Bonus Material from the Nebraska Series Page 15

  Vivian: ID 16570332 © Elena Rostunova | Dreamstime.com

  ***

  Interview with Rick Johnson (Hero in Her Heart’s Desire)

  ….With a Surprise Guest *wink*

  (Blog post made on 11/9/2011)

  Ruth: At long last I am finally able to interview Rick Johnson. Hiya, Rick! Thanks for being patient with me as I made posts to update what’s going on with my books–those about ready for publication and those I’m writing the first drafts on.

  Rick: You still need to update the Goals for 2012 page.

  Ruth: Oh yes. I will do that after I finish with this interview.

  Rick: I notice my book’s publication date has been moved to May 1 instead of March 1.

  Ruth: Well, yes. Dave and Mary are rather persistent, especially Dave, who made a deal with me that he’d finish up Isaac’s Decision to my liking if I put in more than two bedroom scenes for him and Mary in To Have and To Hold. He’s a tough negotiator.

  Rick: Too bad I wasn’t in Isaac’s Decision long enough to give you a hard time. Otherwise, my book would still be in the March time slot.

  Ruth: *shrugs* It wasn’t intentional, Rick. It just sort of happened. I’ve worked with Dave and Mary before in Eye of the Beholder. I know them better than I know you.

  Rick: Well, you certainly give lots of scenes to Sally. In fact, it seems like she’s popping up in every single book you write for the Nebraska series.

  Ruth: That’s not true. She wasn’t in A Bride for Tom, A Husband for Margaret, or His Redeeming Bride. Besides, I don’t see what you’re complaining about. Since you’re married to her, you usually tag along.

  Rick: Well, that’s just it, isn’t it? All I ever do it tag along. It’s like I’m only around because I married her. I’m like “the man behind the woman”. I’m an afterthought.

  Ruth: That isn’t true. You have your own book.

  Rick: Where you make me look like a fool. I mean, seriously? Ethel Mae doesn’t want to be with me, which I’m too dumb to see. So they have Sally make up this stupid plan where she talks me into pretending to like her in order to make Ethel Mae jealous. That is so lame. It’s the weakest plot I’ve ever seen you write. An Inconvenient Marriage might be horrifying because of your glaring historical inaccuracies, but at least you had a good plot, even if it was ridiculous that the hero didn’t know how to ride a horse. *rolls eyes*

  Ruth: I didn’t know you read my other books.

  Rick: Well, I had my assistant read it and tell me what happened. Romances aren’t my thing. No offense.

  Ruth: Is it painful for you to be in a romance book when you don’t like them?

  Rick: I’d rather be reading law books.

  Ruth: Would you rather be living in a book more in line with what a man would want to read?

  Rick: Goodness no. That would put me in some weird thriller where you’d probably mark me as the serial killer out of spite. On top of that, you’d probably get the laws and police procedures wrong. I mean, if you think women wore as many clothes as Mary does from all the sewing she does and that men concerned themselves with women’s feelings all the time when it wasn’t cool to be ‘sensitive’, then I can only imagine how you’d butcher a thriller.

  Ruth: Rick, there’s something you don’t understand. Romance is a fantasy. It’s about two people finding each other and falling in love despite the obstacles–

  Rick: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever. I have nothing against fantasy, but let a bit of realism slip into the plot from time to time, okay?

  Ruth: Well, I could have you botch up your chances of having sex on your wedding night because of a joke you think will be funny, and Sally’s response will be realistic enough to send you to the couch.

  Rick: How is that romantic?

  Ruth: It’s not, but you have this crazy notion that you shouldn’t be in tune with her feelings since being ‘sensitive’ is so ‘future’. You’re the one who goofs up, and since you don’t understand the very nature of romance, I think you’ll totally blow your chances.

  Rick: We’ll see. If Sally is that much in love with me, she’ll have sex with me on our wedding night.

  Ruth: You’re so cute. Keep thinking that, pal. We’ll see whether you can pull it off or not because no matter what the time period, women don’t want to be played for a fool.

  Rick: Who’s fooling who? I just found out Ethel Mae, her sister Vivian, and Sally have been lying to me about Samuel Dixon, who is supposed to be the man Ethel Mae can’t resist. But he doesn’t even exist.

  Samuel: Finally! I was wondering when you two would stop bickering so I could make my grand entrance.

  Rick: Who are you?

  Samuel: Allow me to introduce myself. I am Samuel Dixon, and I assure you, Rick, that I do exist.

  Ruth: What? For real?

  Rick: As if you didn’t know, Ruth!

