And I gotta say, still seems like we have stories coming out of our ears! So we learned ways to brainstorm over the phone and via e-mail. It was my full time job.Ĭ: Kind of like now, except we don’t live in the same town. We talked about story premises and the craft of writing eight hours a day, I think. J: But that was back in the pre-first s ale days when we had so many stories in our brains, they were coming out our ears.

Our minds travel plotting paths together in a way that makes this job so incredibly much easier. (Remember the time one of our kids slid down the slide into a mud puddle and we were the ones crying because we had to leave the park?!) There’s something wonderfully synergistic about brainstorming with Joanne. Once, when our kids were little, we got so caught up plotting out a series that our children ganged up on us and demanded we leave the McDonald’s Play Place.Ĭ: I think that happened every time we went to the park. J: We were just brainstorming story ideas and lost track of the time. (Not sure why I decided to start an animal rescue while writing full time, but find these furbabies do fuel the muse!) So, welcome to my writing “den.” Lucky for you, we left out some Jelly Bellys and Diet Cokes… can I get you anything?Ĭ: Don’t mind the dog toys. When Cathy and I visit, we tend to spread out a bit and surround ourselves with snacks. J: Come in! Come in! We’ve almost got all our clutter tucked away so we’re suitable for company. So today, Cathy and Joanne are having a “Chat With…” and invite you to pull up a chair and make yourself at home. For today’s blog, Catherine Mannand Joanne Rock wanted to share a little about their new Runaway Brides series for Tule, but they also wanted to give readers a chance to be a part of their friendship and working relationship.

Shelter Me by Catherine Mann