Rebecca Goings is a wonderful author who has delighted readers with her exceptional stories, captivating characters and the lush settings of all her books! A new author at Samhain, she has a new series coming soon called Legends of Mynos, The Wolverine and the Rose.  This series book releases in February 2007. She also has a Hearts Series with the first book called Hearts Eternal available now from Samhain, as well as many more in her bookshelf.

Welcome Ms. Goings to Love Romances and More. I am looking forward to talking to you today about your work, your writing and anything else I can think of. J Please tell us a little bit about what you do when not writing. 

Goodness, when I’m not writing, I’m running around the house trying to clean it.  :P  I also take my kids to Karate classes three days a week, as well as a French class one day a week, so I’m all over the place.  Dinner is usually thrown together at the last minute.  I rarely know what we’re having that night and by 6pm, I’m in the kitchen, frantically digging through recipe books.  This is because I spend all of my free time on the computer either writing and/or promoting.  J 

How long have you been writing? What inspired you to pick the pen up one day and create characters that capture the imagination? 

I’ve been writing since I was seven years old.  Professionally, since January of 2005, so two years.  I’ve always been a “dreamer”, so I loved making up my own stories and illustrating them.  When I was a young teen, I wrote some short stories and poems.  I was more into poetry than anything, though.  But when I was 12, I read my first romance.  Not only did I learn a lot about sex from that book (lol), I realized that was what I wanted to write.  I loved the tension, the happy ending, all of it.  I had such a good feeling after reading the ending of a romance, that I wanted to give others that same feeling.  However I also believe I wrote stories as a way to “escape” my childhood, since I was a lonely kid.  My parents divorced when I was 12 and my sister went off to college.  My father worked the swing shift at the Reno Hilton (we lived in Nevada at the time), and so he was always gone when I got home from school.  He didn’t come home from work until after I was in bed.  So I was alone most evenings from the ages of 12 to 18.  I’m amazed I didn’t turn into a rebellious kid.  I could have done ANYTHING I wanted and my parents would have been none the wiser.  But I chose to write, giving my heroines a man to love.  Perhaps it stems a bit from my own need to be loved as a kid.  Sad, I know.  **sniffle** 

What influenced you to get published? How long did it take for your first book to get published? 

I started writing my very first novel in 1996.  I finished it in 2004.  After eight long years, I was so dang happy, I was ready to shop that bad boy around!  :D  I was bitten by the “submission” bug and I sent it to three big New York houses, all of which rejected it.  Then I heard about epublishing, and sent the book to New Age Dimensions who snatched it up and published it in November of 2005.  But by February of 2006, they folded.  L  I had the book back in my hands, and once I got accepted by Samhain for HEARTS ETERNAL, I submitted the book to them and they contracted me about two months later.   

I’m talking about THE WOLVERINE AND THE ROSE, of course.  J  It’s releasing from Samhain on February 13, 2007, and I have no fear of Samhain folding.  This book has found its permanent home, so all told, it took me three years to get my very first book published and in bookstores (later this year).  However, while I was waiting for that book to be published, many many more were accepted along the way.  J 

What do you think is the biggest misconception in erotic romance fiction? 

Well, I don’t write erotic romance, more sensual.  But I really hate the connotation with “porn”.  My hubby frequently makes fun of the romance genre, but men don’t “get it”.  Sure, hot sex will sell a book, as women love to fantasize.  But the focus is the romance, not the sex.  The sex is a perk of a book, not the focus.  So when someone says romance is porn, it makes me want to slap them for being hypocrites when they watch a rated “R” movie. 

What makes your characters so vulnerable yet strong? Can you describe them to us? What do you do when characters stop talking to you when writing? 

