Hank Phillippi Ryan Boards the Ship for a Little Air Time
Hellion: Hank! Welcome to the ship, and the first thing I want to say is don’t worry!—we’ve totally given Jack a script this time, so I’m sure we’re not going to run into any of those problems we’ve had with new authors in the past where Jack has run off with them to an undisclosed location and done Lord knows what. *handing Hank a tankard of rum*
Hank: *skeptical look as she takes rum, looking over her shoulder* Jack? Who’s Jack?
Captain Jack Sparrow: Did someone call my name? *Jack uncurls himself from a trunk on the deck of the ship and locates his rum; he also pulls out a scantily clad girl from the depths and hustles her out of view* Stowaway. *clears throat at Hellion’s fulminating glare* Honestly, she’s nobody, luv. *stowaway returns and slaps Jack* I might have deserved that. *draping an arm around Hellion and eyeing Hank with undisguised interest* Who’s our new guest?
Hellion: Hank Phillippi Ryan. Emmy winning investigative journalist. Winner of the prestigious Agatha award for her books, Prime Time, Face Time and Air Time. Famous author you agreed to interview today? Any of this ringing a bell? *turning to Hank* I’m really sorry. He’s ….
CJS: *taking Hank’s hand and making bedroom eyes at her* Extremely glad and honored to meet you, luv. Might I escort you to the couch?
Hank: *Reaching into a pocket of her chocolate-brown Armani leather jacket and pulling out a reporter’s notebook* Hello, Mr. Sparrow, nice to see you, too. *flipping the notebook pages, looking for something* I think your name sounds familiar . . . Let me just check my research here . . .
Hellion: *rolling eyes and hurrying over to the table with a bottle of rum and a pad of paper and pen; plunks down rum in front of Jack, then seats herself to record the interview* Please proceed.
CJS: I’m quite capable of conducting my own interviews.
Hellion: Just trying to keep it legal, luv. Her husband is a criminal defense attorney—please keep that in mind.
CJS: *looking confused* Attorney? Doesn’t that have to do with the law? I’m not a fan of the law.
Hank:*extremely polite* Well, according to my notes, the law is not such a fan of yours, either. But you know, we’re all friends here, right? And, of course, my reporter job depends on confidentiality—so you have nothing to fear. But I’m not just a TV reporter —I also write mysteries!—about a fictional TV reporter.
CPS: Oh! That’s different! How exciting! What kind of books do you write?
Hank: They’re fast-paced, and suspenseful and exciting, and romantic. And funny, and . . . Well, you know Suzanne Brockmann?
Hellion: Oh, of course, we love her.
Hank: Well, Suz read the books—and says, “I love this series!” *warming to the subject* So my main character, Charlotte McNally, is a TV reporter, she’s 40-something. She’s smart, and successful, and savvy—but she’s married to her job in TV. And she’s beginning to wonder what will happen when the camera doesn’t love her anymore. So—she’s on the hunt for the blockbuster story that will save her career.
And, in PRIME TIME, she begins to suspect that some of that spam email clogging her computer might be carrying secret messages to . . .
CPS: Excellent, excellent. They sound . . . lovely. *scooting his chair a bit closer to Hank, who watches this with mild alarm* So, what are your heroes like? Are they dashing and handsome like me?
Hank: *looking to Hellion for advice* Well, sure! Charlotte—we call her Charlie-- is single, you know, so she can’t help but be on the lookout for a handsome police officer, or sexy professor, or a hotshot judge or lawyer or CEO or artist . . .
CPS: *slightly pouting moue* Any thought to writing any future stories about pirates? *winks at Hellion to let her know he hasn’t forgotten her* And their bonnie, sassy wenches as well . . .
Hank: Ah, well, sure, pirates. You know, the books are set in New England, and Charlie lives in Boston, like I do. So I’m sure there were pirates here at one point. But right now, except in the financial world, I guess, there aren’t really . . .
CPS: *looks to be making an argument about why Hank should devote her life to writing only about pirates* You don’t . . .
Hellion: Jack, darling, you’ve been scintillating, you have. *he preens* But the girls thought up a couple questions you might ask her, you know, once you stop being so self-involved and trying to get her to write everything about you . . . *hands him a stack of note cards*
CPS: *grumbling, flipping through the cards* It was a perfectly viable question. Who wouldn’t want to read about pirates?
