Nora Roberts pulled up a comfy chair, a cuppa tea, and answered a few questions for TGTBTU’s readers…
If you could retire any question and never, ever be asked it again, what would it be? Feel free to answer it. 🙂
Nora Roberts: “Where do you get your ideas?” I HATE this question, because how do I know? It’s not like I go out, pluck them off the Idea Bush or pick up a few at the Idea Store. Ideas are the easy part anyway. It’s turning the idea into an entertaining story that involves the sweaty work. Ideas, mostly, are a dime a dozen. At your neighborhood Idea Store.
When it comes to writing, there seems to be three rules of thought (although I am all for hearing more). Well, really I just see these over and over when people answer the ever-popular “where do you get your ideas” question. Which is your poison?
1. The Muse – you know the creative force that inspires you to write or Sharon Stone.
2. The Voices in the Head – I like to think of this as the ‘The Sybil.’
3. The Profession – it is a job, sit your ass in the chair and type, and try not to make authors look flaky(er) than we are, damn it.
NR: Door Number Three. Nothing against The Muse (or Sharon Stone) but I don’t have the time or the patience to sit around waiting for her to show up. Talk about a flake. Give me Sister Mary Responsibility. She’d kick Muse butt. Writing’s my job, so I write. Writing’s also, to me, the best job in the world, so how lucky am I? I sit my ass in the chair and do my job–and love doing it. I do, however, appreciate the Voices In My Head. They make the job interesting. But they aren’t real people. Real to me during the process of telling their story–otherwise, what’s the point? Real, I hope, to the reader during the read of the story. Not actual, if you get me, but real enough to matter–real enough to make me care, and in turn–hopefully–to make the reader care.
Can a person ‘learn’ to write? Is it a talent you have to be born with?
NR: I think anyone can learn the nuts and bolts–the structure, the grammar. And perhaps with that knowledge could produce a good, readable book. But the talent adds the magic. To tell entertaining stories consistently takes that knowledge, that talent, discipline, drive and desire. But I also believe talent can be built, developed, honed with those three D’s and with experience. I think the best learning tool is reading, reading, reading.
I’ve heard writers often say their stories take them in surprising directions, or dialogue flows from some unknown place. Is it the same with you? Do your characters surprise you sometimes?
NR: If the characters don’t surprise me, I’m not doing my job. They haven’t become real to me, real enough for me to trust them drive the story. Since my stories are character-driven, I have to know the characters, trust them and care passionately about them. I’m telling the story–I’m in charge. But the story is theirs. There has to be a great deal of affection and respect on my end, and part of that is being open to new directions or surprises.
Do you ever argue with your characters while you’re writing? (Figuratively speaking, of course – and we won’t call the men in white jackets if you tell us it feels real.)
NR: I don’t think so. Hmmm. No, I can’t remember ever arguing with my characters. Feeling for them, being frustrated by them, or baffled by them. But we work that out during the writing process. I don’t have actual conversations with them. They talk to each other.
What is sure to distract you from sitting down and working/writing?
NR: The damn, stupid phone. Or nuclear war.
How do you feel your male or female characters have evolved over your career? Do you think you write them differently now than you did when you started?
NR: I hope as I’ve grown or evolved as a writer, the characters–a key part of my work–have grown or evolved. In addition, I started out in the early 80’s in category Romance, so that was a different time, different framework and in some ways a different reader expectation than the work I do now. I like to think I’ll continue to grow and evolve as a writer, and my characters will do the same.
Is there a genre you haven’t tackled but would like to try? Or better yet, will you write another historical western? If anyone could bring it into vogue…
NR: If there was a genre I wanted to explore, I would. Why not? The fact is, Romance allows me to include elements from every other area of fiction. I love that. I can do mystery, thrillers, s/f, horror, paranormal and so on–as long as I wrap it around that core love story, and bring it home happily. If I had a great idea for another historical western, I’d write it. And name the heroine Sybil.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
NR: Appreciate the moments. Because–poof–they’re over. I wouldn’t advise myself to do anything differently, to change anything. Too Irish for that. If you change one thing, you change everything. I like the way things have turned out. So far.
If you had never become an author, what do you think you would be doing right now?
NR: Selling small appliances at Target. If I were lucky. I would rather be a lounge singer, but I don’t think I have the chops. I can’t handle office work or politics, so no chance in business. Basically, I have no other talent.
