March 28, 2008

Christie Craig Blogs on Playing Favorites

Written by Jaunty Guest in Jaunty Guests

Christie

It’s happening to me now. I sort of knew it would. How did I know? Because dadblast it, I’m guilty of doing it myself. Guilty of asking authors . . . “So, which of your books do you like the best?”

Now, with my next book coming out in June, the question is targeted toward me and I realize how unfair it is to ask an author this question. I mean, please, it’s just like asking a mother which child she loves the best. Or which child she thinks is prettier.

To an author, our books, and characters are like our children. To show favoritism is like . . . well, it’s just so wrong on soooo many levels.

As mothers it’s our job to make all our children feel like they are our favorite—without ever really saying it. Right?

Okay, I’ll admit it, mothers aren’t blind. We do see things. For example I know that one of my children has a prettier nose than the other. But gawd forbid I ever say it aloud. I’d probably scar the child for life, they’d sign up to get a nose job, expect me to pay for it, and would be discussing this very issue to a therapist long after I’m worm bait. (Don’t forget Mother’s Day is coming up and I always rate some really nice gifts. And in case one of my own read this: Think Gucci purse this year.)

And besides the child who inherited my great uncle’s nose has gorgeous to-die-for eyes, which almost, well practically, makes the huge honker unnoticeable.

My point is that while my books, Divorced, Desperate and Delicious and Weddings Can Be Murder have some things in common—i.e. They’re both humorous, sexy, and have a bit of murder in them—they are unique in their own way as well. Sure, you can look at them and know they are related, that they were written by yours truly, but it’s not like they are identical twins are anything.

Divorced is more of a romantic suspense, where Weddings is more of a mystery. My heroine in Divorced, was so finished with men, she swore she was never going to have sex again (you can guess how that turned out.) Katie in Weddings, on the other hand, is desperately seeking the perfect man to make her life complete. And just when she thinks she’s found him, Mr. Not-So-Perfect comes along (hey, he probably even has a big nose) and she totally flushes her life plans down the John. The fact that she already accidentally flushed her engagement ring down John almost seems like a sign.

So while the books are different, they are both books of my heart. Each special to me in their own way, just the way my kids are. (Seriously, think Gucci, kids.) I’m just hoping that the readers feel the same way.

So here’s my question to all of you. Do you have a tendency to love every book from certain authors? If you are a writer, (and yep, I’m gonna do it again) do you have your favorite book, or are you like me and love all your books, big noses or not so big noses?

Below is my video for Weddings Can Be Murder, which will be out May 27th and the video for Divorced, Desperate and Delicious.

Please visit me at my websiteand my blog where I joined forces with five other Dorchester authors to explore the crazy/humorous side of life.

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22 Responses to “Christie Craig Blogs on Playing Favorites”

On March 28th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Shana Says:

Thank you SO much for being here with us today, Christie. I don’t love every book by any author except Susan Elizabeth Phillips. She’s never written a bad book, in my opinion.

I do have favorite books of mine. Right now I really, really like BLACKTHORNE’S BRIDE. Honestly, though, if I had to pick a book that is closest to my heart, it would be PRIDE AND PETTICOATS. That book is my favorite–not my best–but my favorite.

Love the videos, Christie! Quills,, she’ll be stopping by several times today, so feel free to ask Christie questions.
On March 28th, 2008 at 7:16 am
Margo Maguire Says:

Christie - such GREAT videos! Your books look like fun, and since I need a good, long read for an overseas flight … I know where to look for just the right book!
On March 28th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Christie Craig Says:

Shana,

Thank you for inviting me here to today.

I love Susan E. Phillips, too.

And having read both your “favorite” books, I think both deserve your fondness.

CC
On March 28th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Christie Craig Says:

Margo,

Thanks for compliments on the book videos. I can tell you, they are hard work.

Hmmm…overseas flight? Are you going somewhere fun? I hope so.

And I sure hope you’ll enjoy D,D&D. Let me know.

Thanks for stopping by.

CC
On March 28th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Alexis Morgan Says:

I do have favorite books by favorite authors–Lover Awakened by JR Ward; Dance with the Devil, by Sherrylyn Kenyon, but I love all of Ann Stuart’s heroes.

As far as my own books–of my westerns, The Outlaw Groom was a book of the heart. The first book in my Paladins series–Dark Protector–remains extra special because it was the start in what has become a true labor of love for me. I’ll be starting the 6th book in the series soon and still love writing about these warriors.

Alexis Morgan (Pat Pritchard)
On March 28th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Faye Hughes Says:

Hey, Christie,

Great post and a darn good question. Hmm. I usually think of the book I’m currently writing as my favorite. And I love your book videos, girl.

Faye
On March 28th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Christie Craig Says:

Alexis,

Thanks for stopping by. As a reader, I have to say I have my favorite books by my favorite authors as well. And I can totally understand the first in a series being extra special.