  Ruth: Hey, I’m just as blown away as you are, Rick. I never intended to bring in Samuel when I started the book.

  Samuel: I decided to pop in. The plot needed a neat twist, don’t you think?

  Rick: No, I don’t think it did. Just what kind of character are you anyway? You’re walking around in sunglasses in a suit without shoes on and… Don’t tell me you’re missing a shirt!

  Samuel: I have a shirt. It just isn’t buttoned up like yours. I’m not uptight like you are.

  Rick: Uptight? I’m not uptight.

  Samuel: As if! It wouldn’t kill you to relax and enjoy the story as it plays out.

  Ruth: Samuel, I like you already.

  Samuel: Yes, I like myself, too.

  Rick: Why am I not surprised?

  Samuel: I almost feel sorry for you, Rick. Here you are, stressing out over the small stuff when the world has so much fun to offer. Just let it roll off your back. So what if the ladies lied? We all know you’re going to end up with Sally since you’re married to her in the other Nebraska books. Obviously, Ethel Mae can’t be interested in you.

  Rick: And she’s interested in you?

  Samuel: She doesn’t even know I exist, so how can she? *grins wickedly* At least, she doesn’t know me yet.

  Rick: Figures. I get stuck in a lame book with a conceited jerk who thinks he’s so great in his “relaxed” attire.

  Samuel: I’m having fun. For your information, I’m on my way to California. I’m going to start a chain of hotels out there. Watch out, Bill Gates. Here I come!

  Rick: Bill Gates wasn’t alive in 1868, and he doesn’t manage hotels.

  Samuel: Oh. Well, then watch out Henry Ford!

  Rick: Think earlier in history.

  Samuel: Did they have movies back then? You know, the ones without sound?

  Rick: I am so screwed. I am the hero in a book written by an inept author who thinks she’s clever by creating Samuel who doesn’t even know how to put his shoes on or button his shirt. I’m going to be the laughingstock of all romance heroes everywhere.

  Ruth: Oh Rick, the point to this book is for Sally to get her romance. When I think of it, you really are an “in the shadows” kind of character. I mean, you’re there, but you play no significant role.

  Rick: I’ve had enough. Bring me in again for another interview, and I just might have you arrested and brought to court. I’m a judge and can lock you away forever.

  Ruth: I think they have computer access in prison, so I could still write books.

  Rick: Not in my time they don’t! And you better not add that Sally’s going to vote for a president or something because women didn’t vote back then either.

  Ruth: Well, Rick. Who knew you had it in you to be so feisty? I love characters with attitude.

  Rick: *grumbles and leaves*

  Samuel: I think I’ll pay Ethel Mae a visit. Who knows? She might be a looker. *takes off in his Mustang*

  Ruth: Hmm… I hope he doesn’t drive up to her house in that thing. I’m sure I told him to walk in the book synopsis I gave him.

  Photo credits:

  Samuel who is the complet
e opposite of Rick: ID 7951669 © Sandra Kemppainen | Dreamstime.com

  ***

  A Conversation With Sally Larson and Rick Johnson

  (Heroine and Hero in Her Heart’s Desire)

  (Posted on 02/03/2012)

  Well, everything in Her Heart’s Desire was going along just fine, and I’m at the part where Rick is about to surprise Sally. The problem? I don’t know what to do after that. I don’t want to end the book below the 65,000-word mark. Currently, I’m a little over 38,000 words. I can get to 40,000 words without any problem, but after that, my mind is going to draw a blank. I have two options. I can go back and see if anything can be filled in or, and this is why I brought these wayward characters in, figure something out to reach the 65,000-word goal. So today, I’m bringing them in for an interview to see if we can get something going.

  Sally: Hey there, Ruth. You caught me at a good time. I just finished a fun-filled day of shopping. Look, you shouldn’t be stressing out over what will happen. Haven’t you been writing enough stories by now to know that the characters have a way of letting you know what to do when you get the next scene?

  Ruth: Usually, the characters have enough consideration to tell me what they want to happen further out than a chapter in advance.

  Sally: But if Rick and I told you everything ahead of time, where would the fun be? You always say you write by the seat of your pants. You never outline, you never map out plots, or work on character backgrounds ahead of time. You never even have more than a one-sentence summary of the book before you dive right into it. You should be used to this spontaneous stuff by now.

  Ruth: I can’t outline or do plot points because the characters always change the story on me. Usually by chapter 3, the book looks nothing like what I originally planned. As for mapping out characters, you guys evolve in ways I never anticipate.

