Leslie Langtry Rocks the Ship
*Leslie walks across the gangplank onto the Romance Writers’ Revenge and has barely set one foot on the deck when two loud and boisterous crew members come screaming to greet her: Hellion bolting neck and nothing and jumping several coiled ropes; and Sin swinging out of the Crow’s Nest and gliding to the deck like Batman*
Sin: OMG! I’m so excited to see you again! I’m so glad you agreed to kick off your blog-book tour with us….
Hellion: *shoving Sin out of the way* Back off, Ninja Girl, she’s my guest!
Leslie: Girls, girls, did you two forget your medication again this morning?
Hellion: Not exactly. *craning head to look behind Leslie* You didn’t happen to bring Coney with you, did you? What’s he up to lately?
Sin: *wicked grin* Oh, I know what he’s up to lately….
Hellion: *affronted gasp* I saw him first!
Sin: Apparently not.
Leslie: *waving hands* Girls, girls, can I get a drink before the catfighting begins, please? Leading the girl scout troop is less treacherous than boarding this ship.
*Sin and Hellion remember themselves long enough to escort Leslie to a cushy chair and hand her a mixed drink, before drawing up ottomans so they can perch near her*
Hellion: Thank you again for kicking off your blog tour with us. This is really exciting. So…today’s the day, right? Stand By Your Hitman comes out today. Tell us more about it. what’s it about—and more importantly, does Coney make any sort of appearance?
Leslie: Well, the book starts with the Bombay Council sending Missi to compete in a cheap, Canadian knock-off of Survivor called Survival. She’s supposed to be checking out a Vic and awaiting further instructions on whether to take him out or not. Of course, then she’s actually got to stay in the game until this happens. Coney is mentioned but doesn’t really make an appearance in the book.
Sin: Can you tell us about any of Missy’s new gadgets in this book? Or gadgets she’s working on for new books?
Hellion: Yeah, like maybe Coney’s book, perhaps?
Leslie: I can’t tell you about Coney’s book yet, but Missi does have some fun gadgets in this one – like a tool that can cut through wood and start fires but looks like a piece of jewelry. You also get the scoop on how she got started inventing lethal weapons and some of her more interesting hits in the past.
Terri: *stepping forward to refresh Leslie’s drink* This is your third in the Bombay series. Is it getting easier or harder? Or is it about the same? Is there anything you didn’t expect that you wish you’d been warned about?
Leslie: Thanks, um, where’s the little umbrella? I was specifically promised little umbrellas? *Terri opens up a cigar case where Leslie can pick her favorite color of umbrella; Leslie picks one and Terri pops it in her glass* I’d have to say each book is hard in that I have to keep coming up with new ways to kill people. I love the Bombays and try to make each book different than the others. That is not easy. Fun, but not easy.
Hellion: How many Tom Collins will I need to buy you in order to make a small guest appearance in Coney’s book? Preferably as Loofah Girl or something. How about an undead monkey as a bribe?
Sin: You are so pathetic.
Hellion: Two words: Daniel Craig. Okay? So zip it, Sparky, and let the woman talk.
Leslie: How about one undead monkey and a spastic heron with rickets? I can definitely work you into the book. I think I have the perfect character for you…
Hellion: *rubbing hands together* I can do the spastic heron like no one’s business. Excellent.
Sin: You realize, of course, you’re probably a Vic.
Hellion: I don’t care.
Terri: *rolling her eyes at the spatting* Missy’s new guy sounds attractive and sexy. What’s he like? If there is anything that a shipful of love-starved lady pirates adore more than a pint of rum, it’s a hunky man pouring it for her. And we’re always adding to our crew. *smiling at Lance as he ambles over with more rum all around*
Leslie: Lex, Missi’s hero, is based on detective Lee Scanlon on the Patricia Arquette show about the psychic. What was that name? How many of these drinks have I had?
Hellion: *waving hand as Terri refills Leslie’s glass without her noticing* Only a couple. And they’re small. No worries. And the name you’re looking for is Medium.
Leslie: Yes, that’s it. That’s what I said. *looks baffled to see her drink is still full, but takes drink*
Sin: I know Coney’s book is next (seriously, if you have to be near Hellion for any length of time, you know Coney’s book is next)—when will it be coming out and what will be up next? Another Bombay story, or will you take a break and introduce a new series?
Leslie: The publisher is looking at June for Coney’s book. I might take a break because all the creepy voices in my head won’t shut up – they all want their damned stories told. And shock therapy ain’t helping.
