A huge Welcome to Lorelei James who will be releasing her second & newest e-book in the Wild West Boys Series called MISS FIRECRAKER which will out on June 30th. To celebrate the release Lorelei was gracious enough to sit down and answer some questions about her writing & her Wild West Boys/Rough Rider series including MISS FIRECRACKER. As one of my favorite authors out there, ohhh I so love the cowboys don't you, I am honored to welcome Lorelei James as my first Guest Author. Don't forget to leave a comment answering Lorelei's question to the readers at the bottom to be entered to win a $5.00 GC to Booksonboard.com where you too can snag one of Lorelei's ebooks!
I am a fly on your wall today, what would I see in the day of Lorelei?
Up at 5:30-6:00, check email and do business/internet stuff while drinking a pot of coffee. Now that it’s summer I don’t have to take daughter #3 to school, so I go to yoga, come home and get to work. My workspace is upstairs in my bedroom on a crappy laptop with no internet access, not in my office/library where my main computer is, so I’m actually writing, not goofing around online when I’m up there.
If someone were writing a story about Lorelei, what type of word would describe you?
Lately? A workaholic. I have so many deadlines that’s all I seem to do is work. Not the intriguing answer most people expect J
How do you get started with writing a story (as in, how do you start developing the story, how do you get inspired for it).
Do you start with an outline, synopsis, characters; what is your writing process like?
These days my work is contracted and that requires some sort of synopsis, which I’ve already submitted to get the contract, so I usually know where I’m going right from the start of a book (some aspects change, however). With the Rough Riders series, I have an idea on the next story/plotline while I’m working on the current book. Or, I’ve known for several books what the plot arc will be for certain characters. My process isn’t all that glamorous and because I have deadlines I can’t wait to feel inspired
Can you tell us a little about your newest release Miss Firecracker?
Here’s the blurb/jacket copy teaser:
..She’s the match, he’s the fuse...an explosive combination
One year ago Willow Gregory entered the Miss Firecracker contest on a dare—and ended up with the crown. As a working carpenter, she’s not exactly the tears-and-tiara type, and after a year of walking the straight and narrow she’s ready to cut loose. Waking up in a sexy stranger’s bed with no memory of the havoc she wreaked the night before wasn’t quite what she had in mind. Nor was agreeing to his mandate—work for him at the tavern until she repays the damage. Or go to jail. Blake West thinks he could possibly be the only man alive who could say no to a drunken, horny, naked beauty queen. There’s something about the former Miss Firecracker that makes him want to blow his Mr. Nice Guy persona all to hell. It helps that Willow is ready to dive headfirst into a no-heartstrings-attached affair. Which fits in perfectly with Blake’s temporary gig managing his friend’s bar. Every grinding kiss, every stolen touch leads to another…until a harmless little white lie becomes the detonator that could explode their chances at a happily ever after.
The Wests and the McKays, what draws you as the author back again and again?
I like the continuity of writing connected books, so readers can get a peek into the lives of the characters who’ve already had their happily ever after, as well as a “sneak peek” at upcoming characters while they’re reading the current book. The Rough Rider series is more like a western saga, where I tell the story of one family over the course of several books and featuring different family members. I’m grateful my fab editor at Samhain Publishing is enthusiastic about letting the story unfold piece by piece and book by book.
Do you have any other books coming out this year, adding to the Rough Rider’s?
August 25th, Cam McKay’s book, Shoulda Been A Cowboy will be out as an ebook, and in November, Keely’ McKay’s book, All Jacked Up will be out as an ebook. They will be out in print form in 2010.
What books do you enjoy reading?
I tend to read paranormal romance because it’s a genre I’m not writing in, but I read pretty much across the board: male/male romance, contemporary romance, mystery, romantic suspense, some nonfiction, but I’lll admit I don’t read much historical romance.
Who are your MUST HAVE authors?
Maya Banks, JR Ward, Kresley Cole, Kelley Armstrong, JD Robb, but that’s just a few in romance. I have a whole ‘nother list for mystery.
What was the first romance book you read and how did it effect you?
I read an excerpt of a romance in Good Housekeeping when I was like twelve. It was a sweet romance, a marriage of convenience, the heroine was a virgin, the hero a total alpha male…but he wouldn’t touch her so they were married “in name only.” I was hit and miss with reading romance, I’ve always read a lot of mystery, so when I got back into reading romance in the late 1990’s, I was absolutely hooked and read everything I could get my hands on. So I guess you can say it was a delayed effect!
If you were not writing, what would you be doing?
Having a life! No, kidding, I have the best job in the world. But if I suddenly lost all my contracts and my love of writing…ack! I can’t even imagine. So I’ll go with a fantasy job…joining the police force and becoming a bad ass cop.
Do you ever write under a different name?
