Meet Susan Lute

Thank you Susan for visiting with the Angels today.

Did you jump into writing and rocket to contest fame, or did the process happen over time?
Becoming an author was something that happened over time for me. In high school, I took every creative writing class I could, which essentially meant I was writing more than I was interacting with people They were very dramatic, intense stories. Later I dabbled at writing, kept diaries while following the hubby to England. After I got my Nursing degree, I took a course in writing children’s literature. Soon after I sold Jessie’s Choice to Listen Magazine. I joined RWA and Rose City Romance Writers in 1997 and published Oops, We’re Married? with Silhouette Romance in 2003.Oops... was my second completed novel. Since then I’ve completed five novels, written countless proposals and dabbled in screenplays.

Writers face many challenges. What are some of yours?
My biggest challenge has been blending the writing with the rest of my life. I’ve been a nurse for twenty-five years and have enjoyed the work tremendously. Along the way, I’ve learned much about myself, about life. Making room for the writing, which refills my well over and over, is an ongoing process that won’t end soon, I’m sure.I believe in paying it forward. In order to do that, I’ve served on the board of my local RWA chapter, and currently serve as Treasure of the Published Author’s Special Interest Chapter. My family is a big part of my life as well, so that means I have a lot of balls in the air at once. Just recently I decided to accept that about myself. I’m always going to be a busy woman.

Let's talk writing mechanics. How many drafts do you do? How many books can you complete in a year?
I like to call myself an organized organic writer. I write an ugly draft, than a lazy draft, and finally a brilliant draft Sometimes I may have a fourth draft, but rarely more than that. If I’m really serious about the writing, I can write two books a year.

What are five things you have around you when you write?
Stacks and stacks of books. A glittering dragon statue my sister bought for me. Photographs I’ve taken of places I’ve been (my favorite is a grouping I took in NYC). A lava lamp my kids gave me. Frogs. Lots of frogs.

Are your books plot-driven or character-driven?
It’s all about the characters for me. How they grow. How they get from here to there. The plot and setting are definitely secondary - for two reasons. I’m an ardent student of human nature. And the plot doesn’t come to me all at once. It builds as I go along. To write requires discipline. Do you follow any writing schedule or particular process that works best for you? I’m disciplined by nature and nurture. I try to write fifteen hours a week. My favorite hours are between five and ten in the morning. Sometimes I make it. Sometimes I don’t.

Do you research in advance or as you write?
I research as I go along. Again, because the story unfolds as I write it, so I don’t always know what it is I’ll need to research. Who knew, for instance, I would need to know so much about prehistoric flight? About chapter three in The Dragon’s Thief (see an excerpt at my website), I turned to the internet and its huge repository of knowledge.

How do you write best--with noise or quiet?
I write in absolute silence. Right now the stereo is playing, but only because for me this is playing, not writing.

In your writing career, is there anything you would do differently?
I would write more.What are you working on now?This summer I finish my first post-apocalyptic paranormal romance. It’s the first of five novels about the end of the world and the dragon halflings who fight to save those who are left. ...In places where roads go nowhere; where life is fragile and no one walks but ghosts, a powerful evil is growing. I’m currently working on the second book.

What is next for you?
Finish the The Dragonkind Chronicles. I have an idea for a four book series, pre-apocalyptic paranormal, I think, starting with The Chess Master. I’m also working on a project aimed for Silhouette Special Edition. Next year, I’d like to finish the movie script I’ve been working on.

Thank you for having me. I’m looking forward to sharing some exciting news soon!Susan

visit more with Susan at http://www,susanlute.com

Who is Kelly Shaunasey

Was it love at first sight, Kelly?

At first bump? When she fell on top of me trying to stop the fight, my heart stopped for a moment. And when I looked into her eyes, I knew we were soul mates.

Was knowing about the feud really that important?

It was to Casey. I knew that her being Catholic and me being Protestant was a bigger problem than the feud.

Why were you fighting?

We always fight after church. It's a tradition. I actually like her brother and his friends. It's all in fun.

Strange way to have.

Is that a question?

No, just a comment. Do you believe you have a godfaerie?

Of course I do. What kind of Irishman do you think I am? I've even seen him from time to time sprinkling faerie dust on Casey and me. I do believe he wants us to figure out how we can spend the rest of our lives together.