Hellion: It never does. For those of us who don’t know you—or don’t stalk you—what’s your Call story?
Leslie: I’d met my editor at a Romance Writer’s of America conference. She wanted to see the first three chapters and I sent them the day I got back. She e-mailed the very next day and wanted to see the whole thing (which I didn’t have done yet. Hello? Pirate!). After four days of locking myself away to write (I think the kids got fed…at least I hope so) I finished it and sent it off and left the next day for a trip to L.A. for my 40th birthday. When I came back, one week to the day I sent the full ms, Leah called and offered to buy Gin Bombay’s book. I sat in the back yard at 2pm (a Tuesday in August) and drank two bottles of Moet & Chandon White Star champagne while I drunkenly called everyone I knew.
Marnee: Did you enter contests to help with your publishing path? Or did you query only? What do you recommend to those trying to break in—what’s most important?
Leslie: I’m not really into contests since my work is so…well…strange. They seem to work best for mainstream authors. I attended 3 RWA conferences and wrote four manuscripts before selling. I think the most important thing to remember is to keep going – perseverance leads to the payoff in this business. Well, that and knowing how to hold your rum.
Sin: Okay, final question, non-Coney related and non-writing: what is your favorite song playing now on your Ipod/playlist?
Leslie: I’ve been listening to Godzilla by Blue Oyster Cult a LOT. What?
Hellion: Hey, I’m just glad it’s not Korn…or Disturbed. *Sin promptly smacks the back of her head* What? *shakes it off* Leslie, thanks again for kicking off your book blog tour with us! And I want to remind everyone to run out today and buy it!
Leslie: Thank you so much for inviting me aboard, ladies! We’ll have to get together for some grog…SOON!
Books by the Crew
73 comments:
Welcome aboard Leslie.
I wouldn't drink too much of that rum. Pretty sure it contains something addictive. Makes you want to come back for more!
Isn't this your second visit by the way?
I love romance and I love mysteries even more so you should be my perfect author. Alas, I couldn't find you anywhere on the ebook shelves....are you planning to go electronic soon?
As a scientist I love technical things...gadgets...guns...novel ways to assasinate...poisons etc but not too gruesome! Adding humour and romance to keep things light seems an irresistible recipe
May I ask if you operate within a set of rules when constructing plots and could you offer some pointers on this.... for novice mystery writers?
A rule based approach should be amenable to software assistance. Have you ever used a writing program, perhaps in the early stages?
Awesome interview by the way!
Hi, Leslie! It's so awesome to have you on the ship. I'm going to run out and pick up your book pronto.
Now for my question. What is your editng process? Do you edit as you go or save it all for the end?
Welcome aboard Leslie!! We're so happy to have you.
*reaching over to break up a scuffle between Sin and Hellion, still arguing over who gets Coney first*
SIGH.
As Kelly already asked you about editing and stole my topic (pirate), I'll ask about where you get your ideas. What's your best source of inspiration?
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaarg! It be a fine morn today! Okay, that's the extent of my pirate talk. Let's see, Quantum's first. No e-books yet but I know my publisher is doing other books that way. You'll have to settle for the Amish way of real paper, I'm afraid. I don't really have any rules to write by - I sort of make it up as I go along. Sad, isn't it? I'd love to be able to plot like Agatha Christie. Basically, I just try to keep the bad guy a secret until the end.
Now, Kelly (adding more rum to her Earl Grey...hey, it's early!) - I kind of edit as I go, then revise after the first draft. I tend to write one week ahead of my critique group. I take the chapters there, they critique it and I make corrections immediately. Also if I don't feel a chapter is funny enough I'll work on it until I want to strangle puppies (for the record, that has never happened).
Marnee Jo will laugh at me but the whole Bombay thing came to me in a dream. I know, it sounds silly, but that's what happened. I also get ideas when I read news online and sometimes from my husband's library on assassination, kidnappings and terrorists. I've noticed that if I sit and think quietly, nothing comes. Weird, eh?
Les
Good morning, Leslie!!! *waving madly and carrying full pitcher of rum* I'm so excited you're here. I realize I did not stalk you at Nationals near as well as Sin & Capt did in Chicago, but in my defense, there were A LOT of people there!
So, you have to throw in the bit about the agent in your call story. That's the best part - other than selling of course. You mention other characters in your head, is that the rest of the Bombay clan (I WANT PARIS' STORY!) or a new cast? If new, can you tell us anything about them?
Oh, and it Coney's book in 1st from his POV like Dak's was?