Yes, I write mystery—not romantic suspense—but pure medium-boiled mystery under the name Lori Armstrong. I have four books out in mass market paperback from Medallion Press in the Julie Collins series: Blood Ties, Hallowed Ground, Shallow Grave, and Snow Blind. In January 2010 I debut a new mystery series from Simon and Schuster and the first book is No Mercy.
Do you draw your characters from the personalities in South Dakota?
Absolutely. I’m a dedicated people watcher. I’ll see traits or physical characteristics of total strangers that intrigue me and I’ll write them down for future reference. But I never use a real life person as a basis for a character. It’s way more fun to make them up.
Do you use your OWN experiences?
Sometimes. Not often. My life isn’t as exciting as the fictional world I create. I’m not surrounded by hot, sexy, young cowboys 24/7, but certain events that have happened to me or someone else will stick with me and I’ll expand on them, but I can’t think of a single thing I’ve written that is 100% stolen from real life—mine or someone else’s.
For you, what is the hardest part of writing a novel? Concept, Characterization, Plotting, Writing the story, Synopsis/Query letter writing, etc.
My favorite part is editing after I get the first draft done. Writing jacket copy is my least favorite part. It is hard to condense a 70 to 100,000 word book into two or three short, pithy paragraphs that are supposed to enchant the reader into buying the book, yet, not give away key plot points.
What was your very first published work?
A short story entitled, Praying to the Porcelain God, in the Who Died in Here? Anthology, which was written under my mystery name, in which all the crimes had to be committed in the bathroom. Believe it or not, it was a dark story, not funny at all.
If you could work with any author who would it be?
Stephen King. Nora Roberts. Suzanne Brockmann. They’ve all had long, successful careers and they are all masters at plotting, creating awesome characters, penning realistic dialogue…to learn from them firsthand would be a writer’s dream.
Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?
I have some great ideas that I haven’t had time to flesh out, but the old stuff I’ve written that’s collecting cyber dust in my computer files…will stay unread and dusty.
If you could ask readers any one question, what would it be?
Do you think there comes a time when a series should end? Do you keep buying a series even when it starts to show signs of wear?
***PLEASE POST A COMMENT WITH AN ANSWER TO LORELEI'S QUESTION AND YOU WILL BE ENTERED. WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN ON JUNE 30TH BY RANDOM.ORG***
Posts
34 comments:
Hi! Great interview!
June 26, 2009 8:38 AMTo answer your question; I believe that everything including the book series has to have its natural end. I am always sorry when this happens but it's better to end it while it's still strong both in story and characters. However, I do buy series as long as they last. I always hope that if the previous book was not so good the next one will be better :)
Yes there should be an end to a series.When the story just keeps going they tend to get boring but I will keep buying the series (or see if the library has them),hoping the author will make it interesting again.
June 26, 2009 9:10 AMlucky1stuff(at)yahoo(dot)ca
Great interview! Most series should end while they are still interesting to read. Having said that, Rough Riders could probably go on forever and never get boring. I love this series!!!
June 26, 2009 10:02 AMRhonda
rwolf (at) evansville (dot) net
No. All the great authors of the 19th century (Dickens, Tolstoy, Thackeray, etc.) wrote their books as continuing stories. Their readers were horribly angry when their novels ended. Thankfully we live in a world where we can talk to the authors in progress and tell them to keep going!
June 26, 2009 10:22 AMHey, Robert Ludlum is writing from the grave! There's no escaping from fans!
I must say that series' are my favorite books to read. I love getting to know the characters and seeing them evolve. Part of what makes a good series worth lasting is the exceptional writing; when you can feel the love that the author still has for the characters and story they've created. There are some series' I wish could go on forever, but that isn't realistically feasible. A series should end not only while it is still interesting but also before the author loses their love for it and it is reduced to nothing more than complete drivel.
June 26, 2009 10:47 AMLorelei, great interview and I could "hear" your voice in my head as I was reading your answer.
June 26, 2009 11:22 AMLike others have said...I love series, I love learning about how characters that I have grown to love are doing in the future...but I think that all things come to an end. Or maybe they spin off to different places/people as more characters from different places are brought in. But I don't want to be bored and I don't want to read the same "plot" every time.
Renee'
Hi Lorelei. Great interview. I love series. As long as the writing is good, I am fine if the series goes on and on.
June 26, 2009 12:57 PMHi Lori,
June 26, 2009 5:50 PMI used to think that a series could live on forever, but I no longer believe that. A family can only be so big, and grow only so old before you have to start killing them off (gasp) or it becomes to confusing to remember all of the relationships.
I have stopped reading some authors for this very reason, but on the bright side it led me to find your Lorelei James books. I love the McKays and have been eagerly awaiting Miss Firecracker ever since Strong, Silent Type. Tuesday can't come soon enough for me!
