13: Questions for Megan Frampton

Thirteen Questions for Megan Frampton

Here, at last, is my interview with author Megan Frampton. Her first book, A Singular Lady, was published in 2005.

Alyssa: Hey, Megan. Thanks so much for joining us! I received several interesting questions, so let's get started. Gram wants to know what you think of living in NY vs. New Hampshire.

Megan: Well, I haven't lived in NH since sixth grade, but the town we lived in was tiny--only about 1,000 people--and the nearest McDonald's, even, was thirty minutes away. It was very quiet, very conducive to reading a lot. Which I did, since we didn't have a TV. I love NY, but I'm not living the typical "NY" life: I'm home every night, I don't eat out, I'm just a stay-at-home mom who happens not to own a car.

Alyssa: Joelle asks a similar question--how did you decide to settle in Brooklyn?

Megan: I used to live in Manhattan, and when my boyfriend and I broke up, I could only afford Brooklyn. I love it--it's like Manhattan without the tourists. Very diverse, and culturally interesting, and there are, indeed, trees.

Alyssa: Kristie's question is one I've wondered about, so I'm glad she asked! She says, "I love reading about your life with your son and husband. My question is what is the story behind your real life romance and how did you meet your husband?"

Megan: I met him when I was working at a music magazine and he was the music director of his college station. He ended up interning for me, and we were friendly then, although we were both living with people. Then I moved out to Brooklyn, ran into him at CBGB's, and invited him to my housewarming party. We started dating soon thereafter, and we've been together since--18 years later. We've been married for 12 of those years now, and our son is seven.

Alyssa: Ellie asks if you intended to write when you were pursuing your education. What motivated you to write?

Megan: I always loved reading romances, and (to respond to Sharon, below) I read Regency romances in particular. I got laid off after 9/11, and decided if I was going to be a stay-at-home mom, I'd be a SAHM who wrote. I thought if not now, when? And it was as simple as that. I had no intention of writing when I was in college, although I did major in English literature.

Alyssa: Sharon's question: How did you decide to write romances and to write about that particular era?

Megan: See answer above.

Alyssa: Jackietoo asks this question: "I've been wondering about Regency romance heroine beauty/hygiene habits. I mean, the ladies always have skin like rose petals, sweet breath, and hair like sunshine. What's up with that? They have no AC and they're all stuck together in those ballrooms under hot candles or riding behind stinky horses. How do they do it?"

Megan: The magic of fiction! Nobody smells, unless it's manly musk-type smell, and our heroes and heroines always have the oddball habit of bathing every day. The one that always throws me is when the hero runs his hand up the heroine's leg--all that leg hair! I just open my suspension of disbelief eyes and move along.

Alyssa: Pearl wonders how much reading you do now that you are writing. What is your favorite kind of book?

Megan: Romance, especially Regency and paranormal. I read a lot still, which probably means I'm not writing as much as I should be.

Alyssa: On a similar note, Principessa wants to know your favorite classic book.

Megan: Jane Eyre or Pride And Prejudice. Very standard for a romance writer.

Alyssa: Bamabelle asks if your heroes are inspired by people you know or celebrities.

Megan: Both; my characters always look like celebrities in my head, but their character flaws are drawn from people I know, including me.

Alyssa: Traveler's question is whether an author or mentor influenced your writing.

Megan: Yes, several; Jessica Benson helped me when I was just starting to figure out how to write Regencies, Marianne Stillings got me on the path to finding my voice (and remains a good friend), and along the way I've been helped by many, many authors, including Eloisa James, who gave me a cover blurb for A Singular Lady.

Alyssa: Wylie Kinson poses this scenario: there are only two male models left in the world. Who do you pick for your cover - McDreamy or McSteamy?

Megan: You know, I don't know because I don't watch TV that much. I probably seem like a snob, but I've been watching Rome on Sunday nights--I know who McDreamy is, but not McSteamy. I'd pick Lucius Vorenus for his hard-assed attitude.

Alyssa: Now, I'd love to hear what you're working on now.

Megan: I'm in the midst of writing Road To Passion, a Regency-set historical with an opium-addict hero, a Marquess, and an illegitimate vicar's daughter. She's of high morals and low-class, while he is the opposite. It's a marriage of convenience/road romance, and it's a boatload of fun to write. I hope to be finished with the first draft in a couple of months.

Alyssa: Oh, this story sounds terrific! I hope it's picked up by a publisher so I can read it.

And finally, share a little about the mystery prize you're giving to the contest winner.

