20 Questions with Terry McLaughlin

Terry was born at the San Diego naval base on Coronado Island during the Korean War. Yes, she’s that old.

She had one of those idyllic childhoods, the kind that provide no fodder for angsty literary works. That might be one of the reasons Terry sticks with humor in her writing—it’s what she grew up with.

Terry met her future husband the night before fall term classes started their freshman year at the University of Oregon. He knew immediately they were meant to be together. She was the slow learner who needed a few months to catch up with the idea.

They live on a small ranch in northern California. Privacy, space, redwoods, and a Victorian style farmhouse with a view of the bay—more idyllic stuff.

Ten years after she graduated from college with a degree in History, Terry went back to get a teaching credential, because she’d always wanted to be a teacher. Ten years later, she went back and collected a Masters Degree in English, because she thought she’d give writing a try.

Terry's 20 Questions

1. Current writing project: I've got a lot going on right now--a new series proposal, a revision of an old manuscript, and a final edit of my August Superromance release, Maybe, Baby.

2. Favorite food: That depends on my mood, the time of day, and which restaurant I happen to be passing at a given moment. But chocolate milkshakes are always on the list.

3. Cocktail of choice: Strong black tea, no lemon, either hot or cold. And very sweet..

4. Favorite men’s underwear: My first reaction was clean, folded, and tucked away in the drawer--but then I realized you probably meant, like, on a guy, right? Then I'd have to say whatever my husband is wearing right now.

5. Paper or plastic?Okay, the context has something to do with the answer here. Are we talking currency? Grocery packaging? Restroom supplies? Paper. Probably. No, definitely (just to be safe.)

6. Currently listening to: My dog snoring on the floor next to me.

7. Favorite type of romance hero: A guy with a funny, snappy comeback, delivered with a wicked grin. While he does the dishes.

8. Best writing time: Whenever the ideas are popping and the right words are landing on the page.

9. What was the last book you read that was SO good you had to recommend it to others? Mary Balogh's Simply Love. Simply wonderful.

10. Ski slope or beach vacation? Beach. I've never broken any bones at the beach (fingers crossed).

11. Favorite part of your job: Typing The End.

12. M&Ms…plain, peanut, almond, peanut butter or other? Other? Is there an "other"? That sounds kind of...interesting. I'll try it and let you know!

13. What’s your favorite day of the week and why? Monday, because it always seems like a fresh start. (Maybe I should say Tuesday, because that's when I actually do that fresh start stuff I think I'm going to do on Monday.)

14. Last movie you saw in the theater: The Queen. (Another career aspiration bites the dust.)

15. Laptop, desktop, Alphasmart or other? Desktop and laptop. Love 'em both.

16. If you could win an all-expenses-paid trip and leave tomorrow, where would you go? London, again. Can't get enough of that place.

17. McDonalds, Burger King or no thank you? What--no "other" option? I guess I'd have to say no, thank you.

18. Favorite story you’ve written: I like to think that hasn't happened yet.

19. The most interesting place you’ve lived or visited: Boy, this is a tough question--with lots of different answers for lots of different reasons. My undergrad college campus. The fifth station on Mt. Fuji. Hollywood. Stonehenge.

20. Deadlines: Done early or chasing the FedEx truck to make it? FedEx!

Thanks, Terry!

Be sure to look for Terry's book, The Rancher Needs a Wife, available now!