GUEST AUTHOR:
Lisa Kleypas’s
You Question….
She’ll Answer
Why don’t you ever update your website?
I’m trying to get better about that. Really, I am. But I have two very good reasons, and their ages are 11 and 6. I know that sounds like a convenient excuse, but here’s how I look at it . . . someday they’ll get old enough to rebel and leave the house and go out into the world armed only with whatever I’ve managed to teach them . . . so anytime I have an hour to spare, I can either:
A. Write more
B. Exercise
C. Catch up on bills
D. Clean the trash pit known as my office
E. Spend time with the children.
F. Pay attention to husband
G. Update website
E usually wins. I hardly ever do B or D, and C only when something is about to be turned off. I do A when I’m under a tight deadline, and I do F when my husband and I have a moment alone. Or should I say, “we” do F. Heh heh. And after F, I just never make it to G.
Which of your heroes would you choose for yourself?
That is a difficult question. I love them all. I will always have a special place in my heart for Derek Craven, the hero of “Dreaming Of You,” because he opened the door for me to write more non-aristocratic heroes. Probably the best husband material is Zachary Bronson from “Where Dreams Begin,” and the best guys for a wild and wicked night would either be St. Vincent from Devil in Winter, or Nick Gentry from “Worth Any Price.”
Why don’t you have your first four NAL books reprinted someday?
They’re so different from the books that I’m doing now . . . remember, I started in the days of the bodice-rippers, and I was also too young to approach the subject of relationships with any kind of sophistication. I don’t regret writing those books, because I did my best at the time, and they were steps along the way to where I’ve gotten now. But I would feel terrible if anyone paid her hard-earned money for a book and was disappointed.
Who are your favorite authors?
I try to read a huge variety of books in many genres, not only because I enjoy that, but it also teaches me about writing. But in romance, aside from my brilliant friends the Squawk Radio chicks, I love SEP, JR Ward, Laura Kinsale, the two Judiths (Ivory and McNaught), the two Karens (Hawkins and Moning) and JD Robb.
What’s next?
Mine Till Midnight is my next historical romance, out in October 2007. The tone of it is hard to describe, because it’s dark and sexy but it also has a lot of humor and charm, if I do say so myself.
It features Cam Rohan, the Gypsy character who appears in Devil in Winter– I brought him with me when I came to St Martins *g*. I originally planned my historical books with St Martins to be a continuation of the Wallflower series, but after finishing Cam’s book, I realized it had to be the first of a connected-but-new series.
It has its own kind of energy and quirkiness. Cam falls in love with the oldest sister of the Hathaway family, a group of eccentric siblings.(The brother is an alcoholic, one of the sisters is a kleptomaniac, another is an invalid, and so forth.) It was a lot of fun to see Cam trying to deal with this bunch of crazies!
Not tis your turn… ask anything… well I don’t know about ANYTHING… but hey it is worth a shot 😀
Wow,
What a great interview, Sybil…I’m a fairly new to LK fan and I just bought Sugar Daddy (which is saying something because I almost never buy HB if I can get away with it) but I have enjoyed all of your books that I’ve read so far and am anxious to read more.
Just wanted to stop by and say you’re a great and gifted author and THANK YOU for the many pleasurable hours I’ve spent reading your books…oh and thank you thank you for Zachary Bronson, LOVE HIM!
Keep up the good work and have a great day, you too Syb! =)
Hugs,
Dylan
Hey… Great interview. I have this one for Lisa, what genre do you want to try writing but you still haven’t? And if you weren’t a writer what else you’d be doing?
I loved Sugar Daddy, but I’m also very happy to hear you’re going to continue writing historicals! Do you plan to write more contemporaries also?
(And Sybil, thanks for the great interview with Ms. Kleypas!)
What is your favorite and least favorite thing about writing?
How do you choose your character’s names?
Great interview!
Lisa, will you have more contemporaries out in the future?
Opps! didn’t see LeeLee’s comment until after I posted mine…so, here’s another question for Lisa. 🙂
Would you ever go back and do a story for Lily’s daughter in THEN CAME YOU?
Thanks for this fantastic interview! I can never read enough LK interviews, just cause well, there do not seem to be many out there.
Can’t wait to read more about the Hathaway family. They sound like a very interesting bunch. 🙂
I really enjoyed Sugar Daddy Ms. Kleypas! Any chance you have more contemporary books in mind. In particular, you wrote so vividly about Texas. I really felt like I was “there” with Liberty. I’ve never been to Texas but now I think I have a better sense of it. 🙂
Thanks for doing this interview! I’m one grateful fan right now.
Dylan,
BIG HUG right back to you . . . thank you!!! You know, Zachary Bronson means a lot to me because that book, “Where Dreams Begin,” was written right after I lost everything I owned in a flood that destroyed my house. Afterward, I set out to write a book about hope and starting a new life . . . and something about his character, that image of a street fighter standing on the corner and challenging all comers . . . I just loved him, and hardly anyone ever mentions him!
Mona:
I can’t think of a new romance genre that I would want to get into right now–I want to stick with historical and contemp because I have a lot I’d like to contribute in those areas if possible. But I would REALLY like to write a young adult book someday.
If I couldn’t write for a living, I would love to do something in TV or movies, as a producer or something else behind the scenes. Anything to do with communication.,
LeeLee . . . I’m so glad you enjoy my historicals, and I intend to write at least one of those a year. Also one contemp a year if I can! Right now I’m working on a sequel to Sugar Daddy, and it’s featuring the guy who doesn’t end up with Liberty. Very fun, especially as I’m pairing him with a feisty feminist heroine!
