Marsha: Let's get started. I'd like to welcome as my guests Becky Rohner and Mischa Borgnaes, who write as Anne Marie Jenner. Their first publication is "A Heart Full of Diamonds, which won the 2001 Short Story Contest for Audiobooks.com.

Carol: >>>>>>applause<<<<<<<<

Marsha: Becky, how long have you been writing?

Becky: I have been writing poetry and short stories [since] about 25 years ago, not much since then, but I wrote two books which are currently being edited for submission, and that has only been in the past two or three years.

Marsha: Mischa, How about you? How long have you been writing?

Mischa: I wrote my first short story as a senior in High School, about 20 years ago.

Marsha: You are mother and daughter. I understand that two generations is not the end of it. Becky?

Becky: Right. My mother wrote sewing articles for “The Deseret News” in Utah for nearly 10 years, and she had been active doing other articles, serials, and short stories for “The Relief Society” magazine when it was being published, and then she wrote a book following that. so, we have a legacy to follow. Also, my granddaughter, Mischa's daughter, wrote three little books five years ago when she was five [years old] that were quite cute.

Marsha: So, we have four generations going. Mischa, what are you doing to pass along the love of writing to your daughter?

Mischa: I helped her print her stories and bound them into books, after she illustrated the pages. And I encourage her to make up and write down stories, which is hard, because she hates actually writing.

Carol: LOL!

Marsha: Becky, how did you and Mischa write this book together?

Becky: Well, it began with Mischa's idea, and she developed the characters then couldn't figure out what to do with them, so she turned it over to me. Then I got the rules for entering the contest, and she wasn't a member of Audio Book Club at the time, which was one of the [contest] requirements. I knew this would be a good vehicle with lots of action, so we decided to work together to finish it, and then publish it under our combined author name. We mainly did it for the experience, and were PLEASANTLY SURPRISED that we won.

Marsha: What a thrill! Mischa, what are you working on right now?

Mischa: I'm working on a story for this year's contest, which I'm going to submit under my own name. Also, I'm adapting a story that I wrote about 12 years ago, so that I can see about getting it published.

Marsha: Becky, same question.

Becky: I'm working on one for this year's short story contest, too, and editing two other books for the same company, which I hope they'll take, now that they know I can write.

Marsha: So, there could be a tie?

Becky: Yup.

Mischa: Nope, I'm gonna win.

Marsha: Tell us a little about the contest. They call it a short story contest, but allow up to how many words? Mischa?

Mischa: They allow up to 27,000 words on any subject.

Becky: I think it will be so cool if Mischa wins me!

Marsha: That's pretty long for a short story. Is it really a novella? Becky?

Becky: Yes, I think it is, but that is their terminology, so I go with it. For me, it is hard to keep it that short. For Mischa, it is hard to fill up 27,000 words.

Marsha: Mischa, are you working on anything else?

Mischa: I'm helping my employer prepare a manuscript on the local history here in Safford. We're still in the organizing and research stage.

Marsha: That's a different type of writing. Do you enjoy it?

Mischa: I'm enjoying the organizing and filing we've done in the last year and a half, mostly because I've learned a lot about the place I live [in] and the people whose families have been here for generations.

Marsha: History is so fascinating. Becky, do you love history, too?

Becky: I do. My favorite type of reading is historical novels.

Marsha: Becky, does that love carry over to your books? Heart Full of Diamonds is contemporary.

Becky: I know. Actually, it must not [carry over] all that much, because the three [novels] I've written are contemporary and the other one I've co-authored, is sci fi.

Marsha: But I think you've read parts of one in a meeting I attended that was historical. At least, it had a mews.

Becky: yes, and I think I know what the difference is. I usually write about a place I've been, and set a story there, and I need to spend time in England to finish it. At least, that's a good excuse for going to Europe, isn't it?

Marsha: Yes, it is.

Becky: good, let's go!

Marsha: Mischa, do you look down the years and see you and your daughter collaborating on books?

Mischa: She's already talking about writing one together, "just like you and Grammy Bec did," but she hasn't come up with a good story to write yet, so I'll wait.

Marsha: That's great! I can hardly wait to read it, one of these years. Well, let's open up the chat to questions. When you have a question, kindly type a ? and wait for me to call on you. Carol, go ahead.

Carol: When you have differences of opinion on character or plot lines, how do you work it out? Who wins? Must be difficult.

Mischa: Whoever is more stubborn, but we didn't really disagree about much during the work.

Becky: Actually, we talk about what we want to happen, and one of us writes something and the other builds on that, and we go from there.

Carol: Great. Thank you.

Marsha: Very harmonious. Questions? Carol?