Hellion: Of course, you’re right, sweetie. Now read the questions. *wanders over to pour him more rum so he can read clearly*
CPS: *takes a drink of rum* First pirate question—this is dreadfully organized, Hellie, darlin’, really you should consider being a secretary—your new book, Air Time, is the third in your series of the Charlotte “Charlie” McNally mysteries. What is Air Time about and what did you enjoy most about writing it? (Really, Hells, I think my pirate questions are really much more interesting. She probably gets asked this all the time.)
Hank: *hoping she’s not entering dangerous territory* Well, it’s about counterfeiting. And smuggling.
*pausing to make sure there are no repercussions, then continuing*
You know those fancy designer purses? They’re beautiful, and fashionable and desirable, and the real ones can cost thousands of dollars, of course. So why is there a “Burberry” or “Chanel” on the shoulder of everyone from college students to secretaries to housewives to CEOs? Because so many of them are fake.
Knock-offs. Phony. Counterfeit couture. But you see them on street corners, and flea markets, and all over the Internet.
CPS: Internet?
Hank: *continuing, enthusiastically* But ever wonder how the counterfeiters can get away with selling them? Right under the noses of law enforcement?
In AIR TIME, Charlie goes undercover into the not-so-pretty world of high-fashion fakes . . . and she must learn how to tell the real thing. (Not only undercover—but under the covers.)
CPS: *nudging Hellion, and whispering* See? I knew we liked this one.
Hank: A law enforcement official—in real life—had to admit my crime scheme would work! I promise you’ll never figure out who the bad guys are! Plus, read AIR TIME—and you’ll never look at air travel or baggage claim or airplanes the same way.
CPS: *cocking his eyebrows* Airplanes? I’m not sure I like the sound of that. *flips over a card* Oh, would you look at that. This question is about airplanes, er, flying. Charlie has to deal with her fears head-on, including her fear of flying. Do you have a fear of flying? Your books are well known for being very suspenseful—have you ever written anything that’s scared yourself?
Hank: Well, flying isn’t my favorite thing, I’ll admit. And I know, it’s odd, since as a reporter I’ve wired myself with hidden cameras, and confronted corrupt politicians, and chased down criminals. But, what can I say? We all have our little idiosyncrasies.
And thanks—nope, I haven’t scared myself . . . but there are some times in writing the suspenseful scenes that the words just fly from my fingers. The events are so fast-paced, and so high-tension and the stakes are so high—it’s just as if I’m watching an action movie unfold in my head. And at the end of a critical scene—sometimes I can’t believe I wrote it.
Confession: I have teared up, though, in certain scenes. And my editor cried when she finished Face Time. She said she couldn’t remember the last time she’d cried reading a romantic suspense novel!
CPS: Lord, would you look at this card? *turning over a card black and thick with writing* Women. Can’t confine themselves to just one question. My apologies, Ms. Ryan. What is your writing process like, and what happened when you got the call? How long did it take to get it, and how long between the call and getting published? How has your life changed? What would you recommend to writers who are still working to get published? Lord, you women are like interrogators!
Hank: Well, it’s a lot of juggling!
CPS: *looking intrigued* Juggling?
Hellion: *hissing* She doesn’t mean with flaming torches. Hush.
Hank: I work full time as a TV reporter, and write my books in the evenings and weekends. So that gives me two full-time jobs! Add my personal life—happily married—and that’s three full-time jobs! That’s the juggling part.
It took me about two years to write Prime Time. And then—maybe six months to find an agent. At first, everyone said no to my queries. I was discouraged, I must admit. But on my bulletin board is a quote—“What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”
I just kept working and sending query letters. Suddenly, everyone started saying yes.
You know, I just never wanted to feel as if I hadn’t given it my all—so at every turn, I just consciously decided never to give up. That was a life-changing decision. It’s easier just to say—forget about it. But I‘d devoted so much passion to my writing, I just threw myself into this writing-publishing world.
It took maybe—nine months to sell Prime Time. But now it’s published by MIRA, and Face Time and Air Time have followed, with Drive Time out in February 2010. Very exciting! And very rewarding.
