Blog Tag: I’m It!

 

A couple of weeks ago I agreed to join in a romance writers’ blog tag. I like games. I like romance writers. Sounded like fun.

This is me, the person who is supposed to be learning to say, “Thanks, I’d love to help/say yes/join in, but I’m swamped right now and have to pass for now.”

Instead, I said, “SURE!” Then promptly was hit by a deluge of issues at work and in my personal life.

So, I’m playing Blog Tag and here’s how it works. But note: I’m missing some of the info at the end so I’ll be back later this week to share the next Blog Taggers’ information.

My friend Rachell Nichole blogged with her answers to the questions below last Monday. At the end of her blog, she shared my bio and blog address along with another romance writer’s info.

If you’d like to read Rachell’s blog, here’s the address: www.divasofdesire.blogspot.com .

Today (another Monday) I’m gonna answer the questions. But, I don’t have new Blog Taggers quite yet—I still need a few days as I forgot this part of the game (I know, I know, it’s TAG, dummy. You need more players for a game of TAG! I had a brain lapse.)

So I hope you’ll come back and look for the Taggers. They’ll be awesome writers. Fun people to meet and chat with—I’m just sure of it!

 

And for now, here’s my take on the Blog Tag questions:

 

What am I working on?

Currently I’m working on revisions for my last novel entitled His Perfect Partner, a long contemporary romance. It’s been a slow process for me as I’ve had a lot on my plate with my day-job, family, and volunteer obligations. The manuscript hasn’t sold—YET—so I’m not on a publisher’s deadline. However, I know my agent would like my revisions sooner rather than later and I’m behind based on the timetable I set for myself.

So, I need to get cracking!!

 

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

My work differs from the typical romance novel because my novels feature Latino characters. Sometimes it’s the heroine or hero; sometimes it’s both. But I enjoy bringing my culture to life on the page.

 

Why do I write what I do?

I guess I got ahead of myself in the previous question and started answering this one. 

I write romance novels because I truly believe they are beautiful testaments that good people in healthy relationships can achieve almost anything. That love can prevail if and when a couple brings out the best in each other.

I write about Latino characters because I’m Latina and I enjoying sharing my heritage and culture with others in a way that doesn’t involve stereotypes and caricatures.

Romance, sexual tension, sensuality, and emotions help us feel alive. I’m a people person, most of the time. Creating characters I love, sharing their story with others…it makes me happy. And hopefully, that happiness spreads to those who read my work.

 

How does your writing process work?

Wow, this can vary. I’ve been known to work in a busy restaurant, ignoring the hullabaloo of noise created by so many people coming and going. That stems from finishing three college degrees with a houseful of kids. I can tune out noise or unwanted chatter like nobody’s business.

But I also enjoy sitting at my desk, music playing in my earphones, a scented candle lit beside me.

I’ll say, I am what’s known as a “plotter.” Meaning, I have to create an outline of scenes that I believe will take me from the beginning to the end of my story. I have character sketches and GMC (goal, motivation, conflict) charts. I even interview my characters to get to know them better.

In real life I’m a talker, and I can ramble like the best of them. With my writing, I don’t have the time to just start typing away and seeing where the story takes me. My writing time is limited. I like to know where I’m going and what’s supposed to happen in the scene I’m working on at the moment. This is why you may find me talking to myself as I’m driving or washing dishes or out for a run. Because I’m thinking about my next scene if I’m in the middle of a book or a new character if I’m just starting out. I try to keep my story on my mind so that when I finally get to the computer I’m ready to go. No staring at the cursor blinking at me from a blank page.

But, with my busy life, there are times where it’s days before I get back to my writing. That’s not good. I tend to write in spurts. I’ll miss some time at the keyboard,  and then, I’ll be up ‘til 4 am two nights in a row, hyped up on diet Coke, popcorn and sugar while I bang out a bunch of pages, and wind up like a walking zombie for a couple days after. It’s not the healthiest of processes, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. 

 So, now you know a little about what I do in my free time—write—along with why and how! What about you? Stop by and share about your writing or any other hobby you may have.

And next week, be sure to with the next writers on the Blog Tag. I’ll have their info right here for you—SOON!