Break Out the Bubbly & the Dark Chocolate: Celebrating Larynn Ford's Debut Novel IN MY WILDEST DREAMS

Debut Author Larynn Ford

Hi Everyone! I met Larynn Ford at a Southern Magic Romance Writer's chapter meeting. She's a lovely person and man has she moved fast into the realm of publication!! I couldn't wait to interview her about her debut release IN MY WILDEST DREAMS when I heard she'd signed a contract with Soul Mate Publishing. Her paranormal romance is the first book she's ever written and she's proof that everyone has a different journey toward publication. Please join me in welcoming Larynn to the Veranda! 

*pop*pour*sip*

Larynn, I'm so glad you're here to share your story toward publication. Tell me, how did you end up becoming a writer?

It was actually reading that led me to the idea of writing. A friend gave me her copy of Twilight to read on vacation. “You have got to read this. It is so good,” she said. Since I hadn’t read in a while, it took a bit but when I got into it, I couldn’t get enough. I craved paranormal and sought out as much as I could read. I’m following at least twelve different series now and somewhere along the way I thought how much fun it would be to create a fantasy world and bring my own characters to life. So began IN MY WILDEST DREAMS.

Wow! That's so wonderful that one person's book recommendation lead to sparking your desire to write. What is your favorite genre to write?

Paranormal romance.

Of course!! It's your inspiration. Are you a plotter or do you follow the muse?

Plotting can only get me so far (maybe I’m doing it wrong). For me, it’s the sudden, unexpected spark of an idea that gets the words flowing.

Everyone has a different process. From what I've learned, most writers think each book they write has a different process toward the end result. So after you're done writing, how do you relax? 

I sleep.

Sleeping is good. I love to sleep whenever I can. When you're not sleeping or writing, what do you read? What are your favorite genres? Who are your favorite authors?

I fell in love with paranormal romance in 2006 and enjoy reading Christine Feehan, Kerrilyn Sparks, Charlaine Harris, and Lindsay Sands to mention a few.

I adore all these authors. They're wonderful storytellers. Tell me, what is your current project?

IN MY WILDEST DREAMS, release day April 17.

 And afterward will you  have any new releases? (For later)

My current WIP is called RESCUED, a paranormal romance about a couple of P I’s (were-cougars) hired to investigate the disappearance of young people. Their findings lead them to discover a widespread operation to harvest and sell body parts. Along the way they discover fate has decided they are life mates and they must deal with their attraction while solving the case.

Oooohhhh, how cool!! I love the premise. Where do you get your ideas for your stories?

 Sometimes, I call on my own memories and say, “What if…” Sometimes a song lyric or in the case of RESCUED, the blue eyes and long, thick, blond lashes of the singer set a scene into motion and the story blossomed from there.

Stories I heard as a child or something as simple as a bridge on Highway 80 that haunts me every time I drive by and begs for its story to be written. Ideas are everywhere.

That's so true, Larynn. Ideas are everywhere. I'm glad you were able to turn your idea into a story. How long were you trying to get published before you got the “call?”

I wrote my first words on June 12, 2009 and signed my first contract on May 21, 2012.

Bam!! Super fast!! I'm so excited for you. How did you celebrate the new book contract?

I checked email before I left for work that morning and found the offer then. After I caught my breath, stopped the happy tears, and calmed down enough to drive, I went to work… with a permanent smile on my face.

A permanent smile sounds lovely. Do you have an agent?

I don’t at this point have an agent. I’m just getting my feet wet with the whole road to publication. I think I need to wade in little deeper before thinking about an agent. As I learn more about the business, I may change my mind…we’ll see.

Yes. There are pros and cons and each writer must make her/his decisions about their career accordingly. Good for you that you're adaptable. What is the most difficult part about writing for you?

Finding the time. I work a more than full time job and am wiped out by the time I get home so weekends and an occasional sprint at lunch are my most productive writing times.

I'm in awe of your dedication to writing given that you have a day job. What advice would you give aspiring writers?

The best advice I got was read, write, read, write. Sounds too simple and I was skeptical but reading really does answer many writing questions

Reading is my muse. All genres. Excellent advice. What encouragement can you give writers who face rejection? 

Never give up. Rejection only means the right person hasn’t read your work yet.

Never give and never surrender are my daily mantras. Thank you so much for popping over to the Veranda to celebrate your debut novel release IN MY WILDEST DREAMS. May all good things continue to come your way. And looking forward to the next book's release as well.

