Chat with Mary Balogh 9/10/00 at Writerspace

Chat with Mary Balogh 9/10/00

MaryBalogh - logged on. - 9/10 at 8:46pm EST
Sara-Moderator - hi, sondra!!
Cel-Moderator - Hey Jill, maybe the baby will be born on my birthday (27th).
julie2 - people i take it nc is nth carolina but whats va?
Sondra - OMG, I have been offline for a few days only to discover in time that Mary Balogh will be here. I her!
jill - Well technically I could go at any time. I'm already 2-3 cm but then someone told me the other day they were like that for weeks and then had to be induced.
Sara-Moderator - Bobbi, we have fire ants here. It is dreadful
julie2 - hi mary
YH - Hello Ms. Balogh!
Bobbi - Virginia
Cel-Moderator - Hi Mary and welcome
Bobbi - Hi Mary.
jill - Hi Mary and Sondra!!
Sara-Moderator - Hi, Mary
jill - Thanks YH. He's fine just itchy.
Sondra - Hello Mary
YH - Yes Welcome!!!!
jill - No Cel that would be too long. He would be up around 10 lbs by then. I don't think I'll go more than a week over before they induce.
MaryBalogh - Hi all. Is this where I type?
Cel-Moderator - Are you trying to make points with Ms. Balogh, YH? LOL
YH - did you put anything on those bites? (My mom is into putting aloe vera gel on any bites...)
Sara-Moderator - yes, that is it, Mary.
Bobbi - How do you do the little icons? They're cute.
Sondra - I don't who is more excited that Mary is here - YH or I???
Cel-Moderator - Sure is Margy
YH - Sure, why not Cel. I love her books!
Cel-Moderator - I meant MARY
Susanna - - 9/10 at 8:48pm EST
MaryBalogh - Good. I almost panicked for a moment.
Bobbi - Cortazone 10 really really helps with the itching. Better than anything else I've tried.
YH - And I enjoy the discussions that go on on the listserve...
Sara-Moderator - Mary, we are just chatting generally, waiting for people to join us.
Cel-Moderator - Hi Susanna
Susanna - Hey Cel !
jill - I'm putting hydrocortisone cream on the bites.
YH - Hi Susanna
Cel-Moderator - I find the Cortizone 10 ointment works wonders on heat rashes.
Sondra - Can I brag to say I got a copy of More than a Mistress today, and have already finished it!
julie2 - hi susanna
YH - and Sondra, I think we're BOTH very excited.
MaryBalogh - I thought I'd poke my nose in early so I could find my way around.
shyral - - 9/10 at 8:50pm EST
LisaM - logged on. - 9/10 at 8:50pm EST
Bobbi - Hi Susanna
YH - Good for you! I'm going to look for it next week!
Sara-Moderator - sure, Sondra, bragging is fine
julie2 - hi lisa
Sondra - Mary, it was fabulous! I know that it's official sale date is Tuesday, but I badger the bookstore....it's been so long since the last book!
julie2 - hi shyral
jill - Luckily Taylor never gets heat rash and A&D ointment works really well on any diaper rash he gets.
Cel-Moderator - Hi Shy (Mary, you can just type // wave but without the slashes for the hand).
Bobbi - Hi Lisa
julie2 - shy how are u tonight/today
Cel-Moderator - Hi Lisa
jill - Hi shy and Lisa!!
Sondra - Shy, it's good to see you tonight! Yeah!
Bobbi -
LisaM - everyone
Bobbi - cool
YH - Hey shy
Susanna - Hey Shy! Hey Lisa !
MaryBalogh - wave
Sondra - hi Lisa
YH - Hi Lisa
Cissy - - 9/10 at 8:52pm EST
MaryBalogh - Well, so much for that tame attempt at a wave!
shyral - Hi Everyone I am fine I think. I have spent the last hour dealing with teenage boys that wanted me to let them do things they are not supposed to do
julie2 - hi cissy
Cel-Moderator - Ooops - I meant without the space, Mary DUH
Cel-Moderator - Hey Cissy
Cissy - Hi all
MaryBalogh -
YH - I'm hoping there will be no lightning... I can forego the Emmys, and the videos my family is watching... but if there starts to be lightning, I'll be really upset...
Cissy - Hi Mary!!
YH - Hey Cissy!
Bobbi - hi cissy
Susanna - Hey Cissy !
PattiL - logged on. - 9/10 at 8:52pm EST
Cel-Moderator - Mary, it was all my fault for giving you BAD instructions.
