I Need Friends Friday: Random Phrase Generator

(Every Friday I interview a different person and share that interview with you. Perhaps they will be a fellow author. Perhaps one of my neighbors. Maybe the bagger at the grocery store. A member of my family. A follower of this blog. Maybe it will be you! Hey, it could happen.)

Today's interviewee is a Random Answer Generator, a simple computer program designed to spew out words at random. I have no idea how this interview will go. It could be a hit, it could be the most ridiculous interview failure in the history of interviews.
We'll see.

SME: Welcome to INFF, Random Answer Generator.

RAG: Exactly tutor.

SME: I do try to be educational here on my website. Earlier this week, in fact, I posted a very informative piece about cliche romance. And by "informative" I mean "absolutely hilarious." What did you think of that post?

RAG: Label beware.

SME: Yes, I probably should include a warning on that post. Something along the lines of "The Surgeon General warns that reading this post may cause painful bouts of uncontrollable laughter." I think, though, this is a risk most people are willing to take.

RAG: Radiological stunt.

SME: I don't know if I'd call it a "stunt." Beyond wanting to be entertaining, I thought it really was an informative look at badly written romance.

RAG: More cake quiz.

SME: You're right. I usually do discuss food with my guests. I didn't think that would be very understanding of me, considering you don't eat.

RAG: Pointless limit dislike little.

SME: Okay, working that in to the conversation is going to take some effort. ...
I do not think that limiting myself to non-food topics is pointless, though I do dislike it a little. *tah-duh!*

RAG: Prompt climbing.

SME: I am doing my best to climb out of the hole I dug for myself by going with this pathetic idea for an interview.

RAG: Show sugar.

SME: Look, I'm not really looking to be flirted with.

RAG: Stopping wander.

SME: Yeah. Let's bring things back into focus. In fact, let's jump straight to the game. I am bringing in your close relative, the Random Romance Novel Title Generator (RRNTG) for this…

RAG: Pop.

SME: You bet.
So, here's the game. I ask you to generate a series of romance novel titles. We get to laugh at them. … That's the end of the game.

RRNTG: The Italian Shah's Bemused Automaton

SME: Not bad.

RRNTG: The Samoan Performance Artist's Stentorian Dragon Lady

SME: *holds back a giggle*

RRNTG: The Scottish Billionaire's Anarcho-Syndicalist Fishmongeress

SME: Huh?

RRNTG: The Mayan Deputy Undersecretary for Homeland Security's Conniving Captive

SME: Two more. Please!

RRNTG: The Slavic King's Sleep-Deprived Duchess
The Turkish Cowboy's Bashful Princess

SME: Favorite. Game. Ever.
Now it's time for your portrait. This week I will be snatching your portrait from the Random Kitten Generator.

*grabs a random kitten picture from RKG

RAG: So

SME: So, what?

RAG: Sorry.

SME: You should be.

RAG: Plain rewriting.

SME: Rewriting is an option in novels, not so much in interviews.
Tell you what, let's go straight to the final question of the interview. Top 5 reasons this is the best blog interview you've ever done. Ready. Go.

RAG: 5. Window fit.
4. Entry evaluated.
3. Transformation celebrate.

RRNTG: 2. The Highland Viceroy's Lonely Marquesa
1. The Strongbadian Hundredaire's Reluctant Secretary

SME:*cue exit music* Well, this has been "I Need Friends" Friday. Come back next week when I will make another friend!!

If you'd like to be interviewed for "I Need Friends" Friday, shoot me off an email: friends at sarahmeden dot com!
I am looking for anyone and everyone, whether or not you think you are interesting. You'll get a fantastic stick figure portrait of yourself, a little promotion (if you're looking for that sort of thing) and the opportunity to tell your friends and family that you've been interviewed by SME, er... by ME!

If every story were written like a cliche romance...

I was recently introduced to the joy that is "If every story were written like science fiction stories," an entertaining telling of an ordinary airplane ride a la the idiosyncrasies of the science fiction genre. Inspired by the hilarity that ensued, I have taken it upon myself to write up my own take on this concept.

