In December 2007

In December 2007, eXtasy Books held its second annual eXtravaganza and I decided all my answers should be made available for those who visit my website. I don't remember who asked what, but here are my answers...

What draws you to another person non-sexually? What is it that makes you want to spend more time in his/her company?	Sense of humor warms me, kindness sparks my interest, tenderness holds me, love earns my smile and compassion for others wins every time with me and flaunted intelligence is ugly.
What really turns you on sexually and gets your blood to cooking and makes you wet between the legs.	A compassionate heart and that encompasses a lot. I am happy to give the world a chance, but it is seldom one can meet a soul just as beautiful on the inside as on the outside. I’ve met a few, male and female, and those are treasures. I am drawn to those with a caring, giving and understanding heart. If you want physical then Marcus wins.
What's the sexiest Christmas you and a lover/husband/boyfriend, ever had????	Okay, this question was delayed because I had to think. It was a shared Christmas where hubby and I were alone in Lexington, NC, some of you might have heard of the back porch that overlooked the lake and the spectacular view, especially with Christmas lights reflected. It was special because it was one of the first where I actually began to enjoy the holiday again. Since his mother wanted us up at her house for the day, we opened all our gifts, but it was the last gift that turned it sexy. After we stripped each other, he had a brilliant notion and who was I to refuse. He wrapped me in a blanket, swept me into his arms and carried me outside onto the porch. I could have refused since I had to open the door, but hey, adventure was the spice of life. We settled on the air mattress and cuddled. The roof only covered just over ½ the porch and the open sky combined with Christmas lights glowing all around from the porch banister and rails mingled with the gentle sounds of night and the lake itself. Making love on the back porch let me see more stars than what the hung out that night. We were okay until it started to snow again and the wind picked up. Yes, it was freaking cold afterward trying to get back in the house. LOL Yes, he is a real live romance hero. He’s been here for me for over two decades. I’ve watched age, time and the Army wreak havoc on him, tear him down and practically destroy him, but faithful as ever, he provided, supported, cared for and loved all of us. And he still does. There’s an Alabama song called ‘She & I’, I swear they must have been watching us! On one of his really bad days, he asked why I stayed with “someone so broken”. I answered, “Love and because I want to”. The look in his eyes and that whispered thank you was the most beautiful reward. We’ve had our moments, as all good loves do, but it’s after that when we look back, learn and smile.
If you can go away with any one of the hero's from a book you have read or wrote who would you choose and why him?	Gian Ren, Guardian of the Mist, from Mine to Take by Dara Joy. Why him is because I eliminated my own to avoid Armageddon while I work. LOL
If I gave you a time machine, would you go backward or forward in time? If backward, would you change anything in history and what do you think would be the consequences? If forward, what do you hope to find?	Both. Forward to see if the world survived the 2021 episode and backward to see medieval times. No, I wouldn’t change anything in the past as I’d be afraid of messing up the present.
What question have you always wished a fan of your work would ask you?	Anything they wish to know.
When did you write your first book and how old were you?	Just over sixteen years ago.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?	Take care of my family, pond and house.
What does your family think of your writing?	They support and encourage me.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?	How an e-book is made and the steps it goes through to become a published work of art. And the English rules I’d forgotten.
What do you think makes a good story?	When an author puts their heart and soul into it.
Hardest part of a story to write? The first sentence, the last paragraph, the dialogue, the descriptions as you try to get other's to visualize your world, something entirely different, such as the research or finding the time to actually sit down and write?	The editing. LOL
If you could travel back in time for one year, where do you want to go and what time period? Being able to bring only 3 things from the present with you, what would you bring?	Somewhere in medieval times and I’d take a laptop with a never-ending battery (note to self, pick up everlasting battery from the future), some penicillin pills (never know what you might encounter and rusty knives are no better than rusty nails) and BOB (unless hubby wants to join me). If it were reversed to where I could bring three things back it would be a Vampire, a Werewolf and a dragon shape-shifter who enjoys playing the part of a knight.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?	I started writing poems in elementary school so since then.
How long does it take you to write a book?	Varies with the book: how involved, destined for short or novel and so forth.
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?	My family is great in that when I need to write, I can.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?	That I become possessed by the character until I finish the scene. LOL
How do books get published?	Mine are all electronic. I’m not sure I could do well with NY because rumor has it they lack a personal touch, are rather cold and set deadlines that strike terror in the hearts of most.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?	Dreams, imagination and the whisper of ideas from hubby late at night.
If you were an ornament, what would you be?	The old one with too much sentimental value to throw away that hangs hidden in the branches year after year.
