Today I am delighted to have Best-selling author Collette Cameron here with me. Her newest book, Triumph and Treasure just released on the 3^rd.

Collette is not only an accomplished writer but also a savvy business woman who has built quite a following for herself.

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Collette, how many books have you written to date?

Five full length novels, a novella, and two short stories. I just finished Virtue and Valor, the second book in the Highland Heather Romancing a Scot Series.

When did you start writing romance and why?

In February of 2011, I parked my hiney in front of my den computer and started writing my first romance; actually my first book ever. I now have a lovely writing room.

My youngest son had just headed off to college, and I was only teaching part-time. I’d been toying with the idea of writing a book—though, I never considered writing romance—and now I had the time.

I also had an idea, a single scene, that I wanted to see if I could write an entire book around. Highlander’s Hope (Castle Brides Series) was the result.

Amazing that that is pretty much my story as well, though I am a much slower writer than you. :o)

When do you make the decision as to whose story you will tell next?

That’s a great question.

The story I decide to write next is usually a result of whichever character has nagged me the most in my current work in progress to get their story told.

Sometime, as in the Highland Heather series, I have several characters bugging me at once, so I go with the story that I have the most developed in my mind.

The biggest problem with writing a series is all the other books that are pestering me to write them, and I have to keep telling them to be patient.

Who is your favorite character thus far?

I just had a 4^th grade student ask me that same question. As far as heroes go, I think it’s Flynn, the Marquis of Bretheridge. I can’t pick between my heroines, though. You know how girls are about favorites!

Which character is the most like you? The least?

I’ve had several people tell me they think Yvette Stapleton from Highlander’s Hope is like me, but I don’t think so.

Any similarities are purely coincidental.

The character that is the least like me has to be Ian, Viscount Warrick.

I actually find it easier to write my male characters than females, and I think it’s because I want to make sure I’m not writing myself into the heroine.

What inspires you?

All kinds of things inspire me. Music, flowers (just being outdoors) a great book, quotes, scripture, my family; even my dogs.

A street sign or hearing an unusual name can get my creative juices flowing.

You have many followers and fans. How did you begin to build your web site?

I have a friend who’s also a member of my local RWA chapter. She designed my website for me, and then I just started posting what interested me. I figured if I found it interesting, someone else might too.

I try really hard to keep the content diverse and not always be promoting. That’s true of all my social media.

I have a wicked sense of humor and it spills over on my blog and other social media forums.

Do you have any tips or do’s and don’ts for writers just starting out?

I think it’s extremely important for new writers to connect with other writers, especially those who’ve been down the publishing road. Joining different RWA chapters and participating in conference and workshops are a couple of ways to do that.

I also think it’s critical to read craft books and have excellent critique partners. I don’t use mine as much as I did when I started writing, but I still rely on their input when I’m stuck or just need a fresh set of eyes.

What is the best piece of advice you were given early on in your writing career?

No matter what happens, just keep writing.

About how much time a day do you devote to marketing? To writing?

My marketing/social media takes me about an hour a day, a bit more when I’ve got a new release or some sort of special event coming up.

I try to spend several hours a day writing at least 5 days a week. That doesn’t always happen though.

Life gets in the way, and it’s important to spend time with my family too!

How many stories are presently brewing in your imagination? Do you have a writing plan/schedule? If so, how do you implement it?

Well, I have to finish the Highland Heather Romancing a Scot Series which is four more books. I have several novellas, four more series, a few stand-alones, and some short stories too.

I have a novella and a new series to start in between my contracted books.

I’m not a super-fast writer, so I really have to be careful to pace myself. I’ve started giving myself daily word count goals which seems to help keep me tapping away at my story rather than drifting over to Facebook or some other site which sucks up my writing time.

I am guilty of that myself. That blank page is still daunting to me.

Who is your favorite author?

I don’t have one.

There are so many wonderful authors out there that I just can’t choose one. They each offer something I admire and enjoy while reading their books.

Do you have a favorite story about your adventures as a writer?

I recently had the opportunity to speak to 160 4^th grade students about writing and being an author. It was an absolute delight, and those kiddos came up with the most remarkable questions.

Collette, thank you for taking the time to “chat.” I wish you continued success in your writing. And can’t wait to read Triumph and Treasure!

Triumph and Treasure

Book One in the Highlander Heather Romancing a Scot Series

A disillusioned Scottish gentlewoman.

Angelina Ellsworth once believed in love—before she discovered her husband of mere hours was a slave-trader and already married. To avoid the scandal and disgrace, she escapes to her aunt and uncle’s, the Duke and Duchess of Waterford. When Angelina learns she is with child, she vows she’ll never trust a man again.

A privileged English lord.

Flynn, Earl of Luxmoore, led an enchanted life until his father committed suicide after losing everything to Waterford in a wager. Stripped of all but his title, Flynn is thrust into the role of marquis as well as provider for his disabled sister and invalid mother. Unable to pay his father’s astronomical gambling loss, Flynn must choose between social or financial ruin.

When the duke suggests he’ll forgive the debt if Flynn marries his niece, Flynn accepts the duke’s proposal. Reluctant to wed a stranger, but willing to do anything to protect her babe and escape the clutches of the madman who still pursues her, Angelina agrees to the union.

Can Flynn and Angelina find happiness and love in a marriage neither wanted, or is the chasm between them insurmountable?

Buy Link: http://amzn.comB006Q5ZP2/

Connect with Collette:

Website     Blue Rose Romance Blog   Twitter   Facebook

You can connect with Collette on Goodreads, LinkedIn, and Google+ too. Go to her website for the links, her email address and mailing address.

Marilyn Monroe was a size 12. No way you say. In fact she was, but in her day a size 12 was more like a size 4.

I have a bunch of my mom’s old sewing patterns.

As you can see here in 1955 a size 12 was for a woman with a 30″ bust. My mom was about 5 feet and had a 19 inch waist.

I used to be a shoe model. The sample size was a 6B. Several years earlier the sample size was a 5. Now, I believe, the samples are made in a size 7.

In, 1810, the time in which The Dressmaker’s Duke takes place, there were no standard patterns. The first graded pattern did not appear until 1863. Apparently Mrs. Ebenezer Butterick became frustrated with her son growing so fast. Out of necessity she developed a pattern that could be adapted to several sizes–the graded pattern.

Click here to take a gander at how sizing has changed over the years. Interesting how vanity has played a big part in how we perceive size.

“To all the girls that think you’re fat because you’re not a size zero, you’re the beautiful one, its society who’s ugly.”
― Marilyn Monroe

“It’s not true that I had nothing on. I had the radio on.”
― Marilyn Monroe

“Boys think girls are like books, If the cover doesn’t catch their eye they won’t bother to read what’s inside.”
― Marilyn Monroe