Q&A with March 2014 authors!

[Britney]

Hi, Linda! Your Eden Valley series sounds wonderful and I can't wait to start reading! You mentioned January, March, and May releases this year. How long does it generally take you to write a book?

[Jennifer]

Linda, I can't to figure out how Brand got his name.

[Jennifer]

Okay this question is for anyone. How many books does or can anyone read at one time? I have to stick to one at a time. Sometimes I have a paperback and en ebook going but I tend to mix up the characters.

[Jennifer]

Authors do you write more than one book at a time? How do keep track of the characters and other details?

[Brittany]

Jennifer wrote: "Okay this question is for anyone. How many books does or can anyone read at one time? I have to stick to one at a time. Sometimes I have a paperback and en ebook going but I tend to mix up the char..."
I usually read one at a time, but occasionally will have two going at the same time, especially if one is on the kindle and one is a paperback. I run into the problem where one of my children will want to use my kindle for a game or book and then I can't read! I can't have that, so in those cases, I will pick up a paperback and have two books going. :-)

[Brittany]

Brittany wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Okay this question is for anyone. How many books does or can anyone read at one time? I have to stick to one at a time. Sometimes I have a paperback and en ebook going but I tend t..."

I am going to also add that if I have two books going, I have to make sure they are very different books. Can't have two westerns or two Amish going at the same time, etc...that get's way too confusing!

[Valri]

I have a hard time having two books going at once too. I rarely do that unless I have to do a review for an author and do it quick and I'm already reading a book. I like "savoring" a book while I'm reading it so I just focus on that book!

[Britney]

I usually only read one book at a time. The only time I have two going is if I am reading a paperback and an ebook. I take my Kindle Fire with me and if I have to wait anywhere I will read an ebook!

[Jennifer]

I carry my Kindle with me at all times and I have the Kindle app on my phone and if I remember I bring my paperback. ;)

[Linda]

Jennifer wrote: "I'm with you Karen and Penny. I have 4 boys and my days are full and just everyday things. How do you do it?"

I'm not so busy now my kids are grown. But my daughter and 2 little girls were just out to visit so I got behind on replies. Sorry.

[Linda]

My question is: Do you use outlines or are you a "seat ..."
I'm sort of in between and plotter and seat of the pants. I have a good idea of the overall structure of the story before I begin but I don't know a lot of the details or events until I start writing.

I keep a running list of characters, etc. while I am writing and for future use.

[Linda]

Valri wrote: "Linda, I've been waiting all week for your turn! You know I read every book you write! I'm loving this series! Your last book was so good. I know Sybil's book will be also. I love the name Bra..."

The reason for Brand's name is revealed in the story so I won't tell it here. lol.

So glad you are loving this series.

[Linda]

Britney wrote: "Hi, Linda! Your Eden Valley series sounds wonderful and I can't wait to start reading! You mentioned January, March, and May releases this year. How long does it generally take you to write a book?"

A book takes about 6-8 weeks to write. That doesn't include plotting/planning time, revisions and all the many other things involved in getting a book into print.

[Linda]

Jennifer wrote: "Authors do you write more than one book at a time? How do keep track of the characters and other details?"

Because of how long it takes to get a book into print I have a number of books in the tube so as to speak. I keep good notes of characters, I have a good synopsis and usually a list of events. Once I have the first draft done I don't have to keep track of as much stuff.

[Valri]

As my husband would say, that's why there are spreadsheets! He's a big fan of Excel :)

[Paula-O]

Hello Linda, today was dr appointment day and then stopped at wal-mart and you know how that goes, rainy day did not help and temps have plunged into 30's so this Ga peach was half froze when I got home. I love your cowboy books, can't beat a handsome man to read about, looking forward to the one on wagon trains too. no question just wanted to say hi even tho it is late.

[Ausjenny]

I love how the books are set in Canada. I love reading about other places and Canada and Australia are more alike except the weather.

[Linda]

Paula-O wrote: "Hello Linda, today was dr appointment day and then stopped at wal-mart and you know how that goes, rainy day did not help and temps have plunged into 30's so this Ga peach was half froze when I got..."

Thanks for your comments, Paula. But sorry, I can't feel bad about your temperatures. We've been so cold this week. I can hardly wait until spring.

[Linda]

Ausjenny wrote: "I love how the books are set in Canada. I love reading about other places and Canada and Australia are more alike except the weather."
Hi Ausjenny, I wondered where you were. I was pleased to be able to set this series in Canada. Hope you enjoy the books.

