Talking w/ Lucy Monroe

Hi Lucy!

Thanks for coming to Three Wicked Writers! I wanted to start by letting you know that I LOVED “Moon Awakening”—the first book in your Children of the Moon series. I’ve patiently (or not so patiently, lol) waited for the second book in the series, “Moon Craving”, which I’ve already pre-ordered! :)

Q: Can you briefly describe your shifters for us?

A: The Children of the Moon are another race really, not another species because they are compatible with humanity for sex and certain medical practices. :) That sounds so clinical, but it’s important readers understand that while the Children of the Moon can shift into other shapes, they are essentially human with all the emotions, desires and needs that humankind experiences, only it’s magnified in them by their animal natures. They can be the best of humanity, or the worst. They mate for life, they feel deeply, their sex drives are strong and so is their need to protect not only their own people, but those they claim for their own.
To read more about their origins and culture, please visit my Children of the Moon website at http://lucymonroecotm.com/ .

Q: You’ve always written contemporary or historical romance books, most of which I’ve read and loved. What made you decide to write a shifter series set in medieval Scotland?

A: Actually, I’ve published four other historicals (set in the Regency era). I always wrote both historical and contemporary, only my historical took longer to sell to a publisher. :) As for the shapechangers? I started reading Lorie O’Clare’s werewolves when she first started writing them. They got me hooked and I glommed every shapechangers book I could find, finally deciding I needed to bring the characters in my head to paper.

Q: How many books do you have planned for this series?

A: I see this series much as Christine Feehan’s Carpathians...well not as wildly successful as yet, if ever ::wink::...but in the same vein of ongoing into perpetuity. I just have so many stories to tell and yes, some are in the contemporary world. I won’t be writing those until I have much better handle on my writing schedule though. LOL

Q: Can you give the readers any information about the third book in the series?

A: It’s going to be released (I’m pretty sure) in Feb 2011 and it will be Barr’s story. He’s been sent to another clan to take over as temporary laird while the heir is growing up and finishing his training. That’s all I will say for now. :)

Q: I’ve been checking your Children of the Moon website: http://www.lucymonroecotm.com/ and didn’t see a complete list of characters. Are you going to be adding more information about your shifters as the series unfolds?

A: Yes, it’s a matter of finding another artist who can bring them to life for me and the time to put the character profiles together in a meaningful format for readers. Translating from my brain to paper is always time consuming.

Q: When I read “Moon Awakening” the scenes absolutely came alive before my eyes. What sort of research was involved when creating the Chrechte race?

A: I did a ton of research on the Picts, a race of people who simply disappeared from history. They have always intrigued me and I asked myself what if over and over again until I came up with the Chrechte background. I also read something like three dozen nonfiction books on that era of the Middle Ages, researched dozens of sites online and interviewed an expert in Medieval weaponry, attended a couple of jousts and watched video of horse training for jousting. I take my research seriously and any mistakes are honest ones, not made for lack of true effort to avoid them. One great thing about writing an alternate universe is that things don’t have to completely reflect the era of the time because we are dealing with a subculture that has its own norms as well. Hope that makes sense!

Q: Okay, onto your other books. LOL! I see you have four new releases planned this year. How do you find the time to write so many books, promote, go to book signings and conventions, and still have a life?!

A: Ask me when I figure that out. Right now I feel extremely behind in all ways, but I’m seeking balance again and hope this is the year I will achieve it. :)

Q: As an author myself, I have a pretty set routine. What’s a typical day like for you?

A: I work a lot of hours, well more than full time, but it’s not all writing, the business and promotion side of writing sucks up time, even though I have a part-time PA & Promotions Coordinator. With my health being as challenging as it has been, my typical day isn’t right now, but again I’m finding balance in all aspects of my life. Ask me again in a year, if you like. LOL

Q : And because I love your Harlequin Presents stories I felt compelled to ask this next question. Do you have any plans of moving away from the Hq Presents line in the near future?

A: Absolutely not! I plan to write two books a year for HP for the foreseeable future. I love my Presents as much as any of my other books and as small as they are, they carry a big punch to my bank account too. ::wink::

Q: This writing business is tough. What advice would you give an author attempting to break into New York?

A: Don’t give up! Sounds so lame, but seriously? I wrote for 9 years before I sold my first book (which happened to be my 13th completed manuscript). I think breaking into the small press market and building a readership is an option that wasn’t really viable for my type of stories (sales were way too small) when I first sold 7 years ago. There are also more publisher sponsored contests out there, which give aspiring authors a chance to bypass the need for agent and the slush pile. If you want to be published, only you can make that happen and you can’t let a bucketload of rejections stop you loving the craft or pursuing your dreams. The only guarantee you can have is that if you quit, you will fail. End of story. And not an HEA either.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share with readers? (contests, links, news, etc.)

A: As a special thank you to readers, I'm giving away a prize pack of pamper yourself products and paranormal romance. All you have to do to enter is send an email with Moon Craving Contest in the subject line to moon_craving at yahoo dot com before February 28th, 2010. The drawing will be held March 1st and the winner will be announced on my blog. I have weekly prize drawings on my blog and host a monthly contest on my own website and at Fresh Fiction.

Please visit me at any of my links:
http://lucymonroe.com/
http://lucymonroecotm.com/
http://www.lucymonroeblog.blogspot.com/

You can find links to my Facebook and MySpace on the drop down menu on my personal website under “Contact Me”.

TWW: Thanks for letting me pump you for information, Lucy! I can’t wait to read, “Moon Craving”! :)

Thank you, Anne! I’m so sincerely pleased you asked me to be here. You’ve always been a true supporter and are a lovely person inside and out! I’m really happy to call you friend! :)