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Bestselling Author Stella Cameron ReadersRoom: Stella Cameron, welcome to ReadersRoom.com, and thanks for taking the time to have "coffee" and chat with us! StellaCameron: My pleasure. Thank you for inviting me. ReadersRoom: First of all, Stella, let's start off talking about your newest book, Kiss Them Goodbye, which has already been chosen as an Romantic Times Bookclub Top Pick. Can you tell us a bit about it?

StellaCameron: In Kiss Them Goodbye, Vivian Patin has lost her father under odd circumstances and, together with her mother, Charlotte, is trying to deal with the massive debts (about which they knew nothing) he left behind. All Vivian has to work with is a once magnificent but now decaying estate near Toussaint, Louisiana. Her aim is to turn the place into a resort. Unfortunately, on the day when their lawyer, Louis Martin, comes from New Orleans to bring news of a windfall supposedly large enough to end her troubles her encounter takes place on the grounds of Rosebank and the lawyer is dead -- murdered. An annoying police investigation gets underway and Vivian turns to Spike Devol, a deputy from a different jurisdiction and asks for help. Spike a strong, competent but shy man is already smitten with Vivian and sees this as a good reason not to get involved. However, as another killing takes place and frightening events escalate, he realizes he must join forces with Vivian since she may well be the next victim.

ReadersRoom: The book is set in Toussaint, Louisiana, a "remarkably atmospheric" place, according to one reviewer. You have written about this area before, in French Quarter and Cold Day in July, which was just released in paperback. What draws you to this setting?

StellaCameron: Louisiana is more exotic to me than any other place I've been -- and I've been fortunate to travel a good deal. The people, their varied and proud heritages, the humid and lush--and mysterious atmosphere, and the vivacious nature of the place fascinate me.

ReadersRoom: Since you are based in the Pacific Northwest, did you travel to Louisiana and do a lot of on sight research there?

StellaCameron: Yes. I've been to Louisiana many times. In fact I was there last week. I like to feel well marinated in the local scenes. Also I have a fabulous Louisiana library. Last week I added some great volumes. I'm writing the third book in the current series now so I needed a fresh infusion.

ReadersRoom: What series is this? Are they the same characters, or just the same setting?

StellaCameron: Cold Day in July, Kiss Them Goodbye and next, Now You See Him, are a series based on Father Cyrus Payne. The location is Toussaint, and the repeating cast of townsfolk. French Quarter is connected because Cyrus's sister, Celine, is the heroine of that story and he features in a strong part. But the Toussaint series is something on its own.

ReadersRoom: I hear you had a close encounter with a gator when you were down there.

StellaCameron: Ah, yes, the gator. Some people can be remarkably naive. You can find the full story on my website -- www.stellacameron.com. It's under Louisiana Tales.

ReadersRoom: You are originally from England, but met an American man, married him, and moved here. Can you tell us about yourself and how you feel about your adopted country?

StellaCameron: I grew up in England but I am American to my bones. The best decision I ever made was to marry Jerry and come to the USA. Jerry was an Air Force officer based in London and I worked as assistant to a dermatologist in Harley Street. I had known from quite an early stage that much as I loved England, I would not remain there. Meeting Jerry was a fabulous blessing. We have three grown children and our lives are very full.

ReadersRoom: That's wonderful. You have won just about every award a romance writer can hope to win. To you, what has been the biggest achievement of your career?

StellaCameron: I am a writer. That says so much about who I am it's almost scary. The biggest achievement was becoming a New York Times bestseller. What a feeling. At least, that was the biggest of the big achievements. The day I got a call from an editor to tell me she wanted to buy my first published book is unforgettable. I'm not sure I felt anything at all for days. I was all mind and heart and the rest of me was numb...

ReadersRoom: How did you get your start in writing?

StellaCameron: In a very scattered manner. No writers' groups, no contacts, just me and the determination to make a career in publishing. I took some creative writing classes which helped me squash the idea that I was the only struggling idiot out there. And I made some good friends who shared whatever they could. I wrote literary short fiction then because that's what I'd been reading and I assumed I should write what I read. Everything that came down on the page had a strong relationship and a mystery involved. Eventually someone suggested I should write mystery and romance and after I got over the shock, I saw the wisdom in the idea. I've been writing and submitting novels since that time--and selling them, I'm grateful to say.

ReadersRoom: Selling them very well!

StellaCameron: Yes. I'm blessed.

ReadersRoom: Most writers I know write at least three or four -- and sometimes more--manuscripts before they sell one. How many did you write before your first sale?

StellaCameron: I may have misled you. I did write one book that didn't sell until after the next one. So I sold number two first and number one later. But don't forget the reams of rejections I got for short fiction. I could have papered large walls with those.