My characters all have flaws.  Just like real people.  However, they don’t go shouting those flaws to everyone.  Usually, only the hero and heroine (and the reader) get to really see inside of themselves to see their vulnerabilities.  My favorite books to write (and also to read) is a tougher-than-life and/or sexier-than-hell hero who is brought to his knees by his heroine, by either realizing he cannot live without her or that he’s madly in love with her.  IN YOUR ARMS was just such a book.  Marcus is so tortured by what he’s done in his past, that he literally unravels in the book.  It’s not often you read about a hero that sobs in a book, but Marcus did, and I don’t believe that makes him any less of a “man”.  In fact, it makes him more so, in my opinion, for being able to acknowledge there is a problem and admit it to his heroine.  Ah, I love that story. 

When my characters stop talking, I either stop to brainstorm, talk things over with my crit partner(s), or write down a bunch of ideas that could happen.  Most of the time, though, I have to get my butt in the chair and write.  Even if it’s crap, I can always edit it later.  But I’ve found when I force myself to write, I can usually get my creative juices flowing again.  It’s just hard finding the motivation to actually put my butt in the chair…  heheheh 

What about the heroines for these strong, determined heroes? What makes them equal to the heroes and capture the heart of one of these alpha males? 

My heroines are usually extensions of myself.  I don’t think I could ever write a book about a heroine who was a “Rambo” type.  I’ve read books with kick-ass heroines, and I guess I’m just not a “Bombshell” kinda gal.  :P  My heroines are strong in a different way.  They are there for their heroes, giving them a soft place to fall, and that’s what makes them so alluring.  My heroines give my heroes a chance to stop and have some peace.  I’ve written my fair share of tortured heroes.  So what they crave is that gentleness that stems from the heroine, and the love they offer.  But this doesn’t mean my heroines are weak and too stupid to live.  LOL They want to take care of their men and they stand up for them no matter the cost to themselves.   This also attracts the hero, because usually, NO ONE has ever stuck their neck out for these men their entire lives, and they’re intrigued just enough to want to know why the woman would do that for them.     

When a new book comes out, have you ever been nervous over readers’ reaction to it? How much does reader reaction mean to you as an author? What do you hope readers get from your books? 

Yes, I get very nervous!  The “new book” syndrome doesn’t get easier no matter how many books you have.  Neither does the submission process, really.  I still get nervous over that too.  But I’ve found reader’s reactions mean more to me than a 5 star review.  I know there are certain reviewers who love my stuff and actively seek out my books when they’re posted, so obviously they’ll give me good marks.  But what matters more to me is the random fan mail of “I loved your book!” or the comment on my author loop that might say the same.  These are the people I love to quote, because they’re the ones who spread word of mouth.  I never became an author for the money.  In fact, I have yet to become rich off of this gig.  **taps foot impatiently**  :P  Honestly, my reward is making people happy and letting them escape into my imagination for awhile.   

What is your writing process? Do you outline, fly by the seat of your pants or a combination of both? Do you use mood music, candles, no noise, when you write? 

I do a combination of both outlining and flying by the seat of my pants.  Now that I have a few books behind me, I can sell a book now on proposal alone.  Scary thought, actually, getting a deadline before the book is even written…  But because of that, I usually need to have detailed notes and a synopsis written.  I have to have a general idea of where I want the book to go.  And I have scenes in my head of certain things that MUST be in the book.  However, how the character gets from A to B to C is all by the seat of my pants.  I just know I need to get to my plot goals.  Anything after that can be made up.  And that’s great, because it gives me freedom to change things or add things on the fly without totally messing up my plot (usually lol).   

If I had to have no noise, I’d never get anything done.  I live in a house with four small kids that I homeschool.  I have learned to tune them out, and most of the time, I need to have music to write just to get in the mood.  I try to have certain music for certain books.  I can’t listen to rock while writing a tender love scene, for example.  Then again, I can’t listen to soft love songs while writing a chase scene.  So I do have certain play-lists that I play over and over, since most all of my music is in my computer. 

What do you feel is the most important aspect for all new authors to remember when writing or creating their own stories? Any advice for aspiring authors? 