I knew you wrote mysteries another name from the James Gang Group, but have you ever considered writing romantic suspence to kind of combine the mystery and romance? I would love to read something like that from you (but I love all your books anyways).
cldivineATyahooDOTcom
Awesome interview! And congratulations on your new releases!
June 26, 2009 5:59 PMAs per your question: I think the end of a series is really up to the author who writes it, not the fans. The author in question might get feedback about their series and ideas about what they could do to kind of enliven it but ultimately the author themselves knows deep inside if the series it is at an end. If that spark for writing the series has dimmed or died and cannot be rekindled...then they know its time to move on. Or perhaps its just a new series or idea diverting attention away and the current series can be put on hold. Alternating series for an author does seem to be a way to balance the inspiration for the storywriting so it never loses that attraction.
When I have a favorite author, they are on my must-buy list. If I find I'm not totally in love with their last few books...I'm still willing to hang in there with hope that the next book will blow away any doubts I have. But if an author has, say five or six books, in a row that lose my interest....well I'll be honest. I would start reading the blurb first before doing the auto-buy thing. I would become a little picky about which books I'd buy or wait to read later. It's not that I'm giving up on said author...just that with this economy we are in, I have to make the best choices.
I think a series should while it is still interesting, but all of the loose ends have been tied up.
June 26, 2009 7:41 PMI'd generally like to think that the author would realize before anyone else when a series is coming to an end. Mostly because I feel that when a series is coming to an end and the author feels like they're - for a lack of a better word - half-assing it, it needs to put down and just left to rest. It's true that while it is always sad to see a series come to an end, the characters tend to stay with you forever. In my humble opinion, they pretty much open your eyes and it's just so easy to fall in love with them.
June 26, 2009 8:32 PMWould I still buy the books if the Rough Riders series were coming to an end? Yes. Because Lorelei James' book was the first book I bought in ebook format and I had to read more. Her writing never gets old for me. And neither do her interviews, for that matter. I absolutely love learning new things about my favorite author.
No, I love series. I love all the characters in them and all of the stories. I love your series. There can never be enough of these books.
June 26, 2009 9:27 PMHi Lorelei! So great to chat with you about the upcoming book! So love your cowboys and now your new ones! I'm one who is totally hooked on series! I love to wait for the next and then the next :) You do write them too to be stand alones for anyone who jumps in on your stories. I do like to have the series end in closure. I know some don't get to finish their series because of the publisher. So when that happens, I always like to ask for some sort of novella or something to put all together. I always want everyone to have their HEA!!! I don't think you wear out your series at all. Each are fresh and exciting to read. Thanks!
June 26, 2009 10:43 PMHi, Lorelei! Like other commenters, I am a sucker for a series! I do tend to hang in until the end, even when it seems to have gone a bit stale. Most of the time, I think I tend to keep wanting more, even when the author has found a graceful way to tie things up! And I love when an author finds a way to give me a little tie-in with a later novella or something that gives me a little peek back at some of the characters I've gotten to know. So yes, I do think that there can be a time when a series ought to close--if the author isn't feeling her muse there any longer and wants to explore a new setting/characters/genre, then that seems a good time to write a "the end" :)
June 26, 2009 11:07 PMGreat interview! It's always interesting to me as a reader to hear what goes into the work I like to read. I, too, love series. I love following known characters and seeing how they evolve. Most, if not all, of my favorite authors (Marcia Muller for mystery, CJ Cherryh for scifi, and of course, Lorelei James for Romance!) do such a lovely job of continued character development throughout a series. I know most of them say that the characters write themselves, so it seems we're just following their path. And I wish they could go on forever. But I agree with those above who say there is a natural end to a series, just as all good things do come to an end.
June 26, 2009 11:38 PMI do keep buying books even when the series shows signs of wear; I look to the author/characters to get themselves out of the hole they've dug. It's sometimes entertaining to see how that works, and often rewarding when the story/characters come out of that slump.
Your post was very interesting and informing. Thank you. I love series and of course they all should end eveentually. But there are those books like The Bastion Club and The Cynsters from Stephanie Laurens where each book is great even as a stand alone but I have to say that I truly know I will hate when the Outlander series ends as far as Jamie and Claire Fraser. Unless they are Immortals they can't live indefinitely. I look forward to reading your "Wild West Boys" series. :)
June 27, 2009 3:19 AMThank you.
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com
Great interview!
June 27, 2009 6:42 AMWould I continue to buy books in a series that is getting old? Well, it depends on the writer. Some writers continue with that spark that drew me to them even when the story line has gotten a bit well used. When that spark finally dies though, I'll wait to get the book second hand. However, I dont see that happening with the McKays or West boys. They're enough to keep anyone hopping!
