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This week we are pleased to have New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy for a Q&A. Monica is the author of The One Week Girlfriend Series One Week Girlfriend, The Fowler Sisters Trilogy Owning Violet: The Fowler Sisters 1, The Billionaire Batchelor Club Series Crave, The Rules Series Fair Game, and The Reverie Series His Reverie. Monica will be answering your questions here and you should watch for a giveaway thread soon!

What has been the biggest highlight of being an author so far? :)

Who or what inspired you to be an author?

Do you have a favorite character or characters?

Hi Monica! I'm sure it's hard to pick, but which book was your favorite to write?

What is your least favorite word as a author when you are writing scenes?

What is your favorite couple among the books you write? :D

Now that all Three Fowler sisters have their books, will there be more to this series? I really would like to see how things wrap up with Pilar, and the entire Fowler family.

What is your most popular book or series among your fans?

What made you decide to write a novella for Owen?

Meca wrote: "What has been the biggest highlight of being an author so far? :)"

Hi Meca!

There are so many highlights to being an author, it's hard to narrow it down to just one. I would say the biggest one so far has to be when One Week Girlfriend first came out and I had so many readers contact me saying how much they appreciated the story's portrayal of a tough subject (molestation). Or how much the book meant to them. It means a lot to me that my words/story can touch people. Readers are why I have this career and I'm very thankful for them!

Jessica wrote: "Who or what inspired you to be an author?"

Hi Jessica!

Well, I always loved to read. It was when I was in my late teens and discovered a bunch of romances that were my mom's - after finishing one of them I thought, "I want to do this. I want to write a book." I would try but never finish one. Finally in early 2005 after I had my third baby, I thought, okay I'm going to try and make this happen.

I was first published under my other pen name Karen Erickson in late 2006. As Monica I self published in January 2013. :)

Shannon wrote: "Do you have a favorite character or characters?"

Oh Shannon, I can't play favorites! LOL Let me say this - I fall in love with every hero I write. Currently Gabe is my favorite character - he's the hero from my upcoming NA book IN THE DARK. He's swoony. As was Shep from FAIR GAME which came out in May. I adore both of them!

All time favorites would have to be Drew and Fable because they changed my career completely. I owe those two a lot. ;)

J luvs books wrote: "Hi Monica! I'm sure it's hard to pick, but which book was your favorite to write? "

Certain books are so incredibly easy and others are really difficult. What's awesome is that I have two pen names so therefore I'm going to choose two books that were my favorite to write (I'm cheating ha ha).

As Karen, the book TEMPTING CAMERON was one of my absolute favorites to write. I loved the hero, I loved the heroine and their story was so easy to write. I would work on it late at night and just let the words fly. One of my favorite books to write ever.

As Monica, I wrote ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND in two weeks. It just poured out of me and that's rare. Those two characters grabbed hold of me and wouldn't let go. Made it super easy to write and love.

Tammy wrote: "What is your least favorite word as a author when you are writing scenes?"

Hi Tammy!

Hmm, I'm not a fan of the word moist used in any way, shape or form. I can't think of any other words I dislike....

Angelina wrote: "What is your favorite couple among the books you write? :D"

Hey Angelina,

As I've said in other answers, I always have to give it up to Drew and Fable only because of the impact they had on readers and my career. I think if I announced tomorrow that I was writing another book for them readers would jump for joy. ;)

Another couple I absolutely love is Shep and Jade from FAIR GAME. They were so incredibly fun to write. I love those two and miss them!

Do you focus on one book at a time? or can you be writing more than one at a time? :-)

Monica you be surprise that's the top answer next to c word for woman.

Nadine wrote: "Now that all Three Fowler sisters have their books, will there be more to this series? I really would like to see how things wrap up with Pilar, and the entire Fowler family."

Hi Nadine,

As of this moment I have no plans on returning to the Fowler Sisters and writing any other books. I don't like to say never because really, you never know what's going to happen but for now, I don't expect any more Fowler Sisters books. Just know that Pilar got hers and is miserable somewhere working a crappy job she hates. LOL

What are your favorite scenes to write?

Michelle wrote: "What is your most popular book or series among your fans?"

Hey Michelle,

The One Week Girlfriend series by far. Though I'm thinking my new series The Rules is going to be a reader favorite. I hope. ;)

Jamie wrote: "What made you decide to write a novella for Owen?"

Hey Jamie,

The idea was sparked off of a question I received here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ! A reader asked what happened to Owen and Chelsea, what did they do the summer after she graduated, did he ever go pro, etc. and I was like hey...I wanna write about that. Her question is the real reason I wrote the novella for Owen. And I'm glad I did. It felt good to revisit him and Chelsea and offer up more of their story for readers. :)

Tammy wrote: "Monica you be surprise that's the top answer next to c word for woman."

Not surprised about that at all Tammy! Us writers have discussions about our least favorite words to use and those pop up frequently. LOL

Jade wrote: "Do you focus on one book at a time? or can you be writing more than one at a time? :-)"

Hi Jade!

I tend to prefer to work on one book at a time. Here's the deal - I can write a book and edit another book at the same time. It's like I use different parts of my brain for those tasks. But writing two books at a time and switching between them? I have a hard time doing that. I've tried it in the past and it was super difficult.

Tammy wrote: "What are your favorite scenes to write?"

Favorite scenes to write? Ones filled with sexual tension, where the couple is so aware of each other but they won't do anything about it.

Oh and any scene with a villain. I do adore my villains. ;)

Is there any authors you like to meet one day or work with on a project?

What do you do when you find yourself between deadlines and projects?

What's been the weirdest place or thing that's given you inspiration for a story?

Where to you like to sit while writing? is it a specific writing cave or anywhere in the public as well?

Hi Monica!!
Who is/are your current celebrity crush(es)?

