Nicola Beaumont’s Blog

I’m thrilled to welcome to my blog authors Donna Marie Rogers and Stacey Joy Netzel. You may remember the wonderful article Stacey provided a couple of weeks ago. Now, she’s here with her writing partner so we can get to know them a little better.

Ladies, thanks for being here.
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Q. Tell us a little about yourself.

Donna: I live in an old schoolhouse in beautiful Northeast Wisconsin with my husband of fourteen years and my two young daughters.

Stacey: I’m a married mother of three, with a very non-romantic husband, so that’s a good part of why I write romance.

Q. How long have you been a writer? What made you write that first story?

Donna: I started writing back in my early twenties (late 80s), but I was never able to get more than halfway through a manuscript, so I eventually gave up. I have notebooks full of half-written stories. In early 2004, I sat down at the computer and decided to give it another try. Eight months later I typed ‘The End’ of the first draft of There’s Only Been You, which releases in e-format October 10th from the Wild Rose Press (in print January 2009). I don’t really know what inspired me to write it other than the characters appeared in my head one day and wouldn’t leave me alone. J

Stacey: The cliché answer is I’ve been writing since I was a kid—especially in high school. However, I started writing with the intent to publish in 2004. My first manuscript (as yet unpublished) is loosely based on my experiences working two summers at a ranch-resort in Estes Park, Colorado. (The resort and Rocky Mountain National Park part, not the suspense/hot ranger rescuer part. LOL)

Q. How many books have you written, and how did you decide their plots?

Donna: I followed There’s Only Been You with Meant To Be, the second book in my Jamison trilogy (Head Over Heels, the third, is in the plotting stages). Golden Opportunity, my contemporary western novella that released last month with the Wild Rose Press came about because of my CP/good friend’s love of Colorado (that would be Stacey *G*). Stacey and I co-wrote Welcome To Redemption, a four story anthology that’s been blessed with wonderful reviews, including a 4-1/2 star from Romantic Times BOOK Reviews. Oh, and I just discovered There’s Only Been You received a 4-star review from Romatic Times as well, so I’m thrilled!

Stacey: I’ve written 5 full length novels that have not yet been published. In 2007 I wrote the anthology with Donna, Welcome To Redemption; a Christmas novella, Dragonfly Dreams that was nominated for Best E-Book Short Romance 2007; and a paranormal short story, If Tombstones Could Talk. For NaNo WriMo I wrote my book Chasin’ Mason, which is currently in edits. Back to my full length work—I’m in various stages or revising/polishing/submitting with them.

Almost all of my books/ideas start with a cute or unusual meeting between the hero and heroine, and then I build the story and characters from there. Except Chasin’ Mason, my Yellow Rosebud with TWRP. That one started with those two words and blossomed.

Q. What do your family/friends think about your writing? Are they supportive?

Donna: My family is very supportive, I’ve been lucky. J Of course, there are those with the misconception that if you’re a published author, you’re rich…LOL My grandfather’s convinced of it—he’s hilarious.

Stacey: I also have great support from my family. From my husband, parents, kids, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws friends, ect. It’s been wonderful!

Q. For you, what are most frustrating and most rewarding aspects of writing?

Donna: Having a fan tell you how much they loved your story, that it brought them to tears or made them laugh out loud. That’s one of the best feelings in the world. Also, receiving a glowing review. Reading a stranger’s enthusiastic response to your book is soul-satisfying. That’s the only way I can think to describe it. J What’s frustrating for me is being a slow writer. I have so many stories in my head waiting to be written; I really need to work on managing my time better.

Stacey: I do love hearing that someone has enjoyed something I write. Especially my mom. J In the same aspect, I fall in love with all my characters, so it’s just as rewarding to give them that happily ever after at the end. They deserve it after what I put them through. As for what’s frustrating…wanting to write and not having the time when life gets crazy. And I only work part-time!

Q. What kinds of books inspire you to write?

Donna: Maybe this is cliché, but simply, a great book. Something that stays with me long after I’ve read it. The kind of book that makes me think, “God, I wish I could write like this!” J

Stacey: Actually, when I read a really, really good book, I sometimes doubt I can ever write that great. So, stupid as it seems, when I read a so-so book, it gives me more confidence in my own work. What’s really inspiring is when I’ve read someone’s work and absolutely loved it, and then I hear from them that they enjoyed one of my stories. That feeling is great!

