themes in writing | Dani Jace. Romance Author

This week … what books influence my writing and my favorite shoes…

When someone finds out you’re an author, how do you handle the statement, “I have a story you should write?”

That’s usually my son, pitching a new adult story and I tell him to write it. I’ve encouraged him to write a screen play since he loves movies. Others have suggested that I write a story about where I work. I like my job, but NO! Writing is an escape from my day to day.

Do you write what you read?

For the most part. I like reading action oriented romances. My favorite author is Jo Davis’ and her series, The Fire Fighters of Station Five. I also enjoy reading Lori Foster and Lora Leigh. Outside of romance, I read non-fiction military, like American Sniper, Outlaw Platoon, Trident K9 Warriors, and No Easy Day. I’m currently engrossed in Fearless at the moment. I respect, admire and thank our country’s military folks. Without them, shudder to think…

People often mistake the lifestyle of a writer as glamorous, give us the scoop, what about your lifestyle would shock your readers?

I work full time and my house was built in the seventies. The year of the vehicle I drive predates the second millennium. It is a classic, however, and I made a character in one of my books. I write flip-flop casual heroines and wouldn’t know what a pair of Manolo Blahniks are, except for having watched HBO’s Sex in the City.

Thanks to J J Devine for this week’s questions. Next trip on the blog hop is Amy Jarecki. Check out her new release, Captured by the Pirate Laird which on sale today for 99¢. Hope you’ll take the full tour and see how each of our Romance Weekly authors answer. If you have a question you’d like answered, please leave a comment.

This week – themes and more…

Do you have a recurring theme in your work, either intentional or unintentional? What is it and why do you think you chose that particular theme?

Coming home or finding home occurs in almost every story, but it’s not always a physical journey. Sometimes is about about finding acceptance. Like their creator, my characters may wish to fit in, but they also refuse to change their core beliefs and who they are to be accepted. Trust is another prevalent thread in my work. Again that relates back to me. I am of the belief that trust is earned. I didn’t consciously choose a theme and only recognized these trends after several manuscripts.

Do you carefully plot your stories, or do you plot as you write? Why do you think this particular ethos works for you?

I started writing fan fiction which turned into a novel, so there was no plot. After multiple rewrites on several manuscripts, I’ve taken the “plantser” approach and use a basic outline. I’m not a writer who likes to know every piece of a story. Allowing my sub conscious free reign delivers many surprises I could never plot. It also provides a feeling of freedom and the illusion I’m in control. 😉

Is there a particular genre (within romance) you could never write? Why?

There’s a saying, “Never say never.” The last romantic genre I’d be interested in writing would be suspense. I don’t have the mind of a sleuth nor do I usually read the suspense genre. I’m an action movie junkie and enjoy including some of those elements in my stories.

Thanks to Meggan Conners for this week’s questions. Please take the next hop over to Rebekah R. Ganiere‘s blog for her answers to this week’s Romance Weekly. Hope you’ll take a minute to check out her new release Dead Awakenings.

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