And our Sue's Clues Mystery Author is:

Connie Brockway has always wanted to be an author, and having read romance since she was 15, I guess it was natural that she would want to write them. In a profile at www.writepage.com she'll say it is because she lives in "the tundra" of Minnesota:

"Considerations such as how to kill a snowman, how many layers of down can you wear and still bend your elbow, at what temperature does exposed flesh really freeze occupy our imaginations. My imagination happens to be filled with people who generate a lot of heat."

Much to the delight of her readers, she is able to take them into her imagination with her writing. Two of her novels have earned her RITA awards from the RWA: MY DEAREST ENEMY in 1999 and THE BRIDAL SEASON in 2001. No doubt, there are more coming in the future to keep them company.

Where does she get her ideas? From anywhere, apparently. From a movie, or a tidbit in a reference book, or even just the idea coming from what particular profession would be during a particular time period. Connie herself doesn't always know how the story is going to come out. She may have an idea of what the story is going to be, and the plot, and even the characters, but how the characters react to each other isn't always clear and sometimes it even surprises her. She's acquired quite a following of devoted readers over the past decade. Her ability to blend humor, emotion and drama makes Connie Brockway an author you don't want to pass up.

Connie took time out from being "buried in quicksand (i.e. deadlines) trying to make it to shore " to answer some questions. Thank you so much, Connie!! *G*

1. I read that you started writing when your daughter entered kindergarten. She must be about 15 or 16 now. Do you have any other children?

Nope. I have My One and Only.

2. Seeing that your daughter is about the same age as you were when you started reading romance got me to wondering.... Does she read Mom's books? How about your husband?

No. My daughter reads pretty classic stuff. Right now she's into Jane Austin--so there's hope for her yet. And my husband never, ever reads my stuff. By mutual agreement. He's type A, compulsive personality who cannot NOT criticize. I shudder just thinking of the last time he read something I wrote. The rafters shook.

3. Do you have a particular time period or setting that is a favorite for your writing?


Not really. Anytime after, oh, say 1400.

4. What book did you enjoy writing the most? Do you have a favorite character?


I enjoyed writing AS YOU DESIRE the most because I took a huge chance in setting it in Egypt and the research was fascinating and the story was fun. As regards favorite character, each character you write is a favorite for at least a while. It' would be too hard to spend nine months or so writing a character unless you were a little in love with them.

5. Who are some of your favorite authors? Now that you are writing romance, do you continue to read it as much as you did before?


I go through glom periods. Right now, I am reading all the Bernard Cornwell's SHARPE series, which should take me a while. I love George R.R. Martin's fantasy--so rich and textured, character-driven but fabulous infrastructure. If you see this, George...STOP TRAVELING AROUND THE COUNTRY AND SIT YOUR BUTT DOWN AND FINISH THE SERIES!

My editor sent me a book soon to be out entitled THE LAMPLIGHTER. Definitely a good bookclub choice. I'm still waiting for someone to read it so I can discuss it with them. Unfortunately, I do not read as much romance as I once did. I heard that Loretta Chase is coming out with a book and I'm looking forward to MISS WONDERFUL with great anticipation and pleasure. In the last few months other romance authors I've read and really enjoyed are Liz Carlyle, Claudia Darin, Karen Hawkins, Susan Sizemore, Susan Kay Law and Nita Abrams.

6. Have you ever attempted to write a contemp romance or have a desire to? Or do you just prefer historicals? Is there any time period you haven't written that you would like to do in the future?


I *have* written a contemporary story in an anthology called MY SCOTTISH SUMMER. It was great fun. But for me, part of the, well *romance* is the different time period. Also, I like the whole confrontation between good/evil within/without context and I think that's easier to pull off in a historical. If I wrote a contemporary it would be a horror novel or some Monty Pythonesque black comedy. Yes. I want to write a big sweeping post medieval thing. Someday...

7. What part of writing a novel do you find the hardest? The easiest?


Hardest: Discipline. Sitting down when you would rather be weeding the garden or walking the dogs or playing tennis or eating or...eating. The easiest: Editing. I love editing. I love chopping out great chunks of dreck and sweeping it away. It makes me feel all housewifely and virtuous.

Thanks again, Connie, for allowing us to feature you as a Sue's Clues Mystery Author!

You can visit Connie on her website to see what's book-cooking at
http://conniebrockway.com/