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 us questions in the comment box.

This week’s questions are brought to you by Leslie Hachtel.

1.  Do you prefer to write futuristic, contemporary or historical romances and why?

*Cue gratuitous Fabio Cover – because the man is a God*.

So far, my published books have all been contemporary. The reasons for this are twofold. Firstly, especially at the start of my writing career, I found it easier to ‘write what I know.’ This included locations I’d visited, a timeframe I was comfortable with, and characters I understood. However, I do have a very soft spot for historical novels. Not least because they combine my two favourite things; history and love. So I’d never rule out writing a historical romance.

As for futuristic, I take my hats off to anybody that writes these. Their imaginations, and ability to world-build always blow my socks off. So, that’s my hats and socks gone. A few more sentences and I could be naked. Let’s leave it here, shall we?

2.  What is your favorite time in history and how and why does it inspire you?

I’ve always had a soft spot for the sixties. Firstly because the music was second to none. The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Hendrix, Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel…I could go on, and suspect I already have! Writing a story with it’s own, natural soundtrack is something I’m very attracted to. I did this in my contemporary novel (Fix You) and would definitely like to do it with a Sixties-based romance as well.

It’s not just the music, though. The sixties saw such upheaval–the Vietnam War, the fight for Equality in race and gender, not to mention the sexual and social revolutions. It’s a little minefield for all things romance and angst. I feel the need to tap it!

3.  How has your life experience contributed to your writing?

They say that everybody’s first novel is autobiographical. While I’m not in total agreement with that, I do think I’ve tried to give some of my experiences and life settings to the characters in my books. Some of the themes are universal–who hasn’t fallen in love and had their heart’s broken? Others may be more personal. I put a lot of the music I like into my stories, and I also add details I’ve lived through. In one of my books, I’ve had a background of the rise of social media and technology, of the banking crisis and its effect on business. All those things have helped give me a framework over which I weave the story.

However, other things are purely from imagination. My life is way too mundane to make a good story, so I never just rely on my experience!

Thank you to Leslie for setting such interesting questions, I really enjoyed thinking them through. And now to read more Romance Weekly Blog Hop go to www.katerobbinsauthor.com and read Victoria Barbour’s answers!

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 us questions in the comment box.

This week’s questions are brought to you by Dani Jace.

1.  What is the most unusual thing you’ve ever done in the name of research for a book?

 In my first book, Halfway Hidden, there’s a scene where the hero, who is keeping the heroine captive, makes her go into the bathroom with him. There’s a moment where he’s doing what he needs to *ahem* do, and she’s watching an seeing everything. Well, I needed to make sure this could happen if she was behind him.

Luckily I have a very understanding husband, who didn’t complain (much) when I dragged him into to the bathroom to recreate the scene. I’m pleased to say I could see what I needed to, and that was that.

I have to admit I giggled through the whole thing, though.

2.  Name a nonfiction book you’ve read for research that you wouldn’t have read otherwise.  Not including writing craft books.

Okay, so I haven’t read this particular book, but I kind of want to. I think a hero who has this for a hobby has to be a good thing, right? After all, it would be the gift that keeps on giving.

My real answer is much more dull than the Make Your Own Sex Toys book. It’s probably a book on the financial crash of 2007. I wanted to try and learn the factors behind it, to make sure it fitted in with the themes of my second book, Fix You.

3.  If you could travel anywhere to do research for a book, including back in time, where would you go?

 If I could choose anywhere, it would almost certainly be Paris. It’s such a wonderful, romantic city with so many possibilities. I’ve only been there once with my family, but every street seems to have a story. The sights, the sounds, the smells would all add up to such a beautiful setting for a romance. No wonder it’s called the City of Love!

Thank you to Dani for setting such interesting questions, I really enjoyed thinking them through. And now to read more Romance Weekly Blog Hop go to http://victoriabarbour.com/blog and read Victoria Barbour’s answers!

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 us questions in the comment box.

This weeks questions are brought to you by Shannon Kennedy

1.  How do you find the appropriate setting for the story, or does it find you?

For me, the setting usually comes from the characters. My stories tend to build up from a hundred different “what if…”s. So the first past would be the main characters, followed by the plot and setting. For some stories it’s easy–my most recent release, Fix You, was always going to be set in London and New York, because the fathers of the main characters both work in finance, and they meet at a party in London just as the new millennium arrives. Other stories have less obvious settings, so I’ll often draw upon my past travels and experiences. I’ve been lucky enough to love in about seven different cities and three different countries, so I have a lot of choice!

2.  What is your support system for your writing?  Family, friends, other writers? 

I’m lucky enough to have a lot of support. Through online writing I’ve built up a network of other writers, beta readers and friends who will give me honest opinions, and kindly point out if my there, their and they’res are going astray! My husband has proved to be an excellent ‘oops detector’, he gets a manuscript after editing and proofing and still manages to find a few things wrong. I think myself very lucky to have such a wonderful network of friends and supporters, and I hope they feel the same about me!

3.  What is the worst writing advice you ever received and how did you deal with it?

I’m not sure I’ve ever received any terrible advice. If I did, I must have blocked it out of my head! I take all advice in the manner in which it is offered, graciously and with thanks. It doesn’t mean I’ll always act on it, however. Not that this makes it bad advice, but just not right for me!

So there you have it – another week gone. I’m really enjoying answering these questions and engaging with my fellow writers.

Thanks to Shannon for these great questions! And now to read more Romance Weekly Blog Hop go to www.awriterslifeformeblog.wordpress.com and read Mishka Jenkins’ answers!

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 us questions in the comment box.

This weeks questions are brought to you by Nina Mason

1.  How does your writing impact your inner life?

I’m so glad nobody can see inside my head! I’m constantly thinking things through, wondering about characters, picturing scenes, imagining the emotions they are all going through. I get inspiration at the strangest of times; maybe driving on the motorway or watching my kids learn to swim. Unfortunately, this can also mean I’m not as responsive as I should be, and when asked a question it can take me up to a minute to reply. My husband says I’m ‘buffering’ which is a great word for it. I’ll answer eventually, but don’t hold your breath!

2.  How do you hope your books affect your readers?

I hope that I send them on a journey that’s worth going on. My stories tend to be emotional, occasionally a little angsty, and I want them to feel all those emotions right along with the characters. When somebody tells me that my stories made them cry, I count that as a good day’s work. This is probably because I LOVE stories that make me cry. I like being a weepy mess, barely able to breathe as I stand right next to a character, feeling their emotions. So that’s what I try and write. Whether I’m successful or not is a different matter!

3.  Has anyone ever told you your book changed their life? If so, how?

Not yet, but maybe one day! I have had messages from readers telling me that they really enjoyed the story, and that it kept them up all night, which is definitely what I’m aiming for when I’m writing. If I can keep you awake and turning the pages, then I’m a happy writer.

 Thanks to Nina for setting some thought-provoking questions! And now to read more Romance Weekly Blog Hop go to http://lesliehachtelwriter.wordpress.com/ and read Leslie Hachtel’s answers!