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When One Night Isn't Enough and Wendy S Marcus with Mega Giveaways!

Wendy, thanks for agreeing to do this interview. It's great to have you here!
Hi Nas! I am absolutely thrilled to be here to promote my debut Harlequin Medical Romance When One Night Isn’t Enough currently available at theMills & Boon.  And coming to the U.S. and Aus/NZ in July 2011.

Most of you don’t know, but way back, I was Nas’s first official blog follower! I am in awe of how far she’s come and how much her blog has grown since my first visit. Wow!
Thank you, Wendy!

I started off by asking her....
On Writing and Reading…
So, when did you start to write and how long did it take you to be published?
I started writing in 2007 and I received ‘The Call’ in 2010.
I bet all that juggling of jobs, relationships and commitments gives you plenty of fodder for your books. What sparks your creativity?
Of all things, I’d have to say music is what sparks my creativity.
What do you love most about being a writer?
I love social networking, interacting with other writers and readers. (And working in my pajamas is cool, too!)
What do you like least about being a writer?
Revisions.
Where were you five years before?
Working in my consulting business during the day and reading romance novels at night.
Where do you envision yourself five years from now?
Hopefully still writing romance but maybe for the single title market. At some point I would love to have a book I can purchase from the shelf of my local store.
Do you have a favorite locale or setting for your novels? What is it and why is it your favorite?
Both my books are set in upstate New York. Because I love New York and I’m familiar with it. That doesn’t mean I won’t try out some different locales in the future.
Which of the books you have written is your favorite?
Having only written two books I’d have to say I love them both equally. Really. I love the characters and the storylines. I’m equally proud of both of them. 
What one specific piece of advice would you give a would-be writer trying to kick-start a career?
Sit down and write. Stop thinking about it and talking about it. DO IT. Then put your work out there. Look for opportunities to get one on one time with editors/agents like during online pitches (like those run by Harlequin), or purchasing critiques from Brenda Novak Auction (going on now), or appointments at conferences. Do whatever you can to avoid the slush pile.  

On Romance...
Describe the ultimate romantic meal.
Cooked by my husband. (He makes a restaurant quality stuffed shrimp dish.)  And I know it’s cliché but a darkened candlelit room with soft music playing in the background – maybe some James Taylor – and a glass of chilled Pinot Grigio always does it for me. (Yup. Cheap and easy!)
What is your all-time favorite romantic movie?
The Notebook.
What is your all-time favorite romantic song or composition?
Mama’s Song by Carrie Underwood – mostly for the chorus. He is good. So good. And he treats your little girl like a real man should. He is good. So good. He makes promises he keeps. No he’s never gonna leave. Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpFW4Yhy08k
What is the most romantic gesture or gift you have received?
I love James Taylor and last year my husband surprised me with tickets to his concert. We had a blast! Well at least I did…my husband’s not much of James Taylor fan but he likes to see me happy.
What tip would you give your readers to make their lives more romantic?
Make time for your relationship. Keep a date night. Don’t let the dog sleep in your bed. I’ll give you a pass on children since mine slept with me, on and off. But only until kindergarten. They’re old enough to ride the bus, they’re old enough to sleep in their own bed.
Where is the most romantic place you’ve ever traveled?
For my sweet sixteen my parents sent me on a trip to Europe. I found Venice at night to be wonderfully romantic. But truthfully, I find any vacation spot on the water romantic.
All About her...
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
No. I started playing around with writing when a good friend of mine spent some time in prison. You see, when I married my husband I became part of a group of friends who had been tight since high school, the husbands and the wives. There were no secrets between them. This one friend of my husband’s always tried to dig up dirt from my past. So during his incarceration I sent him long, entertaining and detailed letters – which he said were the favorites among his fellow inmates – to keep him occupied. Come to think of it…I hope he got rid of them before he came home! Anyway, I had fun writing those letters and, after reading a few books where I’d thought I could do better, I set down to draft my first romance.  
Besides writing, what other talent would you most like to have?
I would love to be able to belt out a song, in public, without embarrassing myself or sending my children running from the room – like they do when I start to dance.
What quality do you most admire in a man?
Dependability.
What is the one thing you've always wanted to do, but never had the courage to try?
Pick up a handsome stranger in a bar and go home with him. (Obviously this goes back to before I was married.) The thought excites – I mean used to excite – me. Unfortunately…or maybe fortunately I’m too cautious and distrusting to ever do it. But I have no problem writing about it!!!
 If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?
I’m a nurse by trade. I have a master’s degree in health care administration. When my children were younger I started a health care consulting business so I could work from home and make my own hours. But my goal was always to return to work as a power player in the industry once my children graduated high school. My youngest is in eighth grade. If an opportunity presented itself, I’m not sure what I’d do.   
What quote or personal saying do you live by?
Do unto others as you’d have others do unto you.
To finish up, do you have any advice/handy tips/craft skills you'd like to share with unpublished authors?
1)      Get out there and mingle with your fellow writers. Attend conferences and meetings. Speak up on loops. Visit blogs. Make friends. 
2)      Learn the guidelines for the publisher/agent you’re submitting to and follow them.
3)      Read in the genre you want to write. Know what’s out there and what’s selling.
4)      Write. Every day. No matter what. (Do as I say, not as I do because I am a notorious procrastinator.)
5)      A good book is written in revision. Just meeting the word count for submission is not enough.
6)      Find a good critique partner, someone honest who won’t feed you undeserved praise. Because trust me, an agent/editor will have no trouble telling you exactly what’s wrong with your manuscript. Wouldn’t you rather have the opportunity to fix it before it gets that far?
7)      Don’t let fear of rejection keep you from following your dreams.
8)      Don’t let actual rejection deter you from your goal of publication.
9)      Practice your craft. Take classes. Learn and grow as a writer.
10)  Never give up. The agent/editor who is the perfect match for your manuscript is out there. It’s your job to find him/her. Good luck!
NOW TELL US ABOUT WHEN ONE NIGHT ISN’T ENOUGH….
Nurse Ali Forshay has found the perfect man for her. Dependable. Routine. Boring. Exactly what she wants to ensure the quiet, stable and anonymous life she’s dreamed of since childhood. Then his friend, Dr. Jared Padget, shows up and goodbye fairytale ending. The man’s a schmoozer. A womanizer. A whoo-a-woman-into-bed-using-any-means-necessary kind of man just like her father. And Ali wants nothing to do with him. But he’s so tempting. Thank goodness his temporary assignment at Madrin Memorial is over, and he’s heading out of town.
If only he hadn’t shown up at girls’ night out on the eve of his departure. If only he hadn’t taken her up on her drunken one-time offer. If only he hadn’t come back when he’d promised to stay away…
Check out an excerpt here. 
While you’re there check out my Home Page for information on two CONTESTS I’m running. You could win one of four Amazon gift cards.
And, if you’re interested in winning a free copy of my 2in1 UK release, which includes a full novel by Janice Lynn, click on the link above to read the excerpt and send me an e-mail with the answer to this question:
What is Dr. Jared Padget’s pet name for nurse Ali Forshay? My e-mail can be found on my Contact page. Be sure to put Nas’s Blog in the subject line.