If Every Story Were Written Like a Cliche Romance

Anna’s steps faltered as she pushed her cart up to check stand twelve. There he stood, Hunk Hotty, that rippling, ravishing specimen of check-stand manhood. She flung back her flowing locks of golden curls. Hunk flung back his flowing locks of golden curls.

“We have to stop meeting this way,” Hunk said. The glow of his “this aisle open” light illuminated his perfectly tan, chiseled face.

“You don’t wish to see me anymore?” Anna’s heart pounded with each beep of the check stand.

His eyes smoldered as he typed the code for asparagus. “It’s not you, Anna. I... I have a secret, a secret that could destroy us both.”

Anna clasped her accordion file of supermarket coupons to her aching heart. She knew it was too good to be true. What made her think that she, an orphan who never spoke an unkind word to any living soul and who donated her time and very limited resources to various internationally recognized charitable organizations, deserved the kind of happiness she instinctively knew could be found in Hunk’s fitness-magazine-quality arms?

“You have fallen in love with someone else, haven’t you?” Anna’s innate honesty compelled her to speak the words, though doing so robbed her of every ounce of happiness she had ever or would ever experience in life.

“There could never be anyone else, Anna.” Hunk reached out to touch her face, but stopped himself at the last possible moment. His overtly masculine hand clenched in a fist of frustration. His epitome-of-a-shampoo-commercial hair tossed about as he turned his head to place her eggs, gently, atop her produce in the reusable grocery sacks she never forgot to bring with her out of a deep and abiding love for all nature.

Anna bit her lip as she was wont to do when emotionally distraught. “But you are devastatingly handsome and I am plain, unattractive and undesirable.”

“No. Never that.” His muscles, clearly defined beneath his flattering employee apron rippled with the intensity of his feelings. “Do you not realize that you are astoundingly beautiful?”

She shook her head and shyly diverted her eyes. “My inborn humility will not allow me to be aware of my supermodel good looks and flawless figure, necessitating that you tell me in excruciating detail of my own perfection, which I will then deny with the appropriate degree of embarrassed blushing and growing adoration for you.”

Hunk held up her bag of clearance priced chocolates. “You see yourself as store brand chocolates, Anna, when you are actually imported European chocolates—perfection, itself.”

“Oh, Hunk.” A sob rose in her throat but she fought it down even as she dabbed daintily at the tears gathering in her eyes. “How is it you knew that expressing your feelings using a chocolate analogy was the surest way to my heart?”

“I have the inexplicable ability to say precisely what a woman wants to hear, regardless of whether or not a man would ever actually utter the words I regularly speak.” He looked torn, conflicted, as though he were in the grips of the greatest agony imaginable but, by virtue of his deep-seeded inner strength, endured it with dignity.

Anna’s heart broke. “I do not deserve you.”

“No,” Hunk said, placing her rolls of bathroom tissue inside her cart. “It is I who do not deserve you.”

“Must we always be forever wallowing in indecision and the inability to recognize any flaws in each other whilst simultaneously remaining in utter ignorance of any redeeming qualities which we, ourselves, possess?”

“Yes,” Hunk said. “It seems we must.”

“Is there no hope for us?”

“For a while it will seem there is not.” His breathtakingly handsome eyes held her captive. “Then something will suddenly and conveniently change, removing any and all obstacles to our love and we will live happily ever after, provided you are not kidnapped by bandits who, until the opportune moment, were neither mentioned nor alluded to, having made their appearance at a time when artificial sources of tension had been made excruciatingly necessary by a premature solution to all our problems.”

She looked away, his hunkiness too much for her disintegrating heart.

“Bandits or not,” he said, “our love is doomed the moment you know my... secret.”

“Tell me, Hunk. Tell me and I promise to love you still.”

He scanned her cans of soup, the movement accentuating the sinewy nature of his arms. “How can you promise me that when you do not even know what that secret is? What if my secret is that I wish with every fiber of my being to hurt, maim or otherwise injure you?”

Anna grasped the check writing stand and glanced up into his mesmerizing eyes. “I would love you even more than I do now.”

She reached out for him, but knocked over his bottle of water. Her embarrassment nearly overcame her. With effort she fought the sensation of a swoon.

