February 1, 2000
Web posted at: 4:00 p.m. EDT

Chat Moderator: Thank you for joining us today Sandra Brown, and welcome to chat.

Brown: Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining us today.

Chat Moderator: Please tell us a little bit about your background.

Brown: As a novelist, my background began in 1979. I am officially in my 20th year as a professional writer. I started out writing romances for several publishers under several pseudonyms. Twelve years ago, I began writing for a more mainstream market, and gradually moved into suspense novels. I am pleased to say that as of last week, I have had 40 books on the New York Times bestseller list.

Question from gamster99: Mrs. Brown have you always loved writing?

Brown: Actually, I always loved reading. I grew up in a family of bookworms, and books were my favorite toys. I can remember being read to at a very early age, and never being without a book for entertainment. My desire to write came out of loving books.

Question from Triptych: My wife is just starting to write, what advice do you have for the beginning female writer?

Brown: It is the same advice I would give to a writer male or female: read religiously and compulsively because I think other writers are the best writing teachers. Analyze why you like a particular book or why you dislike it.

The second essential is to sit down and spend time each day writing. There are no shortcuts to putting words on papers. For someone just starting out or someone with 20 years experience, the procedure is the same. You must spend solitary time putting down words.

Chat Moderator: Tell us a little about your latest book?

Brown: "The Alibi" is set in Charleston, South Carolina. The central character is the district attorney, who finds himself in a very sticky situation when he discovers that his prime suspect for a murder case is a woman that he was with at the time of the murder.

It is definitely a mystery, but it is also a story about a man in a moral dilemma. I loved the setting and the characters of this book because I love the city of Charleston.

Question from gamster99: Who are your favorite authors?

Brown: There are so many. And my favorite authors would probably surprise our readers.

I love the John Sanford series, Carl Hyacinth's wit. I recently read a Regency romance that I adored. I can read blood and guts one day, a legal thriller the next day, and a romance novel after that.

What I look for in a book is that it be a good, juicy read. I suppose I have that in common with all readers.

Question from HUGEsimfan: Have you already started another book, and when is it due out?.

Brown: This is going to be a two fold answer. I have completed a novel which is shorter than what I ordinarily write. It is called "Standoff." It will be available in February through the Doubleday Direct book club. It will be published in May for the retail market by Warner Books.

I loved writing this book because its written in real time, and all the action transpires over the period of time that it takes the average reader to read it. There is more information and a picture of the cover at my Web site which is sandrabrown.net. I am presently completing my next novel, to be published in October, which is also a suspense novel.. Unfortunately, I am wrestling with the title, but it is about twins.

Question from pete: Will you continue to release your books in unabridged audio books. I just finished listening to "Alibi" for the third time; loved it

Brown: Thank you very much. I believe that my audio publisher plans to continue with three renditions. The abridged, unabridged, and CD. I am very pleased to hear that you liked the "Alibi" on Audio.

Question from Triptych: What do you think of the new trend in publishing books online?

Brown: This is an area that is new to writers, agents, and publishers. We are all feeling our way. My publisher, Warner Books, merged with AOL, an announcement that only came last week.

I think it will definitely be the wave of the future, although I don't think there will ever be a replacement, at least not for me, for a book that I can hold in my hand and take to bed with me.

Question from gamster99: How long did the whole completion of "The Alibi" take? Like days, months, or what? =)

Brown: I am under contract to provide my publisher with a new book every year. They have me on a routine publishing schedule. That is why "Standoff" is somewhat of an exception. I actually wrote it last year after completing "The Alibi."

Ordinarily, from plotting to final draft, it takes me anywhere from 8 to 9 months to write the novel. Also, time has to be allotted for promotion, touring, and meetings with my publisher, agent, and publicist.

I feel as though having worked so hard during those months, I am allowed at least 8-10 weeks of a life.

Question from hmm: Does that pressure you at all to know that you have to provide one book a year, or is it a challenge?

Brown: It's definitely a challenge, and my family would probably say that yes, I am under a lot of pressure. The pressure manifests itself in my being very demanding on myself.

