10 Questions with...Vicki Lewis Thompson

NYT bestselling author Vicki Lewis Thompson has written over 100 books including the Nerd, Hex, and Sons of Chance series. When not writing Vicki can be spotted hanging out at Disneyland and it's not unheard of for new employees to ask her for directions. Vicki's latest book, The Perfect Man, released in September and she has two Christmas themed books set for release in November. You can find Vicki at her website and on Facebook.    

1. What is your favorite part of the writing process? 

Writing a scene that works, a scene that sings and dances and makes me want to do the same.

2. What is your least favorite part of the writing process? 

Writing to a specific word count.  I used to be able to hit the word count better in the early days of my career than I do now after more than 100 books.  What's up with that?

3. What, outside of writing, makes you happy?

Riding Grizzly River Run at Disneyland, hanging out with my family, traveling with writer friends, connecting with readers, and listening to my cat purr. 

4. What, outside of writing, do you hate to do and wish you could hire someone to do for you?

Housework, and I do hire a housecleaner!  Also jury duty and taking my car through emissions. 

5. What word do you love? 

Serendipity.

6. What word do you hate? 

Semi-automatic.

7. What is your favorite food when under deadline?

Very sharp cheddar cheese. 

8. What profession, other than yours, would you like to give one of your characters? 

Talented visual artist, which I'm doing with my current WIP.

9. What profession, other than yours, would you not have a character do?

Undertaker, which is probably not the PC way to describe that profession anymore.

10. If heaven exists, what three books would you like to find in the library there?

Huckleberry Finn, To Kill a Mockingbird, Winnie the Pooh

On being a romance author's fan

1. Authors are people who write books they are not the character in their book. The reader is very familiar with the author’s character but remember the author is not that character. The author also doesn’t necessarily believe all the things they write. It’s called fiction for a reason.
2. Writing is work. It is the author’s business and livelihood. Remember that when you email them or comment on one of their social media sites. They are working and might not be able to get back to you promptly so be patient. Most authors love interacting with their fans but
3. You want to get to know an author but you need to respect their privacy. Some authors are an open book. Some authors reveal little about themselves or their family. Respect that and don’t pry into their personal lives.
4. Many published authors also have day jobs because for many writing won’t pay all the bills. For every Stephen King or Danielle Steele there are many authors that struggle to build their readership. If you have an author you love you can help them out by mentioning their book to your friends, writing reviews on Amazon, Good Reads, etc., and by buying their books and not looking for a free source. Pirating is illegal and is not hurting the publishing company nearly as much as you are hurting the author.
5. The single worst question I’ve heard asked of a romance author was during a book tour when a young man asked, “When are you going to write real books?” The author was very polite and didn’t go off on the young man though I think some of us in the audience wanted to for her. Authors write real books no matter the genre. They put their heart and soul into what they write and the finished book is a real book with characters that make you feel, that move you, that make you want to know more about them. What could be more real than that?  

10 Questions with...Jaye Wells

With my apologies to Marcel Proust, Bernard Pivot, and James Lipton I am asking 10 Questions of my favorite authors. First up is Jaye Wells who is the author of the Sabina Kane and Prospero's War series of books. Cursed Moon, the second in the Prospero's War series, was recently released. Jaye can be found on both Facebook and Twitter as well as lurking in coffee shops hoping to overhear conversations that might become part of her next book.

1. What is your favorite part of the writing process?

The days when I am really in the zone. I lose track of time and totally get into a rhythm. It's magic.  

2. What is your least favorite part of the writing process?

The last two weeks before deadline.  

3. What, outside of writing, makes you happy?

My family, cooking, good bourbon, travel, and reading.  

4. What, outside of writing, do you hate to do and wish you could hire someone to do for you?

Laundry.  

5. What word do you love?

Fecund.  

6. What word do you hate?

Panties  

7. What is your favorite food when under deadline?

Something-something-carbs-cheese-sugar-alcoholic-caffeinated.  

8. What profession, other than yours, would you like to give one of your characters?

Mortician 

9. What profession, other than yours, would you not have a character do?

Accountant or sales 

10. If heaven exists, what three books would you like to find in the library there?

Fahrenheit 451 by Bradbury, Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris, and a book explaining the meaning of it all.