Found a couple of German reviews of the books. Read “Ein absolutes Muss” as an absolute mess instead of an absolute must. O_o
Yesterday was an admin day. Occasionally we have to have one. It was all about running to the bank, and depositing things, and mailing things off, and buying food and coffee. Gordon talked me into Winterblend from Starbucks. I’m drinking it now and it’s delicious.
No words were written. So I thought I’d entertain y’all with a tongue-in-cheek post.
Gordon mostly answers the emails. I do too, but 90% of the time, you’re more likely to hear from him. The emails take about seven or ten hours a week.
We both really like hearing from readers. Some people ask how we got started, some write for advice, some just want to let us know what they thought of the books. But there are a few questions that get asked over and over and over. Gordon either sighs or growls now when he sees those.
Four Questions That Will Surely Drive The Author (Or at least Gordon and Me) Nuts
1. Where do you get your ideas?
They rain upon us in a glittering rain of inspirational glory with sparkly rainbows and heavenly music. If only.
Most ideas grow from the things we read and watch. Same place everyone else gets their ideas from. No big secret 
2. What is it like to write together with your husband?
If u ask me this, I kil u. I ki u gud!
We’ve been asked this over 25 times by the last count. Here is what’s it like:
Example One: Spat
Gordon: This says meeting room for the Council and this says also meeting room, and then they’re leaving Curran’s quarters. Makes no sense. Are they already in the meeting room?
Me: No. :pull out the diagram of the Keep: Blah-blah-blah…
Gordon: This doesn’t need a giant explanation. We agreed when we talked through the scene that they were in private quarters and then they moved to Council room. The narrative makes no sense as is.
Me: throw hands: Just fix it.
Gordon: Settle down.
Me: You settle down.
Twenty minutes later
Example Two: Discussion.
Me: I think the Epilogue might be too… making vague motions with hands…
Gordon: I liked it. We can butch it up a bit, but I say we give it to Anne as is and if she hates it, we fix it in the copyedit.
That’s it. That’s as extreme as it gets.
3. How many books are you contracted for? Are you going to write more books?
To get to the email form, you have to click the contact link in the top menu. If you click that link or visit any other page, except the blog page, on this site, you will see Schedule of Publications and How Many Books Are in Each Series on the sidebar. It will take you longer to write the email than to read the info on the sidebar. Promise.
4. When is the next book coming out?
I kil u. Seriously.
ROTFL. So, how do I get that glittery rain of inspirational glory to fall on *my* head? All my ideas arrive in a box marked “Acme.” Then there’s that dratted coyote who keeps stealing them off my porch, but that’s an other matter.
Heh!
I’ll take that as a “no way I’m sharing my source, sister.”
“I kil u. Seriously” LMAO!
So, really guys, WHEN is the next book coming out? *holds out hands* Kidding!
You guys are really patient, though, that’s pretty neato in itself!
I kil u.
“2. What is it like to write together with your husband?”
I admit to wondering about that myself.
It’s a fascinating idea that two people are so in tune that they can share the vision of a story.
:cough: So, do you get many questions about when you’re going to publish Alpha Menz? ;D
KIL.
so when is the next book coming out? ha!
loved reading this post – no idea why, it was just like a nice window into your life- so thanks! my cat is currently galloping around – I thought cats were supposed to be slinky, sneaky movers. Mine sounds like a buffalo with claws.
Also KIL
Some cats like to go into burst mode, racing around like mad things for a bit, then disappearing for that all important nap. I think it’s part of their “let’s gaslight the humans” strategy.
Ah, Q #1 – the old standby. One hears it at every convention, and I’ve always wondered what the querier (is that a word?) was thinking. Seriously, where doesn’t one get ideas? Are they not paying attention?
=A
Nice little insight to your life. I love posts like these. =]
*runs back to textbooks again*
-i’m beginning to detest them already….*sigh*
LOL
Amusing to us even if frustrating for you all!
I did find the answer to number 2 interesting. As part of our involvement in the RPG hobby I have also worked with my husband writing adventures & campaign documents as well as being the editor of adventures he has written. There are some similarities in the experience.
Hahaaa!
Great. Now I am going to have to fight down the urge to reply “I kil u!” to the next person who asks me when the report I am working on will be done.
I swear, I told them it would be done on Friday. We agreed to Friday. Why do they keep asking me?
I kil them…
Thanks, Ilona.
But in German “ein absolutes Muss” IS “an ansolute must”! (better late than never)