Hi Nora welcome to A Romance Review. Thank you for making the time to chat with me about your writing career and the wonderful stories you create that bring us countless hours of enjoyment.

It seems from the way your writing career began, that you were meant to be a writer. Do you believe in fate or destiny?

I think it was more that I found where I fit. I've told the story over and over that I was the queen of crafts before I started writing, and it's the absolute truth. I sewed my kids' clothes. I macraméd not one, but two, hammocks. I could have needlepointed a car. When I started writing I thought, "This is it." The crafts went away and I haven't looked back since.

When you started writing, why did you choose romance over other genres?

It was what I was reading at the time. Category romances were perfect for reading during naps or when the kids were playing. Being able to catch a quick read quite honestly saved my sanity. So when I tried my hand at writing down one of the stories I'd made up, it seemed logical to write the type of story I enjoyed.

When you first started writing, who was your biggest supporter as far as your career goes? Who gave you words of encouragement when you needed it? When you were a new author, was there anyone already established in the business that you aspired to be like? Was there an author who gave you special encouragement or perhaps took you under their wing and showed you the ropes so to speak?

I think these two sets of questions work together. I was pretty much on my own when I started scribbling in notebooks. Remember it was before RWA and I live in a rural area of Maryland - it was the lack of four-wheel drive that kept me stranded during that blizzard. I wrote to entertain myself. I sent the finished books off to publishers because that seemed to be the next logical step.

When you are working on a book, do you have a set schedule you go by? What is a day in your life like when you are writing?

I work at writing the way most people work in an office - about eight hours a day five days a week. When my boys were young, the schedule reflected their school day and that still works well for me.

Now, the perfect day has no interruptions, but I don't get many perfect days. I usually start the day with a workout, then up to work. I start by running through e-mail and the ADWOFF site then dive into the work at hand.

There's a short break at midday to check e-mail that has come in or to read and post on the boards. I head down from my office around four or five to get dinner together for Bruce and me. If a book is moving well or if those interruptions were more intrusive than usual, I may head back up after dinner for a couple more hours.

How far in advance do you complete a book before it finally reaches the reader?

Usually, I'd need to turn in a manuscript about nine months prior to its pub date. Less, and it can cause a real crunch for the publisher.

Nora, many of your books feature Ireland or people with Irish backgrounds. Why Ireland?

My family comes from Ireland and Scotland, so there's the basic heritage part of the puzzle. There's something about Ireland that calls to me, whether it's the music or the storytelling or the beautiful land, the parts make a wonderful whole. I'd written about Ireland before I visited and when I finally got there, I knew I was home the moment I landed at Shannon Airport.

In addition to your memorable characters, your books always seem to feature such interesting backdrops. These have included thoroughbred horse racing, archeology, glass blowing, antiques and illusion among others. Are these things that you are interested in? How do you choose such interesting occupations for your characters?

I write about things that interest me, things I would like to know more about. But I don't choose the characters' occupations. That more or less evolves during that "what if" period as an idea for a book comes together.

Nora, in 1995 the first "In Death" book with your writing as J.D. Robb was released. Did you ever dream this series would be so popular with your readers?

I had a great time writing the first In Death and hoped it would go over with the readers. At the time we started, no one could predict how the books would be received. We couldn't possibly predict the series would build as it has. But I am thrilled that readers love Eve and Roarke as much as I do.

When you originally conceived the series, was Roarke supposed to be a continuing character or did it just turn out that way?

I did plan for them to be a couple but didn't know I'd be able to do an open-ended series. I'd hoped to do three, and then when the first couple did well, I'd hoped to do six. And so it goes.

I wanted to explore these people and peel the layers off their pasts and future together book by book. Eve and Roarke have given me the opportunity to explore a marriage, as well. Each book resolves the particular crime or mystery that drives it, but the character development, the growth and the changes, the tone of the relationships go more slowly. I enjoy that tremendously.

"Divided In Death", which will be released in January, will be in hardback this is something new for this series. Do you still plan to treat readers to two installments a year of this series or with the switch to hardcover will the releases be scaled back to one per year?

We started the In Death books out on the B list. It was kind of an entry-level start: a new name, a new style, without using the Roberts name to launch. After a few books, and a build in sales, they were moved to the A list, then to lead titles, as the sales increased. The next move is hardcover.

