To keep our InSaNiTy intact, here are

DA RULES* for the SQ Thread:

1. You may ask Nora only ONE QUESTION and then you must wait TWO FULL DAYS - in addition to the day of the question - before you may ask again
   
   Here's how it works:
   Ask Monday -- wait until Thursday
   Ask Tuesday -- wait until Friday
   Ask Wednesday -- wait until Saturday
   Ask Thursday -- wait until Sunday
   Ask Friday -- wait until Monday
   Ask Saturday -- wait until Tuesday
   Ask Sunday -- wait until Wednesday
2. This thread is for questions ONLY; post comments to the SQ Companion;
3. Questions are GREAT; monologues to Nora are not! In other words, brevity, brevity, brevity! (Moderators may go in and trim the fat if you go more than 5 lines--why? So Nora can answer even MORE stooooooopid questions! Seriously, Nora's a very busy woman; by keeping things short and sweet, Nora will have more time to play.)
4. Let Nora do the answering; in other words, even if you know the answer to a question, let Nora speak for herself (see exception below)
5. Keep Nora from :banghead: and :tearhair: by reviewing the other stooopid question threads--so that you don't keep repeating questions to her!
   
   Here are the links to those threads:
   
   SQ #1
   
   SQ #2
   
   SQ #3
   
   SQ #4
   
   SQ #5
   
   SQ #6
   
   SQ #7
   
   SQ #8
   
   SQ #9
   
   SQ #10
   
   We also have these three FAQ pages (please use them!):
   
   FAQ for Nora--Personal
   
   FAQ for Nora--Professional
   
   FAQ for Nora--Personal & Professional
6. Because of the sheer volume of questions asked to Nora and the REPEATS, Nora has given ADWOFF (i.e. the MODERATORS) her permission to answer repeat questions by reposting previous answers and links to those answers. Please note that if we do this, you still have to WAIT the two full days (see above) before asking a new question. Please also note that ONLY the moderators at ADWOFF may do this. Anyone else who posts answers to repeat questions will see his/her posts deleted.

Thanks, everyone.

*Da Rules are in place only to keep the SQ thread from getting to InSaNe for Nora (we don't want to see her going running, screaming into the night, do we?). Mistakes can and will be made on both sides--i.e. you asking questions/we moderating them. Please don't take it personally.

FYI: If you have any questions about the rules for this thread or about any decisions made by the moderators, please e-mail me at adwoff@aol.com ; please make sure that you indicate the ADWOFF Messageboard in the subject field of the e-mail, otherwise it may be deleted.


-------------

Also, I feel compelled to add this: just because YOU CAN ask Nora a question every three days or so, doesn't mean you have to do so! In other words, don't just ask a question to ask a question.

The next ARC contest is going to be directly connected to the SQs that have been asked. We will be offering "bonus chances" for the drawing (more info to follow) to those who ask creative, witty, unique (did you know that Nora claims there hasn't been a question asked that she hasn't heard?!), and/or FUN questions.

I don't know about you, but I come to the SQ thread each day to see Nora's responses; wouldn't it be fun for her if we kept her on her toes with creative, witty, unique, and/or FUN questions? That's my challenge to each of you.

Hi Gang!

Welcome to Stooopid Questions Part ELEVEN. We ask for a few moments of your time to read this introduction. It's important. So important that it also rates its own thread.

Stooopid Questions started as a fun and silly interactive thread where Nora was kind enough to play. It developed a life of its own, and as it grew, we added some rules. We've tried very hard to keep it simple and fun. We hope we've succeeded.

As we start SQ #11 we need to remind everyone that answering stooopid questions is time consuming for Nora. When she could be working on her next story, playing with Kayla, snuggling with Bruce, chatting with friends, planting her flowers, she stops and answers our questions. We're honored that she does so.

And we love that you ask questions, encourage you to do just that (even though you don't really have to ask one every three days ).

After 10 previous SQ threads it was inevitable that some questions would be repeated (andrepeatedandrepeatedandrepeated), and now some go where we didn't expect they would.

So in a loving spirit, we offer ADWOFF's Top Ten List (with a nod to David Letterman). We hope you understand our need to do so and our wish to save Nora's sanity.


ADWOFF'S TOP TEN QUESTIONS GUARANTEED TO SEND NORA ROBERTS SCREAMING INTO THE WOODS


Question 10:

When will you be coming to (insert city here) on tour? Truth is Nora has NOTHING to do with choosing where to tour. Travel is dependent upon publishers whim.