Learn what you can about writing, but don’t get bogged down with the “rules” of writing.  Just write your story.  That’s all I do.  Then I go back and edit it.  Obviously you need to know about point of view, voice, pacing, all that jazz.  But don’t let it daunt you.  Edit it to the best of your ability.  A publisher will be able to see through your editing snafus and see the great story underneath.  Maybe have a crit partner read your book as well to find any plot holes before you submit.  And don’t get offended if someone tells you that something is wrong with your book.  If you don’t have a thick skin now, you’ll never make it as a published author, especially when editors start asking you to re-write a few scenes.  LOL 

My advice would be don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot be a published writer.  Sure, it’s hard to break into the business.  But how did those successful authors do it?  They didn’t quit, that’s what they did.  I don’t care if it’s Mom & Dad, hubby, kids, sisters, brothers, or significant others.  I was even plagued with the “You’re just wasting your time” speech.  But I didn’t listen to that.  I was the ONLY one who believed in myself enough to keep pressing on.  If you don’t believe in yourself, no one will.  So don’t take that crap from anyone.  Keep on keepin’ on.  Your determination will pay off if you want it badly enough. 

The editing process is an important aspect of an authors’ life. How do you define the editing process for any of your books? Do you have a routine you follow when in editing mode? 

Edits aren’t really as hellish as everyone thinks they are.  Assuming I don’t have any big scenes to add/rewrite/or cut, I can usually get edits back to the editor within a day or two.  I don’t have a routine other than just getting it done.  I can’t stand sitting on edits.  I want the book done and out the door so I can start on the next.  Usually editing is merely editing certain sentences to read better, changing around their structure, and correcting grammar mistakes, as well as deleting unnecessary words such as “that, really, just, and so.” 

What is on tap for the rest of 2007? Do you have other WIP’s you want to get published? Can we get a taste of what is to come from you in the future? 

I have EIGHT books scheduled for release in 2007 between Champagne Books and Samhain Publishing.  I have two more books releasing in my popular B*E*A*S*T* series, all three books in my Legends of Mynos series, the second book in my Hearts series named HEARTS UNBOUND, a western entitled HIGH NOON, and a contemporary called PROMISE ME FOREVER. 

I have a bajillion WIP’s at the moment.  I have one specifically entitled HIS LADY’S DELIGHT, an historical romance on the high seas set in 1780 I want to query to an agent.  I’m frequently asked why I *don’t* write for New York, so I thought heck, maybe now that I’m somewhat successful in epublishing, why not try again?  Except this time, I’m going to get an agent.  I don’t want to sort out that mess on my own!  LOL 

Sure, I’ll give you a small taste of my high seas historical.  Just keep in mind this isn’t edited, but I’m claiming copyright.  J 

“I am sorry, my lady,” the man said, his attention elsewhere as she trotted after him.  “If you don’t have money for passage, I’ll have to leave you here.”

“But . . . but sir, I cannot stay in London.  You must take me to America!”

“You think sailing aboard my vessel is cheap, perhaps?” he said, tossing her a wry grin.  “I can assure you, it is not.  The voyage across the ocean is a long one, and with the addition of you, we’d need to procure more food and water than what we usually carry.  Where, pray tell, do you suppose I would acquire those things without your paying passage?”

Swallowing hard, Grace tried to concentrate, but the man’s grin was just too alluring.  Strange things were happening inside of her--a fluttering in her belly--and she knew not where it came from.  She shook her head, trying to ignore it.  Perhaps it was the air.

“There must be something I can do to make up for my lack of funds, sir,” she reasoned.  “Perhaps I could cook for you, or clean the deck . . .”

“I have a cook, lady, and my own men swab the deck.  Besides,” he said, whirling on her as she followed along behind him, “having a woman on board is bad luck.”