Terri
terrid76@verizon.net
I think it depends on the author mainly if a series continues to be viable or not. If the author gets bored, so will the readers. No, if a series starts to get worn I won't keep following, I might try for a bit, but after a couple of lackluster stories I would have trouble no matter how much I love the author. Having said that, alot of series can go on indefinitely, they may evolve, and new characters come in but if the world created is strong and the author still loves the story, and has those 'oh, yeah!!' moments, it can go on and on. Alot of readers like to have these things forever, so I don't think that is a problem, the key is a mix of good author interest no waining, and viable characters to mine.
June 27, 2009 9:41 AMI love series and I have to admit that even when the books get wicker I still buy them. Of course it leaves a bad taste in your mouth so I think, yes, author should stop a series when they think they've said everything that could be said about a bunch of characters.
June 27, 2009 10:21 AMOn the other hand I'm often disappointed when authors stop their series (SEP has stopped her chicago star series and it almost killed me !!lol)...
Hi L-
June 27, 2009 11:15 AMLoved the interview, I am completely biased Lorelei could write about paint drying and I would buy it b/c she is such a great writer. I think like in life all good things must end at some point but knowing you, as one door closes another hatch will open. :) I read all of my series books over and over when I am waiting on a book or between series. I have to say the Rough Riders will always be one of my favorite series, but I have a soft spot for those sweet West boys too so just keep plugging away and I will keep spending all extra $$ on my addiction.. I mean books. Thank you for hosting Lorelei and thanks L for all you do. Congrats on the Wall of Fame you deserve it!!!
Angel H.
angela_h71@hotmail.com
Hello L,
June 27, 2009 12:03 PMFirst let me say I love everything you do. to answer your question it depends on the series your rough riders series I would continue to buy because you have done such a good job making the reader familiar and in touch with the family I find myself really wanting to know how they grow even more as a family.
The series should never end! They keep me from going insane on days when the doc has me on bedrest with this pregnancy! I love the books
June 27, 2009 1:18 PMHi!
June 27, 2009 2:26 PMGreat Interview! I think a series should have a natural end instead of dragging it out for so long that the reader becomes tired of it. I always buy the entire series though more out of curiosity at "how it ends" than anything else.
Loved the interview and am a huge fan of the McKay and West families. I started reading at book 3 and want to get them all in print now.
June 27, 2009 4:47 PMShould a series end? I think at some point it should. For me there does come a point where its too much to keep track of.
I think a series should end when the writer feels she has nothing more to tell in the series- no need to keep writing more and more books if the author feels like she is doing it just so her readers won't be mad at her for not writing more books in that series.
June 28, 2009 4:36 AMI don't think I ever stopped buying books in a series because I had enough of that series- as far as I can remember if I start reading a book that is a first in a series and I enjoyed it I kept on reading the rest of the books in the series. But then again I never read a series that had 20 books in them- I don't think I'm patient enough to read such a long series LOL
I just love your books and your series books are ones that I buy on release day!
I can't wait for MISS FIRECRAKER to come out! I'm so excited that Cam's story will be out soon and then Keely's story- I just wish I could read them now and not wait a few more months- I told you I have no patient LOL
Wow, what a great turnout, I LOVED everyone's input. It is always so interesting to hear what others have to say on the subject. You all ROCK!
June 28, 2009 12:02 PMHi Lori,
June 28, 2009 9:33 PMGreat interview!
I love series books and I usually buy every book in a series if it hooks me in the first place. I love the Rough Riders Series and will keep buying it as long as you keep writing stories about the McKay and West families.
I think a series should end when the author decides it is no longer working.
Patty
Awesome interview!!
June 29, 2009 11:14 AMHi Lorelei!
I'm a big fan of series and love to read them! (Rough Riders is at the very top of my very favorite series list!!) I never ever get tired of reading them, love that we get to not only "meet" new people but that we get to stay in touch a little with past characters!! I can't imagine your Rough Riders ever ending....but I guess once everyone has had their story and all the lose ends are tied that would be it (hope that never happens though!) :)
I agree this is a great interview. I don't think a series should end. I love a good series novel and look forward to when the next book comes out.
June 29, 2009 12:26 PMI read a lot of great series. As long as the stories stay fresh and the quality of the storyline stays high, I love to return again and again. But for just those same reasons, when a series starts to feel flat and boring, then it's time to let those characters fade off into the night.
June 29, 2009 1:23 PMThanks again everyone for their comments, there were some really great responses! Congrats to TERRI, she won the $5 GC to Booksonboard.com
June 30, 2009 9:27 AMThanks again everyone for their comments, there were some really great responses! Congrats to TERRI, she won the $5 GC to Booksonboard.com
June 30, 2009 9:27 AMThanks again everyone for their comments, there were some really great responses! Congrats to TERRI, she won the $5 GC to Booksonboard.com
June 30, 2009 9:28 AMPost a Comment