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Questions and Answers from the Writerspace live chat with LynnK on 05.17.06:
Cissy — Welcome everyone to our chat with Lynn Kurland. We're chatting tonight with Lynn about her latest book, MUCH ADO IN THE MOONLIGHT. We're not on protocol, so if you have any questions for Lynn, just jump in!
Cissy — Lynn, before we start lobbing questions, will you tell us about MUCH ADO IN THE MOONLIGHT?
Lynn Kurland — Cissy: Much Ado is the story of Victoria McKinnon (a play producer) who puts on a play (Hamlet) in her brother's castle which happens to be haunted by a very handsome ghost (Connor MacDougal).
EdwardGirl — Lynn: In your new book (Much Ado In the Moonlight) where did you get the idea?
Lynn Kurland — EG--The idea just sort of came out of nowhere when I was doing My Heart Stood Still (about Victoria's brother). She was fiesty, he knew a fiesty ghost, she was doing Hamlet, and he thought "perfect." It just seemed to happen.
EdwardGirl — Lynn, stupid question, do you believe in ghosts?
Lynn Kurland — EdwardGirl--Absolutely. There's an interesting thread (maybe a little spooky!) about that kind of thing. I think it's called "this and that". But yes, I'm a firm believer in ghosts. Time travel? That's just a wish!
Cissy — How did you get the idea for this, Lynn?
Lynn Kurland — Cissy, for the book? The characters were related (or just hassling) other characters from other books and it seemed like a great chance to put a couple of ornery people together and throw in a little Shakespeare while I was at it.
CaffeyCathie — Can you read this book in any order? I haven't read all the books yet but wondered if having read a couple I could go right into this book?
Lynn Kurland — Caffey--you can check out my reading order on my website for a few ideas. I think pub. order might be the best, but you can read by family as well.
CaffeyCathie — So, a time travel?
Lynn Kurland — Caffey, yes this is sort of a paranormal soup--ghosts & time travel.
EdwardGirl — Lynn, is it hard to write about the past and time travel? You might do a lot of research.
Lynn Kurland — EdwardGirl--Yes, it does take some serious reading to get the details straight (and I'm not perfect at it!). I like putting modern people back in the past, though. It makes for some interesting problems.
nascarandbeans — Do you write other genres? Or what drew you to more of a ghost story theme?
Lynn Kurland — Nascar--I've started doing some fantasy, which is fun for me. I just like ghosts because the ones I write about have good senses of humor.
EdwardGirl — Lynn, what is hardest about writing, and the best?
Lynn Kurland — EdwardG--Hardest? Finding the time and trying to find balance between that and my kids. Easiest? When the book's all put together and I'm just editing. Or maybe the times when it's really flowing.
Duchess Di — When can we expect the next book?
Lynn Kurland — Duchess--Next fantasy is December. Next romance--next May (2007).
icia — Is the younger sister going to be your next victim?
Lynn Kurland — Icia . . . Now, that would be telling and I NEVER talk about plots in process. :)
Cathryn L — Lynn, does Nick ever get his roof fixed?
Lynn Kurland — CathrynL--You know he has to! We'll see if it happens before the floor turns into a marsh. :)
amyfendley — How long does it take you to write your books?
Lynn Kurland — Amy--Realistically? About 6 months.
nascarandbeans — Have you been to Scotland?
Lynn Kurland — Nascar--Yes. My husband's family lives in the UK, so we visit every couple of years. We've been to Scotland a few times . . . amazing place.
DukeEgmont — Have you seen the sun in Scotland ever? :D
Lynn Kurland — Duke--Does the sun shine there? Who needs it with all the great scenery!
Lori H — How often do you write? Do you set a number of pages, words per day???
Lynn Kurland — Lori--I write in fits and starts. I blow through a first draft in about a month. The rest is polishing, polishing, rewriting . . multiplied endlessly. I probably do 20 revisions of each book. 2nd part--No, I don't do a set number of pages. I try to give myself chapter deadlines instead.
EdwardGirl — Lynn: have you seen the show from UK called Most Haunted?
Lynn Kurland - EdwardG--I saw a tape a friend had made. Spooooky! We've also done a few ghost walks while there. I'm a believer!
G — Will Zach get a book?
Lynn Kurland — G--eventually Zach will have his story, yes.
Lori H — what was the hardest part about breaking into the published world?
Lynn Kurland — Lori, breaking in? That's a tricky question. I think just getting read is tough. Email me and I'll tell you more if you have specific ?s.
Cathryn L — Lynn, do you stick all the humor in later, or is that in the first draft of a story?
Lynn Kurland - Cathryn--Humor from the start. I think it would be hard to add later.
EdwardGirl — Lynn, when you aren't writing what do you like to do with your kids, or on your own?
Lynn Kurland — EdwardG--I like to just sit and watch my kids play together, push them on the swings, play barbies, craft with them--just normal stuff. Personally, and sadly, I like to clean my house so I can think straight. :)
italianprincess — Lynn what inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?
Lynn Kurland — Italian princess--I started in 1989, after I'd read a romance that didn't end the way I thought it should.
Cissy — Will you dare tell us which one, Lynn?
Lynn Kurland — Cissy--re: the book I didn't like the ending . . . now that would be telling, wouldn't it. :) My lips are eternally sealed!
G — How do you keep all the timelines and stories straight?
Lynn Kurland — G--I have all my stuff in a genealogy program, but I still can't keep it straight sometimes. It gets worse with every book!
nascarandbeans — Where do you draw your ideas from... real life, very creative imagination? Things you see or here?
