My family is so important to me.  The concept of family makes its way into just about every book I write. The book I’m writing for the Fortunes of Texas series (An Unexpected Fortune, May 2012) is all about family dynamics, as is my three-book Special Edition series, which will hit the shelves toward the end of next year. I’m working on a proposal for a juicy southern family saga. Naturally, all this writing and research about family has me thinking a lot about where my people came from.

A good friend of mine can trace her family tree all the way back to Henri II, of France and Charlemagne. I was enthralled and envious to hear this. I’ve always wanted to know my ancestry, but short of urging my retired father, who’s busier now than when he was doing the 9-5 grind, to take up the project, I’ve never done much toward that end ( in all my spare time ). But having heard about my friend’s roots, I’m once again inspired to learn about my lineage.   Plus, I’m convinced that this friend and I must be distant cousins since we both have relatives from the Ozarks – could those roots stretch all the way back to France? Maybe that would explain why I’m such a Francophile.

Several years before my grandmother passed away, I asked her to write down the birth dates and deaths of as many relatives a she could remember. But even she could only recall four or five generations. I wish I had time to take up the project, but since I don’t, my goal is to busy my father with solving the puzzle of our past.

Have you ever traced your family tree or do you know of anyone who has? Any interesting findings?  Any good tips on how to start the process and what to expect along the way?

Once upon a time, in a life that now seems far, far away, I used to be an artist. I’ve always been a writer, but art was something I did just for me. That was before I had a family and the responsibilities of being one of the grown-ups in the house. For many years, art took a back burner to life’s other demands.

Recently, I’ve dusted off that passion and allowed myself time to dabble in photography and art journaling between deadlines. Julia Cameron, author of THE ARTIST’S WAY (a book for creative souls be they writers, painters, musicians, dancers…), insists one must make weekly “artist dates” with oneself in order to refill the creative well. Ideally, these dates are done solo and can be as short as an hour. It can be an outing to a place, shop or restaurant you’ve never been to, or it can be time set aside to dance or paint or bird watch.  While I haven’t been able to take myself out weekly, I have made an effort to treat myself more often than I have in the past.   It’s amazing how energizing and refreshing the dates have been. Even though it might have been time away from the computer, it was definitely time well spent.

I wanted to share the fruit of some of my Artist Dates…my photography. But first, I wanted to ask you: If you were to take yourself on an Artist Date, where would you go?

I have four Special Editions coming out in 2012. All of them are set in Texas: three are in a
fictional town outside of Dallas (I’m calling it Celebration, Texas). The other one is part of the popular Fortunes of Texas series and it’s set in the fictional town of Red Rock,Texas, which is supposedly 20 miles east of San Antonio.

It’s the first time I’m writing about Texas. I’m excited to be spending so much virtual time there because a have quite a bit of family in the Dallas area. I’m vaguely familiar with the state – enough to know it’s flavor, and, of course, I can call on my family with any questions.

In the past, I’ve set books in Orlando and Paris because I’m familiar with those cities.  The only real place I’ve written about that I’m not familiar with is Boston. It was part of a Special Edition continuity (I was one of six authors writing books for this series).  I actually visited before I finished the book so I could make sure I captured the essence of the city.

I’ve heard of authors writing on a wing and prayer, setting books in regions they’ve never visited. But I shy away from doing that because I strive to get everything exactly right. So, if I make up the city – it might even be a fictitious city based on an actual city – I feel better about taking artistic license and not being bound by maps and facts.

I have two questions for you: do you like reading books set in fictional places or imaginary worlds?   If you prefer actual cities, how much leeway to you give an author to fictionalize neighborhoods and the texture of the area?

