BACKSTORY: The story behind AGAINST THE WIND, by Kat Martin

Few authors are as versatile as New York Times bestselling author Kat Martin. After debuting with the historical romance MAGNIFICENT PASSAGE in 1988 and building a strong following in that genre, the former real estate broker proved she also had a knack for romantic suspense when she published THE SILENT ROSE in 1999. Since then she has continued to publish in both genres—as well as a paranormal romance, SEASON OF STRANGERS, in 2008—and she’s tackling new territory again with a contemporary trilogy with western flair, starting with this week's release of AGAINST THE WIND.

She lives in Missoula, Montana, with her husband, author Larry Jay Martin.

What was the inspiration for your novel?
I love that question because I have an interesting answer, not just “somehow it popped into my head,” which is usually what happens. Well, it did pop into my head, but I was listening to a Toby Keith country song, “How do you like me now?” It’s about a girl who makes fun of a guy when they are young, and he has a crush on her, and then he becomes wildly successful and he wonders, “How do you like me now?” Jackson, the hero of AGAINST THE WIND, is a western man who just sort of fit the part.

What was your writing process?
I used to do a detailed synopsis. I’m most comfortable when I know what I’m going to write next. But since my deadlines are so much closer together, I do both. I know the story roughly, but have to work in the details and a lot of the plot as I go along, so I work a good deal by the “seat of my pants.”

What was your biggest writing challenge this time around?
I had written contemps before, but not so much crime oriented. You have to be a lot more detail oriented. I’m loving the freedom of writing in the present. The opportunity to use language more freely, that kind of thing, but it is ultimately more difficult. And there is also the problem of the book being part of a trilogy, with the brothers, Gabe and Dev, having stories of their own, AGAINST THE FIRE and AGAINST THE LAW.

How much time do you spend writing each week?
I’m a work-a-holic. It seems to get worse every year. On top of my two books for Mira each year, I’ve been doing a small hardcover for Perseus Books, Vanguard Press. The new one is out for Mother’s Day, A SONG FOR MY MOTHER.

How do you get yourself in a writing frame of mind?
I think of writing as a job, which for me it is. It pays the bills, therefore I have to go to work every day just like everyone else.

What was the best advice you’ve received about writing?
“Don’t read your reviews.” Which of course I do anyway, but not obsessively. I feel bad when I get a bad review and it affects my writing. So I only read the major websites. And of course there is the notorious Publishers Weekly review, which I dread every time.

What is something you know now about writing or publishing in general that you wish you had known when you started?
What I know now is that you can’t make it happen by yourself. If you are not chosen by your publisher, not promoted by them, your chances of success are very slim. I didn’t know that and actually I’m glad, because I did so much promo over the years and it probably did help my career in the long run.

How do you overcome writer’s block, or any rough patch as you’re working on a story?
To be honest, I run to my husband. He has written 20 books himself. I go in and say, “I can’t figure out what’s going to happen next.” Then we sit down and hash things out for a half an hour or so, and that usually gets my juices flowing again.

Do you work with a critique group?
When I started writing, I worked with a critique group and I think they are very good. I would love to work with a plot group, but am too far out in the boondocks to make that happen. My husband is usually the only one who reads my manuscript before I turn it in. And usually not the historicals.

When your creative batteries run low, do you have any tricks or techniques for jump-starting them and staying motivated?
Traveling is good for that. Reading novels in the same genre helps me sometimes. I read a lot of books. Movies are good, the newspaper. Anything that gives you ideas.

What are five of your favorite novels?
Ohmygod. I love books and never remember the titles when I’m asked. But here are some: THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER and just about any other Woodiwiss novel. I like Laura Griffin’s romantic suspense novels. Wilbur Smith wrote my favorite all-time romance, THE EAGLE IN THE SKY. A great new historical author is Joanna Bourne. FORBIDDEN ROSE is terrific.

What is your favorite book on the craft of writing?
Dean Koonz’s HOW TO WRITE, but you can’t find it anywhere. It’s fantastic.

What books are currently on your to-be-read list?
I’m reading a lot of romantic suspense right now, since that is what I’m writing. I’ve got a Joanna Bourne novel in my lineup. Just finished SUMMER AT TIFFANY for my readers group, a really fun little read. Really hoping readers will put my new Raines Brothers Trilogy, starting with AGAINST THE WIND, on their to-be-read list. Best to all, and happy reading!

For more about Kat Martin and her books, visit http://www.katbooks.com/.