Hunk tore off his apron, then pulled his shirt over his head, using it soak up the evidence of her humiliation. That he would use the very shirt on his back rather than either of the large spill rags she could see under the cash register only further convinced her that nowhere on the face of the earth was a man who reached his level masculine perfection.

“How long must we wait, Hunk, before we can at last have our happily ever after?”

He held up her bag of brown sugar. “No matter how long, all we endure will only add to the sweetness of our love.”

“Wait.”

His eyes bored into hers.

Her heart pounding in her chest, she opened her file. “I have a coupon for that.”

As she handed him the small square of paper, their fingers brushed. She gasped. The supermarket spun around her. Her legs gave out beneath her and she felt herself crumbling to the floor. In a burst of characteristic heroism, Hunk leapt over the check stand, catching her in his capable arms and holding her to his apronless, shirtless chest.

She knew in that moment that no matter his devastating secret, no matter if hordes of unannounced bandits carried her off to parts unknown, that even in the face of her continued disbelief in her own obvious beauty, she would love him until the day she died and she would never, never, take her groceries to any checkout lane but his.

I Need Friends Friday: Rebecca Blevins

(Every Friday I interview a different person and share that interview with you. Perhaps they will be a fellow author. Perhaps one of my neighbors. Maybe the bagger at the grocery store. A member of my family. A follower of this blog. Maybe it will be you! Hey, it could happen.)

Today's INFF guest is Rebecca Blevins. She describes herself as "an LDS (That's "Mormon") vegetarian, homeschooling writer who has an irrational fear of semicolons." Find her on the web at her I Am a Pistachio blog.
Let's get to know Rebecca!

SME: Welcome to INFF!

Rebecca: Hooray! Thank you! It's nice to meet you online after seeing you in person.

SME: I'm much taller online.

Rebecca: I noticed.

SME: I am, however, much cuter in person... it's a trade-off.

Rebecca: Ah. I see. And I got to see you at Storymakers. You were wonderful!

SME: Why, thank you. Storymakers is a highlight every year!

Rebecca: Yes, it was! I hope to go next year.

SME: There's a rumor going around that I will be this year's MC at the Storymakers conference.

Rebecca: I heard that rumor. I like it. I wish I could go--but alas, I live in the Midwest. It's a bit far. You must be the MC two years in a row, then!

SME: Let's start a petition!

Rebecca: I'm down with that! Pass it around this year. You could scrapbook on the clipboards.

SME: Maybe I should pass it around before I MC this year, then if I'm totally lame, it'll be too late for people to change their minds.

Rebecca: I love it! Fantastic idea! But you're forgetting one thing--
I don't think you know how to be lame. It will be awesome!

SME: *fingers crossed*

Rebecca: *toes crossed*

SME: So, tell us a little about yourself, Rebecca.

Rebecca: I thought there weren't going to be any hard questions?

SME: Um....

Rebecca: Let's see. . . I live in Missouri, I'm married with four kids. I love to read, write, cook, and dance in my Zumba classes. I have a big dog. . .

SME: How big?

Rebecca: Have you seen the movie Holes?

SME: Yup. Loved it

Rebecca: My backyard looks like that, because of him.

SME: That is a big dog.

Rebecca: He's about eighty pounds. My daughter fell into one of those holes and had to yell to her brothers to help her out. She was four at the time.

SME: Which means I'd be doomed. Four-year-olds and I are generally pretty close to the same size.

Rebecca: Well. . .she's five now. She'd help you out.

SME: Such a good girl!

Rebecca: Very. She's my only one. Takes after me a lot. She's very. . .maternal, to put it nicely.

SME: My brother's friends called me "Mom" growing up. And they didn't mean it in a nice way.

Rebecca: Haha. I see. Were you the oldest child?

SME: I was the oldest girl. My brother (the one with the obnoxious friends) is 10 months older than I am.

Rebecca: Then I'm sure they needed mothering!

SME: They needed a kick in the pants, is what they needed. Not that I'm still bitter or anything.

Rebecca: I find that many boys need at least one kick in the pants.

SME: Amen, sistah!
So... what's your favorite continent?

Rebecca: I don't need diapers yet.
Wait--you said "continent".

