Since the 1999 release of her debut, ONCE A MISTRESS, award-winning historical romance author Debra Mullins has published a novel a year, every year, including DONOVAN’S BED, an RWA RITA finalist in 2000, and last year’s TO RUIN A DUKE, a finalist for this year’s Book Buyers Best award (the winner will be announced at the June 12 meeting).
Her latest novel, TEMPTING A PROPER LADY, arrives today and kicks off a new Victorian-set series. It’s been called “humorous, spirited and charming” by
RT Book Reviews, and “one hot book,” by Coffee Time Romance & More.
What was the inspiration for this novel?I was having a conversation about weddings with my editor, Esi Sogah, at the RWA conference in San Francisco. She was going to be in a wedding, and I had just gotten married two years prior. That casual conversation sparked the idea that became TEMPTING A PROPER LADY.
What was your writing process? My process is to write a detailed synopsis, which is me working out the story. This helps me test the conflicts and make sure everything is clicking. Then I start writing the book. I find I usually rewrite the beginning a number of times, then usually end up going back to the original incarnation. Apparently my first idea was the right one, but I have this need to verify.
How much time do you spend writing each week?
I still work a full-time job, so my writing time is directly proportionate to my deadlines. The closer I get to deadline, the more I write. I often spend whole weekends writing, as well as some hours during the week, either before or after work.
How do you get yourself in a writing frame of mind?
I often use music to help me get into the zone. When I first started writing, my desk was in the living room of our two-bedroom apartment. Very often my children would be in the living room watching TV. In order to shut out the noise, I started wearing headphones to listen to music. Now, even though I have a whole office to myself in my house, I still put on those headphones to write. It's a signal to my brain—and to the rest of the family. If I am in my office with my headphones on, they know it’s Do Not Disturb time.
What was the best advice you’ve received about writing?
Read your manuscript straight through as a reader, not a writer or editor. As a reader, you will instinctively know when something is wrong or missing, something you might miss looking at the work through a writer/editor’s eyes.
What is something you know now about writing or publishing in general that you wish you had known when you started?
Publishing is a business. While editors and publishers love books, they are in the business of selling books, not fulfilling dreams, and their decisions are often made with that goal in mind. It can be a hard lesson to learn for us creative artist types.
How do you overcome writers block, or any rough patch as you’re working on a story?
I talk to other writers. Often trying to explain the story helps me see where I am stuck and how to get out of it.
Do you work with a critique group?
I have had a number of critique groups/partners over the years. I have a couple of long-distance friends who help me brainstorm plot, since that is harder for me than character. I also meet with a local critique group every month after the OCC meeting. We take turns submitting work and also do an online chat once a week when we are not meeting in person. I recently joined the EVA chapter (East Valley Authors). They are a small group but have a critique session after every meeting. Each of these venues offers me something different, and I submit depending on what I am trying to learn.
When your creative batteries run low, do you have any tricks or techniques for jump-starting them and staying motivated?
I find that by doing something else for a while, your creative batteries recharge. My pastimes are mostly reading, writing or watching TV or movies. I don't have a whole lot of other hobbies—I don't have time! But I have found that doing something mindless for a while can help me regroup. Things like doing the laundry or showering or loading the dishwasher. These tasks keep my hands busy while my mind is free to wander.
What are five of your favorite novels?
Only five? I'm better off naming five of my favorite authors: J.D. Robb, Marjorie M. Liu, Mercedes Lackey, Jayne Ann Krentz and Robin D. Owens
What is your favorite book on the craft of writing?
WRITING FROM THE INSIDE OUT, by Dennis Palumbo.
What books are currently on your to-be-read list?
The pile is huge. Right now I am in the middle of Tina Gabrielle's LADY OF SCANDAL.
For more about Debra Mullins and her books, visit http://www.debramullins.com/
I love to write, obviously. But I also love to cook, and today over at a wonderful website featuring book-inspired recipes called Chef Amore, you can find my recipe for a braised chicken dish that I think captures the spirit of "The Belly Dancer."
Since the 1999 release of her debut, ONCE A MISTRESS, award-winning historical romance author Debra Mullins has published a novel a year, every year, including DONOVAN’S BED, an RWA RITA finalist in 2000, and last year’s TO RUIN A DUKE, a finalist for this year’s Book Buyers Best award (the winner will be announced at the June 12 meeting).
What was the inspiration for this novel?
What is something you know now about writing or publishing in general that you wish you had known when you started?
What is your favorite book on the craft of writing?
The summer of 1893 was an important one for American belly dance. While the Egyptian belly dancers were scandalizing the crowds at the Chicago World's Fair with their shimmies and hip drops, they were also introducing a generation of women to this exciting dance form.
