Real Life Meets Fiction - Romance Writers Weekly #lovewritechat

It’s an occupational hazard. Most authors simply can’t avoid putting real people and situations into our books. Whoever said life is stranger than fiction was right – some of the stuff I’ve heard and seen you just can’t make up. This week on Romance Writers Weekly, we’ve been challenged to look at the times we've pushed through the pain by putting bad experiences or relationships into our works whether for therapy, or just as a way to close the door.

If you joined me from J.J. Devine, didn’t she have some thought-provoking things to say?

While I can’t say I’ve used any specific experiences in my writing, I certainly have used the memory of tougher days to relive emotions and physical sensations, in order to give those feelings to my characters. When everything is going well in my life (which thank goodness is most of the time) it’s easy to forget the gut clenching nausea of fear, anger and frustration.

A couple years ago my son had surgery on his knee. He didn’t even have to stay overnight in hospital. But just before he was taken away by the nurse, I suffered a completely irrational flush of fear. My skin felt tingling, prickles climbing from my chest, up my neck, to my cheeks. I saw spots dancing before my eyes, and the world spun. The noises around me grew hollow, as if coming from a great distance, and I could feel the beat of my heart like a horse kicking me in my chest.

Let me tell you – I’ve used the memory of that twenty seconds of terror often!

This topic was assigned to us by Tracey Gee – and wouldn’t you know it, she’s next on the hop. Visit her here.

I am thrilled to announce the release of "Tantalizing Tidbits", a collection of short stories by New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors - and little old me! 

Representing an eclectic mix of styles and genres, this book is a smorgasbord; an opportunity to try a bit of everything. In that spirit, the collection is presented as a menu and authors have shared recipes which accompany each story - some fitting, some funny, some simply old favorites.

Ranging from ultra-short but spine tingling to meatier tales that are nearly novellas, there is a little something for every appetite - comedy, tragedy, fantasy, werewolves, at least one ghost, life, death, and of course love.  Dig in! You're sure to find at least one tidbit you enjoy.

---