Today is the day when the great and wonderful Rachel Gibson will be visiting our blog to hang out and answer any other questions you may have for her.
I had the pleasure of emailing back and forth with Mrs. Gibson and I can’t tell you guys enough how awesome and nice Rachel is. She answered every question put to her and she’s even going to throw in a prize for some lucky winner today.
On top of Rachel Gibson’s gift of the entire set of her writer’s series, Book Binge will be giving away 3 pre-orders of Rachel’s new release, Not Another Bad Date which comes out May 27, 2008.
So there is lots and lots to look forward to today so I hope you guys make the most of all of the free stuff we have to give away. All you have to do to win any of the prizes is leave a comment on this post and you’re automatically entered to win the contest!
Good luck everyone!
Now we’ve had some pretty great authors visit this blog and today’s author is pretty special to me because she’s actually one of my favorite authors. Some of my most favorite books ever have been written by Rachel Gibson. See Jane Score? Totally one of my favorites and seriously, what’s not to love about quirky and witty Jane and hunkalicious Luc Martineau?
Like I said earlier, Rachel answered every question we put to her and without further babbling from me, here’s the interview…
On your writing…
Book Binge: What did you do the day you held your first published book in your hands?
Rachel Gibson: I just stared at it and couldn’t believe it was actually MY book. I kept reading passages to reassure myself that it was indeed the book I wrote.
Book Binge: What made you want to be a writer?
Rachel Gibson: I read Gone With The Wind and didn’t like the ending so I sat down one night and rewrote it. That was the beginning of my writing career.
Book Binge: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Rachel Gibson: When I was about 29 and rewrote Gone With The Wind. Until that time, it never crossed my mind.
Book Binge: How long did take you to get published?
Rachel Gibson: Six years and five complete manuscripts.
Book Binge: How much research goes into writing one of your books?
Rachel Gibson: It mostly depends on the subject matter. For my fifth book, Lola Carlyle Reveals All, a whole heck of a lot. For Tangled Up In You, not as much.
Book Binge: What is the most interesting thing you’ve witnessed or seen during your research on any one of your books?
Rachel Gibson: The most fun I have doing research is when I write hockey book. Several years ago, I was at a game and a guy in front of me stood up when an opposing play skated by and yelled, “Eat me, 23.” Out of that one little sentence, I got the idea for See Jane Score.
Book Binge: What is the best part of your job as a romance novelist?
Rachel Gibson: Writing scenes that make people fall in love with my characters.
Book Binge: How do you make your books so funny? It’s got to be hard to write funny and witty books back to back to back, how do you keep the scenes fresh and the dialogue funny each and every time?
Rachel Gibson: You might be surprised at how many people write me to tell me that I’m NOT funny. If I succeed at being funny or witty it is because I never set out to do either. You can’t force humor or wit. For me it all has to happen organically.
Keeping scenes and dialogue fresh is something I struggle with everyday. I try not to repeat myself, but I also know that after thirteen books it’s impossible.
On Your Books…
Book Binge: Can you tell us anything about Adele’s book?
Rachel Gibson: Adele is a paranormal writer who is cursed with bad dates. The hero is her first love who dumped her for another girl.
Book Binge: Where did the inspiration for Luc’s tattoo in See Jane Score come from?
Rachel Gibson: I’m not sure. I usually put tattoos on my sports heroes, so I probably just thought that would be an interesting place to have a horseshoe tattoo.
Book Binge: Was there a lot of research done for that tattoo?
Rachel Gibson: Unfortunately, no.
Book Binge: Did you just have to sit in a locker room just to get the ambiance of it all to write about it?
Rachel Gibson: I wish I was able to get into locker rooms to soak up ambiance, but I’m not. I have to imagine twenty buff men dropping their towels in front of me. It’s not tough to do that.
Book Binge: Do you use muses for your heroes? If so, which ones? If so, who did you use for Mick Hennessey because he is seriously a fox?
Rachel Gibson: I used to use muses. I used to cut out photos from magazines. I don’t so much anymore. I think it’s because I’ve been doing this for a while now, and the men just come to me without outside help. But . . . every hockey player I write is in some way inspired by Mark Messier. He was so intense and played so hard. And of course he looked good without a shirt.
Book Binge: Which one of your books is your favorite?
Rachel Gibson: I don’t have a favorite. Each was hard and special in its own way.