How has my life changed? Ha. Sleep was the first thing I had to give up. Then, fun. We haven’t been to a movie in years. Or on vacation. Cooking, too, went away. Luckily my very patient husband is a good cook. And he doesn’t mind doing laundry.
As I said: juggling.
CPS: I’ll keep this question short: What’s next for Charlie?
Hank: She’s got some huge decisions to make! Why does it always seem to happen that everything you always wanted—arrives at the same time? And you can’t have it all. So what if she gets a fantastic job offer from the network—and has to move to New York? What if one of her co-workers and best friend—threatens to leave? What if there’s a little blue Tiffany box in her future—would she give up her Emmy-filled life as a reporter for a life as a mom? And what if a person she thinks is the love of her life—is accused of murder?
And what if there’s a life-changing and chaotic shoot-out in a private airplane hangar—with plane engines revving and guns blazing—and it’s impossible to tell which ones are the good guys?
CPS: *frowning* STILL no pirates? Have you learned nothing from this interview? I mean you could have Charlie fall into a black hole and find herself transported back into . . .
Hellion: Thank you, Jack, marvelous job, really. I have a question for Hank: Who are some of your favorite authors—and of your Edward Murrow awards and Emmys, do you have a particular favorite?
Hank: Yes, Jack, you were quite charming. And thanks for the rum. Ah—I have 26 Emmys, amazingly, and 12 Murrows, and I love every one of them. Each one represents a secret, something that someone didn’t want the public to know. Our stores have gotten literally millions of dollars in restitution for consumers. We’ve gotten peoples’ homes out of foreclosure—three new laws were passed as a result of our stories on scam home improvement companies. We’ve gotten the 911 system fixed—after we proved it was sending emergency vehicles to the wrong addresses.
Favorite authors? I fear if I start listing . . . I’ll leave someone out! But oh—Sue Grafton. Margaret Maron. Suzanne Brockmann. Mary Jane Clark. Sara Paretsky. Harlan Coben. Peter Abrahams. Allison Brennan. Charlaine Harris. JD Robb. Way too many to name!
Hellion: I—and Jack, of course—want to thank you for blogging with us today. Do you have any questions for us—or do you mind if the crew asks some questions?
Hank: Three quick questions, thanks! One—shall we give away some copies of Prime Time? I have three ARCs I’d be delighted to send to the crew—I mean, readers—you choose.
Two—Hellion, where did you get the fantastic outfit?
And three—um, is this ship . . . moving?
And sure, ask away!
Books by the Crew
45 comments:
The ship ain't really movin', Hank. It just feels that way after all the rum. Yer books sound intriguin'! I'm sitting me Mum right now and could use a good suspense story... I'll 'ave ta get ta to the bookstore tomorrow.
And Hel makes all 'er own outfits. Talented, ain't she!
Now, I be the bartender here on the Revenge, would you like somethin' other than straight rum? In honor of Hellion, I can offer ya the Captain's Cocoa Puff with a calorie free brownie?
Or our most famous drink, the Glittery Hooha, with extra hoo, of course!
Jack - Nearly all me books be about pirates, don't worry!
Hi all..Thank you so much for the, um, experience!
A Glittery Hooha sounds lovely, I'm sure, but at this point I'm wondering if you have something along the lines of a latte? If not...
ANd I am wondering about my luggage. I know I had some when I came aboard. And that's one of the problems Charlie faces in AIR TIME--her luggage gets lost! (And AIR TIME has a pretty interesting explanation why that hapens to her..and to the rest of us...)
Anyone have a good missing luggage story?
And contest on! Email me through "contact" on my webstie and put Captain Jack Sparrow in the subject line--and Hellion will draw for three winners of ARCS of PRIME TIME!
(We'll see how my spam filter likes that...)
No, really, no more rum right now...
LOL! No way this ship could move. Everyone's been drinking (virtual) rum for... well, forever. Who would drive?
(They say I'm the sober chauffeur but I sneak the sips while no one's looking. I know... Pirate...)
Great interview! And your stories sound wonderful.
What made you decide to put on a fiction-writer's hat? (We're glad you did of course, but I always wonder what draws folks).
And forgive the offer of rum so early. We've got folks from all over the world here. We definitely prescribe to the "it's five o'clock somewhere" credo.
:)
Welcome aboard! I predicted this was going to be an awesome blog and I was RIGHT! I love it when I'm right. (Not that I'm ever not right, but anyway...)
