Saturday, May 19, 2012

Taking a bite out of ... Mimi Barbour

Author Mimi Barbour

Thanks for having me on your blog Michelle. I love talking about my career and answering fun questions!! If anyone wants to leave a comment, I'd be happy to present a winner with a free e-book of "His Devious Angel."


How would you describe your writing style?

I would say that my writing style is:

(a.) Humorous - I love adding the element of humor in my stories because in my world, we always try and have a chuckle and a laugh over most things. If I spend a great amount of time with someone who is terribly serious, I get bored and I find myself getting tight inside. But, if I’m with a friend who likes to have a bit of a giggle, I always find I’ve been much more entertained and more likely want to be with that person again.

 (b.) Shoot from the hip as far as the plotting goes - Although I always have my beginning and ending figured out in my mind before I start the story. I'm lucky that way as I know a lot of authors who can write to the end and have no idea how to finish off the book.

 (c.) Strong character development – Ever since I started reading as a child, I have to admit to being drawn to the characters in the story. It goes without saying that I like there to be conflicts and good story telling, but once I’ve connect with the heroine and hero, I’ll always finish the book. Can’t help myself. I just have to make sure they get their happy ending.

(d.) I must admit that as I write more books, my ability to write stronger conflicts has grown. Or it just might be that the first three stories I published were novellas and now that I’m writing full-length, it gives me more time to build the tensions and interweave intrigue.  


What are you usually wearing at three o’clock in the morning?
Pajamas and earplugs!

Important question. Silk, satin, cotton, flannel. What is your sheet of choice and why?

Since I’m a romance writer, I’d love to say satin—but—one time I bought some just to try them and see how they worked, and my husband slid off the bed and so did our blankets – all night long. Decided to go back to our good old percale cotton ones, which are always cool and always feel so smooth. No balls – I hate bally sheets. Hey! Notice I used the word as an adjective!!

 Tell us something not very many people know.

I’m a bit of a grouch in the mornings. Most of my friends think I smile all the time because, I usually do. Not so much if it’s really early. I guess you could say I’m more of a night person. Funny, if I write late at night, I don’t normally have to edit too much. If for some strange reason I write in the early morning hours, it’s pretty well all dribble and the bitchiness comes through real clear.  


What’s your typical writing day like

About eight am I start my day either on my treadmill or walking the seawall close to our house in Qualicum Beach. Then I tidy the house a bit and ready myself for the day. I eat breakfast in my office while I have my first game of spider (my bad!!). Then I check my e-mails and waste a bunch more time writing notes and checking Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, etc, etc. I call that my promo time so I don’t feel too guilty.

Then I cuss once I’ve seen that the morning has flown and I haven’t written a word. I quickly grab lunch and have my second game of spider. (my real bad!!) Then I open my manuscript and lose myself for at least three or four hours. On a good day I can write 2,500 to 3,500 words.

If I’m under the gun, I start writing first thing in the morning and go for it all day. If I put my mind to it, I can usually get a good amount written in the morning, edit it for the PM and get another bunch written for the afternoon. It doubles my output when I write in the morning also, but then I'm pretty well incognito when it comes to socializing.


If you could have lunch with one writer, who would it be?

I was going to say some far-out writer no one’s ever heard of, but the truth is Nora Roberts would be my choice. She’s consistently produced books that I love to read and never regret buying. I know when I start one of her stories, I will be entertained, and invariable, she’ll make me smile, chuckle, or even laugh out-loud a few times between the beginning and the end. I’d love to be able to question her about her journey to get where she is now, and most important how she grew as a writer…the aspects of the craft she would consider to be the most important and how best to work on them. And, since she’s a best-selling millionaire, I bet she’d even pick up the tab!


Tell us about your newest release.


My newest release is called “His Devious Angel”. It is a romance about a soldier just returned from the war in Iraq with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and with a bad habit of speeding. And a girl who sees herself like she was as a teen—chubby and unhappy and not as she is now—slender and pretty. It's a humorous story, and the angel who resembles a young Johnny Depp is hilarious and gets our hero in and out of all kinds of situations In this book I've focused on dogs, puppy mills and family ties that will make you laugh and even cry a little. But the ending…it will make you happy.