Today, I’m deep in the last stretch of a deadline. So, my question for you is quick: if you could bring to life any character(s) from any book(s) who would it be? I’d love to meet Fitzwilliam Darcy, Jay Gatsby and Josephine March. Okay, your turn…

Today is Bastille Day, French Independence Day. In France, it’s known as La Fête Nationale, and celebrates the 1789 storming of the Bastille fortress-prison. Festivities and official ceremonies are going on all over France, including the oldest and largest military parade in Europe, which happens this morning in Paris down the Champs-Elysees.  In the spirit of the day, let’s have our own Bastille Day party. I’ll provide champagne, lemonade and apricot baked brie with French bread.  What would you like to bringing? Each person who posts will have a chance to win a signed copy of my book, “What Happens in Paris.” Enchanté!

When school was in session, my daughter had a great homework assignment for her psychology class called, “The Soundtrack to my Life.” She had to identify eight turning points in her life, chose a song that related to or reminded her of the turning point and explain why. It was a fascinating glimpse into her life.  She had so much fun doing it, she suggested I use the exercise for my blog.

We’re a musical family anyway, but when I read over the songs she selected and started thinking about the songs I would include in my soundtrack, it made me realize how profoundly music can transform and transport you back to specific times in your life.  Victor Hugo got it exactly right when he said, “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent.”

With that in mind, I’ll give you the eight songs from the soundtrack to my life. Will you please share yours? If you’re in a hurry, it doesn’t have to be eight songs – any number will do. In fact, if you’re up for presenting a double-disk compilation, go right ahead.  I think our life’s soundtrack is a work in progress.

The Soundtrack to Nancy’s life:

Morning Has Broken, by Cat Stevens – One of my earliest memories is of my father singing. He used to sing all the time. Still does. The first song that comes to mind is him singing Cat Steven’s Morning Has Broken. It always makes me smile and miss him.

Shake it up, by The Cars – Actually, whenever I hear anything by The Cars, it takes me right back to my high school days and makes me want to dance.  Those were the days. Gosh, it doesn’t seem like it what that long ago.

La Isla Bonita, by Madonna – A few years after high school, I met a guy… He wasn’t the guy, but at the time I thought he was. The minute I saw him the world tilted and I fell head-over-heels. When we broke up (about four years later) I thought I’d never get over him. I did, and not too long afterward, I did meet Mr. Right…Well, actually, I met and married Mr. Thompson. Still, I must confess, when I hear this song it transports me back to another time. ** Note to my husband: It’s only a song and a very distant memory.

All I Ask of You, by Sarah Brightman and Cliff Richard – Which brings me to the song that reminds me of my husband. It was supposed to be our first dance at our wedding, but a few days before the big day, the string quartet we’d booked to play informed us that they didn’t know it and, of course, there was no time to learn it. Never fear, some good friends of ours who are opera singers came to the rescue and sang it for us during the ceremony. They did such a beautiful job, I turned to my husband and whispered, “I want to clap.” He answered, “I know.” But by that time the minister had moved on with the wedding. I wish we would’ve clapped.

Amazing Grace – This one reminds me of my mother passing away. I always tear up when I hear it.

I Hope You Dance – by Lee Ann Womack.  Although, this song came out several years after my daughter was born. It’s everything I wish for her.

Mad World, by Gary Jules with Michael Andrews – It’s been a tough year for my family and me. Last week, we lost my step-mother (to whom I was very close) and tomorrow will be the year anniversary of my sister-in-law’s death. It’s been a year of heartbreak and change. Never before has it been clearer that life is fleeting and precious. Through it all, I’ve realized how important it is to make the most of every moment we have with our loved ones, especially when life seems to spin at a mad pace.  This song speaks to the shades of blue that have colored my life lately.

That’s Life by Frank Sinatra – Well, I can’t end this post on a downer. So, last, but not least, I wanted to  share my theme song for my writing career. Actually, I guess it’s sort of my personal anthem. The lyrics are self-explanatory: “You’re riding high in April, Shot down in May, but I know I’m gonna change that tune, when I’m back on top, back on top in June.” Doesn’t that just sum up a writer’s life?

What are some of the songs that would be on the sound track to your life?