MaryBalogh -
LisaM - Hi Cissy
YH - I thought you were on vacation Cissy!
shyral - Hi Cissy and Patti
YH - Hi Patti
PattiL - Hi all
MaryBalogh - I'm a fast learner!
julie2 - well calm down and//stress out
Cel-Moderator - Hi Patti
julie2 - hi patti how r u
jill - Hi Cissy and Patti!!
Bobbi - Patti
Cissy - I am, YH - but I couldn't miss Mary's chat!
MaryBalogh - All these waving hands are tickling me to death.
YH - Of course! I totally understand! Heck, I'm here instead of downstairs (with the family...)
Sara-Moderator - going to give it another two minutes and then we will start. We will be moderated tonight
Cel-Moderator - If anyone asks a question you don't want to answer, Mary, I guess you could always type // shark
MaryBalogh - I would hate to be so rude, but I must try it out.
julie2 - sara hows the cat heheheh
Sondra - I'm back - hi to everyone that came in while I was gone....the nerver of someone to me now...
Cel-Moderator - If you are really happy about something, you can always * eg * (no spaces)
YH - Sondra.
Sara-Moderator - okay, guys -- general announcement
MaryBalogh -
YH - that's why I have the phone right by the computer
Sara-Moderator - tonight will be moderated, jill and Cel are helping out.
Bobbi - Are the icons allowed during the moderated part of the chat?
Cel-Moderator - Welcome. Tonight we are using a protocol to chat with bestselling author Mary Balogh. In order not to overwhelm her with too many questions or general comments all at once, please just post ? and you will be placed in the queue. Please have your question ready and Sara will call on you when it's your turn.
Sara-Moderator - Our guest is Mary Balogh one of my favorite authors. So if you have a question or comment, remember to use the ? to be put in queue
Cissy - we try to keep them to a minimum once the chat starts, Bobbi
julie2 - u want to be like me the computer is running this link on our
Sondra - ?
Cel-Moderator - Bobbi, sometimes the icons slow the room down if used too much when a lot of people are here.
Sara-Moderator - so, Mary, do you want to open with a few words? tell us about your book, your self whatever
Bobbi - ok, Thanks.
MaryBalogh - One question that always tongue-ties me is--tell us something about yourself. Ask me something specific.
Sara-Moderator - well, how long have you been writing? what made you start with Regencies?
Sara-Moderator - then you can tell us a bit about MORE THAN A MISTRESS
MaryBalogh - I started writing Regencies in 1983 after realizing that they were what I was passionate about reading.
Sara-Moderator - Sondra is in line
MaryBalogh - MTAM is London-set with a rake as hero and a fiery heroine--always my favorite type of main characters
Bobbi - ?
Robin - knit 1, purl 2 - 9/10 at 9:01pm EST
janiedox - logged on - 9/10 at 9:02pm EST
Cel-Moderator - Hi Robin, we're chatting with Mary Balogh tonight and using a chat protocol. Please type ? to be placed in the queue for your question or comment and you'll be called on in turn.
Cel-Moderator - Hi janiedox
shyral - Hi Robin and Janiedox!
Sara-Moderator - ?
Robin - Thanks Cel - and hi everyone (no waving to keep the icons down)
Sara-Moderator - Sondra is first (Bobbi follows)
Sondra - Can I ask my question?
Sara-Moderator - go ahead Sondra!
janiedox - hello room
Sondra - Mary, I am SO thrilled to be chatting with you. I am a HUGE fan, and have all but one of your backlist. (The quest is eternal!) I spent 5 hours this afternoon finishing More than A Mistress. It was fantastic…I have so many questions, but first… Why Joceyln for the hero’s name? It was an unusual pick. BTW, I Joceyln and Jane, of course.
MaryBalogh - The search for hero/heroine names is tricky after more than 50 books. I like the name Jocelyn and prefer it for a man than a woman
Sara-Moderator - Bobbi is up (Sara follows)
Bobbi - Is it hard to research data and do you use actual Peerage names and titles?
Sondra - - 9/10 at 9:05pm EST
MaryBalogh - I have written so many Regencies that by now most of the research is in-built. I try not to use real peerage titles, but sometimes I do by accident.
Sondra - - 9/10 at 9:06pm EST
Sondra - Had to change clothes..
Sara-Moderator - Sara is up (no one else is in line)
MaryBalogh - Is that a rotten tomato?
Bobbi - ?
