brain as well.

SMP:  Literary Inspiration: throughout your life, what novels have lifted you, made you think, “Someday I want to create something like that….”

Callie:  Someday I would like to be able to create stories like Sandra Brown does. She’s my idol.

SMP:  Let’s talk about romance. How do you set the mood for your characters, what do you draw from that helps your H/H achieve oneness with each other? And how much conflict do you give them, along the way?

Callie:  Conflict and I are not good friends. I’ve always liked the books where the hero and heroine have some conflict, but get together about halfway through the book, and then fight an external conflict together. I’ve never liked the ‘let’s misunderstand each other, believe horrendous things about each other, and not talk about them’ type of conflict. Then all the problems resolve on the last few pages and there’s a happily ever after. I always feel cheated. I scream at the book “talk to each other!!!” right before it hits the wall.  So to answer your questions, my heroes and heroines don’t have major conflicts, and rarely through the bitter end. And I generally set my mood with humor.

SMP:  What aspects of the writing process do you find most challenging?

Callie:  As a panster, I find the ‘middle of the book slump’ the biggest challenge. When I start, I pretty much know what I want the story to be about, but I usually let the characters lead me through the story. About the time I reach the middle, I know how I want the story to end, but need to figure out what to do to get there.

SMP:  Who or what sparks the ideas for your stories?

Callie:  Everything and anything. One Sunday morning I was sitting in church, and the family in front of us spoke to their daughter, whose name was Olivia. I immediately imagined a Regency story with Olivia as the heroine. I pulled out my checkbook, and ripped out a check and wrote a very basic outline of the story on the back of the check. I started that story, but put it aside to do other things. But I’ll get back to it sometime this summer.

SMP:  Tell us a little about what you’re currently working on.

Callie:  I just finished A Prescription For Love which is the third in my Oklahoma Lover series, following A Run For Love and A Wife By Christmas. My next project is re-writing The Elusive Wife, and then finishing a Civil War novel I started at the beginning of the year.

I have a list of the books I intend to finish this year.

I’m also excited to have An Angel in the Mail releasing May 23^rd from Soul Mate Publishing.

An Angel in the Mail, set in 1861, unites newly penniless society belle, Angel Hardwick, and Nathan Hale, father of five, who is desperate for a wife to straighten his life out.  Nate’s looking for someone who loves children and can easily take over the cooking, cleaning and laundry.  Instead, he is getting Angel, whose culinary knowledge consists of weekly meetings with Cook to decide the family’s menu.

Angel is a strong-minded young woman, resigned to her fate, and determined to make the best of her situation.  But will her new husband allow for mistakes?  Or will he send her packing when she burns meals and misplaces children?

Nate just wants a peaceful, well run household, without the distraction of an attractive wife.  However, his beautiful wife with a very distracting body is not giving him peace.  Somebody lied, because despite what he was told by the Bride Agency, this beauty knows nothing about running a home, but she sure sets him on fire at night.

Nate and Angel have to come to a working arrangement, overcoming problems between them. But will they be able to find a happily ever after with someone desperately working behind the scenes to destroy their relationship?

Callie’s current Release:

Feisty school teacher Tori Henderson values her independence and has no use for a husband. When she finds herself the legal guardian of her two nieces, two nephews, and facing eviction from her Kansas home, she enters the 1889 Oklahoma Land Run and confronts a new set of challenges. The biggest obstacle being her new neighbor, cocky lawyer Jesse Cochran, the son of a whore—a man determined to put his past behind him and start a new life and family of his own.

Despite the undeniable attraction between them, Tori is determined to keep him at arm’s length, but a family emergency brings them together and they declare a truce. Can Jesse win Tori’s heart after a series of unplanned events, or will tragedy tear them apart forever?

SMP:  Callie, thanks so much for visiting with us today!

Callie Hutton’s Website:  Website: www.calliehutton.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Callie-Hutton/206166449404454

Twitter: @CallieHutton

Callie’s wonderful historical romance, A RUN FOR LOVE, can be purchased here:

Soul Mate Publishing:

Amazon:

Barnes Noble: 

CALLIE’S GIVEAWAY! Callie will give an e-book copy of A RUN FOR LOVE to one lucky commenter! Please include your email address in your comment.

Like this:

Article source: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/callies-in-the-house-please-welcome-callie-hutton-author-of-a-run-for-love/