Please help me welcome Mimi Barbour to Under the Covers!
First important question. Silk, satin, cotton, flannel. What is your sheet of choice and why?
Since I’m a romance writer, I’d love to say satin—but—one time I bought some just to try them and see how they worked, and my husband slid off the bed and so did our blankets – all night long. Decided to go back to our good old percale cotton ones, which are always cool and always feel so smooth. No balls – I hate bally sheets. Notice I used the word as an adjective!!
I always tell my husband that inventing adjective is a writer’s prerogative. (We also know how not to use them) ; ) It’s a slumber party! Calories don’t count. What snacks will we be munching on at midnight?
As long as there’s CC and coke, it’ll be something salty – probably popcorn. If it’s a non-alcoholic kinda do, then I’m most likely to be guiltily gobbling down anything that’s a sweet – cookies, cakes, donuts, I’m not at all picky!
One of my favorite snacks is popcorn and M&M’s. The warmth of the popcorn melts the chocolate just right! Okay, when playing Truth or Dare, which are you most likely to chose?
Since I tend to like acting silly sometimes, I’d probably take a dare.
Okay! That makes sense. It takes a bit of daring to try and make it as a writer. Besides that, what’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
One time when we were in Vegas, I got dared to run up the moving sidewalk at the Bellagio like the six-million-dollar man – in slow motion. It was a hoot! Next thing I knew there were others running along with me. We looked like a bunch of alien zombies or maybe like drunken idiots!! Probably the latter. Thing is, we hadn’t drank anything – yet!!
Oh wow! I wish I’d been there! So… truth: Tell us something not very many people know.
I’m a bit of a grouch in the mornings. Most of my friends think I smile all the time because, I usually do. Not so much if it’s really early. I guess you could say I’m more of a night person. Funny, if I write late at night, I don’t normally have to edit too much. If for some strange reason I write in the early hours, it’s pretty well all dribble and the bitchiness comes through real clear.
PJ’s and earplugs!
How would you describe your writing style?
I would say that my writing style is:
(a.) Humorous - I love adding the element of humor in my stories because in my world, we always try and have a chuckle and a laugh over most things. If I spend a great amount of time with someone who is terribly serious, I do get bored. But, if I’m with a friend who likes to have a bit of a giggle, I always find I’ve been much more entertained and more likely want to be with that person again.
(b.) Shoot from the hip as far as the plotting goes - Although I always have my beginning and ending figured out in my mind before I start the story.
(c.) Strong character development – Ever since I started reading as a child, I have to admit to being drawn to the characters in the story. It goes without saying that I like there to be conflicts and good story telling, but once I’ve connect with the heroine and hero, I’ll always finish the book. Can’t help myself. I just have to make sure they get their happy ending.
(d.) I must admit that as I write more books, my ability to write stronger conflicts has grown. Or it just might be that the first three stories I published were novellas and now I’m writing full-length. Gives the author more time to build the tensions and interweave more intrigue.
What’s your typical writing day like?
About eight am I start my day either on my treadmill or walking the seawall close to our house in Qualicum Beach. Then I tidy the house a bit and ready myself for the day. I eat breakfast in my office while I have my first game of spider (my bad!!). Then I check my e-mails and waste a bunch more time writing notes and checking Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, etc, etc. I call that my promo time so I don’t feel too guilty.
Then I cuss once I’ve seen that the morning has flown and I haven’t written a word. I quickly grab lunch and have my second game of spider. (my real bad!!) Then I open my manuscript and lose myself for at least three or four hours. On a good day I can write 2,500 to 3,500 words.
If I’m under the gun, I start writing first thing in the morning and go for it all day. I guess that’s how I got my latest book written and edited in two months and contracted with Wild Rose Press. It’ll be a Christmas release called “Together for Christmas” #5 in the Vicarage Bench series.
I’m a Spider addict too! Usually I allow one game of Spider and another of Solotaire. If you could have lunch with one writer, who would it be?
I was going to say some far-out writer no one’s ever heard of but the truth is Nora Roberts would be my choice. She’s consistently produced books that I love to read and never regret buying. I know when I start one of her stories, I will be entertained, and invariable, she’ll make me smile, chuckle, or even laugh out-loud a few times between the beginning and the end. I’d love to be able to question her about her journey to get where she is now, and most important how she grew as a writer. The aspects of the craft she would consider to be the most important and how best to work on them. And, since she’s a best-selling millionaire, I bet she’d even pick up the tab!
You’re probably right! What would you consider a romantic date?
Humm, I don’t think romance has too much to do with where you are, but more about who you’re with. Now I remember a night with my husband when we were dancing under the stars on a balcony of a wonderful hotel. It was in a northern city of Chile called Antofagasta where we lived for seven years. The ocean waves rippled within a few feet of the dance floor, and the moon’s radiance turned the water into a luminous breathtaking wonder. Above, the stars twinkled as if someone had set off a trillion fireworks explosions all at once. Romance pulsed in the flowered-scented air around us as the warm breeze…
Okay – I’d better stop now or I’ll have to go and attack him, and he’s busy making dinner. Sigh – never thought my stomach would override my libido!!
And you left us all wanting more! What is your favorite season?
