Spotlight Author with Trish Milburn

Last week we had two great authors here on my blog, Anna Campbell on Monday and Sharon Lathan on Thursday. Sending out big thank you’s to both of you!. ;-) If you missed the interviews scroll back and take a peek, but not before you spend a few minutes with my newest guest, Trish Milburn.


Tell us a little bit about your latest release…

Elly: Cowgirl Bride is the fifth book in a six-book, multi-author continuity series from Harlequin American called The Codys: First Family of Rodeo. Ellen “Elly” Cody has had the goal of making and winning the National Finals Rodeo in barrel racing for as long as she can remember. And this year, it’s finally within her grasp. All she has to do is stay focused and practice, practice, practice. But in the weeks leading up to the final competition that will determine if she makes the NFR, she didn’t expect to be dealing with the revelation of secrets that could tear her close-knit family apart. Or the return of Will Jackson to Markton, Wyoming — a Will Jackson who is no longer the geeky, allergy-ridden kid she remembers. Far from it.

You write for two very different genres… how do you divide your time between the two? And how do you keep everything straight? (Like agents, editors, publishing houses, stories?) 

Based on when the deadlines are.  Seriously, I typically just go back and forth. Work on a Harlequin to completion, then switch to a YA. But it really does just depend on when the deadlines fall. Whatever is due first, that’s what I work on. I have one, wonderful agent who handles all my work. I’ve worked with three different editors, but it hasn’t been difficult keeping everything straight.

How long does it take you to write a manuscript?

I’m a fast writer, so it’s possible for me to crank out a first, rough draft in a month, though because of other responsibilities it ends up being more like two. Of course, then I have to go back and do a good amount of revising and polishing before I submit the book.

Does writing ever get any easier?

There are days when it flows easily and days when it’s like pulling teeth. Depending on the part of the book I’m writing, I can get 10 pages written in a morning or it can take me from the time I get up until I go to bed.

If you had to choose one of your books which one would be your favorite? Why?

Oh, that’s a hard question. I like them all for different reasons. I love Heartbreak River, my first young adult novel (written as Tricia Mills), because it was the first book I sold after 11 years of trying. I love A Firefighter in the Family, my debut release from Harlequin American, because it was the first book that actually came out. There’s nothing like seeing your book on a store shelf for the first time.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I hope to still be writing and publishing books and have achieved a level of success that allows me to replace the income I gave up when I left my full-time job as a magazine journalist. I’d really love to have established a popular book series by then.

Give us a glimpse into your writer’s life.

Well, I’m not an early riser, so I crawl out of bed around 8 a.m. when my husband goes to work. My days differ depending on approaching deadlines, travel, and any freelance jobs I might have to do. I craft my day around writing/editing, getting some exercise, online time, house or yard work, errands and whatever else ends up on that day’s to-do list. I don’t write on my desktop computer. I use a laptop, and I end up writing in different places – sitting in a comfy chair in my office, alternating writing pages with watching programs on the TiVo; at my dining room table; sitting at a picnic table at a nearby park that overlooks a lake; Panera Bread – wherever sounds good for that day. I like to mix it up so I don’t get bored.

Do you have any advice on writing, getting published, or finding an agent?

Perseverance. After you’ve spent years improving your craft and studying the market, there comes a time when it comes down to just sticking it out, waiting for one of your projects to hit the right editor at the right time. And even after you get published, I think it’s important to continually be looking for ways to improve our writing and to keep abreast of what is happening in the industry without making ourselves crazy about not being able to control it. As for finding an agent, start at the top. Do a lot of research into which agents represent the types of books and authors you feel fit well with you and your work. Create your list of top agents with whom you’d love to work and query them. Each time a rejection comes in, get another query out there to the next person on your list. And when you have the chance to go to agent panels and meet agents in person, take those opportunities. You might not only find agents with whom you’d like to work but also gain valuable information about the market and even strike agents off your list.

Where can we find out more about you and your books?

I have a Books page on my site at www.trishmilburn.com.

Trish, thank you very much for taking time out of your busy schedule to be with us here at Micole Writes Romance.

Thank you for having me. I really appreciate the opportunity.

Thanks for stopping by friends. See you next time.

Hugs

Micole