WHY? WHY? WHY? with Loucinda McGary
A HEARTY THANKS to Bo’Sun Terri and the rest of the crew for having me aboard today!
Why Venice?
Long, long ago I had never traveled much of anywhere (hard to believe but true). But I dreamed of exotic places and pined to visit them. Venice was at the top of my list. This city built on water captured my imagination from the first moment I learned it existed. All the pictures of the beautiful, elaborate buildings and the boats floating serenely on the canals looked incredibly romantic to me.
Guess what? It really IS a beautiful and romantic city and it left a lasting impression on me.
That was the last bit of serendipity I needed to convince me to use Venice as a setting.
Why an Irish Hero?
Again, it really IS true! I’ve traveled to many many places since that first jaunt to Italy, and I can unequivocally state that every male in Ireland (the Republic and the North) from drooling toddlers to tottering seniors are charming. They can’t help themselves, it’s in their DNA.
Now, I know that logic would dictate if the story is set in Venice then the hero would be Italian. Luckily, I never claimed to be logical. Besides, when I started letting my imagination play ‘what if…’ with this story, this gorgeous Irish hunk popped into my head and insisted on being the hero. Aunty never argues with hunks of any ethnicity, and most especially not Irish ones.
Why a dual storyline?
I’d seen a portrait of a beautiful, young Renaissance woman named Gianna Tournabouri and thought she’d make a wonderful heroine. But she was obviously wealthy. Why would she need to steal jewels? Then I realized that, just like in the opera, someone else did the actual stealing. Someone who loved her, and I knew who!
Soon, I had a whole scenario for star-crossed lovers and stolen jewels, but it was set in 1485 Venice. The only problem was, I don’t write historical romances. I had to figure out a way to turn the story into what I did write, which was contemporary romantic suspense.
Back to the drawing board, or in my case the old ‘what if…’ What if the jewels were never found until now? What if the person who uncovered the whereabouts of those jewels got into big, big trouble?.
There had to be a modern day couple, but not just any couple. What if they were the reincarnated lovers from 1485? And what better way to show that than a dual storyline? The biggest surprise of all for a seat-of-the-pants writer like me is that the two storylines fit together so well with almost no effort on my part. Some things really are just meant to be!
Why didn’t you give up on this story?
Actually, I did give up on it for awhile. Even though it was a finalist in the 2006 Golden Heart, it was rejected by 24 agents and almost an equal number of editors, including my editor at Sourcebooks. I put it aside while I wrote two more books, but I really loved this story and these characters, so after The Wild Sight was published, I asked my editor if she would take another look at The Treasures of Venice. She suggested a few revisions (nothing really major) and once I did those, she decided she loved the book as much as I did!
I’m happy to say, I’ve received some very good advance reviews of the book, and I truly hope all my readers will be equally enthusiastic about The Treasures of Venice. I am absolutely thrilled that this “book of my heart” is finally on the shelves!
So does that answer all your “whys”? Any “who?” “what?” “where?” of “how?” you’d like to ask? I’ll be giving an autographed copy of both The Treasures of Venice and The Wild Sight to two lucky commenters! (Please let me know which you’d like.)
Bo'sun Terrio here - <i>The Treasures of Venice</i> hit shelves today so run, don't walk to the nearest bookstore. If you'd rather order online, click on the cover at that top. For more information on Loucinda McGary, check out her website here. Now, let the questions fly but remember Aunty is on the left coast so she'll be around a little later in the morning.
Books by the Crew
72 comments:
Another left coaster! Or the wild coast, as I refer ta it! Welcome back ta the Revenge!
So, we know why Venice and from yer answers, it ain't Venice, CA! Did ya visit the first Venice ta do research fer yer book?
Congrats on your new release Loucinda!
Great post and I love the pics!
Thanks for sharing with us!
Hi Aunty Cindy,
Happy Release Day. Never been to Venice, but would love to someday soon.
