I have the next 3+ Lakeshore books planned. There is a big whiteboard on my wall with everyone's name & age ... the tribe is growing! And there is no end in sight. I have such a strong affection for this group of characters. thank you so much for reading,

Susan

I just don't know how you keep all the people in Lakeshore organized, because they are always popping up in the background here and there.

About how many books do you write in year?

In the Lakeshore books, it's getting easier, in a weird way. Every time I have a random walk-on character, like a receptionist or shopgirl or waiter or whatever, I try to recycle someone I've already used in that row.

Certain background characters keep popping up. I might have to do something with them in future books. Daphne (law office receptionist) interests me. And Yolanda from FIRESIDE.

We never met her in Fireside but learn she moved to Avalon. In subsequen t books we see there is a new Bridal Shoppe in town, called Yolanda's.

I know what you mean about the recycling. It is fun when you throw (write) a big party and people pop up from other books in the background.

Don't you have a new LakeShore Chronicles book scheduled for this October? I have some people who have been asking me about that.

Speaking of Disney, now for something COMPLETELY different - a strange photo essay on Disney princesses: http://www.jpgmag.com/stories/11918

When you write fiction, you have to be really analytical. I think it's made me more analytical about my life, too, which may or may not be useful!

Sophie and Noah will get cameo appearances in a couple of future books. Currently she's helping someone with a Living Will in THE SUMMER HIDEAWAY.

>I finished "Snowfall at W L" last night and shed a few happy
>tears - I love that family so much - what a beautiful man
>Noah is and hot!!! OMG Susan you're too much!! These men in
>your imagination drive me crazy - can you send some to
>Australia - there's certainly a drought of those kinds of
>guys downunder!
>I was just reading your Reading Group questions and it's
>really interesting to actually ask those questions of
>yourself - it makes the book come to life even more, as
>sometimes I think you can go through life without
>questioning why you make decisions and whether you may have
>done things differently if you had your time over again.
>Especially the dreams you have before having children and
>how your priorities can totally do a 360 degree flip. It's
>amazing how children can totally change your view on life,
>they're often a challenge but I wouldn't change them for the
>world!!
>Thanks again Susan for a lovely book about discovering love
>in places & at times when you least expect it and how that
>can turn your life around, as it did for beautiful Sophie
>and her wonderful man Noah. The inclusion of the gorgeous
>orphans was the icing on the cake! Loved it!! Loved it!!
>Now I have to wait for Fireside from the library - waiting
>to see if my ordered copy I'm buying online will get to me
>before the library copies avilable!!
>Cheers
>Carmel