[Ausjenny]

Im here been quieter this past week. now the gall bladder is all fixed (its gone forever!) and I am recovered from the surgery the headaches (Occipital Neuralgia) is back stronger than before. So there are days I dont have the energy to post to much. Im also a little discouraged at present cos I really thought they were linked to the gall bladder.
Someone said when I was saying just give me a day pain free, she said she acutally found it worse having a few days of no pain cos when it came back it seemed so much worse. I understand. I had around 4 weeks where it was very low pain due to the gall bladder recovery and the past week and a bit the pain is back and feels worse. We had cut meds about 3 times now I am back to surgery levels and will probably need to up them again.

But I digress. I am not reading like I use to. like I haven't finished a book this year but hope that will change soon.

[Karen]

Ausjenny wrote: "Im here been quieter this past week. now the gall bladder is all fixed (its gone forever!) and I am recovered from the surgery the headaches (Occipital Neuralgia) is back stronger than before. So t..."

Jenny, I'm so sorry you are having to deal with constant headaches. I'll be praying for relief and doctors' wisdom.

[Ausjenny]

Thanks I know its something I may have to live with and when I can get the pain down to 2 out of 10 which its was before and often it was lower. now its more like 3 - 4 out of 10 occasionally lower.

[Linda]

Ausjenny wrote: "Thanks I know its something I may have to live with and when I can get the pain down to 2 out of 10 which its was before and often it was lower. now its more like 3 - 4 out of 10 occasionally lower."
Jenny, so sorry to hear of your pain. I hope it gets manageable at the very least.

[Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance]

Jennifer wrote: "Okay this question is for anyone. How many books does or can anyone read at one time? I have to stick to one at a time. Sometimes I have a paperback and en ebook going but I tend to mix up the char..."

I typically only read one book at a time. Now depending on the time of year I have found that I concentrate better at work if I have the Harry Potter Books playing instead of music. I think it's so I have less of an excuse to get on the internet and get sidetracked. So those times I have more than one book going but since I have read/listened to the Harry Potter books so much I don't end up confusing the stories.

[Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance]

Ausjenny I hope you start feeling better! I have had headaches off and on these past two weeks and I think it's because the weather has been so crazy. I hope the doctors come up with something to help manage the pain better.

[Dorothy]

ATTENTION! Here are the names of this month's Q&A book winners!
Sarah
Rebecca
Jane
Brittany

I have sent you all messages via your Goodreads inbox. If, for some reason, you don't receive the message. Please send me your full name and mailing address via my Goodreads inbox so I can pass the information on to the authors.

Congratulations to you all. As usual, this month's books sound wonderful. Happy reading to you all!

Dorothy Clark

[Paula-O]

congrats Ladies...thanks authors for your answers to many questions...

[Brittany]

Thanks Dorothy! Did you get my message?

[Karen]

Hey ladies, I apologize for the misunderstanding about the giveaways. Both Dorothy and I contacted winners. For those of you I contacted, you will still receive a book. This includes Brittany, Sarah, Laura AKA Loves to Read Romance and Keli. Thanks for your patience during this transition!

[Valri]

Congrats to the winners!

[Ausjenny]

I add my congrats also.

[Jennifer]

Enjoy winners.

[Melody]

Busy weekend at work, I am late chiming in. I usually have several books I am reading at the same time. I never seem to confuse stories either, I am just blessed that way I guess! I have some I only read here and there and others that I stay up WAY too late trying to finish! ;)

[Lyn]

Karen wrote: "Jo Ann Brown

Welcome, everyone, to the start of our March Q&A week! I’m really excited to be helping out with the monthly Q&A and look ..."
Sounds like a great romance.

[Lyn]

Linda wrote: "My question is: Do you use outlines or are you a "seat ..."
I'm sort of in between and plotter and seat of the pants. I have a good idea of the overall structure of the story before I begin but I d..."

I think most writers are somewhere along the spectrum from plotter to pantster. I always like it when my characters surprise me!

[Karen]

Melody wrote: "Busy weekend at work, I am late chiming in. I usually have several books I am reading at the same time. I never seem to confuse stories either, I am just blessed that way I guess! I have some I onl..."

I have the same issue, Melody! That's a good thing, I guess, since staying up late to finish means the book has you in its grip. :)

[Katie]

Are all the giveaways over for the month of March?

[Melody]

Yes, it's true Karen! Not many can I not put down when I am tired, so love it when that happens! :)

[Karen]

Katie wrote: "Are all the giveaways over for the month of March?"

Katie, yes they are. However, we should have more giveaways with the April Q&A authors.

[Katie]

Okay I was just wondering, thanks for answering! :)