13: Questions for Sharon Cullars

Thirteen Questions for Sharon Cullars

I was introduced to Sharon Cullars' writing with Again. Then I read and enjoyed The Object of Love (watch for a review soon) and knew I wanted to interview her. She agreed to answer some questions. Thanks, Sharon!

Alyssa: How long have you been writing, and why did you choose romance?

Sharon: Professionally, I've only been writing a few years, but my venture into fiction and poetry started in college over twenty years ago. I didn't actually attempt my first novel until the early 90s, though. The story was a fantasy/paranormal tale (still not finished; maybe one day) and writing it was such fun that it made the process seem less intimidating and I knew one day that I'd finish at least one novel.

As for romance, I stumbled into that with Again, which I had planned to be a horror story but it began morphing into something entirely different, merging erotic elements with historical and contemporary plotlines. My agent wasn't sure how to pitch it and it made its rounds to the various houses. Eventually, she pitched it to Kensington/Brava and voila, it was a romance story.

Alyssa: Do you plot your stories or just sit down and start writing?

Sharon: No, I don’t have the discipline to plot a story. I start with an abstract idea and work from there. The progression of ideas comes as I type, and I let the story lead me where it wants to go.

Alyssa: Talk about your writing process. For instance, do you write during certain times of the day, certain number of words/pages a day?

Sharon: I am probably the most undisciplined writer you've probably read. My writing schedule is all over the place. I attempt to write when I can, but sometimes the muse leaves me and I become distracted. I'm trying to force myself into a better writing habit with less distractions and more focus. I find when I'm writing for myself, I'm less productive, but when a deadline is looming I find the incentive to keep going even when I don't feel like writing.

Alyssa: When I read Again, I enjoyed the story's rich writing and unique plot. How did you come up with the idea for the book?

Sharon: Again began as a fluke. Having failed on a print-on-demand project called Celia (a paranormal mystery), I decided that I wasn't cut out to be a novelist. Then a co-worker suggested I write another book. I looked at her like she was crazy because it had taken me a couple of years to pen Celia and I didn't think I could even write another sentence. But I put aside my feelings and began what I thought would be a horror tale. And somehow, as I sat writing it, it became more erotic and then the idea of reincarnation began rearing which led to the historical aspect of the tale. Of course, then I had to research and fortunately, I found information on the elite 19th century New York black class, which was fodder for the story.

Alyssa: I love Sean from The Object of Love. How did you come up with his character and how did it evolve?

Sharon: (Sheepish grin) Sean is a fantasy of mine. When I got the two-book deal with Brava, I had no idea what I would write for the second book. I'm a beta male lover and the idea of a younger male who is mature and complicated figured into my own fantasy of what type of young male would attract me. So I fleshed out the idea and he grew from there. Of course, I had to actually plot the story and I was taking a chance of starting the story with a death, but I knew it would add depth to the story of Lacey and Sean. The son, Calvin, was very hard for me to write, because I didn't like him much in the beginning and I didn't think the readers would respond to him sympathetically, but from the reviews I've read, fortunately I was wrong.

Alyssa: I love older women/younger men romances, but I know some readers don't. Did you worry about this when you wrote The Object of Love?

Sharon: No, because my editors Hilary Sares and Kate Duffy gave me the freedom to write what I wanted. I didn't even consider the ramifications. Besides, I couldn't be bothered with societal prejudices against older women being with younger men, because some of these same naysayers see nothing wrong with its polar opposite (older men/younger women), and I hate double standards against women. As I wrote the story, I researched online about May/December relationships and found an online community dedicated to these relationships. Initially, I thought the twenty-year age disparity between Lacey and Sean might seem a bit much, but when I began reading the accounts of actual women in loving relationships and marriages with men who are twenty, thirty, even forty years their junior, it convinced me that love really doesn't have any restrictions. After all, Sean and Lacey are also interracial, and there are those who don't like these types of pairings, either, but I wouldn't let their prejudices stop me. A love story is a love story.

Alyssa: I haven't read Bad Boys with Red Roses. Would you like to share a blurb or excerpt for it?

Sharon: I have a blurb and excerpt at http://sharoncullars.com/excerpts.htm.

Alyssa: What is your favorite thing about writing? Least favorite?

Sharon: Here I probably differ from other writers, I suspect, who say the actual writing is their favorite part of the process. For me, it is when I finish the story because I am so riddled with doubt as I write that I often fear I'll never finish another story again. So when I actually do finish, the sense of accomplishment brings self-vindication and I know that I can probably write another story. As for the least favorite aspect, writing can be a joy, but there are times when it's more a job, and as with any job, there are highs and lows. My particular lows are when I hit a creative wall (think wall of pain in a marathon) or when I get bored with a scene and it impedes my progress. I just have to write through it, though, and keep going, much like my metaphorical marathoner.