I love books with layers and references to history. Yours sounds fabulous! Where are you going next?
Waving Hi Aunty Cindy
I loved the post and I too would love to visit Venice one day. My daughter has been there so I think it only fair that one day I get there LOL.
I know when I read TTOV that I will feel as if I have been there through you writing and descriptions.
Congrats on the release
Have Fun
Helen
OMG Venice! I want to go to Venice so badly! And Rome. And if we've got lots of time and money, let's hit Spain and go to Barcelona and Madrid before heading to France.
I might just have to read the book instead--I have a feeling it's going to be a long time before I get to go to Venice.
Congrats on your release!
Congrats on the release!
I have to agree with you on Irish men. Wow. I even set my current WIP outside of Belfast, so every male character could be Irish *g*
I love the concept of dual story lines and must track down this book. I'm so impressed that you never gave up on it, even after so many rejections. What a great inspiration for those of us inundated with rejections right now!
This book sounds awesome. What I don't understand is that this book was written before The Wild Sight--a wonderful book--but this one was rejected by a whole bunch of people and it wasn't until after Wild Sight was published that they looked at it and said, "Yeah, I guess I love it too." WHAT? I don't understand. Why didn't they listen the first time when you told them it was a GREAT book? Who doesn't like star-crossed lovers? Who doesn't love Venice? Who doesn't love jewelry? Seriously. I don't get it.
I love Books of My Heart Books--you totally get absorbed into the passion of the writer telling the story. They're the best! *sighs* And an Irish hunk on top of it. (Dark hair, blue eyes are awesome, yes.)
Congratulations on the new release!
The Treasures of Venice is already on my TBB list for a book shopping trip today. I loved The Wild Sight, and I've been looking forward to this one since you first mentioned Venice.
Congrats on the new release! It sounds stellar!
I quite love this blog. I don't usually do the whole who, what, when and where and why before I sit down to write (probably the reason I never get anything down on paper) but this blog was really quite fascinating. Makes me want to sit down and think about it.
Of all days to be crazy busy, today had to be the day. Gah! Have to say HUZZAH! for AC and this book, which I've been reading since the weekend. I love it!
I'll be back....eventually.
Aunty Cindy, I never thought I'd really like the dual storyline, but then I read The Wild Sight. I just can't get enough. Congratulations on the new release, and I'm glad you didn't give up on this one. It sounds even better than the first.
I know what you mean. I wanted to play yesterday but since I'm going out of town this week, things are crazy around the office. :(
Your story sounds fascinating! Thank you so much for the glimpse on how you played "what if?" with history to build a contemporary romantic suspense. I'm in awe of your imagination and the path it followed. Is this how your ideas usually evolve? You describe yourself as a "seat-of-your-pants" writer but I'm curious if you had all these "what if?" answers before you began writing the story or did you begin and have to stop and play "what if" at various times throughout?
I'm also in awe of your perseverence. How thrilling that the "book of your heart" is on the bookshelves!
Congrats on the release. :) I have a backlog of "to be read" books, but I feel compelled to seek this one out! Oh, and I am well aware of the waaaay too many "why's" a child can ask. Since I have a seven-year-old, I keep waiting for the "whys" to lessen, but they just get more gross. lol
Congrats on the release and welcome back to the boat!! :)
I love all the explanations and I loved hearing about how the story developed for you.
But I am curious... This sounds a lot different than the Wild Sight. So I'll ask a hard question. WHich did you prefer writing? (I know, like choosing the favorite child).
Congrats on the release!
Ok - so pirates don't throw me overboard but...I've been to Venice (and you know I just got back from my Ireland trip) and it was very interesting.
One highpoint - the gondalier (not sure that's right) pointed out Cassanova's house to us! LOL Talk about a romance writer's inspiring moment!
I did find all the Irish men charming Didn't let my husband in on that opinion though! Although he is Irish so maybe that way I liked them so much! They were much more talkative then our American men and more...maybe gregarious is the word.