SME: *clears throat to hide a giggle*

Rebecca: Guess what? I wrote a book!

SME: I approve of books.

Rebecca: Then I was afraid to edit it and I didn't want to look at it, so I started another. And that's the end.

SME: I also approve of avoiding editing.

Rebecca: I'm glad you approve of avoiding editing. That makes me feel better.

SME: Just don't tell my editor. (Hi, Kirk!)

Rebecca: Lol! *waves at Kirk*
So. . .I like Australia. But not the scorpions or anything that might bite me.

SME: I approve of you approving of Australia and I approve of you disapproving of scorpions.

Rebecca: Scorpions are creations of God, but they look evil. Maybe that was too controversial.

SME: Speaking of which... no, I can't make a smooth transition out of that. Let's just go abrupt--you wanna play a game?

Rebecca: Sure!

SME: Aaawesome! I've entitled this game... actually I have no title. It's a game about pistachios.

Rebecca: I think I smell where this is going. Carry on. . .

SME: I'll ask you three questions. Pick the right answer from the choices I give you and you'll be the INFF Champion!

Rebecca: I'm trembling with anticipation and fear. . .

SME: That's what I like to hear! Um. I mean... *ahem*
First question: Which of the following is NOT in the same family as the pistachio?
a. almond
b. mango
c. poison ivy

Rebecca: That's a tough one. If you're allergic to any of them they can make you itch. I heard that mangoes have something in their coating that can irritate your skin right off the tree--or maybe that was something else. I'm going to guess. . .poison ivy?

SME: Ooohhh. So close. Poison Ivy actually IS in the same family as pistachios. Who knew, eh? The correct answer was A. Almonds are not in the same family as pistachios. Random.

Rebecca: Yeah, I completely blew it! Both are green--duh.

SME: That's alright. You have two more chances to redeem yourself
Question #2: The 1940s brought us what essential evolution in pistachio food products?
a. pistachios were first dyed red
b. pistachio ice cream
c. pistachios were genetically engineered to some day take over the world

Rebecca: Are you googling these right now?

SME: No, I did some prep work before the interview! So responsible of me!

Rebecca: You are very responsible. The answer is definitely c. I heard them plotting the other day.

SME: Okay, I'm technically not allowed to confirm nor deny the existence of genetically-altered pistachios. So, for the sake of the INFF title, you'll probably want to go with a different answer.

Rebecca: I'll say. . .pistachio ice cream. That was my grandpa's favorite.

SME: Ding, ding, ding! Absolutely correct!!

Rebecca: Hooray!

SME: Okay. Final question. This one's for all the glory!
Who is the largest producer of pistachios in the world?
a. the US
b. Iran
c. Pistachio, Wisconsin.. their entire economy revolves around the pistachio--it's a risk, but they're willing to take it

Rebecca: I'm going to timidly say--though I want to say Wisconsin--Iran?

SME: It is Iran!!! You are the champion. (Insert your own joke about this championship involving nuttiness)

Rebecca: I am the queen of the nuts.

SME: Well done on the punchline!

Rebecca: What do I win? An avalanche of pistachios?

SME: You got it. Enjoy!

Rebecca: Thank you! *bows*

SME: You also get a portrait! Aren't you lucky.

Rebecca: Oh, yes! I can't wait to see it!

*draws a spectacular portrait*

Rebecca: I'm thin! You're magical, Sarah!

SME: I draw it like I see it, Rebecca.

Rebecca: I look smart. My hair is super cool.
You have a gift.

SME: And I threw in a pair of yellow flip-flops because I'm getting a little desperate for Spring.

Rebecca: Are the shoes made out of pistachios?

SME: Pistachios would have been a nice touch, but I wasn't sure how durable they would be.

Rebecca: The shells are durable, but they might cut my feet, so good call on the flip-flops. Though I don't wear them normally because they don't stay on very well.

SME: That is the magic of stick-figure portraiture--no flip-flop slippage.

Rebecca: True. I will treasure them because you drew them for me.

SME: So... that brings us to the final question of the interview. Top 5 reasons this is the best blog interview you've ever done. Ready. Go.

