Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Plunder Bunnies! (with Guest Pirate Courtney Milan)
Arr, mateys! We're fearsome pirates, and we'll be seizing your vessel and giving you a broadside of Christmas cheer, even though it be October! Arr. Ye'll be thanking us for it when we be done.
Ahem. *clearing throat* Sorry, I think I had a parrot stuck in there. So maybe that's not what the commercial side of Christmas really feels like, but I have to admit, it comes close. I despise Christmas creep. I resent it when my Starbucks breaks out the red holiday cups before Hallowe'en. I grouse when it's barely November and stores start playing schmaltzy carols. In my dimly-remembered childhood, I recall a Thanksgiving barrier. Once upon a time, it was not until the end of November--sometimes, not even until the middle of December--that the holiday season started.
Alas. Christmas has run amuck on the high seas on the holidays, taking plunder without letters of marque from royalty.
Given my strong feelings about this, how do you suppose I reacted when my agent asked me to write a Christmas story that was going to be released not in December, not in November, not even in late October . . . but on October 1st?
Let me recount the conversation.Wise, inscrutable agent: So, HQN has asked if you'll contribute a novella to their October anthology, a Christmas collection.
Me: Christmas? October?
Agent: Mary Balogh will be headlining, along with Nicola Cornick--
*in the distance, the sound of breaking glass*
Agent: Uh, do you need to get that?
Me: Oh no. That was just the sound my scruples made when they crashed and burned. Shazam! Yes, I'll do it.
Agent: Don't you want to hear any of the details?
So there you have it. I'm a cheap floozy when it comes to my principles on Christmas Creep. But that's okay. Just call me Courtney Milan: Plunder Bunny.
Because I should share the booty, the first person who can give me a source for "plunder bunny" alongside a requisite quote from the Main Hero of that work will get a free copy of the anthology. Oh, and one random commenter will get another one, too. So, let's talk about fine leather jackets and how much we despise Christmas creep in all instances except romances. Arr!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Books by the Crew
48 comments:
Me condolences on the loss a' yer scruples... But keep in mind, here in pirate land, scruples be a dirty word, so no worries while aboard the Revenge!
New drink ta celebrate! The Shattered Scruple! I'll get busy mixin' one right away!
Now, I not be a big fan a' the holiday ever. I feel strongly that we should be huddled in caves all winter, telling tall tales ta each other. So no red ribbons or carols would be me choice!
I'll keep the peppermint mochas, though. One Starbuck's holiday tradition I do enjoy!
Hi Courtney :)
I looked for Plunder Bunny and all I could find was Guybrush Threepwood from The Secret of Monkey Island coining the term.
:)
All the best,
RKCharron
xoxo
Welcome aboard, Courtney! First, let me say that I adore Christmas. It's my favorite holiday of the year but I prefer to celebrate it in December, not July or October. I remember when you would never hear a Christmas carol until the day after Thanksgiving but, alas, commercialism run amok has blasted that barrier but good. But, like Courtney, I will occasionally allow my scruples to be shattered (that drink ready yet?) under very special circumstances such as curling up with her wonderful Christmas novella, which I've already had the pleasure of reading. (Thanks, Courtney!) There are some things worthy of bucking tradition! :)
**Please exclude me from the contest since I already have a copy. Thanks!
~PJ
No plundering. No bunny. But a hearty heave-ho to tossing those useless scruples overboard. Anyhow, congrats on the release. I admit to having read a few (a very few) Christmas anthologies and will shortly include yours among them.
I like Christmas well enough now that we're not putting together wagons and Big Wheels and dollhouses midnight Christmas Eve. It was usually a blue Christmas at my house, not like Elvis's, but from my husband's salty, pirate-like language. He would have murdered any available plunder bunnies, I'm afraid.
Good Morning Courtney! I am sure you will find this crew full of fun today! They area lively bunch!
I am a true Christmas lover also, with that being said, I love it from Day after Thanksgiving to Christmas day. NOT, this week as they are decorating and putting up Christmas items, at the end of the Halloween isles! Come on people!
Because I am fairly new to the world of writing and never have been published. My question for you is... are the Christmas anthologies big sellers? I have noticed more and more of them on the market, but I am curious, isnt it somewhat risky due to not everyone celebrates Christmas? But I can't wait to read your's LOL!!
Arr, me mateys! Thanks so much for having me on your pirate ship for release day. Some notes: RKCharron, your Google-fu has served you well.