What has inspired you to become and author?	A dream and my love of writing. It came to me through a dream. A dream that both intrigued and frightened me. An interestingly, horrid vision I pray never happens. The scene is black, but I hear the coos of newborns, the gasps of children, and the wishful sighs of young people. I hear questions being asked by people that range from very young to not so old in voices I have no desire to silence. The blackness fades and I see a small campfire, its flickering light dancing with the shadows across faces I will never forget. Hearing a voice filled with ancient wisdom of time long past, I recognize it as my own. Following the voice to the face, I see the lines of time-weathered seasons and realize I am a very old woman. Gazing at the youngsters sitting in a circle with me around the fire, I draw a breath and sigh, "I remember a poem written many ages ago." Suddenly shaking my head and frowning, "I can't recall the author's name," I study the fire, "but a particular phrase has stuck in my mind since the day I heard it as a little girl." Glancing at each face, I slowly recite the memorized words, "Water, water everywhere…and not a drop to drink." A tear trickles down my cheek, "At least there was water," I whisper.
What do you hope readers get out of reading your books?	A story that touches, makes a connection, entertains or even instills some little bit of hope.
As an author what was the most valuable advice giving to you?	Everything my publisher and editor have ever said to me.
How often do your characters do what you have planned for them, and how often do you end up in an argument with them when they don't want to follow orders?	Plan? Are they supposed to do what I tell them to? Ha! They do whatever they darn well please when they please. There is no argument because it’s either their way or no story. Ornery critters. LOL
Which book of yours would you recommend as a first read to someone just introduced to your books and why?	I would have to recommend Dark Hope because it touches readers more than any other I have written at this moment, it was a challenge to write and to this day I still love the story.
What have you enjoyed the most so far during the Xtravaganza?	Reading the answers, discovering interesting tidbits and meeting readers.
What did you find out about eXtasy books or their authors that you didn't know before the party?	How quick many of them are on their feet. LOL
Will you stick around and play with us on Friday Foreplay days done every Friday here in the yahoo group?	I really need to start posting more! LOL
Do you have a question you've always wanted to ask authors or readers but never have? Ask now and I'll post them all as a Q&A for everyone to answer :)	Nothing I can think of…for the moment.
I'm your fairy godmother and I give you three days to spend as much money as you can with the assistance of one friend. Where will you go, and what will you do? Who will you take with you and why? Should I set aside bail money? grin	I would raid Disney World and buy every souvenir known. I’d have to take my daughter because she could run circles around me and there isn’t a Beauty & the Beast thing she’d miss. Oh, and she’d make sure to get every villain associated thing for me. LOL Nah, no bail money needed.
I'm now your genie and I grant you a dinner party anywhere in the world, during any time - past, present, or future. You may invite up to three guests to your dinner party even if they are no longer living (I'm the genie - I can do what I want. LOL) Where would you go, who would you invite, what's for dinner, and what question would you ask each guest?	I would want to cruise the Caribbean for a surf & turf dinner with wine. I would invite a sexy vampire, a hunky werewolf and a talented shape-shifter. My question to each would be, “What are you like in bed?” And you better believe I’d want to experience it…not that I’d survive mind you, but hey, how often do you get an all-powerful genie who offers you the opportunity to make fantasies come true? LOL
If I came to your house and peeked in all your closets when you weren't looking, what would I find that might surprise me?	Actually, all my closets store various things…oh wait, my bedroom closet is, um, well, there’s a dismantled swing in there. We were forced to take it down until my sister moves out. Yes, it will go back up in the spare room after she and her boyfriend move out.
What would your best friend say is your most redeeming quality?	My honesty. Even though there are times when it might hurt, she says she’d rather be hurt by the truth than a lie.
What would your best friend say is your worst habit?	Warning people not to ask what they don’t want to know.
What would your best friend say should be your 2008 resolution?	To get out of the house more.
What does your best friend deserve for answering these questions?	grin One of those looks that says, “hush, before you get me in trouble.” LOL
Apple Pie or Cheesecake?	Cheesecake.
Coke or Pepsi?	Pepsi.
Dogs Or Cats?	Dogs, unless we’re talking tigers.
Climate in the North or the South?	North.
Beer or Wine?	Wine.
Football or Baseball?	Football, love to watch the tightends.
Breakfast in bed or late night dinner in front of a fire?	Late night dinner.
Hard fast sex or long, slow loving?	Can’t I have both? Alright, if I have to be pinned, long and slow.
Car Trip or Airplane?	Car, I drive.
SUV or sportscar?	Just me, sporstcar-other people, suv.
Baked potato or cheese fries?	Cheese fries.
Country Music or Pop?	Both.
Action movies or Dramas?	Drama, like I don’t have enough in my life! LOL
How do you write? Pantser or Planner?	Pantser.
Do you celebrate after completing a book? If yes, what do you do?	Yes, cuddling on the couch with hubby.
Favorite kind of story to read/write?	Hmmm, if I have to limit myself, paranormal.
What kind of book will you never attempt to read/write?	Non-fiction, there’s no fun in it.
Have you ever co-authored a book? If not, Would you like to?	Yes, the LaViolette Saga, which is in the hands of my co-author.