YH - ?
spinner - logged on - 9/10 at 9:07pm EST
Sondra - Hot pepper...One of my essentials of life
Sara-Moderator - Well, I am a huge fan, and I think I have at least one copy of each of your books and anthologies. although, I do tend to wear them out. My question is, do you ever intend to write books other than regencies or that time period?
gerri - - 9/10 at 9:08pm EST
Cel-Moderator - ?
julie2 has timed out.
Sara-Moderator - Bobbi is up (YH follows)
gerri - Hello everyone
Cel-Moderator - Hi spinner, we're chatting with Mary Balogh tonight and using a chat protocol. Please type ? to be placed in the queue for your question or comment and you'll be called on in turn.
MaryBalogh - I have written a few Georgians and Victorians. I have toyed with WWII as a setting. But I love Regencies. I'm not tired of them yet.
Bobbi - How do you come up with an authentic sounding title?
Sondra - ?
Sondra - ?
Sondra - Sorry for the dupe!
Cel-Moderator - Hi gerri
Bobbi - Peerage title , that is.
spinner - hi gerri
shyral - Hi Gerri and spinner
MaryBalogh - Hmmm. Sometimes with a lot of sleepless nights. Occasionally with an editor's help. Sometimes (blessedly ) right away. Authentic sounding? It has to suit the book--I suppose that makes it seem authentic.
Bobbi - hi Gerri and spinner.
Sara-Moderator - YH is up (Cel follows)
YH - You have a unique insight into Welsh settings... do you plan to write another story set in Wales sometime in the near future? And any plans for book tours? (are you planning on coming to Toronto area any times soon, that is?)
spinner - hi all i think i will be come and going tonight machine is playing up
Sondra - Good question, YH...I am a LONGING fan!
MaryBalogh - Wales is my country and the Welsh are a very passionate people. My Welsh books come from very deep inside me, but they aren't too commercial. So--none in the works for a while at least. No book tours planned at present.
Sara-Moderator - Cel is up (Sondra follows)
Cel-Moderator - Mary, I'm shamed to say I've not read any of your books (yet), but after several of my cyber friends recommendations, I think I will move your books up to the top of my TBR (I at least have 3 ).
YH - that's too bad... you'd think, with your fan-base, it'd be alright...
Sara-Moderator - ah, cel, you will like them! I love them
Sara-Moderator - and you know how picky I can be!
MaryBalogh - Hey, a new prospective reader!
Cel-Moderator - I know Sara. LOL
YH - Yes Cel, I think you'll enjoy them very much...
Sara-Moderator - Mary, aren't you signing at the Romantic Times conference in Houston in November?
PattiL - Yes we do Sara
MaryBalogh - Yes, I'll be in Houston. I love those conventions.
Sondra - I think MB's are some of the most passionate about her books! Most people I have met had a tremedous reaction about her books!
Sara-Moderator - discriminating, I am a discriminating reader!
YH - *sob* I want to go there! There will be so many good authors there!
Sara-Moderator - Sondra is up (no one else is in line)
PattiL - ?
Sondra - I read that you are going to be writing the sequel to MTAM, what about a sequel to ONFL? …Lauren’s story?? And will it be a trilogy? I would love to read Neville’s sisters story…From what tidbits you gave us in ONFL, her character is screaming for her own story…
Sara-Moderator - comment: I met Mary (I am SURE she does NOT remember) at the RWA signing in Dallas in 1996. She was in the first row, and I was so overwhelmed!! I think I was actually shy back then.
Cel-Moderator - brb
Sondra - I could ask a bunch of questions myself....I don't want to be a question hog...
Sondra - Sara, that is hard to believe! You - shy??!??
Sara-Moderator - yeah, shocking, isn't it?
YH - ?
Cissy has timed out.
MaryBalogh - I wrote One Night for Love as the first book of a trilogy--Lauren and Gwen to come next. But I had a new editor who didn't want me to write their stories. However, now I have a new editor again. So--Lauren's story is being written and then comes Gwen's. In Lauren's I am introducing a whole new family with LOTS of books to come...
Sara-Moderator - Patti is up (YH is in line)
Sondra - Cool - I felt sooooo bad for Lauren, but Neville and Lilly need to be together!!!
PattiL - I haven’t bought More than a Mistress YET, can you tell us a little about the plot?
Sara-Moderator - ?
MaryBalogh - Lauren is a wonderful heroine to write about!
Sondra - ?
