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Read some interviews from past editions:
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Zelda Benjamin
April, 2008
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Donna Wright
December, 2007
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Carolyn Brown
August, 2007
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Roni Denholtz
June, 2007
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Tara Randel
April, 2007
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Sydell Voeller
February, 2007
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Sheila Robins
December, 2006
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Ann Holt
October, 2006
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Cynthia Danielewski
July, 2006
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Jane McBride Choate
March, 2006
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Kathryn Meyer Griffith
January, 2006
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Mel Taylor
November, 2005
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Kathleen Fuller
September, 2005
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Tracey J. Lyons
July, 2005
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Ludima Gus Burton
May, 2005
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Holly Jacobs
March, 2005
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Sandra D. Bricker
January, 2005
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Kathryn Quick
November, 2004
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Cheri Jetton
September, 2004
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Heather S. Webber
July, 2004
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Karl Fieldhouse
May, 2004
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Shelley Galloway
March, 2004
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Ilsa Mayr
January, 2004
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Kathy Carmichael
November, 2003
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Dorothy P. O'Neill
July, 2003
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Joani Ascher
May, 2003
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Patricia DeGroot
March, 2003
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Nancy J. Parra
January, 2003
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Barbara Meyers
November, 2002
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Christine Bush
September, 2002
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Debby Mayne
July, 2002
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Jean C. Gordon
May, 2002
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Charles E. Friend
March, 2002
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Norma Seely
January, 2002
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Glen Ebisch
November, 2001
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Gina Cresse
September, 2001
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John Paxson
July, 2001
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Terri Alcock
May, 2001
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Clifford Blair
March, 2001
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Amanda Harte
January, 2001
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Kent Conwell
November, 2000
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Carolyn Brown
September, 2000
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Annette Mahon
July, 2000
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Marjorie McGinley
May, 2000
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Jack Lewis
March, 2000
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Amanda Harte
January, 2000
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Joyce and Jim Lavene
November, 1999
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Return to the current Author! Author! interview:
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S.J. Stewart
April, 2008
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Author! Author!: April, 2008
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Click an image to learn more about these books.
An Interview with
Shirley
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How long have you been writing and how long did it take to get published?
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I started writing Regency novels 15 years ago. That market soon dwindled. I dabbled in the 20th century by writing a Regency Time Travel before trying my hand at Contemporary Romantic Comedy. As it happened, Avalon was actively seeking Romantic Comedies in 2005. In October 2006, Geek to Chic, and in October 2007, Honeymoon Husband, both found homes. Just this February one of my Regencies, Miss Quinn’s Quandary, was finally published.
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How do you name your characters?
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My characters come from my plots. I search for a certain sound or type of name that fits that particular character. I have several Name Your Baby books and have even resorted to using the phone book to search for the perfect name!
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Where do you get ideas for plots?
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My plots come from anything. All it takes is walking my dog or hearing a news story and giving it an added twist. I’m a firm believer in the “what if...” method.
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What’s the hardest part of writing?
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Finding some peace and quiet. My family is close and talkative so isolation and quiet are rare commodities. I may gripe about not having enough time to write but I always manage to find the time.
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How do you develop your characters?
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I inhabit my books with characters who will tell my story. It’s usually the plot that comes first to me and I try and find entertaining ways to relay my story to the reader. Once the characters walk across the page, they take on a life of their own. Sometimes they even do things I don’t want them to do.
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What can you tell us about your latest book for Avalon?
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Miss Quinn’s Quandary is one of my favorite books. I love the time period—Regency England. I love the characters—Larissa, Sir Randall, Aunt Ivy, and Uncle Cyrus. And I love the story—a historical romance with a hint of mystery.
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Are you working on anything else for Avalon?
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I’m just about finished with another Regency novel for them and will be submitting it to my editor in April or May. I’ve come up with a Regency series idea that needs to simmer for a bit before I can start writing.
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What are you working on now?
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I write in the evenings, between 6 and I’m finishing up a Romantic Suspense that I started a few years. I hope to be starting the first book of my Regency series for Avalon Books soon. Readers can keep watch for new releases at: www.ShirleyMarks.com.
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