Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers)

How long have you been writing?

I started seriously trying to write romantic fiction in 1990. I printed my first effort on a dot matrix printer (remember those?).

Where do you get your ideas?

Literally everywhere. Anywhere. For example, the idea for A MONTH FROM MIAMI came from a brand new car I had several years ago. I was pretty sure the gas tank was supposed to hold 16 gallons of gas.  One day after I ran out of gas and put enough into the tank to get to a gas station, it would only hold around 14 ½ gallons. Shouldn’t it hold closer to 16? (I hadn’t put even a whole gallon in it.) Why didn’t it? Was there something in the tank, taking up space, so I couldn’t put 16 gallons of gas in it?

Ideas come from people, places, things. Something someone said. An overheard snippet of conversation. A sentimental piece of jewelry. A pet, a car, a house. A personal experience. Anything.  Everything. Lately, my story ideas arise from minor characters I create who have their own story to tell

How long does it take to write a book?

A rough draft can be written fairly quickly if you have the idea of the book in your head. The fine-tuning takes longer. I am not one of the faster writers. It took me a long time to figure out what makes a story work. GMC: Goal-Motivation-Conflict.

Do you get “writer’s block?”  What is “writer’s block?” 

I don’t get the kind of writer’s block that’s so disabling I can’t write anything. My writer’s block is more of what seems like a creative dead end. It’s when there’s a problem with a plot or more often, with a particular scene, that I simply can’t seem to work out by sitting in front of a computer screen.

How do you cure “writer’s block?”

What works for me is walking the beach. I’m usually talking to myself about the scene or the plot when I’m doing this, but it does seem to “unblock” me. I think any change of scene is what’s needed. Go for a walk somewhere you wouldn’t normally go. Get away from your computer or legal pad, take a break, maybe even a day or a week. Sometimes an hour away is all that’s needed. Do something out of your ordinary routine. This usually gets the creative flow moving again.

Changing the POV character, or writing the parts of the story I do know also works for me.

Why did you start writing?

I’ve always been an avid reader. In my early twenties I discovered romance fiction and I became addicted. I clearly recall reading a paperback romance which I had paid good money for and for some reason by the end of it I was completely disgusted with it. I threw it across the room and proclaimed “I can write better than that.” 

What was the first piece you sold?

It was a short story called “The Toothbrush Test” published in STAR magazine in February 2000. STAR didn’t tell me which issue it would appear in, and I can still remember the excitement of discovering it at the local grocery store as I was checking out. I drove home in a state of euphoria, channeling Sally Fields’ Oscar speech. “They like me. They really like me.”

Who’s your agent?

I don’t have an agent.  I’ve never had an agent.

Who are your favorite authors?

That’s always a dangerous question. There are a few authors that come to mind. I’ve probably read everything they’ve ever written: Karen Robards; Susan Elizabeth Phillips; Sandra Brown; Janet Evonovich; Isla Dewar; Meg Cabot; Tami Hoag. Writer friends, whose work I enjoy and recommend: Tina Wainscott; Kristy Kiernan; Jasmine Cresswell; Karen Cantwell. For more information and reviews of my favorites, check out my Picky Reader series on my blog.

I read a lot and unfortunately don’t always make note of or remember author names, but those are some that stand out in my mind.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I work part-time at a Starbucks near my home. I take long walks with my friends or my dog or I walk the beach. I read probably too much. I enjoy crossword puzzles and Suduko. I have two grown children and I’ll drop everything if they have time to spend with me.

What about critique groups?

I belonged to one for years. I think a good critique group can be helpful when you’re starting out. The trick is to find knowledgeable people who sincerely want you to succeed with your writing. A bad critique partner is like a bad agent. They will do you more damage than good.  So be careful.

What about writer’s groups?

Again, they can be tremendously helpful depending on what you need. I belong to Romance Writers of America and Novelists, Inc. 

Groups like these can be good for networking and for informational purposes. Were it not for RWA’s monthly magazine, Romance Writers Report I never would have submitted to Samhain Publishing.

Pick and choose what you need to take from any group you join.

Are you available for personal appearances?

Yes, I am. I’ve given talks at libraries, conferences, book stores and classrooms. Contact me:  barb@barbmeyers.com