Question 9:

What is your favorite book? Nora's answer is the book the book that's currently on sale - always.

Question 8:

When/How did you start writing? It was the blizzard of 1979. Snow, kids, macrame, manuscript. (Note: read more --> HERE )

Question 7:

What do you think will happen on (insert tv show here)? It's comforting to think that Nora watched TV just like the rest of us, but she also respects the creative genius behind these shows. Just like she wouldn't want their fingerprints on her stories, she really doesn't want to put hers on theirs. [Edit to add: specifically, this means questions about shows like Buffy. If you have a question about a TV show--especially one like Buffy, please take it to the Entertainment forum. Thanks.]

Question 6:

Do you mentor/Will you read my story/How do I get published? No. No. Read, read, read, write, write, write, submit, submit, submit, join RWA. (For more info on RWA, click --> HERE )

Question 5:

Where should I go on (insert vacation spot here?) If it's Ireland (near and dear to Nora's heart), ask away. Otherwise we've got lots of travelers in our community; ask your peers!

Question 4:

Where do you get your ideas? From her brilliant head. And all the research is done on the computer, from books, taking to informed people. And no, she doesn't need help with the research!

Question 3:

Could you please send me/give me (insert anything here)? If Nora takes time from her writing schedule to fill requests for photos, flowers from her garden, locks of her hair, recipes, (what else?) she'd never meet her deadlines. Please don't ask. (Check out Nora's Web site for free stuff and stuff to buy; click --> HERE ).)

Question 2:

When are you going to write about the MacGregors/Donovans/Quinns/Stanislaskis/
Aubrey's love life/Mackades/Cordinas/the TRILOGIES, etc. etc. etc.? Nora is not going to write any of these stories. The stories are finished on the last page. If, IF, she ever decides to do so, we'll let you know right away.

And the NUMBER ONE question sure to send Nora screaming into the woods ...

When are Roarke and Eve going to have a baby? They aren't. Baby = end of series. They've only been married a little over a year.


We hope you'll continue asking questions, hope they'll be interesting and funny. And we hope Nora will continue to give us the gift of her answers.

---------------

Special Note: the SQ will be opened in the wee hours of September 30 ... along with the kick-off of the ARC contest for Nora's Key of Light.

Thanks!

Nora, a sentimental question for you.

I've been thinking a lot about my grandma lately, and one of my best memories is when we'd visit her home and raid the cookie jar (her cookies rivaled :nance: 's).

I think all Grandmas should have cookie jars to be raided; what will Kayla find in yours?

P.S. A picture of my grandma back in 1977 --> (the things I find out years later!)

Sue Great question... Made me think of my Gram and picking green beans and eating more than i made in the bucket... so my SQ is...what is your favorite memory with your grandma as a child?

Thanks bunches,
Dawn

Hi Nora!

With so many new and returning shows to TV at the moment, which show are you most looking forward to watching?

Hi Nora

So many of your characters drive a Porsche, how come you don't ?

:norasrocket:

Mornin' Nora!
Welcome Back!

Recently I re-read the O'Hurley's and I noticed that they were written after the Cordinaseries. Okay, here's my question. Was the idea to write about the O'Hurley's already in your mind or did you get the idea to write about them after you introduced Chantal as a secondary character in The Playboy Prince?

Thanks!

Nana will always have cookies. Right now they lean toward the baby cookies, or junior cookies, whatever they are that come in a box. And the occasional Oreo. Near and through the holidays, she'll have her choice of Nana's home-made.

My grandmother-maternal--lived with us in what you'd call a mother-in-law apartment for many years. She had a candy drawer--a WHOLE drawer--and always had those great big Hershey bars. She also made exceptional Southern fried chicken. She was about five-two, and kept her hair Henna red until the end of her days.

Since I've lost Buffy, I'm a little blue yet, TV-wise. But we're currently caught up in Carnivale. Very cool.

While Porsches are very hot cars, they have a rep for needing a lot of care and mantainance. I don't want to have to shoot my car off to the mechanic several times a year. But I was THIS close to getting one a few years ago.

I honestly can't remember the writing order of the Cordinas and the O'Hurleys. Might very well have done the first O'Hurley before the last Cordina. Too long ago to tell.

Nora

Nora, what will happen in 2059 if, like this summer, the entire east coast power grid goes down? Will life as Eve and Roarke (and we) know it come to a grinding halt?

sara

Dear Nora,

We know that Eve has Roarke who might make her see "classic" Hollywood movies. However, if you meet somebody like Eve, what 3 "classic" movies do you recommend for him/her to see?