*bouncing* OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG O M G
I love you Leslie!
Okay, now that my little fan girl is appeased I can get down to business.
Tell me more about these creepy voices in your head. Does this mean you're going to work on a paranormal?
And yes, I must agree with Ter, even though I'm gonna have to ninja her- I want Paris' story. Please. Pretty please? Was my pathetic mooning like begging at the conference not enough for you?
Yes, Les, I notice when I sit and think quietly, I fall asleep...which isn't conducive to solving my writing problem. Alas, my solutions don't come to me in dreams. *LOL*
I'm so excited to have you back on the ship. *bouncing up and down* Not that you could tell or anything. *LOL*
How much do you usually write on an average day? What does your husband think of your books (since he's a bodyguard)? Do you think I should change my pen name to Sophie Lang so I can be shelved next to you, should I ever get published, and thereby be funny by association?
Kidding on the last question.
Sorta.
I was thinking about going with Sophia Sparrow. Too obvious?
PS. Rock on Leslie!
PS. There is nothing wrong with Korn or Disturbed. I just prefer Kittie and Walls of Jericho, Hellion.
Terrio! It was FABULOUS meeting you in SF! Oh, the agent in the call story; well, the day I got the offer from Dorchester, I also received an e-mail from an agent telling me "this book will never sell." Isn't that awesome? I love that.
I can't think beyond Coney right now. I'd love to do Paris someday and possibly the next generation of Romi, Louis, etc. But right now it's all Coney and yes, he's talking in first person. I'm beginning to wonder if that's the only pov I can do! Or is that the rum talking? It's too early to tell!
Hey, Paris is total Beta (back me up, Capt) and that means he's totally not your type. Paris has ME written all over him. 8)
And congrats on your newest release! It's going straight to the top!
Coney, Coney, Coney....
Paris is...metrosexual (IMHO). I'm not sure this means he's completely Beta. It just means he has even more discerning tastes in hair gel than even Dak.
*wrinkles nose* That makes him sound like Ryan Seacrest and that's so not the image of Paris I see. LOL! He's just...*sigh*...perfect.
But Coney is the bad boy and I have no problem with that. A bad boy with mega-brains and I'm hooked. Can you give us the premise for his book? And I'd love to hear more about Lex. Is he in the cast of the Survival show?
*batting eyelashes* Paris is a mystery for now. I think he's dark and dangerous underneath all that hair gel. And if he's a mystery, then he's still up for grabs. I will reliquish my hold on him if he turns out uber beta- but like the capt, I feel he's just metro.
Yeah, I'd love to hear more about Lex too. I have an insane crush on the guy from Medium. He's *hawt*...
Yes, I have like a dozen (or a hundred) crushes. That's how I roll.
And I don't see Paris as Ryan Seacrest...I see him looking more like James Marsden (now that's a guy with great hairstyling product), with a taste for frou-frou drinks and designer furniture. Leo, completely Leo.
Oh, I just watched Hairspray again tonight, speaking of Marsden. LOL!
Sin - don't even think of threatening me with those eye lashes. ;)
Leslie - did you have any problems creating a show that was so similar to Survivor? Any infringement issues?
Whoa ladies! (cracking a virtual whip) Okay, Hellion, go for Sophie Lang - it would be fun to be next to your books! Maybe our books could be a bad influence on the other books on the shelf. I write about 10 pages a day, sometimes more, sometimes less. But that's about par for the course. My husband, Tom, loves my books. He refuses to read them until they come out in print for some reason. But he told me he even cried at book two during the father son scenes. This caused me to wonder cuz I didn't remember writing poignant scenes, but there you go!
Sin, you mooned me at the conference? How much rum was I drinking that I missed that? As for Paris, that will depend on what my publisher wants, not me. The creepy voices in my head are right now begging me to work on a funny paranormal so I'm sort of hashing that out so they will stop signing Boyz to Men songs to me (curse them!).
Terrio, Paris is somewhat beta, but he's a hero underneath it all. I kind of picture Adrian Brody in King Kong.
Uhm...that was LAST night. I should really sleep more....
*singing*
...Motown Phillie back again....
Leslie - trust me when I say beta, I mean it as a good thing. Those are my kind of heroes. The girls here don't get it, but I figure that just means less competition for me. LOL!
And I can just see you and the Captain at booksignings together. That would be the liveliest dang table in the room. LOL!
Damn, I don't remember mooning you, but it might have happened. I *was* wearing a dress at one point. I mean, that's just asking for trouble right there.