These books sound like edge of your seat stuff. Like "I CAN'T PUT THIS DOWN AND IT'S 3AM!" stuff. Could be dangerous, but then we live dangerously around here. You heard what we drink.
We do need a coffee drink on the menu. How about a latte with a dash of chocolate liquor?
Now to the questions:
How much of yourself shows up in Charlie? Do your coleagues look for themselves in the stories? Should they? And do you have a planned ending for this series or is this more like the Robb books that can continue as long as you'd like to go?
Oh, and kudos on all the awards. I was in broadcasting once upon a time but only on the radio. I'm better heard and not seen. :)
Hank! Does a latte have rum in it? No? It's really hard to escape a drink around here without rum in it, even the water and martinis have rum in them.
I do not have a lost luggage story (*knocks on wood*), but I do have an exploding luggage story. I was traveling to California (the Northern end, 2nd) and upon collecting my luggage at the round-a-bout thing, there was someone's suitcase--all open, with silky pjs and knickers spread halfway around the round-a-bout. I thought, "That poor sap...they're going to have...shit, that's MY bag. I'm the poor sap." And I had to try to get the damned thing back together enough to get it to my friend's car.
I, of course, had to buy a new suitcase.
My friend, Jackie, who was traveling with me, would have helped me repack the darned thing but she was too busy laughing hysterically at the situation.
Marnee Jo--thanks! What made me put on the fiction-writer hat? Well, I've always wanted to be a mystery author...long as I can remember, I think.
I just never had a good idea for a plot, which, of course, is a real problem!
I went into journalism, and loved it,and still do..it's all about telling a wonderful story with compelling characters whether it's fact or fiction right?
But one day I got what I thought was a mysterious SPAM in my email, and investigative-reporter me, always on the lookout for a story, thought--huh, what if this is a secret message?
And ding ding ding--I realized that could be the essence of a terrific mystery plot. And I was obsessed with wriing it--and that turned into PRIME TIME!
Terrio--
Thanks!And yes, I get lots of emails from readers who tell me they stay up waaaay too late reading the books...have to admit, I love that.
How much of me is Charlie?Ah, she’s younger. And a better driver.
But I do admit, when my husband talks about Charlie, he calls her “you.” As in: when “you” get chased by the bad guys, or when “you” get held at gunpoint. And I have to remind him, “Sweetheart, it’s fiction.” But Charlie can say things I can’t say about the reality of television, and because she’s (whispering) fictional, she can go places I can’t go and say things I can't say.
We’re both devoted journalists. I'll admit, like Charlie, I was married to my job for years, really, verging on workaholic, I heard that from everyone. But I am driven to find justice, and to change the world, and to stand up for the little guy. We’ve both wired ourselves with hidden cameras, confronted corrupt politicians, and chased down criminals. And we both still do that!
Ending to the series..nope, not planned! Hope it goes on for awhile--but that's up to the readers!
A drive to change the world is an admirable trait. And now I'm more curious about this next book where you say she has to make choices between being a wife and mom or doing the job she loves.
But that does make me wonder, are the two exclusive do you think? I'm guessing for the investigative reporter it probably is.
I don't know: imagine the shenanigans a hardcore journalist turned mom could get up to with a PTA scandal! (And who hasn't thought their local PTA was at least a little corrupt?)
Considering I joined the PTA last night, I'm now thinking how fun it would be to write a story around that. NOT Hank's type of story, but more "funny, how did I get into this" kind of story. LOL!
Oh, and Hellie, why did CJS turn into CPS? What's the P stand for? LOL!
I don't know. I knew that looked off and I couldn't figure out why. *sighs* I knew I should have stuck with Jack--that would have been SOoooo much easier.
Hank, your books sound fascinating. I know I have one around here somewhere. I'll have call in special forces to do an extensive search through the, what did my husband call it last night, oh, yes the second hand library. He should be thankful, right? Some women spend thousands of dollars on shoes and purses. I have a book fetish.
I admire investigative reporters so very much, especially the women and the situations they put themselves in to get the truth out. Man, y'all have some, er, cajones! Sometimes, I think being a mom can be just as bad though, especially when confronted by another angry parent. Seriously, you should come to our little hood in the woods.