Rebecca: 5. Because this is my first one, and the first one is the one that's always the best!
4. I got to talk about pistachios.
3. You drew an awesome picture of me.
2.We share a love of Australia and a dislike of scorpions
And the number one reason. . .I got to chat with one of the coolest authors I've had the pleasure of meeting.

SME: And by coolest you mean totally awesome, right?

Rebecca: Yes. Read 'coolest' as 'totally awesome'. They're pronounced the same way.

SME: That's what I figured, but wanted to be sure.

Rebecca: That's totally awesome.

SME: Well, thanks for being my INFF friend!

Rebecca: Thanks for having me over for a visit! I've had a blast!

SME: *cue exit music* Well, this has been "I Need Friends" Friday. Come back next week when I will make another friend!!

If you'd like to be interviewed for "I Need Friends" Friday, shoot me off an email: friends at sarahmeden dot com!
I am looking for anyone and everyone, whether or not you think you are interesting. You'll get a fantastic stick figure portrait of yourself, a little promotion (if you're looking for that sort of thing) and the opportunity to tell your friends and family that you've been interviewed by SME, er... by ME!

Walkabout Wednesday: Prizes, Poll results and Podcasts!!

It's Wednesday. Let's go walkabout.

(I'm bringing along a few of my mates as I wander through the vast wilderness of the publishing industry, learning the ins and outs, and having a grand adventure.)

Walkabout, Week 77:

ITEM #1: Um... author fail. I forgot to post the winners of the "Help Us Spread the Word About Our Awesome Launch Party and Then You Will Not Only Be Super Cool, But Might Also Win a Prize" giveaway. Remember that from like 10 days ago? Perfect. Now that we're on the same page...

The winner of the handmade Regency-era drawstring bag with Sarah's all-time favorite old-fashioned peppermint candies inside:

Krista (who commented on the launch party contest blog here on my website)

The winner of a box of ultra-fine, not the waxy generic stuff chocolates:

Heidi J (who commented on Stephonie Williams' blog)

You'll be receiving your prizes shortly!! Thanks to everyone who helped spread the word and everyone who came to the party.

ITEM #2: The winner of Monday's Ultimate Romance Hero poll...

with 48% of the votes: Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice)
2nd place, with 19%: Mr. Knightley (Emma)

If there were any ultra-awesome romantic heroes on that poll you didn't recognize, do yourself a favor and go read their stories. You won't regret it!

ITEM #3: The newest episode of The Appendix: a podcast for writers is up and ready for your listening pleasure. In this episode we discuss writing a series and ebooks!

Pick the Ultimate Romantic Hero & Hear the Ultimate Romantic Love Song!

It's Valentine's Day, the day the world unites to honor the very essence of a romance writer's canvass: LOVE

Time to show your love, readers! You've heard of Team Edward vs Team Jacob? That's for amateurs. We're digging deep and recognizing the real romantic heroes, the heartthrobs who have made women swoon for generations, those books in which the men were men and not stalkers, and the women loved them because they were awesome, not just because they frequently forgot to wear a shirt.

Cast your vote, declare your loyalties!

Who is the Ultimate Romantic Hero?
	Mr. Thornton ("North and South," Elizabeth Gaskell)
	Capt. Wentworth ("Persuasion," Jane Austen)
	Mr. Darcy ("Pride and Prejudice," Jane Austen)
	Mr. Rochester ("Jane Eyre," Charlotte Bronte)
	Col. Brandon ("Sense and Sensibility," Jane Austen)
	Mr. Edward Ferrars ("Sense and Sensiblity," Jane Austen)
	Mr. Roger Hamley ("Wives and Daughters," Elizabeth Gaskell)
	Mr. Edmund Bertram ("Mansfield Park," Jane Austen)
	Mr. Knightley ("Emma," Jane Austen)
	Mr. Henry Tilney ("Northanger Abbey," Jane Austen)
pollcode.com free polls

And, for your listening pleasure, the tune to my absolute favorite love song of all time. The original words are a beautiful poem by Robert Burns. My heart sighs every time I hear it.