PJ, thanks so much for your kind words about my novella. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Maggie, thanks for making me the exception--I hope you find my contribution exception-worthy.
Jane, I have no idea how Christmas anthologies sell! I've never done one before. :) They must do okay, because publishers continue to produce them. That being said, you mention something that is very important to me--I didn't want to write a work that felt like it was "exclusive" to any group on the basis of religion. My novella is set in a time and place when people took Christianity for granted--Christianity was the official, state-sanctioned religion, and it was illegal to profess atheism.
But I wanted my story to connect with people today of all religions. And so even though the backdrop of my story is that it is set at Christmas, I don't think it's a story about Christmas. It's set at Christmas, but ultimately, it's a story that I think (I hope?) transcends religious boundaries.
Now someone who doesn't celebrate Christmas may never pick up my anthology, and that's fine. But I did want to make sure that whoever read it, they would be able to enjoy it.
Hi Courtney! Your anthology sounds great.
I've never heard the plunder bunny reference so I'll respectfully bow out of that, but I do think that Christmas--everywhere but romance--should wait until I've got the Thanksgiving leftovers tucked into the fridge. I start hearing Christmas music in early Nov and the mall decks out in all its red and green glory right about then. The whole lot of it gives me serious anxiety.
I'm with Chance though; I love me some peppermint mochas.
Hi CM! *waves wildly* Exciting news about the new novella - I've been avoiding the bookstore since I moved, but alas, I'm going to have to break down and go now!
I love Christmas with the ferocity of a hungry bear just awoken from hibernation, but I'm completely saddened by how commercialized it's become. It seems like the "Christmas season" starts earlier and earlier every year to just appease retailers and extend the shopping season.
On the flip side, I'm not above pulling out my copies of "White Christmas" or "Love Actually" in July to get my mid-year Christmas fix. A bundle of contradictions, that's me.
BTW, thanks for your article in RWR last month - I haven't had to revisit International Shoe since bar review. :)
Welcome Courtney!
I'm another Xmas lover but all in due time and place. I wouldn't mind so much but it just amps up the anxiety about everything that has to be done before the big day. I'm a huge fan of Christmas anthologies, though, and can't wait to get my hands on The Heart of Christmas.
Like Marnee, I've never heard of Plunder Bunny. So, I'm no help there.
Shoot, RK. I just copied this---
"Plunderbunny
The TFL-approved fanlisting for the relationship of Guybrush Threepwood and Elaine Marley-Threepwood from the Monkey Island series."
--but you beat me.
Oh well. Maybe I'll be the random winner.
Welcome, darling Courtney! Have to say, I too get pissed if Christmas decorations/music/spirit come out before Thanksgiving.
Day after Thanksgiving, however? It's like Rudolph barfed in my house.
I loooooove Christmas, but in it's appropriate month.
The only place that I have forgiven Christmas creep is in craft shops. After all, if you're making, for example, Christmas stockings for everyone on your list, then yes it would be best if you started in, say, July.
Hi Courtney! Welcome aboard!
I'm with you. I'd rather eat a Plunder Bunny raw than listen to Christmas carols in November. Or really, Christmas carols anytime. I adore Christmas day, when it's a huge melee of family running around and wrapping paper everywhere and yummy food. But all the commercial mess leading up to it drives me nuts.
That said, I will happily shatter my scruples along with you and read your Christmas anthology in October! Congrats on the release!
Good morning crew. Welcome aboard, Courtney.
Hands off my peppermint mocha, MM.
Plunderbunny really sounds like something we'd say on the ship when Capt'n Jack has Hells in the Capt'n quarters.
Well. It does.
I'm rather not a fan of holidays before their time. I prefer my Halloween decorations to come out in October. Thanksgiving stuff in November, Christmas right after Thanksgiving has been celebrated. Not, Christmas music in October. I mean, really? Really?! Do I need to hear Christina Aguliera sing Jingle Bells while I look at clearance swim suits?
Congrats on your anthology Courtney!
I prefer my fine leather jacket to have a hot and hard male attached to it and standing next to a Ducati. That sounds like the perfect Christmas present to me.
Hey, Courtney!
I recognize the Plunder Bunny allusion only because I have family members who could open a second-hand games shop with what they have on their shelves. It seems a particularly apt reference for this crew. :)
I am a self-confessed Christmas nut. We get out Christmas decorations Thanksgiving night and start decorating the next day. I usually start my annual Christmas readings in November, but I began early this year with "This Wicked Gift." I loved it. I especially loved the working-class characters and a heroine who is not afraid to act.
