Debra Salonen is one of the hardest working writers in the romance genre. Since the publication of her first book in 2000, she’s amassed an impressive back list and garnered a loyal following among Harlequin SuperRomance fans. May marks the publication of the first book in a new five-book series for the line that will keep her and readers busy well into 2009. Debra recently took time out of her busy schedule, and agreed to sit down to an interview. Enjoy!
Wendy the Super Librarian: When you were growing up, your parents owned and operated their own taxi cab company. Most writers have colorful work histories, but this is by far one of the more intriguing ones I’ve come across! What was it like working in the family business, and did it shape you as a writer?
Debra Salonen: My parents bought the taxi company when I was five. I started answering the phone shortly after. Since I didn’t know how to write at that point, I had to take a call and quickly repeat it on the radio so someone in the cabs could log it.
For example:
Taxi phone rings.
Caller: “Send a cab to 314-Lincoln Lane S. Right away. I’m late for church.” (Now, I would probably say, “You should have planned better. This is so not my problem.”)
5-yr old Deb: “3…1…4…Lincoln…Lane…south. Okay.”
5-yr old Deb hangs up the phone, picks up the bulky, gray metal walkie-talkie thing that requires you to press the button on the side to talk and relays the number. I’m told I was rather demanding about making sure someone heard me and intended to pick up the fare.
Numbers. Memory challenges. Early map work. Communication skills. This job was like preschool with a purpose. But the kicker came when my father told me he’d “put me on the payroll” once I learned to write.
5-yr old Deb: Writing equals money?
Can you say subliminal forces at work?
In hindsight, I think the taxi business MADE me a writer. And once I learned to drive, every fare offered a chance to stockpile yet another interesting character.
WtSL: Your first novel, That Cowboy’s Kids, was published in 2000 and in 8 years you’ve amassed an impressive backlist. What is your work schedule like?
DS: I’d always planned to write books, but I was convinced I needed the right amount of open time and most definitely the right space to do my ambition justice. Kids have a tendency to interrupt a lot, so I told myself I’d wait until my two were older before I started writing that novel. Then other things came up, like a full time job that really drained my creativity-newspapers frown on you making things up. But eventually I ran out of excuses. I didn’t have the perfect space-my first office didn’t have heat or AC so in the winter I worked with gloves and a space heater and in the summer I got up really early to avoid dripping sweat on my pages. And time was still a premium because my kids were teens and I’d started my own bookkeeping business.
But here’s what I learned: it’s never going to be the perfect time and it’s definitely not about space; it’s about putting words on paper.
Debbie Macomber typed her first manuscript at the kitchen table with kids scurrying around her. I wish I’d been as brave.
I now have two lovely offices – a right brain and a left brain office. Okay, my right brain office is more of an alcove, but it’s where you’ll find me when I’m on deadline. Every day -a minimum of one new scene or ten new pages–until the book is done. I sit in my recumbent chair, click on my laptop and start typing. In between deadlines, I’m in the other office doing all the stuff that comes with being a published author in this day and age: blogs, interviews, art pages, PR, website updates, MySpace, etc.
And, honestly, some days I give myself permission to play with my three granddaughters, 4, 2, and almost 1. Kids tend to interrupt and I appreciate that a lot more now, but they’re definitely worth the time.
WtSL: While you’ve tip-toed into some other Harlequin lines, you’ve pretty much stuck with SuperRomance. What do you love about the line, and why did you want to write for it?
DS: Before I sold my first book, I was all over the place-writing-wise. Mystery, romance, suspense, comedy. I read it all and loved it all. I wanted to write it all.
But after two or three rejections, I realized the only way to sell was to give editors what they were looking for. So, I went to the book store and picked up a dozen or so new books. I read them all, looking for a publisher or line that would be right for the story I had in mind. SuperRomance was a clear winner.
I had no understanding of the romance genre at the time. I didn’t know the difference between a series, a line and a category. But I liked the stories the SuperRomance authors were telling. They were bigger and more complex. The authors really got into their characters’ points of view. Some were sexy, some weren’t. This was important to me because the story I was writing involved two damaged children and I needed my hero and heroine to put the kids first, even while they were in the process of falling in love. That story became That Cowboy’s Kids. I queried, sent in three chapters, revised upon rejection, resubmitted and sold.
And, although I’ve had a single title, Betting On Grace, with Signature and 3 connected books with Harlequin American, my first love has remained SuperRomance. The editors have always been open to pushing the proverbial envelope. (In Wonders Never Cease my heroine spent time in the body of the hero’s aging police dog, and in Love, By George one of the main characters is a Great Dane.) The book I’m working on now has a shared dream sequence that is slightly paranormal. I’ve always been told: “Whatever works works.” For a writer, that’s like the golden ticket to the chocolate factory.
WtSL: I know your writing keeps you busy, but a librarian has got to ask – what do you like to read? Any favorite authors?