And now the important ones (a.k.a. Gwen’s Lightning Round):
– dark or milk chocolate?
Milk. (Sorry, bland girl here)
– smooth or chunky peanut butter?
I hate peanut butter, so I don’t care!
– heels or flats?
Heels.
– coffee or tea?
Tea. But I’d rather have a Diet Pepsi.
– summer or winter?
Summer. Winter’s damn cold.
– mountains or beach?
Live in the mountains (and I do), vacation at the beach.
– mustard or mayonnaise?
Bleech. (Told you, bland girl)
– flowers or candy?
Flowers.
– pockets or purse?
I need both. I have much to carry.
Thanks, Nora! Now, readers, what questions do you have for La Nora? (Gwen’s a little giddy that Nora’s here with us today, so try to squeeze one in edgewise when she’s around.)
It is to be noted Nora will be out today on very important business ::coughshoppingcough::. But she will check in when she returns to start answering questions. I prolly should have checked what time zone she is in…
We will be drawing three random winners from the comments to win a signed copy of Blood Brothers.contest closed
Love your books. Do you bake or cook.
I KNEW there was a reason I couldn’t go shopping and indulge in martini chasers — someone had to stay behind and tend to the details: Dr. Sybill Griffin, introduced in Inner Harbor, met again in Chesapeake Blue. Syb, you should read the entire Chesapeake Bay series for the plain old enjoyment of it.
I think La Nora is adorable–as a nickname–and in reality. But I’m reminded by Mary Blayney, who isn’t drunk–that I prefer NFR.
I never wrote synopses or proposals. Fortunately for me, as I have no idea how to do it. About a year after I started selling to Silhoutte, my agent called to tell me I could sell them a proposal now, rather than the full ms, as they trusted me. I couldn’t tell her I didn’t know how the hell do write one, so I wrote the book, then cobbled a proposal together. Silly. I finally confessed, and my agent laughed her ass off. And told me never mind.
Generally for me, the contract comes first, then I fulfill it.
I bake and I cook, baby. I cook about five nights out of seven. We live in the boondocks, so that’s how it goes. But my husband does the dishes! What a hero.
That’s it! Sybil from the Chesapeake series! I knew it.
Okay, Blayney’s getting cranky and needs us to order room service.
Are you drunk enough yet for me to reask for a Raw and Unedited excerpt?
Uh… not that I was waiting for that or expecting drunkenness on your part after shopping. Ok so I was HOPING for it but not expecting it.
If not I will check back later. ::pssst can you guys slip her more martinis please::
LOL Alicia I was wondering if you would see the Patricia Gaffney mention. My question would be (dude four authors to abuse here, people can not expect me to NOT take advantage of it) when are you going to write another historical? (western optional 🙂 )
Laura Rocks muchly as well 😉
I have started that series! I think, I don’t recall a Sybil though and I always make note of that. Oh but you didn’t say she was in Sea Swept :). I have only read that one so far (in that trilogy). Must look to see if I have Inner Harbor.
I want to go shopping and drinking with Nora.
Hey Sybil…offer that up as a prize.
😉
Syb, my treasure, I will never be that drunk.
Pat says, you never can tell, never say never, and that’s enough cliches for three martinis. (she says two).
Sybil wasn’t in Sea Swept–didn’t show up until Inner Harbor. Blayney would like me to mention, however, that Sea Swept was dedicated to her.
Dinner’s finally here!!
Jaci, when I was asked if I wanted to reschedule cuz of the shopping plans I said screw the blog I wanna go shopping with Nora.
So if I couldn’t get it for moi can’t get it for you ;).
That is just mean Nora, if we can’t be not!drunk with you, the least you could do is share an nifty new excerpt never been seen from a book not yet published.
No really, ask Blayney she will agree with me. I am terribly jealous I have never had a book dedicated to me.
I did take Traitor’s Kiss with me over the Holidays (along with a few other books) and haven’t gotten to it yet. The cover is fab. The cover gods did you well there. So the book better live up to it ;).
If you give Pat another martini will we get a better answer? I strongly believe in getting people drunk for info. 🙂
Ok I have another question 🙂
I often see mention of your rabid fangrrls and wonder do you have rabid fans (of course I mean other than angie)? I know about ADWOFF board but every time I have been over there they have seemed fairly normal. Normal as anyone that is ;).