My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose

My love is like a red, red rose that's newly sprung in June.
My heart is like a melody that sweetly plays its tune.
As fair art thou, my bonnie lass, so deep in love am I.
And I will love thee still, my dear, 'til all the seas gang* dry.

'Til all the seas gang dry, my dear, and the rocks melt with the sun,
So I will love thee still, my dear, 'til the sands of life have run.
So fare thee well, my only love. Fare thee well a while.
I will come again, my dear, though it were ten-thousand mile.

(*"gang" is a chiefly Scottish word meaning "to go")

I Need Friends Friday: Jennifer K Clark and Stephonie K Williams

(Every Friday I interview a different person and share that interview with you. Perhaps they will be a fellow author. Perhaps one of my neighbors. Maybe the bagger at the grocery store. A member of my family. A follower of this blog. Maybe it will be you! Hey, it could happen.)

We have two, count 'em two, INFF guests today. Jennifer K Clark and Stephonie K Williams are the co-authors of Mark of Royalty, a brand new historical romance set during the Renaissance. They are also sisters. Cool, eh?
Jennifer, Stephonie and I will be celebrating our new releases at the fantastic Launch Party tomorrow!

SME: Welcome to INFF!

Stephonie: Thanks! I am thrilled to be here!

Jennifer: Thanks, it's good to be here.

SME: This is my first two-for-one interview!

Jennifer: That's exciting. And kind of confusing.

Stephonie: This is our first interview besides the one we did for the book trailer. Lots of firsts for us.

SME: I'm just going to dive right in and ask you a question that I've been dying to ask---how did you two first stumble across the idea of writing a book together?

Stephonie: It sort of evolved.

SME: Like from random conversations? Or you discovered you were, miraculously, writing the same book at the same time and didn't know it? ('Cause that would be an inarguable sign from heaven!)

Jennifer: I love stories and I came up with an absolute fabulous story and just had to tell my sister about it. Steph said it was so good that I should write it, and I asked her to help.

SME: How did that work out? Did your vision of it coincide from the beginning? Or were there some heated debates?

Jennifer: Definitely heated debates....kind of. It took longer than a normal manuscript because we had to go back and forth so much.

SME: Oh, I'm sure. I argue enough with myself. I couldn't imagine having a co-author into the mix.

Jennifer: Good thing we're related. We knew we would have to see each other for family get-togethers so we had to be civil.

Stephonie: I have always said that this was Jenn's baby. And despite writing my emotions into the story I had decided a long time ago to defer to her. I might argue for or against something, but in the end it was up to her what was actually going to happen.
Jenn wrote a really good blog post about what it was like to co-author.

SME: So could one or both of you give a quick blurb of your book, Mark of Royalty?

Jennifer: 17 year old Sarah Benavente knows little about her mysterious past and absolutely nothing about the monumental secret that her mother is hiding. When Tragedy strikes, Sarah is left to discover that secret for herself. Suddenly Sarah finds herself caught between two men and their fight for the crown.

SME: Niiiice!

Jennifer: Sarah must figure out what her mother really intended for her by discovering the hidden events of her past.

Stephonie: It has political twists, sinister plans, a battle for the crown. It's a sweet romance. Sort of fairytale-ish.

SME: And might I say, I cheered out loud when I first heard from Jennifer that we were soon to have another sweet historical romance on shelves. I am a huge fan of historical romances that I can read without feeling the need to scrub my brain clean afterward!

Stephonie: LOL I soooo know what you mean!!! Out here in Iowa it is harder to figure out if a book is safe to pick up and read.

SME: Alright. Random question ('cause let's face it, those are pretty much the only questions I ever ask): Do either of you have a favorite "writing food." A snack you keep near at hand while you're writing?

Jennifer: Nope. I can't eat and write. Sometimes I pick strange writing places where food wouldn't be allowed.

Stephonie: Ummmm Not really. When I write I am pretty involved. I don't usually have a snack nearby. Maybe a glass of water, but nothing really.

Jennifer: I like to write in the sauna and my chocolate would melt.

Stephonie: Jenn, I didn't know that. Doesn't your paper get all crinkly?

Jennifer: Only when I sweat on it.

SME: Holy canoli. If you two could bottle the "I don't eat while I write thing" you could market it to writers and make a fortune!