Visit me on Facebook: Wendy S Marcus

Visit me on Twitter@WendySMarcus 

Visit me on Goodreads: Wendy S Marcus
Now, for a couple of questions to get some conversation started. Have you ever read a Harlequin Medical Romance? If so, what did you think? If no, why not? And are you willing to make mine your first? What is your idea of the perfect medical hero/heroine?

57 comments:

  1. Hi Nas!
    Thanks so much for having me! I'm looking forward to chatting with all your friends!

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  2. Wendy: you're right. You just have to sit down and DO it. It's the only way to write a short story or a novel. And it's obvious this is exactly what you've done. Congratulations! And may you have great success with book sales.

    Thank you, Nas, for hosting her, and for stopping by frequently to see me at my place!
    Ann Best, Memoir Author

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  3. Great interview! So many people have a "book in them" but so few make it happen. Congratulations!

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  4. Hi Wendy,

    Welcome! I'm happy to have you here! You are going to have fun chatting with my friends!

    Hi all friends, ask Wendy some really, really difficult questions, please?

    The most difficult can be her hero inspiration for this book!

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  5. Hello Ann,

    I love coming by your place, you have such an awesome poem there today. And anyway your life's journey is an inspiration to me! Thanks for coming by.

    Hi Laura, thanks for coming by!

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  6. Great interview ladies. Wendy, I procrastinate too. *sigh* At least I'm in good company. :-)

    Wendy, would you or have you ever let anyone read one of your first drafts?

    Congrads on the books and Nas you've done it again, girl. You rock!

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  7. As usual, great interview Nas and Wendy. It's so great hearing how authors work.

    Denise<3

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  8. Thanks for the post, Nas. How fascinating that a prison stint of a friend got Wendy writing!

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  9. Hi Ann!
    Sitting down and writing sounds so easy, doesn't it? We both know it's not. But if we want to be published authors we have to do it!

    I'm looking forward to my visit at your blog on July 13th.

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  10. Whoa, Nas! Easy questions. I want easy questions!! And I think you know my hero inspiration. All my heroes have a bit of Channing Tatum in them. I just love dark hair, dreamy eyes, and a well toned muscular system!

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  11. Hi Robyn!
    Procrastination is quite a problem for me. But I always manage to get done what I need done. So I'm thankful for that. (Unfortunately sometimes it requires working round the clock and e-mailing my work off with minutes to spare.)