Q. Who are your favorite authors, and why?

Donna: You’ll be sorry you asked…LOL Lori Foster, J.R. Ward, Lara Adrian, Janet Evanovich, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Linda Howard, Jayne Ann Krentz, Judith McNaught, Dorothy Garlock, Rebecca Paisley, Julie Garwood, Catherine Hart, Johanna Lindsey, Karen Robards, Mary Jo Putney, Norah Hess, Catherine Coulter, Katherine Sutcliffe, Elizabeth Lowell…I could go, actually. There are just so many wonderful authors out there, I only wish I had more time to read.

Stacey: I used to have favorite authors that I searched for their books. Elizabeth Lowell, Judith McNaught, Johanna Lindsey…but I don’t read them anymore because I don’t have much reading time. When I do read, it’s books of friends so I can support my fellow authors. They’re all good, and I’ve especially enjoyed titles I’ve gotten from The Wild Rose Press.

Q. Do you have days when the words won’t flow? What do you do?

Donna: I think most writers have those days. It depends on the reason my words won’t flow what I’ll do (or try to do *G*) to get them flowing again. Sometimes I’ll read to get my mind clear of my own story, sometimes I’ll call Stacey. J

Stacey: Ditto. Donna’s good at talking me through some things. If she’s not available, I clean. It’s really bad when I do the thing I hate the most to avoid something I love so much.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given as a writer? What’s the worst?

Donna: The best advice was simply to not give up. Which is easy to do when you’re new to the business. Contest feedback, writing/sending out synopses and queries, rejections letters…sigh. The worst advice…I don’t know if this really counts as bad advice necessarily, but being told to hold out for a big publishing house and not “settle” for a small press. I’m very happy I signed with the Wild Rose Press, not that I don’t hope to publish with a big house one day. J

Stacey: Best advice? Never give up. If it’s what you want to do, then do it. Even if it’s just for yourself. (okay the last 2 sentences are my advice to everyone else) Worst? Honestly, I can’t remember, because I didn’t listen to it. J Yes, there’s been ups and downs, and I still get down about some things, but for the most part, I know what I want and I’m going to keep going until I get it.

Q. Tell us about your current project or recent release.

Donna: Golden Opportunity, my contemporary western novella, which takes place in Golden, Colorado, released on August 6th. I’ve received some wonderful reviews on this story (5 Angels from Dark Angel Reviews, 5 Hearts from Night Owl Romance, and 5 Hearts from the Romance Studio), which thrills me to no end since it’s so far out of my genre. You can read the blurb for Golden Opportunity on my homepage: www.DonnaMarieRogers.com

Stacey: You can read about Chasin’ Mason at my website on the Coming Soon page. www.StaceyJoyNetzel.com Currently, I’m working on a Christmas novella trilogy about the Riley siblings, Eric, Mark and Lisa. One story takes place at the zoo during Christmas in July, the second story starts after Thanksgiving and ends on Christmas Eve, and the third story will start Christmas Eve and end New Year’s Eve. I hope to finish it this year and submit it for publication in 2009.

Q. Is there anything you would you like to add? Any upcoming publications or links for our readers? Current projects we should watch for?

Donna & Stacey: We’d just like to say thanks for having us, Nicola, and thanks to everyone who stopped by! We appreciate your time and hope you check out some of our books. Have a great weekend!
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Well, Donna and Stacey, it’s been great having you on the blog today. I’d just like to invite people to visit you on the web…

www.DonnaMarieRogers.com

www.StaceyJoyNetzel.com

I recently had the opportunity to converse with Cora Applebaum, the town…how shall I say?…”Keeper of the news” of Orchard Hill. I hope you enjoy what I discovered.

So, Cora, I hear you are the go-to person for all the hot topics in Orchard Hill. It must be so great to be in-the-know. What can you tell me about life in Orchard Hill?

