30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 22 - Barbara Monajem!
I swear I will post last week's winners tonight. In the meantime...
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Barbara Monajem wrote her first story in third grade about apple tree gnomes. After dabbling in neighborhood musicals and teen melodrama, she published a middle-grade fantasy when her children were young. Now her kids are adults, and she writes paranormal and historical romance for grownups. She lives in Georgia with an ever-shifting population of relatives, friends, and feline strays.
Barbara's latest release is NOTORIOUS ELIZA:
Patrick needs a respectable new wife to be a mother for his daughter.
Notorious Eliza paints nudes to support her young son.
They should resist the attraction. (They don’t.)
They dare not fall in love. (They do.)
They must not marry… for one day Eliza’s most scandalous secret will surface and destroy them all...
Today Barbara is giving away a $20 gift certificate from Amazon or Barnes & Noble – your choice. Simply answer this question: What is the title of my paranormal romance that will be released in April?
Welcome, Barbara!
***
“Your English housewife must be of chaste thought…”
Whoa! Stop right there. The widowed heroine of Notorious Eliza, my historical short story from Harlequin this month, has most of the qualities of the ideal English housewife (as described in a little book published centuries ago from which the above quote was taken). She’s courageous, patient, witty, diligent, loyal, and so on…but definitely not chaste of thought.
Why? Well, it’s really, really hard to think chastely when you support yourself and your young son by painting nude courtesans. Eliza’s unchaste mind – as well as her artistic skills – make her the perfect choice to disguise the naughty murals on a country house’s ballroom walls.
And the perfect temptation for Patrick, the hero, who needs the murals painted over so he can find a respectable lady to be a mother for his daughter. Not that he’s having much luck in the wife hunt – all the women he finds are frivolous, selfish, heartless, boring… and, of course, virgins. He’s really not keen on starting from scratch.
Patrick wants one last fling with lusty, experienced Eliza. She yearns for just one passionate affair. And as long as Eliza’s darkest secret hangs over their heads, it can’t become anything more.
Question:
I write in two genres, historical and contemporary paranormal, and my writing styles for the two genres are very different. As a reader, is that a problem for you? Do you prefer it when a writer uses different pseudonyms for different genres, or doesn’t it matter?
Barbara Monajem wrote her first story in third grade about apple tree gnomes. After dabbling in neighborhood musicals and teen melodrama, she published a middle-grade fantasy when her children were young. Now her kids are adults, and she writes paranormal and historical romance for grownups. She lives in Georgia with an ever-shifting population of relatives, friends, and feline strays.
Barbara's latest release is NOTORIOUS ELIZA:
Patrick needs a respectable new wife to be a mother for his daughter.Notorious Eliza paints nudes to support her young son.
They should resist the attraction. (They don’t.)
They dare not fall in love. (They do.)
They must not marry… for one day Eliza’s most scandalous secret will surface and destroy them all...
Today Barbara is giving away a $20 gift certificate from Amazon or Barnes & Noble – your choice. Simply answer this question: What is the title of my paranormal romance that will be released in April?
Welcome, Barbara!
“Your English housewife must be of chaste thought…”
Whoa! Stop right there. The widowed heroine of Notorious Eliza, my historical short story from Harlequin this month, has most of the qualities of the ideal English housewife (as described in a little book published centuries ago from which the above quote was taken). She’s courageous, patient, witty, diligent, loyal, and so on…but definitely not chaste of thought.
Why? Well, it’s really, really hard to think chastely when you support yourself and your young son by painting nude courtesans. Eliza’s unchaste mind – as well as her artistic skills – make her the perfect choice to disguise the naughty murals on a country house’s ballroom walls.
And the perfect temptation for Patrick, the hero, who needs the murals painted over so he can find a respectable lady to be a mother for his daughter. Not that he’s having much luck in the wife hunt – all the women he finds are frivolous, selfish, heartless, boring… and, of course, virgins. He’s really not keen on starting from scratch.
Patrick wants one last fling with lusty, experienced Eliza. She yearns for just one passionate affair. And as long as Eliza’s darkest secret hangs over their heads, it can’t become anything more.
Question:
I write in two genres, historical and contemporary paranormal, and my writing styles for the two genres are very different. As a reader, is that a problem for you? Do you prefer it when a writer uses different pseudonyms for different genres, or doesn’t it matter?
Labels: Stolen Seduction Contest
posted by Elisabeth Naughton at 9:19 AM
53Comments:
Hi Barbara!
it's nice to see you here today :)
I think any author tries to write in different genres and why shouldn't he or she publish more books under a pseudonym or her real name? a lot of authors write different stories and I like them all... and if not - I haven't had to read them, right? *gg* I think it's a good thing to try more genres - every author will find his way!
Sunrise in a Garden of Love and Evil will be released in April - the title is really interesting!
wish you all the best!
Greetings, Ina
Hi, Barbara! First of all, I love the plot of your book. I write both women's fiction and middle-grade children's books so definitely have thought about this and will use a pseudonym for my adult stuff. Interesting, I just read about Amanda Quick, Jayne Ann Krentz, etc. and why she chose to use pseudonyms so she can write what she wants and the reader will know which type of her writing they will get. Good luck with everything!
