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!
This week’s questions come from Meggan Connors…
Do you have a recurring theme in your work, either intentional or unintentional? What is it and why do you think you chose that particular theme?
I don’t think I have an intentional theme in my stories, but I do tend to write about heroes who have issues with their fathers for some reason. I have no personal history with this or anything. I have two brothers who get along quite well with my dad and my husband and his father were very close when his dad was alive. I guess I think the father/son dynamic is a powerful thing. Whether it’s living up to dear old dad’s expectations or trying to prove he can be better than his own deadbeat dad, my heroes tend to have daddy issues. The story I just finished writing has strong father/son themes. In The Better Man, my hero, Max, had a father who left his mother before Max was born. Max thought he’d have no trouble being a better father than his own, but he learned the hard way that being a dad is more than paying the bills and giving your name. He has a lot to learn about sacrifice and knowing the difference between what he wants and what his child needs. Do you carefully plot your stories, or do you plot as you write?
Why do you think this particular ethos works for you?
I do both. I plot out the entire thing before I start writing. However, as I write, things can take me in another direction. Sometimes it’s because I discover something new about the characters as I get to know them and sometimes it’s because something doesn’t play out the way I thought it would and it needs to be reworked. I jot down a lot of notes on plain old paper – scenes, dialogue, themes, things I want to make sure come full circle. I usually have a beginning, climax, and end figured out and don’t change much. It’s the middle part that’s always more fluid.I can’t write without knowing where I’m headed. I have to see the end and work toward it. Sometimes the path changes up on me, but at least I still know where I’m going. I think it helps me keep things consistent.
Is there a particular genre (within romance) you could never write? Why?
I guess I should never say never but there are probably a few I don’t think I will ever write. A friend of mine googled romance genres and there is quite an extensive list. I don’t think I would ever write historical. There would be way too much research involved because I would be so worried about getting something wrong. They didn’t have cell phones in the 1600’s, right?
Mystery is another tough one for me. I have a hard time thinking up enough twists and turns to make a mystery interesting. I give writers that write mystery a lot of credit. It amazes me when they create this puzzle and slowly give us piece by piece until we see the whole picture at the end.
Lastly, I chose Heartwarming/clean romance for a reason – writing explicit sex scenes makes me super uncomfortable. I can do it, but it is painful. There are words that make me blush simply by typing them out. I also like that I can share what I write with my entire family. I would not be able to leave erotica sitting around the house!
Alright, that’s it for me. Please head over HERE to author Jo Richardson’s blog to see how she answered.
Amy Vastine 
Whatever your process is, I love it! And I am laughing we both picked the same sub genre! Sort of. LOL ILY!
I don't write sex-scenes either, I do find it a little awkward 😀 Though I enjoy the build and can write a bit steamy, just not full-on explicit. 'Fade to black' is always a nice way to go!
I had a hard time writing the sex at first. Now, I just go for it – in a manner of speaking
I'm with you on the plotting Amy! My planning is extensive, but then my characters sometimes lead me in better directions.
Thanks for the insight into another writer's mind. It is fascinating to learn how we are all different.
I hated history in school too!! Seriously, too much research. You know how I feel about that 😉
I know it disappoints some people when authors fade to black, but I think you can do a lot without getting explicit. A little can go a long way!
LOL – Sarah you are so funny. You go, girl! Kim, it really is interesting how everybody is different!
I'm surprised how many pantsers there are out there!!
I love the design of your site. I'm with you on historical being the least likely for me to write!, Best, Ronnie Allen
Thanks so much, Ronnie 🙂