Exclude me from the contest too. THOC already is a beautiful spot of color on a keeper shelf.
Scruples? Isn’t that money in Russia? Morals are those pictures on the wall, right?
Actually I can handle Christmas Creep. I can even tolerate Hallowe’en creep in July. I loathe, hate, and abominate St. Valentine’s Day creep in November and December.
No idea where plunder bunny comes from. *grins* But I do like Sin’s explanation. That sounds about apt.
Congratulations on your novella(and the loss of your scruples–I’m sure you won’t miss them!) Christmas stories are always something a bit more magical–Huzzah for Christmas stories!
Hi Courtney! Congrats on the release of the anthology! I love anthologies, Christmas or otherwise, and often discover a new favorite author when I see them in the company of an author I already enjoy. I hope I'm not putting my foot in my mouth (happens regularly) to say I would grab the anthology when I see Mary Balogh's name, but I can't wait to read your contribution to the anthology as well and add you as a favorite! :)
I'm with most everyone else that October 1 is way too early to be thinking of the Christmas season, but I don't mind reading holiday stories at any time of the year. And I'm certain, if I attempted to write a Christmas story, that several seasons (winter, spring, summer, fall and winter again!) would come and go before I finished! Then again, I'm slow. LOL But I'm curious, did you have to, or feel the need, to put yourself in the holiday spirit even if you were writing the story outside of the season?
Hi CM
Delighted to see that you made it big time!
Afraid I have no thoughts on commercialising Christmas. I ignore it all until the presents problem becomes desperate, often Christmas Eve!
No-one on this ship needs an excuse to buy books though!
I seem to remember a comment on the EJ/JQ BB that you had another book in the offing. One that offered a more scientific approach than is usual. It was called 'seduction by deduction' or something similar.
Now that really does interest me. I believe that scientists would be excellent romance writers if they could only find the time and inclination. They do after all spend their life getting to the heart of things.
It would be fascinating to hear any thoughts on this that you can share.
Great to see you aboard and riding high.
By the way, you're expected to suggest a new cocktail for Chances bar before you leave. I believe the glittery hoohah is most popular, but I stick to scotch when that rogue bartender has any!
A hearty Huzzah! on the release of your novella.
How interesting I find it the sound of your scruples giving way should sound like shattering glass. I fear the sound of the demise of my own scruples would sound more like water filling up the bilge - a slow but steady seep.
I look forward to reading your story - I quite hope it 'shivers my timbers!"
Sorry I'm late, very thorough teeth cleaning this morning. I'm still working through the trauma.
I went on a hunt for this book last weekend (since it shipped early!) and through the valient effort of a determined B&N employee, finally got my hands on it. According to their computer, it was scheduled for a "future display" which I believe is a good thing!
I'm with the others, had never heard of Plumder Bunnies. But I looked it up last night and figured out why. I'm neither cool or into games. LOL! But that does fit this blog.
I've gotten used to Christmas creeping into November. Have even learned to live with it. But when it crossed into October I'd had enough. Last year, Santa was in the mall almost two weeks BEFORE HALLOWEEN! And a radio station here plays all Christmas songs all the time from October through the end of the year.
Enough to make you want to throw the radio out the window.
Courtney! I just have to say my research hungry heart is loving your articles on historical legal topics:
http://www.courtneymilan.com/articles.php?side
Q - I do not run out of scotch or any other liquor that is prized aboard the Revenge. Ever. I have a secret cupboard that is always full. I just hide it well...
Sin - There be 'nuff peppermint mochas fer both a' us! Glad we found somethin' in common! And it's good ta see ya back on board more regular. Missed ya!
Courtney - Hope yer enjoyin' the drink, I used a lot of wicked gin in the mixin'... I find the Christmas anthologies set when the holiday were simple and not so insane ta be nice... But it do seem odd to see them fer sale already!
2nd, we're not suggesting you're a shoddy bartender that runs out alcohol due to poor planning. We're just suggesting we're all alcoholics.
I want one of those gingerbread coffee drinks...those are the Christmas drinks I love!
Good thinking for the gin, 2nd. A little blue ruin goes a long way for helping a girl throw away her reputation to save her family from debter's prison. Very fitting.
I just remembered, this year my family is having Christmas in October. LOL!
Since I never sent the Christmas presents home last year, and my family will be here in two weeks for my college grad ceremony, I decided to have Christmas when we're all together. So maybe I don't mind Christmas coming too early. This year.
