Monday, December 3, 2012

Recently my friend Caroline Clemmons posted an interview she did with one of my favorite characters from her book OUT OF THE BLUE.  I was so taken by the interview I asked her if she would mind me posting it in my blog and she graciously agreed to my request. And I am so glad she did!

If you have not read OUT OF THE BLUE, or even if you have, you should read this interview with Deirdre Dougherty. To me getting to know Deirdre more fully through the eyes of her creator just brought her more to life and made the story that much more fun.

Interview with OUT OF THE BLUE's heroine, Deirdre Dougherty

MA: I am so glad to realize that another author besides myself feels her characters are real. Of course I realize she's not, but....




Deirdre Dougherty
CC: I know what you mean. Yes, I do realize that to others, Deirdre Dougherty from OUT OF THE BLUE is not
a real person. She is very real to me. Shall we begin the interview? So, to help you understand her (and in the
hope you'll buy the book) here is an interview with Deirdre.

CC: How did you come to be an herbal healer?
DD: The women in my family have been healers as far back as we know. We grow many herbs, but we buy others in Galway City. We're also clairvoyants. Some call it he gift of sight, but for us it's been a curse. No one trusts another who has the sight. (Deirdre nods) Oh, but let them have sickness, and they come running to us then.

CC: How did your father and grandfather feel about your gift and your healing?
DD: Da was that proud of ma and me. Grandad, too, but he died in the rebellion of 1798 when Ma was a babe.

CC: Tell us about growing up in Ireland.
DD: Oh, it's a grand place is Ballymish. Right on the Atlantic, it is. How I loved to sit on a huge rock and look out over the ocean. The sea breeze tasted of salt and promise. Out cottage was
small--only two rooms and a bit of a loft--but it was filled with love. Flowers grew everywhere except the vegetable garden. Thinking on it makes my heart glad.

CC: What sort of industry was nearby?
DD: Only the marble quarry. The marble there is that pretty you wouldn't believe it. Many shades and colors. The green was my favorite. Da worked in the quarry until Eoghan the Elder killed him.

CC: Someone murdered your father? What happened?
DD: No one could prove it, but we all knew who was responsible for the rockslide that crushed poor Da. His mates took a collection for Da's burial and stone, for Da was well-liked by everyone but Eoghan. The evil man had wanted to marry Ma, but she turned him down and married Da. Eoghan harbored a grudge every day. You know the saying, "He might forget a favor, but he'll never forget a grudge." That sums up Eoghan and his son Eoghan the Younger. When I was ten, Da was raised up—you’d say promoted--it was too much for Eoghan. He killed Da.

CC: What about your Ma and your Gran?
DD:  The women in our family married late. By the time I was twenty, Gran was growing feeble. Ma and I went to Galway City to buy herbs that we couldn't grow, but Gran didn't feel up to walking that far. Da had cousins there and we stayed with them for two nights. It was like what you call a holiday vacation. When we returned, we found Gran laid out on out kitchen table and Mrs. Fraser sitting with her. The kind lady said Gran was found that morning by the road. Her head had been smashed with a large rock. Guilt and sorrow wracked Ma and me. We knew we should never have left Gran alone, and we were that sure Eoghan or his son had killed Gran.

CC: How did you come to travel through time from 1845 Ireland to 2010 Texas?
DD: Before I was born Gran had a terrifying vision. She insisted that Da and Ma dig a tunnel from the center of the cottage floor, under the cottage, and coming out about twenty yards behind the cottage. They dug a couple of hours each evening all winter long. Before dawn, Da spread the dirt on the garden or hauled it to the cliff and tossed it over. When the tunnel was completed, they planted shrubs to conceal the exit. That was the first vision that helped me.

When I was twelve, Ma made me learn to swim. Do you know they say that if a woman can swim
it proves she's a witch? So Ma rented a boat at Ishkerrig and we rowed out so no one could see us from shore. Then Ma taught me to swim in the ocean. We took off our dresses and swam wearing only our underclothes. I was that shocked the first time Ma took me out, but it was wonderful. That was the second vision that saved me.
After Ma died, I had visions of a man reaching for me. Oh, he was a handsome one, but I thought he intended to choke me. That was the third vision that affected me leaving Ballymish. Let me tell you, I was frightened. I was alone, and Eoghan the Younger had started calling me a witch. He was turning the villagers against me, when I had done no one harm. He said I cursed their potato crops and that's why the plants were dying. I knew I had to leave so I planned to walk to Galway City and stay with my cousins until I could find me own place. I packed my carryall and readied myself to leave as soon as the village was quiet.