I killed the board.
That's right, you said you went to Venice then through the Ireland thing in just to be mean and we all bolted over the sides.
It's all your fault.
well then...all alone on the ship...what to do...OH!!!!! Means all the rum is mine!!!!
I need a vat of rum.
Morning crew!
(Aunty rubs sleep from her eyes) Pass the rum! It may be 10 am on the Wild West Coast, but it is 5 PM SOMEWHERE!
Thank you all so much for inviting me back aboard and for your enthusiasm for my books!
Yes, Chance, I've been to both Venice, Italy and Venice, CA. This would be a faaar different book if it were set in Venice, CA! :-P
I also had some help with in-person research on the Cemetery Isle from my dear writer buddy Tina Ferraro, who has family living just north of Venice.
AC
LOL, Sabrina! All the rum is yours?
Pirate....
Terri W., Thank Bo'sun Terri for the lovely piccies of the Bridge of Sighs (which has an important role in the book) and Johnny R-M (who would make a GREAT Keirnan!). I THOUGHT she was going to post a piccie of her and me at the Rita Awards in DC. But I'd honestly rather have Johnny. LOL! I think I speak for most of us on that preference. ;-)
I almost posted that pic of us. And I could still post it, I think. If I can get a copy of it from somewhere while here at work. But then I already had all those pics and didn't want to crowd it too much. :)
I included the Bridge of Sighs because it really does pertain to the book, and I'm not sure that painting of a lady is the right time period, but it's really pretty so I used it. LOL!
Hey Jane and Helen!
(Aunty waves madly to 2 of her most avid supporters) So glad to see you here today! I hope you both make it to Venice is the near future. It really is sinking, ya know.
How unfair, Helen! Your daught could have at least packed you in her luggage!
AC
Maggie,
I hope you enjoy TToV. Vacation-wise, I'm off on a 10 day cruise to Mexico in about 3 weeks! Book-wise, my 3rd romantic suspense from Sourcebooks will be set in Ireland (the Republic this time) again, in the far north in County Donegal. The Wild Irish Sea (title still subject to change) is due out in Spring 2010.
AC
JK,
I LURVE Rome, even more than Venice! I've also been to Madrid, but not Barcelona (yet!), but didn't like it as much as Granada or Toledo. Paris is WONDERFUL! I was prepared to NOT like it, instead I became totally enthralled with The City of Light. I also found the Burgundy region of France particularly beautiful...
Guess you can see that it will be a long time before I run outta places for 'exotic' settings. :-)
AC
Haleigh,
Your WIP is set outside Belfast?!?! You MUST read Wild Sight! It's also set outside Belfast in county Armagh.
Janga, GREAT to 'see' you! Thanx for putting TToV on your buy list. I know it is on the shelves of B&N around here, but don't know about where you are.
AC
LOL, Hellie!
I didn't understand it either! I definitely love Venice, star-crossed lovers, and charming Irishmen! I actually had one editor REFUSE to even look at TToV because (according to her) "...nobody reads books set in Italy." I guess she never heard of a little book called The DaVinci Code?!?!
This IS a crazy biz, that's for sure!
AC
Maybe you should have made Irish hottie a duke--the duke status always seems to make a difference. *LOL*
But on the positive, you didn't have to do those things. You sold it and now we get to read it! And you're paving a road for authors to have eras that are not set in Regency England! We thank you! Three cheers to Aunty Cindy!
Sin,
I actually tried being a plotter when I wrote The Wild Sight. I actually had an 11 page "outline" written before I started. Of course, by about chapter 3, I'd gone off is a whole different direction... Or should I say, my characters took me off in a different direction? Anyway, even though I try to answer all those questions ahead of time, the answers often change in the course of the writing!
AC
Hi Renee!
