SimonSays.com

Here is my question which you might have already answered before and I apologize if I'm redundant:

What is your biggest writing challenge and how do you overcome it? What motivates you to continue during those times of challenge?

Okay, two questions.

I want to second the questions regarding Sheila. Why? How often? Did they have an affair? Did she feel guily about her friendship? How did they blackmail her patients?

The book is wonderful, I can't wait for your next book and thank you for all of your feedback.

Take care and maybe see you in San Francisco,

Sandi

I just wondered why you decide to use Joe in STWOM, was there something about his character that you felt would add to the book. Not that I'm complaining, it was great to read about him, although I'm not so sure about him flirting with Hilda like that LOL.

I just wondered if there was a particular reason why you chose him, and didn't bring in a completely new character as a bodyguard, especially as you've already said there was no place for Matt and Meredith in the book.

Thank you, and thanks for a terrific read.

lol:

Unfortunately I haven't read STWOM as yet because I'm still waiting to get a copy here in Australia. Sydney had a delivery on Tuesday, but it seems Melbourne still has to wait a week

Lady Shannon, is keeping me informed on how safe it is to come into this discussion. I'm worried about spoilers, so I'm only posting this, then jumping straight out again.

I did have the misfortune of reading the start of someone's post, in which they slipped up and posted the hero's name. Lady Shannon also did the song of the crying when I told her what happened.

after all that.....My question is, and if it is too personal I'll understand if you choose not to answer it, is did the choice of the hero's name have anything to do with your late husband? I'd ask more, but I'm still over my inability to nab a copy as yet.

My fellow JM addicts Nina and Erica also told me to say hello to you and to send you their love and thanks for your wonderful work.

I'll preface my answer by saying that I realize that calling me "Ms. McNaught" is a formality that you might feel properly conveys your respect for me and for my work, and I'm honored that you feel that way about me. I know that you do.

On the other hand, we are friends here on this board, this is my "home address" and I've invited all of you here as my guests many times over the years. I myself have set the tone and made it relaxed here, because I enjoy relaxing with you.

So the answer is, feel absolutely free to call me Judith here. Unless of course, you simply don't feel that's appropriate for you personally.

STWOM was well worth the wait. I enjoyed not only the story but the changes I found in your writing style.

I know you have answered this on the board at one point, but I was wondering if you could outline your journey from the more "pure" romantic fiction to the edgier style you write today.

Also, I would be interested to know if you catagorize your work and if so, as what?

Thank you,

I have only one question. Can you please add Carolina or South-East on your signing tour? If you have the power to do it? Please, I am begging you.

YOU ARE THE BEST !!! This is a statement and you can take it to the bank

LOL

I always said I would ask Judith that if I got the chance...what Ian's initials stand for! I.G.B.T.

Thanks for doing this discussion tonight...you must be terribly busy and it is so nice of you to take the time for us.

I like to think they stand for Ian Great Body Thornton or Ian Gorgeous Babe Thornton, but somehow I don't think that's what Judith had in mind, do you?

I've read your work since you were first published and admire you so.

Since stumbling across this BB, I've been amazed to find your work transcends cultural boundaries and you're popular in many languages.

Has this been a surprise to find your work popular in other countries as well?

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Just a couple questions. I might of missed it but how did she know the Farrell's

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For the sake of new readers who hadn't a clue who Matt and Meredith Farrell were--and who wouldn't have wanted to be distracted with unnecessary info in STWOM, I didn't go into any detail about that. HOWEVER, in the next to last version of the manuscript, I had inserted a line from Joe to Courtney explaining that Meredith and Leigh got to know each other when Bancroft's did an elaborate charity fashion show, and Leigh was on the charity ball committee. I do not know How or When that line got dropped, but it did. And I undoubtedly did it.

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and also the time frame at the cabin bothered me. If Jane was in the show how did she beat Leigh there and how was Sheila going to squeeze in there also??
Thanks Jackie

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Believe me, the time frame works. I know this because my editor, my copy editor, and I all discussed it and triple checked it. If you re-read the book, you'll find a specific reference to the fact that Leigh had to stay way late after the Sunday matinee to work out some kinks in one of the acts. That's what made her so late getting to the mountains. Jane did not have to stay late.

I enjoyed STWOM immensely. The quality of your writing is so polished, and it's so nice to read a book that completely absorbed me. Thank you for your gift!