I think D,D&D will always be a little special to me because it was the first of that line of sister books.

Thanks again,

CC
On March 28th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Terri Molina Says:

Heya Christie!! *waving*

I love reading your blogs, you always crack me up! If my kids ask me which if them is the favorite, I tell them the one not asking.

I have my favorite authors, but don’t always like everything they write. I think because I expect each book to be better than the last (and that doesn’t always happen)

If the books I’ve written ever ask which one I love best, I’d tell them the one I finished…because it didn’t give me a hard time!

Have a great weekend!

Miss ya!

~~Terri
On March 28th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Christie Craig Says:

Faye,

I guess the book your working had better be pretty special, huh? Sort of like you have to love the child who is misbehaving at the time.

Thanks for stopping by.

CC
On March 28th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Christie Craig Says:

Waving back at you Terri!

And I miss you, too. Hurry back and visit Texas again, girl.

You have a good point about the book you finished being your favorite. Some of my books have just been easier writes. The story/plot/characters were just waiting to flow from my fingertips. Others, were like, well extra fiber was needed to get a certain scene or a book moving. But some of the very difficult scenes and first chapters turned out pretty good.

But I have to say, I love it when a book almost writes itself.

CC
On March 28th, 2008 at 10:26 am
limecello Says:

Hi Christie!
Thanks for visiting today Congratulations on the upcoming release!
As for your question… ok I have to admit, I do like certain books more than others by the same author. It’s rare for me to love every book equally. Susan Elizabeth Phillips might be the one exception - but there are 2 books that she wrote a long time ago I’m not as in love with.
For Lisa Kleypas, I enjoy all her books, but I could pick a favorite or two (Dreaming of You, Suddenly You - which actually are completely unrelated. Ok, so now I want to add more to the list.) But say, Diana Palmer - I can definitely pick out some favorite on her backlist, and others that were “just” nice. I look at it this way, I’d like to have every book out there, but some I *need* to have.
On March 28th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Christie Craig Says:

Limecello,

It’s so true. And I’m with you on Susan P.s books. There is one of her earlier books that I didn’t “love.” Oddy, because I wasn’t “in love” with it, I didn’t buy her next books for a long time. Finally a friend of mine brought a stack of her books over and said…”You need to give these a try!”

I did, and I’ve been a loyal fan every since. I even went out and bought her backlist.

I know as a writer, I always worry if my readers will find the next book as enjoyable as the first. We, writers, have no control over this, it’s just something for us worry/fret/and make ourselves sick over.

Thanks for posting and I’m honored to be here.

CC
On March 28th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
catslady Says:

I used to ask authors that question all the time and most would say no favorites or the one they were working on. Now I try to ask them if someone has never read any of your works, which one would you recommend first - I get a few more replies that way because really, if I like one book, I usually like all their books and will look for more.
On March 28th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Christie Craig Says:

Catslady,

Howdy! And you’re right. That might be a better question.

Thanks. I’ll remember that next time.

CC
On March 28th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Shana Galen Says:

What SEP book are you talking about? Hot Shot? Whatever it is, I liked it, but that’s the one a lot of people don’t like.

Shana,
who always wants to talk about SEP
On March 28th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Christie Craig Says:

Nope, it wasn’t Hot Shot.

I can’t think of the name of the book, but it was the historical.

It just didn’t light my fire.

CC
On March 28th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Shirley Karr Says:

Welcome, Christie!

SEP wrote a historical?!? Must have missed that one.

A friend once handed me a Teresa Mederos medieval and said “You *must* read this.” I hadn’t because I don’t usually read that era, but I trusted my friend. I’ve been hooked on TM since. Even read Yours Until Dawn in one sitting. Literally didn’t move, couldn’t put it down. (Though I do admit there was one where the h/h didn’t meet until about page 70 – it’s not my fave.)
On March 28th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Shana Says:

Oh, right. The historical: Risen Glory. Well, it was one of her first. That gives us all hope.
On March 28th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Christie Craig Says:

Hi Shirley,
Thank you.

Yes, SEP wrote one historical that I know of.

And I know what you mean about trusting friends. I don’t always love the same books, but most of the time our tastes run in the same circles.

CC
On March 28th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Christie Craig Says:

Shana,

Yep, that was it.

And you’re right it gives us hope.

We all want to improve and grow as writers.

Hmm…looks like I may even have that chance. I just got a call from my agent. I got another three-book deal from Dorchester.

Still sitting here, trying to soak it in.

CC
On March 28th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Virginia H. Says:

I have certain authors that I love their books, but not every book they write. Let’s face it some books are better then others and sometime its just the mood that your in when you read that book.
On March 28th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Christie Craig Says:

Virginia H.,

You’re right. My mood plays a big part in my reading pleasure.
Thanks for posting.

CC

March 28, 2008

Christie Craig Blogs on Playing Favorites

22 Responses to “Christie Craig Blogs on Playing Favorites”

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