Personal question here, or maybe not, what was your, or Charlie's most hair raising experience? Besides boarding the Revenge.
Hi Hank
I just happen to have a flask of coffee so if you don't mind a dash of rum instead of the usual whisky, we could offer an 'Irish' coffee. *grin*
I was pleased to see that your three McNally books are available to download in my favourite format and are available to people in the UK, so now I only have to choose one to try.
Which would you consider to be best for getting to know Charlotte and her investigative ways?
I once flew to a conf in Poland before the fall of the iron curtain, to find that my hotel room had not been booked and to make it worse the luggage went astray. I didn't carry enough cash to book another hotel and there was no way of arranging a bank transfer in those days so I ended up in a student hostel for a week.
The students were great but the breakfasts were awful!
Thanks for telling us about your heroinne....she sounds fabulous! :D
Great interview! Congratulations Hank, on all your writing success. :)
I find it interesting that you make the promise "you'll never figure out who the bad guys are." Wow, that's a true mystery! Maybe I'm wrong, but most of the romantic suspense novels I've read don't make, or at least entirely accomplish, that promise. Is this promise something you always make in your novels? Also, I would think you would have to have a solid outline to keep the clues and plot straight. Could you share any tips on how you work?
Being a wife and mom--or doing the job she loves.
That's exactly the theme of the books!
Because when you reach..a certain age, it sort of seems like you've made your life-decisions, right? And Charlie recognizes, at 46 and successful at her job as a journalist, there are some things that are just not going to happen in her life.
But some decisions we make, consciously, and others are made for us. And some, we don't even know we make. Right?
SO my books--as well as being page-turning suspense, I hope--are also a little window into what it's really like to be a woman. A grown up woman, a person who sometimes, even when she's happy, wonders what might have been.
And then you wonder if you made the right decisions, or how you ended up where you are.
It might be fine! Amd you might just find out...you're truly happy. Or--you might decide to make some changes. Either way--you've taken a stand for your own life.
(And--in Charlie's case at least, there might be a few chase scenes, and some romance. ANd some bad guys. With guns.)
Good morning Hank!
Sorry crew. First day back from taking time off. You'd think this place isn't functional without me or something. I suppose the job security is nice.
Hank, I fear losing my luggage. Especially when I'm coming home. I usually plunder the place I've been for treasure and then on my way home is when my luggage usually gets "misplaced". I tend to carry on now, which is what I did two days ago on my trip home from Phoenix.
Besides, you have to handcuff your luggage to your person on this ship. Those pirates are sneaky. Me, not included.
I really loved this interview. I love RS books and yours sound right up my alley. I need to get these ordered. I know I'd love them. Congrats on all your Emmys and Murrows (And the Agatha award!).
I forgot what the question was now.
Hellie, just be glad you weren't with me. *laughing hysterically*
I can totally relate to all that getting older and making decisions stuff. Not the guns stuff, but the rest.
My sis recently entered her 40s, never married, no kids (unless you count the cat.) She's the unhappy kind of this. Gets more bitter and miserable every year. It's not fun to watch, let me tell you.
I too am interested in hearing a bit about your process, especially since you do the juggling and I'm well acquainted with the juggling act.
I'm actually surprised by the number of men I meet in their late 30s and early 40s who say they still want kids. I guess even men have that loud ticking biological clock.
I think the "have it all" mentality can lead to a hard fall for most women. I recently watched the movie "Marley and Me" and the part where Jennifer Aniston's character, a journalist, is juggling work and babies. She turns really crazy, which I could totally identify with, and becomes downright mean to her husband as soon as he walked in the door and that lead to him staying out in his car for a really long time. Poor guy was scaird, of course. So, she decides not to work.
Having it all, or close to it, is possible, but only with a lot of help; a huge support system, whether its spouse, family, friends or the ability to afford professional help - - likely a nanny, but a psychiatrist wouldn't hurt, when I think about it! lol
I'm not sure it's so much having everything as wanting what you have. These days, we forget how much we already have and focus on what we don't. That will mess you up in a hurry.
There is the thought though that being a working parent gives a legitimate excuse to say no to the 101 things people think you have time for if you are a stay at home parent or work from home; chaparone school field trips, have other kids dropped off from school, etc., because, of course, you aren't doing anything else? Like writing? :)
Nope, I am still expected to do those things. Makes me a little nuts. Attend the meetings, be class mom, volunteer in the library, coach the team. I don't know where think all this time off and energy comes from.