My favorite season is spring, especially if it’s been a long winter. It feels great to get rid of the constricting winter clothes and bring out the t-shirts and short pants and best of all flip-flops. There’s a joy in knowing the weather will keep getting warmer until the summer months give us the long, sunny days. (And can’t forget the hockey playoffs start in April.) Plus, I look forward to getting into my yard. I enjoy gardening and can’t make up my mind if I like the work it takes to get the yard looking beautiful, or if I just like to benefit from the fruits of my labor by sitting on the balcony with my laptop, gazing at all the blooming flowers and baskets.
To be honest, I have to admit to liking winter also, cause Christmas falls in December, and I’m a real suckie for Santa Claus.
Do you have a favorite actor?
My favorite actor of all time was Cary Grant. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in a part where he isn’t somewhat humorous, but still had the air of a man’s man who couldn’t be intimidated or duped. I guess I also liked the accent and his suave manner. Hugh Grant has played those types of roles from time to time and so does George Clooney. (He reminds me of my father when he was younger so I guess he’d have to be my favorite for today.) As for the younger guys, Johnny Depp is a doll.
What is a movie you could watch over and over?
You’re probably going to laugh, but I have to admit to watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart every Christmas since I was a kid. I have it on video, and it comes out with my holiday CD’s. Nostalgia and memories of days gone would be my biggest reason for loving this movie, but do I admit that over the years it’s become my habit to watch it while I wrap my family’s presents, drink Baileys, and eat Xmas cookies.
A more recent movie I really loved that sticks in my mind is Grand Torino. I do like to laugh, and if I get to cry too during the same film, then I figure I’ve gotten my money’s worth. And there’s just something about the character that Clint Eastwood portrayed. What a lovable old curmudgeon!
For the best-made movie (10/10) I’ve ever seen would be Avatar in 3D—fantastic cinematography and special effects.
I loved It’s a Wonderful Life too! If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I’d love to live six months in every major city in the world like London, Rome, Paris, New York, etc. Of course, if we were dreaming, I’d have to demand it be in swank apartments right in the heart of each city. That way I could really soak up the different atmospheres and learn about their cultures, cuisine, hotspots and most interesting sights. Unless one actually lives in a place rather than stays for a few weeks, I believe one never really gets to understand the heart of the place or the people. Of course a monthly stipend of huge dollars would be part of the dream!
LOL Yup, I don’t like to play tourist, I want to know about the culture, the lifestyles. Tell us about your newest release.
My newest release is called “Together Again”. It is a lovely, romantic story about a young, pregnant girl who spirit travels forward in time and invades the body of a handsome reporter, who is after a story about a heroine from a bank holdup. While together, they have some incredible and humorous experiences, and they fall in love only to have to separate. His wait to be reunited is one week. Hers is ten years. When the time finally arrives for their reunion, she finds the biggest threat to her seducing him is his faithfulness to her younger self. The question that plagues her is—can he love the woman she is today.
I love the premise!!! Do you have anything in the works?
As I mentioned above, I did recently get a contract for a Christmas story for this series and to tell you the truth, I almost believe there was an angel or some unworldly spirit that fed me the words—they flowed that easily. I started writing it on Jan 4th and had it edited and to my editor for the deadline March 1st. I’ve never been able to write so fast. I’m a bit scared to see the first corrections from my editor…gulp!
This story follows the same as the others in the Vicarage Bench series where an adorable but conniving heroine, whose habit is to takes on everyone’s problems, spirit-travels into the body of our hero, a cranky but gorgeous workaholic. He’s recently inherited his widowed mother and has agreed to move to a town of her choice and open a new accounting office. Between the two females, they make his life crazy with lonely elders, orphaned kids, a stray mongrel, and more holiday festivities that he’s ever wanted to be involved in. But of course it’s Christmas, and who better than someone lurking inside him to realize he’s not nearly as heard-hearted as he tries to make out. Love grows between them as they search for the way to put her back in her own body. Their romance is anything but smooth, and obstacles that stand in their way make them strive all the harder for their happy ending.
Where can we find you?
You can contact me through my website address at http://www.mimibarbour.com and please believe me when I tell you how much I love to get messages from the readers. After all, it gives me another excuse to stall getting back to work!! Also, you can find me on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mimi-Barbour-Fan-Page/203964072966134
And twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/Mimibarb
It’s been a pleasure spending time with you and your readers Lynne. Please visit me on my website: http://www.mimibarbour.com and sign up for my newsletter as we give away a free copy of my newest book every month – your choice of e-book or paperback. And I promise – the newsletter only comes out when I have news! Important news! Like a new contract or a book release or if I win a contest or the lotto or…
Thank you so much Mimi!
Mimi Barbour lives on the beautiful west coast on Vancouver Island and writes her paranormal romances with tongue in cheek and a mad glint in her eye. Asked why she prefers paranormal, she answers - chuckling.
“Because it’s fun! Imagination can be a lot more interesting than what happens in real life to so-called normal people. I love my characters, and my goal is to make the readers love them also. To care about what happens to them while the story unfolds. If I can steal my booklover’s attention away from their every-day grind, absorb them into a fantasy love story, and make them care about the ending, then I’ve done my job.”
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