This week is super special, not just because I have started interviewing authors, but because I have a bonus author this week! I am flattered, honored and a more than a bit in awe of my guest today. Molly O’Keefe is a member of the Toronto Romance Writers, and one of the kindest women I’ve had the pleasure to meet.
Molly’s Christmas Novella – The Christmas Eve Promise - won the RWA Rita award for best novella!
Thank you for joining me today, Molly.
What or who inspired you to first start writing?
I was always a reader but I don’t think it was something I thought I could do until I read the L.M. Montgomery Emily books – about a girl who wanted to be a writer. I have to credit my parents for never doubting my plan – which, frankly, was always to write for Harlequin. In terms of romance the author I found early on that really really made me want to write for Harlequin – was Elizabeth Lowell – all those early Temptations. So hot. So conflicted. So un-PC. But they are still on my keeper shelf.
If you could go back in time and lay claim to any book written, which one would you want and why?
Oh, man, that’s too hard – let me say this though – if I could go back and be Laura Ingalls Wilder – for all those Little House on the Prairie books – oh, that would be fun. I loved those books and can’t wait to introduce them to my kids.
When you are writing and hit a stumbling block, what do you do to try and get over the hurdle?
I need to be smarter about this problem and step away from the stumbling block the second I realize I’ve hit it. Instead – I bang my head against it for a couple of hours and then, usually my daughter wakes up from her nap and I take her for a walk – three steps into the walk the lightening bolt strikes and the problem is fixed. I waste so much time with the head banging. I also have an incredible critique group and their combined heads are better than my one.
What was the strangest thing that ever inspired a scene/book? What was the end result?
All right this might be too much information but, here goes. In my first Flipside – Pencil Him In – the hero and heroine are having sex and she has all these water glasses stacked up on her headboard and they keep banging into the wall – distracting both of them until the hero has enough and smashes them to the floor and they go on to have great sex. In real life they were candles and the sex went downhill because I kept worrying about fire. There you have it. A sneak peek into my life.
Is there a type of story you would like to write, but are terrified you wouldn’t do a proper job? What is it and why?
The book of my heart is a Western. Not kidding. I’ve got the plot – I actually have the first two chapters written and part of me thinks – just do it. But then the other part reminds me that westerns are more than a tough sell and that watching westerns doesn’t really qualify as research – but one of these days – watch out!!
If you could sit down with one author from any time in history, who would it be? What questions would you want to ask them?
Laura Ingalls Wilder and L.M. Montgomery – I would ask them if they were scared of what they were trying to do – if people supported them – how their publishing careers actually came about. I’d ask Laura about Alonzo.
If someone gave you a minion tomorrow, what would be the first task you’d ask them to complete?
Oh, please, someone give me a minion. I’d take a hunchback that drools. First there is laundry – and second I really really want someone else to do all the Facebook stuff I feel bad about never doing.
E-books vs print books? E-readers vs. paper? Can’t we all just get along? What’s your preference?
I don’t have an e-reader, but I would like to take one for a test drive. I actually think that once publishers figure out how to sell ebook versions, everybody’s sales are going to get better. There will still be a lot of people who won’t use one, books aren’t going anywhere. But this is no longer a small piece of the pie. I worry about authors sucked into situations with e-publishers that are not legitimate, and then when things start to go south, wonder why they can’t get what authors with more established e-publishers, or with print publishers have.
What project are you working on next?
Well The Notorious O’Neill’s are out now – a superromance series about a family of n’er do well’s in Louisana. There’s a lot of sweat and sugar pies and sexy sex. Readers seem to be enjoying it as much as I enjoyed writing it. But writing-wise, I’m a little over half way with a single title contemporary romance that I’m writing for Dell. I’m managing to keep my head above water and I’m having a lot of fun with the freedom – so, we’ll see how that one goes!!
How can readers find out more about you?
Stop by my website – www.molly-okeefe.com
Molly had generously offered two donate two books for two lucky people! A copy of Temptation of Savannah O’Neill and a copy of Tyler O’Neill’s Redemption are up for grabs. I will select two names at random from the comments below.
Once Thanks again, Molly, for coming out to chat with us today.
Christine! That’s a heck of an introduction…honestly, I’m blushing. Thanks for having me – your website looks gorgeous by the way!
Boy! You think you know a girl! A western? I never would have guessed that was burning in your soul, Molly. I bet you’d write the holy heck out of it if you got a chance.
Love the candle story, though. Too funny.
