Don’t ask me how it all started. It’s been a lot of soul searching, and I’m still not clear on how I woke up one day and decided to write a book in a genre I’d never read. My reading preferences are true crime and non-fiction life stories — biographies and history. Notice I didn’t include romance. So how could I possibly attempt to write a decent romance novel if I haven’t read any?
Writing fiction of any kind requires imagination and the skill to create believable and memorable characters. Notice I didn’t include creating the plot. When I write, I let the characters create and live the story. I don’t plan the plot and then drop characters into it. Character-driven storylines focus on the people and relationships, and every angle of what they see, say, feel, and do. And when I tap into that emotional element, these creations are people, not just characters.
As for romance, I guess I have to be honest. I also like to “get my thrills” with more than just a white-knuckle car chase or an unexpected ‘hit’ on a beloved main character. The spicy scenes are what some readers live for, and I have to agree as long as they fit the plot, offer insight into the relationship, and enhance the characterization. I like spice, but I love spice with a purpose.
It all started with the idea for Aria Donaldson, my completely awesome FMC in Deception & Consequences. And then plot and conflict ideas began downloading in my brain, and I couldn’t stop them. When I completed Deception & Consequences, I had to have more. My characters had more of a story to tell, and so my standalone became a four-book series. And from there, more character sketches inspired more stories — and well, at this point, I can’t stop. So, even though I really can’t explain it very well, I became a Romance-Thriller author, and I’ve never looked back.