Book Binge: If you could redo one of your books, which book would it be and why?
Rachel Gibson: I’m never completely happy with any of my books, but I would never redo them. When I’m finished with a book, the story is told the way it was supposed to be told and I move on. Besides, if I ever had to actually sit down and rewrite a book, it would make me crazy. I’d have to trash it and start over.
Book Binge: Do you favor one of your own heroes over the others? If so, which one?
Rachel Gibson: My favorite hero is always the hero I am writing at the time. He’s much more interesting to me than the heroes whose story I’ve already told. That hero has gone on and is living happily ever after. The new hero is the one I get to torture.
Book Binge: Have you ever considered writing other genres besides contemporaries?
Rachel Gibson: No.
Book Binge: Do you have any more hockey books on the horizon?
Rachel Gibson: I am currently writing a hockey book that will be out spring of 2009.
Book Binge: What book are you most proud of?
Rachel Gibson: My first book, Simply Irresistible. It set my career on its current path.
Book Binge: Do you have anything in the works right now that you can tell us about?
Rachel Gibson: I’m on page 50 of my new book. So there isn’t anything to tell. I write by the seat of my pants, so I never know what’s going to happen next.
Book Binge: Is Gospel, Idaho a real city, if so, where can Casee find it? She lives in Idaho too.
Rachel Gibson: Gospel is made up. I put it on Redfish Lake, which is one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
On Everything Else…
Book Binge: Who is your favorite author?
Rachel Gibson: That changes, but at the moment I’m loving Jim Butcher and Simon R. Green.
Book Binge: If you could recommend a book for us to read, which book would it be?
Rachel Gibson: Not Another Bad Date. I hear it’s really good.
Book Binge: Do you read historicals? If you do, can you recommend a historical romance to one of our dear readers, Carolyn Jean?
Rachel Gibson: I read a lot of historicals. I read Laura Lee Guhrke, Laura Kinsale, Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn.
Book Binge: Have you read anything by Lisa Kleypas? If so, Sebastian St. Vincent or Derek Craven? (there’s a big battle of the heroes between bloggers so which one would you choose?)
Rachel Gibson: My favorite Kleypas is Where Dreams Begin. So, I vote for Zachary Bronson.
Book Binge: Is there a book that hasn’t come out yet that you’re anxiously awaiting?
Rachel Gibson: I’m usually behind on my deadlines so I don’t really know what’s out until I’m done with my book and I get to the book store and stock up.
Book Binge: What’s your favorite color?
Rachel Gibson: Green
Book Binge: What’s playing right now on your ipod/stereo/mp3 player?
Rachel Gibson: Toby Keith
Book Binge: What’s your favorite T.V Show?
Rachel Gibson: Project Runway
Book Binge: What’s your favorite Movie?
Rachel Gibson: Sweet Home Alabama
Book Binge: Who’s your favorite actor? actress?
Rachel Gibson: Don’t have one.
Book Binge: Thanks again for agreeing to do this, Rachel, it means the world to us over at Book Binge and we totally love all of your books and can’t wait for more.
Rachel Gibson: Thanks everyone at Book Binge. And thanks everyone who reads my books. I truly appreciate it.
To read Rachel’s own blog, go on over to The Goddess Blogs. Her latest blog written over there can be found, here.
Alright ladies, feel free to ask Rachel any question you don’t see asked here and she’ll be around today to answer them. Thanks again for stopping by and many thanks to Rachel for taking the time to hang out with us, it’s been a blast and don’t forget everyone mark your calendars because Adele’s book in the writer series, Not Another Bad Date comes out and you can pre order a copy of it at the following places:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Chapters Indigo
Books a Million
Good luck to everyone and stay tuned for the announcing of the winners! =)
Hugs,
Rowena
Your books sound great, Rachel! Last night I added four new-to-me authors to my “try ’em out” list, and after reading your “Eat me, 23″ experience” (I can completely envision that!) I’m already at Amazon again this morning. My husband’s going to take my internet away. 😉
Not a question, just a wave and a greeting: Hi! Thank you for visiting.
(Rowena, you barely fangirl babbled at all! *wink*)
Hi Rachel. Great interview. I love your books. See Jane Score is one of my favorite books.
Hi Rachel,
Thanks so much for being with us today. I loved reading your answers.