Thank you again for your lovely compliments on TWS. TToV really is a completely different story, though it has what is rapidly becoming my "trademarks": Irish hunk hero, exotic setting, different paranormal element.
Terrio,
Thanx again for the invite!!! I do NOT mind that you didn't put up the piccie of us together. It is a cute photo (esp. of YOU in your darling dress!) but the one of Johnny R-M is STILL cuter, IMHO! ;-)
AC
DaVinci Code is set in France and England.
Just sayin'....
:)
I'll join that HEAR HEAR! (Or is that HERE HERE!) I'm all for stories set in new, beautiful, and exotic locals. And this concept of mixing Historical with Contemporary without it having to be time travel (NOT that there's anything wrong with that) is a nice change.
Melissa,
As a true "pantser" my stories never seem to evolve the same way twice! I'm not sure this is a 'good' thing and I wouldn't recommend anyone else do it, but that's what works for me. ;-) My characters are constantly taking me off on tangents, and I've been 'stuck' more than once while writing. Usually if I back off for a few hours and let my characters 'talk' to me, things work out very well.
TToV is the only book I've written thus far that I DREAMED the ending. Yup, you read that right. I was writing along in the middle of Ch. 6, knowing they would have to eventually find those jewels, but I had NO CLUE where they were. One morning, I woke up and BAM! I knew.
terrio said: DaVinci Code is set in France and England.
Just sayin’….
Wasn't part of it set in Rome? With the Pope? Well, Angels and Demons was set in Rome. Maybe that's what I was thinking of, because honestly, I haven't read DaVinci Code. :-P I saw the movie but REFUSED to give Dan Brown any more $$. I figured he had PLENTY already. I did like Angels and Demons... the book. Haven't seen the movie.
Pass me MORE RUM! I know Sabrina didn't drink ALL of it! HIC!
AC
Marnee Jo said: "This sounds a lot different than the Wild Sight. So I’ll ask a hard question. WHich did you prefer writing? (I know, like choosing the favorite child)."
You DO ask the hard questions, Marnee Jo! And here is yet another reason I only had one child! LOL!
But I digress... YES! It is a lot different book and a lot different process. I can't say I prefer one over the other (though I will say when I finished TToV I said, "Whew! That dual storyline was HARD! I'll never do that again!"), because that was just the way my process worked on those particular stories. And it turned out writing Wild Sight was really no easier than writing TToV. And writing my 3rd contracted romantic suspense, The Wild Irish Sea, was a completely different experience from the other two!
Like I said in the blog, I never claimed to be logical!
AC
GOOD word, Sabrina -- gregarious! ALL the Irish are wonderfully gregarious! Most Italians are pretty friendly too, and it is true, if you tie an Italian's hands, they can not talk! :-)
AC
Ahoy, Revengers! Jumping on for a sec to wave madly at ya'll and Aunty Cindy, *waving* and say WOOT on the release of Treasures. I had the privilege of pre-reading this one and WOW is it SUPERB!! Grins.
Had to laugh about "book writing logic" AC. So true!
Great book, great post...okay, swinging back to dry land and the ever-necessary-cave! Hugs!
Hellie and Terrio,
THANX for the cheers! Hear or Here, doesn't matter to me. ;-) And I do think readers LIKE something different, be it setting or characters. I had one reviewer say she LIKED that my hero was sick and injured and it actually affected him. She said, unlike the big bad alphas who "tough out the pain" Keirnan seemed more real.
Publishers seem reluctant to do something that they haven't already done before... like all those English dukes and Scottish lairds. Not that we don't LURVE them, but a little change can be FUN!
AC
Terrio,
Several reviewers and sites insist on calling BOTH my books time-travel, but they most decidedly are NOT! I guess they feel more comfortable with a label they know.
Hey Le Duchesse!!
Thanx for crawling out of your writing cave long enough to swing by! And THANX A BUNCH for the great quote for TToV! If anyone wants to read what Jeanne said, just hop over to my website.