Megan: Well! It is a movie based on a Barbara Cartland novel called The Lady And The Highwayman, and it is quite possibly the worst movie I've ever fast-forwarded through. It stars a young Hugh Grant, who's got this weird high-pitched voice, and acting as bad as a second-grade pageant. It is a hoot, if just to horrify yourself at how bad it is.

Alyssa: LOL! I may have to see if I can get it through my local library so I can have the pleasure of fast-forwarding through it.

Thanks, Megan, for taking time to answer our questions.

Megan: Thanks for asking the questions, all, and thank you, Alyssa, for hosting the contest!

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Healing

I had an allergic reaction to my anti-nausea medicine that sent me back to the emergency room. Benadryl is my new miracle drug. I'm doing better, sitting up for longer periods, and feel like I'm slowly getting back to myself. I appreciate your good thoughts and wishes. They mean a lot to me.

I've closed the latest contest for entries, and I'll be sending Megan a list of questions to answer shortly. Come back to read her answers and learn who won the contest.

Adventure

I've been known to disappear from the web a while, but this time is a bit different. Last Friday at 2:00 AM, I drove to the emergency room. Later that day, my appendix was removed. I was in the early stages of inflammation, and I'm recovering, but I'm not back to normal, and I imagine I won't be online again for a few more days. Just wanted to explain where I was.

I'll be fine. Really! And the contest will close when I get back.

Reviewed Regencies

Since my latest contest features a Regency romance, I thought I would include links to the Regency romances I've reviewed on this blog.

The Bartered Heart
Miss Wilson's Reputation
Moonlight and Mischief
The Notorious Rake
A Secret Passion
A Singular Lady (Check it out--this is the book the winner will receive)
The Wedding Journey

I should mention that these are traditional Regencies; in other words, I didn't provide links to historical romances set in the Regency period.

Once I stopped reading teen romances, Regencies are what I read for a long time, and I still have a great fondness for them. Later this week, I'll post about other Regencies I've read and loved.

Layouts

When it comes to scrapbooking, I tend to go in phases. I either do very little or a lot all at once. Right now I'm in a frequent scrapbooking stage, so I thought I'd post a few of my recent spreads.

This one is from the time my coworkers decorated my cubicle for my birthday. It's a crime scene theme, as you can see. The journaling is under the picture that says clues on the tab.




Here's the first one in my series about the Winchester Mystery House. I have dozens of photos, so I know I'll be working on these layouts for a while. In this one, the journaling is beneath the postcard. I used magnetic closures to keep the card in place.




And here are two from the trip to Santa Cruz. I really wish I was back there right now.





The photos don't really do the pages justice. My scanner is still broken, and I never bought a replacement.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Hope you're enjoying the holiday. If you're headed off somewhere fun, stop by Romancing the Blog before you go to read a post from me.

And don't forget to enter the latest contest! You know you want to.

Coming soon: a review of Innocent in Death.

New Contest

Yep, it's that time again--time for another contest. This time around, the prize is an autographed copy of Megan Frampton's A Singular Lady.



All you need to do to be entered is post here. Megan has agreed to be interviewed, so feel free to ask a question. I'll send her a list of questions on March 24, 2007, so you have until then to enter the contest. I'll announce a winner when I post the interview.

Megan is also sending a prize to the contest winner . . . and you'll learn more about that prize soon. Again, just post a comment here to enter.

Whole New World

I've been looking for ways to reduce my expenses, and I discovered that it costs less for high-speed cable internet than to have a phone line plus dial-up service. So, tonight I installed my new internet connection. After years of slow access and long download times, I have only one thing to say.

Damn, it's fast.

In the News

I'd nearly forgotten the fact that I was interviewed at the 2005 literacy signing in Reno. Then I got this e-mail.

Dear Friends,

We are thrilled to announce the world broadcast premiere of "Who's Afraid of Happy Endings?" on Bravo! Canada, this Thursday, March 8th, 2007 at 8:30 pm ET.

"Who's Afraid of Happy Endings?" is a witty and dynamic new documentary that explores the world of romance fiction.

March 8th is also International Women’s Day - and we think that's a great day to celebrate this popular art form.

To view an exclusive preview clip of "Who’s Afraid of Happy Endings?" or for more information please check out http://www.gapc.com/.

