Across a Moonlit Sea, by Marsha Canham

[Shelly]

Another for Marsha - I noticed you said "post-it" several times, as a reminder to go back and elaborate: do you really write long hand?

[Marsha]

I noticed you said "post-it" several times, as a reminder to go back and elaborate: do you really write long hand?

Yes, I really do write longhand for the first draft. That way I'm not tied to my desk if I feel like writing in the kitchen or out on the back deck. It's a habit I've had from the beginning and, since I hate using a laptop for wandering, one I've held onto. I can't even edit properly on a computer, I have to print it out and edit on a hardcopy, then retype the final draft, from page one to the end.

[Lisa Kay]

Oh, dear! Maybe I should come type into WinWord for you. **hee heeing at thinking about seeing early drafts**

[Jennifer]

well I just got back from a trip so missed this, but loved reading the answers. My big question was also about the research - I just can't get over how detailed and truly entertaining Marsha's books are. And, Marsha, if you drop back in, just have to say that it was such a treat to have you come on here to respond to us. Reminds me of writing to Beverly Cleary when I was 6 years old -- and SHE WROTE BACK! :)

[D.G.]

I loved all the answers too! I cannot believe that you write by hand or that you don't know how the story will unfold!

I hope this question is not too broad...but how do you come up with your characters? Do they remind you of someone? How do you decide that heroine A is the perfect woman for hero X?

[Marsha]

...but how do you come up with your characters? Do they remind you of someone? How do you decide that heroine A is the perfect woman for hero X?

A lot of the time I just *see* the characters. Hard to explain, I guess, but I could *see* Jonas Spence, for example as this big blustery loud raucus man who kept going regardless how many fingers, toes, arms, or legs he lost. On the other hand, yes, sometimes I model them after friends or neighbors. Davey Dunn, in The Wind and the Sea is exactly the Davey Dunn I know in real life, just as much of a dry wit and crusty character LOL. I use my sister a lot too as the evil villainess, though she doesn't know that. As for deciding if a heroine is right for the hero, I give them each a trait that shows some part of their vulnerability, something that would appeal to or touch the other one, enough to make that spark between them. Usually somewhere in each book you'll find a place where the hero says: he was suprised to see some quality or other he hadn't expected to see. Or the heroine will have a small epiphany while she's looking at him and realize he isn't all bluster and swagger.

[D.G.]

Marsha wrote: "I use my sister a lot too as the evil villainess, though she doesn't know that. "

HAHAHAHAHAHA! That's hysterical! May I ask why? What evil villainess characteristics does your sister have?

[Marsha]

LOL my sister used to torment me when we were growing up. She was four years older, and at every opportunity--especially when our parents weren't around--teased unmercifully, pinched, hid my stuff...just generally aggravated the crap out of me. So I figured using her as a model for some of my best villainesses was good payback *g*

[Lisa Kay]

Too funny!

[Jennifer]

that is really funny. and awesome. good thing my little sister isn't a writer.

[Lisa Kay]

LOL! I had to think about that a second or two, Jennifer. After all, I just woke up!

[Katherine]

I'm just reading AAMS now and loving it. What a surprise to come here and see the author had stopped by and answered questions. Sorry I missed it but so fun to read. What a great sense of humor she has.

If you do another group read I would love to join in. I have her Robin Hood series and the second book in the Dante pirate.

[Lisa Kay]

Katherine wrote: "If you do another group read I would love to join in. I have her Robin Hood series and the second book in the Dante pirate..."

Good to know, Katherine! I am still putting the Robin Hood series together. I also have the second book in the Dante Pirates series.

[Melanie]

Lisa Kay -- Where did you find The Iron Rose? I can't find it anywhere!!:-( Let me know for another group read, I can set it up this time, if you like:-D

[Katherine]

A friend of mine received boxes and boxes of books and contained a lot of Marsha Canham's books. Since I had just purchased AAMS because of all the talk here I grabbed The Iron Rose and the Robin Hood series. I'm a happy camper. :)

[Christine (Cagnes)]

Melanie wrote: "Lisa Kay -- Where did you find The Iron Rose? I can't find it anywhere!!:-( Let me know for another group read, I can set it up this time, if you like:-D"

Melanie, you can get a used copy from Amazon.

I haven't read the Robin Hood or Highlands series yet, I'm in if y'all decide to do a group read with those! :)

[Shelly]

If you have a nook or the nook app, you can get it there, at least a few months ago you could!

[Lisa Kay]

Melanie wrote: "Lisa Kay -- Where did you find The Iron Rose? I can't find it anywhere!!:-( Let me know for another group read, I can set it up this time, if you like:-D"

Betterworldbooks.com

I have two buddy reads coming in June, then I'm free. Of course, one is which should take awhile!

[Shelly]

Okay, I checked last night, the squeal to AAMS is not on nook, darn it!

[Melanie]

Thx Christine:-D

Lisa Kay, when I looked, I couldn't find it on BWB... Maybe tonight:-D I know it's also my last chance for 10% off with BD:-D Will I be good or bad? :-p

[Heidi]

Melanie, I sent you a message about the Iron Rose, I have one you can have.

[Melanie]

Heidi wrote: "Melanie, I sent you a message about the Iron Rose, I have one you can have."

Heidi - Thank you so much! I sent back a reply with duplicates I have, if you want one:-D

[Heidi]

do you need Across the Moonlit Sea too? I have it.

[Melanie]

Heidi wrote: "do you need Across the Moonlit Sea too? I have it."

No, thanks:-D I have that one and read it (and loved it) in this buddy read!

[Shelly]

Heidi - would it be possible to borrow The Iron Rose from you? My library doesn't have it in stock.

[Heidi]

Sure I can send it to you if you promise to send it on to Melanie when you are done(once she is in NY) or you can send it abck to me and I will send it on to her. either way. I have already promised she can have it tho. Maybe we should ask Melanie if it's ok...Hahahaha

[Shelly]

Oh, I can wait until Melanie's done, believe me, I have plenty on my TBR pile! I just want to read maybe by the end of the year! Lol!

[Lisa Kay]

So, are we talking a "buddy read" for sometime in the next month or two?

[Christine (Cagnes)]

Lisa Kay wrote: " was like - $22 !! OMG, and it's a western? I better see if they have it in Kindle."

Just wanted to mention that Marsha Canham recently obtained the rights to her books & re-released them for Kindle at great prices! Straight For the Heart is $2.99 & Through A Dark Mist (Robin Hood Trilogy #1) is currently $.99. Most of her books are priced at $2.99, but the higher priced Random House versions are also listed, so make sure to find Marsha's (lower price)listing before ordering.

[Lisa Kay]

Thanks, Christine!

[Melanie]

Awesome Christine, thanks:-D

[Shelly]

I just got The Iron Rose, are we gonna do the buddy read Lisa Kay?

[Lisa Kay]

Shell's Bells - Shelly wrote: "I just got The Iron Rose, are we gonna do the buddy read Lisa Kay?"

I'm booked this month, but maybe next? If you can't wait, I'll totally understand. ;)

[Shelly]

No, lol, I can wait too, I have tons to read before and after too!

[Marilyn]

Hey! I'm up to my eyeballs in freebies, especially those by Marsha Canham. Thanks guys. I love this site!

[Christine (Cagnes)]

You're welcome! I was happy to hear that Marsha was able to get the rights to her books!

[Marilyn]

This book is up for $0.00 again on Amazon as an ebook.

[Heidi]

Marilyn wrote: "This book is up for $0.00 again on Amazon as an ebook."

Just got it before coming here! You beat me to it!