DS: I always forget to put someone on my list and regret it later. You know what it’s like when you walk into the bookstore and promptly forget which book you went there to buy? That’s how I am with lists. But here are a few names that jump to mind: Susan Crosby, Jean Brashear, Brenda Novak, Kathy Shay, Eileen Rendahl, Alisa Kwitney, Elizabeth Berg, Laurell K. Hamilton, Judith Arnold, Randy Wayne White, Barbara Kingsolver, Michael Pollen, Isabelle Allende, Pat Potter, John Irving, Michael Critchton…to name a few.
Here are a couple of books that I’ve enjoyed recently and haven’t had a chance to check out others by the author: A Gentle Rain by Deborah Smith, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen and The Red Tent by Anita Diamant .
I’m currently reading two books: I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron and Three Cups Of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.
I belong to a readers group and we have a diverse cross-section of reading likes and dislikes. I think this is an excellent way to expand your reading horizons. My September release, His Brother’s Secret, is dedicated to the members of my book club.
WtSL: The first book in your Sentinel Pass series, Baby By Contract, debuts this month and it looks like this five book series is going to keep you busy through 2009! Tell us a little bit about the series.
DS: Think: “The Bachelor” meets “Northern Exposure.”
Sentinel Pass is an imaginary town in the Black Hills of South Dakota. SOUTH Dakota. That’s SOUTH of North Dakota. (I don’t know why anyone would mix these two up-have you ever seen North Dakota?, but it happens all the time.) Hint: the HBO series “Deadwood” was set here, Mount Rushmore is here, Dances With Wolves was filmed here, it’s just next door to Devil’s Tower…
Anyway, Sentinel Pass is a tiny town that really isn’t ready for its close-up. Then, its favorite daughter makes a teeny tiny mistake-she uses the Internet to offer part ownership in her family’s gold mine in return for viable sperm…”some restrictions apply.” And the delicious hunk who convinces her he’s the right guy to fulfill this contract is Cooper Lindstrom, a Hollywood bad boy with some serious baggage that includes his late mother’s bookie who is out for blood-Coop’s.
I can’t tell you how much fun I had with this book. I’ve been waiting all my life to open a romance novel with the words: “Pay up or die.”
The subsequent books belong to Libby’s “Wine, Women and Words” book club members: Jenna, Kat and Char. And squeezed in there somewhere will be Libby’s brother, Mac’s, story.
I love the Hills and I hope my stories and my characters do justice to the wonderful Black Hills mystique. If you haven’t been there, maybe reading my “Spotlight on Sentinel Pass’ series will encourage you to go. But you can always check out the photos from my research trip on my website.
WtSL: Debra, thanks so much for joining us for TGTBTU’s HSR Spotlight!
DS: Thank you, Wendy!
 |
 |
 |
Contest Alert! Debra has graciously donated books for us to give away to TGTBTU readers during our May HSR Spotlight! I will randomly draw winners from the comments (from all the HSR Spotlight posts) at the end of May. Two grand prize winners will receive three titles: Baby By Contract, Love By George and A Baby On The Way. Three runner up winners will receive a copy of Debra’s May release, Baby By Contract. |
Great job, Wendy! Thanks for putting in all the covers. 🙂 That’s like bumping into old friends you haven’t seen for awhile.
I’ll try to check in all day if anyone has questions for me, but, unfortunately, life has intruded in a big way. My mother passed away on Monday. Today would have been her 95th birthday. The family is getting together for a luncheon today to finalize plans for her memorial next month, so I won’t be here as much as I’d planned.
What’s amazing to me is that the creative part of my head is still working! I don’t know why or how, but I sat down at my lap top last night (definitely not my usual time to write) after a grueling day of obits and loose ends and suddenly–there were my characters–at their bookclub, discussing Water For Elephants. Right where I left them. And they were talking. (Apparently, they didn’t notice my mom’s passing. Isn’t that weird? Although, I am worried about my heroine’s mom. Can you say ‘One foot on the banana peel…?)
Later…black humor intact…Deb
Deb – I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. I don’t know what I’d be do if I lost my mom. I suppose I’ll have to prepare for it, but I sure don’t like thinking about it.
Please accept my sincere condolences.
Thanks, Gwen. I truly appreciate it.
Didn’t mean to start the blog on such a down note, but we write about life and there’s no getting around any part of it–the good and the bad. And the even the unread.
I’m reading Ellen Hartman’s May Superromance, BTW. 🙂
Deb
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss.
I haven’t read your books before. I’ve only gotten into HSR pretty recently. But I am definitely going to try them.
How do you get your inspiration for a book? Is it easier or harder to plan for a multi-book series or do you think of one book, then jump off from there?
I am so very sorry, Debra, please accept my condolences.
My mother is staying with me for long periods (think couple of months at a time) these days–she’s widowed now, and getting older and more fragile, and I just don’t want to think of the time when she won’t be here anymore.
Devon, that’s a good question. I’ve done both and I guess my answer is the book sometimes lends itself to spin-offs, sometimes not. My second book, HIS DADDY’S EYES, had two very strong hero characters, so the spin-off was almost manditory. I like how those two books turned out, but planning from the beginning can save you from creating sticky situations that some reader migth catch if you make a mistake. Now, I try to make spin-off characters unique, but not pin down a whole lot of facts that might trip me up later.