Alyssa: What is the best writing advice you've received?

Sharon: To keep writing despite the negative reviews. I got this advice from a writer friend, a wonderful horror writer, Gary Braunbeck, who on occasion gives me feedback and advice. I also got the same advice from romance writer, Monica Jackson, whom I emailed in tears when I encountered a withering comment about Again on the message boards. I told both I was thinking of quitting, but they wouldn't let me. Monica threatened to find me and kick my butt if I quit. I was in the middle of writing The Object of Love at the time and was already going through a mental block because my mother had suffered a stroke. I literally froze up and didn't think I could write another word, I was so devastated by the criticism. But thankfully, I did get through it, and I'll never let negative reviews affect me that way again.

Alyssa: What's the last book you read and enjoyed?

Sharon: Because of real-life issues and an irregular writing schedule, my reading has taken a nose-dive in the last couple of years. Usually, my tastes lean toward horror and sci-fi/fantasy, and I have enjoyed books by Terry Goodkind, Caleb Carr (whose historical mysteries provided a template for my historical scenes in Again), Gary Braunbeck, Guy Gavriel Kay, Octavia Butler, Tananarive Due and Lincoln Childs/Douglas Preston. I have also read Notes of a Scandal by Zoe Heller because I became curious about the book after I saw the movie.

Ironically, I've only started back to reading romance after a twenty-year lull. I've read and enjoyed books by Monica Jackson, Robin Schone, Suzanne Brockmann and have bought books by Roslyn Holcomb, Nalina Singh, and a few others that are on my TBR list (I truly will get around to these soon).

Alyssa: Do you have a favorite movie from the past year?

Sharon: The last movie I saw was Notes of a Scandal and I thought the chemistry between Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett was absolutely mesmerizing. I also liked how the movie approached a dicey subject. I’m also pondering whether I will see Shrek 3 (which is garnering mixed reviews). Yes, I tend to also like animated films geared toward the kiddies. I loved Monster House from a couple of years ago.

Alyssa: If you could take a week-long vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Sharon: I love Vegas, and have been there more than a few times. I've been to Hawaii and loved that as well. But the adventurer in me (the me I could be if I wasn’t well…you know…me), longs to be an archeologist on some dig in the Southwest (finding the Anasazi remains, maybe) or in Egypt (finding an unknown Pharoah). I'm envious of the those who recently found a sunken ship with treasure, not so much because of the treasure (estimated to be worth around $5mm), but because of the sheer adventure of actually finding the ship after what I would assume years of searching. And as for the lazy vacationer in me, I'd like to see Hong Kong or visit Japan one day.

Alyssa: What book is coming out next or what are you working on now?

Sharon: Right now, I don't have anything else coming out with Brava. Author Gary Braunbeck has given me info on another horror anthology coming out (I submitted one story to a previous horror anthology, Masque V), with a theme of werewolves in all their incarnations, so I'm trying to write a short story for that and hope that it’s accepted. Also, I am penning an erotic story I hope to submit to Samhain Publishers. On spec, I've begun a historical mystery set in Chicago during the Civil War, featuring an African-American female detective who works with the Pinkerton Agency (you can read the first chapter at http://sharoncullars.com/novel.htm) as well as a horror story featuring a stunt woman on a horror movie set in Arizona where eerie deaths began happening (first chapters at http://sharoncullars.com/nightfalls.htm).

Got to keep writing no matter what.

Alyssa: Thanks for answering my questions! Best of luck with your stories. They sound interesting, and I hope they all find a home.

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Love This Cover

I have no idea what this book is about, but I love the cover.



I like the pose and the misty quality of it.

Contest Winner

I'm pleased to announce the winner of the latest contest. This person will receive a Kelley Armstrong book of her choice . . .

Kerry!

E-mail me (the addy is in the left column) with your choice of books and your mailing address, and I'll get it sent out to you.

My Kingdom for an Hour

From the RWA conference schedule:

5:30-7:30
Readers for Life Literacy Autographing

I'm really hoping this is a misprint. The past two signings have been three hours long, and when there are 400 authors in a room signing books, the more time you have, the better. Two hours isn't going to give me and my cart enough time to see everyone . . .

13: Questions for Kelley Armstrong

Thirteen Questions for Kelley Armstrong

I'm a huge fan of Kelley Armstrong's writing, so I was thrilled when she agreed to do an interview. Here are the 13 (+1) questions I asked her.