Well, we’re just a typical Midwestern small town.  We enjoy the quiet life.  The sidewalks still roll up at nine o’clock even if  now some people are at home on the e-bay site until 3 a.m.  The town is named for Thorsen’s Hilltop Orchard, which overlooks the whole place.  Don’t tell anyone, but Orchard Hill is actually in a valley.

I heard there was a romance at the school. The principal and a staff member? Do tell.

That was no surprise.  Anyone who’s been paying attention could tell that Faith Fielding, the school secretary was in love with principal Andrew Thomas for years.  They’re both widowed and they practically raised their kids together.  It certainly took Andrew enough time to wake up and discover his true feelings for Faith.  You’d think that a man who’s smart enough to run the entire school would know his own heart.  But that’s men for you.

And that’s not all that goes on at that school, I hear. What about the phys ed
teacher?

The new phys ed teacher, Oliver Laurence.  Now there’s a man who’s not hard on the eyes.  He was a track star in college I’m told.  He’s certainly keeping in shape even though those days are behind him.  But he’s a quiet one.  I can barely get two words out of him during coffee hour after church.  I’d sure like to know what’s going on between
his ears.

Lately I’ve seen him at my neighbor Hope Velasquez’s house.  I don’t normally keep track of who’s coming and going in the neighborhood, but it’s hard to miss those steamy kisses on Hope’s front porch.  And to think, we all believed those two didn’t like each other.

Tell me about the other romances around town. I’m such a sap for that sort of thing.

Cupid seems to have set up shop in Orchard Hill this year. I’ve never heard so many engagement announcements in church in all my life.  It’s getting so Pastor Isaac looks pale every time a young man asks to say something in church.

It all started at the beginning of the year when Grace Randall got left at the altar while her groom used their honeymoon tickets to take another woman to Hawaii.  Grace got plenty of comfort from best man and best friend, Riley O’Neil.  It took a little convincing, but Riley showed her he was the best man for her.  Then there was a whirlwind romance between Orchard Hill newcomers Angel Marcel and Jeff Bradley, followed by a surprise match between Riley’s brother Ian and Grace’s friend Lily.  Lily was so bitter after her divorce, we thought she’d scared away every man in town, but Ian persisted and won her heart.

And it doesn’t seem as if it will slow down any time soon.  Things are getting pretty interesting between Hope’s friend Sarah Rogers and a certain young man.  I believe I saw her sporting an awfully big diamond the other day.  There even seems to be hope for Joseph Velasquez. He hasn’t looked at another woman since his wife’s death, but that pretty neighbor of his may change all that.  We’ll just have to wait and see.

OK, I’ve heard a rumor that Pansy Parker and Misty Green are really behind all these matches. What do you know about that?

I’ve known both of those women for years and they would no more meddle in other people’s business than I would.  Besides, they’ve both been busy with romances of their own.  Misty is dating Pansy’s son and Pansy is dating Misty’s father.  That’s sure to cause complications for those two.  They can’t be in the same room for more than five minutes without getting into an argument.  Imagine a Thanksgiving dinner with those two couples.  You’d be thankful to get out of there in one piece.

I have one more question. I’ve also heard that there is a woman, Kara Lynn Russell, who is acting as chronicler for all these juicy tid-bits. What can you tell me about her?

Well, she’s getting most of the details right, but I just don’t know about her style.  I see these stories as great material for a sweeping dramatic saga.  She tries to draw out the humor in each romance.  Let’s just say I’ll never expect Jane Seymour to be starring in a miniseries adaptation of her work, if you know what I mean.  But no one’s complained so far, so what do I know?  I just wish I knew who her sources were.

Thanks, Cora. I knew I could count on you to know all the juicy details. Tell us something more–if you know, that is.

Thank you for inviting me to be on your blog.  Not a lot of people have time to listen to an old lady these days.  If I hear anything more, I’ll be sure to let you know, but just between you and me.  I wouldn’t want you to think I’m one of those old busybodies who’s always sticking her nose into  other people’s business.  I have a sister-in-law like that.  It’s the most annoying thing in the world.  What makes her think I’m interested in what all her neighbors are doing?  And she walks that yappy little dog of hers about ten times a day so she has an excuse for snooping.

I have to be going now.  I’m missing my cat and I’m about to go look for her.  She does tend to wander away.