AC
Hi, Cindy! Congratulations on the release of this wonderful book, which as know, I've already read in draft form. But it's been long enough that I'm eager to read it again. Your readers are really going to enjoy reading this one!
I love hearing about your thought process as you came up with the idea for the book. I think that's almost as interesting as the book itself.
Do you approach all your writing like this?
Do your ideas come to you out of the blue or do you cast around and struggle a little to find the next story?
Hey, AC! What a great post and I'm sooo glad you didn't totally give up on Treasures! I can't wait to read it *g*
Like Jeanne, I'm in the cave but wanted to pop in and say Hello and Congrats on your latest release
:-)
AC, don't let Terri fool you. I bet you 100 to 1, she didn't read the book either. She's counting on the movie to have gotten it right. *snorts* And I'm relatively certain they go to Rome to the library of the Vatican in the DaVinci Code (but like you, I coudl be confusing it with Angels and Demons).
Hi, AC!! Thanks for the awesome post--being a sucker for all things Irish myself, I loved how you yielded to your Irish hero! ;) Happy release day to you, and are you doing anything special to commemorate the occasion? Framing your coverflat? ;) Quilting it? Having it tattooed somewhere?
I'll have you know I DID read The DaVinci Code back before it was all the rage. And I loved it. The movie I could take or leave mostly because I didn't see Tom Hanks as the main character at all. Though I like Tom, so I did see it.
I think it's Angels & Demons where they go to the Vatican. Though I haven't read that book or seen that movie. The DaVinci code starts and ends at the Louvre with a side trip to the Rose Chapel in England. (Or the Rose Chapel is in France. Either way, no Italy.)
I thought the Rose Chapel was in Scotland.
Alas it must have been Angels and Demons that was at the Vatican, then.
Though I'm not sure I believe Terri read it.
Sabrian, ya randy slut, give that rum keg back! Greedy twit... And it were yer turn ta kill the blog anyway... I did it the other day. Twice!
And! I've been to Rome, Athens, Barcelona, Sardinia, a few Greek Islands. (Crusing, it's great.) So there!
I always worry 'bout settin' a book somewhere I ain't been. Figure the geography nazis would nail me butt ta the wall fer everythin' I gets wrong. So I shift ta alternate realities and stick me tongue out at 'em... So there!
I must be feelin' so there-ish today...
I did read it! I read it back in '04 or maybe early '05 when I was driving half the distance of the country every other weekend. So long before I had a computer or knew any of you distracting yahoos. Or went back to school. :)
Are you saying we're cutting into your reading time?
I love how Hellie took offense at the "cutting into reading time" comment but didn't even mind that Ter called us YAHOOS. LOL!
LOL!
I say yahoos with love.
Happy Release Day!
This book sounds amazing.
I just placed this on hold at my local bookstore, and I'll pick it up after my niece's volleyball game, and after the kids' homework is done.
Di
Well, as long as it's with love.
XOXO
I love Venice. When I was in college, I studied the arts in Venice-visiting the glass blowing factories, the weaving studio, and the fresco artists. I loved it there and the people were so friendly.
Not many romance storie are set in that city, so I am anxious to read this one. I have added it to my TBR list.
BIG HI to Jo-Mama and WonderBeth, 2 more Banditas swining by!
Beth, appreciate you peeking out of the writing cave for a minute. :-)
Jo, TToV would not be the same without your wonderful, insightful critiques! You sly lil devil. You know that both things happen to me. Sometimes the ideas do hit me out of the blue. Other times, I grub around for days trying to hit pay dirt. With your help, I usually find some gems!
AC
Fedora,
It's always so much FUN to yield to those Irish heroes! ;-) Not doing anything to celebrate today. I'm holding off until my big in-person Launch Party at a local pizza parlor on Sept. 13th. Though a tattoo COULD be interesting...