Alyssa: You host a very active message board on your site. How did that get started, and how has it evolved?

Kelley: I started the site back when Stolen came out. I'm a former programmer, so using the Internet for promotion comes naturally to me. The discussion board started life as a simple "leave a message" page. That was unwieldy, so I switched to a full blown discussion board. It started with forums for each book, writer forums and book recommendations and slowly grew.

Alyssa: Since you have a message board, I imagine you get a lot of reader input. How do you balance that with your need as a writer to be true to the story?

Kelley: It's something I've had to learn to deal with. I firmly believe that an author has to listen to her readers. That's who I'm writing for and who pays my bills. However, while I recognize that I'm creating a product, I don't see it the way a manufacturer would--give the customer whatever they want. I have to balance what readers expect (and want) with what keeps me happy as a writer. If I completely followed my feedback, I'd be writing nothing but werewolf novels and I'd burn out after a few years. It can be frustrating when I'm talking up my latest book at an event...and getting "that's great, but when's the next werewolf book?" But so long as sales are good, I know I'm satisfying my average reader, so I'm happy.

Alyssa: What is your favorite thing about writing? Least favorite?

Kelley: Most favourite? Storytelling in general. That's what I love. Least favourite? The parts of the job least related to writing. Accounting, business, promotion...

Alyssa: Do you have a writing schedule (number of hours per day, days per week)?

Kelley: My youngest goes to school every other day. So I have 2-3 days a week of solid writing (or editing). Then I squeeze in bits on the other days.

Alyssa: No Humans Involved came out this month. I'm sure I'm not the only one who was eager to see Jeremy again. Do you have a favorite scene from it?

Kelley: Hard to answer without giving parts away because my favourites are later in the book! There's a scene near the end where Jaime explores her powers that I really liked writing.

Alyssa: Do you read your books once they've been published?

Kelley: No. I'd only find parts I wish I could change!

Alyssa: You recently sold a trilogy to Harper Children's. Can you tell us about that? Will it be set in the Otherworld?

Kelley: It's young adult. It will be set in the Otherworld, but without any overlap of characters. So the same concepts, races etc with all new characters.

Alyssa: Characterization is one thing I really love about your books. What's your secret for creating unforgettable, complex characters?

Kelley: Best advice I ever got was to know your characters. Really, really know them...and don't feel obligated to show it all in they story. For example, with No Humans Involved, I loved showing other sides of Jeremy, but they have all been part of his character since the beginnning--there just wasn't a way (or a need) to show them until now.

Alyssa: I have to ask about Clay, because I think he's so completely fascinating. How did you come up with his character?

Kelley: Honestly? No idea. I started Bitten in the early nineties, so it's been over a decade since I created him. The process is long since lost to time! I know he evolved a lot over the writing of the first book, but that's all I remember.

Alyssa: You have another book coming out this year: Exit Strategy. It's for a new series. Can you talk about that?

Kelley: It's a crime novel about an "ex-cop turned ethical hitwoman." No supernatural elements at all. I don't know whether it'll become an actual series. Right now I'm contracted for two books, so I'm only counting on that.

Alyssa: In your books, bad things happen to good characters. Is it hard to write these scenes?

Kelley: LOL. I should probably say "yes," but it's not as tough as it might seem. If it's the death of an innocent character, then I feel bad about that. But if it's a bad turn of events for a good character (Paige getting booted from the Coven, Clay hurting his arm) then I tend to see it as fodder for books to come, rather than a tragedy. I don't enjoy doing it, but I see it as giving my characters a challenge that will be good for the series.

Alyssa: Which of your characters is most like you? Which character would you spend free time with?

Kelley: Most of my main characters share some traits with me. I could say that Eve is least like me. Most like me? Not so easy to answer. We share things in common, but I don't see myself in any of them--like my friends rather than my children. You could say that when I create a character, I intentionally make someone I'd like to hang out with because we will be hanging out together, as I write their stories. But there aren't any I'd want to be with 24/7 either!

Alyssa: If you were given an extra hour in each day, how would you spend it?

Kelley: Reading. I don't do nearly enough reading these days. Too much of my work involves reading (editing, research etc) than when I sit to read, it's probably for business, and that makes it harder to do so for pleasure.

Alyssa: What’s the last book you read and enjoyed?

Kelley: Speaking of reading... Ha! Last book I read was an advance copy of Linwood Barclay's mystery/thriller No Time for Goodbye and I really enjoyed it.

Alyssa: Thanks so much, Kelley! I appreciate it.

