Susanna Carr Blog » Jen the Twin

How to read a trilogy

Susanna — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:43:01 +0000

After seeing some recommendations on my Facebook page , my twin sister has finally taken the plunge and bought a Tessa Dare historical romance. One Dance with a Duke, to be exact.

I asked what she thought of it and she said, “I’m waiting until the next book comes out so I can read it in succession.”

I warned her she might have to wait because it’s part of a trilogy.

But Jen the Twin has it all mapped out. She knows how long it will take her to read a book. By the time she finishes both books, the third one will be available.

Smart planning.

But what if she loves the first book so much that she has an all-night reading marathon with the first two books? She will have to wait for a whole month for the third book.

(Yes, I consider these things. I am all about maximizing my reading pleasure.)

I’m an impatient reader, and as I have found out, trilogies and impatient readers do not mix. Anticipation is overrated. If I know the book is part of a duet or trilogy, I will buy all the books before I start reading. It is easier for me to wait for the full trilogy rather than wait between books.

Waiting for the whole trilogy is great when the books are released back to back, not so great when they come out once a year! And don’t even get me started on when the publishers pull the plug on a trilogy/series before it ends! If they want me to commit to buying all the books, then they should make the same commitment and see the trilogy to the end.

There are quite a few books and series I would like to read, but I haven’t because the series hasn’t ended. Stephanie Plum? Eve & Roarke? I don’t think these series will end, so I might as well start now.

Jen the Twin and President Obama

Susanna — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:01:30 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, my twin sister told me that she was going to the White House for the State Arrival ceremony for Mexico. Jen the Twin gets invited to White House events a lot because of her volunteerism. I asked her how close to the action does she get at the events? Does she even see the President?

Immediately after the ceremony, she sent me this picture:

President Obama at the State Arrival ceremony for Mexico

OK, OK. I will never again question my sister’s awesomeness. But next time I want to see a picture of her with the President!

And the, uh, artistic photography leaves me wondering if cameras were allowed. Not that Jen the Twin lets pesky things as rules get in her way.

Wicked Wonderland

Susanna — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 17:50:31 +0000

I just received the Wicked Wonderland cover art. Getting to see the cover is always a fun moment for the writer. I think it’s because it makes the book seem more real.

When I first saw the cover, I sent it to my twin sister because she is bored, bored, bored of my shoe covers. (And she doesn’t hesitate to tell me that every time she sees my books in stores.) She pointed out that this is the first time I had a shirtless guy on the cover. I thought that can’t be right. So I looked and it turned out Jen the Twin is correct! After years of writing romance I’ve had illustrated covers, pictures of shoes, dogs, couples, and a beach scene. This is the first time I had a shirtless guy, which is one of the most common cover art for romances.

You can see the Wicked Wonderland cover on the coming soon page.

Dancing or Singing

Susanna — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:03:20 +0000

My sister loves the movie Guys and Dolls. I’m not sure why. Is it because of the whole good girl/bad boy love story? Is it the music? The plot? Marlon Brando? Or is it because the guys sing and dance?

You see, my sister loves it when a man can sing and dance. She’s always been that way, which might explain her baffling admiration for Ewan McGregor.

I’m not sure which is more attractive to her—the dancing or the singing. For me, I think it’s the dancing. You can tell a lot about a man by the way he guides a woman along the dance floor.

What about you? Which talent is more attractive in a man: singing or dancing?

A Conversation with Jen the Twin

Susanna — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:46:07 +0000

Jen the Twin: Men Who Stare at Goats looks a little strange, but it has Ewan McGregor and George Clooney in it — Me likey!

Me: You couldn’t pay me to see this movie.

Jen the Twin: I’m not a big fan of disaster films, but the special effects in 2012 look impressive — and so does John Cusack!

Me: Are you crazy? I need intense therapy after watching the commercials for that movie.

Jen the Twin: Ooh, ooh! Sherlock Holmes should be good!

Me: I question any world where Robert Downey, Jr. has enough brain cells to be coherent, let alone the most brilliant detective.

Jen the Twin: What about The Princess and the Frog? Come on, what’s not to love about it?!

Me: The fact that it’s a movie for kids under 12, perhaps?

Jen the Twin: You need to get in touch with your inner child. How about New Moon? It has some interesting posters of the Wolf pack.

Me: It only takes a bunch of shirtless guys to intrigue you? Note to self: get a shirtless guy on the cover of my next book.

Jen the Twin: Anything is better than those shoes.

Me: Oh, you did not just go there.