Dear Amy,
My most favorite thing about writing is when I hear that a story I’ve created has meant something to one of my readers. After I lost everything in a flood in 98, one of the things that brought me incredible comfort was picking up a romance novel. So I try very hard to make every book satisfying and comforting to my readers. My least favorite thing is the daily struggle of balancing work and family . . . but of course, all women face that difficulty, and we have to do the best we can.
Oh, names . . . that is REALLY fun . . . I have the baby name book “From Aaron To Zoe,” and it’s my favorite. Picking the right name is a huge factor in how a character turns out. I have to mull over names a lot. Some of the best names I’ve managed to pick out, IMO, are Derek Craven, Sir Ross Cannon, and Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent. To me, they suit the characters really well.
Dear Mad,
Definitely another contemp will be published next year, although when I don’t know . . .
Dear Mad,
I have thought about creating a story for Nicole a few times . . . maybe someday!!!
Dear Sarah,
Oh yes, I feel that Texas is an underused setting . . . the people here are so colorful and have such outsized personalities . . . in a way, that really helped me to make the transition from historicals to contemps! Thank you so much for your kind words–I feel very close to the character of Liberty.
I have every book of yours that I could get my hands on, and I’m always torn between my favorite hero’s. Derek Craven (of course, he is just the best), and Justin Vallerand. And Alex, and Jack, and Nick, and Ross… and Westcliff, and St. Vincent and and and… alright, you see where this is going. I love them all!
Sugar Daddy was lovely, by the way. I loved being able to see the personality and strength of Liberty evolve.
Can’t wait for Cam’s book!
Who do I have to kill to get an ARC of Cam’s book? 🙂
Teeshum . . . THANK YOU DEAR!
BAM . . . ROFL . . . okay, I have to admit . . . it’s a good one. My editor says he’s the sexiest hero she’s ever read. Heh heh.
–Lisa, completely immodest
My editor says he’s the sexiest hero she’s ever read. Heh heh.
–Lisa, completely immodest
That is so not fair!
I’m very excited for Cam’s book and I love that you hardly ever write about the “standard” regency set. Very nice.
LOL, Bam when you find out who to kill, let me know I’ll bring the shovels to hide the body! =)
Oh wow Lisa, I’m sorry to hear about you losing everything in a flood…that must have been an awful time for you. And wow, you wrote one of my top 5 books of all time from that experience, huh? You did a wonderful job, I cried buckets reading that book and I have since pimped it out to every single sister, friend and coworker that I come into contact with..
So what was the last book YOU read?
Yo bam… I know who is getting one…
::bats eyes::
Sybil….you tease!
Thank you Dylan sweetie . . . you know, I wasn’t exactly a saint during that time–I had my cranky days and my woe-is-me days . . . but I think you always learn something from the rough times.
The last book I read was Lover Revealed AND I LOVED IT!!!!
You want to know my favorite part of the BDB? . . . the bonding scent. I just think it’s so funny and erotic whenever one of these guys starts blooming *g*
OMG , its Lisa Kleypas. Squeeee! I hope she’s coming back.
I must indulge in a fangirly moment. Lisa, you are one of my go-to authors. When I pick up one of your books, I know I’m in for a satisfying romance and good hero/heroine. I re-read your books all the time, too.
Hmmm…what to ask? How on earth did you get any writing done when your kids were even younger? I can barely write a comment.
What are some other genres or authors you read besides romance?
Devon, you are so great–your squeee made me laugh, and your comments made me glow. (Of course, I’m also glowing from a huge glass of wine *g*)
Children and writing . . . these things do not mix! I have two, an eleven year old boy and a six year old girl, so they’re both old enough now that they don’t interrupt nearly as much as they used to. About five years ago I realized I would never get enough writing done in the daytime unless I got up early . . . so on my regular schedule I get up at 4AM. It’s brutal sometimes, but it’s amazing how much you get done when the house is SO QUIET. And three cups of coffee help.
(More in next comment)
I love to read all kinds of books : biographies, history, self-help, novels in various genres . . . the past couple of years I’ve tried to read more “literary” fiction, which has taught me a lot about the craft of good writing. It also has taught me that there is nothing as good as romance, because reading a story with a happy ending is good for the soul 🙂
Wow, I am totally excited. I love your books and look forward to each one. I have a question too. What type of books do you like read (when you have the time)? If you read romance, what genre? and do you read the same genre that you are writing at the time? I know some authors avoid the genre that they are writing at the time.
A few questions for you (non book related):
What three things can always be found in your grocery cart?
If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Where is your favorite place to vacation?
Dear Kris,
Thank you, you are so nice! I love love love really intense romance novels, no matter what the genre. I love funny ones too, but I get SO carried away when there is a lot of sexiness and emotion and lust and torment.
I’ll definitely read the same genre I’m writing in, if someone’s recommended a really good book. I used to be a little leery of that because I didn’t want to be influenced by someone else’s style. But now my author voice, for better or worse, has become so deeply entrenched that it’s resistant to change *g*
Dear Kim,
What fun questions!!!
In my grocery cart . . . espresso beans, a good bottle of wine, and fritos.
Describing myself . . . that’s hard! Hmmm . . . Cheerful, touchy-feely (does that count as one word?) and absentminded.
I love DisneyWorld because I can act like a twelve-year-old . . . Seattle because it is the coolest place ever . . . and France because I went there on my honeymoon and I’ve always wanted to go back.
I have to ask . . . where is your favorite place???
Fabulous interview! So many great questions and answers that I really can’t think of one. But I’ve so enjoyed reading all of them.
I can’t wait to read Cam’s story either, I’ll hope you find a good spot to bury the body, lol.
Thanks for answering. My favorite place is also DisneyWorld. My husband and I have been there at least a dozen times. We’re big kids! lol
Will there be a sequel to Sugar Daddy?
Where the Hathaway’s started… good lord I forgot about all the formatting issues old posts still had…