American newbie Trish Milburn

It's my turn at the Harlequin American newbie interview. I'm one of the newest authors for the line. My first book, A Firefighter in the Family, just came out this month, and I'm enjoying the exciting yet surreal experience.

1) How did you make your first sale?

I had written seriously for 11 years and completed 17 full manuscripts and some partials before I sold in July 2007. So it was the height of irony that when I sold my first book (which was actually my first young adult title that comes out next April), it was on a book that wasn't finished. My editor approached my agent because she'd read some of my material while she was at another publisher. She asked me to present them with some ideas, and then a chapter that met certain specifications. Yep, I wrote 17 full manuscripts and then sold on a chapter. Three months later, I realized a long-held dream by selling to Harlequin and becoming an American author. 2007 was an awesome year! :)

2) If you had to pick one word to describe your writing, what would it be?

Honest

3) Tell us about your book.

Miranda “Randi” Cooke left her family and her hometown on the Gulf Coast of Florida behind when a mistake she made as a firefighter led to tragedy. Now her job with the state fire marshal’s office has brought her back to Horizon Beach. Not only will she have to hunt down an arsonist, but she’ll also face the estrangement from her family and have to decide if she wants to give her love for former firefighter Zac Parker a second chance.

4) If you could be lazy for an entire day what would you do?

Sit under a big umbrella on the beach on the Gulf Coast reading and listening to the waves.

5) What is one thing scientists should invent?

Something that records our dreams as we're dreaming so we don't lose all those interesting story ideas and so-real emotions.

6) What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I'm a big fan of movies and several TV shows. I also love to take road trips and go hiking.

7) If you could wish for anything, what would you wish for?

The end of hatred.

8) What inspired you to write your first book?

I was a long-time reader of historical romances, so the first manuscript I wrote was a western set on the Oregon Trail. It's the only historical I've written, but I enjoyed telling a story set in an exciting time in American history.

9) How long have you been writing?

I began writing that historical while I was in college back in the early '90s, but I got serious about regular writing and submitting in 1996.

10) What did you want to be when you grew up?

A writer. Shocking, I know. It first took the form of a career in journalism.

11) What got you interested in writing?

It was something I always enjoyed in school. I still have the first "book" I wrote in the 5th grade. So, the interest was there very early on.

12) What is the one question you wish an interviewer would ask you?

How does it feel to be a New York Times bestseller? LOL. :)

13) What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your
book?

It's amazing what accelerant detection canines (dogs that search for points of ignition in fires and evidence of accelerants such as gasoline) can do in aiding officials solve arsons.

14) What's a saying you use a lot?

"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." -- Seneca

15) What's your favorite dessert?

Oh, I have so many. Chocolate cake, carrot cake, lemon pie, and Chocolate Extreme Blizzards from Dairy Queen. Oh, and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

16) Do you have any talents readers might find interesting?

Alas, no.

17) What were you doing at midnight last night?

Trying to go to sleep after reading Linda Warren's Texas Heir. I turned out the light at 11:57 p.m.

18) Are you a cat or dog person?

I like both, but I lean more toward dogs.

19) If someone gave you a million dollars what would you do with the money?

I'd buy my parents a house, my sister a house, and pay off our house. Then I'd buy a hybrid car and do a big road trip of the U.S. Then save the rest.