I asked this question back in the past thread, but I'll post it here instead:

I believe you had mentioned re-reading a few of your older novels lately. In your re-reads, have you come across any scene in a particular book that you are particularly proud/fond of, that you felt was very special?

Thanks again for chatting with us. See you Saturday!

ANSWER: That had been my plan and Pocket's, but in the jumble of eye surgeries and unfinished new manuscripts, I just...Forgot About It.

My question: In another post, you said that Leigh was the hardest herione you ever wrote about. You said you would say why after the book was released. So, why is that? Mandy

ANSWER: Dreadnaughts never forget anything I say, do they?

Okay, the answer is that, like Leigh I was widowed suddenly and horribly in my thirties. I did not recover my balance for years, partly because there was no such thing as grief counseling, etc.

Of course, I didn't have a Michael Valente to distract me and help me rejoin the world of the living. HOWEVER, to add to the problem, Michael Valente was named after my husband, Michael McNaught, which made it even harder for me to disassociate myself from Leigh while I worked with her.

My question to you is where was Zack? LOL No seriously, even if I didn't adore this hero more than any other, I would still wonder why you didn't put Zack in the book with the references to Hollywood. I know, I know. Always trying to work my angle.

Take care,

You write in ways that are just so real- even though many of them are historical- and make the readers so tangible as humans. Your work has always been the greatest source of escape and comfort for me. It's authors and creators such as you that make people believe that true love always conquers.

Though I have yet to read STWOM, which I am looking forward to, I was wondering if you plan on writing any more historicals.

Thank you and please write on for all of us hopeless romantics hopeful of finding love.

First of all, I am hoping to attend your signing in Seattle and am so looking forward to meeting you.

Now for my question: You mentioned that Leigh was the hardest character for you to write but who was your favorite? Was there a character that is still in your heart? Why?

Thank you for this chance to talk with you!

I have loved every one of your books and can't wait to dig into STWOM.

All the best to you!

A: Yep, I would. For some reason I grew up without any need or desire to be "famous" in my home town or anywhere else. I don't think being "famous" makes me a special person, I think that being a decent, caring person is what makes people special or not.

You've all seen the way movie stars bemoan their lack of privacy. To a much, much lesser degree I too am a victim of my own success.

People don't recognize my face, but they certainly recognize my name. On the surface, that seems a good thing, I know, but here's a typical example of when it isn't:

Six years ago, I was on the phone with someone in Microsoft Support because I'd gotten a defective CD rom of theirs and my word processing program was crashing my entire computer.

I'd been disconnected, transferred, disconnected and transferred, and after more than an hour, I was no longer feeling friendly toward Microsoft "Support." When the new technician answered and asked me the SAME questions I'd answered six times--beginning with my first and last name--I lost my temper and told her how I felt about their support.

When I ended my angry tirade, she said in this odd voice, "I'm sorry...did you say your name was Judith McNaught?"

"Yes!" I exclaimed impatiently.

"I can't believe it," she said. "You are my favorite author. My entire family and all my friends read your books and wonder how you write them and what you're like..."

I just wanted to say I'm in too much AWE that you are hear actually posting to think up of a cool question to ask you!

I haven't read STWOM yet but I love your other books! Especially WML and AKOD!!!

Just wanted to congratulate you on NY bestsellers I haven't read STWOM yet (i'm in Australia), but I really am looking forward to it.

Although I just accidently glanced at a spoiler..! So I'm training my brain to forget that I ever saw it

My mom always jokes that I "never forget anything" However, in this case, I happened to be rereading old posts looking for something else and came across that statement. I made a mental note to ask about it.

Thank you for answering my question.

Unfortunately I haven't yet had the chance to read your book (I am in New Zealand) and I am only skimming through here quickly so I don't see any spoliers.

I just wanted to say that I absolutely love your books, you are a fantastic author and, even though I don't know you, you seem to have such a warm, caring and wonderful personality that comes across in this board,what a wonderful woman you are and if I was ever going to be a writer I would love to know that I could write as good as you.

Thank you for the endless joy, escape and warm memories you have given me from reading your books, and getting to know your characters.

