Emily McCay | Romance & Writing

April 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Interview with Emily McCay: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today we spoke with Harlequin romance novelist Emily McCay. This is a great revealing look into the world of romance novels, and about McCay’s first experiences with the genre.More about Emily McCay from her website:

Emily McKaskle, who writes as Emily McKay, has been reading romance novels since she was eleven years old. Her first Harlequin Romance came free in a box of Hefty garbage bags. She’s been reading — and loving! — romance novels ever since.In her spare time, she loves to garden and cook … well, bake. Mostly cookies. Naturally, she still loves to read a good romance. She’s been blissfully married for eleven years. When they can ditch their five pets for a couple of weeks, she and her husband like to travel to exotic and exciting locations like Greece, Costa Rica, and Ignorant Flats, Texas.She has a degree in English from Texas A&M University. After college, she taught middle school for four years. While teaching America’s disenfranchised youth to appreciate fine literature, she learned very little about writing romance but a lot about finding humor in any situation. Eager for a job where she wouldn’t have to dodge spitwads, she fled the teaching profession to write full-time. Though her characters sometimes misbehave, they almost never throw things at her.Emily has been writing seriously for ten years. In 2001, one of her dreams came true when her manuscript, Love Letters to Tabitha, was a finalist in the Golden Heart. Just over a year later, she got ‘THE CALL.’ In January of 2003, Love Letters to Tabitha was published as Baby, Be Mine by Harlequin Temptation. Baby, Be Mine is also a finalist for the 2004 RITA Award in Best First Book and Best Short Contemporary Romance categories. Emily has gone on to sell seven more books to Harlequin Silhouette. Her next book, Baby on the Billionaire’s Doorstep, will be released in April of 2008.

Posted by admin | Filed Under Dating, Fiction, AUTHOR INTERVIEW, PODCAST

Deborrah Cooper Transcript

February 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Announcer: Welcome, and thanks for tuning in to Sound Authors with host Dr. Kent. It’s for candid conversations about everything, from cuisine to culture, and from nature to nurture. Now here’s your host, Dr. Kent.

Kent Gustavson: Welcome to Sound Authors. It’s the day after Valentine’s Day, and hopefully we all had a good one by this point. It’s my honor today to have four very special guests.My first guest is going to be Deborrah Cooper with her website Sucka-Free Love. My second guest is going to be Amy Schoen with getitrighthistime.com. Both are relationship experts.The third guest on the show is something a little bit different. He’s an expert on politics. He wrote a biography of Ronald Reagan.My fourth guest is the very incredible singing duet of Neal and Leandra, singing the song “Old Love” from their album “Old Love”.So, let’s get started here. My first guest has a website called Sucka-Free Love as well as a book. Welcome to the show, Deborrah Cooper.

Deborrah Cooper: Hey Dr. Kent, how are you?

Kent: I’m good. How are you doing this Valentine’s Day?

Deborrah: Not too bad.

Kent: all right, so tell me a little bit about your book.

Deborrah: Oh, wow, where do I begin? The full title of it is “Sucka-Free Love: How to Avoid Dating the Dumb, the Deceitful, the Dastardly, the Dysfunctional, and the Deranged”, which pretty much covers every kind of sucka I could think of.

Kent: You have to define a sucka for me. S-U-C-K-A, what does that mean exactly?

Deborrah: That’s kind of a catch-all term for every person that becomes involved with you for any kind of reason other than love and respect.They’re there for what you can provide for them, for the benefits that you offer, which may be something as simple as sex, maybe money, other kinds of favors. They manipulate, they control, they cheat, they lie, they steal. They do kinds of things that ultimately end up hurting you.The goal for this book is to get people to recognize those games as they start coming along so they can protect themselves.

Kent: This is a totally new dating environment these days. There’s a million ways to meet people, but are there any good ones out there?

Deborrah: Any good people, you mean?

Kent: Well, that too, but any good method to meet them?

Deborrah: You know, I hesitate to say that anything is bad. I have to say that because you can meet some really great people in environments that are traditionally discounted as negative, say nightclubs, bars and singles mixers.Everybody is going to go into those environments at one point or another for whatever reason. What you want to avoid, though, is those that are there every single weekend and make it their home. You don’t want them.You can’t even say that church is necessarily 100% foolproof either, because knuckleheads go to church too.

Kent: You’ve heard a lot of stories. Do you have any stories to share with us to illustrate what’s in your book? Is this just woman talking about men, or can men also find a sucka woman?

Deborrah: Oh yeah. Unfortunately what we traditionally call the nice guys like yourself, I’m sure, might typically be caught in the web of a female sucka. I call those chicken-heads.In the first chapter of the book, entitled “Which Came First, the Chicken-head or the Egg?” it’s particularly devoted to men that deal with women that are termed gold-diggers and users. They see a guy as somewhat of a nest egg.

Kent: You deal with all these issues, what people are always asking, like “Why won’t men call?” You talk about interracial relationships. Where did you get started with all this? It’s been, what, 15 years?