Question from Eve: Are your books as popular in other countries?

Brown: Actually, yes. I am very pleased. I am Romania's top fiction seller. I have been told by my agent who handles the eastern bloc countries and Russia, that there are nine Sandra Brown fan clubs in Russia.

Question from ktbug: Do you have a routine you go through on a daily basis???

Brown: It may surprise some to learn that I actually do not work at home. For the past 14 years, I have come to an office and I have a staff of three. Generally, when I arrive in the morning, I take care of correspondence and any other business matters that need attention.

Then I go upstairs to my room and lock myself in with instructions that I not be disturbed. This is in theory of course, because I frequently am interrupted by matters that need my immediate attention.

That is why I just completed a two-week retreat, during which I communicated only by e-mail and wrote virtually around the clock. It was wonderful.

Question from jayrandy: How do you combat writers block from the discouragement of not getting published yet?

Brown: I have been stymied several times. I won't lie and say that never in the 20 years that I have been writing have I not experienced a little bit of writer's block. I have found that the best way to overcome it is just not to give in to it.

If I don't type anything except "the grass green; the sky is blue," it generally prompts another sentence. I become very frustrated when my subconscious refuses to give up what I know is in there. So I set time aside just to sit and think until it decides to cooperate

As to the rejection of publishers, that can be extremely discouraging, and I have also experienced that in the course of my career. I think it is important for a writer to listen carefully to constructive criticism, and then throw out what they don't consider to be valuable advice; heed what they consider valuable advice.

Question from Born2Travel: Will you continue to write more books?

Brown: Yes. Until I feel that I have nothing of value to say I plan to continue writing.

Question from Tiberius: How long did it take to go from the idea for your first book to a cash-in-hand deal with your agent or publisher?

Brown: Actually, I sold my first book directly to the publisher. I had written for about a year, and had submitted (I think) only two manuscripts. The first one never sold. One was rejected by one publisher before it was bought by the second. I am pleased to say that the publisher that initially declined came back later, soliciting books from me.

Question from Jenni: I have a 13 -year old daughter who loves to write (and think she has potential - not biased of course) but her teachers don't do anything to encourage her. She gets no feedback. Any advice?

Brown: I can't imagine a teacher of the language arts not encouraging a student to write. My sympathy. I would definitely encourage the young lady to continue writing if for no other reason than for self-gratification.

I feel that nothing written is ever wasted. I continue to learn how to do it better with everything I write. So, the more she writes, the more she will improve, and ultimately, these self-taught lessons could prove to be extremely valuable.

Question from TomL: Do you ever feel under pressure to write sequels of popular works you have previously done?

Brown: I frequently have requests from fans to write a sequel to this or that book. I have only done this a few times in my career. Actually, they were not so much sequels as taking secondary characters from one book, and giving them their own story.

The novels that I am writing now, I don't feel, lend themselves to sequels. I tend to wrap up the story at the conclusion of the book, and I certainly never want to write a sequel that did not meet the standards of the original story.

Chat Moderator: Question from GUEST05192-mY> Have you ever written a book using another name?

Brown: I wrote 40+ romances, most of which were written under Sandra Brown, but I also used the pseudonyms Rachel Ryan, Laura Jordan and Erin St. Claire. An Erin St. Claire book is presently on the New York Times bestseller list. It is a sixteen year-old book called "Bittersweet Rain" that has just been reprinted.

Question from Athena: Why did you decide to make the negative comments about romance and romance readers in the New York Times? Have you gotten negative feedback for this?

Brown: I don't recall making any negative comments that you reference. My experience with writing romances was extremely beneficial.

I learned to write by writing romances, and it was a very lucrative genre. I also made my most lasting friendships among colleagues who continue writing in that genre, and many who have moved into mainstream, as I have done. I believe they have not gotten the recognition and respect that they deserve.

Question from pinky: Will we see any of your stories on the Big Screen?

