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misguided. It’s wicked important to have a crit partner who tells you when you’re not funny.

JOSH: I know you shop for ideas at the same supermarket I go to, but where do you find those yummy heroes? And can you get me a deal on one?

LB: Well, there’s this bar in Smithfield called the Village where they all hang out. It makes my job SO much easier. Buy them a Sam Adams and they’re more than willing to accommodate.

JOSH: Would you continue to write even if you didn't get paid for it?

LB: Hah. Hahhahahahahaha. ::slaps knee:: God, you’re funny as well as good looking.

Yes. Of course.

JOSH: What do you think about ebook pirates?

LB: They should walk the plank. They should be marooned on a desert island with spotty internet—no, dial up— with nothing to eat but a box of soggy All Bran and a bottle of sour milk.

JOSH: Describe a typical writing day for the viewers at home.

LB: Steps for success include:

• Coffee. Email. Stall.
• Drive children. Coffee. Blog. Stall.
• Walk.
• Set daily writing goal. This is imperative.
• Write.
• Parent. Moar Coffey. Moar!!
• Blog. Dinner with family. Homework. Drive. Parent. Wife.
• Write until goal is met.

My most productive writing time is late at night. Nine-midnight. Weird.

JOSH: What are you wearing right now? Does it make me look fat?

LB: Vera Wang. It makes everyone look fat, darling. We can’t all look like Kate Moss.

JOSH: Is it true that a certain ebook publisher recently told you she'd just written you the largest check she'd ever written a single author? Are we still friends after I revealed that?

LB: Have you been reading my email again? No. We aren’t friends anymore. Give me my coffee mug back.

JOSH: Here's a bonus question. If you answer correctly, you're excused from the final test. I know you're a fan of fantasy and spec fiction from waaaay back. Name some of your favorite m/m fantasy novels from when you were a wee, bright-eyed little sprite. Would you ever consider writing a spec fiction novel of your own?

LB: That can’t be an age joke, so I’m going to assume you’re asking about works from last year—because m/m didn’t exist when we were cutie little sprites.

BUT... I loved Dancers of Arun by Elizabeth Lynn. I read it in high school, during the summer of ‘81, and it left a lasting impression. In fact, all three Chronicles of Tornor did because the stories were beautiful, the world strange, and the lovers ethereal (also hot). But the best part was the normality of those relationships. They were unremarkable, making them even more important for that time.

Yes. I would consider it to the point that I began outlining a new work during RWA. We’ll see if it takes...