Nora,

Welcome back, hope the spa trip was rejuvenating! Witty question for you dahlink...

Is there anything more nostalgic for a fall season fanatic than the classic "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown?" LOVE IT! Watched it recently? :laughing:

Thanks, Dawn

Morning Nora,

I hope you are feeling wonderfully relaxed and pampered after your spa visit.

My SQ is: Do you give BW little hints about what you want for your birthday or do you just tell him outright?

Can't wait to get my copy of "The NR Companion."

Mari
:starz:

I'm sorta a "word junkie." I Love good, clever words and expressions. And my favourites tend to change daily! So my SQ is: what is your current favourite word and/or expression?

Thanks, merci, gracias...

I've seen wild horses , pigs , dogs and cats. It occured to me one day , I've never seen a wild cow. Never seen a documentary on wild cows either. Have you ?

My stupid question is about Buffy...

Saw it for the first time yesterday (hubby said hey lets watch this..hehe). It was the one where her sister finds out she's a key or some such thing..

So my question, having been plopped in the middle of an unknown story, who was the guy in the hospital that had pointy ears and a face that looked like it was half rotten? Sick fellas in the ward were babbling about the key and whatnot. He works with the cute guy the gazillion year old chic pops into and takes over, she's the one trying to get the key.. *sigh* it's all so confusing .. heh


*** If there's a MOD Buffy fan who can answer that's good too.. heh ***

[ADWOFF here: Stella, in the Intro to this thread, we have a top 10 list of questions NOT to ask Nora; specifically, #7:

I'm going to have to put in that section specifically--NO QUESTIONS about Buffy! :p

As it is, your question is one that can be answered by any member here at ADWOFF--and not Nora specifically. I'm sure there are "Buffy fans" here.

In fact, Lynda recommends this site: http://www.buffyguide.com/

In the future (and this is for EVERYONE not just Stella), let's ask these kinds of questions in the Entertainment forum--and leave it open for anyone to answer.

Thanks.]

You look very cool in the leather jacket on the picture for the In Deaths. What do you think about suede, or do you stick to leather?

How was the spa?

[ADWOFF here: Um, methinks we have Groundhog Day Syndrome going on here. Not only is this a repeat question, but it also seems to be a question being asked just to ask a question.

Evidence of the GHDS:

Nora's reply:
Now maybe something interesting happened to Nora this time at the spa, but don't you think we can try to blaze new paths in the questions we ask of her? Thanks.]

Nora-
Although I still find Johnny Depp the sexiest man on the planet, I find my eye straying ....
To the guy that plays Sydney's dad on "Alias." (Don't ask me why, I also thing the PM of England is a hottie and I had a big crush on Christopher Walken for a long time)
So if you had to choose, who is your most droolable older man?
Amanda

In my family, I'm blessed with strong fast growing fingernails. So I let them grow and grow. But when it comes time to type they are too long and I'm hitting other keys causing me to have to backspace every second! My daughter tells me I should suffer for my fashion.

Do you?

Carrie

Nora, what does this look like to you?? :dunno: ~Aleena

Hi Nora,

My SQ is: I was just wondering, when you begin a story do you start at page one, or do you just write certain parts and piece it together like a puzzle?

[ADWOFF here: in a round-about way, Nora's kinda answered this question before ... so I'll give the BOD (aka Benefit of the Doubt) for this being a repeat question ...

Here's the original question:

Here's Nora's answer:

Hi Nora,
This came through my email today. I was wondering what you could tell me about it.

--I was reading my Nora Robert’s companion book tonight, and I wondered about something that was written. There was an article written in 1998 that says - -

“And in a Valentine’s Day promotion this year, Roberts began a tale on America Online that was completed by readers.”

Does anyone know what this was about????--

Hi Nora,

welcome back! My SQ is: Are you ears pierced and if yes, how old were you when you pierced them? And in that line of thought, how many earring holes do you have?

Thanks!

Teo

-----

Teo, Renee here! Nora answered this, here is what she said:

Hiya Nora.

I was watching Disney's 102 Dalmations the other night, and one of the kids asked me "Why do they have spots?" Well, I was flummoxed... so... why do you think they have spots?

I received a spa day for my birthday! They did a paraffin hand treatment. It was heaven.

My sq is: Have you ever received a paraffin hand treatment ?


Thanks,
Zbeth :happyreader: