C.C.’s Comments (group member since Jun 06, 2011)

C.C.’s comments from the Q&A with C.C. Galloway group.

You know, I am ashamed to admit I was mainly thinking about straight m/f contemporary romances in traditional print publishing, but you bring up some good points, Kat. I'm glad to see publishers filling this void in the ebook world.

I can't believe I forgot NR! I love a lot of her series and she can, and does, write some great contemporary books. I love the Chesapeake Bay Series. : )

I wonder if JM will ever continue writing again?

The YA stuff is a lot of fun.

And you???

When I started reading way back when, it seemed as though there were more true contemporary writers (who didn't use paranormal elements or suspense), but simply wrote straightforward contemporary romance. I think of Linda Howard, Judith McNaught as some of those authors. I don't know if the market changed as more paranormals hit the market (I've seen a lot of very talented authors lament not being able to sell their contemporary MSs to their agents and/or publishers) and that drove purchasing decisions (and by purchasing decisions, I'm referring to publishers' purchasing decisions).

I also think it's a genre that challenges its authors to create organic, character-driven challenges to the HEA.

By that, I mean other genres have inherent obstacles. For example, in numerous historicals, we have challenges related to class, education, and socio-economic status. For paranormals, it's challenges about having two very different types of characters (let's say vamps and werewolves) come together.

But in today's contemporary world, there are very few external influences that can realistically keep lovers apart. So, I think contemporary authors therefore have to really figure out how internal factors can create the necessary conflict for a good love story.

Does that make sense?

With regards to the first question, the answer is both. I always have a general sense of the beginning, middle and end, but things to occur while drafting that surprise me. And I LOVE surprises. : )

Right now, I'm working on Book No. 2 in the Portland Tide series featuring David and Calleigh and a Young Adult book (untitled) written in first person. How about you? Cyn?

Thanks, Angela! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Dear Author, along with other folks, have started a "Save the Contemporary," campaign as a reaction, in part, to the lack of contemporary romances available. Why do we think this is? I have my thoughts, but I'd love to hear from others.

I've always been fascinated by how people write-the process people follow, if people have tried and abandoned things that don't work, and how the finished product comes to fruition.

For me, I generally tend to write as frequently as I can and when I sit down to write, I don't stop until I've hit at least 1,000 words for the day.

Welcome, everyone! Please feel free to ask me any and all questions about my first book, "Hail Mary," my process, contemporary romance, etc.