Will you tell us if the two of you get married?

I will not be giving away the story. You have to read it on St. Patty's day to get a wee bit of Irish luck. I will tell you though that it is part of a crazy story with time machines and weird professors. Once you leave my story you could end up anywhere.

Where can we buy this anthology?

At Rogue Phoenix Press on March 1st of 2011.

http://www.roguephoenixpress.com

Who is Casey O'Connel?

Pagan Faerie
Carey

Tell us a little about yourself.

I have grown up wanting for nothing. My family is good Irish Catholic. A mystery surrounded our family and a Protestant family. Now we were never chummy with Protestants, but hatred--well--they were the only family we ever despised. I always wanted to know why but no one would ever tell me.

Does anyone remember why they are feuding?

I think so. When I ask, there are people who turn their head, sigh, and tell me not to ask foolish questions. They tell me I am better off not knowing. But I don't agree.


Have you always been clumsy or are you a tom-boy?

Why do you ask?

You stumbled before you sat down to answer my questions and I noticed the grass stain on your pink dress.

I am very clumsy. I trip over everything and anything. I can't walk down the street without an accident waiting to happen. It seems as if bad luck follows me wherever I go.

Do you believe in the fae folk?

Why of course I do. I'm a good Irish girl. But I must not believe enough because I've never seen a faerie. What does one have to do? I would be thinkin' I should find a nice leprechaun to keep me safe from myself. I bought a faerie house at the fair last summer but I don't know if anyone lives there. I'd love to see one of the wee folk.

When you met Kelly, how did you feel?

Why I was laying on top of him--quite by accident--and my heart somersaulted. I couldn't breathe. And I was so embarrassed that I'd fallen so hard I pushed him down. Everyone was whistling at me and tellin' him how weak he was because he was flattened by a mere girl.

Why? What was happening?

I don't think I should be telling anyone. As I said, it was more than a wee bit embarrassing. Maybe you should read my story.

Of course I will but it is not published yet. When will we be seeing this in print?
Why on St. Patty's Day.

Anything else you might want to add.

It's an interesting story with night elves and crazy inventors. I'm hoping it all comes together by March.

I'm sure it will. Where can we buy a copy?
You will have to go to Rogue Phoenix Press. We will be counting down the days until our story is told for everyone to read.

MEANWHILE, BACK TO MY SERIES...

Just a couple more dry days and the outside of my house will be painted. Hooray! That will bring me another step closer to my dream of living on acreage with my pack of doggies and without house projects to do so I can write!

The St. Patrick's Day release from the Rogue's Angels is in the critique phase, so I'm back to working on my nine-book family saga series. This is one of those projects that has so captured my attention that I could easily work on it from the time I get up in the morning until I fall asleep at the computer in the wee hours of the next morning.

Vision boards for each story fill one of the walls in my office. Detail sheets for each scene in every book are tucked into folders. Spreadsheets chronicle each major event and when it happens. And drafts of the stories themselves are growing each day.

You can probably tell that I'm a detailed plotter. Many of my writer friends are "pantsters"--they just sit down and write wherever the story leads them. Some authors even say if they outline, it ruins the story because they already know what will happen. However, I find that my characters still surprise me, even with all the outlining I do. It's fascinating that writers follow many different creative processes to tell wonderful stories!

Because there are overlapping events in this series, but told from different points of view, tracking what happens in each story is critical so I don't make faux pas like having a heroine pregnant in one scene and the child going to school three months later.

I'm also excited to venture into the video end of promotion with this series. I'm planning book trailers as I write, and hope to have graphics of key scenes to go along with the text of the books.

I'm curious what you as readers think. Do you like books that are part of a series, with characters whose lives continue from book to book? (You get to experience them living their "happily ever after.") Are you intrigued by a combination of book and movie, where you can watch key scenes from the book if you want to do more than read those scenes?

Let me know what you think!

-Amber Angel

Meet Author Patricia Gulley

Patricia Gulley is a retired travel agent and lives on a floating home in Oregon. Her first book, Downsized To Death, is available in eBook and tradepaper from Wings E Press, Amazon and Fictionwise


Did you jump into writing and rocket to contest fame, or did the process happen over time

It happened over time. I started writing after we moved from New York City to Portland. I started with SF short stories, then actually quit work to write full time and do a romance. That didn't work, so went back to work, and when I was forced into retirement at the end of 2001, really got 'down and dirty' to write mysteries. So pretty close to 30 years.