Her eyes widened at his sudden nearness, and she was finally able to tell the color of his eyes.  A light shade of bluish-green met hers, almost aquamarine in color.  His hair was sandy-blond, pulled back from his neck with a strap of leather.  Most men wore wigs, but not this one, and he was all the more handsome for it.  A straight nose graced his tanned face, and full lips pulled back, revealing his perfect teeth.

She suddenly wished she weren’t standing in front of him covered from head to toe in grime.  Even the suitors that had come to call on her before the riots were never as handsome as he.

“Please . . .” she whispered past the lump in her throat.

Leaning on one of the crates, he crossed his legs at the ankles and cleared his throat.

“What do you plan to do in the Colonies once you reach them, my lady?  If you have no money for safe passage, then whatever will you do once we disembark?” he asked mockingly.  “You are aware of the war that rages across the sea, are you not?”

“Of course I am!” Grace snapped.  “What I shall do is none of your concern, sir.  I am sure I will be able to find . . . work.”

Growing up the daughter of privilege, Grace tried her hardest not to flinch at that word.

“Have you ever worked a day in your life?”

Lifting her chin, she couldn’t quite stop the flush of color that bloomed on her cheeks.  “I can work, sir.  In truth, if you were to grant me passage, I could work for you, retrieve things for you, tidy your cabin . . .”

A sudden, unfamiliar light flared in his eyes, as if he just had a wonderful idea.  “You mean be my cabin boy?  Why dear girl, I already have one of those as well.”

Grace sighed in defeat and closed her eyes, fighting hard to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.  There was no hope for it.  This man was not going to grant her passage, whatever she suggested.

“However, my lady,” he suddenly said, his voice dropping an octave, “I can think of other ‘jobs’ you might be able to perform should you sail with the Delight.”

A ray of hope illuminated her dark heart.  “What, sir?  Please tell me!”

She licked her lips, and the man instantly noticed.  The heat from his gaze made her dizzy, and she wasn’t sure if her legs would be able to continue to sustain her weight if he stared at her much longer.

“For the entire voyage to America, you will act as my mistress, see to my every need, fulfill my every desire.  Only then, will I think on your request to accompany my crew to the Colonies.” 

© Rebecca Goings 

Did you ever expect your books to be so popular and receive such great reader response when you first started writing? 

I had hoped they would.  But I never “expected” it.  Even now, it’s hard to fathom when people say I’m “well known” or respected, even.  But I hate talking about myself because I’m not vain, not in the least.  In fact, I like to stay as humble as I can.  I’ll take people’s kudos with a grain of salt, because even if some people have heard of me, that doesn’t make me hot $#!t, you know?  I just like to write my stories, and my readers like to read them.  But being “in the spotlight” so to speak has given me perspective on what it’s like to be famous.  I’m not “famous”, at least, not yet.  :P  But I have gotten a taste of what it’s like.  I went to my local bookstore to sign the copies of my book they had in stock and *all* the employees came over to gawk at the author in the house.  Not to mention people who email me in a penitent way, as if worried their insignificant email might throw off my groove.  Heheh  But in reality, I’m just me, an average Jane with kids, a mortgage, and dirty dishes just like everyone else.  So “fame” and being “famous” is kind of a petty thing, really, and I can understand why some actors think the media frenzy is so stupid.  Because it really is. 

You have some great secondary characters in your books. Will we see spin offs in regards to them in their own storylines? Do you prefer writing series books over non series or does it matter? 

I actually have three series, and I’m thinking of starting a fourth with Shirley, the spoiled brat sister in my western IN YOUR ARMS.  I love writing about other characters, because it allows me to revisit that world and my characters.  THE WOLVERINE AND THE ROSE was supposed to be just one book.  But then I thought hey, I should do a series!  So I wrote two more books about the secondary Wolverine Knights.  My B*E*A*S*T* series was always meant to be a series, so secondaries with their own book was a given.  However my Hearts series was accidental, really.  I’d written a story about Laith Moreland in HEARTS ETERNAL, and I had such a strong reader reaction to Jareth Moreland, the villainous twin brother, that I decided to write his story as well.  And that was fun, redeeming a villain.  But I had no plans to write that until the fans begged me for it.  So fans, you do hold sway over what we authors write.  J 

Series are daunting, because you have to remember so much.  Just the other day, I realized the color of the car was wrong in the third B*E*A*S*T* book that I’ve started writing.  I had to go back and edit it, because that same car was in the second book, and readers will definitely pick up on a continuity error such as that.  So not only do you have to remember the plot, but you have to remember little things like the color of the car.  Gah! 