I think of rabid as foaming at the mouth, omg you did not dare speak a bad word against my favorite author of choice! I must go forth and punish you heathen! Is there some hidden place some where that they gather?
Cuz I wanna see… 🙂
What? Rabid fangrrls are the best fun to pick on, which as a reader I can do. But as an author you just never seemed like someone I associated with the ‘rabid’. If you don’t have them, how did you keep it from happening? Did you use like Off or some other type of pest control?
Of course rabid fans are the ones that buy new, buy often, buy when told and all that rot. So I think authors prolly like having rabid fangrrls regardless of how other readers may see them. Do authors encourage rabidness? That is so a good post topic.
Oh and is NFR mean nora fucking roberts? I meant to ask that before and forgot. Cuz personally I like that heeeeee I should go edit the post to NFR. I know, those who amuse so easy shouldn’t make fun of others ::shrug::.
I often see mention of your rabid fangrrls and wonder do you have rabid fans (of course I mean other than angie)?
*gasp*
I’m not rabid. I’m just…uh…dedicated 😉
Interesting question, Sybil. I think part of rabid fandom is the culture an author creates around them, whether on message board or blog, and I’ve never seen Nora as someone who plays into that. She seems to respect and appreciate all of her fans, but doesn’t present herself as someone who would welcome being defended to the point of no one being allowed to have a negative opinion or dislike of her work. I’m sure she’d prefer everyone loved every word she writes (who wouldn’t) but she comes across as understanding the subjective nature of the business and supporting a reader’s right to feel as they will about a book.
But that said, I think there are fans for most all authors who dislike seeing a favored author maligned, no matter how the author feels about it, so in a sense, all authors have those who will defend them against any negative opinion.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading your interview and your books!
Since we are talking about drinking and shopping, what’s your favorite drink? I am a fruity martini type of gal myself.
Too bad they don’t have bars in some of the stores! Happy hour while you shop 🙂
I just love Nora Roberts. Thanks for the cool interview. Looking forward to reading Blood Brothers.
Hi Nora!
I’m getting a kick out of reading your comments – and I’m sure you’re having lots of fun shopping and hanging out with your friends.
I was wondering, what TV shows are you watching, and do you watch anything as regularly as Buffy? Do you ever watch any of the old Buffy episodes? I find rewatching comforting – like visiting with an old friend.
I’ve read and reread many of your titles, and I enjoy returning to the story and being drawn in all over again. I don’t think I can narrow it down to a single favorite Nora Roberts title, but the Quinn Brothers books are definitely my favorite series.
Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, and thank you also for your regular interactions with readers on the Internet, and of course for being such a great advocate and representative for the genre.
Not even my editor sees raw material from me. I can barely look at it myself. Blayney isn’t drunk enough to agree with you. Yet. But she says she believes the inside of Traitor’s Kiss lives up to the cover.
Another martini and Pat will be speaking in tongues, and nobody will understand anything she says. But it will be entertaining nonetheless.
The Adwoffers are diverse, fun, interesting–and not so rabid they require shots. The board is tremendous fun for me–and I hope for them. The rabid types would make me cringe–and I’m grateful I don’t have that type–or not enough of that type to make me cringe. Whenever I tour or do events, booksellers make a point of telling me what great readers I have. I’m delighted to agree. They’re loyal, but they’re not blindly so–that I’ve noticed. If the rabid types gather somewhere, it’s a secret even to me. (And it would be fun to listen in, if such a place exists.)
I appreciate what my MD BFF Angela says. I don’t think I present an image that fosters the extreme. I certainly try not to. Extreme also makes the author look like a moron, even if she’s not and didn’t ask for it. My readers appear to be too sensible for extremes. But naturally every word I write is gold. Shiny, perfect gold. In my fantasies at least.
You are correct in the meaning of NFR. It’s an old joke among us. And I suppose when you are NFR, you have to have enough common sense to understand not everyone sees shiny, perfect gold where you do.
We’re putting away champagne tonight–my personal fave. Except for Martini Pat.
Uh huh suuurreee angie…
And Philes are not obsessed we are just focused.
Wanna know when the second movie starts shooting? Or the set date for release in 08? How about the production office number? They are suppose to start in Vancouver in December. And said to be a stand alone not a mytharc plot like was rumored before. Oh and NOT in the seventh season but starts after the show left off.