I'm with the Christmas in it's time group--love the season--after Thanksgiving. I do enjoy seasonal stories and anthologies and am looking forward to checking this one out. I think the gamers may be too young in our house for plunder bunny and I'd never heard of it. Cracking up to think of Rudolph vomiting after Thanksgiving, J Perry.
Congratulations, Courtney!!!!
Don't scruples make a magnificent sound when they shatter? :)
Personally, I'm no so worried about Christmas creep. Over here in Cali, I'd settle for some weather that remotely resembles fall, so I can get into the whole pumpkin/cinnamonny fall feeling. It's my favorite season.
xoxoxo
Is it still warm over there, Tessa? It has gotten downright chilly over here on the east coast.
Those peppermint mochas are the most amazing thing ever!
I like Christmas season to start the day after Thanksgiving. I want to enjoy Halloween and Thanksgiving without Christmas taking over!
That being said, I LOVE christmas anthologies and I have The Heart of Christmas on top of my TBR pile. ( I was lucky enough to win a copy from Coutrney on twitter!)
One thing that does have to creep up for Christmas - I hand-make my cards, so I have to start in late oct. to get them all done and mailed out in time. No idea why I can't just buy mine like everyone else! Sheesh!
Eh, Terrio...chilly but not cold. Fall is normally the loveliest time a' the year in Cali!
Um, wow! I go take care of a few things and the next I know everyone in the world has come to comment! How cool!
Marnee, you are making me hungry--it's 9 AM here and I haven't had breakfast and there is a Starbucks across the street. All this talk of peppermint mochas makes me yearn for a little hot chocolate.
Kelly, I agree it's sad how commercialized the whole thing has been. I'm glad you enjoyed my little reference to International Shoe. Everyone needs a little jurisdictional talk to liven up their morning!
Irisheyes, I hope you enjoy my anthology and that you can find it on the otherwise-non-Christmasy shelves.
J. Perry, I choked at the "Rudolph barfed in my house" description. I don't have a lot of Christmas things yet, but I've been moving at least once a year for the past umpteen years, so maybe it's time to start investing in some reindeer vomit. :)
haleigh, thank you for avoiding your scruples. I appreciate it. I think the carols drive me more nuts than anything else. You can kind of pretend they don't have red and green trim up, but it is impossible to ignore "Feliz Navidad."
Okay, onward!
Sewicked, you are totally right--I'd never thought about craft stores!
Sin, I agree that leather jackets look great on hot men. Mmm.
Janga, thanks for the kind words about my novella. I'm so glad you liked it!
Hellion, I'm fairly certain that in Soviet Russia, you don't drop your scruples--your scruples drop you.
Melissa, I am not at all surprised to hear you say you'll grab the anthology when you see "Mary Balogh." I mean, that's what *I* did! I don't expect anyone to have heard of me--this is the first thing I've ever published! So I'm happy if people read it, no matter why they picked it up.
Quantum, my full length novel, PROOF BY SEDUCTION, will be out in January of 2010, and it features Gareth Carhart, the marquess of Blakely. Gareth also shows up in my anthology, though. You can read more about PROOF BY SEDUCTION here: http://www.courtneymilan.com/proofbyseduction.php
Ahoy there, me hearties!
OK- I only know that from Captian Feathersword of the Wiggles (children's music.)
Yay for release day! Personally, I do love Christmas, mostly my mother's decorations and Christmas songs. And Santa. And the Grinch. And Christmas cookies. Christmas parties. And Christmas Presents!
All the store stuff, though, can't stand it. Especially when it comes out before Thanksgiving. And I don't like how the whole world becomes Christmas oriented, as if it were a national holiday, which, of course, it is not. And I do admit to skiing on Christmas Day- no lines, no traffic.
As for Christmas stories, I like to read them the week of Christmas. (Though I will certainly make an exception for yours ;-) I will have to read it now AND then.) Last year I read Lisa Kleypas' and is was terrific.
Whew... Had to take the puppy to daycare.
Mrs. Essex, scruples can make a number of noises depending on what happens to them. The saddest sound possible is that slight exhalation, as they humbly deflate...
Terrio, a special display sounds marvelous! My fingers are crossed.
Melissa, I'm glad you enjoy reading about my research. I have fun doing it. :)
2nd, thanks for the drink. Gin is lovely! My personal favorite drink, though, is wine, not liquor--and it's a Tokaj. Dessert wine. Incomparable. Mmmm.
