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What I Do and Why I Do It


Thank you to my friendly, funny critique partner Nicki Elson for tagging me to answer four writerly questions! (That's her gorgeous self, on the left.) Nicki is the author of 80's romp Three Daves and sexy angel story Divine Temptation. And I'm really stoked for the upcoming release of her hilarious chick lit, tentatively titled Vibrizzio (a buzzing Italian lover hehe).

Onto the questions...

What am I working on?

I'm nearing the finish line of writing Blocked, a college volleyball romance. Spike! The story features a forbidden romance between the offspring of candidates for US President: Lucia Ramirez, daughter of the Republican nominee, and Dane Monroe, son of the Democratic nominee.  Lucia and Dane are freakishly tall scholarship volleyball players who think the opponent's political philosophy is FAIL. But they can't deny their attraction to each other.

Swimmer Matt Grevers, who's 6'8", inspired the character of Dane Monroe:

Yummy.

How does my writing differ from others in its genre?

As a psychologist, I like to bring a psycho element to romance by including mental health diagnoses and therapy scenes. In Blocked, I gave Lucia an eating disorder and Dane an alcohol problem. (Tee hee.) Naturally, I threw them into some much needed therapy with a sport psychologist.

Why do I write what I do?

I write romance because of all the feels. It makes my heart skip when characters kiss! And I write stories of healing and redemption because I love to witness them every day. I want to inspire readers to overcome emotional pain in order to reach new heights.

How does my writing process work?

Recently I've relied less on an outline, instead letting the characters lead the way. It's so helpful to share each chapter with critique partners...making writing more social is motivational for me. My one complaint about my process: it's SLOW. Waah. I wish it could go faster.

And now I get to tag four authors so they can tell us what they do and why they do it. I tag:

***Darcia Helle***

***Elisa Dane***

***Matthew Alan***

***Lisette Brodey***

Please stop by next week (6/4) for the Insecure Writers Support Group. I need your advice for self-publishing!

Comments

Your background gives you a unique edge when writing!
Cherie Colyer said…
I like that you try to inspire your readers to overcome emotional pain in their own life and you do it without preaching or the reader knowing that you're doing it.
Like Cherie and Alex wrote: your unique training gives you a deft way of speaking to your readers without preaching and with understanding for the pain of their emotional bruises.

Highest of sales for your next book. :-)
Jennifer Lane said…
Alex, I hope my work with college men will give me an edge in trying to write one!
Jennifer Lane said…
Cherie, that is important not to become preachy. Who wants THAT? I hope to keep it subtle and simply demystify therapy for those thinking of trying it.
Jennifer Lane said…
Roland, thank you for the good wishes, my friend.
Nicki Elson said…
Oh yes! That is Dane - you capture him so well in your writing.

Hey, I'm a slooow reader, so your writing speed is just perfect for mou. But really---I'm dying to see how Blocked wraps up...and to get to this fan hitting I hear is coming up...

Only you would say teehee to giving your characters disorders *shakes head* Glad you have the skillz to help them.

It's so fun to see which authors the questions are going to next!


Jennifer Lane said…
Nicki, I'm glad you approve of my Dane. I guess that tee hee was kind of mean, tee hee! I know we're all busy so I hope my tagees are able to participate.