Carol: How long did it take for you to write the story? And where can we find it?

Becky: I'll take it, Misch. Well, by May 2001, Mischa had written the first 12 chapters, then I started working on it and finished the story. Then we asked people at [a writers’] retreat to give their opinions on the first 12 chapters, and then we rewrote much of the first three chapters. Then we talked to an FBI person, and had to practically rewrite the whole book from there. Then, by August 29th, it was done, we gave it one final look-see, and sent it in two days later. You can only get it through the Audio Book Club, or you can order it from either one of us. The book was actually published on tapes this May - 2002.

Marsha: Carla.

Carla Parsons: How much rewriting and editing did you have to do after the win? Did you actually work with ABC or MediaBay as your publisher?

Becky: Very little--actually added less than 350 words. We worked with Audio Book Club and MediaBay.

Carla Parsons: Thanks!

Becky: I was very surprised that they let us keep the original title to the book.

Marsha: I have a question. Is it hard to keep writing new stuff, I mean now that you're published, is the second work as hard, harder, easier?

Mischa: The work is about as difficult, creating a place and people, but it is a little easier, because knowing that you have been published, you have a little more confidence that your writing is good and that people enjoy it.

Becky: I agree.

Marsha: Thanks. Carla?

Becky: Did Carla get bumped?

Marsha: Oops, we lost Carla. She'll be back. In the meantime, did you ever consider self-publishing any of your work?

Mischa: I have one book that I considered self-publishing, until I saw the prices.

Becky: I did, but don't know enough, and am not wealthy enough for it. It was more fun this way, too! I also don't think I had the confidence to have self-published.

Marsha: Carla, welcome back. What is your question?

Carla: Shoot, I lost everything! Can you tell us how you found out about your win, how you reacted, etc. Just so we can dream a little!

Marsha: I will put this on the web and tell you where to get it.

Becky: Well, I got an email asking me to leave a number for them to call on Monday, then on that Monday, I got the call. I thought, during the weekend, they were going to tell me I had the honorable mention or something. Boy was I surprised! I sat there with my mouth hanging open and said, “You're kidding,” and she laughed. Then, she said she thought this was just one in a long line, right? I said “No, it was actually the first one I had ever submitted for publication,” then SHE said, “You're kidding, right?” Then she said, “Well, then let me rephrase that. This is just one IN A LONG LINE, RIIIIIGGGGGHHHHHHTTTTTT???’ I said, “Okay!” I called Mischa as soon as I got off the phone and told her. She had the same reaction. Then, for nearly two weeks, I would just giggle.

Mischa: When Mom told me about it, I couldn't believe it was real. Then I got a copy of what the cover would look like and I still didn't quite believe it. And sometimes now, I sit and hold the thing and can't quite believe it, but it feels wonderful!

Carla: How exciting, I love hearing these stories because I'd do the same thing. We are a strange bunch aren't we? Thanks for sharing.

Becky: No problem!

Marsha: So, there is value in entering contests? Becky? Mischa?

Becky: YOU BETCHER SWEET BIPPY THERE IS!

Mischa: Yes. We didn't just get it published for free, what we got was a contract, and we get a percentage of every book. It started selling in May and it's still selling, so we're really looking forward to getting our first royalty check next month.

Marsha: Wonderful! Now, all you authors out there, look around for contests to enter!!! Carla, go ahead.

Carla: I'm very impressed that you guys won this, because I think there must have been a lot of entries. Do you have any idea how many? I had planned to write one, but my story got too involved for the 27,000 words.

Becky: When she told me we had won, she said “Of the several hundred entries there were five superb stories, and the choice was difficult, but you won hands down.” I was glad SOMEONE was holding their hands down. LOL!

Carla: Wow!

Marsha: Go ahead, Mischa.

Mischa: I wanted to comment that it wouldn't have been possible to get this done without the Internet. One of our proofreaders is a chat friend in West Virginia, and the FBI man that we consulted with is another chat friend in California. Plus, we emailed the manuscript back and forth while we were working on it.

Marsha: Becky, you had a question or comment?

Becky: I wanted to comment that without ANWA, I wouldn't have had the courage to submit, nor the goal to submit, and I certainly had the support from the ANWA members in my chapter and at the retreat for backup. It was greatly appreciated, to be sure!

Marsha: For the record, Becky, can you explain ANWA? Several of those who participated are neither LDS nor members of ANWA.

Becky: ANWA is American Night Writers Association. We have chapters around the country, and meet once a month to support and critique each other’s work. The chapters are made up of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, although I think we have had some others in our groups from time to time. I don't think they feel totally comfortable being in our groups, because some of the topics we discuss are sometimes difficult for friends outside of our faith to understand.