Now Hellie and TerriO, I'm sure there are Rose Chapels all over the place! And I DO remember the opening scenes in the Louvre because I was muttering to the DH, "Remember in the very next gallery from Mona was that cool painting 'Madonna of the Rocks'?" And next thing they MENTIONED 'Madonna of the Rocks!'
Chance, I'd LOVE to visit Sardinia and a few of the Greek Isles (I've only been to Athens)!
I do try to stick to locations I've actually visited, but also don't hesitate to take "creative license" to make the setting fit my storyline. So far nobody has nailed me to the wall over it, but you never know!
AC
Di R and Joye,
Thanx a BUNCH for adding TToV to your TBR lists! Please do let me know how you like it. You can always find me at Romance Bandits or email through my website.
AC
Goodness me and avast, me hearties! Is there any rum left???!!! This has been one huge party! Hiya, buccaneers! Hiya, Aunty Cindy! Cindy, Venice isone of my favorite places in the world and I can't wait to read this book. Congratulations on your newest release, my Bandita friend!
AVAST, Bandita Fo!
There may be a wee drop o' rum in the bottom of the barrel Marnie Jo is sitting on... See what happens when you're late to the party?!?!
Thanx a BUNCH for your good wishes and for mentioning TToV on you lovely website! I hope you enjoy the scenes of both modern and 1485 Venice.
AC
La Campbell is on board! Hey there, Anna. Welcome back to The Revenge.
This has been such a fun day. Here's a question I meant to ask earlier but the fit was hitting the shan at work and I forgot.
Do you worry about writing too many Irish heroes (as if that could happen) and having people get tired of them? Or maybe the opposite, do you worry if you do change it up that readers will feel let down without the Irish charm?
Good question, Terrio. There be this fourteen year old virgin who lives in 'is mums basement, calls 'imself Q...who claims if'n ya repeat stuff the masses will gets tired a' yer storytelling ability and move ta another author.
Me? Can't get enough a' Irish heros.
Did I mention Q claims ta be British? ;)
Anna Campbell...didn't I sent 'er a box a' squirrels?
Another thing about the Irish is that they are wonderful storytellers. I swear they can read from a recipe book and make it sound charming....
Hi AC! Sorry I'm so late getting here. I've had the pleasure of already reading "The Treasures of Venice" and it's a terrific story which just happens to be set in one of my favorite cities. Oh, and also has a deliciously sexy hero! Yum!
Don't include me in the giveaways as I already have both books. Thanks!
Hi, AC--PJ doesn't have to feel so late now. I'm later. I also have the books already and am eager to read TToV. The Wild Sight was fabulous, and this one looks terrific.
I love the dual storyline idea.
Hey AC -
Gotta love serendipity. All the stars align to say WRITE THIS BOOK! It's a beautiful cover and love the dual story aspect. Can't wait to read it.
Hey TerriO,
As a matter of fact, I can't imagine EVER getting tired of a sexy Irish hunk, but I do worry that if I change and have a non-Irish hero, my readers will be disappointed. What does anyone else think? PLEASE?!?! I'd love to know. My 3rd book also has an Irish hero, but if you picked up Aunty's 4th book and found a non-Irish hero would you still read it?!?!
curious AC
Hi Nancy and Donna!
It's never too late for two more Banditas to swing by! :-) Glad you are both looking forward to the dual storyline. So far the reviewers are liking it too!
And thanx for the kudos on The Wild Sight, Nancy!
AC
Marial,
It's true about the storytelling. Personally, I could listen to Johnny R-M read the phone book. ;-)
And Chance, "Q" does not sound like my target audience so I'm not going to count his opinion. What is yours?!?!
AC
PJ,
Thanx so much for stopping by and HUGE thanx for your lovely words about TToV. I really appreciate all your support!
Same goes for all the crew and visitors on the Revenge today! THANX BUNCHES! I had a blast and hope you all enjoy my books.
AC
Post a Comment