|
| |
| |
After doing time at Fortune 500 companies on
both coasts, I found myself living in the suburbs of a small Midwestern
city. The glamour of various cube farm jobs had worn off, so I gave up
making a decent living to take
Joseph Campbell’s advice and follow my bliss: writing romance. Four full-length novels and
one novella later, I’m working steadily towards my goal of publication.
|
| |
FAQ:
Why romance? You have a graduate degree. Why don’t you write real books?
I write romance for four reasons. First, because love is as fluid and
powerful as water: in a battle between a rock and water, the water will
win. Similarly, love transforms everything and everyone it touches. I
want to explore that theme. Second, because the variety within the
romance genre totally rocks. In the early ‘80s I cut my romance-reading
teeth on Kathleen E. Woodiwiss (elaborate historicals) and Linda Howard
(fast-paced romantic suspense). I’m proud to write in a genre that
happily welcomes the work of both those talented authors, and everything
in between. Third, the structure of genre fiction appeals to me as a
writer. I enjoy putting my own unique spin on the tried-and-true
framework of a love story. I read literary fiction, but my writing mind
doesn’t roll that way. Earning a graduate degree didn’t change that,
either (to my intense relief). Finally, because it’s the only thing I’ve
ever really wanted to do (see above re: Joseph Campbell and following
your bliss).
Don’t get me started on the “real books” thing.
Where do you get your ideas?
Everywhere. The kernel for the manuscript currently with an editor at
Harlequin came from a newspaper article on my city’s hottest bartenders.
The work-in-progress sequel evolved out of two secondary characters
within that story and my fascination with the themes of pride and
prejudice. Reading a scene within another writer’s book got me thinking,
“How would I do that?” and led to a novella that received a contract
offer from an e-publisher (more on that as things evolve). Basically I
mine the world around me and let it percolate in my brain.
What’s helped you the most as a writer?
I highly recommend
GMC: Goal, Motivation, Conflict
by Debra Dixon. I also joined my
local RWA chapter
and found the most
amazing, supportive, funny, creative group of women who encourage all
members to write and are fabulous brainstormers. My critique partner
both loves my voice and points out things that don’t work. But what’s
helped me the most is sitting down every day and writing. I don’t have a
schedule and I’m a bit ADD, but without
butt-in-chair-fingers-to-the-keyboard time, growth as a writer just
won’t happen.
What do you do besides write?
My hobbies include yoga, knitting, and reading. Yoga keeps me limber
after hours at the keyboard. Knitting helps me plot; working inches of
stockinette stitch frees up the higher, creative brain to solve plot or
characterization problems. Reading refills the well. I mostly read out
of genre, lots of non-fiction. I’m also married and have a son. Neither
male is able to find anything without me, so I spend part of every day
locating toys, glasses, various tools, briefcase, books, keys, the
cheese, etc. I’m a lackadaisical housekeeper and a point-blank bad cook.
My husband is a saint.
Are you like your characters?
Thinking about this objectively, several of my characters so far have
faced internal conflicts close to my heart. Otherwise, no. I’ve written
several cops, a commercial mortgage broker, a bar owner/cocktail
waitress, a lawyer, an architect, and a bank owner. I’ve done none of
those jobs. God bless librarians, and people who are willing to answer
questions about their work. My favorite way to procrastinate is to eat
M&Ms while watching the BBC version of
Pride and Prejudice (although I do favor
Matthew Macfayden as Darcy from the Kiera Knightley
version). My second favorite way is do research.
|
|
 |
|