Marsha: Do you have men?

Becky: We have men who come to our conference yearly, but again, it seems to be easier for one gender to relate to each other. We try to encourage all who write, no matter their faith or gender. I hope that helps answer the question.

Marsha: Thank you. Are there any more questions, Carla? Can you tell us a little about what you're working on these days?

Carla: Well, I finally finished my “Digging Up The Roots of Your Family Tree” audio book script and am working on the second one called “Your Kids Don't Have To Be Slobs!” And to be quite honest, I'm working on a short story for the contest this year. It will be an accomplishment just for me to finish it. I don't expect to win, just be brave enough to enter.

Marsha: Becky, you had a question.

Becky: Yes, Carla, where do you live, and secondly, I had the same goal last year: just be brave enough to enter!

Carla: I'm in Cody, Wyoming and thanks for the encouragement!

Marsha: Mischa, your question?

Mischa: I love genealogy Carla, how do I get a copy of your root-digging book?

Carla: Well, it is still in production with Drive2Learn.com (that's also their website). You can go there and look at my promo, etc. It should be available in the next few weeks. Oh, yeah, this is a beginning genealogy CD—for those who don't even know how to spell the word!

Marsha: Becky, your question?

Becky: Yes, Carla, if you ever want a proofreader, I love to do that!

Carla: Thanks. I need proofing, especially on my non-fiction stuff.

Marsha: We're going to leave protocol now, so this is truly an open chat., except that I want to mention where to go to find the file. It will be on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Marsha_Ward. You will probably need to join my Yahoo group in order to read it. There’s method in my madness. It's a fan group. You're all my fans, right? LOL!

Becky: Yes, we are your fans! Rest assured, or rest on your laurels, or rest....

Carla: Good, I can find out what I missed when the wind blew my connection away.

Becky: Great! Thanks for the chance to do this Marsha! It has been fun! Carla, I'm really excited you are going to submit to the contest! Marsha, are you going to do the same?

Carla: Yikes, does that mean that I'm committed?

Becky: You betcha! Go for it, Girl!!!!!

Mischa: I have a friend who says all writers should be committed.

Carla: I agree, and yes we are (Mischa/Marsha).

Mischa: You have to have a yahoo id to join your happy little group Marsha?

Marsha: Mischa, yes, you need a Yahoo ID.

Becky: Marcella, jump in at any time!

Carla: So Marsha, are you going to enter?

Becky: So, Marsha, that's two of us asking if you're going to submit.

Marsha: I don't know. I haven't got anything that short. LOL!

Carla: Becky, Mischa, do you think that romantic suspense has the best chance of winning? It seems like the winner the previous year was this genre too.

Becky: I don't think it is, particularly. The winner last year had a book TOTALLY different than ours.

Mischa: Marsha, you're gonna love it when you see my yahoo name. I also do a lot of fiction writing in my chat room there.

Becky: If I had read hers first, I'd never have entered, but I deliberately didn't so I wouldn't be influenced by her work. I'm sure glad I didn't!

Mischa: My story for this year's contest also is a romantic story, but it's not contemporary, and it's more adventure than suspense

Carla: That's good to hear because mine is romance with a little humor. With a lot of humor! The question is, is the humor intentional?

Marcella: Sounds like my life. : )

Becky: The romance in mine is very minor—more like a sub-sub-plot. It has lots of suspense, though! Mine has little humor in it, at least at this point. Mine isn't quite finished. I've got to trap the murderer, and then tie up the loose ends.

Carla: Sometimes I read my stuff and have a good laugh, but not where I'm supposed to.

Becky: I know what you mean!

Becky: It's encouraging if you can laugh at your work. I think you will have more success if you do—you don't take yourself so seriously, and so you can relax and have fun while you do it, Carla.

Becky: Marcella, do you write humorous poetry?

Marcella: A little. Most of it is therapy.

Becky: FOR therapy??? Or IS therapy???

Marcella: Both, kinda. : )

Mischa: My daughter wants me to write a sequel to Diamonds and tell what happened to all the bad guys after the book ended—and also what happened to the good guys.

Carla: That would be great—then I can just buy both at the same time. (sorry I haven't listened to yours for the same reasons you stated). That was for Mischa.

Becky: I don't have a problem with that! After the submission date, there'll be time to get ours if you want one.

Becky: Well, Marcella, if it's any consolation, the first book I wrote was to keep me from going insane, and my mother, who is a non-fiction writer, liked it a lot, and so I thought maybe I could do something with it. 17 years later, I'm doing something with my writing, and it feels good.

Marsha: Thank you all for coming. Good night.