Brown: We are working on it. "The Witness" is up for a CBS TV movie, and we have had interest in other books as well. I never count on this because several have been optioned, but never produced, which is customary. The only book I had made into a movie was "French Silk," and it was in, I believe, 1993, an ABC TV movie.

First of all, I think "Fat Tuesday" would be one of the best to go to the big screen. and I try not and test actors in the roles while I am writing the book.

I think Burt Basille could be played by a Kurt Russell, a Harrison Ford - someone craggy, and not too refined.

Question from Triptych: Who are your role models? Anyone?

Brown: I was influenced from a creative standpoint by the novelist Taylor Cauldwell. I read her books in my late teens and early 20s. I thought that she was a novelist who did not get the credit she deserved for the incredible story-telling ability that she had.

The southern orientation of my books was influenced by Tennessee Williams, who I also think did family relationships better than anyone. So, several others have influenced me. I don't know that I would call them role models.

Question from pinky: Did you ever think you would be one of the highest paid women in publishing?

Brown: Never in a million years. I still am surprised to an extent by my success because it certainly has not been over night, and I regard myself as someone who works very, very hard at what I do.

I am still unsure and paranoid, nervous when I submit a manuscript to my editor. At the same time, I am very grateful for the success because I know how many talented writers there are.

Question from ronin: Do you view your agent either as strictly a business partner or a provider of editorial insight as well?

Brown: My agent is basically a business partner. There have been times, however, when she did make constructive observations on a manuscript or a story idea. She was an editor prior to becoming an agent, so I value her opinion. Basically however, I rely on my editor for editorial input.

Question from Tiberius: Would you say that it is more difficult today for new authors to sell their ideas than it was when you first published?

Brown: Absolutely. Unfortunately, at the time I submitted my manuscripts, the publishers each had a line of romances. They did four to six a month. They were eager to buy manuscripts to fill those slots. Each publisher also had an extensive list, meaning the books they published each month. Regrettably the numbers on those lists have shrunk dramatically. Publishers don't publish in the quantities they once did.

They tend to buy authors with established track records. It is much more difficult now for a new writer to breach the publisher's office. However, I qualify that by saying that every publisher is on the lookout for the next Grisham, Cornwell, or King, etc.

Question from pinky: How has the issue of women in publishing changed over the past several years?

Brown: I am pleased to see that women have either been promoted or appointed to key positions within the publishing house. My own editor, Maureen Eagan, is publisher and president of Warner Books, and I have met other women in similar positions at other publishing houses.

I believe that women writers are also getting recognized and read by male and female readers, and that books are being sold less on the writer's gender and more on the content.

Question from Jenni: Do you plan out your entire novel or does it "evolve" as you write?

Brown: It is a combination. I do plan the entire novel, from start to finish, before I begin. I know what the initial conflict is going to be, how I intend to complicate the conflict, and how it will be resolved. I know most of the characters, at least the key characters. I present this in synopsis form to my editor.

Once we have discussed it, and the idea is approved, I begin to write, but I never consult that synopsis again. That way, I am allowing the story and the characters to develop and evolve on their own. So, I know what needs to happen, I just don't know where or when or under what circumstances it will happen.

Brown: Part of the fun of being a novelist for me is coming to work every day and waiting to see what is going to take place. I think that a certain amount of spontaneity also keeps me interested, and hopefully, keeps the reader reading.

Question from: GUEST05192-mY: What have you thought of chatting on-line today?

Brown: Oh, I have loved it. Writing is a very solitary occupation. In fact, I try to shun the telephone. When I have an opportunity to chat with readers or fans, it is feedback that is very gratifying and valuable. So, I welcome these opportunities to get in touch so to speak with the people who read my books.

Chat Moderator: Any final thoughts you want to share with us?

Brown: I hope that everyone who joined me today will watch for "Standoff" soon. If they have any further questions, perhaps the answer could be found on my Web site, sandrabrown.net. In October, I hope you will watch for the novel, which unfortunately at this point, has no name!

Thank you, very much, for taking time out to visit with me today.

Chat Moderator: Thank you for chatting with us today!