Jennifer: Really, writing could be the next diet fad.

SME: Except you are the only writers I've ever talked to who don't mindlessly down empty calories while they write. It's genius, really. I ask this question every interview... What's your favorite continent?

Stephonie: I knew you were going to ask this, and I considered saying I was an Island girl... But I can't lie. Mine is North America. I love the space, the diversity in the landscape, the big cities the teeny tiny towns.

Jennifer: Antarctica...Just kidding. North America, of course. Although I do fantasize about Europe, and I do have a soft spot for Asia because I spent 2 weeks in Korea last year.

SME: Believe it or not, Jennifer, Antarctica has been chosen before. By my crazy sister.

Stephonie: You have a crazy sister too?!?!?!
SME: Wow. Are you gonna take that, Jennifer?

Jennifer: Wow! I have a crazy sister too.

Stephonie: She is always telling me "All the best people are you know!"

SME: Crazy sisters are, quite frankly, the very best kind.

Jennifer: Agreed.
Stephonie: Is your crazy sister pushy too?

Jennifer: Mine is.

SME: Am I going to have to separate you two?

Jennifer: I would prefer a set of boxing gloves and a ring.

SME: Perhaps your next book can involve a little sibling pugilism. Just a suggestion.

Jennifer: We'd definitely have experience to back that up. Just kidding. I love you, Steph.

Stephonie: Actually, Jenn and I work really really well together. There are things I am good at and where I falter Jenn picks up and flies with it. That's how we got our music video done, how we got the book done, how we picked our publisher, and how we edited it.

SME: Well, my newest Friday friends, I have a fantabulous portrait for y'all. Wanna see?

Stephonie: I would LOVE to!!!!

Jennifer: Yes.

*draws a mind-blowingly amazing portrait*

Jennifer: Wow! How did you know that Steph was taller than me? This is incredibly accurate.

SME: Hahaha. As I was drawing it I thought, I wonder if Stephonie really is the taller sister.

Stephonie: Oooh I got red shoes! I've always wanted a pair of red shoes I tend to go extremely conservative ... black. Always black shoes.

SME: Stephonie--I own a pair of unbelievable strappy red shoes. They are among my favs! I wore them to the 2008 Whitney Awards banquet. I felt very fashionable

Jennifer: Did you click the heels together to take you back home?

SME: I tried and it didn't work. Talk about being disillusioned.

Jennifer: I hate it when reality interferes.
Have you ever had a stick figure done of you, Sarah?

SME: I drew a self-portrait when I interviewed myself. It was fabulous.

Stephonie: I would like to read that interview.

Jennifer: I have a portrait for you. ----->

SME: Oh. My. Word. A-Mazing! If I could get my hands on those shoes you drew, I would wear them every single day. I might even be 5' tall in those shoes!

Jennifer: I love those shoes. I actually made a pair for my daughter so she could be tall enough to ride the Indiana Jones ride in Disney Land. You should have seen the worker when she pulled up my daughter's pants and looked that those 5 inch stilt shoes.

Stephonie: I have to say that I am really looking forward tomorrow. I can't wait to see you in Regency costume.

SME: Oh. I'm gonna totally bust it out in my Regency Garb!!! Watch out!! Well, I guess that brings us to the final question of the interview. Top 5 reasons this is the best blog interview you ever done. Ready. Go.

Jennifer: 1. This is our first internet interviews…so that can't be beat.

Stephonie: 2. It was -YOU-! How awesome is it that our first interview also happens to be the author with whom we'll share the book launch.

Jennifer: 3.Where else can I admit that I sweat when I write.

Stephonie: 4. Where else can two sisters argue with a mediator?

Jennifer: 5. We've been trying forever to get a decent portrait together.

Stephonie: Yes! Portrait for the win!

SME: I even got a portrait out of it! It's a win-win-win situation! Well, ladies. Thanks so much for joining us for INFF. I can't wait to see you both at what I am calling "The Party of the Century"!

Stephonie: It is going to be fantastic!!!

Jennifer: Thanks! See you tomorrow!

Stephonie: Thank you so very much for inviting us! It has been great!