Cathbad 
It didn't get quiet, though. Eoghan the Younger banged on the door just before full dark. He had a mob with him and they had torches. He told me to come out, but I wasn't stupid. I scooped up my cat Cathbad and shoved him into the carryall. Quickly as I could, I moved the rug over the trap door to the tunnel and slid inside. Already I smelled the roof thatch of our lovely cottage burning. I emerged in the brush and headed for the road to Galway City. Someone spied me and the mob gave chase. They cut me off from all escape except to leap off the cliff into the Atlantic. I was so scared I prayed to Saint Brendan and Saint Brigid to deliver me. Eoghan almost caught me, but I leaped off into the sea.

CC: Good heavens, what a terrible series of events you've endured.
DD: Ah, but I've found the place I belong now. I like this Texas and my job. I won't tell too much about that or it will spoil the book for readers.

CC: Thank you Deirdre for sharing your past. I'm glad to know your future is peaceful.
DD: Peaceful? No, not atall. Well, now it is, but there was such trouble getting to the peaceful part. So many times Brendan almost died. I was near kidnapped and then almost killed. Whew, this was a scary book you wrote.

CC: Hey, it ends happily-ever-after. What more do you want? 

You can find OUT OF THE BLUE at Amazon.in print and e-book here:
http://www.amazon.com/OUT-OF-THE-BLUE-ebook/dp/B008ULBEK6/ref=sr_1_18?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354390339&sr=1-18&keywords=caroline+clemmons

In E-Book at Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/212425?ref=CarolineClemmons
Nook:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/out-of-the-blue-caroline-clemmons/1100248431?ean=2940044772830

Thanks Caroline for visiting today and sharing insight on one of my favorite characters, Deirdre Dougherty.

You are so welcome, Mary. I hope your readers enjoy this interview as much as I enjoyed doing it.  

Thursday, October 18, 2012

High Stakes Bride: Book two of The Men of Stone Mountain Series.

 High Stakes Bride: Book two of The Men of Stone Mountain Series.

Another great story from one of my favorite authors.  A book written by Caroline Clemens has never disappointed me.  The characters in this story are as believable as they are lovable.  The story starts off with suspense when you are introduced to Mary Alice Price. Mary Alice is struggling to avoid detection, as she attempts to escape her evil stepbrothers. The two scoundrels lost her in a high-stakes gambling deal to a man as evil as the devil himself.  Her life depends on being able to escape Texas and reach Atlanta where she hopes to start a new life.

 Zach Stone has just been jilted again, and this time by a mail order bride.  He no longer trusts women outside his own family.  He dreads having to go back home and let his brothers know that he once again has failed to bring home a wife.

Zach is surprise to discover the young boy stealing food from his campfire is actually a woman.  She is a wounded, cold, frightened and showing sign of becoming quite ill.  She needs his help and she could help him in return.  They strike a deal and the resulting adventure is an enduring story you would not want to miss.

Here are two more very important characters in this story. Seth is Zack Stone's adopted son.
He is rescued by Zack and Alice. He is cold, hungry and suffering from a great loss. Ms Clemmons weaves this little boy into the story with the love and understanding that only a mother could. This story would not be the story it is without this adorable and brave child. Harry is his beloved pet with a personality all his own.                                                                                                                                I give this story Five Stars for adventure, heartwarming romance and a thoroughly happy ending.



Mary Adair 
Best Selling Author of Native American Romance
Passion's Vision: paperback- https://www.createspace.com/3455870
Kindle Download: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006QQ0LVA


Passion's Price:paperback- https://www.createspace.com/3455872
Kindle download  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006UKCAG6 


Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Next Big Thing Tag



I have been tagged with the Next Big Thing post by my friend Caroline Clemmons. I am happy to share my book in progress. I am working on a different genre this time. Although I love Native American Romance I also love Fantasy. I finally decided the characters that were clamoring around in my imagination had a right to live. So here are the ten questions and my answers

What is the working title of your book? “Captive Spirits” Book 1 in the Legends of Aztar Series

Where did the idea come from? I have always loved fantasy. My first experience was Through the Wardrobe: The Christian Fantasy of C.S. Lewis

What genre does your book fall under? It falls under pure Fantasy. It takes place in another world and another time.

