In a few weeks, I’ll be speaking on an author panel at the Valley Center County Library along with fellow Brava author Linda Thomas-Sundstrom and Zebra/Aphrodisia author Leanne Shawler/Celia May Hart. Our topic is: “Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know About Romance Writing But Were Afraid to Ask.”
Not that I predict lulls in the conversation or fear getting hit with a question that makes me say “ummmm” 60 or 70 times, but what do people really want to know but fear asking? I’ve heard authors give talks about 1000 times…or close to that. For reasons I can’t explain, I can’t think of a single thing I’ve ever asked an author. I’m sure my questions were brilliant and insightful. ::cough:: Actually, my only hope is that they were somewhat coherent.
For the most part, I’m nosy so that my attendance at these author chats are likely a result of that personality defect. For the non-nosy crowd, what kind of stuff do you ask authors? What are you dying to know? Help me out and you have a chance to win a copy of an already released and available 2006 or 2007 Brava title. You pick it and I’ll get it to you.
Do you get to choose the covers for your books?
I like asking authors if they consider themselves ‘a cup half full’ or ‘a cup half empty’ type of person when it comes to their writing career and in their personal life.
I like to know how they come up with ideas on the stories they write, and is writing the dialogue harder or easier as they go along.
I love to know which authors other authors MUST read.
I’d ask if the author seeks out reviews of their work and how much do negative reviews affect them. Do you pay much attention to reader reviews left on sites like Amazon?
What I have wonder for a long time is how does a female author really know how a male thinks and feels? Do you ever ask a male if for his opinion of what you have written?
How long did it take the author to get published? Does the author have any advise for aspiring authors?
Yes, I’d definitely like to know the answers to Crystal B’s questions. Also do you think it is worthwhile to have an agent?
Do you plan to write only romances or do you have an interest in other genres?
Do you ever take real life situations and fictionalize them for your books?
I always want to know their story. What motivated them to make a decision to become a writer?
I usually ask the obvious questions but also like to know from authors where they get their material from….is the story based on ideas they think up or actual people, events and problems they may have known or experienced first hand!!!
Are you a plotter or seat-of-the-pants writer?
Which comes first characters or plot?
What is your favorite part of writing? Least favorite?
Those are questions I typically ask.
All the ones I thought of before coming to the comments people already put. . . but the thing I always wonder is for those who write them, how in the world do you guys write the sex scenes? LOL Did you first blush at them, still do, stuff like that.
Lois
I usually ask boring questions that the authors have already been asked before..like where do you get your ideas, etc.
BTW, there seems to be sticky fingers in the mailing system because I still have not received the book I won from you and you mail in Feb. (see my email I sent to you).
Oh, you know you’re going to be asked how to calculate word count.
I like finding out who their hero’s characters are based on.
How do the authors get in the mood to write the love scenes? These should be good answers.
Is any of your characters based on real people?
Have you ever had writer’s block?
What type of research is involved in plotting out the story and the chracters.
I like to know how the authors come up with the h/h names and how they come up with the stories.
Do you read books written by authors writing in the same genre as you do?
If you do how do you keep from unconsciously recycling what you’ve read? And if you avoid reading works from authors in your genre, which author do you regret not being able to read?
I always like to know if you have a favorite/special book that you wrote and if so, why.
Or if you had to recommend one of your books to a new to you reader, which book would you pick.
Of course information about the latest book …and info. about future book releases!
All of the questions that have been asked are great. I wonder though if as an Author you have ever wanted/dreamed about getting one of your books made into a movie? And if you did who would you want cast as the hero and heroine?
Alot of great questions here!
I would ask;
what is the first romance book you remember reading?
Have you ever been dissatisfied with a book cover or title?
How do you come up with the characters names for your books?
My question is – do you talk to your characters and/or do they talk to you.
any winners from the blogs
I usually ask what inspired them to write that particular story. If they had overheard a conversation from someone or an actual event happened that inspired the story.
Also, how do they come up with the actual settings in the story as to where it takes place. I would think that would be the hardest to define is the actual location of the story.
O.k. here is my question that I have been afraid to ask the authors. How did you prepare for this interview? Did you try on a million outfits before deciding which was the right one? Did you have to give yourself a pep talk in the mirror before you came out to face the crowds? Stuff like that to make a connection with the author that they are real just like you and me.
These are realy great questions! I wish you could all come on over and ask them the day of our event. Or maybe we should start answering them here? Whatta ya say, HelenKay?
Linda
Did reading transform your life and create this future of writing for you?
My juicy question would be:
Do you use your real life sexual experiences for some of the sex scenes in your books?
Wow, you guys are good!
All great questions. Some make me a bit nervous. But, if anyone does ask me about formatting, I’m sending them to you, Stacey 
And…we have a winner. Congrats to Teresa Warner!!! Email me so I can get your prize to you.
Was excited to see that I was picked. Thanks Helen I e-mailed my information to you!
Congratulations to the winners !!!:smile:
wtg teresa
Thanks guys!
Teresa – Got it!
Thanks and congrats!
[...] Here are more answers to questions never really asked at the Brava Authors Blog, but they were proposed, so I answer: [...]
Teresa – please email me – hkdimon@gmail.com. Thanks!!