MaryBalogh - The heroine interrupts a duel at the start and the hero gets shot in the leg. Soarks fly. He makes her first his nurse and then his mistress and--SPARKS fly! For the rest, read it...
Sara-Moderator - YH is up (Sara and Sondra are in line)
MaryBalogh - Sparks fly as well as soarks, whatever they are
Bobbi - ?
YH - LOL. First of all, that sounds great! Now, my question: I know that you have a LOT of connecting books (and I love it!) do you always plan in the beginning all the future books when you introduce a character/family, or do you write them per request of fans or other reasons?
Sara-Moderator - a new thing, these 'soarks'
MaryBalogh - Sometimes I plan a series, like the WEB books. Other times minor characters just grab me and I have to write their story--like Gerald, who became the hero of A PRECIOUS JEWEL
spinner - ?
Cel-Moderator - I'm back.
YH - Let me just say, a Precious Jewel is one of my all time favourites!
YH - I'm soooo glad he grabbed your attention!
YH - WB Cel!
Sara-Moderator - Mary, will you be writing only for Dell/Ballantine in the future (or as far as you can see) or will you be doing anthologies or shorter books too?
MaryBalogh - Sometimes fans can get me to write a book too--THE WOOD NYMPH, for example
Cel-Moderator - ?
MaryBalogh - Just Dell/Delacorte books for now. I have an exclusive contract
Sara-Moderator - Sondra is up (Bobbi and spinner are in line)
Sondra - Mary, If you’re writing Lauren’s story now, does that mean you are done with No Man’s Mistress? And when do we GET it? What’s the release schedule for your upcoming books? It has been a long 14 months between books. I don’t know if I can wait that long anymore…..even though I am re-reading your backlist…
Sara-Moderator - nothing like demanding readers, is there?
MaryBalogh - NO MAN'S MISTRESS is written and scheduled for August, 2001. Is is the story of Lord Ferdinand Dudley, brother of Tresham
Sara-Moderator - Bobbi is up (spinner and Cel are in line)
MaryBalogh - Is is...now I'm stuttering...
Bobbi - I don't really have another question. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry but I have to go. It was nice chatting with all of you. I look forward to reading MTAM.
Sondra - Agggghhhh, Another Year!! Who can we write to accelerate the release of your books, anyone!
YH - I guess the publisher hasn't seen the light that so many of us love your books and want more, not less!
Sara-Moderator - Spinner is up (Cel is in line)
MaryBalogh - Tell Dell that one book a year is simply not enough. I can certainly write more!!
spinner - Hi Mary are all your books still available to be purchased - i've just haeard about your books you see sorry to have missed them
Cel-Moderator - Night Bobbi and glad you could come tonight.
YH - Night Bobbi!
Sondra - Mary, my letter will be written to Dell by the end of the week!
Bobbi - Thnks, Bye all // wave
Bobbi -
MaryBalogh - A number of the books can be found quite easily, but many are hopelessly out of print
Bobbi - - 9/10 at 9:28pm EST
Susanna has timed out.
Sara-Moderator - any chance for re printing them?
Sara-Moderator - Cel is up (no one else is in line)
Cel-Moderator - Mary, since I'm a soon to be convert to your books, can you recommend a specific book for me to start with. I have NO problem with buying books and right now I only have Irresistible and Thief of Dreams, plus and anthology.
spinner - my favorite word re printing
MaryBalogh - Dell is looking at some with a view to buying and reprinting them, but there is nothing definite yet.
spinner - thanks mary
MaryBalogh - Those two seem to be among reader favorites. Of course I think EVERY book is my best. MORE THAN A MISTRESS is definitely the current best because it is so available--or will be by Tuesday
Ginger - - 9/10 at 9:30pm EST
PattiL - Hi Ginger
Ginger - Hi Everyone
Sondra - The problem is that the majority of Mary's books are OOP.... Thank god for the internet! I would never have built up my collection without it!
MaryBalogh - THE SECRET PEARL, THE NOTORIOUS RAKE, A PRECIOUS JEWEL, THE TEMPORARY WIFE seem to be reader favorites too
Cel-Moderator - I just read the review of MTAM on TRR and they gave it 5 hearts, so I have it on my list to buy.
Susanna - - 9/10 at 9:31pm EST
Cel-Moderator - Thanks Mary
MaryBalogh - Hooray for TRR!
spinner - hi suanna
YH - AND, her website is a great place to see which books are more available than others...
Sara-Moderator - any change that Signet will reissue your books? like H/S do for best selling aothors? I worry, you see, some of mine are wearing out!