Out of the book(s) you've written, which one did you enjoy writing the most? The least?	All and none, but if I am going to be pinned, most is The Earth Series (not sure of final title) I am getting ready to edit for a final scan called The Cursed Hit/The Blessed Return. The least would be LaViolette because of a plot gap I stumbled on and my co-author has to re-read the book as a second set of eyes to make sure there are no more glitches before I continue the edits. The pause is a delay I despise as it interferes with what I promised readers for estimated release dates, but I think the plot gap would have stirred more ruckus. Hands tied on that, I’m shifting to my other series and leaving it on the back burner till she gets done.
Why did you decide to write e-books versus the more traditional versions?	I’m not sure I’d want to be a part of the NY pubs escapade. Seems cold and impersonal.
How long have you been writing? How long have you been published?	The Earth Series was written from a dream in 1991 and finished in 1994. eXtasy first published A Second Chance in June 2005.
How do you decide a character's name? Physical description? Personality? Faults?	Name is what they tell me it is, physical description is what I see when I look at them, personality and faults is what they have that makes them real.
What's the most unusual research that you've done for a book?	Dark Hope. How do those without vision see? I read everything possible and learned how amazing and adaptive those without the gift of vision are.
What's the best advice you've received about writing? The worst?	Best, my publisher and my current editor. Any time I want to know how something should be, my publisher’s always there, always consistent and always patient. Worst, I once had an editor (long ago, no longer with eXtasy)who was so into the nanomowr (something like that) that she skipped countless errors and even went so far as to change one particular word from one to two words and back again every time she encountered it. It stalled the LaViolette series months.
Wrapping paper or gift bags?	Wrapping paper, love the challenge of weird shapes.
When do you put up the tree?	About two weeks before Christmas.
When do you take the tree down?	First Saturday after January 1^st.
Do you like eggnog?	Unspiked, oh yeah.
Favorite gift received as a child?	I unwrapped this box that had this picture of a baby doll high chair, embarrassing for a 14 y/o, and commented that Santa must have made a mistake. Mom insisted I open it. Inside was the expensive velvet covered horse I’d been saying I wanted all year.
Do you have a nativity scene?	Yep, ceramic, cleaned and painted by me.
Hardest person to buy for?	Teenage daughter because her list changes from day to day and I guess that’s better than her out doing things she shouldn’t.
Easiest person to buy for?	Me, anything for the kitchen.
Worst Christmas gift you ever received?	I had to come back and answer this one because I couldn’t think of anything, so I'll just say that there is no worst Christmas gift in my life because no matter how bad something looks, there is always something good to come of it. You just have to look.
Mail or email Christmas cards?	Christmas cards, emails when I’m short on funds or time.
Favorite Christmas movie?	Prancer, makes me cry every time.
When do you start shopping for Christmas?	Whenever the opportunity strikes for a good deal, but never before October.
Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?	No.
Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?	Dinner.
Clear lights or colored on the tree?	Colored and lots of them.
Favorite Christmas song?	Tie between Do You Hear What I Hear and Little Drummer Boy.
Travel for Christmas or stay at home?	Home, ya ain’t getting me out that door at Christmas.
Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?	Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen.
Angel on the tree top or star?	I’ve done both, but the current king of the tree is Santa Claus.
Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?	One on Christmas eve, the rest on Christmas morning.
Most annoying thing about this time of year?	The commercialization of tradition, probably why I’m still old fashioned.
What I love most about Christmas?	Being with family, the presence of the Christmas Spirit and good friends to share it with.
What was your WORST Christmas??? Tell us about it.	My worst Christmas was as sad and heartbreaking as any 13 year old could have endured because I lost my 9 y/o sister that morning. It dimmed every Christmas for me. Over a decade later, hubby and I had a long talk. I looked back and realized my absent sister would not have wanted me to forget that holiday. I learned then that sometimes life’s lessons aren’t always in the form we expect, but each is priceless nonetheless. I have 4 baby sisters and they are very valuable to me. Christmas has special meaning for me because of family, friends and life. Never again will I look allow such a beautiful celebration to disappear from its time in my world. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you and yours!

Four jobs I have had in my life:	Day care provider	Pizza Driver	Cab Driver	Writer (I’ve always held the position of wife and mother so now I’m in my three favorite spots.)
Four places I have lived:	Ft Walton Bch, FL	Tacoma, WA	Ft Drum, NY	Clarksville, TN – where I shall live forever (oh and I did a short stint in Arizona, too, so I hit the four corners.)
Four places I have been on vacation: (I like this question)	HWY 441 cruise, from N to FL (I’ll never tell.)	Franklin, NC	Cherokee, NC	Disney World, FL
Four of my favorite foods:	Southern fried chicken	Rare, thick steak	Almost anything Oriental (hubby taught me to put ‘almost’ as the first word. LOL)	Pasta
Four places I would rather be right now:	cloned so I can do more than one thing…now where?	sleeping with hubby	writing/editing	answering emails