Larynn Ford's book IN MY WILDEST DREAMS can be purchased at the following sites:

SOUL MATE PUBLISHING

www.larynnford.com

Break Out the Bubbly and the Dark Chocolate: Celebrating Debut Novel OUT OF THE DEPTHS by Pamela Hearon

 Hi everyone. I am so excited to introduce you to debut author Pamela Hearon. I met Pamela at the Heart of Dixie RWA Readers Luncheon four years ago. She was so kind and gracious to me, a newbie in the area. In the years that have followed that first meeting, we've been fortunate to attend three RWA National Conferences together and have had many great conversations. I am thrilled to share Pamela's debut novel and writing journey with you all. *Pop*Sizzle*Pour* Ah, a lovely glass of champagne and wee bit of dark chocolate in hand. Now we can begin chatting.

Welcome to the Veranda, Pamela. How did you end up becoming a writer? 

Debut Author Pamela Hearon

I’ve always been a writer.  My dad still talks about a story I wrote in grade school about Daniel Boone and a smiling raccoon.  I majored in English and psychology, fascinated by interesting characters in both fiction and real life.  And I have a passion for language and words. Writing was the only thing I could do that brought all my obsessions together.

I totally understand that passion and the obsessions. And that Daniel Boone story sounds like a great start. What is your favorite genre to write?

Romance!  Figuring out how to give a happy ending to couples who don’t stand a chance takes an exciting process that sucks me in.  I also enjoy writing fantasy although I haven’t done that in a while.  Being able to create the world any way I want is freeing and stimulating and a lot of fun.

Romance is my favorite genre as well. Happily Ever Afters are what it's all about. When you write are you a plotter or do you follow the muse?

I start out with a general plot idea; sometimes I even write a synopsis.  But the day-to-day writing is free rein.  I love it when the characters surprise me and take me in a direction I never expected.  Often a new character will pop up, and I won’t know why.  A few days later, his/her reason for being there becomes clear.  I think my subconscious works way out ahead of me.

Sounds like you are a bit of a hybrid writer and love to listen to your characters. How do you relax after spending the day with your characters? 

I head outdoors, usually with a glass of wine.  We have an outdoor kitchen (complete with a wood-fired pizza oven), a large perennial flower garden, and a hot tub, so we live outside as much as possible.

I think I need to come visit your place and join you for wine and the great outdoors. Your backyard is calling me. What do you read? What are your favorite genres? Who are your favorite authors?

I read fiction almost exclusively, but within that realm, I read across the board.  Of course, I love romance, but I also enjoy historical fiction, women’s fiction, and psychological thrillers.  I still read the classics—they’ve been around this long for a reason.  My favorite authors are Ayn Rand, Thomas Hardy, and Diana Gabaldon.  

Diana Gabaldon is one of my favorite writers, too. What is your current project?  

My current project is my second Harlequin Superromance. My second Superromance is scheduled for release in April 2013.  The working title is The Summer Place.  Of course, that’s always subject to change.

Where do you get your ideas for your stories?

Can't wait to read this book!!
Great cover and looks packed with action.

Inspiration hits me at the oddest moments.  I was with my husband in his bass boat on Kentucky Lake (he was fishing, I was readingJ), and as we neared a section of bank, I could hear children laughing at a summer camp.  I immediately began thinking about using a summer camp as a setting.  The result is my second Harlequin release.  Just about anything can get my thought processes going.

A summer camp and romance in the air. How exciting!! How long were you trying to get published before you got the “call?”

My first book was contracted 6 years after I started writing toward publication.  That “call” was from a small publisher.  It was another 4 years after that before I got the call from Harlequin.

A dream come true after many years of hard work. How did you celebrate the new book contract?  

My husband and I went out for dinner with our best friends, and, of course, we ordered champagne.  The restaurant is a small one we frequent, so the champagne ended up being on the house!

Champagne is my favorite way to celebrate. And sharing it with friends and loved ones makes it even more special. How did you celebrate the “call?” 

My call came the day before Thanksgiving, but I kept it a secret from my extended family until the next day.  I got to make my announcement at Thanksgiving dinner.  What an exciting dinner that was!

Wow!! A major way to share the news. Was the “call” an actual phone conversation or an email or a snail mail?  

I actually got two real calls.  My agent called first with the news, and then I got a follow-up call from the editor. The call from the agent I remember almost verbatim; the call from the editor is just a blur.  I think I was in shock.

I think I'd be numb and unable to articulate a single word if it were me. Who is your agent?

I am agented by the amazing Jennifer Weltz of the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency.