Deborrah: It has. It’s been 15 years actually in the business. But the information that I bring to this field has been information that’s been coming to me from a wide variety of sources practically since birth.My dad and I had a very close relationship. He spent lots of time talking to me about men and relationships, how to be a lady, how to conduct myself in the world, this kind of thing. As I grew up, I took those lessons with me. So, as I got older and got to dating age, I was able to see exactly what he was talking about.I came into the dating world light-years ahead of most girls my age. As I got even older, I was able to see the games that even women older than me didn’t see, didn’t recognize. People were coming to me for advice, and it just kind of morphed from there. Now I’ve been doing this professionally for 15 years.

Kent: What is the most common mistake people make in a relationship?

Deborrah: I knew you were going to ask me that. [laughter] If I had to pick just one, I think I would say that they don’t accept the person for what they are. They think that love is either going to change the person, or that what they see right in their face isn’t as bad as they think it is.They ignore the red flags. They just ignore it, and they stay in relationships and stay involved with people that they really should have passed by. That, I think, is the biggest mistake and that causes the most problems.

Kent: You deal with singles every day. Have singles changed over the years?

Deborrah: I think so. The environment is different. Even though we all love our Internet connections and our Blackberries and our cell phone text messaging and picture messaging, those things I think have taken us away from the ability to really communicate with the other. People do a lot of hiding.It’s hard, even when you have a relationship with someone, to really develop the depth of understanding and intimacy that I think most of us are really looking for. People are in relationships, but they still feel lonely.

Kent: You said you spoke to your father a lot about men and all of that stuff. Have you fallen into some of these traps yourself?

Deborrah Cooper: I’ve met guys. I’m not going to lie, I’m not going to lie. I have met them, but I was lucky, though, in that that’s as far as it went.I met them, I may have gone out on a date or two, but we did not have any relationship because I was able to see what they were all about. So, I was somewhat protected. Oh yeah, boy, they’re out there.

Kent: Yesterday was Valentine’s Day. It’s a notorious holiday for men not quite giving it right. There’s so many hopes attached to the day. What do you think about that?

Deborrah: A couple of friends and I was talking about that, starting something called the Un-Valentine Day: just to get together and celebrate the fact that we are accomplished and smart and beautiful women.I don’t want women–or men either–that are single to put too much stock on it, because after all it is a commercially created holiday by the floral industry and the card industry.But, it has come to mean something in relationships which forces those that are not in one at the moment to reconsider our position and feel a little lonely and upset when everyone else is getting these giant bouquets at work.I think for the most part it is just one day. The whole point is to be around people that love you. It does not mean that that has to be someone of the opposite sex. So, if you have friends and family–you know, go spend your Valentine’s Day with your mom.If you can’t love that person that loves you more than anything in the world and show some appreciation to that individual, what else is there?

Kent: Exactly. What’s your plan now? What are you working on?

Deborrah: Well, I just finished an article as a matter of fact, which has references to the Valentine’s Day letdown that you just mentioned. It’s based on a survey of three hundred men with the ten dating secrets that women need to know. I’m going to put that into an article.My next book is going to also be based on that same survey for women that want to get married and the title of that is “So You Want to Get Married? Why Would He Choose You?” We delve into what men are actually looking for in a wife versus a girlfriend. I think a woman is confused on those issues.

Kent: That’s also something that’s changed so much. It changes all the time, depending on what the stars are doing. Not the stars up in the sky, I mean movie stars and all that. But I guess either one, right?

Deborrah: Either one.

Kent: What’s some wisdom you could impart to men and women? I even have friends that are so frustrated; they say “I’ll never meet the right person”. What do you tell people like that?

Deborrah: In the back of my book, actually that’s one of the chapters that I cover, is “If love is the answer, please rephrase the question”, which somewhat reflects the frustration and confusion that singles that are out looking experience in the dating world.What I did was put together something called my ten rules for psycho-free dating. Just ten quick little guidelines, like “Never date someone just for love”, “Don’t settle for less, just avoid being alone”, “Avoid dating someone with different values or core beliefs, that is key”, “Ask lots of questions before you get yourself involved next time”.You know, you need to know who you’re getting involved with. Focus on commitment; focus on the person that you’re trying to commit to. Never date someone just because they want to date you. This is also important.You have to have screening technique. Just because someone finds you attractive and interesting doesn’t mean that you have to return that thought.”Never rush into a commitment before you know who you’re committing to.” I’m sorry I’m repeating myself. “Always be a person of your word,” this is where we’re talking about communication, honesty and developing trust.”Don’t waste your time loving someone that doesn’t love you back.” I can’t even tell you, Kent, how important that is and how much that’s ignored.”Listen to your inner voice and pay attention to the red flags that you see”. And then the tenth one is “Never bring baggage of the past into the present”. That is very important too.A person should never be charged with crime and have to do time for something done by someone in your past. Let it go.

Kent: What do we find in your book? Is it kind of a guidebook for how to do it, or fun to read? What do we find?