    And in answer to your question about whether I'd let anyone read my first drafts.... I'm an edit as I go writer. For example: Monday I write 1,200 words in the morning. I edit them that evening. I edit them again the next morning before I move on to the next section. So I don't really do a dirty first draft. By the time I'm done it's been edited piece by piece. Then I review it as a whole, from start to finish. Only after that's done do I let anyone look at it. But...and there's always a but, if I'm having a problem with a scene I have some friends who'll take a look for me, as will my editor.

    And I'm looking forward to my visit to your blog, too, on July 15th.

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  12. In our earlier conversation elsewhere, Nas, I almost asked who your next interviewee will be. For some reason, this latest blog post of yours didn't show up in the RSS feed until just a short while ago.

    Wendy is one member and author who really stands out on the Harlequin website. Her blog posts are always fascinating. (Thanks for that one about "A Billion Wicked Thoughts," btw.)

    To answer some of the questions, I have read a few Harlequin medicals, and I think I will pick up the electronic copy of Wendy's. I'm sure it will be enjoyable.

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  13. Hi Denise!

    Thanks for stopping by!

    I'm looking forward to my visit to your blog, too, on July 22nd. Wow, can you tell Nas helped me coordinate my blog tour? I'm visiting with lots of her friends!

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  14. Hi Lydia!
    I guess I should mention my friend is an accountant who made an error in judgement and paid the price by spending a year in jail. I don't make it a point to hang around with hardened criminals - at least not that I know of. He's a great guy.

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  15. Hi Azarimba!
    You've made my night - it's Sunday night here in the U.S. It makes me so happy to know people enjoy my posts. I really do try to entertain and give interesting information. I haven't read A Billion Wicked Thoughts yet, but it's on my Kindle.

    And thank you for ordering my book. I really hope you enjoy it!

    Thanks for stopping by! And next time you're around the medical authors group blog when I'm posting, leave me a comment so I know you've been there!

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  16. Fabulous interview. I also found Wendy's story about how she started writing fascinating. If you ever work out how to get rid of that procrastination thing let me know =)

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  17. Hi Lacey!
    I get around my procrastination by setting daily goals. (It works best when I'm under pressure/deadline like I am now.) For instance my goal today was to complete 4 posts/interviews for upcoming blog visits. I've been working since 8:00 this morning. (Did I mention it's Sunday?) It's now 10:00 at night here in the U.S. But I just completed my fourth post and e-mailed it off. (I'm also on my third load of laundry with one more to put in the dryer.)

    You see, I have to get my first three chapters to my editor by Friday. I am nowhere near ready to do that. So I forced myself to focus today. I had to. There was no option.

    The best way to get rid of procrastination: A deadline!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  18. Hi Nas and Wendy,

    In answer to Wendy's questions - Have you ever read a Harlequin Medical Romance? YES
    If so, what did you think? I enjoy them and I will try to find them at my local used bookstores or buy them from eHarlequin if the story interests me or the book is by an author I like.

    Wendy - I emailed you the answer to your free book contest

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  19. Hi Wendy,
    Lovely to see you here. I feel quite at home now here at Nas's Paradise :) She has the best guests and I loved reading your blog post. Some wonderful advice for us aspiring authors. It's always heartening to know that even published authors have their bad days when they procrastinate. And Nike got it right when they launched their logo - Just Do It!

    I love Medicals - they are one of my favourite lines! We're lucky to have them onshelf here in Australia. I am seeing them morph a bit so will be interested in reading your wonderful book when it comes out here in July.

    Thanks, Nas for another wonderful blog interview.
    Hugs
    Serena
    xoxox

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  20. Brilliant advice and very inspiring. Thank you.

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  21. Hi Wendy. Thanks for the excellent advice.

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  22. Hi Nas, I'm following you back.
    Great interview!

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  23. Hi Laura!
    My apologies. I seem to have skipped over your comment last night. You're correct. Getting that book into the computer is not easy. But it's well worth the effort when it's done.

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  24. Hi Amanda!
    I received your e-mail. And I love Janice Lynn, too. Her book Dr. DiAngelo's Baby Bombshell is one of my favorites in the medical romance line.

    Thank you for stopping by and for joining my contest.

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  25. Hi Serena!
    I agree! Nas has a wonderful blog with wonderful guests and I'm honored to be a part of it! I'm so happy you love medical romance! I hope you enjoy my book when you read it!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  26. Hi Ellie!
    Brilliant and inspiring are words I love to hear...although they're not often directed at me...so thank you for that! I'm glad you found it helpful.

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  27. Hi Shelley!
    I'm glad you found my advice helpful.

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  28. Hi Naina!
    I'm glad you enjoyed the interview.

