Blog Hop | Dani Jace. Romance Author

This week: why we write and our the best place to write… RomanceWeekly

Today’s questions are from Amy Jarecki and if you arrived here through Carrie Elks’ blog thanks for continuing the hop.

When did you start writing, and why?

In elementary school I loved writing stories. Later on came the red pen…no points for creativity…only slashes for grammar. It’s probably better now with creative writing classes in English. During my tenure, it was rulers to the knuckles education. Research papers also took a toll on my desire to write and led me to journaling.

The sword of Maxamus

About ten years ago, a character in a movie stuck me in such a way that I needed to continue his story. What started out as fan fiction turned into a novel set in Ancient Rome. You can probably guess the movie. After working too long on an epic historical in a period that’s not easily sold, I attempted a contemporary and used my favorite vacation spot as the setting. From there my trend of “literal” beach reads began.

What do you like best about writing?

The introspection. In an earlier post, I said writing is my shrink. Cheap, easily accessible and on days were I’m frazzled form work or whatever, I can open my WIP (work in process) and leave the world behind. It’s also a great media for control freaks. You are lord and master of your universe. Cracks whip with an evil laugh.

If you could go on a writing retreat, where would you go and for how long?

Amy’s question might be referring to a “real” retreat, but I’m taking fantasy route and the world is my oyster. Let’s start with Hawaii for a couple of months and then a world tour of the best beaches with the best cocktails and the most handsome men as my cabana boys. Yeah…the good life…

Please hop on over to the amazing Collette Cameron’s blog to see how she started writing and where she’d like to go on retreat. I’m not giving away her secret, but I bet I can guess where she wants to go…

Welcome to Romance Weekly where you learn secrets about your favorite authors. If you’ve reached here by Katie O’Connor thanks for taking the RW tour. This weeks questions…

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

I’ve written historical, contemporary and started a story that takes place in an apocalyptic world. If you need dooms day prep, read Bob Mayer’s blog. I’d have to say contemporary is my favorite time period to write. I loving writing dialog – sarcastic and sometimes dripping with disdain – which is probably due to my answer of the third question of the day.

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

I’m such a tech geek and writing in current day allows me to use of modern gadgets. However, I do enjoy reading and seeing movies based in ancient Rome, Egypt and Greece. My first novel was a historical based in ancient Rome and inspired by a movie. Real life during those times, however, probably wasn’t much fun unless you were wealthy.

How has your life experience contributed to your writing?

My mom was the type, “You’re okay, you don’t need a Band Aid, get back outside and play.” Then when it came time to learn to cook, I said, “I’ll go cut the grass or help dad change the oil in the car.

My first full time job was in a male dominated company. There were twenty men in our main store plus others I dealt with on a daily basis at our satellite stores. I believe having worked so closely with guys for many years gave me a great insight into their mindset and personalities. I told someone the other day that I speak “man.”

I believe I write more direct than most women because of this experience especially when I’m in the hero’s point of view. A friend of mine’s husband recently read my military story to double check my military jargon and facts. Even though the novel wasn’t his “thing,” he said I had the dialog and the whole sex perspective with hedging around relationships down pat.

Sorry, no pictures this week, just got computer back up and running last night. Please continue the Romance Weekly tour and see how Carolyn Spear’s life experience plays into her writing.

Seaside Heat Romance