When did you write your first book?

Tammy wrote: "Is there any authors you like to meet one day or work with on a project?"

Hmmm authors I want to meet...Judith McNaught was such an influence on me long, long ago. I would love to meet her.

Katy Evans is my critique partner and we've discussed working on something together. We just need to make the time!

Chanpreet wrote: "What do you do when you find yourself between deadlines and projects?"

Ha, that never happens! I try and read in between projects. Spend as much time with my family as possible. But I always feel like I'm on deadline. I don't know what it feels like to NOT have a deadline, whether from a pub or self-imposed.

Ramdom Question: Do you belive in forever? Why?

Chanpreet wrote: "What's been the weirdest place or thing that's given you inspiration for a story?"

You've sort of stumped me. Well, there's a boy who goes to my children's school and he has a crazy nickname. A nickname I want to use in the future. That's some strange inspiration right there. LOL

Madiha J Bookblogger wrote: "Where to you like to sit while writing? is it a specific writing cave or anywhere in the public as well?"

I have an office where I do most of my work. I have an iMac desktop and a laptop so I switch off. Lately it's been the laptop I work on the most. :)

Betul wrote: "Hi Monica!!
Who is/are your current celebrity crush(es)?"

Well I literally had a dream last night with Chris Hemsworth in it. He was my boss and we kept flirting. ;) So I would say he's definitely my current celebrity crush.

Betty wrote: "When did you write your first book?"

Hey Betty!

The first book I actually finished was in 2005. I'd written all sorts of scenes, etc. years prior but never finished anything. That book I finished is really awful and will never see the light of day, just FYI. ;)

What authors inspire you?

Marinel wrote: "Ramdom Question: Do you belive in forever? Why?"

Hi Marinel --

If we're talking about love between two people, yes, I do believe in forever. That's a huge theme in ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND and they promise forever to each other a lot. Because those two firmly believe that their love will last forever.

So in the case of romantic love, I definitely believe in forever. But forever is not always in the cards for everyone....

Monica wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Now that all Three Fowler sisters have their books, will there be more to this series? I really would like to see how things wrap up with Pilar, and the entire Fowler family."

Hi Na..."


LOL Love it!
I have enjoyed many of your books but I think the Fowler sisters are my favorite :)

Hello! I'm always curious to a writer's writing process! Are you a pantser or a plotter? If you're a plotter, what do you outline?

Thanks (:

Hi monica
Ive yet to read your books (hangs head in shame)i will get there eventually. But i was wondering since elle kennedy and sarina bowen have teamed up, are you interested in teaming up with one of the other coaches??

Hey Monica!
I've read all your books and loved each one - you're very talented :) I was curious as to how many books you plan to write as of yet for the Fair Game (The Rules) series? Also, who/what inspired you to write a character like Shep who is quite the bad boy next to Drew? ;) I'm currently writing my review for my ARC of Taming Lily and posting it everywhere which I also loved. I've noticed that all your characters from a range of your books have very different personalities and it's refreshing to read from the same author - is that difficult to do or do you have a preference as to who you prefer to write?
Thank-you, Aliana! :) x

Do you ever put personal experiences in your books?

Janice wrote: "What authors inspire you?"

Hi Janice,

One of my favorite authors is Jill Shalvis. She writes fabulous books, she's always nice to her readers and she's funny. I want to be her when I grow up. LOL

Nadine wrote: "Monica wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Now that all Three Fowler sisters have their books, will there be more to this series? I really would like to see how things wrap up with Pilar, and the entire Fowler ..."

Thanks Nadine! ;)

Jabberwocky wrote: "Hello! I'm always curious to a writer's writing process! Are you a pantser or a plotter? If you're a plotter, what do you outline?

Thanks (:"

Hi,

I'm a total pantster. Now - my publishers want a synopsis before I can sell something to them so I do outline and I treat it as a map. It's like a guideline of the story and how I want it to unfold. Somewhat. I don't like to plot too much because it takes all the fun out of the story for me. The best part is going into a book, writing it and my characters surprising me. They do surprise me - a lot! And I love that.

Stacey wrote: "Hi monica
Ive yet to read your books (hangs head in shame)i will get there eventually. But i was wondering since elle kennedy and sarina bowen have teamed up, are you interested in teaming up wit..."

Stacey you're forgiven. ;) Though I do hope you give my books a chance!

I have HIM on my Kindle (yes I'm a brat) and I'm excited to read it. Part of the problem with writing with someone is coordinating the time so we can work together! Cora Carmack and I have talked about it in the past and I think that would be so fun. SO FUN. I'm a huge Cora fan.

But don't spread any rumors, this is all just talk. LOL

Aliana wrote: "Hey Monica!
I've read all your books and loved each one - you're very talented :) I was curious as to how many books you plan to write as of yet for the Fair Game (The Rules) series? Also, who/what..."

Hi Aliana!

Thanks for the kind words, I really appreciate them. Regarding The Rules series, right now there are three books planned. But as I work on Gabe's book (In The Dark), I like his sister. A lot. And I think she needs a book. Wheee....(and this is how it all starts LOL)

Shep came to me from watching a reality TV show with a guy named Shep on it. I immediately thought - that is the most ridiculous name EVER. I want to write a guy named Shep and I want to make him sexy. I hope I succeeded. I love Shep. He's ridiculous. Gabe's pretty ridiculous too - I'm excited for people to read his book.

Regarding different personalities and books - I like to change it up because I think it keeps me fresh. I like writing the darker books (wait until y'all read the book coming out in January - oh boy). But then I counter that with writing something lighter and fun and it's like a break. I also look at the books that I write as Karen Erickson as a sort of breather too. I would get bored if I wrote the same sort of book time after time. Changing it up is fun. :)