ReadersRoom: That's still an excellent success rate!

StellaCameron: It is a great success rate.

ReadersRoom: What one thing would your fans be most surprised to learn about Stella Cameron?

StellaCameron: Ooh, gimme a few seconds. Probably that I'm shy and insecure.

ReadersRoom: That would be a surprise!

StellaCameron: I've developed an amazing face to put on over the real me.

ReadersRoom: And your fans do want to know more about you. Would you answer some of our readers' questions?

StellaCameron: Of course I would.

ReadersRoom: From Cass, in Milwaukee: Hi Ms. Cameron. I've been a fan of your romance novels for years. Do you think you will be doing another "straight" contemporary or historical novel any time soon?

StellaCameron: Not an easy question, Cass. I concentrate on romantic suspense where I feel so at home. The character traits you find in my contemporary books are very much "straight" themes. I think most writers draw their power from personal experience and if you were to analyze my work you'd find the common themes about childhood, parents, justice and occasionally the revenge I've sometimes wished I could hand out. As a completely passive person, I shy away from confrontation. But I digress from some of your question. My next historical book is A Useful Affair and comes out in March, 2004. This story is set in Bath and I hope you enjoy the premise. I think my Toussaint or Father Cyrus series is powerful and real and that you'll find what you search for in the books. Thank you for being interested.

ReadersRoom: From Gloria in Memphis Tennessee: I saw on your website that you recently had an author's dinner. What a good idea! Did it go well? How many people attended and would you do an author's dinner again?

StellaCameron: Hi Gloria. The dinner was last Saturday in Seaside, Oregon and went wonderfully. An independent bookseller put on the event and it involved a lot of small local businesses. The event was full and we had a lot of fun talking about anything the guests wanted to talk about. I think I talked for forty-five minutes which is a long stint. There must have been between 35 and 40 people present. I would do it again. Thank you for your question.

ReadersRoom: From Mary in Murray, Kentucky: I love contests on websites. Now that the Scarlet Boa contest is over, what contest do you have planned for the holidays?

StellaCameron: My main contest for the holidays will be getting my current book (next Toussaint book) finished. The Scarlet Boa is my one serious contest for the year and takes a lot of time and effort. It's worth it since we all have fun. If you go to my site you'll see a pretty, beribboned box on the main page. That will tell you the books I'll give at Christmas. Take care, Mary.

ReadersRoom: From Sharon in South Carolina: Knowing that you are British, and having just read An Alligator's Tail-Tale, was adapting a Southern accent difficult for you? The expressions and attitude seemed perfect. Have you ever lived in the South?

StellaCameron: Hi Sharon: Nope! Since I was a kid, I've always had a flair for accents. I got all the dialect parts in school plays. For some reason I have an acute inner ear for these things. If I'm in Louisiana I have to be careful someone doesn't think I'm copying the way they speak. Thank you very much for saying the material has the right feeling--you make my day. I visit Louisiana from time to time, just to wallow in the place and learn more. I did live in Texas for a few months but that produced a book set in Texas which is a very different milieu. Cheers!

ReadersRoom: From Joan in Pittsburgh: now that you are a grand parent, will you consider writing a child's book? Would you illustrate it as well?

StellaCameron: I've written a book for children called Krinkle but still haven't decided what to do with it. I may just put it into lovely packaging for my dear little girls or maybe I'll publish it and dedicate it to them -- if anyone wants it. On the illustrations. I would illustrate it for the girls but not for publication. There are too many wonderful illustrators out there. Good question.

ReadersRoom: Thank you for answering those questions, Stella.

StellaCameron: You are more than welcome.

ReadersRoom: Now, before we go, I wanted to ask you about your writing schedule. Do you have set times you write, or do you write as the muse dictates?

StellaCameron: Ye-es ... My whole day revolves around writing. I write or think about writing or beat myself up because I'm not being productive enough. Other things are fitted in around writing. I believe a writer should write every day. Ten pages a day is my goal. I write to music, preferably vocal.

ReadersRoom: How often do you reach that goal?

StellaCameron: Most days. Most days I exceed the goal. Of course, there are times when I write 30 pages then throw the lot out, too.

ReadersRoom: In closing, Stella, what would you like to say to your many fans?

StellaCameron: Thank you. You are my inspiration. I write with the feeling that if I move myself, I move you and so many of you have reinforced this over the years. If I give you some happy hours then everything I've done has been worth the effort. Blessings to each one of you and I hope we travel forward through many more stories together.

ReadersRoom: Stella Cameron, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us at ReadersRoom.com. Best of luck in your future endeavors.

StellaCameron: Thank you. This has been such fun.


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