What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Write what you love and then try to find it a home.  Just as in the case of the house you live in, the house you publish with should be a place that is comfortable for you, a place where the stories come easily and not forced.  That doesn’t mean it can’t be hard work.  Writing is hard, but it should be a challenge you enjoy.  I love gardening and Zumba.  Both of those things are difficult, but the rewards are totally worth it because of the way they make me feel.  Your writing should be the same way.  What you produce should make you feel good about you whether or not it gets picked up by a publisher.

Fabulous advice. I couldn't agree more. What encouragement can you give writers who face rejection?

Remind yourself that everyone gets rejected.  They’re not making a personal assessment of you.  They’re deciding whether or not the two of you would be a good fit—and that’s what you want.  Think of it as looking for a spouse; the right one is worth waiting for.  In the meantime, keep looking and keep writing.  You may find a genre or a story that you’ve never considered before.

What is the most difficult part about writing for you?

Conflict is the bane of my writing existence.  I have a terrible time coming up with conflict.  One of the  basic guidelines of romance is if the hero and heroine can talk it out in a heart-to-heart conversation, it is not a conflict strong enough to sustain a book.  Now, I have a Master’s in counseling, so I think almost everything can be talked out if two people love each other and want to work it out.  I have to come up with valid reasons why they can’t talk it out (I mean, they can’t just avoid each other for chapters on endJ).

What is the most surprising thing you discovered after you received the call?

I discovered they’re not going to immediately snatch up everything else I submit.  Did I mention I got a rejection between the first acceptance and the second one? ::sigh::  The learning curve goes on and on and on…

I think that learning is important and that as you grow as a writer with Harlequin Super Romance you'll become even stronger. Thanks so much for sharing your debut novel and writing journey on the Veranda, Pamela. Wishing you all the best in your writing career!!

One lucky commentator will win a free copy of OUT OF THE DEPTHS. Pamela Hearon's books can be found at the following websites:

http://www.harlequin.com/catalogsearch.html?keyword=Pamela+Hearon&tab=items&vcname=Catalog_Search

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Pamela+Hearon

www.pamelahearon.com

RWA Conference Virgin--No More! Oh the Glory!

Well it's been ages since I posted! But here I am, full of ... ok ... truth is I am pooped. It was so wonderful, but so exhausting. I talked till I lost my voice, I pitched and it worked out very well (no illusions: my DD calls me a pessimist, but I call myself a realist). It's hard to be "on" all the time. And it's hard to figure out who is who... and it's hard to have a success and then reflect upon the folks in one's life who aren't there to celebrate it.

And as an unpublished writer, every small success is celebrated over at my house.

I learned a lot about myself. Yes, I am not shy, but I am a bit reserved. I can tell a funny story (about myself--easier that way) and people laugh at my stories. But to hobnob in a group of many, many people who I don't know and some of them might be "uber important?" No way. It's daunting. Plus, I don't like NOISE and crowds that are too large. It's like going to a vampire ball for me. Sucks me dry.

So. I didn't make it to the RITA/GOLDEN HEART Reception for chocolate and wine. Too many people and too overwhelming, but I loved watching everyone kibbitz and I enjoyed all the winners' speeches and I loved dressing up pretty for a change.

I learned I like one-on-one chats or small groups. I learned I can shut up--don't laugh those who know me and who are reading this! All those years of DISCIPLE Class have paid off! I just look down.

Oh, I learned to smile and wave... a lot. Ask the penguins.

I learned that I am a floater, not good at introducing people I don't know to people I hardly know, but exceedingly good at introducing people I just met to people I just met... it's a weird thing. I felt too new -- I guess I hung back a bit, but I had a great time. And I learned I can do this again.

Plus I got my requests: woot!!!!!!!!! It's a temporary high.

And now it's back to reality: writing and polishing. Back to wondering if it is worthy to send. If I am a crap writer and am always going to get close but no cigar... But no matter. It is here. A start. I plan. I plot. I have more stories beating the brain cells and begging me to hurry up and get this book out the door. I have a fourth ready for revision. I have a fifth in embryonic stages, and I have a series I am playing with for YA.

Even if I am never published, I have learned that romance writers rock and I am blessed to be a part of this huge, creative group of people. From top to me, they care. We are all on the same journey.

It is crazy. A journey filled with sorrow, bizarre fits of happiness, an occasional jaunt to buy much chocolate, and one's companions totally get one's complete obsession with Hugh Jackman, cutting out pictures of amazing gorgeous men, spinning tales and living in one's head. They get the hope, the fear, the doubt, the shoes, did I mention the chocolate and the wine, and the glory of jumping each hurdle and reaching each goal.