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  29. Congratulations on your release, Wendy!! Many, many happy sales!

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  30. Hi Nas. Hi Wendy, nice to meet you. I enjoyed the interview and wish you great success.
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium

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  31. Hi Wendy Hi Nas

    This was a great interview. I'm not an aspiring writer but i enjoy reading about the writing process. i'm looking forward to reading your book Wendy

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  32. Yay! Congrats to Wendy - love the cover!

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  33. Hi Nancy!
    Hi Tali!

    Thanks so much! I'm looking forward to guesting at both of your blogs!

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  34. Hi Kaelee!
    Thank you for visiting me at another stop on my blog tour! I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. I just checked your Blogger profile. You're a Leo! I knew there was a reason we got along!

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  35. Great interview, ladies! My husband took me to a Goo Goo Dolls concert (they were my favorite band at the time), which I thought was so sweet because he didn't really like them all that much. I had a fantastic time - I hadn't been to a concert in probably over ten years!

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  36. Wow! I came here to say 'Hi!' to Wendy and -Wow!- Nas, you have built an awesome blog. Kudos to you!

    Hey, Wendy! Thought I'd stop by on your tour. I saw your list for the tour. Another Wow! (That seems to be my word for today.)

    And, how you started writing is a hoot. Very sassy.

    Abbi :-)

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  37. Really good tips for writers. We do have to jump through hoops, but it's all worth it in the end.

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  38. Hi Susan!
    My husband also took me to an Air Supply concert. Remember them? And surprisingly, he wasn't the only man there! But men were in the minority!

    Thanks for stopping by.

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  39. Hi Abbi!
    Wow about sums up my thoughts on my blog tour, too! What was I thinking? But I'm having fun! I LOVE to chat!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  40. Hi J.L.!
    I wish that jumping through hoops kept me in better shape! Sadly it doesn't. Must be the chocolate... and the wine.

    Thanks for stopping by.

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  41. Great interview and such wonderful tips, thanks!

    Never give up!!!

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  42. Hi to all my special friends! *waving*

    So how do you all like chatting with our guest, Wendy, today? Hope you all enjoying yourselves.

    Thank you, Serena and Abbi for the special compliments!

    Please do not forget to pop over to Wendy's website to enter the contest!

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  43. Great interview. Wishing you success with the book :)

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  44. hey Wendy and Nas - great interview.
    Great tips too Wendy - they're exactly the things I always tell aspiring writers as well.
    Can't wait for your debut to hit shelves here in Oz - must remember to take a pic!
    Amy Andrews
    ps Love Air Supply :o)

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  45. Hi Ibdiamond and Lynda R Young!
    I'm glad you enjoyed my interview.
    Thanks for stopping by!

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  46. Yay! Amy came to visit! Another Medical Romance author! I'm looking forward to seeing a picture of my book on Aus shelves. I just found out it's a 2in1. I didn't know they had those in Aus.

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  47. Wow, Wendy! Wonderful interview. Love the tips for writers and I especially enjoyed the tips on how to keep things romantic with the hubby.

    I'm in total agreement with the no animals in the bed rule - other than a husband of course.

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  48. Wendy, Amy Andrew's latest offering JUST ONE NIGHT is in a 2 in 1 with Leonie Knight. The cover is on my sidebar!

    How the Medical's have evolved with titles. The titles are all so sexy now!

    Welcome to all my new followers, did anyone notice the latest follower? The great LIZ FIELDING sitting right on top and smiling. I'm super excited!

    Nas
    (Blogger is not letting me post!)

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  49. Hi Regina!
    I say it all the time but...you crack me up!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  50. Hi Nas!
    Thank you so much for having me! I've had a blast chatting with your friends - and mine!

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  51. HI Wendy, HI Nas! I really loved this interview - I learned things about you I never knew! What a wonderful way to start writing by letters. You have a long fruitful career ahead of you and I am thrilled to know you!!

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  52. Hi Jen!
    Thanks!

    And thanks for stopping by!

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  53. Great interview! When One Night Isn't Enough sounds like a wonderful read - I still haven't read any medical romance, yet the genre sounds so appealing.

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  54. Hi Deniz!
    You can check out an excerpt for my book on my website: http://WendySMarcus.com. If it sparks your interest I expect my single book to be up on Amazon U.S and Amazon Canada in the next week or two.

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  55. Hi Wendy!!! Great to meet you!! And the book sounds really fab!

    Nice to know on how you started writing..and so glad that you were able to follow your dream through that!

    And I love your the quote you go by!

    Nas, fab interview, as usual! Thanks for bringing Wendy into the spotlight :)

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  56. I love the advice list.

    What a unique way to get started in this business. I can't imagine what these letters were like!

    Interesting premise. I haven't read romance novels in years, but I wouldn't rule them out entirely either.

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