Do you have anything in the works?

Well…there's a bit of a story here to tell about the next book. You see I recently got involved (thank you Lord!!!) with the Indie Book Collective. After the April promotion called Lucky Days Free Par-tay they advertised that they were organizing an anthology called "Bullets, Brass & Babes".  And anyone interested in joining should write a short story up to 5,000 words and submit it. I thought it would be a cinch and so I wrote my story and sent it in only to be told that I had started the actual book. What they wanted was a short story introducing the main characters for a full-length book. Holy Mackerel!!! Now I had to write another short story about these characters and then still produce a full-length book. Wow – all I'd wanted to do was write a few thousand words so I could be a part of an anthology with some great, best-selling authors. What a blooming pickle!! Therefore you ask me what I'm working on?? It's a full-length suspense story called `You Shot Me!`` which will be the follow up to my short story  in the anthology called "Partners". (Shaking my head – with a sad, hang-dog look plastered over my chubby cheeks) How in the hell do I get myself into these situations???


Where can we find you?


I have a really fun blog that I love to work on called Believe! http://mimibarbour.blogspot.com
Also, you can find me on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mimi-Barbour-Fan-Page/203964072966134
And twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/Mimibarb 



If the angel hadn't forced him to brake, Liam might have killed the gorgeous dog-walker who ran into the street to save a little boy. He owed that woman big time, and he would pay his debt—even if she was cranky and became more difficult with every meeting. After all, how hard could it be to walk a bunch of mangy mutts?

"Men are scum" and no one can tell Sadie any different—it's why she stays away from them. Until a crazy, hotshot soldier runs her down with his convertible. Now she's bruised and sore, and stuck having to accept his help with her elite dog-walking business. Just her luck that some of the expensive pets go missing and Liam decides the puppy-mill rumor needs to be investigated. And once they're forced to spend more time together, darned if a spark doesn’t start to ignite. 

15 comments :

  1. "His Devious Angel" sounds delightful. A character that's like Johnny Depp! Count me in :)

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  2. Thanks Emma. It's a fun read...or so I've been told - sure as heck had a lot of fun writing the book!
    Mimi

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  3. Great interview, Mimi. I have a hard time imagining you as a cranky pants. Love your cover.

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  4. Wonderful interview--and what a gorgeous site.

    I am definitely a character person. Characters make or break the story for me. I'm a character driven writer myself.

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  5. This is great, Mimi - love the part about you being grouchy in the mornings. I would've never known! All the best in continued success!
    Lisa McManus Lange
    www.lisamcmanuslange.blogspot.com

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  6. Me either, I can't see her as grouchy. And the story sounds very interesting. I think you've definitely found your voice :)

    Shereen

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  7. I don't see you as groucy on a bad day! I love your books and look forward to the full and short story!

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  8. Awesome interview, Mimi! And great cover!

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  9. I read His Devious Angel and it is truly a charming story. As to being grouchy in the morning, I'm never good until somewhere around 8:30 a.m. and I get up at 5:30 every morning. By the time I hit my job, I'm usually a little more chipper. Not a morning person. Great post Mimi

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  10. Lovely interview.

    When you do have lunch with Nora, can I tag along?

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  11. Thanks so much Mimi! It was really great having you here and I hope you'll come back again soon!

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  12. Your mornings sound a lot like mine. That's why I'm here. His Devious Angel has skidded sideways onto my TBR list. I love a good giggle.
    Sandra Dailey
    sandy4lee@yahoo.com

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  13. You're right, Mimi. Beautiful site! Great interview ladies!

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  14. Thanks Calissa! I really enjoyed having Mimi.

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  15. Great Interview! Thank you Mimi for opening up and letting us see inside an accomplished writer. I love your story about satin sheets.
    Best Wishes
    Jo-Ann

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