Janet Dailey's Frequently Asked Questions

Question #1:
Your latest novel in the Calder series, A Calder Promise, is centered around the independent and beautiful Laura Calder. How is Laura different from the other Calder women? Which Calder traits does she possess, and what do you admire most about her?

Answer:
In many ways, Laura is a unique. Yet, you can see a blend of characteristics and a healthy dose of traits she inherited from her mother Jessy, like her clear-headed thinking and full awareness of the consequences that could result from her actions. I suspect she is very much like Chase Benteen's mother Madelaine/Lady Elaine - determined, intelligent and confident of her abilities. Laura never seems to have any doubts about anything - unlike the rest of us. Sometimes it gets her into trouble, but I still admire that.

Question #2:
The men in the Calder series are always presented as incredibly rugged, strong figures who know exactly what they want. In this novel, Boone Rutledge, for instance, is the strong-willed son of a Texas billionaire who is willing to do anything to capture Laura's heart. Are these the qualities you most admire in the men in your life? How do you research the male point for your characters?

Answer:
I think we all admire confidence as long as it doesn't cross the line into arrogance. And any time I have questions about the way a man might react in a given situation or what he might say, I always check with my husband Bill. On more than one occasion, his advice has made me rethink what I planned to have them say or do. Let's face it. Men are different from us. Vive la difference!

Question #3:
In which order was the Calder series written. Someone once told me you wrote Chase's book first and then went back and wrote Webb's and Benteen's. Is this true?

Answer:
It is absolutely true that I wrote THIS CALDER SKY first, then did a Star Wars thing and went back in time to write THIS CALDER RANGE. It has caused a great deal of confusion because the order in which the books were published is not their chronological order. So let me set the record straight. I wrote the Calder's in this order: THIS CALDER SKY, THIS CALDER RANGE, STANDS A CALDER MAN, CALDER BORN-CALDER BRED, CALDER PRIDE, GREEN CALDER GRASS, SHIFTING CALDER WIND, CALDER PROMISE, LONE CALDER STAR, AND CALDER STORM. However, they are meant to be read in this order: THIS CALDER RANGE, STANDS A CALDER MAN, THIS CALDER SKY, CALDER BORN-CALDER BRED, CALDER PRIDE, GREEN CALDER GRASS, SHIFTING CALDER WIND, CALDER PROMISE, LONE CALDER STAR, AND CALDER STORM.

Question #4:
Love all the Janet Dailey novels especially the Calder series. There were also a few other older books that I think were Harlequins that I enjoyed. One was The Match Makers and the other was That Carolina Summer (I’m not exactly sure of the title). I was wondering if there were any more stories written about the same family? I also enjoyed "For Mike's Sake” and its sequel and wondered if maybe it was also continued.

Answer:
At this time I have no plans to do another sequel to THE MATCHMAKERS. But I have learned not to say ‘never’, because tomorrow I might get an idea for one.

Question #5:
You have an incredible ability to recreate time and place, particularly in Calder Promise, much of which is set in Europe. Do you do a lot of traveling yourself in order to research your books?

Answer:
Research is the most fun part of any book. And, yes, my husband and I have traveled extensively. I like knowing, firsthand, as much as possible about the area where I want to have a given scene. Often by going there, I have found a better location that provides the visuals, the smells, tastes or sounds that can be incorporated into the scene, making it a thousand times more real.

Question #6:
You've never been afraid to tackle social issues. What topics are most important to you at this point in your writing career?

Answer:
Quite honestly I don't take a social issue and try to develop a plot around it. I generally use social issues as a means to ground the novel in reality and add that necessary level of credibility to the storyline. That doesn't mean that my research might lead me to become passionate about them in my personal life. But I never want any books to become a format for my personal views. That is why I always try to show both sides of an issue.

Question #7:
Laura Calder has a cousin and a brother. What do you envision next for them?

Answer:
I bet you won't be surprised to learn that I have already started writing another novel. This time Quint will be the lead character. Oh, yes, I definitely have plans for Quint and Trey!

Question #8:
You have written more than 100 novels. Does the writing process become easier with each novel, or does each book present its own particular challenges?

Answer:
I wish the writing process had become easier. It certainly hasn't for me. Every time you are dealing with different plot lines, different situations and sometimes different settings and characters. Each presents their own set of challenges, and they are rarely the same ones that I faced in any previous novel.