Your characters are singing Boyz II Men? And it's a paranormal? This is gonna be VERY interesting. I bet they sing "I'll Make Love to You." That seems like a very funny hero paranormal song.
I see Paris as the hottie in 300 with the longer hair- H, help me out babe. What's his name? The one with the dishy accent and great abs? No no, not Gerry. Though his right hand man's son was kinda hot too, BFF with the hottie with longer hair.
I need to stop skipping out on names and going to the better stuff with the hotties. This would keep the confusion at bay later on.
Someone pour me some more rum!
The Michael F--something guy? The one I want to spidermonkey?
I definitely want to spidermonkey him and his friend- the one who got beheaded. He was hot too.
Just googled Adrien. Man, does that guy have some abs. Good pick, Les, good pick!
And Adrien has great shoulders too. And we don't need to mention the nose. You know what they say about the nose...LOL!
What does "spidermonkey him" mean (she asked, not really sure she wanted to know)?
um, Les, I don't think you want to know what spidermonkey him means. The mental image...eeekkkk!
OMG, y'all are crazy! LOL. Sin and Hellion--do you two ever stop? If there was mooning in Chicago and I missed it I'm gonna be really pissed. You both owe me a mooning in DC.
Oh, and did I mention I've got my brand new shiny copy of STAND BY YOUR HITMAN? Yup, its sitting right here daring me to take off and read it all in one big gulp.
Terri--that nose comment! LOL. Reminds me of Oceans 13. "The nose plays."
Kim - I totally thought you were going to mention the *nose sex*. LMAO!!! But I loved that part of Oceans 13 too!
Les - picture a spider wrapped possessively around a pole. There you go. LOL!
Stop? Stop what? What are we doing? *blinking, innocent look*
Spidermonkeying...that is being so excited to see the guy of your dreams, you fly across the room to him and leap into his arms, wrapping your legs around his waist and arms around his shoulders, climbing him essentially, while squealing in an undignified manner and kissing him all over.
That's my interpretation of it.
This loses something if you've watched Talladega Nights and have that little boy in your head, screaming, "I'll come at you like a spidermonkey, Chip, because I'm jacked up on Mountain Dew."
Which I usually am.
Oh myyyy, I didn’t know that anyone besides me listened to Blue Oyster Cult’s Godzilla.
Back in the days when I had to drive my DD to school the last thing I’d do before I got into my van was listen to that song. I would turn on the stereo. Crank up the volume so that the windows shook. And I’d sing “Go, go Godzilla…” along with TBOC. Yep.
Let me tell yah, There is no better way to get your self psyched up to deal with Crazy People. If you’ve ever dropped your kid off at school you know what I’m talking about. Cuz there is always some Crazy Parent that races around the school like an Indy car driver. And when they drop off their kids its like… “Go. Go. GO! We have 6.5 seconds to make this pit stop before that bimbo in the red sedan pulls out and takes the lead. Goooooooo!”
Julie - You crack me up! LMAO!! And make me very happy my DD rides the bus....
*LOL* I laugh because I've seen that happen. But we're all crazy drivers around here. Absolutely insane. I think it's because St Louis has a way of driving; and KC does something completely different--then the STL and KC'ers breed in my town and drive in some Darwinian Grab Bag of Absolutely Appalling Driving.
Note to self: my NJ driving skills may not assist me when I visit Hellion and Christie.
No because I scare the most seasoned of city drivers. LOL
Additional note to self: bring body armor.
Oh, I hated driving in NJ last year. That's one of the reasons I decided to do the conference in Atlanta instead of NJ again. LOL! I've driven in lots of crazy traffic, but I think Nashville was the worst. Then again, the people here (VA Beach) can't drive for nothing. It's like they've never even taken a class. And most of them probably haven't!
Awh, Ter. Come to NJ! You can just stop here and I'll drive us up. You can do sodoku or something and not watch your life pass before your eyes.
Yay, I can't wait to go to NJ. My first conference, but now I'm scared to drive.
Sin's exaggerating. She's a great driver. Now her sister.... *makes the sign of the cross*
JK - it's not that they were terrible drivers. It was the roads. I think I hit a toll every 50 feet and then they won't let you make a LEFT TURN! Wait until someone just expects you to know what a jug-handle is. LOL!
Marn - I would be I get car sick really easy. No sodoku for me.
Leslie, are any of your characters horrible drivers?
Terri, if driving in NJ is worse than driving in Atlanta, I never want to go there!