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Thanks for taking the time to speak with me, Cora. If anyone would like more information about Orchard Hill, its people–and its series of romances, of course–visit Kara Lynn Russell.

Hi, I’m Karina Fabian and I write Catholic Sci Fi.

I guess I was probably always destined to indulge. Grace and Star Trek were the ritual at our dinner table. While other girls were devouring Nancy Drew or exploring their first Harlequin romances, I was devouring the Foundation and Lensman series of books. When I received my Confirmation, my gift to my mentor priest was a copy of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

So it seems inevitable that when I turned my hand to writing, I would imagine futuristic worlds, I would populate them with people of faith and the religion I’ve loved all my life.

I’m not alone in using the Catholic Church in speculative fiction, of course. Authors of all faiths have employed some or all aspects of Catholicism in their works. For one, it’s an easily identifiable icon: whether you need a pro-life morality, a place receive sanctuary, or a scene of religious peace and grandeur, or (unfortunately) someone to balk against scientific progress, the Catholic Church comes to mind for many, regardless of religious affiliation. It’s been played in every conceivable way. Ben Bova used the Catholic Church as the ideal place for the storing bodies held in stasis for his story “In Trust” (included in Twice Seven by Ben Bova, Avon, 1998). In Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash, (Spectra, 2000) computer programmer Juanita Marquez studied under the Jesuits as a way of inoculating her mind against a linguistic virus that re-writes the brain. James White wrote an award-winning novelette, “Sanctuary,” (Analog, December 1998), in which an Irish nun protects an alien from secular powers, including the press. Star Sapphire by Joan Foang has strong Catholic characters and deals with the sacrament of marriage and adapting to the absence of the temporal Church in a faraway world. Some are just fun, like Poul Anderson’s High Crusade (I Books, 2003), in which crusaders balk an alien invasion and start an intergalactic Catholic empire; or Robert Frezza’s SF comedy VMR Theory (Del Rey, 1996), which has an alien priest for the dual purposes of housing the heroes and getting in a few Notre Dame jokes. In many SF stories or novels, the Catholic religion is there in the background for contrast against secular progress, to stand as a moral compass with others of different faiths, or to cover the fullness of human experience–spiritual as well as physical.

My own use of Catholicism in science fiction stories stems from my belief that you don’t’ just abandon 2000 years of Truth and Tradition just because you can send a man to Mars. We are designed to seek a high power and to worship Him. God loved us enough to send us His son, and to establish His church. Those truths didn’t change when we discovered the New World.” Why would they change when we discover strange new ones?

Besides, the Church was right there with the explorers: as motivation, as companion, as explorer and scientist, as a moral compass (not always followed, but there). Many orders were expanded or founded to minister to the needs of the new world. I think that will apply to the future as well.

That’s why I (and my husband and collaborator, Rob) write stories about the Order of Our Lady of the Rescue. The sisters of the OLR perform space search and rescue operations in outer space–everything from rescuing astronauts in space to stopping damaged spaceships from crashing into stations. We’ve had several stories published in our anthologies, Infinite Space, Infinite God (www.isigsf.com) and Leaps of Faith, (www.leapsoffaithsf.com) as well as some slated for Infinite Space, Infinite God II. These anthologies have stories from other like-minded authors who are fascinated about the interaction of real religion and future possibilities. (Note: Leaps of Faith is Christian Sci-Fi and has stories of several faiths.) I also have a manuscript in the works where three sisters are part of a team sent to uncover an alien spacecraft.

I also have a series of stories and novels about a Catholic dragon, (www.dragoneyepi.net) but that’s for a different blog.

Two weeks ago, I attended the Catholic Marketing Network Conference in Somerset, NJ. Among other things, I was there to promote my book, Infinite Space, Infinite God to Catholic bookstore owners, talking it up and giving away copies in hopes that I’d get some orders. I have to admit, I wasn’t especially sanguine about my chances of generating interest, but I was pleasantly surprised at the number of people who perked up. Someone had a nephew or a customer or a book club they thought would be interested.

Guess I’m not the only Catholic SF geek out there.

—-Karina, thanks so much for being here today.—-