Question #9:
I have read your book entitled "The Proud and the Free. I'm trying to find the second part of the book entitled "Legacies." The first book was very interesting and I found that I couldn't put it down until the last chapter. I would like to know if this book is still in circulation. Thank you for the very best in reading!

Answer:
My suggestion would be to ask your local bookstore if they could order LEGACIES for you. If it isn’t available, then check in used bookstores or with web sites that specialize in out-of-print books. At this time, I don’t have a firm date when LEGACIES will be reissued.

Question #10:
I am looking for a particular series of books; in fact I'm not even sure it is a series. The copyright is 1990 so I'm not really sure where to even look. The titles that I have are "No Quarter Asked", "For Bitter or Worse", "Fiesta San Antonio" and "Terms of Surrender". If you could please send me the rest of the titles in the series or even tell me if it is a series I would be greatly appreciative.

Answer:
The first three titles you listed have the continuing characters Stacy and Cord. They also briefly appear in LAND OF ENCHANTMENT. FIESTA SAN ANTONIO has a separate sequel called A LAND CALLED DESERET. In the Americana series I frequently used characters from other novels in a primary or secondary role. It becomes very confusing, but it’s so much fun because it’s like seeing a friend again.

Question #11:
I recently finished reading Tangled Vines and enjoyed it tremendously. I have been searching the last couple of days trying to find out if there is a sequel because I would like to know whatever came of Sam and Kelly. If there isn't a sequel as of yet, have you considered writing one? Any information you could give me, I would greatly appreciate.

Answer:
At this time I don’t have any plan to write a sequel to TANGLED VINES, but I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Question #12:
Does Travis McCrea from FIESTA SAN ANTONIO have his own story?

Answer:
Yes he does - It's A LAND CALLED DESERET.

Question #13:
I am curious if you plan on adding any more books to the Calder Series? I would be eager to continue on with the family as it was in the last book in 2003.

Answer:
Yes - look for CALDER PROMISE coming out in hardback in July 2004.

Question #14:
Do you still send out your newsletter? I really enjoy the Calder Series. Also do you have a catalog or a list of all your books you can order by mail?

Answer:
Sorry, but I no longer send out newsletters. I have found that I can provide the reader with much more up to date information through my website. We don't sell any books, but do provide links where you can purchase certain books online at various websites.

Question #15:
When will Shifting Calder Wind be out in paperback?

Answer:
Look for it in paperback - June 2004.

Question #16:
Just finished reading - The Proud And The Free - Is there a sequel to this?

Answer:
Yes - LEGACIES.

Question #17:
Why did Logan have to die? Was there something in the series that made it a better story line to have Logan - not just wounded - but killed?

Answer:
I think we all cried when Logan died, including me while I was writing it. I didn’t see any other alternative – and still don’t. Why you ask? Because in a series such as the Calders, what happens in one novel has an impact on the next in the series. In CALDER PROMISE, I was setting the stage for LONE CALDER STAR. If Logan was only severely injured or crippled, I don’t believe Quint would have quit the Treasury Department. And even if he had, he would have stayed in Montana and taken over the running of the ranch for his father. Plus, I knew I needed Cat to move back to the homestead, something she would never have done if Logan was alive. I know such reasoning sounds very cold and callous. Yet I think things like Logan’s death makes the Calder family seem that much more real. No one’s life ever runs smooth; tragedy invariable visits – as it did to the Calder family.

Question #18:
Is SOMETHING MORE a part of the CALDER series?

Answer:
For all of you who have asked - no, SOMETHING MORE is not part of the Calder series. In fact, the paperback release of CALDER STORM in September will be the last of the Calder saga. My reason is purely selfish. I know for the series to continue into the next generation, Chase would have to die. I can't do it. A few of you have suggested that I write one about Jessie and Laredo or even Cat. However, I don't see Jessie and Laredo ever legally getting married, although I believe they will always be together. I see Cat as becoming a doting grandmother and Quint and Dallas's three children, (Yes, I think they'll have 3, 2 boys and a girl) but I don't see her re-marrying. No matter how I twist and turn your suggestions, I'm even more convinced CALDER STORM is the place to end the saga, with Chase still there to be great-grandpa to little Jake. That's my last image of Chase, sitting in the den holding Jake, and tellin him the story about the first cattle drive to Montana and pointing out the set of horns mounted above the fireplace. And that's the one I want to keep. I hope you understand.