Romance Weekly

"Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn't you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! 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 questions and after you've enjoyed the blog on this site we'll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride! Tell your friends and feel free to ask questions in the comment box."

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Welcome to my wee slice of Romance Weekly. Here are my responses to this week's jackpot questions:

What is the weirdest question you have been asked about writing?

This one. LOL. No, seriously, I’ve not been asked anything particularly odd, though I’m still awaiting the release of my first book, so I imagine I’ll get some humdingers by and by. I get asked questions I can’t answer more than I’d like, such as what kind of music I listen to when writing (none, I like it quiet) and what kind of snacks I keep handy (does Scotch count?)—just kidding. Being gluten-free, I don’t snack much (though you’d never know it to look at me). Everyday, I break for lunch between 11:30 and 12:30 and make myself a sandwich on gluten-free bread, have a side of potato chips, and drink a Dr. Pepper, if my daughter hasn’t finished them off already.

What was the most exciting thing about your writing career so far?

There have been a few, not all of which have panned out. The first was getting an agent, though some of the gold wore off when she couldn’t sell my book and had no interest in my subsequent manuscripts. Another was getting a call from an editor at a mainstream romance publisher who liked my work, but thought it too esoteric for general readers. We went several rounds with series ideas before she finally passed on my ideas. Third, I’d have to say was last year’s RWA national conference. It was my first writer’s conference ever and it was an incredible experience. Fourth, of course, was finally getting contract offers on my books. After a six-year drought, I will publish three for sure and possibly four this year.

Do you get your story ideas from real life or real people? If not, where do they come from?

I do not get ideas from real life or real people. My ideas tend to bubble up from my subconscious (usually more slowly than I’d like) around a very rough idea. Things tend to occur in layers rather than all at once, though I do develop character profiles and motivations and plot outlines before I actually begin to write. Lots of ideas come from mythology and historical research. I’m a fiend for accuracy and research every tiny detail. If I say in the story there’s a Starbucks on a particular corner in London, you can bet there really is one there

Thanks for visiting. Now, on to the lovely and popular Katie O'Connor's blog to see what she has to say about all this:  http://katieoh.blogspot.com