To celebrate the release of No Humans Involved, I'm giving away one of Kelley's books--winner's choice! All you need to do to be entered is post here and tell me either which of her books is your favorite and why, or which one you'd like to try and why (if you haven't read her yet). I'll draw a random winner from everyone who enters here. Feel free to enter through May 17, 2007. I'll announce the winner May 18.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It's easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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No Humans Involved

When I discovered Kelley Armstrong's books last year, I rapidly devoured them. I've been waiting for the next book in the Otherworld series, No Humans Involved, for a long time. When it finally arrived, I dropped everything to read it: 4.5 out of 5.

It's the most anticipated reality television event of the season: three spiritualists gathered together in one house to raise the ghost of Marilyn Monroe. For celebrity medium Jaime Vegas, it is her best shot at the celebrity holy grail: a TV show of her own. Because, unlike her colleagues, who are more show than substance, Jaime is the real thing.

Reluctant to upstage her fellow spiritualists, Jaime tries to suppress her talents, as she has done her entire life. But there is something lurking in the maze of gardens behind the house: a spirit without a voice. And it won't let go until somehow Jaime hears its terrible story. For the first time in her life, Jaime Vegas understands what humans mean when they say they are haunted. Distraught, Jaime looks to fellow supernatural Jeremy Danvers for help.

As the touches and whispers from the garden grow more frantic, Jaime and Jeremy embark on an investigation into a Los Angeles underworld of black magic and ritual sacrifice. When events culminate in a psychic showdown, Jaime must use the darkest power she has to defeat a shocking enemy--one whose malicious force comes from the last realm she expected . . .

One reason I've been looking forward to this book is the fact that it features Jeremy, the mysterious werewolf alpha who was introduced in Bitten. From Elena's perspective, Jeremy is kind, logical, and often inscrutible. I wondered how he would be perceived from another perspective, and No Humans Involved provides a fascinating glimpse.

Jaime made her first Otherworld appearance in Industrial Magic, but this is the first time we get her point of view. She's a thoughtful, less action-oriented heroine than we've seen in previous books, but these traits don't make her less compelling. I enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with her.

The suspense aspect is terrific. I liked trying to put the puzzle pieces together and see where they led. And I loved the plot twists along the way.

As for Jaime and Jeremy . . . sigh. Some great moments. Truly wonderful moments. The hangman scene was nicely done. Then there's the balcony . . .

As an avid fan of the Otherworld books, I loved getting glimpses of past characters. I asked myself once or twice if a new reader would feel lost. I don't think so; most references had minor impact on the main story. There might be some sense of "Oh, something happened before," but that's often the case in a long-running series.

The next book in the series is told from Hope's perspective. I thought she was set up nicely here, and I loved the scenes--however brief--with Hope and Karl. How am I going to wait a year for the next one . . .

Beau Crusoe

I bought Carla Kelly's Beau Crusoe when I saw it in the store, but I put off reading it. What if I don't like it as much as I hope? I wondered. Then I started reading it and couldn't stop. I had to take the day off work and everything. Well, I was also having stupid stomach pains, but that's beside the point. Moving on . . .

Stranded alone on a desert island, he had lived to tell the tale. A triumphant return to the ton saw James Trevenen hailed as Beau Crusoe--a gentleman of spirit, verve and action. But only he knew the true cost of his survival!

Susannah Park had been shunned by Society. She lived content with her calm existence . . . until Beau Crusoe determinedly cut up her peace! The beautiful widow wanted to help him heal the wounds of the past--but what secrets was this glorious man hiding?

After all my worries that I wouldn't like the book, I found that reading Beau Crusoe was like visiting an old friend: 5 out of 5. Don't misunderstand me--I'm not saying that Beau Crusoe was a repeat of any of Kelly's previous stories. But it does have the thoughtful characters, vivid imagery, and easy-to-read style that is her trademark.

James's story unfolds gradually, though the direction of the story is pretty clear. The delay in giving the whole story makes the impact even stronger. Seeing how his time on the island affects James was both compelling and heartbreaking. I loved the way Susannah was so fiercely determined to find out what happened and help him. Both characters show their own strength.

Though this is a serious story, I loved the moments of levity. The toucans, for instance. Heavens! I love how that aspect plays out. Every mention of them made me smile.

But the love story is truly at the heart of Beau Crusoe, and it's a beautiful story. Once I finished it, I started rereading immediately.

Carla Kelly, it's good to read you again.

Pleasures of the Night

Like most readers, I have a list of autobuy authors. Sylvia Day is one of them. Reading Pleasures of the Night reminded me why.