SME: *cue exit music* Well, this has been "I Need Friends" Friday. Come back next week when I will make another friend!!

If you'd like to be interviewed for "I Need Friends" Friday, shoot me off an email: friends at sarahmeden dot com!
I am looking for anyone and everyone, whether or not you think you are interesting. You'll get a fantastic stick figure portrait of yourself, a little promotion (if you're looking for that sort of thing) and the opportunity to tell your friends and family that you've been interviewed by SME, er... by ME!

Double Launch Party... and your chance to win a prize!

**Information at the bottom about how you can enter to win a prize,
whether or not you can attend!**

Double Book Launch Party!
The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden
and
Mark of Royalty by Jennifer K. Clark and Stephonie K. Williams

Saturday, February 12th
11am-1pm

Provo Deseret Book

989 South University Ave

Fabulous door prizes include:

• Toy Friesian horses (this is the horse featured in both Mark of Royalty and its music video).

• a Valentine's Day/Love themed vinyl lettering kit from Vinyl Expressions

• A Mark of Royalty t-shirt
  

• A "2011 Write Planner" -- a day planner designed specifically for writers, provided by Kim Coates at Writer Remedies

• a couple copies of Kelsey Weadon's CD, "Long to Be" (she is the fantastic vocalist featured in the Mark of Royalty music video)

• autographed copies of the following books:

Masquerade by Sierra St. James

Trial of the Heart by Sierra St. James

The Stranger She Married by Donna Hatch

Fame, Glory and Other Things on my To-do List by Janette Rallison

• Apple-themed gift bags (Some main scenes in Mark of Royalty take place in an apple orchard)

• a Mary Kay "Satin Hands" set (a $38 value) and a Mary Kay "Body Lotion and Cleanser" set (a $30 value), both provided by Tiffany Eden

• a couple Regency-era style drawstring purses, hand-sewn by Sarah Eden, each with something yummy/fun hidden inside!
  

The authors will be getting into the spirit of things by dressing in the style of the era in which their book takes place... Jennifer and Stephonie in Renaissance garb and Sarah in the style of the Regency era. Anyone who comes in a costume of their own will be entered to win a super-fabulous, uber-special prize!

***Want to win a prize, but can't attend the launch? Coming, but in the mood for a bonus prize? Help us spread the word and you'll be entered to win one of 2 prizes!

• link back to this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, etc.
• mention the launch party on Twitter, Facebook, your blog, etc. (you can link back to this post or our Facebook event page -- http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=190723737606626 )
  

It's that simple. Just let us know what you've done and we'll enter your name.

The Prizes:

• A handmade Regency-era drawstring bag filled with Sarah's absolute favorite old-fashioned peppermint candies
• a box of chocolates!
  

Thanks for helping us spread the word, and we hope to see as many of you as possible on February 12th!

Walkabout Wednesday: Five things about this week that totally rock!

It's Wednesday. Let's go walkabout.

(I'm bringing along a few of my mates as I wander through the vast wilderness of the publishing industry, learning the ins and outs, and having a grand adventure.)

Walkabout, Week 75:

So it's been a crazy couple days. Crazy good!

1. Courting Miss Lancaster has been chosen as a finalist for a Whitney Award for Best Romance... winners will be announced at the Whitney Awards gala in May. *fingers crossed*
2. I am gathering up some fantastic prizes being given away at the launch party for The Kiss of a Stranger and a brand new historical romance, Mark of Royalty. I will be posting a list of all the prizes on the blog Friday as well as a way you can win a prize even if you are unable to come to the launch... stay tuned!
3. I received word from my fabulous editor (hi, Kirk!) that on of my out-of-print books, (originally published as) "Affectations," the first book in the Jonquil Brothers series, has been officially accepted for publication. And, FYI, "Drops of Gold," the second book in that series, was also accepted a few weeks ago. Hooray!!
   
4. I found out that Seeking Persephone is slated for publication this fall!
5. And... because it's Wednesday, the latest episode of The Appendix, a podcast for writers, is available at www.appendixpodcast.com!
   

Come back Friday for prizes, mayhem and general fun!

(ignore "Read More!")---->