What actor would you choose to play your character in a movie rendition? Demi Moore as Alexis Queen of Aztar and Fabio (there could be no other) as Si, King of Aztar.

What is a one-sentence synopsis of your book? Good Vs Evil as the first true legends of Aztar struggle to save their children and keep Aztar safe.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? It will be self-published and available as download and print.

How long did it take to write your book? This book had banged around in my head even before I wrote and published Passion’s Vision and Passion’s Price. It is at this time written and in the editing stage of the process.

What other book would you compare it to in your genre? That’s a hard question. Fantasy often takes place in another world, contains magic and a battle fought between good and evil or right and wrong.  The world or the people are in danger and a hero must emerge. That is this story in a nutshell. I have not, however, read another Fantasy similar to mine.

Who or what inspired you to write this book? Through the Wardrobe: The Christian Fantasy of C.S. Lewis, The Lord of The Rings, Harry Potter and Quantum Leap.


Now I have to tag three friends to post on September 18th.
http://www.brendawhiteside.com/
http://paulamartinpotpourri.blogspot.com/
http://www.loreepeery.com/index.html


The rules are to answer the 10 questions about your current work in progress. Tag three  other people and add their links so we can hop over and meet them.

Thanks for stopping by!


Wednesday, August 29, 2012

A Great Blog to check out!

I came upon a blog today that I am so glad I found.    http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/
The author of this blog is Kristen Lamb. I’m sure as a writer you are always looking for ways to reach out to your audience in a way that will inspire them and not weird them out or make them feel pushed and unappreciated.  I have struggled with this whole social media thing myself for a while.  To me Kristen’s blog is an answer to a prayer.

Kristen Lamb is the author of the best-selling books We Are Not Alone—The Writer’s Guide to Social Media and Are You There, Blog? It’s Me, Writer .  I have added a link to her blog in my Favorite Places and also signed up for the news letter. I highly recommend checking out her site for yourself.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Passion’s Price hit the top 100 Best Selling in Kindle's Native American Historical Romance!!!


Passion’s Price, second book in the Passion series is in the top 100 best selling list in its category at Kindle.
 

This story is set in 1700’s England. Golden Dawn is the daughter of James Fitz-Gerald and New Moon, who were first introduced in Passion’s Vision. Dawn has inherited her mother’s gift of visions that sometimes promise happiness, but all to often hint of grave danger. This story opens with just such a vision.

PASSION'S PRICE is the story of a woman willing to pay any price to realize her passion and a man who will deny his own passion to keep her safe.

The Great Spirit has blessed Golden Dawn with a gift of visions. In the grips of the most fearful vision she has ever had, Dawn sees darkness and smoke. Flames erupt and a gunshot pierces the night. Pain hits her chest and Dawn knows what she must do, even if it means her own death. She must leave her beloved Chota Town and her family. She must travel to England. There she will save the life of the one she has loved since childhood, or die in the trying. Will she be strong enough to stand between Buffalo and the danger threatening him? She does not know, but she is hell bent on trying.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Passion’s vision hit the top 100 Best Selling in Native American Historical Romance!!!


Passion’s vision hit the top 100 Best Selling in Native American Historical Romance!!! I decided to give away some kindle copies. Passion’s Vision will be a free Kindle download  - August 5th.
If you like PV please click on the “Like” button at Amazon. A favorable review would also be greatly appreciated.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Interview with Caroline Clemmons

Today we are talking with my favorite author, Caroline Clemmons. Caroline is a Bestselling Author of Western Historical Romance! Caroline Clemmons writes historical and contemporary genre fiction. Her works include historical romances. contemporary romantic suspense, mysteries, and paranormal. I am excited to have Caroline as my guest today. I know you will be glad you joined us to learn more about this talented author. So let's not waste any time and ask Caroline a few questions.

M.A.     Tell us a little bit about yourself.