  Sally: Then it seems that you shouldn’t be complaining. Just write, and I’ll tell you what to do next.

  Rick: You meant to include me, too, right Sally?

  Sally: What?

  Rick: When you said, “Just write, and I’ll tell you what to do next,” you meant, “Just write, and Rick and I’ll tell you what to do next.”

  Sally: Oh, well, okay. Sure.

  Rick: Sally.

  Sally: I mean both of us. This is our book. Not only mine.

  Rick: Hmmm…

  Ruth: Rick, something you should learn about women is that they often let the man think they came up with an idea. So basically, your job is to do what Sally wants, but you’re supposed to think it’s your idea, if that makes sense. It’s called female logic.

  Sally: Ruth, it’s rude of you to suggest I’d manipulate Rick like that. Just for that, I’m returning the gift I bought you.

  Ruth: You’re a fictional character, Sally. You didn’t buy anything I can actually use.

  Rick: And where did you get this money to go shopping? You’re a farmer’s daughter. Aren’t you too poor to be buying all that stuff?

  Sally: But I’m going to marry you, and you have enough.

  Rick: How are you spending my money?

  Sally: It’s called credit. Don’t worry. I told them to charge your account.

  Rick: You what!

  Sally: Oh come on, Rick. Would you really have me going around town as a judge’s wife in the worn-out dresses I had to wear on the farm? People are likely to think you don’t take good care of me. I have to dress nicer now that I married up. I’m really doing this for you. People will think you’re an awesome man because you take such good care of your wife.

  Rick: Well, maybe…

  Sally: Not maybe. Definitely. I’m doing this for you, sweetie. I want people to know how wonderful you are.

  Rick: *blushes* That’s thoughtful of you.

  Sally: You’re welcome. I’ll do anything for you.

  Ruth: You’re right, Sally. You don’t manipulate Rick at all. *rolls eyes*

  Rick: She doesn’t manipulate everything. I have a trick or two up my sleeve that will catch her off guard.

  Sally: *raises eyebrow* Oh?

  Rick: I’m not at liberty to say what I’m going to do.

  Ruth: I already know what you’re going to do, but depending on how Sally will react to it, I have no idea if the story can keep going or not, so I hope you have a plan for whether she’s happy with you or not.

  Rick: I can’t predict how she’s going to react, so no, I don’t have a plan.

  Ruth: You need to think of what you’ll do in either scenario. What will you do if she’s happy? What will you do if she’s pissed off?

  Rick: I just figured she’d be happy since she’s been in love with me from page 1.

  Sally: *gasps* Ruth, I can’t believe you told him!

  Ruth: Don’t blame me, Sally. I didn’t tell him anything.

  Rick: Ruth’s right. She didn’t tell me.

  Sally: Then who did?

  Rick: Sorry. My lips are sealed. I can’t tell you.

  Sally: I don’t know if I like this side of you, Rick. Here I thought we had a relationship built on communication and transparency.

  Ruth: In other words, you thought you had to know everything Rick was thinking and doing while he didn’t have to know what you were thinking and doing.

  Sally: I believe you finished up your word count today for Her Heart’s Desire. It’s 9pm. I think it’s time you did your word counts for Mitch’s Win and Bound by Honor Bound by Love.

  Ruth: You’d better figure out what to do in the story, Sally. I’ve got at least 25,000 more words to write. I can’t do any more novellas. I need it to be a full-length novel.

  Sally: Stop stressing and get out of here.

  Ruth: *sigh* If you can’t give me something, then I’m putting your story on hold until I come up with something good. And please, Rick, come up with a plan on what you’ll do if she’s happy or unhappy with you after you pull your big stunt.

  Sally: What stunt?

  Rick: You’ll find out when Ruth writes it.

  Sally: Ruth?

  Ruth: Sorry. Off to log in my word counts on the other two books I’m working on. *scurries off*

  Photo credits:

  Sally the shopper: ID 21646132 © Syda Productions | Dreamstime.com

  A Call For the Boycott All Started With an Innocent Letter

  (Posted on February 23, 2012)

  This post was done for fun. When I was a high school student, I learned about Greek myths, and my favorite was the one of Hades and Persephone. I fancied the idea that these two fell in love and lived happily ever after. This led me to co-write a book about them with my good friend Stephannie Beman. I finished the first draft then headed it over to her to work on. In the course of this time, Stephannie developed plans to expand the series based off other Greek myths.

  Since I decided I didn’t want my backlist to accumulate with a lot of Greek myths, I decided to release my part of the book to her. So she is now the full copyright owner of the book, My Lord Hades.