Romance Writers Weekly - #lovewritechat

If you like to read romance novels of all genres, join the writers of Romance Weekly every Tuesday for our blog hop. We'll be answering the same questions, or writing the same flash fiction, or offering our favourite recipes. 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.

If you're joining me from fellow Canadian, Victoria Barbour,  welcome! She's the author of the Heart's Ease series, set in Newfoundland - I highly recommend it.

Here are this week's questions:

---

You’re moving right along with a storyline and suddenly it takes an unexpected twist. Do you go with the flow and follow where the twist leads you or do you conform your story to your way?

I struggle with this decision for sure. I do believe you have to listen to your characters and your story – but in the end, I am in charge. I find if my story veers too far from my original outline, I run into real editing issues. While I love tweaking a line here or there to make the writing stronger, I really dislike having to edit my plot because I've forgotten what the main goal was.

What time of year is your best time for writing? Winter, Summer, Fall, Spring?

I get the most work done in winter. In Northern BC, winter days are very short, and I love to curl up on my couch and write during the cold, bleak evenings. Because beautiful summer days are precious, I don't like to miss them hunching over a keyboard. I compromise by writing outside as often as I can, but my word count truly does suffer in the summer months.

When looking for a publisher do you chose a traditional press, indie route, or one that does both e-book and print?

With my first book, I didn't care how it got published – I just wanted to see my name on the cover! I have a full-time job and a busy family, so I didn't consider the Indie route for long. I simply don't have the time to do everything that is required. And as MOUNTAIN FIRE was picked up by only the second publisher I pitched it to, I don't regret that decision. At first it was only an e-book, but then the publisher offered print-on-demand copies, so I actually got to hold my book in my hand. It was quite a thrill!


Now it's time to toodle on over to visit Raine Balkera. Have fun!