"Who’s Afraid of Happy Endings?" chronicles three romance writers: Kelly Boyce, an aspiring writer from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, who makes her first pitch at a Romance Writers’ of America (RWA) Conference; Kayla Perrin, a contemporary romance author from Hamilton, Ontario, whose shift into erotica could propel her into the mainstream market; and Kathryn Smith, an historical romance author, now living in Connecticut, who has her sights set on the best seller lists as she delves into the “dark side” of paranormal romance.

"Who’s Afraid of Happy Endings?" also features interviews with some of the brightest stars in the romance fiction world including NY Times best selling authors Jo Beverley, Jennifer Crusie, Eloisa James, Debbie Macomber and Nora Roberts!

We would like to thank the people who shared their time, wisdom and support during the making of this documentary. Even though we were unable to include everyone we interviewed in the final film – your enthusiasm and spirit infuse every single frame.

To all of our American-based friends – we promise to keep you posted about a U.S. broadcast date. And to our Canadian friends - we hope that you’ll watch our documentary and tell everyone you know!

Please feel free to forward this e-mail and the attached electronic postcard to others.

Sincerely,
Joanna D’Angelo and Christine Alexiou
Co-directors/Co-writers

P.S. Check your local listings or log onto http://www.bravo.ca for specific times in your viewing area.
___________

WHO'S AFRAID OF HAPPY ENDINGS?
A one hour documentary about the world of romance fiction
by Joanna D'Angelo, Christine Alexiou & GAPC Entertainment
WORLD PREMIERE BRAVO!
CANADA
THURSDAY MARCH 8, 2007
8:30 PM ET

Will my interview be in it? I'm not sure. Possibly not. Unfortunately, I don't live in Canada. Any Canadians out there planning to watch and/or tape this program? I'd love to find out if I end up in it.

April 2007 Romantic Times Book Reviews

It's been a while since I've reviewed the RT Book Reviews magazine. I got the April 2007 issue on Saturday, so it seems like a good time to look through it. I'll mention things that interest me.

• Page 1: I got one of Kresley Cole's If You . . . series at RWA 2005. I've enjoyed her paranormals, so I'll go back and try If You Dare (I think that's the one I have).
• Page 8: The interview with Karen Robards reminds me of the writer's conference I attended in early February; Robards was one of the speakers. Obsession looks very good.
• Page 10: I've tried inspirational romances, but haven't found an author that resonates with me. Deborah Raney's In the Still of the Night intrigues me enough that I may look for it at the library.
• Page 21: Looks like Judith Ivory fans will be happy to see that she has a new book coming out in November. I have a few of her books; I need to read them.
• Page 24: I've enjoyed Bella Andre's books, so I'll have to pick up Red Hot Reunion.
• Page 25: Someone asks whether the Silhouette Bombshell books that haven't been published yet will be published through another series. The answer: no, for the most part. Then, a debut author is mentioned--her February book wasn't released because the line folded. Ouch. That's got to hurt.
• Page 26: An ad for Carrie Vaughn's Kitty Takes a Holiday. I'm looking forward to it.
• Page 32: Oh, look! A Brava anthology with stories by Linda Lael Miller, Jennifer Apodaca, and Shelly Laurenston. It's called Sun, Sand, Sex. A lovely combination; I must get it. Also, it will be nice to see a full-length historical from Sophia Nash, who previously published Regencies.
• Page 51: I'm definitely excited to read Elizabeth Hoyt's The Leopard Prince after The Raven Prince. I'd look into this book no matter what rating it got from RT. As a side note, it gets a 4-1/2 Top Pick rating.
• Page 52: A new book by Mary Balogh. Maybe I can wait until it's available at the library. Maybe.
• Page 57: I didn't notice this during the first read-through. Karen Harbaugh is in an anthology called Dragon Lovers. I like her stories, so I'll look for this as well.
• Page 81: New books by Holly Lisle and Michele Albert, two strong authors.
• Page 85: Like the cover of Lisa Diaz's Deadly Deceit.
• Page 94: Whoa! Not many contemporary romances this time around. I'll have to check past issues to see if this is a trend.
• Page 110: Looks like a good month for Harlequin Blaze. I'm especially looking forward to All Over You by Sarah Mayberry and Coming Undone by Stephanie Tyler.
• Page 119: I definitely want Vivi Anna's Blood Secrets. For one thing, the cover is awesome. The story sounds good, too.
• Page 123: A lot of erotica. Maybe this is where some of the contemporaries went. Shelly Laurenston's The Distressing Damsel and Bella Andre's new book (see above) are both selected as Top Picks.
• Page 131: Love the cover of Sasha White's Lush.

Looks like that's it for this issue of the magazine.