Hi Barbara,
Sunrise in the Garden of Love and Evil is the title of your new paranormal! Am I right? Oh, shucks, someone beat me to it!
Have a good day. What a nice site.
Hi Barbara,
Great Interview fellow PFS, I am so proud of you!
Sunrise In A Garden of Love and Evil. Now that sounds really interesting, looking forward to reading all your books my friend. And masses amounts of good luck for you!
Good luck sweetie!
Hi, Ina! Thanks for your opinion. I don't mind different genres or styles from the same writer - in fact, I really like it when a writer whose work I enjoy tries something new.
Hi Barbara,
First to answer the question--your next title coming out soon is "Sunrise in a Garden of Love and Evil." Very clever title--BTW.
Hi, Judy -- If I were writing for children or young adults, I would probably choose a pseudonym, now that I've been published in adult fiction.
One of my reasons for not using a pseudonym is that I didn't want to have to maintain two websites, two personas, etc. Not sure whether that's due to practicality or just laziness. :)
Thank you, Patrice. It's not the first person to guess that gets the prize -- a name will be drawn. So you still might win!
Oh wow, apple tree gnomes. How kewl is that? And where have I been that I didn't know about them? I enjoy your wit in this post and love the excerpt.
Barbara, I love both of your titles and can't wait to read both!
Elisabeth, thanks for having Barbara here. She's a wonderful blogger. We love her in GRW and at pinkfuzzyslipperwriters,blogspot.com
Mama Mary
Thank you, Mary. I can use all the good luck you send me... I'm sending lots and lots back to you in return.
I have no problem with my favorite authors writing in different genres. As long as the story is well-written and engaging, then I'll follow my favorites anywhere.
Today's answer is....Sunrise in the Garden of Love and Evil.
Joanne - I love my title, but I can't take credit for it. That goes to my fabulous editor, Chris Keeslar.
Beth - LOL. I don't know where the story about the apple tree gnomes disappeared to, but I have a feeling it wouldn't seem as wonderful to me now as it did when I was eight years old. All I remember is one scene with a gnome and that I didn't like the ending. Maybe I'll rewrite it with a better ending one day...
Mama Mary, you're making me blush. Go on now!
Joder - It's a big relief to hear that you don't mind authors writing in more than one genre. I felt like it was a gamble NOT choosing a pseudonym, but hopefully the gamble will pay off...
Hi Barbara ! Thanks for the generous contest.
The title of your new paranormal is Sunrise in a Garden of Love and Evil.
I don't know much about paranormals but I do know A LOT about historicals and yours sounds very good. I love an impossible love story and I love even more seeing the characters reluctantly fall for one another. It makes the ride even more enjoyable.
It's great that you're writing in different genres and have the opportunity to write different kind of stories.
Congrats on both releases !!xoxo
Hello Barbara,
I actually don't mind when an author has a different writing style within different genres. I look more for whether the story and characters interests me when I'm buying a book. As for Pseudonyms, sometimes I don't realize its the same author, unless I have read about it on a website or blog. It really doesn't matter to me, but I can see why some authors like to distinguish between genres by writing under another name.
The answer to the trivia question is Sunrise in a Garden of Love & Evil - quite a catchy title.
Thanks, Emmanuelle. I enjoy an impossible love story, too, especially since when it's a romance, you know that it will become not only possible but absolutely right in the end.
Thank you, Jennifer. I'm becoming more and more reassured about my decision not to use a pseudonym.
I'm so glad you like the title of my paranormal. Hopefully it is catchy enough to stick in people's memories!
Answer: Sunrise in the Garden of Love and Evil
It doesn't matter. At the end I read the books that have the theme that I like.
Thank you, Spav. Me, too -- it's the stories about themes that matter to me that I like best, regardless of genre or pseudonym.
Hi Barbara. Your story sounds intriguing and I am looking forward to reading it.
Your paranormal book, Sunrise in a Garden of Love and Evil, will be released in April.
Answer: Sunrise in a garden of LOVE and EVIL
It doesn't really matter to me how many genres, or names, an author writes under. If its a favorite author of mine, the more the merrier! :-)
The answer is Sunrise in the Garden of Love and Evil.
I don't mind authors using different pseudonyms for different genres. I think it helps them branch out as a writer and gives the readers a "new" author.
Thanks,
Tracey D
Well, I was going to say that the title of your April release is Sunrise in a Garden of Love and Evil, but as usual I'm a day late and a dollar short! Great interview! Barbara is an excellent author.
Hi, Armenia. You have a beautiful name! Thanks very much for commenting. I'm so glad my story sounds intriguing.
Hi Barbara ur new to me so everything i read i find interestinga bout new to me authors i have to say i agree with the storyline and characters is awesome really i dont care what people write as who as long as its worth reading
the answer is
Sunrise in a Garden of Love and Evil will be released in April
Chelsea B - I completely agree! The more the merrier makes so much sense.
