Today is another sit down! I’m grabbing my frap and chatting with Lisa Chalmers. So pull up your chair and get comfy.

Me: What books/authors have influenced your writing?

Lisa: Authorwise, Jude Deveraux, Danielle Steele, Jackie Collins, Nora Roberts. They all do a wonderful job telling the story and putting the emotion on the page. Can’t think of any books off the top of my head.
Me: How did you come up with the title(s)?

Lisa: For IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES, it came from the Garth Brooks song which sort of sparked the idea for the story.

Me: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Lisa: At first I was going to say no, but the more I thought about it, I think we’ve all lost someone close to us at some point and that emotion is definitely in the story. So more the emotions than the actual experiences.

Me: What books have most influenced your life most?

Lisa: I’d have to say Jude Deveraux’s REMEMBRANCE. Before that I thought everyone had stories in their heads.
Me: What book are you reading now?

Lisa: I’m just finishing MEANT TO BE by Lauren Morrill, a fun young adult book. I always try to read a different genre than what I’m writing at the moment.
Me: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Lisa: New Authors, hmm, probably more new to me. I really like Lauren Morrill. In romance, Zee Monodee, Lisa Renee Jones.

Me: What are your current projects?

Lisa: I just got a bit of an idea for a spin off story of Arabella’s best friend in my upcoming release DARK INTENT. I’m also trying to finish my Christmas paranormal romance about a witch.
Me: Do you see writing as a career?

Lisa: Definitely. Way too many stories in my head for it not to be.
Me: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Lisa: I’d make it easier to write. *grin* I also wish Gabriel would have told me more about himself, but he stayed pretty quiet on things. I think there’s more to him than what was told in the book. Never know, may have to go back to him one day and see what really makes him tick.
Me: How did you get started with the writing venture?

Lisa: I had stories going around in my head for years and started putting them down on paper. When I lost my dog who used to keep me company when I wrote, I got inspired to start sending them out. Eleven years and a couple dozen manuscripts later, here we are.

Me: Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?

Lisa: Writer’s Block. Characters who show up in my head unnamed, that drives me crazy when I can’t find the right name for someone. Also trying to find the perfect title for a book. Some come right away with the idea, and others well go through a whole list before I find something that fits perfectly.
Me: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Write what you love, because you’re going to spend more time than you ever imagined with those characters and that plot.
Me: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Lisa: Thanks for reading !

Me: What were the challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing it to life?

Lisa: To keep the balance between the emotions that had to be in the story and not make it overly dramatic or seem like I was milking the scenes. I had a basic idea of what I needed to show in the story and what could happen ‘off stage’. I actually ended up cutting about 80 pages from the book after I got it back from the editor. I have a few of the deleted scenes up on the blog and I’ll probably add a few more as time goes on. Researchwise, I had to look up a few things about Florida to see how long it would take to drive from Tampa to Orlando (always thought they were further apart). Also had to look up some things about pregnancy for Avery like when certain milestones would happen and what she could and couldn’t have to calm her down.

Me: What genre do you like writing the most?

Lisa: Paranormal. There’s so much possibilities of what you can write, you don’t have anyone saying ‘that isn’t possible’ because who knows what really is and isn’t? You can create a world right inside our own that no one would think possible.
Me: Do you ever experience writer’s block?

Lisa: Oh yes!! Sometimes way too often. I’ve learned to take a break at that point for a few hours. Walking away from the story and focusing on something else can help a lot.
Me:Do you write an outline before every book you write?

Lisa: Sometimes. I can’t outline the whole thing or make it too detailed because my mind thinks I’ve already written it so I lose interest and my muse is going ‘next’ and waiting for the next shiny idea to pop up.

Me: Have you ever hated something you wrote?

Lisa: Oh yes, all the time!! I go through that stage in every manuscript where I think it’s awful and why am I wasting my time writing it. Then I’ll go back later and think it’s really not too bad.

What is your favorite color?

It changes, but right now I’m in a midnight blue phase.

What’s your favorite food?

I love italian.

Puppies or bunnies?

Definitely puppies. I have a yardful of wild rabbits at different times of the year so I see more than my fair share of cute little bunnies hopping around.

Chocolate or vanilla?

Chocolate, especially mint chocolate

Josh had the sketchbook Gabriel had given him propped on his legs as he sketched absently as he sat on the beach, the sun rising behind him, not concentrating on what he was doing, the pencil moving quickly across the paper. His thoughts were where they always tended to drift to lately, Avery and the baby. He’d been afraid to sneak down and see her since the day he’d actually held her. It tore him up inside to be away from her for so long, but he didn’t understand what that meant, that he could suddenly touch her and she’d feel it. He didn’t want to scare her somehow. He smudged one of the lines he’d drawn and studied his work. Her face stared back at him. He darkened a few lines before he set the book beside him on the warm sand and closed his eyes, thinking back.

He’d decided to go with her to that very first doctor’s appointment, the one to confirm whether or not her suspicions were correct. It was uncomfortable being the only male in the doctor’s waiting room, being smiled at by every woman who walked in. He could still see the surprise on the nurse’s face when she walked out and found him there by himself for the first time. He’d tried to keep from squirming around anxiously in the chair every time he heard a door open and close in the distance. He wondered just how long it took to come back with test results anyway. They’d called and said they were in, so it didn’t take all that long to tell her yes or no, did it? He kept stretching his legs out ahead of him then bringing them back, not wanting to trip anyone as they were called for their appointment. He’d been there at least an hour waiting, jumping at every noise. He’d been sure the nurse was about to give him something for his nerves when he felt someone nudge his foot. He scooted his feet back, letting whoever it was pass by on their way to their appointment.

“Good quiz in Cosmo?” Avery’s voice came from behind the glossy pages.

He lifted his gaze in record time. “Who cares?” He tossed the magazine on the empty chair beside him.

She read the cover. “Rating your lover in twelve easy questions.”

“Avery?”

“What?” She’d been reaching for the magazine.

“I want to know.”

“I haven’t taken the quiz yet.” She giggled as he batted her hand away. “You’re absolutely crazy.”

He glanced around the almost deserted waiting room before he pulled her down to sit on his lap. “I want to know if we’re going to have a baby.” His arm wrapped around her waist, his fingers sliding beneath the back of her shirt, rubbing the soft skin at the small of her back. “I need to know.”

“You need to know, huh?”

His eyes locked on hers. “Come on, Aves. Am I going to be a daddy?”

She took one of his hands and moved it around, resting it on her abdomen. She bit her lip for a moment before breaking out into the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen. “I think Daddy’s crazy, don’t you, baby?”

Josh’s jaw dropped, his mind going absolutely blank as he tried to comprehend her words. She was kidding, she wasn’t kidding. She didn’t look like she was kidding. That smile on her face, the way her eyes were shining as she waited for his reaction. “Oh my…oh my God…”

“So I guess I was right.”

“Let’s take you home,” he said suddenly, his hand tightening over hers.

“Why?”

He leaned in close to her. “Because I want to talk to the baby and then I want to make love to his beautiful mommy.” He stared into her eyes. “All right with you?”

She blushed as she slid off his lap. “More than all right with me.”