Writer Routine Wednesday: Holly Jacobs

Hey, all!
It's another week of my new blog segment:Writer Routine Wednesday, where every Wednesday from now until the end of August, I will host an author. We'll get to know them better and their books as well as hear them describe their usual writing routine.

Maybe you'll pick up an idea they use for yourself!
Lots of great prizes are scheduled too!
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So, please welcome author Holly Jacobs today and hear about her writing routine!

BIO: Holly Jacobs leads a life full of romance and adventure. From skydiving to jet-setting around Europe, from snorkeling in coral reefs to writing while wearing beautiful silk peignoir sets and popping chocolate bonbons, Holly Jacobs leads a life that is the epitome of romance.

Okay, well, my fictional life sounds more interesting, but not better than my real life. Really, I'm the happily married mother of four. I mainly write for Harlequin Superromance these days. Let's see, awards.... well, EVERYTHING BUT A GROOM was one of Booklist's TOP 10 Romances of '08 and one of my recent releases, UNEXPECTED GIFTS won a Golden Quill and is a finalist in the Readers Crown!!

You can visit her at http://www.hollyjacobs.com/.

Thanks for stopping by, Holly!

Describe a “typical” writing day for yourself.
A typical day...well, let's preface this with reminding you all that I'm the mother of four, so no day is really typical, but give or take, this is what most of them look like:

~I wake up between 5 and 5:30...start the coffee, let out the dogs, get the paper, pour my coffee...ahhhhhhh.

~I check my email/Facebook/eHarlequin stuff, dress, eat and by 7:30 I'm making the school run, then come home, walk the dogs and straighten the house.

~Generally I'm writing by 8:30.

~Lunch break about 11.

~Back to work until about 1:30/2. Then run around doing whatever housework needs done, school run at 3.

Do you have another job outside of writing? (Being a mommie definitely counts!!) If the answer is yes, describe how you balance the two and how much time you devote to each.
I am a full time writer and mother. It is a bit of a juggling act, but I try to be sure to remember the family motto--Family First. It sort of puts everything in perspective. That being said, my family is great. They really try to respect my writing time. Of course, the fact I growl at them when I'm writing and they interrupt might help! LOL

Are you a laptop, PC, Alphasmart, or by hand kind of writer?
I have all the above, but do most of my writing these days on my laptop. The dogs (Ethel Merman and Ella Fitzgerald) enjoy snuggling next to me on the couch as I write.

Plotter or panster? If you’re a plotter, how much time do think you put into plotting before writing.
I was a pantser when I first started writing. And why not? I didn't have deadlines and no one was waiting anxiously for the book to arrive. But after I made a few sales, I was able to sell on proposal, but this meant I had to learn to plot a story before I wrote it. It was a tough thing to learn, but I've managed. So now, I do write a synopsis before I write the book...but I try to leave enough wiggle room to allow my old pantser self to have some fun!

Some writers make collages or listen to or create music soundtracks for their work-in-progress? Do you do any of those or have you thought about doing one of them?
Nope. Wow, that makes me sound so boring. LOL But again, four kids, two dogs and let's not forget the husband! I enjoy my quiet. I tend to write while the kids are in school with no music or tv going. Now, anyone who's met me and talked to me might be surprised to hear that, but there it is. Holly Jacobs likes quiet and frequently goes from 8 am until 3 pm without talking at all. LOL

What’s your favorite book on writing?
I'm not a big how-to reader. I do love Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, or Barbara Kingsolver's High Tide in Tucson for inspiration.

What’s your favorite fiction book you’ve read so far this year?
I've been reading the Harry Dresden book (Jim Butcher) and loving them!

What’s your favorite way to reward yourself after you’ve finished writing a book?
Well, we tend to get Taco Bell. It's pretty much a tradition and it started with my editor at Silhouette Romance. You see, she called and bought another book and I said, "Oh, we're going to Taco Bell and celebrate." She made a little noise to indicate that wasn't her idea of a celebration, then told me that her brother, Larry, loved Taco Bell. So, in that book, A Day Late and a Bride Short, I had a little taco scene and Larry was a secondary character. I fell in love with him (the fictional Larry, not my editors brother...I've never met him. LOL) and he got his own book afterward, Be My Baby.

Thanks for inviting me over to visit, Jennifer!

That's too funny about Taco Bell! Thank you so much for sharing a little of your writing routine and life with us today!


Holly's most recent book, A One of a Kind Family, was a great read (if I do say so myself). Here's more info on it:
A One-of-a-Kind Family
by Holly Jacobs
ISBN # 978-0373716159
Harlequin SuperRomance
Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble.com

She’s kind of special…

Anna Chapel believes in people. She believes in helping them lead exceptional lives. Now the dedicated life coach wants to do that for different, yet special Colm Franklin. If Colm’s breath-stopping, over-protective brother Liam will let her.

But the guilt-ridden computer programmer refuses to believe, to dream. Or could it be he simply needs to learn how? Anna’s biggest challenge may be ahead: can one woman with a head full of wayward curls and a smile a mile long convince Liam they have a fighting chance? That, together, they can overcome anything to create a family that’s truly one of a kind?

Be sure to check it out!

CONTEST: Holly has generously offered to give away a signed copy of UNEXPECTED GIFTS, the first in the new Whedon, PA series from SuperRomance, to some lucky commenter!
Unexpected Gifts won a
Golden Quill Award & was a finalist in
The Readers' Crown!


Please leave a comment below to be entered to win. The giveaway contest will run from now until Thursday 11:59PM (EST). I will announce the lucky winner this Friday!


Good luck and get into your writing routine!