C.J. Carmichael Is Here!!!
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Rad-Reader: Where did you grow up and did it influence you’re writing at all?
C.J.: I grew up in a "Little House On The Prairie" situation. So I think that led, in a big way, to my love of reading and, ultimately, writing too.
Rad-Reader: What are the first 3 words you think of when you think of your newest book?
C.J.: Warmth. Love. Community.
Rad-Reader: How did you dream up the storyline? Did the three of you think up your storylines together?
C. J.: Roxy, Brenda and I did most of our brainstorming together. We wanted a unifying story thread, something that would touch on the real miracle of Christmas, which is the birth of a baby.
Rad-Reader: What would your newest lead character like about themselves?
C. J.: Lily Parker is the heroine in What Child Is This. She's hurting so much at the beginning of the story, that she can't really see herself very clearly. But it is through helping others that we can most help ourselves, and that's something that Lily understands. As she reaches out to try and help a struggling young teenager, we can see the true strength of her character.
Rad-Reader: What books influenced your writing style do you think? Why?
C. J. I think a writer develops her own style over time, not as a synthesis of other authors she has admired, but as an expression of her own thinking process.
Rad-Reader: Is there an author you would like to meet and why?
C. J.: I generally don't like to meet authors, or other famous people, because in my mind I have a very special relationship with them--which of course doesn't exist in reality! But I wouldn't turn down the opportunity to have lunch with any of: J.K. Rowling, Diane Chamberlain, Susan Wiggs, Kate Atkinson...etc. etc. etc.!
Rad-Reader: You, Roxy & Brenda have all been a hoot to have on our blog but to have our email wars back and forth with, LOL. You are just the nicest bunch of ladies around. Thanks for reaching out to me when I asked and to our readers. But to me as a person I would gladly break bread with you three any day.
Rad-Reader: You, Roxy & Brenda have all been a hoot to have on our blog but to have our email wars back and forth with, LOL. You are just the nicest bunch of ladies around. Thanks for reaching out to me when I asked and to our readers. But to me as a person I would gladly break bread with you three any day.
Rad-Reader: Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, or hardback books?
C. J.: I love trade paperbacks the best. I like to lie down when I read so hardcovers are too heavy. E-readers are nice and light, but not nearly as satisfying to flip around in.
Rad-Reader: There are a lot of books turned into movies any you can think of you like the movie better than the book?
C. J.: It's rare for me to prefer a movie to a book, but The English Patient is one example. I felt the director and screen writer were successful in mining down to the core of the story and focusing on that.
Rad-Reader: What are you currently reading and in what format (e-book, paperback, or hardcover?)
C. J.: For my book club I'm reading Moloka'i by Alan Brennert. I'm about 10% in and so far it's very sad...
I'm also reading the classic Vern novel "Around the World in 80 Days" because I'm going to a play by the same name on Friday and I wanted to have read the book first.
Also on the go is Melissa McClone's Home For Christmas!
Rad-Reader: Any authors that you have seen lately that they have just grabbed your attention?
C. J.: I have to say my writing partners, Roxy Buroughs and Brenda Collins really blew me away with the great stories they wrote for A Frost Family Christmas!
Rad-Reader: Who does your covers and do you have any say over them?
C. J.: In the Harlequin world (I have over 35 titles with them) I filled out Art Sheets with details about the characters, story and setting. Usually the Art Department came up with something pretty great for the cover! Lately I've been collaborating with other authors and designers and the results are quite satisfying. I must say my favorite designer for Indie books is Lani at StoryWonks. She has designed all the covers for an indie group I'm working with called "Montana Born Books."
Rad-Reader: Do you do trailers or have you thought about doing they? Why?
C. J.: Harlequin did a trailer for a series I worked on for them called Harts of The Rodeo. I loved that trailer and would love to do more if I had the budget. Check it out, it's amazing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2v2qhT-fbw
Rad-Reader: Do you write under a pen name? Why?
C. J.: C.J. Carmichael is a pen name, but you know, I really regret the decision not to use my real name. It's just complicated having different identities floating around the universe!
Rad-Reader: Your funniest childhood memory.
C.J.: When my little two-year-old sister dumped the contents of everything she found in the bottom cupboards onto the floor--flour, sugar, cereal everything. It was funny, until I had to clean it up!
Rad-Reader: Any Pets or pet peeves? LOL
C.J.: I recently lost my pet cat, Penny. 3 years ago we lost our dog, too. I really, really, really miss having pets in the house!
Rad-Reader: Your Favorite: Drink, dessert, & food?