Melissa, you think it's bad being a SATH mom with the things people ask because you're "not doing anything anyway"--be single without kids. Clearly you're footloose and fancy free after 5 pm and all weekend. People will assume the most random things about you. *LOL* Like clearly you have nothing planned so they can ask you last minute to their parties and you'll show--because what else could you possibly have planned?
Talk about an awkward convo when you have to explain, "Um, I have more than one friend...in fact, I have more than five. Take a number."
Welcome to the ship Hank!
When you started writing Prime Time, did you think in terms of a series? Or, did that happen after your first book was picked up?
Terri and Helli, you are both absolutely right. No matter what our circumstances are, we all have to juggle our time, and sometimes guard it like a pit bull.
And now I'll go back to my favor for MY SISTER of inserting hyperlinks from the Minnesota legislature into her post graduate paper. Sigh.
Hank - Never fear, yer luggage will turn up. Might be repacked somewhat. But Hel will make Jack give back anything he accidentally slipped into a pocket.
I can do a mean Irish coffee...and am workin' on a Full Sail Frappuccino Usin' Baileys!
Crew, the secret ta not bein' asked ta do anythin' be settin' up a wall so thick, ya can't hear 'em. Yeah, easy fer me ta say, all I have ta oversee be a dog. But after listenin' ta the lady at the dogpark near me Mum's house, and all the work she put inta seein' it made inta the most awesome dogpark, ever! ... I could get sucked inta doin' that down me way... Must resist. Must write.
I never figure out who did what ta who. I don't try. But I'm lookin' forward ta readin' this book on air travel. Long as there be no aircrashes...I be impressionable. And livin' on the Wild Coast the only way I ever see any a' this merry crew be when I fly east.
Don't worry, 2nd, if I know you have a dog, I don't bother asking you for a favor. *LOL* I say this because I have friends WITH dogs and I've met the dogs and they are very adorable as dogs are...but you can't leave the house for any long period of time, you can't meet for a weekday matinee movie EVER, and you can't really go out of town unless a kennel visit has been set up.
Once you know the dog exists, you don't bother to ask because you know nothing you ever need will or want ever come before the dog.
Yes, I am jealous of my friends' dogs. Sue me.
I love Jack's interviews!
Hank, Margaret Maron is my favorite mystery writer; Julia Spencer-Fleming and Dorothy Cannell are not far behind. For me, in both mystery and romance, it's all about the characters. Charlie sounds marvelous. I especially like the fact that she is a mature woman. I'll dedinitely have to check out your books.
This is such a fun cruise! (It *is* a cruise, right? I'm not really finding the shrimp and lobster, but hey, I'm sure that's arriving soon. And 2nd, if you need a beta taster ( :-) ) for your Full Sail Frappuccino Usin’ Baileys, sign me up.
I forgot what the question is now..oh. Yes. Process. I always start with the plot--yes, weird, and not what you'd expect, but that's what happens. I have to start with the just one little jewel of a circumstance that will suprise readers...something they never would have thought of.
Read PRIME TIME--you'll never look at your email that same way. FACE TIME--witness identification. AIR TIME--baggage claim. (And many thanks to all of you who are buying them...sigh. I owe you big..)
And when I come up with that key element..I work out and around to create a scenario where that would appear as the puzzle for Charlie to solve.
When I know what the secret is--I come up with the first line of the book. And in all four books, through all the revisions and changes--those first
lines have never changed.
Really? Never changed? That's amazing. So you're beautiful, multi-award winning in TWO different fields, AND you have awesome first lines.
Why did we invite her again? LOL!
I am liking this idea of getting a morsel of a plot and building from there. I've had a couple of those and didn't persue them as much as I should have. Now I'll have to think about this and possibly get that idea notebook out.
She's like the Black Bart of Writers, isn't she? Great first lines and all...
I know, Hank...we dog owners can be worse than those with mini me's... But I be good fer matinees ever since I discovered doggie daycare... And I be workin' on trainin' me Bonnie ta stay in her giant kennel without freakin' out fer several hours at a time. Not ta mention she lovers me minivan and will settle in there fer hours at a time.
Beta taster ya be!