We’re all writers, whether our efforts are emails, grocery lists, or notes to our children’s teachers. You’ve done technical writing and published a number of articles. How do the skills you learned in those endeavors contribute to your novel writing?
(?????) not me.

Writers face many challenges. What are some of yours?

Are you a Pantser or Plotter?
I am categorically a little of both, but mostly a pantser. I have to be able to write the first chapter and the ending before I'm sure there is a book there. Once I do that, I 'pantser' along through that mine field known as the middle.

Are your books plot-driven or character-driven
I honestly believe a little of both. I have to have a twisty plot, or I'm not interested. My mystery must have a puzzle, but my characters drive the story with what happens to them. I don't like characters that just feel they have to solve the mystery. I want my characters to be FORCED to solve it for many reasons that have a lot of bearing on their lives. They are amateur sleuths, and not inclined to want to get into any dangerous situations if they don't have to.

Do you go with the flow or follow a schedule
Definitely go with the flow.

Is your research in advance or as you write?
The only research I have to do is call a few friends to verify past procedures or what really happened so I can convolute it. My books are about travel agents--NOT TOUR ESCORTS--working travel agents, and since they work for a national company, they are majorly corporate women.

How do you write the best with noise or quiet?
NO noise. I hate noise, I like silence, and since I live alone, I get it.
Well, except for those nasty ducks and geese. One of these days--POW!

Our characters claim much of our time as we spend hours in front of our computers capturing their stories. However, each of us has a cast of real life characters who inspire, encourage, and support us. Who are some of the many members of Team Patricia?
Well, Team Patricia, can count on help from Barbara, Darice, Hutch , Liz, Linda and Vivian. Sometimes Rick and Christopher.

What are you working on now?
A second book in the series. My 'main character' in book one alternated with the detective trying to solve the murder. Next time 'that' main character will alternate with another woman who was also an agency manager, but retired.

What are five Things Patricia Has Around Her When She Writes?
Patricia is surrounded by SF and Fastasy Art, paintings, prints, statues and a ton of books.

Do you ever have writers block. If you do, how do you overcome it?
All the time. I can't think of a thing until I sit down and start finger babbling.

Let's talk writing mechanics. How many drafts do you do? How many books can you complete in a year?
I probably do three full drafts, and then continuously rewrite until I just have to put it away. I don't know if I can do one in a year. Someone would have to tell me I MUST before I'd try.

Do you have a method for promoting your books?
Tons and tons, but so far not many are working the way I want.

Was writing fiction something you have always wanted to do? Did you write stories as a child?
The first thing I wanted to do is get out of the small town I was born in and see the world. Then I decided I might want to write about it, but didn't feel qualified. Then I started going to SF conventions and decided I wanted to write short stories.

To write requires discipline. Do you follow any writing schedule or particular process that works best for you?
Nope

In your writing career, anything you would do differently?
Probably would have forced myself to write more, but I have to admit that until I had my computer it was a tough slog. The computer totally set me free.

What is next for you?
I actually have three books working. Next should be to hunker down and finish one of them, especially the second in the series. But I have a vampire story bugging me, and I've always wanted to do a Jane Austen sequel.

Collies, Collies, Collies

I'd like to thank Dorothy Bodoin for sharing her love of collies with the angels. I know that Amber Angel has an unsurpassed love of all dogs.

I would also like to offer my apology to Dorothy. I don't know what happened last weekend. I even looked twice for the rest of the story but couldn't find it on the attachment. But it was there!

COLLIES, COLLIES, COLLIES

Crazy over collies. That describes my life-long love of the collie breed.

When I was very young, about two or three years old, I was knocked down by a large collie. I have no recollection of this incident, no memory of whether I was afraid or if I cried or what happened afterward. My mother told me the story.

Now you’d think that would have traumatized me, but it had the opposite effect. I grew up with a love of dogs that is just as strong today as it was in the beginning.