Lynn Kurland — Nascar--I write character driven stories--I figure out who's starring in the story and the plot just falls into place based on who they are.
EdwardGirl — Lynn: Did you ever take any writing class? Would you think is a good idea for someone who just started writing?
Lynn Kurland — EdwardG--Nothing but senior English in college and what I had in high school. I think the best way to become a good writer is to be a great reader of great books. If you want a good book on technique (and I'm not a shill for him) is Jack Bickham's Writing Novels that Sell.
Cissy — Lynn, do you have a favorite scene in MUCH ADO ABOUT MOONLIGHT?
Lynn Kurland — Cissy--hmmmm . . . I think I might like the part with Granny stirring the pot in MacBeth with her knitting needle . . .
Lori H — So what was your first book and was it published?
Lynn Kurland — Lori H. -- My first book was actually Another Chance to Dream, but I didn't revise it to my satisfaction until later. My first published book was Stardust of Yesterday.
EdwardGirl — Lynn, who are some of your favorite romance authors?
Lynn Kurland — EdwardGirl--Honestly, I don't read a lot of romance. There are lots of authors I like, but I think I'd be best to keep their names to myself. :)
G — Is there a book you wrote that you want to change, or add to?
Lynn Kurland — G--I'd always love to edit more . . .
amyfendley — Lynn, who is your favorite author?
Lynn Kurland — Amy--I really like Tolkien, CS Lewis, Robin McKinley, Patricia McKillip, Dick Francis . . .
nascarandbeans — is there a genre you'd like to write that you haven't yet?
Lynn Kurland — Nascar--I think I wouldn't mind doing a young adult fantasy kind of thing maybe.
Cathryn L — Wasn't Dance Through Time published second?
Lynn Kurland — Another Chance To Dream was the first book I wrote (I should have made that more clear). Stardust of Yesterday was the first published and yes, A Dance Through Time was the 2nd.
DukeEgmont — How many books have you written since 1989?
Lynn Kurland — Duke--Much Ado is my 20th (counting novels and novellas).
Lori H — What was the first book that you ever read?
Lynn Kurland — Lori H--My mom could probably tell you that. :) The first I remember was The Hobbit.
DukeEgmont — That is some way. Do you think your writing changed over all those books?
Lynn Kurland — Duke--I think it probably has. I don't think it's possible to write and be alive at the same time without changing who you are and how you write.
amyfendley — What do you think about e-books?
Lynn Kurland — Amy--I don't have an opinion past thinking that taking one in the bath is probably a bad idea. After looking at a computer for hours, I much prefer paper at the end of a day.
EdwardGirl — Lynn, can you tell us about your next book ?
Lynn Kurland — EdwardGirl--My next book that will be out is a fantasy--I don't know if I can boil the plot down into something intelligible. (I have a 4-yr-old howling in the background because I didn't put butter on her potato the right way.) My next romance is still a work in progress and I have a policy of not talking about what I'm working on. It seems to spoil the magic for me when I do, so I don't. :)
G — What do your daughters prefer, to read or make up stories?
Lynn Kurland — G--They like both, though I imagine they prefer to make up their own plots. They take all their dolls and make them time travel to all these different "houses" where lots goes on. Mainly eating and going to the bathroom, but there are a few dances as well.
EdwardGirl — Lynn: Is it hard for you to let a book go after you've written it?
Lynn Kurland — EdwardGirl--Very difficult. There's always something I'd wished I'd edited out (or in) and it makes me crazy to find typos.
nascarandbeans — Do you have a favorite among your books?
Lynn Kurland — Nascar--For me it's A Garden in the Rain, though I have to admit I really like Much Ado as well.
EdwardGirl — Lynn, how do you handle the pressure from editor, or mangers?
Lynn Kurland — EdwardGirl . . . Is that really a question I dare answer in public? I have a wonderful agent and a wonderful editor and it's all good. :)
CaffeyCathie — Lynn, do you see any novellas coming out before your next book?
Lynn Kurland - CaffeyCathie--It takes me as long to do a novella as it does a novel and I think if I agree to do another one, my husband will have a stroke. So, no, not likely in the near future.
DukeEgmont — People underestimate novellas I think.
DukeEgmont — Lynn, what do you consider easier: Pack a whole plot into a whole book or shorten a plot to novella format?
Lynn Kurland — Duke--I'm mixed about them. I've done ones I really liked, but it's so labor intensive to keep my word count down that it's almost not worth it.
Lynn Kurland — Duke--Whole plot/whole book, definitely. Condensing is not my strong suit.
EdwardGirl — Lynn, would you like any of your books to turn into a movie? If so, which book would make a great movie?
Lynn Kurland — EdwardGirl--The movie idea is a difficult question. How do you turn your book over to Hollywood and keep any control. 2nd question--Can I be bought? Hmmm. I'll have to think about it!
Cissy — Lynn, will you tell us one last time about MUCH ADO IN THE MOONLIGHT, for those who came in late?
Lynn Kurland — Cissy--It's the story of a girl who goes to produce Hamlet in a castle, only to find the castle is haunted by real ghosts--and one who's just pretty darn handsome.
DukeEgmont — Did you use a lot of Hamlet? I like Shakespeare. :D
Lynn Kurland — Duke--Only enough Shakespeare to be dangerous . . .
Cissy — Lynn, thanks so much for chatting with us tonight!
Lynn Kurland — Thanks everyone for coming. I hear a potato calling me . .
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Nothing was changed except for a form/spellcheck. ;)
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