The plan is to continue to have two In Deaths per year, in hardcover, with their paperback editions following in six months (rather than the usual year-long wait).

I love your "inventions" in the "In Death" series. Which ones would you most like to have become reality and why?

The Auto Chef, of course. This would remove the "what's for dinner?" question from my daily existence.

I know the "In Death" books have been opted for the movies. Any updates on when Eve and Roarke might finally hit the big screen? Is there anyone you would like to see play these characters?

No updates and no opinion on casting, although my offer of doing readings with potential Roarkes always stands.

There has been somewhat of a mystery surrounding your upcoming "Key" trilogy. Very little has been released about these books. I did recently hear that they were inspired by the television series 24. Is this true and would you care to share with us anything more about these books?

I am a fan of 24. As I wrote the Key trilogy I took that real time deal and had each story comprising one month, all linking together for three months in all. Luckily, my editor bought into the idea, so the books are coming out in consecutive months, which sort of eases the pain for those readers who wait until all the books in a trilogy are out to read them. The trilogy deals with three women who meet for the first time when they're asked to take on a quest (each book comprises one month, highlighting one of the woman's quest) that deals with Celtic gods and stolen souls.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to a writer looking to become published?

Read, read and read some more. Then write what you'd read for pleasure. Write every day, even if it's just for an hour. Check out Romance Writers of America--even if you're writing outside the genre--and consider joining. It's a great organization for support, networking and marketing information. Find your local chapter--it helps to have contact with people who're doing what you're doing.

And mostly? If you want to write, write.

I have noticed a trend among some writers where the bigger they become the less accessible they are to their readers. This seems to be the opposite with you. You have a very informative web site; you have an area where questions sent to you are answered. You seem to go out of your way to stay in touch with the reader. Why is this so important to you? How can your readers get in touch with you?

I've gotten to know a number of readers from being online, and really treasure the time I've spent with them. As I've met readers through the Net, I've been able to meet many IRL. A lot of readers have come to our store for signings or just to visit. When I travel on book tours and business, I've been able to meet several others. I post on the boards often, and try to answer all reader e-mail within a week or two at the most. For me, it's enormously satisfying to know there are people out there who enjoy my work enough to want to tell me so. I appreciate that tremendously. The best way to reach me is at mail2nora@msn.com.

October brought the release of "The Official Nora Roberts Companion". In fact I was in the store the other night and picked up the book thinking it might help me with this interview. After scanning a few pages I returned the book to the shelf as it seemed to be so thorough, that I was afraid if I read too much I would be too intimidated to ask you any questions. The book seemed very well put together. Were you pleased with the way this book turned out?

It took a while, but I love the final result. The pictures and the letters help make it both fun and personal--and that's what I'd hoped for.

We all have things we love and hate about our jobs. What is it that you like best and least about your job as a writer? Is there anything you haven't accomplished as a writer that you still hope to do?

I get tired of the business of writing - that extra stuff that isn't writing. The writing is a joy, even when it is not going particularly well. The simple fact that you are lucky enough to have a job you love and you can work in your pajamas can't be beat. It doesn't get much better than that!

I don't set goals for the next year or next five. I just concentrate on writing the best book I possibly can every time out.

Can you share with us any projects that you have coming up in 2004?

There is a Nora Roberts hardcover coming out in the fall that takes place in Alaska as well as those In Deaths and the paperback version of Chesapeake Blue.

Now for perhaps the most important question of all, how did Kayla like her first trip to NYC?

Kayla took to her first limo ride like she was born for it. And when we got into the city, she was thrilled. Very excited by the traffic and people and noise. She behaved beautifully the whole time.

Nora it has been a pleasure talking with you. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I look forward to many more entertaining stories from you in the years to come.


Nora and ARR would like to give an autographed set of the "Key" trilogy books to one lucky reader as a special Christmas gift.

This prize will not be shipped until after the first of the year because the third book is not available until Dec 30th.

The contest runs December 1st thru the 30th and the prize winning name will be announced in January.

To enter the contest for this special prize please answer the following question:

What is the location of the next Nora Roberts hardcover release?

Send your answer to contest@aromancereview.com with the subject as Nora's contest.