I like that ya start with a premise...a plot point and see who slips inta the narrative and how. Sounds like yer a pantser!
Pantsers, unite!
We needs ta send a few hotties over ta the Red Lobster barge fer munchies... ;)
2nd: I was the dog complainer, not Hank. *LOL*
I guess I'm spoiled, when I've had a dog, it could be left outside all day and if I left, there was always someone else around to take care of it. This is probably why I've only had two dogs in my entire life. If it's not the right situation, I don't bother.
I did have to put my kitten up in a hotel to hit Nationals in DC. But they kept him in the cage (kitty cottage my tookus) for 23 1/2 out of 24 hours. How could that be good for them?!
Oh, Janga,I love Julia, too. She's terrific.
Terrio, your poor kitten! He took it out on you later, I bet. Cats have some pretty great methods of revenge.
Sabrina, PRIME TIME (which was initially called TIME CODE) did not start out as a series. But one night, when I was about half way through, I remember thinking: I bet I could get some face time with this book.
I stopped in my tracks. (So to speak.) FACE TIME, I thought. AIR TIME. DRIVE TIME! I'm writing a series.
There was some element of tweaking that had to be done after that--a story arc that works for a standalone, of course, will never work for a series. SO I pulled way back on the speed of a possible romance for instance, and pulled back even harder on Charlie's career trajectory.
Each book takes place in the span of about a month or so--and its pegged to the ratings sweeps months that really exist in TV. It's absolutely realistic--every TV reporter knows, if you don't succeed in your ratings stories, you're not long for the island.
Kind of like in book world, right?
See, that's so awesome! That's using something you KNOW and telling it in such a way that we all learn something new but also feel like "this could really happen." I love those stories best, where the characters and situations are so real that they feel like they are happening right next to me.
Hi Hank! We shared a nice elevator ride at RWA this year. I'm Eloisa's assistant. It was so lovely to meet you!
No lost luggage story but I do have a "repack in the middle of O'Hare story". Heading to RWA last year in San Fran, I was 3 minutes late to check my luggage. Seriously, 3-freaking-minutes! So, off to the bench I go, start pulling out my hair dryer, my purse, etc so I can fit everything in my carryon duffle bag. It was so not easy. Sadly by the time we landed my bag was fraying at the seams. *sigh* The worst part, after I did get checked in I got rolled over twice before I actually got on a plane. So I could have taken my checked luggage. I hate O'hare. LOL
Hi Hank! Sorry I'm dropping in so late, but I wouldn't have missed it. Thanks for the interview, don't let the rum fumes get to your head :)
Terrio - I blame the sleepin' pills I'm usin' ta make sure I get me 8 hours while at Mums. Sorry.
Nothin' ta do with cyber drinks and double hoos...
Hey Kim! Nice to see you! And Eloisa's speech was so inspirational..I still think about it from time to time. Please give her a grateful hug from me.
What a frustrating luggage story..airports are just little hotbeds of frustration. It makes it so nice when you're finally home.
Which by the way, I am right now! after a long day at work. So listen, crew..let's see that rum. With double hoos. (Yikes, whatever that is.)
I've been waiting a long time!
I'll fix ya a Glittery Hooha, extra hoo and glitter. If'n Sin hasn't stolen me glitter bottle. She be a sneaky ninja tart pirate, she be!
Great interview!
Hank~
I've been hearing a lot of great things about these booke, so I have them on the top of my TBB list. I can't wait to get my hands on them.
Di
I'll pass that hug to Eloisa if someone will buy my ticket to Paris. LOL!
Thanks for a great day, Hank. You are one busy (and talented!) lady so we appreciate you taking time to spend the day with us.
I concur with Bo'sun--you are very talented (and busy)--and you're a very good sport! :) And more importantly, you didn't run from my interview! *LOL* Thanks for spending the day with us and I hope you'll be back with us again whenever you want to hang with us!
*waving madly from the dock and wiping a tear from my eye*...
Thank you thank you thank you...you are all absolutely wonderuful and terrifically talented...
I only got just a little sunburn from being on the deck today, but it was so worth it! And so lovely to meet you all.
I'll come visit soon...and listen, can someone please find my notebook with all my research about CJS? I know I just had it here..but somehow, it's disappeared. Strangest thing....
love love love
Hank
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