I do have a question, though: What was your hardest book to write? Was it Simply Irresistible because it was your first?
Love that book, by the way. I didn’t expect to like it, but I did. I also love See Jane Score. But I think my all time favorite is Truly, Madly Yours. I love Nick and Delaney.
Again, thanks for visiting!
I am so excited for Not Another Bad Date!
I adore all of Rachel’s books. Make me smile 🙂
Great interview! I love the part about how the idea came about for See Jane Score. I haven’t read it yet, but I know I will be shortly. I have read Sex, Lies and Online Dating. One of the things that stands out for me in that book is the genuineness of the characters.
I have the book The Trouble with Valentine’s Day in my TBR pile. I will have to pull it out!
Hi everyone,
I’m so excited to be here chatting with you all. Writing is so solitary that it’s always nice to be given the opportunity to chat.
Holly,
Simply Irresistible was hard because it was the first book and I had a lot to learn. But the most difficult was Lola Carlyle Reveals All. I had to revise that book three times after I turned it in. And come to think of it, See Jane Score was hard too. I had to re-write the entire second half of that book during the revision process. My editor had to point out to me that I forgot to put in a romantic conflict. Oops.
Rachel Gibson
Great interview! Rachel, you have quickly become one of my favourite contemporary authors ever since a friend made me read Sex, Lies and Online Dating. 😛
See Jane Score is one of my top faves ever.
Rachel Gibson is THE reason I like contemporary novels and one of the only authors who writes a story that I can stand to read. I LOVE HER, and she seems really awesome. Great interview!!!
I really enjoy Rachel Gibson’s writing style and I get a kick out of her characters…looking forward to more. 🙂
So just had to throw this out there, you and I have the same favorite TV show and movie in common. (Did that make sense?) Anyway congrats on the neew release!
Emily,
If you haven’t already, you should read Rachel’s See Jane Score and her writer’s series…the books are as followed:
-Sex, Lies and Online Dating
-In No Mood for Love
-Tangled Up in You
These books are great! And I love Quinn, Sebastian and Mick…=)
Happy Reading!
Azteclady,
I know, right? I’m so proud! =)
Crystal,
Isn’t See Jane Score great? That tatoo was just divine! =)
Thanks everyone for your kind words. I’m thrilled you all like my books. And Sarai, I totally thought Christian deserved to win Project Runway.
Rachelg
Holly,
Isn’t she great? And I think I have you to thank for pimping RG to me…so THANKS!
Katiebabs,
I’m so excited for Not Another Bad Date as well, I just love those girls!
ROTFL – A very diplomatic answer to the infamous Derek or Sebastian question *g*.
And more of a comment – I’m so glad to hear your writing another hockey book. See Jane Score is my all time favourite sports romance book. There’s just something yummy about a sweaty good looking Canadian hockey player 🙂
Thanks, Rachel!
I’ve always thought the first book would be the hardest to write. I know a lot of research goes into some other novels and as an author grows her style, etc might change, and she might take on something she wouldn’t have tried before, but I would still think the first one would be the hardest to write. Naturally I have no experience to draw from, but it would seem that way.
A silly question, if I may?
What’s your favorite Toby Keith song? I love him.
Ooh Jill!
You have got to read Rob Sutton’s book, I thought he was such a cutie patootie (that’s the book you have in your TBR pile) It’s funny, cute and super good!
Ames,
You have to read her other books, she really is great, I promise!
Hey Sarah,
What’s your favorite RG book?
Jessica,
I totally agree! Her characters are great and I can’t wait to read Adele’s book…just a couple more months!
Welcome to the blog Sarai! =)
KristieJ,
I thought for sure, we’d get another Derek Cravenator but Zack is just as hunkalicious so I’m not mad! =)
See Jane Score was my first RG book, and got me totally hooked. Love, love, loved it! And I can’t tell you how many of my friends also count SJS as their favorite G book. There’s just something about Luc and Jane. Now, all your books are autobuys. Always good for a fun day of reading and to lose yourself 🙂 Thanks for many hours of enjoyment!
I love Rachel Gibson! She’s one of the main reasons why I’m a frequent reader over at The Goddess Blogs 🙂
Very nice interview. Way to go!
i love the way characters from one book are connected 2 another book…even if a little..it makes it more realistic…gr8 books!!!! wish there’s more 2 come