C. J.: My favorite drink is my morning latte. Mike makes it for me every morning, and it's the best tasting latte in the world! I love chocolate layer cake with whipped cream between the layers. My Mom used to bake this for our birthdays. If I had to eat just one food for the rest of my life, I think I'd pick chili. Yum!
Rad-Reader: If you could be one of your characters for one day, which one would you be & why?
C. J.: Oh, fun question! I'd like to be Sage Carrigan, in Promise Me, Cowboy, because Sage owns a chocolate store. Need I say more?
Rad-Reader: Okay, Now for sure I have to be one of your besties because in your book your besties’ would get free samples when they helped out at the story right??? J
Rad-Reader: Okay, Now for sure I have to be one of your besties because in your book your besties’ would get free samples when they helped out at the story right??? J
Rad-Reader: I want to be each of your leading ladies in each of the three stories. The men are strong but their hearts are all in the right place, family. I like that they have this vulnerable side to them. What do you like in your own man?
C. J.: I like his kindness, most of all. (And his lattes. But I've already covered that.)
Rad-Reader: Oh Yeah, Well the best way to a gals heart should be a latte, right?
Rad-Reader: Oh Yeah, Well the best way to a gals heart should be a latte, right?
Rad-Reader: What are you working on now?
C.J.: "Good Enough" is the first of 3 full-length Novels I'm writing about The Carrigans Of The Circle C. The series opens with the novella: Promise Me, Cowboy, which is currently available in e-book form only, but will soon be out in Trade paper back along with all 4 of the Copper Mountain Rodeo novellas.
Rad-Reader: Be still my cowboy, oops! Heart… Did I say that out loud? I love COWBOYS!!! NOW I NOW I SAID THAT OUT LOUD. J
Rad-Reader: Be still my cowboy, oops! Heart… Did I say that out loud? I love COWBOYS!!! NOW I NOW I SAID THAT OUT LOUD. J
Rad-Reader: What are the things you never leave home without (apart from: keys, money, & phone)
C. J.: I need my lip chap! It's very dry here in Calgary.
Rad-Reader: Do you like to sleep late or get up early on the weekends?
C. J.: I like to sleep until about 7:30 - 8. That's about perfect every day of the week! What I hate are early morning flights that require me to be at the airport before 7. Shudder.
Rad-Reader: Laptop, desktop or longhand when writing your wonderful story like, “What Child Is This”?
C. J.: Mostly desktop, though I dabble in laptop, and plan in writing.
Rad-Reader: Your favorite gadget you can’t live without? Anything…
C. J.: In the kitchen, I love my hand-held blender and my garlic press. In the office I love my computer (of course). In the family room I love our Apple TV that lets me binge watch my favorite TV shows!
Rad-Reader: When’s your best time to write?
C. J.: Time doesn't matter. It has to be quiet, though. Very quiet.
Rad-Reader: I don’t need super quiet I just need a calmness around me. I am crazy enough on my own I don’t need crazy around me too when I am writing.
Rad-Reader: I don’t need super quiet I just need a calmness around me. I am crazy enough on my own I don’t need crazy around me too when I am writing.
Rad-Reader: Do you read reviews and do they affect your day either way good or bad?
C. J.: Yes, I read reviews. I have been fortunate not to get too many really bad ones. But of course, even one slightly negative comment will hurt. I try to learn from them if possible, without obsessing about the negatives.
Rad-Reader: If your book, “What Child Is This”, was made into a TV series or movie, what actors would you like to see playing your characters leads?
C. J.: Love this question! I have pictures already posted on Pinterest! I saw Hugh Jackman as Frost CEO, Garret Frost, and Reese Witherspoon as Lily Parker. They would be wonderful!
Hugh Jackman
Reese Witherspoon
Rad-Reader: Can you recommend any good books you’ve read lately?
C. J.: Oh my. For literary I'd say February by Lisa Moore. For romantic read I'd say Melissa McClone's Home For Christmas . For fun read, The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.
Rad-Reader: Where can we reach you? Facebook, Goodreads, Tweeter, etc…
C. J.: I love feedback and chatting with readers! Find me at:
Twitter: @CJ_Carmichael
Goodreads: CJ Carmichael
Thanks Rad-Reader! This was fun!
On Behalf of our readers I would like to thank you for being with us. It is nice of you and for taking time from your writing to share a part of your life with us. I have to say I really enjoyed the Frost Family and the twist of the mystery that came with it at the end. Thanks again for your interview today and to your two lady friends in crime for stealing the show of writing three very good Christmas books. God will shine his blessing on you, Roxy & Brenda during the Holiday Season and throughout the year.
