Author Spotlight - Wendy S. Marcus

We're thrilled to have debut Harlequin Medical Romance author Wendy S. Marcus joining us for today's spotlight.

Welcome, Wendy.

Hello Minxes! Thank you so much for hosting me on the 7th stop of my blog tour to promote my debut Harlequin Medical Romance, WHEN ONE NIGHT ISN’T ENOUGH, which is currently available for purchase at the Mills and Boon website. And for pre-order on Amazon UK.  It’s official release date is June 3, 2011 in the UK and July 11, 2011 in Aus/NZ and the U.S. And a special shout out to Lacey Devlin for putting this all together.

1. Where were you in your writing career 5 years ago?

Five years ago I was a voracious reader of romance with no aspirations of ever writing a book. I started writing around four years ago.

2. Where did you get the idea from for this particular book?

From now on I’m going to try to remember to jot down where my story ideas come from. Believe it or not, it’s been so long since I first started writing WHEN ONE NIGHT ISN’T ENOUGH (in 2008 – and since then I’ve re-written it – twice) I honestly don’t remember my initial story ideas. I know I wanted a doctor and nurse hero and heroine. (As a nurse I was practicing the golden rule of ‘Write what you know.’) And while trying to figure out a way to hook the reader and make my intro memorable, I had this outlandish idea to incorporate a giant cactus into my opening scene – which changed about five times and, well, after much dickering back and forth with my editor, was eventually edited out (mostly). Here’s a little tidbit: The working title for my manuscript was: Love, Hospital Style.

3. Where do you hope to be in 5 years time?

With everything I have going on right now, it’s hard to think of my life past August 1st, (the deadline for my next book.) Here’s a peek:

Professional:

- Promo for WHEN ONE NIGHT ISN’T ENOUGH - ongong

- Including a 26 stop blog tour - from May through July

- And two readings and signings at local libraries

- Author adjustments for my second book, ONCE A GOOD GIRL – due May 30th

- Writing my third book, working title: Roxie’s Story - deadline August 1st

- RWA national conference – June 27th to July 1st

Personal:

- My youngest daughter’s eighth grade graduation – and subsequent party

- My oldest daughter home from college for two weeks (a major distraction)

- Packing up my youngest for two months of sleep away camp

- My son’s college visits

Right now, focusing on short term goals works best for me.

4. Which was the last book you read that you wish you'd written?

I recently read Breaking the Rules by Suzanne Brockmann. I loved that book. I’d been eagerly awaiting Izzy’s story for months, and Ms. Brockmann did not disappoint. I read the book in two days. It was an amazing read. Every time I said to myself, “At the end of this chapter I’m going to sleep,” something would happen and I could not make myself stop…had to keep reading…sleep be damned! In my opinion, that’s a sign of a great book. Those are the kinds of books I want to write.

5. Was there any particular author or book that made you want to be a writer?

I actually made the decision to attempt writing my first romance after reading, in my opinion, a terrible book. I thought: I can to do better. And I set out to do just that.

But there are so many writers whose work I love, who draw me into a story and leave me with a contented ahhhhhhhhhh when it’s over. A few of my favorites are (in no particular order): Victoria Dahl, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Lisa Kleypas, Suzanne Brockmann, Susan Mallery, Robyn Carr, Sabrina Jeffries, Carly Phillips. Karen Hawkins. Susan Wiggs. I can go on and on. But I won’t.

6. Do you find writing love scenes giggle-worthy or cringe-worthy?

I find writing love scenes lust-worthy. I enjoy writing love scenes. Really! On the first run through they’re pretty mechanical – he puts his hand here, she puts her lips there. But once I have that down I go back and layer in emotions, sensations and responses. (And some moans, ‘Oh, Gods’ and ‘just like thats.’) A good love scene should make you feel like you’re a part of the action. And if it doesn’t get a rise out of me, it won’t get a rise out of my readers.

7. What do you wish you'd known about being an author before you were pubbed?

How focused you need to be. And this is saying something because prior to becoming an author, I considered myself to be an extremely organized and focused person. Let me explain. I spend hours on the computer every day. Every single day. From early morning to late into the night. Am I working on my manuscript the entire time? I wish! I’m checking my e-mails to make sure I don’t miss anything important. I’m blogging and tweeting ie. “networking” with other writers and potential readers. I’m visiting other author websites to see what they’re up to. I’m updating my website and blog. I’m researching promo opportunities and supplies. I’m mailing out books and promo items. Yes. I spend a good deal of time on author activities but how much of that time is actually focused on writing? Not near enough, which is something I’m working to remedy.

8. What's the best writing advice you've ever been given?

A book is written in revision. (My mantra during the six long months I worked at revising my manuscript before it sold.) Just meeting the word count for a publisher is not enough.

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention: Writer’s write.

9. Tell us about your latest release.

Nurse Ali Forshay has found the perfect man for her. Dependable. Routine. Boring. Exactly what she wants to ensure a quiet, stable and anonymous life. Then his friend, Dr. Jared Padget, shows up and goodbye fairytale ending. The man’s a schmoozer. A womanizer. A whoo-a-woman-into-bed-using-any-means-necessary kind of man just like her father. And Ali wants nothing to do with him. But he’s so tempting. Thank goodness his temporary assignment at Madrin Memorial is over, and he’s heading out of town.

If only he hadn’t shown up at girls’ night out on the eve of his departure. If only he hadn’t taken her up on her drunken one-time offer. If only he hadn’t come back when he’d promised to stay away…

Read an excerpt from WHEN ONE NIGHT ISN’T ENOUGH.

10. What’s next for you?

My second book, ONCE A GOOD GIRL, is coming out in the UK in December 2011 as a 2in1 with Alison Roberts. Information is available on the Coming Soon page of my website.

As part of my blog tour I’m running some contests. To enter for a chance to win an Amazon Gift Card, visit my website: http://WendySMarcus.com. While you’re there check out the excerpts from my books. Then come back and comment on what you’ve read. Something you found interesting or funny. Be specific. Ask me a question about either story. One lucky commenter will win a copy of my 2in1 UK release which includes a complete novel by Janice Lynn.

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