Birthday Weekend

Susanna — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:34:48 +0000

Jen the Twin and I turn 40 this Sunday. We had big plans for this milestone birthday but they fell through. Today she asked me what I was going to do for my birthday. Since it’s on the weekend, I decided I was going to celebrate both days. In fact, I’d start early and observe this momentuous occasion on Friday. I might take Monday off, too, while I’m at it.

Jennifer replied, “Why not take 40 days to celebrate?”

That made sense to me. “Why not celebrate for the next 365 days?” I asked. “We’re going to be 40 all that time.”

Jennifer’s response? “Now you’re just talking crazy.”

OK, 365 days of partying might be a tad excessive. But 40 days spread thoughout the next year? Jennifer and I can do that. Easy. Now all we have to do is think of some good ways to celebrate.

If you could do anything you wanted, how would you celebrate your birthday? Tell us in the comment section before Tuesday at midnight Pacific Time. On Wednesday, I’ll randomly choose two winners and they will receive a $20 Bath & Body Works gift card.

**Update: Thanks to everyone who shared ideas on the best way to celebrate birthdays! And congratulations to Maisey (commenter #3) and Laney4 (commenter #9). I randomly chose their names and they each receive a $20 Bath & Body Works gift card.**

Jen the Twin Goes to the White House

Susanna — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:08:47 +0000

Again. Seriously, why don’t they just designate a parking space for her? Not that I’m envious. Much.

Jennifer is a Girl Scout leader and yesterday evening her troop was invited to the White House to induct First Lady Michelle Obama as Honorary President of Girl Scouts. All first ladies since the Hoover administration accept this honor. And just when you thought the girls (and Jennifer) weren’t excited enough, President Obama unexpectedly dropped in during the brief induction ceremony.

I wish I could show you the fabulous picture of the President and First Lady with Jennifer’s troop. But it has kids in it and I don’t have permission to post it. I will say that everyone looks relaxed and happy to be there.

Afterwards, Jennifer and her troop were invited to the South Lawn of the White House for the stargazing party to celebrate the Year of Astronomy. They, along with 150 additional middle school students, got to look in telescopes and learn a little about astronomy. They also got to meet Buzz Aldrin (the second person to walk on the moon), Sally Ride (the first American woman in space), Mae Jemison (the first black woman in space), and John Grunsfeld (the Hubble repairman).

Jennifer and her troop had a great time. And the next time Jennifer is invited to the White House, she better take me along!

Jennifer’s Day Off

Susanna — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:51:50 +0000

Jennifer, my twin sister, loves to volunteer. She’s always getting up early on a weekend morning to go help out with an event or she’s coming up with an interesting and effective way to show her support. She’s been invited to the White House on several occasions because of her volunteerism. Today she took vacation time to volunteer as a “victim” for a city-wide emergency drill.

Picture it: A bunch of volunteers are supposed to be victims for a disaster, and emergency service personnel practice what to do. They take care of any logistical problems now so that they are prepared when a real disaster strikes.

Early in the morning, Jennifer and the other volunteers are preparing to be victims. As Jennifer watches a team paint third-degree burns on select volunteers, or adding a protuding bone out of someone’s leg, she is assigned a name and a condition.

Name: Sid Vicious

Condition: hysteria

That’s right. Jennifer got to play the hysterical woman throughout the drill, screaming, panicking and being a pain. I bet she gave an Oscar-worthy performance, no doubt drawing from her wealth of experience.

At the end of the day, she got to take her T-shirt home that reads “I Survived Being a Victim” with the emergency drill name on the back of the shirt.

It’s not exactly a relaxing way to spend vacation time, but that’s how Jennifer spends her time off.

What are sisters for?

Susanna — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 02:11:55 +0000

It’s been a challenging day and then I received some good news. My French translation of Pink Ice is selling fabulously well. Needless to say, I had to brag to my twin sister. So I e-mailed Jennifer:

Me: Guess what? They love me in France.

Jen: Yeah, you and Jerry Lewis

Sisters. Always there when you need to be humbled.

Jennifer Goes to the Inauguration

Susanna — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 01:18:50 +0000

Jennifer, my twin sister, is volunteering at the Inauguration. I’m not exactly sure where she will be during the swearing in. I know she had to pay for her uniform and she had to go through training. I also know she’s trying to figure out how many layers of clothing she can comfortably wear under her uniform to ward off the cold. I recommended wool socks, but she never listens to me when it comes to fashion advice.

It sounds like it’s going to be very difficult getting around Washington DC and there are so many things you can’t take for security reasons. But comfort rarely has anything to do with historically significant moments. Jennifer really wants to take part of this event — she signed up to volunteer in March of last year – and she’s ready to face whatever inconveniences or discomfort comes her way.

Do you know anyone who is going to see the Inauguration?