Like everyone who loves collies, I soon discovered books by Albert Payson Terhune about his heroic collies and, around the same time, the Lassie movies. I desperately wanted a collie of my own. It was an early dream of mine to own an outstanding show dog, a champion. I even knew the color I wanted: tricolor which is black with tan and white markings.

I had to wait a long time.

Collies were too big. They shed. They barked too much. My mother had dozens of excuses, but when I was in high school, she finally capitulated.

My first collie was a sable, like Lassie. I named her Heather after a dog in one of Terhune’s short stories. Heather came into our family as a tiny puppy and was a cherished family member for the next decade.

Then came years of life without a collie. They weren’t unhappy years, just vaguely incomplete. I worked abroad and traveled, went to college, taught English in a local high school, and wrote stories of my own with collie characters. One day I decided that I wasn’t going to wait any longer for my collie. My tricolor collie. I bought LaStancia Dark Heather and entered the fascinating world of breeders and exhibitors, albeit marginally.

Since then, there have always been collies in my life: Springbrook Black Rainbow, Wolf Manor Black Holly, and Wolf Manor Kinder Brightstar, all of them Michigan bred.

Since Five Star published my first book, Darkness at Foxglove Corners, in 2001, there have been collies in my mysteries with one exception. In Treasure at Trail’s End, set in the old West, my heroine befriends a mixed breed dog. I didn’t think collies were plentiful in Colorado Territory.

I’ve written about champions, pets, strays, abused collies, and collies in peril. All of them are modeled after dogs I’ve known and loved. Their personalities sparkle in the pages. Their antics provide comic relief in tense situations. They are all intelligent and loyal and courageous, and they are all beautiful. Even as a child I knew that, for me, the majestic collie was the most beautiful of dogs.

The antics of my real life collie, Kinder, are too amusing to keep to myself. Like the time Kinder, as a baby, got lost behind a basket in the closet. She was quiet for a long time but her soft whine finally alerted me to her dilemma. Or her habit of chewing twenty dollar bills whenever I leave my purse open. Or her clever way of distracting me with one naughty activity so that I’ll turn my attention to that while she does what she wanted to do in the first place.

Kinder’s breeder told me, “She’s smart. “Don’t let her put one over on you.”

Good advice, but it’s happened more often than I care to admit.

At present, Candy, a collie character in my Foxglove Corners mystery series, is patterned after Kinder, just as Jennet Greenway’s collie, Halley, was patterned after my Black Holly.

There’s a story about me and Holly. It’s a sad story, but it’s part of my history.

I lost Holly when she was thirteen and a half years old. At the time I was in the hospital, and my brother had taken her to his house in the country until I came home. Holly was my motivation for wanting to get well. Tragically, she died on her first night away from home. I wasn’t with her; I couldn’t even say goodbye to her. She took a large piece of my heart with her.

Before my accident, I’d planned to write The Collie Connection in which my heroine lost her beloved collie only weeks before her wedding. A few months after I came home, I was finally ready to begin a new book. But how could I write about losing Halley (Holly)? I didn’t think I could. One day, however, I changed my mind. I decided to write The Collie Connection and let Holly live in its pages.

Some months later, I was surprised and happy to learn that Holly’s book had won my publisher’s Golden Wings Award for overall excellence in its genre.

In a sense, having a dog in a book is a little like being responsible for one in life. Having introduced a canine character, you can’t simply forget about her—or use her only whenever the plot needs a dog. If your protagonist comes home in a downpour and goes out again on some mystery-related errand without tending to the needs of her dog, I guarantee you’ll hear from outraged readers.

My fictitious dogs may be in danger, but I never let them die. I cried over too many dog stories to do.

The room in which I write today is filled with pictures of collies. There are photographs of all my collies; old time prints and cards; and prints by my favorite animal artist, Cindy Alvarado.
I’d like to say that Kinder lies at my feet while I write, Albert Payson Terhune style, but she has her own diversions. Sometimes, when I’ve been at the computer too long, Kinder brings one of her toys or a Frisbee or a ball and drops it near my chair. It’s a not-so-subtle hint, and it always works. I stop what I’m doing and play with her.

So I write my books and enjoy my collie’s company, and the seasons go by, a little too fast these days.

This isn’t quite the life I envisioned for myself when I was a teenager reading stories about dogs and dreaming about owning a show collie, but it’s a very satisfactory life and the only one I want.