Today’s Work-In-Progress Wednesday guest is Susan B. James.

 

Welcome Susan. What are your top three dream destinations, and why?

SJ: When I was a teen I dreamed of being rich and famous and I collected in my mind the houses I would own as a part of this rich famousness.

I had a flat in London, A small castle in the Highlands, and a pied-à-terre in New York overlooking Central Park. I also had a villa in Rome and of course a place in Los Angeles.

I already have a house in Los Angeles, though not the Hacienda I originally envisioned. I’ll swap out the villa in Rome for a beach house in Ventura as long as I can find a secret admirer who has a villa in Rome that he longs to place at my disposal.

MJ: What is the top book on your TBR pile?

SJ: In Your Dreams by Kristan Hannah.

MJ: If you didn’t write, what would be your creative outlet?

SJ: My problem is too many creative outlets. I write children’s and adult books. I also act and do improvisation comedy – both musical and non musical. I’ve given up designing costumes. That’s one good thing.

MJ: Other than writing, what would be your dream job?

SJ: Second banana in a half hour TV series filmed with a live audience. Think Rhoda in Mary Tyler Moore.

MJ: LOL! If you had a theme song, what would it be?

SJ: “Fly Me to the Moon”.

MJ: What book do you wish you could have written?

SJ: Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

MJ: What genre is your current WIP?

SJ: Contemporary with a touch of magic.

MJ: What is your favorite genre to read?

SJ: Contemporary with humor or magic or both.

MJ: How did you come up with your hero and heroine’s names?

SJ: Michael is Sherry’s son from Time and Forever. Kate came into my head fully named. Kind of like Minerva.

MJ: How did you chose the setting for your current WIP?

SJ: Two years ago, I read about a matchmaking festival in Ireland in a town called Lisdoonvarna. I knew I had to go there and see it. And I knew that my next book would feature a journey to Lisdoonvarna. It seemed to call for some magic.

MJ: That sounds fascinating! And here we go with the lightning round. Addams Family or The Munsters?

SJ: Addams Family.

MJ: Wine-red or white?

SJ: Red.

MJ: I Dream of Jeannie or Bewitched?

SJ: Bewitched.

MJ: Beer-can or bottle?

SJ: Don’t drink it.

MJ: Stephanie Plum or Eve Dallas?

SJ: Both!

MJ: Favorite TV show?

SJ: It’s about to be Jane The Virgin since my son, Christopher Corbin has a recurring role starting in episode 4

MJ: That’s pretty awesome! Coke or Pepsi

SJ: Coke.

MJ: Introvert or extrovert?

SJ: Introvert with a great extrovert disguise.

MJ: Favorite ethnic food?

SJ: Is fudge ethnic?

MJ: Can you share the first few lines from your current work in progress?

SJ: This is from Kate’s Hero:

His long aristocratic nose twitched with impatience.

“Not one of my better sentences,” Kate shut her ears to the blaring horns and jackhammers and concentrated on the maples flaming along the paths of Madison Square Park. Parks usually inspired her. Finding nature in New York City always felt like magic.

Kate held her breath and let the word Magic float in her mind. Children’s shouts echoed from the playground. Dog walkers passed her, focused on their pets and each other. Old men in brown shoes and delivery people on their lunch hours crowded the benches. She exhaled with a huff of air. Nope. Not feeling it.

Kate bent over her legal pad and tried again.

Lord Rotherham fixed Cressida with a fulminating stare.

MJ: Oh, this sounds good! And you have a current release. How can people purchase it?

SJ: It’s available on Amazon.

MJ: And how can readers stay current with you?

SJ: Through my blog, Facebook page, Twitter, or Goodreads.

MJ: Thanks so much for joining me today, and good luck with your sales!