This week: Favorite characters and three must haves for writing…
Who is your favorite character you’ve written and why?
Hmmm… That’s tough. I become very invested in my characters, especially the heroes. I’d have to say Ray in Hot as Blazes, as he is the embodiment of a hero to me. A man of few words, he exudes a quiet air of confidence. While handsome, he doesn’t see himself that way and always has your back. The heroine nicknames him Hemanus (hēּ-manּ-us), a term invented by my son for his dad.
Do you prefer to write your Hero or Heroine?
I’m such a tomboy, I love writing the hero. I’ve been told I write like a guy and that it’s a good thing, but I’m not so sure. Some romance readers like cutesy and that’s not my style. Tongue in cheek humor, action and sarcasm are prevalent in my writing. As for my heroines, they are flip-flop casual, real world and, independent bordering on bossy. Some may polish their nails, but they’re not worried about breaking one.
What are the three things you can’t write without?
Jack Daniels, my Stealth Bods Pinterest Board for inspiration & chocolate LOL – No really, my number one need is a computer. I hate writing by hand. I’ve was typing before I learned to drive. Keyboarding
is second nature and a zillion times faster than my scribble. If you’ve ever used a typewriter you know the freedom word processing is godlike. A writer’s world is limitless until the damn thing crashes.
The internet is second deity to writers. You can learn things in seconds where as before it would have taken a visit to the library or even a trip abroad. Recently, I wrote about a neighborhood in a nearby city, where I had never visited. I needed to know the type of houses built there. A Google satellite search gave me the answer in minutes and saved me a thirty minute drive, plus gas.
My third need varies by the day. Some days I need music or eye drops. When editing, I need is a printer loaded with paper. Certain errors pop in print. I notice wrong word choices, thoughts out of sequence and misused words. Oh, and I can’t forget my CRW critique group!
Thanks to Rebekkah Ganiere for this week’s Romance Weekly questions. Hop on over to Leslie Hachtel’s blog to see what three things she can’t live without when writing.
Dani Jace. Romance Author 
Great post. I’m with you on the hating to write by hand. I learned to type the same time I had access to my first computer. And I’ve been typing ever since.
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Thanks Victoria. Well before the computer age, my mother insisted that if I learned to type I’d always be able to get a job. Now I have two jobs where I use that same skill.
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I don’t think I would have finished a manuscript without a computer. Even I can’t read my handwriting and when I have a research question I want it answered NOW!
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Totally with you there!
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So many people have said Google, and I didn’t think of it, but I would be lost without the internet. Handwriting? Um no thanks
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When we got a word processor at work back in the late 80s I thought I’d died and gone t heaven.
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Well honey, if you’re going to break out the Jack, you have to invite me over! (lol) Great post. I always had trouble fitting into ‘traditional’ female view of myself, too.
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Glad to know I”m in good company. I think the group should do a retreat on the OBX and I’ll supply the Jack!
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I started out writing my manuscript by hand (many years ago), I hate it now 🙂 Great blog!!!
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Thanks! And for always stopping by and tweeting. I only use a spiral if I’m on the beach or at the pool.
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I like writing the hero too 🙂
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I can totally relate to your answers! Great job!
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Thanks LaNora!
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Dani, I adore authors who excel at writing the male POV. It’s so much fun to read a real he-man. Great post.
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Thanks Gemma! My son is a help now that he’s nineteen. When I’m not sure how a man would react I ask him.
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I can write by hand and start in a notebook. The largest spiral I could find. All my planning, plotting, characterizations start in that. I’ll go to the computer after I have a few chapters planned.
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My problem is I can’t read what I wrote!
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I always have to do my editing and reading on paper too, it’s so much easier to spot errors. Somehow my eye always glances over them on the computer! 😀
Great answers 🙂
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When I’m looking at the screen, I’m depending on Word to catch my errors.
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