But a stand alone?!? much oddness if you ask me.
I love TV–and miss Buffy sorely. I do watch old episodes when I catch them.
I watch Heros–and am enjoying Chuck (he’s such an appealing nerd), can’t WAIT for Battlestar Gallactica to come back. Love Dexter, looking forward to the next season of The Tudors. I kinda like The Bionic Woman–enough to give it a few more watches anyway. Scrubs. Wonderful weekly lunacy. I love The Closer. I’ve about had it with Grey’s Anatomy. What is wrong with Meredith??
Oooh, Sybil, you’re talking X-Files?
Huge fan.
David Duchovney. Mmmmm. Talk about your sexy nerd.
Katiebabs authors are serious drinkers. I don’t think I drank at all in Dallas cuz hello I am a bitch enough sober but damn the bars must be happy when they find out RWA is coming to town.
Vodka is my drink of choice though, so martinis all around ;). I have to be seriously loaded to drink gin. I didn’t even know there were fruity martinis.
Yep! They are finally making the second movie. Strike shouldn’t matter since the script is done. And CC is directing with of course DD and GA in the leads. Set to come out in July 08. People are already dying cuz GA is red again.
Best.Interview.Ever. Thank you, NFR. Thank you, Sybil.
I think I missed the question round. So I will chime in with thanks to Nora (and Pat too) for all the lovely books and thanks to Sybil for getting Nora here.
Just wanted to say thanks, Sybil–and all the rest of you–for inviting me to play. It was a fun addition to our traditional holiday shopping safari.
Thanks Nora for all your wonderful books! They are just getting better and better every year (I read your first books in 1985)!!
Great interview. Good to see you here. Congratulations on your new release. I saw the commercial last night for the new book. Very good.
You are too modest by half, Nora. I’m glad you think you have just one talent to your name (though that’s arguable) because it means you’ll keep writing for us. *g*
Great interview! Love love love everything you write, heck, you put your grocery list out and I’d buy it 🙂
Ah Sybil, you don’t know what you are missing with those fruity martini’s. Some Grey Goose and you are all set.A Caramel Apple Martini is the best! Of course I hit my high of 5 in one night. **shudder**
And I am addicted to Heroes! I heard a rumor that William Shatner may show up to complete to Star Trek threesome! 😉
And Sybil, would love to see the Guest Author Schedule updated in advance. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve checked in to see I’ve missed a Guest Author Day 🙁
Nora? How do I overcome a fear of writing? Thanks.
Hi, I have read many of your books! I really enjoy them. Thanks for sharing your talent. Glad to read your interesting interview! Cindi 🙂
Thank you Nora for being so fabu (you too Patricia Gaffney, Mary Kay McComas and Mary Blayney). Really we should just make TGTBTU apart of your traditional holiday shopping safari.
But next year drink more ;).
I know Jennybrat, me too! sybil sucks, she is lazy and we are working on doing something about her. If it helps I think it makes bev break out in hives. It is my evol plan to make you have to stop in everyday. (and I like to drive bev mad)
I hope this doesn’t sound too tacky, and it’s in no way a reference to age, though it may sound that way.
Does it ever make you say “Wow!” when you consider the longevity of your readership?
I can personally say that I started reading you fairly young (pre teens). I used to sneak in to my grandpa’s bedroom on weekend visits and snag copies of your category romances,then hide in his spare bathroom and read them little bits at a time(cuz my dad said they were “sex” books and I didn’t want to get caught.lol). Now I’m in my mid 30’s and although the In Death books are not for me, I’m fairly certain I’ve read everything that’s been published since the 1980’s.
I was just thinking that it must feel pretty cool to know that there are some really dedicated readers out there.
Fear of writing? Remember, it won’t hurt you! I’d say sit down and write–maybe with the mindset you’re just going to have some fun. It might help you over that hump.
Misty, your post gave me another Awwww moment. Thanks.
Now that I’m home and getting back to routine and reality, I wanted to say you guys added another element of fun to a long-standing tradition of excellent girl time.
Thank you, Nora
Ack! I had a major computer crash otherwise I would have been here sooner. I don’t have a question – more of a comment.
I just think you’re the Bees Knees and such a wonderful representative of the romance community. I love your interaction intelligent calming presense in blogland. And I ADORE the In Death series and I don’t think I will ever tire of it!