Nora Roberts has captivated millions of readers. She has become one of the most famous writers of romance fiction, and New York Times best-selling authors. She has 145 million books in print, and her books have been translated in more than 25 languages. She has been featured in New York Times, People, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post, among other publications. She has received an extensive coverage from the media, as well as having several movie deals. Nora has won many awards and much deserved praise. She was the first writer in the "Romance Writers of America's Hall of Fame", and received their Centennial Award when she published her 100th book.

She was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, where she was a legal secretary. In 1979, she decided to begin her career as writer after a blizzard forced her stay home for three days. She published her first book "Irish Thoroughbred" in 1981, and the rest is history.

It was a pleasure to interview Nora Roberts.

Interview by Mauricio Saravia

ARTIST INTERVIEWS: What's a day in the life of Nora Roberts?

Nora Roberts: I write every day, though I do take weekends off every now and again. A fairly
typical day starts with a workout in the pool or on my elliptical trainer, then up to work. I run through e-mail and log onto the various Internet sites where my pals and fans gather, then it's time for the work at hand.

There's a short break at midday to check e-mail that has come in or to read and post on the boards. Around four or five and I'll head down to fix dinner. If a book is moving well or I'm interrupted throughout the day, I'll go back up and write for another hour or two in the evening.

Reading galleys or proofs are evening jobs -- daylight hours are writing hours. Otherwise I'll relax by reading or watching TV with my husband, Bruce.

AI: Can you tell us about your books 'A Little Magic' and 'Crown Jewel'?

NR: 'A Little Magic' is a compilation of stories I've done for the "Once Upon A ..." anhtologies I've written with my pals Ruth Ryan Langan, Jill Gregory and Marianne Willmann. Cordina's Crown Jewel is a new original book for Silhouette -- my 100th for them! -- that features the second generation of characters from my Cordina series. The first three books will be published in a 3-in-1 edition this July.

AI: Your books have attracted such a large following, Nora. Can you tell us how becoming known in such a scale can affect your life?

NR: Fortunately, in the general course of things, people don't recognize writers so not much has changed in terms of the way I go about my day. I've lived in the same home since the 1970s in western Maryland where it's rural and quiet. I get to hear some great stories from pals and friends about seeing people reading my books all over the place. But unless I'm at a specifically targeted event--like a signing or a conference--it's rare for anyone to know who I am.

AI: What else do you enjoy doing, besides writing?

NR: I relax by reading or watching TV or videos. My outdoor passion is gardening. We've added all sorts of flower beds around the house -- there's an herb garden off the kitchen, a hillside of tiger lilies and hundreds of annuals throughout the property -- which gives me many opportunities to play in the dirt. I recover from the annual spring book tour by ruthlessly weeding, planting and mulching. I've put some of my constant battles with marauding deer into books, which entertains my fans and elicits lots of interesting gardening tips.

"I write every day, though I do take weekends off
Every now and again. A fairly typical day starts
With a workout in the pool or on my elliptical trainer,
Then up to work. I run through e-mail and log onto the various Internet sites where my pals and fans gather,
Then it's time for the work at hand."

AI: Does your writing come from your imagination only, or do you become inspired by some stories around you?

NR: They come from my imagination, asking myself "what if" about a given situatioor character.

AI: What would be your advice to a mystery and romance writer who would like to become published?

NR: The best advice is to write, every day. You can edit a bad page, not a blank one.

AI: What are future plans for Nora Roberts in 2002?

NR: There are two hardcovers this year -- Three Fates in April and Chesapeake Blue in November. We'll revisit Eve Dallas and Roarke in Reunion in Death (March) and Purity in Death (September). The last book in the Three Sisters Island trilogy, Face the Fire, will be out in June.

AI: Thank you very much, Nora!

You Can Visit Nora Robert's Official Site: www.noraroberts.com