I just got back from a plotting retreat at the beach with sister Jaunty Quill Cindy Kirk and SuperRomance author, Kathleen O’Brien. We spent four uninterrupted days collectively plotting our books, helping each other iron out the kinks in the story. The stories all three of us worked on had been brewing in the recesses of our imagination for a while, but for one reason or another we were having a hard time fleshing them out solo. It was hard work, but it was also wonderful, refreshing and creative. I came home recharged and empowered, ready to pound out a proposal for a new women’s fiction book.

I missed my family, but the chance to get away and immerse myself in creative work is one of my very favorite things about being a writer.  Over the course of those four days magic happened. We sequestered ourselves in the condo, working from about 9 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. We took breaks only to eat, sleep and freshen up for each new day. We did take a couple of head-clearing walks on the beach and, well, okay, I’ll fess up: Tuesday night we tuned in to watch the American Idol finale… But other than that we stayed focused, worked hard and emerged with the prize of brand new, fully-formed plots.

It’s amazing how total immersion and the power of creative minds can produce magic. I hope each of us will soon have good news to report about the fate of those newly minted stories.

In the meantime, here are some pictures I took while we were at the beach.

This is the car loaded with computers, supplies and provisions. It may not look like it, but it took strategic packing to make everything everything fit.

This is Cindy and me on one of those refreshing walks.

Low tide. The water was a perfect 77 degrees.

The next three were taken from the condo balcony with a special effects camera on my phone:

Writing this post made me wonder: How do you tackle a problem when you feel too close to the situation (as we three were too close to our stories to work out the problems alone) or it seems too big for you to solve on your own?

It’s been a while since we’ve played a round of “What’s On My Desk?”  I thought it would be fun to do that today.  So, step right this way. The writing cave is open and the tour is about to begin…

Let’s start with an overview of my desk. This is where I report to work every day.

If you’ll look at the far left corner, that’s where I keep my stash of Post-It notes. Can’t live without them. I use them for everything: lists; reminders (see notes stuck to computer monitor); daily page-goal trackers – I write the pages I want to complete and cross them off as I go (it’s a very sophisticated system ); and notes to go back and check/incorporate after the first draft of my manuscript is finished. Wish I owned stock in the company that makes them.

Next to that is my family gallery. The photo in the silver frame is a picture of my mom when she was in nurses’ training. The quill pen and ink pot were a Christmas present from my husband. It’s one of my favorite gifts ever.

Moving to the center… My computer’s screen saver is the cover of my historical women’s fiction novel, “With Violets,”  written as Elizabeth Robards. Below that, the silver “N” is a paper weight my daughter gave me (another favorite gift); to the right is a charm of the Eiffel Tower; next to it are two “good luck charms”… a silver medallion embossed with a quill pen  and a piece of blue glass (my favorite color) etched with the word “dream.”

See that pink Post-It on the far right? That’s a little note my daughter left for me. I cherish it.

Haha! Please note the time on my computer monitor (upper right corner of the photo). My muse keeps the oddest office hours.

To the right of the computer is my TBR/Journal pile:

The first three are books in the 2011 Harlequin Special Edition series “The Fortunes of Texas…Lost and Found.” I’m thrilled to be one of six authors writing a book for the 2012 “Fortunes of Texas… Whirlwind Romance” series. My book is tentatively titled “An Unexpected Fortune.” It’ll be book five in the series, released in May 2012. Next on the pile is “Simple Abundance;” three journals I use for different purposes: the first is a fun one called “Wreck This Journal,” – it encourages the owner to “creatively destroy” the book by wreaking havoc in ways such as cracking the spine, standing on a certain page and leaving a footprint, and spilling coffee on a subsequent page. It’s all in an effort to encourage creative breakthroughs. I’m working up the nerve to wreck it… Hmm… the results might be a post for another day. The next journal – the one that says “Agenda” on the spine, is a gorgeous book I found in my favorite store, Anthropologie. It’s my art journal – a place where I can draw, paint, collage, and attempt other artistic endeavors sans the fear of other’s judgment. In other words, what happens in the art journal, stays in the art journal. But who knows, maybe one day I’ll get the nerve to share. Under that, the green journal with colorful polka dots is my actual journal. It’s where I write thoughts and ideas. Beneath that is a sweet book my hubby gave me: “The Twelve Teas of Inspiration.” He found it in a little tea shop in North Carolina and knew I’d love it since I’m a tea drinker. The last two are cookbooks (yes, I read cookbooks!): Alice Waters’ “The Art of Simple Food,” and “Bake! Essential Techniques for Perfect Baking.” The baking book is both fun and dangerous. When I sat down at my desk the other morning, I decided I couldn’t work until I’d made a batch of biscuits. Gotta feed the muse. Or so she says.