BACKSTORY: The story behind Jacqueline Diamond's THE HOLIDAY TRIPLETS and backlist e-publishing

USA Today bestselling author Jackie Hyman, who writes as Jacqueline Diamond and Jacqueline Topaz, isn’t one to back down from a challenge. The former Associated Press television columnist pursued publication for ten years before selling her first novel, a Regency romance titled LADY IN DISGUISE. It debuted in 1982 and launched a distinguished writing career that includes a career achievement award from Romance Times and two Rita Award nominations.

Although most of Jackie’s nearly 90 novels are romances, including THE HOLIDAY TRIPLETS, which releases today, the longtime OCC/RWA member and popular writing instructor has not been afraid to cross the genre border. Her novels include mysteries and horror, as well as fantasy.

Her latest challenge, however, is learning the ropes of digital publishing. So far, she has made four of her out-of-print titles available for electronic readers, and expects to add to that soon. She’s also finishing up two new Harlequin American Romances due out next year: OFFICER DADDY (February 2011) and FALLING FOR THE NANNY (June 2011).

What was the inspiration for you’re THE HOLIDAY TRIPLETS?
THE HOLIDAY TRIPLETS is the third book in my Safe Harbor Medical miniseries, published by Harlequin American Romance. Although each book stands alone, I like to introduce my characters in earlier books so readers can look forward to seeing them star in romances of their own. In this case, readers met my characters in THE WOULD-BE MOMMY (released in February) and HIS HIRED BABY (August).

Mark Rayburn is an obstetrician as well as the hospital’s administrator. He has a lot of respect for and feels a strong attraction to pediatrician Samantha Forrest, but she gives him nothing but trouble. Passionate about her causes, she has a gift for stirring up controversy – which translates into a lot of embarrassment for Mark.

Throwing them into a romantic entanglement sprang naturally from developments in the earlier books.

What was your writing process?
I always outline and make lots of notes. But the books always change as I write.

What was your biggest writing challenge this time around?
My editor asked for a Christmas book, which meant I had to plan all three Safe Harbor Medical books so that the timelines worked out right. That’s a lot harder than it sounds!

Do you have any other writing-related projects you’d like to share?
I’m excited about the possibilities offered by e-reading devices such as Kindle and Nook. Authors like me can now make our older, out-of-print books available to readers all over the world at a low price.

How does that work?
Of my 87 published novels, I have the rights reverted to 16, from publishers such as William Morrow, Berkley, Five Star, Walker and St. Martin’s Press. These include a number of Regency romances, a couple of mysteries, a fantasy novel, a horror novel and some romantic comedies.

Since I only had two of these in digital format, I paid to have the books digitally scanned. I also had to design covers and buy ISBN tracking numbers, so this isn’t a simple project, but it’s wonderful to be able to give new life to some of my best work.

I decided to re-edit each book and put it in the best possible shape before making it available. It’s a slow process, since I have to find time while also writing about three Harlequins a year and teaching via a distance-learning college-accredited institute called Long Ridge Writers Group.

How much are you revising the books?
I’m lightly re-editing all the books and updating them where it won’t cause major changes in the storyline. In some cases that isn’t possible, so I make it clear to readers that the book is set in a particular year. That way, they don’t get a jarring surprise when they discover that a plot twist in a mystery involves, say, photographic techniques that are no longer used.

How many of your older books are now available?
So far, I’ve posted four digital editions for Kindle and Nook. There are two mysteries: DANGER MUSIC, which has humorous touches, and THE EYES OF A STRANGER, which is very scary – going into the mind of a sociopathic killer. I’ve also uploaded TOUCH ME IN THE DARK, a paranormal romantic suspense, and A WARM DECEMBER, a frothy romantic comedy with a holiday theme. They’re priced at $2.99, which is less than the cost of a used book on the Internet.

Next I’m going to work on one of my Regency romances. You can keep tabs on what’s available at my Web site, www.jacquelinediamond.com. I’m posting the first chapters, so anyone who’s curious can sample these books for free. Also, many people don’t know that you can read Kindle editions without an e-book reader. A free application available from Amazon.com allows you to read them on a computer or smart phone.

Does it feel strange revisiting your old work?
Actually, it’s a lot of fun. I was a little afraid I might not like them but so far that isn’t the case at all. While I like to think I’ve grown and matured as a writer, there are more similarities to my current work than differences.

What do you think will surprise your readers the most?
Those who know me primarily from my family-oriented Harlequin romances might not realize the range of books I’ve written. As I mentioned, there are mysteries, a fantasy novel, a paranormal romantic suspense, Regencies and more.

Getting back to your current work, what’s next?
In February, the fourth Safe Harbor Medical book, OFFICER DADDY, will be released. It will be followed by two more books in the miniseries, tentatively in July and September. I love researching medical issues, and for me the “world” of this series has really taken on a life of its own.

For more about Jacqueline Diamond and her books, visit http://www.jacquelinediamond.com/.