C.C.     When I was a baby, my parents moved from North Texas to Southern California, where we lived until a couple of months before I was eight.  Then we lived in West Texas, settling in Lubbock when I was ten.  Although I lived a longer time in Lubbock, I remember the years in California as wonderful.  I also loved Lubbock and considered it where I grew up.  I have one younger brother who was born when I was ten.  I also have two half brothers and two half sisters who were near my mother's age and seemed more like aunts and uncles and siblings.  I was always sickly, so became a book warm early in life and never grew out of it.  I still love reading and still have numerous health concerns. (But don't we all?)

My Hero husband and I live in North Central Texas on a small acreage with a menagerie of rescued pets.  Our daughters are grown, but live nearby.  We used to grow peaches, but now we mostly just concentrate on keeping the acres mowed in our home projects.  Hero is very supportive of my writing it helps me create book covers, mainly my website, supplies, computer knowledge, and a million other things.  He also cooks so I have more time to write.  See why I call him Hero?

M.A.     Yes I do!

M.A.     Tell us, who are your favorite authors and favorite genres?

C.C.     The romance author who first inspired me to write was Nora Roberts, and I still love her work. (And wouldn't we all like to be her?  Ah, but that job is taken, so I'm just me.) Julie Garwood, Maggie Osborne, Lewis L' Amour, and Agatha Christie also made a huge impression on me.  Now, I have so many friends who are great authors that I can't name only a few.  My favorite genres or western historical, romantic comedy, and mystery.

M.A.     Do you have a favorite quote that sums up how you feel about life?

C.C.     "Be the change you want to see in the world." Mahatma Ghandi.

M.A.     That is a great quote. How long have you been writing?

C.C.     I've been making up adventures as long as I can remember. Then I worked for a newspaper, and finally decided to write a romance. My first romance, BE MY GUEST, was published in 1998. The rights have returned to me, and it's available in ebook from Smashwords, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo,etc. I'm just proofing the print version, and expect it to be available soon.

M.A.     This is my favorite question. Are you a plotter or a panzer?

C.C.     I am a plotter.  That doesn't mean I'm not flexible.  To me, a plot is like a road map and you are always free to take it due to or before you return to the planned route.  Before I learned of plot, I ended up deleting a lot and or ending up with a sagging middle of the story.

M.M.     Do you use real events or persons in your stories or as an inspiration for stories?

C.C.     I read a story in the newspaper are hear one on TV and think, "That would make a better story if thus and so had happened instead."  I think I probably take mannerisms from various people I've known.  I love watching people in crowds, and pick up conversation and mannerisms there.  Everything is fodder for a story!

I confess that the aunts, Maggie and Lizzie, in the Men of Stone Mountain trilogy or molded after my mom and her sister, Elizabeth.  They were both wonderful women, good mothers, and worked well together.  My mom was the cynical one and Aunt Elizabeth always had something good to say about anything.  I couldn't resist using them in this series.

I also used my mom as she grew older combined with a friend who is 104 as the models for Gigi in the Heather Cameron cozy mystery, DIGGING FOR DEATH.

M.A.       Do you set daily writing goals?  Word count?  Number of chapters?  You get a chance to write every day?

C.C.        I write almost every day and sit weekly or monthly goals.  Right now in yellow Rose or Debbie a chapter, we are sitting monthly goals toward a year early.  Total go.  That doesn't mean I always make my monthly goal, of course.  Writing every day is important, even if it's only a few words.  A page a day is a book a year.  I try to write 20 pages a week.  I've written that many a day and I've been days without writing, but I'm happiest when I write.  All these people in my head are clamoring to get out, and the only way for that to happen is for me to write their books.

M.A.    Oh, I hear you there, sister.  What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

C.C.     Entertainment, a smile, and a desire to read my next book.  I also hope that while the person reads my books, cares or forgotten.

M.A.     What long term plans do you have for your career?

C.C.      I'm writing as fast as I can!  I have several series.  I hope to write.  As an indie published author, I love that I am in charge of how many books I release each year and what genres.  I plan to keep writing until I can't sit at the computer.

M.A.     Would you like to tell us what you're working on now?



C.C.    Right now I'm writing the Men Of Stone Mountain series set in the Palo Mountains on the Brazos River near the fictional town of Radford Crossing.  The first book is about Micah, BRAZOS BRIDE, and is available now in print and ebook.  I'm nearing completion of book two, Zack's book, HIGH STAKES BRIDE. The third book is BLUEBONNET BRIDE, Joel's book, and it will be released in early 2013.  