Tracey D - Yeah, it's good for authors to get a chance to branch out and try something new -- I know that I do better if I get to switch back and forth between genres -- and for readers, it really is almost like a new and different writer.
Thank you, Scarlet. You're neither late nor short, and I'm so glad you stopped by.
Hi Barbara - thanks for visiting with us today! To answer your question... an author writing in different genres with the same name doesn't bother me at all. Just glancing at the book blurb, if not the cover, should clue me/the reader into genre differences.
Also a note on the website would be nice too.
Sometimes I can't keep all the pseudonyms straight - but either way it doesn't bother me.
And to answer the question... Sunrise in the Garden of Love and Evil - love that title!
SiNn - Thanks for the input. It seems like most of us agree that what matters is a good story told well. Fortunately, there are plenty of those out there, whether authors use different pseudonyms or not.
limecello - How cool to see you here! You're right, the blurb and cover should be enough to let a reader know. I have separate pages on my site for historical and paranormal, so hopefully that will help in my case.
Hi, Barbara! Congrats on publishing in multiple genres--I do enjoy reading authors who do cross lines, and it's neat to see how their voices/styles may differ with the different kinds of stories while remaining true. I don't mind pseudonyms, but I do appreciate knowing what they are because I like to be able to track all of your titles.
Congrats on your new Undone, and on your upcoming paranormal, Sunrise in a Garden of Love & Evil!
flchen1 - Hi, fun to see you here! I have no idea whether or not my voice remains true... Maybe you can tell me some day. :) I do know that in my head I'm in quite a different world when I'm writing a historical. Of course, it's a different world for the paranormal, too, but not so much because it's contemporary, so the values and behavior are more familiar.
answer: Sunrise in a Garden of Love and Evil (out in stores April 2010)
it's amazing how you write in multiple genres Barbara! authors writing different genres is okay with me and i don't mind at all if one doesn't have a pen name for one genre and another for the different genre as long as i can distinguish the books through the title or book cover art. (love the cover art on your Eliza book btw!)
Thank you, chelleyreads. I love the cover art, too. It's not entirely accurate (cover art rarely is, LOL), but I think it conveys the essence of my heroine, Eliza, just perfectly.
Barbara, As a reader I don't care if an author writes in different genres. Infact, if I love the author's voice and want to read more of her/his work, I would like easy access to it and not have to stumble on it somehow or maybe never find it.
I think the set up for your story is fresh. Love it. Mega sales, lady.
Thank you, Autumn. That's how I feel, too. I'd rather not risk missing something by an author I like just because she used a different pen name. Fortunately, many authors with more than one pen name make sure their websites link to each other.
I don't think you have to use a pseudonym if you write different genres as long as its a good story it doesn't matter.
Answer: Sunrise in the Garden of Love and Evil.
Sherry - Yay! Another person who just wants a good story. Me, too!
Hi Barbara,
I don't mind when an author changes subgenres. I'm always willing to follow my favorite authors when they choose to write in a new subgenre. It doesn't matter if they write under the same name or a pseudonym.
Your upcoming paranormal is titled "Sunrise in a Garden of Love and Evil."
I have no problem with my favorite authors writing in different genres.
Sunrise in a Garden of LOVE & EVIL.
yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net
Chaste of thoughts? LOL I love so much that hook. Great way to present your heroine, Barbara. I love the excerpt.
I'm always surprised to find out that one of my favorite authors writes in a different genre and under a different name...usually after I've commented on loving their novel and someone else tells me "Well, I'm not surprised you like it, after all, she is Jane Doe (author)and you love her novels too".
Answer: Sunrise In A Garden Of Love And Evil
mitzihinkey at sbcglobal dot net
Congrats on the new release and Happy New Year too!!!
Hi Barbara, just was over at your site to read about Sunrise in a Garden of Love and Evil. Like what I'm reading about both books.
Personally, I like when an author keeps the same name for various genres. Even if the voice may be different, chances are if I like your stories in one genre I'm liable to like the other. Knowing a "new" author in a genre is really someone I've read before, I'm more likely to try the one in the genre sooner, and I like finding all the info no matter the various genres all on one site.
Jane - Thanks for dropping by and for giving your opinion. I'm really pleased to find that so many people are fine with authors using the same name... or not.
robynl - Thanks for dropping by! I hope you're keeping warm...
Mona - Hi! That quote really got me thinking. In fact, I may write a whole other blog about that.
Mitzi -- Thanks to the Internet, it's easier these days to find out when your favorite authors are writing in other genres. Well, it's actually easier to find out about new authors, too. Hurray for progress!
Pam - Thanks for taking a trip over to my site. It sounds to me like using the same pen name may actually encourage readers to try a genre they don't usually read, which means they may eventually try other authors in that genre too. Couldn't be better!!
I wouldn't expect an author to write such different genres the same, so no it isn't a problem. I admit I didn't like to discover that an author was using a pseudonym only because it felt like I was the last to know and I didn't know to be able to check out her other works. But now I kind of like the trend as it makes it easier to determine which style of writing or genre to expect, but please make it wide known and don't make it a secret (it always gets out eventually).
Answer - Sunrise in the Garden of Love and Evil
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