The A/B Interview:

If Oprah invited you on her show to talk about your book, what would 
the theme of that show be? 
Introverts and how to get them to talk. Or, alternatively, Opinionated 
People and How to Get them to Shut up. Because once I get going… 

2. What was the most fun scene in your book to write? The most difficult? 
I don’t mean to sound like a freak, but I don’t have much fun writing. I 
get intense personal satisfaction from the process, particularly when I 
am editing rather than drafting, but so far I would never in a million 
years describe any part of writing as fun, ever. All scenes are 
difficult for me. Apparently, I need to learn your process, because you 
wouldn’t ask the question if you didn’t have fun. So spill! 

Carolyn, Ooh, yes first drafts are the most fun part for me. The idea, the imagination, the creation of these wonderful characters and world I’m building for them. But then again, I think branding businesses is “fun”, too so maybe it’s the whole Maybelline thing – maybe you’re born with it, maybe it’s Maybelline. -ML

3. Do you have a muse, good luck charm, writing vice? 
No muse. No good luck charm. (Rats!) And many many vices. The worst is 
deluding myself that a boring scene can be edited out of it’s 
boring-ness when really I just need to delete it and start over. 

4. What do you write on (type of computer, or notebook, etc.) and where 
do you write? 
I’m at the gym at 5:00 am M-F where I ride an exercise bike and 
brainstorm with pen and notebook for 45 minutes. Then at various points 
in the day, depending on my level of deadline neurosis, I write on my 
laptop in the car at lunch, at my son’s soccer practices or before his 
games, and at home on my iMac when I am not attending to family matters. 
When I am reading through paper-copy of my work in progress, I stick it 
in a binder and take it with me to the gym or the car or wherever. As 
soon as I have the money I intend to replace my PC laptop with a Macbook. 

Here, here on the Macbook. Just don’t let a child swing around in a chair and knock it off the desk causing the screen to split like I did. Makes working on it tons less fun.

5. Have you had a “rock star” moment regarding your writing 
career? If so, what was it? 
I was at a party at the neighbor’s once and there was a young woman 
there who’d had too much to drink. She was convinced I had written a 
book she absolutely LOVED to PIECES. The GREATEST book EVAH!! 
Unfortunately, the book she described was not one I had ever written. 
She refused to believe I was not the author of this much beloved book, 
so at last, I just nodded and said thanks so much. 

6. What do you do to celebrate your writing successes? 
I get a massage and a facial. And I pony up for the 1.5 hour massage and 
facial for a combined three hours of pure bliss. 

Love that idea. I’ll have to try that next time.

7. Describe your personality with five adjectives that would make your 
5th grade English teacher proud. 
Adjectives are, of course, the devil, second only to abverbs or maybe 
gerunds, but if you insist: driven, neurotic, focused, opinionated and 
introverted. I’m not sure anyone would be proud of those. 

Opinionated and inverted in the same person? Bet you keep your opinions to yourself in the elevator and in line at the post office then. Thanks so much for sharing, Carolyn, and best of luck on SCANDAL!

About Scandal: 

Scandal

Berkley Sensation

February 3, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-425-22551-6

The earl of Banallt is no stranger to scandal. But when he meets Sophie Evans, the young wife of a fellow libertine, even he is shocked by his reaction. This unconventional and intelligent woman proves to be far more than an amusing distraction– she threatens to drive him to distraction. Unlike the women who usually fall at Banallt’s feet, and into his bed, Sophie refuses to be seduced. And soon Banallt desires her more than ever– and for more than an illicit affair.

Years later, the widowed Sophie is free, and Banallt is determined to win the woman he still loves. Unfortunately, she doesn’t believe his declaration of love and chivalrous offer of marriage– her heart has already been broken by her scoundrel of a husband. And yet, Sophie is tempted to indulge in the torrid affair she’s always fantasized about. Caught between her logical mind and her long-denied desire, Sophie must thwart Banallt’s seduction– or risk being consumed by the one man she should avoid at all costs…