M.A.     What advice would you give to unpublished authors?

C.C.      Hone your craft, read, read, read, and then write your draft quickly without constant editing until you're finished.  Then revise and revise and revise.

M.A.    Tell us a fun fact readers wouldn't know about you.

C.C.     If it weren't for my sensible husband, I'd have a house filled with rescued cats, dogs, and who knows what else plus a your filled with chickens, llamas, and a goat or two.  As it is, we have two cats and a sweet black Shih Tzu dog.

M.A.     Would you tell us something that would surprise or shock readers?

C.C.     When I was PTA president for my daughter's high school, I received a bomb threat by phone during resignation to remove alcoholic beverage sites from beside the school.

M.A.    That must have been really scary!

M.A.    I understand that your book is a series.  Is it a family saga?

C.C.    Yes, it's a series about three stone brothers in 1870s, Texas.  They grew up in Johnson County, and returned there after the Civil War.  When their parents died, they moved northwest to Palo Pinto County.  I enjoy reading series, and I also enjoy writing them.  Don't you love seeing how the couple from the first book progress in the following books?    

M.A.     Yes, I have always enjoyed reading series as well. I also love it when that first couple progress in an unexpected way.

M.A.     Tell us something you learned researching your book that surprised are interested you.

C.C.   Instead of the traditional old log house, some homes in the book's settings were built a smaller cedar logs.  I was able to visit a historical ranch and see the original cedar log cabin, which has been incorporated into the ranch house as a bathroom.  Realizing how small a dwelling a family lived in was amazing.  The smokehouse and cold room were also incorporated into the home, the smokehouse as a pantry and cold room as a hallway.  The ranch is the Belding-Gibson Ranch in Palo Pinto County, and is a beautiful place.  Last summer's fire burned part of the ranchland, but the home was spared.

M.A.     Can you give readers a blurb about your book?    

C.C.      I'd love to.  Here's the blurb for Brazos Bride:

Hope Montoya knows someone is poisoning her, but who?  She suspects her mother was also poisoned and knows her father was murdered.  Who wants her family eliminated?  She vows to fight!  She realizes she won't last the eight months until she turns twenty-five and her uncle no longer controls her or her estate.  Never will she be dominated by man as she was by her father, as she has seen her mother and grandmothers dominated.  If she marries, she gains control now, but only if she weds a man she can trust.  Only one man meets her requirements.  Can she trust him to protect her and capture the killer...but then, to leave?

Michael Stone has been in love with Hope since the first time he saw her. But he was accused of her father's murder and surely would have hung if not for his two brother's aid. Most in the community still believe him guilty. But the drought has him too worried about water for his dying cattle to care about his neighbors' opinions. When Hope proposes a paper marriage in exchange for land on the Brazos River and much needed cash, her offer rubs his pride raw. His name may be Stone, but his's not made of it. He can't refuse her for long, and so their adventure begins. Micah and Hope have to stay alive and discover the killer before they become victims in the deadly assaults.

M.A.     This is a beautiful cover.

M.A.     How about an excerpt?

C.C.      Of course, but let me set it up. This excerpt takes place on the wedding night of their paper marriage. To make the marriage appear genuine to the townspeople, they have taken a room at the hotel, but Hope has made it clear she expects Micah to sleep on the floor:

