How do you get your ideas?

Life. Reading (see My Bookshelf). Dreams. Eavesdropping. (Buses are very good for this.)

What is your writing process?

You don't want to know. I ought to write the new stuff early every day (I'm a morning person) and sometimes I do. I ought to stop when my wrists tell me I'm risking Repetitive Strain Injury. Sometimes I don't. I'm not one of your disciplined writers.

So do you wait for inspiration?

No. It's too easy to get out of the habit of writing. Besides, inspiration is lovely when it strikes but it is a two edged sword. It can produce real self indulgent melodrama.

Isn't it dull, writing when you don't feel inspired?

Not dull. Hard work. Can be painful. But sometimes I write best when I have had to drag myself to the desk. Then, in the middle of the wretched process, all the ideas that have been whirling and circling can just suddenly fall into place.

Do you do research?

Yes, it's good fun. That's the bit of a book where you can actually close up at the end of the working day, too.

How many languages are your books published in?

Twenty two the last time I counted.

Do you have a favourite among your own books?

It sounds trite, but I'm always so involved with the one I'm writing that, at the time, I think it's the best ever.

Do you listen to criticism?

Listen? I write the damned stuff. The moment I send off a manuscript, I'm writing the script for anyone who hates my poor book.

Do you take any notice of criticism?

You mean apart from wanting to slit my wrists? Yes and no. Yes, when readers misunderstand something I've written. (I'm supposed to be a communicator for Heaven's sake!) No when it's personal preference - that's luck; after all, we don't like everybody we meet, we won't like every romance we read. No, when it's abusive. Yes, when a reader has reacted differently to a character from the way I did. For example, after reading The Sheikh's Bride a reader said that she loved Amer but she thought Leo was bad tempered and he deserved better! I know it doesn't sound it, but that is actually a compliment. It meant that she was reacting to Leo as if she was real person. What more can an author ask?

How do you respond to criticism of your books?

Learn from the interesting bits, I hope.

How do you respond to criticism of the genre?

See Why Romance?

Which bit of a book you find most difficult?

Differs from book to book but there's always at least one point where I shudder to a halt. It's something to do with closing the door on options, I think. I'm bad at that in life too.

If you would like to read my answers to questions about Your Books, click here

If you have questions that aren't answered above, you are welcome to email me. It may take a bit of time to answer. Remember, I'm not an organised person and I could be deep in the middle of a book.

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