What do you think is the level of sensuality/heat in your books? What can readers expect from your books with respect to sexual content and sensuality? 

I stop just short of the erotic jargon.  I write anywhere from sweet (my Inpsies) to very sensual (book II of the B*E*A*S*T* series).  But I made a conscious choice long ago that I wouldn’t write those “hot” words.  I believe I can make the scene just as sexy without them.  Don’t get me wrong, I don’t write purple prose, either.  lol  If you’ve read one of my hotter books, you know what I mean.  Most of my “heat” comes from sexy talk, feelings, or some really great description.  :D 

In HEARTS ETERNAL, you introduce the readers to Laith Moreland, one sexy hero who made this reader drool over as well as his counterpart, Jareth, Laith’s twin brother. Two equally sensual men yet the opposite in everyway. Was there one thing that inspired you to tell this story? Do you have a favorite brother? What about the heroine they both love, Cassie Chapman? Who inspired this character? Is there any of your personality in her? 

I was on a forum for writers, before I was professionally published, complaining that there were no good ghost love stories on the market.  So someone challenged me to write my own.  I took them up on it.  I really don’t know where the twin brother ghost/vamp idea came from.  But I ran with it!  Laith came to me fully fleshed out, it was great.  Jareth was a little harder to grasp, but once I got him, he was pretty fun as well.  I have to say my favorite brother is Jareth.  Gotta love a bad boy.  Hehehe…  And like I said before, he was “saved” by my fans.  I wouldn’t have written his story, HEARTS UNBOUND, if they hadn’t tackled me.  J   

Yes, Cassie has some of me in her, just like all of my heroines.  No one inspired her per se.  But I loved the idea of a ghost falling for the reincarnation of his one true love of centuries past.  If you step back and try to explain the Hearts series, it’s really a complicated plot, especially after reading Jareth’s book.  That one is currently contracted by Samhain, but I do not have a release date for it.  I’m hoping for sometime this summer or fall. 

Do you prefer doing series books over non series books? Why or why not? How many series books do you have?  

I have great fun with series, so I’d have to say I love doing series over single books.  I love it because you get to revisit characters and settings again.  It’s kinda hard writing “The End” on a book you love.  But in a series, you can “see” these characters again. 

Currently, I have my Legends of Mynos, my B*E*A*S*T*, and my Hearts series.  So three.  But I’m planning on writing a fourth by writing a book for the “shrew” sister in IN YOUR ARMS.  J 

Mistletoe Magic is an anthology with Liz Hunter and Phyllis Campbell. What was it like to be in an anthology with these two authors? What is your story, Underneath the Mistletoe about? 

In a word, humbling.  J  These women are good friends of mine, so being in an anthology together was wonderful.  Phyllis Campbell is not only a good friend, she’s also one of my favorite authors, so it was a thrill.  UNDERNEATH THE MISTLETOE is a fun little story about totally different neighbors.  One hates the holiday (the heroine Faith) and one loves the holiday (the hero Jeremy).  And Jeremy has his sights set on Faith.  The entire novella is about him trying to get her to see things “his way”, and he wins her heart by donning a Santa suit.  It was great fun to write, and I wrote it with a light-hearted voice, so it’s an easy read.  This story was actually chosen as a finalist in the RIO Awards for Best Story in an Anthology of 2005.  J  I was stoked about rubbing shoulders with Robin D. Owens and Joanne Rock in that same category! 