     She looked at her hands.  Perhaps she was unreasonable.  Or maybe insane for sympathizing with the man who had to work hard because of his family.
     "I know it is an odd situation.  If – if you wear your shirt in britches, I guess I would be all right if you slept on top of the cover here."  She patted the bed beside her.
      He froze.  Not a muscle moved, and he only stared at her.  Had she misunderstood?  Did he thank her offer too forward?
     She babbled, "That is, if you want to.  You said I should trust you.  Well, maybe you would be more comfortable where you are."  Why didn't he say in something?  Would he prefer sleeping in a chair to sharing the bed?
     From the street below, she heard raucous laughter and someone called to a man named Ben.  Music from a piano, she supposed in the saloon, drifted in through the open window.  A gust of breeze moved the curtains and slid across her skin.  In this room, though, there was no sound.
     Slowly, he rose and extinguished the lamp as he moved across the room.  She slid one of the pillows beside hers then scooted down.  What had possessed her to offer him half her bed?  Would he thank she invited more?
     Too late to take it back now, for the mattress dipped as he stretched out.  Quaking inside at the thought of him so near, she turned her back to him.  She heard his weary sigh, as if he relaxed for the first time in a long while.
      "Good night," she offered, and hoped he understood the finality of the phrase.
      "Yep. Good night, Mrs. Stone."  The mattress shook as he turned his back to her. She felt the soles of his feet, press against her ankles.  He must be several inches too long for the bed and she guessed he had to bend his legs to fit.  She didn't dare turn to see his firsthand.
     She lay perfectly still, afraid to take a deep breath.  Soon his breathing changed she knew he slept.  Outside the open window the town quieted in the distant tinkling of the piano was the only sound.  Light from the full moon illuminated the room and slanted cross the bed.  A soft breeze drifted across her, lulling her into its caress.
     With a sigh, she fought to relax, but abdominal pain kept her awake no matter how her body cried for rest.  Perhaps if she planned, she'd forget the pain in pain that racked her frame.
     Plan, yes.  She needed a plan for food preparation when she returned to her home.  No, Micah said he had a plan.  Oh, dear, once more, he took charge when it was her life, her home.
      Maybe Aunt Sofia and Uncle Jorge would have left by then and things would be fine.  Already she felt more secure.  She sensed her eyelids drifting closed and she sleep's blessed relief approaching.
      A gunshot ripped apart the night.
      The blast startled her and she screamed to something thudded near her head, showering her hair and face with splinters.  Panic immobilized her.  What happened?
     Micah dragged her onto the floor as a bullet ripped into the mattress.


M.A.     I'm sold! Where can we find your books?

C.C.     Right now, both the print and ebook are available only at Amazon:
In late August, BRAZOS BRIDE will also be available at Smashwords and Barnes and Noble.


M.A.    How can your readers learn more about you?


C.C.     Excerpts from some of my reviews can be found on my website at www.carolineclemmons.com
You can also sign up there or on my blog sidebar for my newsletter to receive news of releases, fun contests, giveaways, and recipes. View my blog posts Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com  and find book reviews, giveaways, interviews, and miscellany.
I love to hear from readers at caroline @ carolineclemmons.com
  
M.A.    Is there anything else you'd like readers to know about you?

C.C.     Thanks to each person who has purchased my book! If you enjoy a book, the kindest thing you can do for an author is to leave a favorable review on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or another site.
Keep reading and Happy Trails.

Mary, thanks for hosting me today.

M.A.     Thank you. I have certainly enjoyed our exchange and know my readers have as well. And to my readers, be sure to go to Caroline's blog, http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com/












Sunday, July 29, 2012

Interview With Caroline Clemmons

Don't miss my Interview with Award Winning Author Caroline Clemmons on August 2, 2012.You can find Caroline's books at Amazon and numerous other sites. Come join the fun as we learn about this talented author and where you can find her work. So be sure and mark you schedule and join us here August 2th.


Sunday, July 15, 2012

Welcome! Come, follow the path of a writer with me.

I have always loved to read about Native American culture during the 18th. century. When I decided to write my first book, "Passion's Vision" I knew I wanted it to be in that time period. Being a true romantic I wanted to write a story that was not only full of romance, but also true to the time. And, as many other authors, I wanted to find some juicy story in my family's past. So, I did what every other aspiring author does... I looked back at my family history for a story to tell.  To my disappointment, there was nothing very exciting in my family line.  I haven't given up on my family. I'm sure there is a story there somewhere. But..., when I turned my attention to my husband's family... WOW..., I found a character on whom I just could not turn my back. This man inspired the entire Passion's series.

Again, like any aspiring author, I read everything I could find on this ancestor of my husband's.  I read, took notes on the palm of my hand, the back of my hand, on my wrist, grocery store tabloids, gum wrappers, tiny notepads, anything I could get my hands on. I even carried a tiny recorder.  I just had to do this because there is no timetable or appropriate location for inspiration. It just happens.  During my more organized moments, I created a file to keep track of any historical events pertinent to my story. I created a basic outline containing interesting, exciting, death-defying and romantic escapades of my hero that I was sure would  thrill my readers.  The whole experience of writing is glorious in a way only an author can understand!