The Writing Process

Hi everyone, I’ve been tagged by two lovely ladies to participate in the writing process blog hop. Please take a moment to visit Tracey Alvarez, my amazing CP and amazing author of Contemporary Romance, and my friend Rachel Pudelek who writes dark edgy YA.

1. What are you working on? 

At the moment I’m working on the second book in my Personal Protection series with Ellora’s Cave, called For His Protection. In this book the roles are flipped, and feisty Brooke is our fearless bodyguard. Unfortunately for her the person she’s been assigned to protect is none other than Tyler Harrison, a man who will do anything to have her including letting her think she’s in charge—for now.  

This book is a little deeper and a little darker than the first book in the series, but I’m finding it to be a bittersweet, beautiful and heartbreaking book to write. I can’t wait until I can share it with you!

2. How does your work differ from others in your genre? 
I’m a total thrill seeker when it comes to books, I’m always skimming ahead searching out the next piece of action. So while hot, mind-blowing sexual tension and experiences might drive the characters through their journey’s in my work, there is no shortage of compelling plot. There’s always going to be a suspenseful undercurrent propelling the story.

3. Why do you write what you write?
When I first started writing I wrote a bit of everything because I hadn’t found myself as a writer yet. I was more conservative. Honestly, I was a little afraid to have people read work that was overtly sexual. When I was asked by my publisher to write an erotic romance, I made the decision to simply let it all out and completely do away with inhibitions. I started to write as if no one else would ever see what I put on the page, as if it were something private just for me. Writing that way was completely liberating. It brought elements of realism, authenticity and rawness, that I hadn’t achieved before. I could never go back to the old closed-off way of writing. I now put my whole self into it.

4. How does your writing process work?

I’ve now written six books and I don’t think I’ve done it the same way once. If I have to think of a process, I’d say I start with a single idea, such as What if a fiercely independent girl got stuck with a sexy domineering bodyguard? How would they compromise? Then the idea takes a life of its own and I usually have the key turning points mapped out in Scrivener, and then just start writing. I love scrivener because as I think of new scenes I can quickly outline it on a new note card, and drag ideas around if needed.

Who’s next?

I tag Stefanie London, her first book about a ballerina and a footballer will be published by Harlequin Bliss soon! You totally need to keep an eye on this girl!

I also tag my friend Lauren James, who writes small town romance.

Last, but not least, I tag Cassandra Page, who writes YA urban fantasy. You totally want to check out her great blog.