Thank You Judith
Tracey

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Okay, the answer is that, like Leigh I was widowed suddenly and horribly in my thirties. I did not recover my balance for years, partly because there was no such thing as grief counseling, etc.
Of course, I didn't have a Michael Valente to distract me and help me rejoin the world of the living. HOWEVER, to add to the problem, Michael Valente was named after my husband, Michael McNaught, which made it even harder for me to disassociate myself from Leigh while I worked with her.
You see, I didn't want Leigh to be like me, I wanted her to be as she was and needed to be...but for the first time ever, I had a Constant struggle with that.

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This is why you are such a talented and passionate writer. We cried, laughed and joy with you when we read your books.

Oh Yes! I would like to ditto Cindy's question. Do have any plan including Zack in your future book or story, as you've done Matt and Meredith? Sigh.........

Thanks,
LaLi - PERFECT addict
PERFECTISSTILLTHEBEST!!!!!!

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Did Logan ever love Leigh?

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Yes--but with the kind of love that doesn't include honesty, integrity or fidelity.

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They got married against his mother's wishes, when both were struggling for money, stayed married for 13 years ... why stay married if he was just going to cheat on Leigh? Was it a social appearance thing?

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For a man with Logan's ego, being married to a lovely, "legend" would have been very, very important.

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Why have affairs with her friends? Is he just simply a jerk? I don't put much stock in Sheila's explanations considering she was blackmailing her patients ...

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Actually, Sheila's explanations aren't Sheila's--they're the result of close consultation with a leading psychologist I turn to whenever I'm in doubt about the authenticity of a character's behavior. Jason Fielding caused me to consult with him long ago, for example, to verify that Jason could ever have recovered from the brutality of his youth enough to love anyone.

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- How was Sheila blackmailing her patients? Why the need to have Logan as a partner? Did she love him? Were they really having an affair? Couldn't the patients file malpractice suits?

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Your questions are making me smile, btw Someone like Sheila would never do the dirty work herself. She'd use someone like Logan.

If she'd been caught, she would have had more problems than a malpractice suit, she'd have gone to jail for blackmail and extortion.

ANSWER: Is it really me? Hmmm, how can I prove it is? Okay, ask me something only I would know the answer to...No wait a minute, that's what you're all doing here now! I mean, who but the writer herself could know so much about the philosophy behind her characters, plots, etc?

Yes, it is me. I mean, yes it is Judith McNaught.

QUESTION: Please don't be insulted, but how can someone as great and as busy as you donate so much time to your fans?

My questions are:
-Are there plans to include Canada especially Toronto in your book signing?
-At what age do you think you'll stop writing that is if you ever feel like you can't write anymore?

Thank you for making a lot of people happy!

HERE IT IS: I JUST REPLIED TO SEVERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT LOGAN'S BEHAVIOR, SHEILA'S, ETC.

I'M SURE, WITHOUT LOOKING THROUGH STWOM'S DISCUSSION GROUPS, THAT SOME OF YOU ARE CHALLENGING LEIGH'S BEHAVIOR, LOGAN'S, ETC.

HERE IS WHAT I'D LIKE YOU TO DO...FIND YOUR POSTS, GET A LITTLE GROUP TOGETHER, AND I'D LIKE THE "CHALLENGERS" TO BECOME "DEFENDERS."

IF FOR EXAMPLE YOU THOUGHT LEIGH GOT OVER LOGAN TOO QUICKLY, I'D LIKE YOU TO CHANGE SIDES AND "BE ME, THE WRITER." THINK ABOUT THE ISSUE AND COME UP WITH EVERY REASONABLE EXPLANATION/ EXCUSE POSSIBLE FOR HER TO HAVE DONE SO. WHEN YOU'RE DOING THAT, KEEP THINGS IN MIND ABOUT THE CHARACTER'S SPECIFIC BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCES, AND DRAW ON THE EXPERIENCES OF PEOPLE YOU'VE KNOWN AND READ ABOUT.

Richard just arrived to take me out to dinner to celebrate STWOM's becoming a New York Times bestseller. He said to tell you hello.

How do I find out where you will be touring? I can't find it posted anywhere.

Have a wonderful dinner!

*I must say the assignment that was given is very challenging. Have you ever thought of teaching???!?!

Veronica

I don't mean to sound impertinent, but why did you make McCord's hair gray when he was ONLY 41?

As a 57 year old matron, that seems a bit 'young' to be totally gray. Not that I liked him any less, mind you. I thought he was exciting, and sexy as hell!

Thank you for your great writing - and for being here.

Hope to see you in LA next week.