Sondra - Heartless is MOST excellent....and let's not forget One Night for Love - which is probably the most available after MTAM...
Susanna - Sorry got booted!
Cel-Moderator - Hi Ginger and Susanna, we're chatting with Mary Balogh tonight and using a chat protocol. Please type ? to be placed in the queue for your question or comment and you'll be called on in turn.
Sara-Moderator - chance not change <sigh>
MaryBalogh - Actually most of my Signet books are back in my possession
Sondra - ?
janiedox has timed out.
Sondra - Cel, you won't be disappointed with MTAM...I think AAR gave it really high marks (and that's unusual for me to agree with them)
Sara-Moderator - ah, so you could do lightning press on them?
Ginger - - 9/10 at 9:33pm EST
Sara-Moderator - Sondra is up
MaryBalogh - I could sell them again but I have that exclusive contract with Dell!
Sondra - There are so many of your books that move me to tears, which is kind of a hard feat! Like the scene when Craille finds out about Sian’s wounds or the parting scenes in the The Secret Pearl, et.c Do you find yourself emotional writing these scenes??
MaryBalogh - Oh yes. If I am not emotional doing ANY scene I know something is wrong. When writing the really passionate scenes I usually cry. I AM both the characters, you see.
Sondra - And I am always amazed at the hearfelt emotion that pours out of your books - like in Lord Carew's Bride...
YH - I can't agree more...
MaryBalogh - I write from deep interior point of view. So I really am the characters as I am writing from deep within them. I completely forget myself when I write.
Robin has timed out.
Sondra - it seems so hard to translate it into words on paper...
MaryBalogh - No, not if your mind and heart go into a creative zone
Susanna - ?
MaryBalogh - I am better at writing than speech. Perhaps that is why emotion on paper comes easily to me
Cissy - ?
Sara-Moderator - Susanna is next (followed by Cissy)
Susanna - Just wanted to tell you that I love your work and I'm so glad I happened across your books originally at the UBS!
Sara-Moderator - Cissy is next
MaryBalogh - I never mind if people find my books at used book stores or in garage sales or from their friends. I am just glad they found me and hope I can keep them coming back for the new books.
Cissy - Mary, I'm really looking forward to reading MTAM; it sounds fabulous. Congratulations on moving into hardback. How do you feel about that? Has it been a big change for you?
Susanna - Oh I do want you to know that after the first couple I bought them new!
Cel-Moderator has timed out.
Camby - - 9/10 at 9:42pm EST
Camby - Hi all I'm so sorry I'm late!
Cel-Moderator - Hey, what happened to me.
MaryBalogh - The big change is writing only one book a year and having to do all sorts of promotional stuff that keeps me from writing all the time. Dell is trying to move me into a wider market so that I can pick up new and different fans. Hence the very different cover, the title, and a few other things. So yes, this is like a different career from the days when I happily churned out the Signets three or four a year.
Cel-Moderator - It's about time Camby and HI
spinner - hi cambe and bw cel
Sondra - Hi Camby!
shyral - Hi Camby
Cel-Moderator - I just have to tell Mary how much I like the cover of your new hardcover.
Sondra - Camby, I got MTAM at the Border's at Pentagon City...I badgered them....and they put out a few more copies....
spinner - ?
MaryBalogh - Glad you like the cover. I've heard from a few people who hate it, but most Love it. I do. It is the sort of cover that one either loves or hates, I think. Very different from anything I have had before. And better than flowers!
Sondra - ?
Camby - Oh good Sondra. I'm amazed you accomplished that. They never have anything!
Sara-Moderator - Spinner is up (Sondra follows)
Sondra - I know...I was amazed....But I think my sad face worked....The clerk dug in the back room shipments....
spinner - you are still going to pulish in paperbacks aren't you?
MaryBalogh - MTAM will be out in paperback next year, a month before NO MAN'S MISTRESS in hardcover
Camby - ?
spinner - great you had me worried there fro a whileLOL
Sara-Moderator - Sondra is up (Camby follows)
Sondra - Masked Deception was the first book that I read years ago – it was responsible for converting me into a regency fan. I am amazed at how good that book was for a first book. How many books did you write before having Masked Deception published?
MaryBalogh - That was the first
Sara-Moderator - Camby has the last question.
Sara-Moderator - Your first written book was the first one published! WOW! And it was good, too!
Camby - Oh goody! I made it just in time then. LOL