Thanks for the good wishes and for trying my books. Maybe you’ll win one of the prizes. 🙂
Azteclady, so good to see you again. 🙂 I most gladly accept your condolences. We all either been there or will be. Life is so tenuous that you just have to embrace the moment and be so, so thankful for the time you have with the ones you love.
I’m really lucky. 95 years is an amazing span. She learned to drive on a Model-A. 🙂
Best to all,
Deb
So sorry for your loss Debra. I’ve been through it with both parents and they weren’t that old-73 and 81.
Don’t enter me in the contest as I have read all of the books offered. I just wanted to say that I have loved all of Debra’s books that I have read and am really looking forward to the rest of the Sentinal Pass series. My condolences on the loss of your mother. At least when I lost mine I knew it was coming.
Great interview.I am so very sorry, Debra, please accept my condolences.I enjoy reading all your books.
Deb, I am so sorry to here about your loss. I have been through this with both my parents. My mother was 58 and my father made it to 71.
Hey, lookie at all the comments so far! This is what I get for taking the day off and hitting the local day spa.
Deb, so sorry to hear about your Mom! 95 is a good run. And hey, I’m also reading Ellen Hartman’s May HSR right now…….
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss.
Wendy, you really needed to take the day off and go to the spa. I hope you got a mani-pedi and a facial. And a massage. Break the bank!
Debra thanks for the answer. I’m fascinated by how writers come up with their ideas (since I’m rather uncreative). How do those ideas pop into your head, to turn into a story? Especially since you seem to have some diverse ones!
I hope everyone is having a beautiful Saturday.
Wendy, after your trouble with your email highjacking, I have to agree with Devon, you’re entitled to the spa treatment!!!
I do appreciate everyone’s warm welcome and kind expressions of sympathy. It does help to know people are sending you good thoughts and prayers. And I do know how lucky I am to have had Mom in my life for so long. 😉
Robyn, 73 and 81? Yep. I agree. Not long enough. My dad passed at 72. I felt robbed.
Hi, Ellen — waving– thank you so much for your enthusiastic endorsement. I’m going to double-up on my drawings on my personal blog next week to make up for being mostly MIA this week. Maybe I have a backlist book you haven’t read that you can win.
Emma, you’re so kind. Thanks bunches.
VirginiaH, that must have been really hard on you to lose your parents so young. {{hugs}}
Devon, another great question. I marvel at the creative process all the time. I can’t explain it, but I’m so thankful the way it happens. Two nights ago, after a very rough day, I sat down at my laptop expecting to see a blank screen in my head. After all that had happened and my shaky emotional state, I certainly didn’t expect to see my characters right where I left them. But there they were, and they just started talking and doing what they needed to do. I wrote until midnight. (And that is SOOO not my style.)
Truthfully, I think everybody is creative in some way. My mom could grow flowers. Plants in a greenhouse cringe when I walk in. I can hear their tiny plant voices calling, “No. Don’t let her take me. I’m a gonner.” 🙁 Sad, but true.
Anyway, don’t feel badly about not hearing voices in your head–plant or otherwise–just celebrate what you do best and pick up books by people like me who have this particular–some say “peculiar”–calling.
More questions? I love to yack about writing.
Deb
I don’t consider Deb unread! 😉 I’ve got COWBOY SUMMER. Thanks for introducing me to a new blog, Deb.
Your Taxi story was great. My FIL has some great child labor stories, himself. He was only allowed to fix the taxis and when they asked him to move one, he drove it off a parking garage.
I would like to see what you would do with other genres. A nice ghost story, perhaps?
Baby By Contract sounds right up my alley. Will need to pick it up.
Hi, Ms. Brunette, 🙂
Thanks for dropping by. Cute story about the taxi. I started driving cab at 16, even though the legal age was 18. The chief of police was a family friend.
I love ghost stories. Had one in My Husband, My Babies. I would love to try a bit more paranormal. The book I’m writing now has a shared dream thing going on. She’s fallen for the dream him and doesn’t think the real him is the man of her dreams. He has to convince her otherwise.
Hello, Sandy, I hope you enjoy the story. Please come by my blog and leave a quick hello. I’m giving away backlist titles all month. In fact, I need to go pull some names right now.
Cheers all!!!
Deb
Amy Knupp has gotten my hooked on Super Romances and she says that you are a must read author. I have Baby By Contract sitting my shopping cart at eharlequin.com come but it will be next month before I can get.
Greta
Deb….so sorry to hear about your mom. My mother is 96 and in a nursing home. Unfortunately, she is not always able to remember who we are or where she is.
Loved the idea of you as a five year old working as a dispatcher. I started pumping gas, checking oil and airing up tires at my family’s mom and pop gas station when I was twelve.
Seems like we both took on responsibility early in life.
Looking forward to reading your Sentinel Series. Wishing you all the best……