All of you, listen to me closely and repeat after me" BETAS ARE NOT WIMPS! BETAS ARE WONDERFUL! You know I carry my EJ/JQ board ruler even when I visit other sites.
Hi, Leslie! Your books sound like fun reading. I'm saving my questions for Thursday when you visit us (the RVs) on your blog tour. (Am I allowed to say that here?)
Yeah, you can say that here. *LOL* I'm all for promoting Leslie everywhere she goes....
Janga - to be fair, I didn't get too far into Atlanta the last time. But the drive *to* Atlanta was much better. LOL!
And you are my Beta-girl sidekick. You tell 'em!
Hey Leslie! Thanks for stopping by and blogging. I love your books. I am on book 2 now. I love Dak! And I was blessed to have a copy of Stand By Your Hitman preordered, so I was able to pick it up last Friday at the local B&N. Woo hoo!
Hey! I just got back from doing a very un-piraty thing. I went to the dentist. Although I'm pretty sure he might be a pirate. He asked me to stop brushing my teeth and eat more candy.
I'll catch up!
Sin, hmmmm... bad drivers in my books? I'll work on that. It would definitely be interesting and it's a lovely character flaw.
I think I like Terrio's interpretation of "spidermonkeying" better.
Like Coney driving over people in a big monster truck.
Is spidermonkey really a verb? Are we using this properly?
Leslie - you've discovered the first pirate dentist. The world is being converted, I say.
It's definitely a verb, Marn. Of course we're not using it properly. Pirate.
Leslie liked *my* description better. *sticks tongue out at Captain then runs away*
A "pirate dentist" is an oxymoron. Name a pirate with good teeth.
It would be
Spidermonkey- v. to spidermonkey. The act of being so excited to see the guy of your dreams, you fly across the room to him and leap into his arms, wrapping your legs around his waist and arms around his shoulders, climbing him essentially, while squealing in an undignified manner and kissing him all over. (Definition pirated) Spidermonkeying. Spidermonkeyed. Spidermonkeyness. Spidermonkeyous.
*sticks tongue back out at Terri* Yeah, well, Sin agreed with MY definition.
And considering how a bunch of us behaved in yoga last week when a spider hopped across the floor in a macho, humongous manner--we're not interested in spider pole dancing. So there. Nanny, nanny, boo, boo.
*giggling*
Robinson Crusoe?
Ex: There was much spidermonkeyness in the room tonight at the dorm room. People were getting wild and out of control.
Spider pole dancing. hehehe I don't know about the rest of you but that has the funniest damn scene playing in my head.
Of course, the Pirated Dictionary. I should have guessed.
Hellion said: "Spidermonkeying…that is being so excited to see the guy of your dreams, you fly across the room to him and leap into his arms, wrapping your legs around his waist and arms around his shoulders, climbing him essentially, while squealing in an undignified manner and kissing him all over."
um, so pretty much what you did to Les when you saw her (AND IGNORED ME! no, its okay. I'm not bitter. Anymore.) in Chicago? hmmmmm???
Though let's be clear, I don't spidermonkey EVERYONE I meet. I mean, I do have some standards. I'm not like that "My Last Duchess" or anything.
None of you know what I'm talking about, do you?
Yeah. Kinda like that, Kim. I'm so glad you're not bitter...it shows signs of real maturity. *smirky grin*
Nope. But don't feel bad.
"A smile too soon made glad"?
Yes! That's the one! I only jump people I'm sincere about. *LOL*
I just landed here from the sane planet of theoretical physics.
Haven't understood a thing yet. According to my (old) dictionary, a spider-monkey is an American monkey with long slender legs and a tail. Guess that figures!
I'm not surprised that driving is so hazardous. You all drive on the wrong side of the road for a start...causes havoc when you visit England!
Hmmm... I always thought it was the English and the Aussies that drove on the wrong side of the road. Scratches head in puzzlement. I suppose our toilets swirl the wrong way too :)
I guess I'd better cut back on the rum if we be discussin' physics. (hiccup!)
Too funny. Guess I'll have to add you to my list of new authors, especially after the high recommendations. ;)
Renee
Renee... you'll love them. I got strange looks at work today when I started laughing out loud while reading. At least I wasn't on the phone with a client at the time. That would've been awkward.
SIndee -- who has hit the sake bottle a little hard this evening :)
Ladies, Pirates, and for those of you who qualify as "Others," Thank you for hosting me on the ship today! I had a great time. I ALWAYS do!
Love,
Leslie
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