Now, let’s move to the far right side of the desk:

First, there’s the cool Eiffel Tower mug my friend Caroline gave me (completing my trilogy of favorite gifts); next to that is a mini chest of drawers in which I stash all sorts of treasures and office supplies. That yellow thing hanging from one of the drawers is an origami monkey my daughter made for me. On top of the chest, I keep a tin of Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Crème (the best stuff in the world), there’s a red marble heart that a dear friend gave me (oh, gosh, make that a quartet of favorites); and I always have at least two tubes of Burt’s Bees lip balm within reach (I guess you can’t really see those things in the photo, but they’re always present). Directly in front of the chest (that small, square object) is a tiny music box that plays “Moon River.” It’s one of those little gizmos with a crank handle. I like to play with it when I’m stuck in the middle of a scene. It usually pulls me out of the mire. Then, there’s my mouse pad with writer’s a pep talk: “I am a writer. I will finish this book because I have the skill, talent, energy, and courage to do so. And when the demons of self-doubt rear their ugly heads, I will shout them down with words. Because I am a writer.” If that fails, I go back to cranking out “Moon River.” Next to that is my “Words Are The Voice of The Heart” coaster and a little yellow glass dish with French writing on it : Petit Cours Botanique, which, according to Altavista Translator, means “Small Botanical Course.” Finally, in front of that is the folder with my notes and charts and outline for my work in progress.

Before you leave, I’d like to introduce you to my officemate, Marie. She has a little bed in the office. When she’s not sleeping or yowling at me for food (not biscuits) and attention, she masquerades as my muse. But don’t tell my dog, Samantha, because she thinks SHE’S my muse. Then they’ll fight. Seriously, they’re worse than children and I love them both that much.

This has been fun! Thanks for stopping by.

When I was young, my mother used to bake the most delicious red velvet cakes. Even the icing was from scratch.  She’d stack them high and sprinkle them with flaky coconut.  It was heaven on a plate. Mostly, she made them for special occasions like birthdays and Valentine’s Day, but every once in a while she’d surprise us and made one just because. Maybe that’s why I always associate red velvet cake with comfort, happiness and love.

I’ve drawn on this memory to inspire my work-in-progress.  In this book (part one of a trilogy centered around a catering company), a red velvet cake changes the course of my heroine’s life and sets her career on the road to culinary success.

The book has made me a little nostalgic. I was wondering do you associate certain foods you with good memories? If so, what are they?

WARNING: Royal buzz-kill ahead

I love weddings. The April 29^th nuptials of Prince William and Catherine Middleton are no exception. It’s a real-life fairytale playing out in living color right before our eyes. It’s the age-old tale of commoner-girl meets a boy who happens to be a prince. Friendship grows into romance; romance blossoms into happily ever after.  Sounds like the stuff of romance novels, doesn’t it?

As does the fact that Kate Middleton is the first non-aristocrat to marry into the British royal family in 350 years. Some reports have even gone so far as to say she may actually “save” the royal family. Whatever that means…

I’d venture a guess that most romance readers and writers – myself included – are captivated by the wildly romantic notion of a commoner becoming a princess. And why not?  The girl gets her prince; she could become queen; to-die-for jewelry is part of the uniform; and she gets the perfect wedding – the kind most of us only dream of. In fact, there’s been much ado about the details of this storybook day: her dress, the flowers, the cake, the wedding route, carriage or Rolls Royce… or both, the guest list – from which our own President Obama has apparently been omitted. However, from what I’ve read, this wasn’t a royal snub. It was simply because security to protect him and the first lady is too expensive. To make it up to him, President and Mrs. O and their two daughters are invited to visit the Queen in late May and spend three days as her guests at Buckingham Palace. Not a bad conciliation prize, huh?

