If you like to read romance novels and would you like to meet new authors, join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all...about our writing, of course! Every week we'll answer the same questions. Once you've read my blog, the link below will direct you to another. Tell your friends and feel free to ask questions or make comments.
Those of you who have linked here from Fiona Riplee, welcome! Here are my answers: Do you prefer to write futuristic, contemporary or historical romances and why? I write contemporary romances – for the moment. I'm toying with writing historicals, as, oddly enough, I probably read more historicals than contemporaries. But the philosophy of “write what you know” has led me to contemporaries for my three completed manuscripts and my current work-in-progress. What is your favourite time in history and how and why does it inspire you? This is a tough one. Not sure I can narrow it down at all. I do enjoy reading about the Regency era, but I don't think I would refuse to read any book simply because of the time period in which it is set. As for writing, the present day inspires so many ideas for romance. I've always loved discovering how people meet – online, at work, by accident, by design. Young people I know complain about how hard it is to meet potential lifemates. Being able to plot my own happy endings is a lot of fun! How has your life experience contributed to your writing? All writers write from our own experiences. How can we not? I may not fictionalize specific events and write about them directly, but every emotion I've felt, adventure I've had (no matter how minor), lesson I've learned, affects what I put on the page. The memory of heart-thumping fear when I lost sight of my toddler for an instant? I magnify that to describe my heroine's terror. A family vacation to an exotic locale – what a cool place to set my next novel! Everything good or bad feeds into my writing. Now it's time to visit LaNora Mangano. Have fun!
13 Comments
Brenda Margriet
5/6/2014 08:24:19 am
I think it is the same as a reader - every one reacts slightly differently to what they read, because of their life experiences. 5/6/2014 04:48:26 am
Great answers, Brenda. Interesting that you're toying with the idea of writing historicals. I think we all need to be challenged some times, even when it scares us!
Brenda Margriet
5/6/2014 08:26:23 am
I like the pace of historicals - no cars, cell phones, internet - just people. Also, I enjoy a lot of the traditional tropes. 5/6/2014 07:45:36 am
Losing sight of a toddler? Been there! The fright is not easily forgotten.
Brenda Margriet
5/6/2014 08:27:22 am
I know! Also, I was lost a child once (for about 5 minutes in a department store) and I can still remember the terror. Fear is a strong memory. 5/6/2014 08:48:08 am
Privy to 2 of your wonderful books, I can attest to you drawing from life experience!
Brenda Margriet
5/6/2014 09:09:34 am
Thanks, Kim! 5/6/2014 10:43:55 am
I was in a Donald Mass workshop one time, and he said to call on your emotional experiences when you want your characters to feel those same emotions. It works as you said above. 5/6/2014 08:36:28 pm
Having personal experiences like that, and knowing those feelings, adds such depth to a story I find :)
J.J. Devine
5/7/2014 03:50:55 am
Great answers, I completely agree with your answer to number 3 :)
Fiona Riplee
5/7/2014 11:43:49 am
I don't think I would pass by a book either because of a certain time period. As long as it is engaging I'll read it. Leave a Reply. |