Thanks so much for hosting me today, Christine.
You're welcome Diane. It's a pleasure to have you as a guest.
First question: What draws you as a reader to the romance genre?
First question: What draws you as a reader to the romance genre?
The HEA (Happily Ever After), for sure.
Having spent twenty-plus years teaching high-school-honors –sophomore and
senior-AP—world literature, the angst and tragedy of Thomas Hardy, Victor Hugo,
Alexander Dumas, Shakepseare, Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights… Catherine and Heathcliff—talk about breaking
your heart—etc., romance drew me like metal filings to a
magnet. Well-written romance supplies plenty of angst, often mixed with lighter
moments and humor, and the guarantee of love and happiness in the end rather
than the cut-out-your-heart blow.
While I read only historical romance
for several years, I’ve since widened my horizons to include all romantic
genres and have found some delightful authors across the board.
Well, you're definitely qualified to talk romance. :)What is the most difficult part of
writing a love story?
Balance. First, making sure I give
equal time to both my hero and heroine. I tend to see my heroes more clearly;
they always pop into my head before the heroine appears. Second, as I like to
write sensuous rather than purely sensual scenes, I have to make sure there’s
enough sexual tension and physical sizzle combined with the emotion. Had to add
some of that sexual heat to Cherish the
Knight to please my editor—and she was right!
Funny, I visualize my hero and spend lots of time in his head too. Is creating a title easy for you? Tell
us about the process.
I always think it is…at first. Then, I
realize the title may be too much of a spoiler. Or my two critique partners or
agent suggest some neat alternatives. Nothing like numerous choices to make you
rethink your “perfect” HAHA title. I went through maybe a half-dozen before all three women
high-fived Cherish the Knight. And as I fell in love with my Viking
hero, Cort, the moment I “saw” him, it felt right. Then, of course, I had to
tweak the ending because I love it when the title appears in the story itself.
Yes, and I love titles that have more than one meaning. Do your characters love the direction
you take them, or do they have other ideas?
They take me for a ride every time. As I’m a “pantser”
rather than a “plotter,” my characters constantly surprise me. While I plan
major plot points and essentially know the ending almost as soon as I begin a
book, I have no specific idea how I’ll get from A to Z. A scene I thought
I had worked out in my head takes a totally different direction once my
characters begin to speak or interact. Sometimes I need to rein them in when
they wander too far off the track, but more often than not, they say or do
things far more interesting or clever than I ever could. I love being sucked into their world
rather than the other way around.
Any tips for writers that you’d love to
share?
Persevere. I know it’s been said a
thousand times, but it’s true. Believe in yourselves and don’t give up. There
are so many new avenues out there now, from small publishers to
self-publishing. Explore them all.
Write what you love. I know series are
popular, but if that’s not for you, don’t do it. And whether you choose series
or single title, make sure it’s with a fresh voice or unique concept. It’s true
that there’s no such thing as a brand-new storyline. You just have to ensure
yours has an original twist. From what I’m seeing, outside-the-box is
increasingly popular.
Expect the unexpected. Social
networking and self-promotion are both demanded and demanding. Trying to
balance those with writing time is extremely difficult. But the best way to
sell your last book is to sell another one. Also, if you haven’t already
developed a thick skin, do so—quickly. Accept the reality that some of those
you assumed would support you…those you’ve supported or helped along the
way…well, they don’t. On the other hand, people you never expected…those you’ve
only met online or haven’t heard from in forever or are busy, busy
bestselling-author friends… offer to help without you asking. Put aside the
hurt and negativity; concentrate on the wonderful. That’s what will make you
smile and push you forward.
Great advice, Diane. Tell us about your next book.
My agent is shopping Pretty Girl, a
romantic suspense.
I’m working on final edits for Beyond
Words (which has already undergone several title changes LOL), a short
contemporary romance set in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
I’m also struggling with reformatting
another 11th-Century historical, as yet untitled, set on the Isle of
Jersey and the West Coast of England.
Lastly, the tentatively-titled Knight
of the Sun, the sequel (best friend of the hero) to the untitled novel
mentioned above, is about two-thirds finished.
CHERISH THE KNIGHT
Honesty will cost her
her freedom.
Silence will
cost her more....
Ambushed as he approaches the
English estate promised him by William the Conqueror, Lord Cort Dornogard dares
trust no one...least of all the spirited Gaelic healer, Alexis Fallon, who
fascinates even as she defies him.
The magnificent Norse warrior
threatens both Alexis’ heart and her cherished autonomy, for she harbors a
secret she cannot reveal about the ambush. Honesty will cost her her freedom.
But silence may cost her far more.
Cort harbors a damning secret of
his own—one guaranteed to foment rebellion among his new subjects. Escalating
attacks and accidents on the estate
further confirm that fear. His foes, both English and Norman, will exploit what
he hides to destroy him, his dreams, and the woman he’s grown to love.
Snared in a web of castle intrigue,
passion, and betrayal, Cort and Lexi are far more than either suspects. If they
do not learn to trust, their enemies will destroy them both. Will they discover
too late that truth is a two-edged sword?