Yeah – Slam on breaks here. State visit or not, reading about security issues was the pin that popped my royal bubble. After that, I happened across legions of articles that offered a reality-check (or buzz-kill, if you will) about what the life of a modern princess actually entails.

In addition to throngs of ever-present security teams (so much for secretly slipping out to the Twisty-Treat to satisfy that ice cream craving), there’s a lot of pressure on Kate and William to get right what Charles and Diana did so disastrously wrong. Kate and William are off to a good start since they seem to be genuinely in love. However, the demands were evident when William placed Diana’s famous sapphire engagement ring on his bride-to-be’s finger. I don’t know… wouldn’t that feel like an awfully heavy weight to lug around? Seems like it would be a constant reminder of the tragedy that befell Diana.  Perhaps ghosts are part of the royal package?

Like Diana, Kate and William will sacrifice their right to privacy. They will pledge allegiance to the royal “family brand” first. Their life as a couple, and ultimately a family, will take a backseat. Kate, who was not raised in the public eye, must be “on” 24/7, presenting her most perfect self around the clock. Forget venturing out with sunglasses and a pony tail. It’s full makeup and coiffure from this day forward – and don’t forget the hat. Heaven forbid she chew gum in public or find herself overcome with an uncontrollable urge to laugh at an inappropriate moment, or let slip a dainty “hiccup” (because princesses do not suffer gas bubbles – that would be vulgar and much too common. The media would never forgive her).

Kate has quit her job with her parents’ party supply company to devote heart and soul to her new career as princess (and I must laud her platform on bully-prevention – she says she was bullied while in school and wants to put an end to others suffering the same humiliation). Speaking of bullies, perhaps she can use the awareness she will generate to influence her in-laws: one news article claimed Kate will likely never again enjoy Christmas lunch with her parents because in-laws are not invited to share holiday festivities at the palace. Hmm… if that’s true, and her anti-bullying stance doesn’t work, perhaps Wills and Kate, being the new “modern royals,” could affect change. Surely Queen Elizabeth could squeeze in two place settings for Mum and Dad Middleton.

Pondering this, my thoughts shift to what it would be like to never again have Christmas dinner with my daughter. Since I’m married, I can’t help but wonder what if my daughter met and fell in love with a prince? Sure, it’s far-fetched, but it could happen. Kate has paved the way, and Harry is still eligible. Would I wish this life on my daughter? It sure seems the Middletons might have mixed feelings. On one hand, since Kate will likely one day become the Queen of England, their little girl will become an important thread in the tapestry of British history. That’s huge. She’ll take her place next to Victoria and Elizabeth and… Anne Boleyn. We all know what happened to poor Anne Boleyn, whose only crimes were ambition and falling head-over-heels for her beloved Henry. Okay, time for another royal reality-check … Obviously Anne Boleyn’s crimes were debatable, and, at best, she wasn’t exactly the innocent bystander.

No disrespect to Catherine Middleton, because she seems the picture of poise and perfectly cut out for the job, but I wouldn’t want the life for which she is signing on. Nor would I wish it on my daughter – not for the crown jewels of England.  I prefer to live out my princess dreams on the pages of my novels.

Will I watch the royal nuptials? You bet I will. I’ll put on my blinders and block out the realities of what it really means to trade one’s commoner card for life on the throne. I’ll sigh over Kate’s beauty and the love that will be surely be apparent in William’s eyes. I hope he cries when he sees her. I love it when the groom is so overcome with love it moves him to tears. See, I’m already getting swept away…

How about you? Would you want to be a princess? Will you watch the royal wedding? Do you like stories about aristocrats falling in love with commoners? I’ll give away a copy of my book, “Accidental Princess,” to one person who posts about anything royal. Or if you already have that book, just let me know and I’ll send you something else.