Deborrah: Well, you find all that. It’s hilarious. It’s a question and answer format with commentary by me.As well there’s a questionnaire there so you can assess the relationship that you in, with a sucka or not, as well as those ten rules for psycho-free dating I just read you. The seven chapters are divided by topics, so you can go right to the issue that is in your life right now and read the rest later.It’s very informative, very down to earth, very real. I don’t use a lot of highfalutin’ psychological psychobabble words. I talk to you just like I’m talking right now. People that have heard me talk can hear my voice.I just want people to feel like they have a friend. I can’t meet everyone, but I can be with you through the pages of this book and guide you through the mess before you get in deep.

Kent: It’s been a real pleasure speaking with you. You have a couple of websites online, askheartbeat.com as well.

Deborrah: Yeah, that’s my chief website with most relationship advice and articles on it. That’saskheartbeat.com.

Kent: Then we have suckafreelove.com. That’s the fun site that talks about this brand new book “Sucka-free Love: How to avoid dating the dumb, the deceitful, the dastardly, the dysfunctional and the deranged.”We’ve been speaking with Deborrah Cooper. Thanks so much for being on the show, and happy Valentine’s Day.

Deborrah: Thank you for having me. It was fun.

Men: My next guest, coming right up is Amy Schoen. Come on back.

Posted by admin | Filed Under Valentines Day, Dating, Holidays, TRANSCRIPTS, AUTHOR INTERVIEW, Inspiration, PODCAST

Amy Schoen | Dating & Valentines

February 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Interview with Amy Schoen [11:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We spoke this day after Valentine’s Day with relationship expert Amy Schoen. She has coached singles for many years, and tells us the story of her own love breakthrough.

Information about Amy Schoen from www.heartmindconnection.com

Amy Schoen has been transforming people to be their best for over 20 years. Amy has the gift of visualization and uses this gift to ask the right life and relationship questions to visualize the kind of life they truly desire. To move clients towards positive action, Amy draws upon her vast life experiences, business experiences and keen knowledge of people.

Amy has found that asking the right relationship questions makes you reflect on what you truly want, and gives confidence in yourself in the dating world. This approach will give you a better sense of what you truly want in a relationship, how to avoid damaging relationship issues and lead you to success in life and dating.

Before being the principal of Heartmind Connection®, LLC, a life and relationship coaching and consulting business, Amy owned an upscale clothing boutique for 13 years in Bethesda Maryland and was an image consultant. Here, she helped her clients to discover their best image which gave them the self confidence they needed to accomplish their life goals. After closing the boutique, Amy continued as an image/wardrobe consultant and established Amy’s Eye for Style consulting service.

Having owned a clothing boutique, starting a business as an image consultant and now running Heartmind Connection, life and relationship coach, Amy Schoen, understands what it takes to be an entrepreneur! More importantly, Amy understands the unique relationship questions and relationship issues you may face as you seek success in your love and business life.

If you’re ready for a long-term relationship in your life, go for it. Amy has spent over 10 years figuring out the right relationship questions that will get you visualizing exactly what you truly want. You’ll avoid unnecessary and damaging relationship issues and get solid dating advice for what you want in life and marriage with the Motivated to Marry^TM method.

Amy has an M.B.A. from Georgetown University and has studied life coaching and received her professional certification from the Coaches Training Institute of San Rafeal, California. She speaks regularly to professional organizations and social groups including the DC Young Professionals, Learning Escapes, New Beginnings and eWomen’s Network. On a personal note, after a divorce in 1996, Amy has been happily married at the age of 42 since July 2002! Read Amy’s personal story.

Posted by admin | Filed Under Dating, Valentines Day, Holidays, AUTHOR INTERVIEW, PODCAST

Deborrah Cooper | Suckas & Dating

February 15, 2008 | 4 Comments

Interview with Deborrah Cooper: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We enjoyed speaking with Deborrah Cooper today, about her book Sucka Free Love. She explained the definition of Sucka, and talked about dating in the 21st century, and how to find the right partner (not a Sucka).
More information from Deborrah Cooper’s website: www.suckafreelove.com

San Francisco based life coach and dating/relationship expert Deborrah Cooper speaks and writes regularly on topics relating to singles, interracial relationships, dating, and romance. Deborrah is the author of “Sucka Free Love! - How to Avoid Dating The Dumb, The Deceitful, The Dastardly, The Dysfunctional and The Deranged!, published in March 2007.

Deborrah is also the founder and resident advice columnist on AskHeartBeat.Com™, her award-winning relationships site. AskHeartBeat™ was founded in 1997, and holds the honor of being the first site on the web designed to focus on black male/female relationships! The site is full of informative articles on dating and relationships for both adults and teens of all nationalities. Deborrah’s witty, no-nonsense weekly advice column (which she pens under the moniker “Ms. HeartBeat”) is highlighted.

Posted by admin | Filed Under Dating, Valentines Day, Holidays, AUTHOR INTERVIEW, PODCAST

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