Is there a genre you haven’t tried yet but want to? Which genre is your favorite to write about? 

I want to write a futuristic romance, with the flavor of the Firefly/Serenity ‘Verse.  I don’t want to write about sexy barbarian aliens…  I want to write a possible future of Earth, if we’d colonized the moons and planets of our solar system.  I have a great idea that just keeps getting pushed to the back burner.  I figure I’ll write it when I can’t ignore it anymore.  :P 

I LOVE to read and write westerns.  They’re my bread and butter.  I don’t have nearly enough of them.  In fact, once my paranormals are finished and out of the way, I’m going to be diving back into my westerns.  I just gotta.  I’m going through withdrawals.   

You have a new series coming from Samhain called Legend of Mynos with the first book, The Wolverine and the Rose, coming February 2007. Can you tell us a little about how this came about, what inspired you to write this one and what it’s about? How many books do you plan for this series? 

I’ve had the bare bones of this story with me since I was 13 years old.  I’d written some short stories about a mysterious “Crystal” that was protected by the elves and whatnot.  After I’d gotten married, my husband was into Dungeons and Dragons, a role-playing game.  I loved the fantasy feel of the game, and remembered my own fantasy stories of old.  So I busted them out and combed them for names and situations I could use for a “book” of my own.  I’d always wanted to be an author, and I thought heck, maybe I can do it with this one.  I even remember as a kid writing these stories and dreaming of their publication.  J 

So I began with a simple idea: a man giving a woman a blank scroll in a crowded marketplace.  It snowballed from there.  Why?  Who is he?   Who is she?  What’s on that scroll?  Why is it so important?  Who’s chasing him?  etc. etc. 

It’s hard to believe, reading the book now, that I had NO direction when I started writing it.  I wrote where the wind took me.  That’s probably why it took me eight years to finish.  lol   

It’s about a young farm girl who is swept into this epic adventure by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  She falls in love with a Wolverine knight, and is chosen by the last living dragon of Lyndaria, Mynos, to wield the magic of his Crystal to overcome the evil Queen Darragh.  This evil queen is hell-bent on obtaining the Crystal for domination and she must be stopped.  It’s great because “the Crystal of Mynos”, “Castle Templestone”, and even the elven king, “Kaas” were all names I’d “stolen” from my short stories of old.  J 

There are three books in the series.  The other two are THE WOLVERINE AND THE JEWEL, and THE WOLVERINE AND THE FLAME.   

What have you found to be the best thing about writing? The least? 

The best thing about writing is being able to share my stories with others.  Before, I just read my own stories myself.  My friends don’t read, and my hubby doesn’t read romance, so I was very happy to be professionally published.   But I also love delving into the stories of my characters.  They become like friends to me, so writing about them and giving them happy endings is a wonderful feeling. 

I don’t like promoting.  I hate promotion because it’s a “time suck”.  I spend more time promoting than I do writing nowadays.  It’s awful.  But it’s a necessary evil because books don’t sell themselves.  Unless you’re Nora.  LOL 

Anything you would like to add, Ms. Goings? 

Don’t forget I have two blogs, exclusive to two of my series.  First, I have my B*E*A*S*T* blog located at http://beastseries.blogspot.com and my Legends blog at http://legendsofmynos.blogspot.com.  Also, I have a MySpace page, I’d love to connect if you have one too.  http://www.myspace.com/rebeccagoings  If you want to join my author loop, that’s at http://groups.google.com/group/themagicofromance and if you want to sign up for my newsletter, you can do so at http://groups.google.com/group/rebeccagoingsnewsletter  

Thank you very much, Love Romances and More, for having me here to talk to you for a time.  I enjoyed it very much.  Take care!  J 

Thank you Ms. Goings for a wonderful time; I look forward to reading more about your new series, I found it very captivating. You can find more in depth information about Ms. Goings from her web site, www.rebeccagoings.com as well as the latest news, books and other info.