FAQ Friday

Q. How do you create chemistry between your characters that keeps readers turning the pages?  I mean, I know chemistry when I see it on the TV or movie screen but when do you know you’ve captured it on the page?
A. That’s a very good question, and one that many romance writers struggle with each novel they write.    It’s important to remember that chemistry has key components: sexual attraction, intellectual common ground, emotional connection and emotional conflict.  It’s not excessive mental lusting and sex scene for the sake of just having a sex scene.  I always look for ways in which the characters shake each other’s world to the foundation.  I like it when they challenge each other… among other things.

Q. Your brief summary of North Star alludes to a villain or villains so is the story a mystery?
A.  No it’s a romance with some suspense elements.  I mean it’s not John Gresham and the story focuses more on the relationship of Caresse and Graham.

Q. In your blog this week you spoke about critiquing other writers of RWA, doesn’t it make more sense to have only published authors critique unpublished writers?
A. No way!  Everyone’s feedback is vital because all types of people read romance novels.  If you are an active romance reader, and most published and unpublished romance novelists are, then you know when a passage is confusing, or if the pacing is inconsistent or even if the characters are likable.  A writer should never limit the critique to just published writers because good feedback can come from the most unexpected places.

Q. What will be the next novel after South Beach is finished?
A. Well I haven’t decided yet.  I think I’ll be closer to knowing the answer to that question when I’m on the final chapters of South Beach but I promise to keep you updated.  I hope to have North Star published before I begin to outline my third novel.