It’s true Eileen, some authors have a paranormal erotica steampunk fairy story in thier basements. I have a western.
Molly,
Thanks to e-books, I get Carter’s book tomorrow! (Yea, e-harlequin!) Main reason I got a nook was that it supports the Adobe e-Pub versions that are published by Harlequin. I can’t wait to read the last in the series. Hope there’s an epilogue about all 3 couples – I am a big fan of epilogues.
Westerns are not my favorites, but I will read them. Linda Lael Miller has done pretty well with them, both historical and contemporary.
Don’t pick me for the free books – I already have them. Give them to someone who doesn’t!
Carole (from Baton Rouge/Houston)
Molly, I have no doubt you will, someday, write that western..
And in the end I know I’ll love it.. and then I’ll subject you to my golf book.
Great interview and in case any one reading this hasn’t read the first of the Notorious emails they are amzing.
Molly, the Notorious O’Neills are great people–so, so sexy, and conflicted, and southern!
I, for one, would LOVE to read your secret Western.
I have already read THE TEMPTATION OF SAVANNAH O’NEILL and TYLER O’NEILL’S REDEMPTION, so give the books to two very, very lucky winners!
Hi Molly! I loved Laura Ingalls Wilder, too. And Alonzo… no wonder you want to write westerns. Stick a man in a pair of chaps and a cowboy hat and things go primal from there!
Congratulations on your Rita!
You know, when I read the titles in the romance aisle, something shifts in my psyche when I see names of authors I know from TRW.
Wishing you great sales!
Hey Molly:
Just starting the first book in your new trilogy and having a hard time putting it down! Great job and I’m really looking forward to your single title series. All of your books are great reading!
Connie T
Carole! I appreciate you stopping by (Carole – very politely – called me on my lack of research regarding Louisana – apparently, no Kudzo in Louisana. Too wet.) I am so glad you are enjoying the books! Take care!
Ah Sinead – what if it’s our western/golf books that bring us the most fame and fortune? Won’t we be kicking ourselves (each other) for talking us out of these books….thanks for stopping by!
Mary! Thanks for stopping by – Mary’s latest addition in her Ordinary Series for Superromance is out this month or I guess last month. This Cowboy’s Son – it’s great!!!
Evelyn! You are exactly right – it is a primal thing. TRW is a special group of writers – I’ve been out of the loop lately having babies, but I’m looking forward to getting back to it! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Connie! Connie is one of the reasons I’m looking forward to getting back to some TRW meetings! I’m glad Savannah and Matt are proving hard to put down – thanks for stopping by!!
Molly, Always good to hear about you. I Love THE TEMPTATION OF SAVANAH O’NEILL, thanks to you! A Western is a Great idea. I enjoy reading about Cowboys, sexy Cowboys that is! Keep up the good work!
Hi Molly
I too have always wanted to write for Harlequin and started
my first romance when I was 13. I’m still working on it.
Congratulations on your success, can’t wait to read the
single title. I’m sure it’ll live up to your other books.
Claudia (TRW member)
By the way Christine, great interview!!!!
Wow, for a moment there I thought Christine was giving away a free minion, too! You know, to take care of everything while we can all get some quality reading (or waterglass shaking) done.
And I think you should write that western anyway, Molly. You can call your hero Alonzo!
No freakin’ way! I could SO see you writing a western romance (pure western – well, I don’t read many of those so I’m not one to judge). Your superromance books have a similar rhythm to them. I can see the Little House and Emily influences also.
Don’t get me wrong. You have a deliciously unique voice and style but the influences are there (just as my books have a Regency influence as that is mostly what I read). Too interesting!
Thank you to Molly and everyone for stopping by! I’m so pleased by the turn out.
The winner of the copy of Temptation of Savannah O’Neill is Claudia D’Angelo!
The winner of the copy of and a copy of Tyler O’Neill’s Redemption is Eileen!
Congratulations ladies! Claudia if you can send me your email address to christine DOT dabo AT gmail DOT com, we’ll work out how to get the book to you. Eileen, I’ll email you shortly.
*does a snoopy dance*
Fellow TRWer here. Congratulations, Molly. I can’t think about Little House on the Prairie without thinking of Michael Landon who was the heart throb of my younger days. There’s a cowboy who looked good on a horse!
Fantastic interview. I’m looking forward to reading your books!
I think you should consider taking a Dude ranch family vacation. You would get great ideas for your western and have a good time. Lots of Dude ranches include ‘child sitting’. Good Luck!!!