Hellion, trust me, you don't need much more than fumes to make me tipsy. So if you ever run low, just let me sniff the empty barrels and I'll be good.
Manda, it seems like everyone prefers that Christmas wait. So why do the retailers do it? I wish I knew.
Tessa, you know how I feel about pumpkin. Ugh...
And Sabrina, I envy you your handmade cards. My sister does third and hers are lovely. I, on the other hand, am happy if I can get anything out before December 20th.
You call yourselves Christmas fans? Psh! A *true* Christmas fan keeps their decorations up all year long(coughchristmaswreathhanginginmydiningroomcough).
Joking! Well, not about the wreath that's still hanging in my dining room, but I think I'm the lone person who enjoys Christmas early. It doesn't detract from the other holidays for me, it just makes the happiness last longer! I've also been known to watch White Christmas in the summer. That being said, Mary is a true hater of the early Christmas celebration & decoration so I temper my enthusiasm for her benefit.
I can't wait to read the anthology! Huge congratulations on the release. Sadly, I'm clueless about the Plunder Bunny.
Handmade Christmas cards? Another reason to hate Sabrina...
BTW, I expect one now, blondie!
Am I the only one who really dislikes the holidays? I keep telling hubs that it'd be cheaper and less stressful if we just take a vacation during the holidays. And can you believe when dd and I went costume shopping two weeks ago Christmas decorations were already out? Ugh!!!
CM, I'll have you know I've never bought a Christmas anthology on purpose, never had interest. And I've never read anything Christmaswise before December 1. I absolutely, positively adored your Christmas novella.
Leigh, skiing on Christmas sounds awesome! Very cool.
And Stephanie, I can remember mire than one occasion in which the dead Christmas tree was removed just in tone for Easter.
For those of you who may have missed it, my dear husband reviewed my novella.
http://www.courtneymilan.com/ramblings/2009/10/01/mr-milan-reviews-this-wicked-gift/
Renee, I actually find the build-up to Christmas stressful. Part of the problem is, I just don't know what to get people and I stress endlessly...
I love Mr. Milan's review. That's hysterical. I write contemporary and I'm still tempted to find a way to work in a sword fight. My hero is a chef, which means sharp knives abound. This could be fun. LOL!
Your husband's review is hysterical! My hubby too, would much rather see a documentary on Truman's foreign policy than read a romance novel (boys!)
Pirates - you have to bug Marn to tell you her hubby's response to the query letter she made him read ;)
Come on, Marn. Dish.
Mr. Milan might like me stuff! I even toss in an alien now and then!
Renee - I'll say it again, I'd rather huddle in a cave and tell stories around a fire than sing Christmas carols and wade inta mall traffic durin' the holidays. Yer not alone!
One a' these years, I'm gonna talk the DH inta a cruise durin' that week! Somewhere warm.
CM, loved the review, even if you didn't get 5 out of 5 tanks.
Ya know, I kept hearing at the Ritas about husbands writing synopsis...now reviews. These guys do come in handy now and then, don't they! ;)
I think I'll just give hubs a Corona and call it good. I don't want him comparing my writing to NFL playbooks, or MMA Weekly.
I don't care that much about Christmas since my only son is an adult and doesn't live nearby and the rest of my family is in another state. There just isn't that much for me to do - so I don't need to have Christmas decorations, etc. popping up before my favorite holiday, Halloween!
I do, however, enjoy reading Christmas stories for some reason, I'm not sure why, but I think they're fun, although I don't always wait until Christmas to read them. So, I'm looking forward to reading your story.
Told you I'd get here late. I seem to work on Pacific Mountain Time, lol.
My favorite part of the Christmas crawl - if one could have a favorite part - is gathering all my Christmas books and anthologies for reading. It helps get me through the season. I'm over-the-top that I can add The Heart of Christmas to that collection and that I can proclaim to one and all at the bookstore the new name they may not recognize is one to keep an eye out for!
Congtrats on the your first release, CM!
Sorry, I'm late!!
Congrats on release day! I'm going to the bookstore later today, and it's at the top of my list.
As for christmas, I love it. Not the commercial part, but the get the whole family together.
Loved the review by Mr. Milan!
I asked my hubby to read something of mine once,and he handed it back to me when he finished and said, "It's nice, honey."
Di
Thanks so much for having me here! I had so much fun being a pirate.
And for the giveaways: the Guybrush winner is clearly RKCharron. And the random winner is hal. Congratulations!
Post a Comment