In the Twilight between sleep and consciousness, a battle rages between Dream Guardians and Nightmares. Captain Aidan Cross is a legend, as skilled in fulfilling erotic dreams as he is with the glaive that kills his enemies. Women see Aidan as part of their fantasies . . . except Lyssa Bates. Exquisite, desirable, enigmatic Lyssa perplexes this immortal seducer because she sees him as he really is. And as he attempts to unravel her secrets the unthinkable occurs: Aidan Cross falls in love.

Lyssa has been having the most incredible dreams about a man whose blue eyes hold the promise of decadent pleasures and tempting intimacies. And then he appears on her doorstep! This intoxicating stranger is just as irresistible as the man of her dreams . . . but with her surrender there is also grave danger . . .

Because Aidan is on a mission, and the passion that consumes them body and soul could have dire consequences. Loving the mortal woman prophesied to destroy Aidan's world is not only impossible . . . it is forbidden.

Let's get this out of the way. The Alyssa mentioned in the acknowledgements? That's me. Now, here's what I thought of the story.

I love the Dream Guardian world--I think it's interesting and original. Sylvia's got a terrific idea here, and she pulls it off well. Aiden is completely believable as a disillusioned captain who yearns for something more. He finds it in Lyssa. I love their first meeting, where Aidan is intrigued by her no-nonsense attitude. Lyssa's history is also interesting. Though she sleeps a lot, she doesn't really rest.

The story intensifies when Aidan leaves the dream world and comes to Lyssa in the flesh. Day does a great job of showing Lyssa's conflicting confusion and trust when this man she doesn't know appears in her life. Watching their relationship develop was fascinating, and it leads to an amazingly poignant scene toward the end of the book.

I already knew Sylvia wrote wonderful historicals; Pleasures of the Night confirms her position as a leader in paranormal romance: 4.5 out of 5.

Should be interesting to see how the larger story of the Dream Guardian world unfolds.

Contest Update

Two prizes from my last two contests have gone unclaimed, so I'm posting new winners. The new winner for the Lush bookflat and bookmarks is Crystal G!

The new winner of Megan Frampton's A Singular Lady, plus Megan's special bonus prize is Wylie Kinson!

These winners have until May 12 to e-mail me (at the address in the left sidebar) their address and claim their prize. If either of these prizes go unclaimed, I'll run a new contest beginning May 13.

Weird Year

This is apparently a weird year for me medically. First, it was my appendix. Now I've got pain in my lower abdomen. I have a doctor's appointment later this month, but at times it's so bad I find it difficult to function. It really makes me appreciate the times when I'm feeling good. I'm feeling OK right now, but it comes and goes.

In other news, I'm doing my best to save my lawn this year. It thinned out a bit last year due to lack of watering. I'm trying to stay on top of it this year. Luckily, it's rained the past several days, so I haven't needed to do much work.

I'm also in the process of going through my books. They are taking over my house, so I need to sort through them and keep only those I may read again. We'll see how that goes.

And Able

I've become a fan of Lucy Monroe, so I grabbed And Able when I saw it. It's a bit of a mixed read: 3 out of 5.

Claire Sharp trusts few people and relies on no one. But after her life is threatened, ex-mercenary Brett Adams blows into her self-contained world, full of southern charm, rugged good looks, and enough sexual experience to write a how-to manual . . . experience he makes it clear he'd like to use on Claire. She wants help fighting the bad guys, but she's not about to fall into Brett's bed. For one thing, the guy has a no-commitment clause that would stump most big-shot attorneys, and for another, despite her response to his sensual kisses, in Claire's experience sex isn't exactly fireworks and brass bands. Definitely not worth getting too excited over . . .

Brett plans to prove her wrong. He's never felt such a powerful combination of lust and friendship with a woman. He'll give her a white-hot pleasure like nothing she's ever known and she'll realize that some things in life are worth every risk. When the threat to Claire grows dangerously close, pitting them against deadly odds, Brett will do whatever it takes to save her. Because Claire Sharp has just found herself a man who's ready to bring it on, willing to do what it takes, and able to go the distance . . .

And Able is nicely written and features Monroe's trademark emotional storytelling. She has a way of getting you to care about her characters quickly; not every writer can do that.

Yet even as I was becoming engrossed in Brett and Claire's story, I found it a bit too predictable. After one scene between the two, I thought, "This is how their story will play out." And I was right.

Now, you expect a happily-ever-after ending from romance; that's not the kind of predictability I'm talking about. I mean I anticipated several plot points before they happened, and this lessened the effect of the story for me.

I do like Monroe's books, though, so this won't keep me from buying them.