FEATURED AUTHOR: Ann Christopher

I’m a “retired” lawyer turned romance novelist for Kensington/Dafina and Harlequin/Kimani Press. Not to mention a wife and chauffer for my overscheduled children. If you’d like to recommend a great book, share a tip for getting your kids to do what you say the FIRST time you say it, or have a recipe for cake you’d like to share, I’d love to hear from you!

SWEETER THAN REVENGE

Newly-minted millionaire David Hunt has returned to Cincinnati to get revenge on Maria Johnson, the woman who broke his heart four years ago when she married the rich guy instead of him. Little does David know he’s about to fall more in love with her than ever…

Website address

http://www.annchristopher.com/



What would you like your readers to take away from your book?

Hmmm … I think with all my books I’d like readers to laugh a little, cry a little, and, hopefully, fall in love with the hero and heroine as they fall in love with each other. My message is always that love conquers all.

Oh, and I seem to have this running theme about righting past wrongs and/or getting revenge, LOL!

What did you learn while writing this book?

I’ve already talked about this a little in another blog—I learned how important characterization is, and that the character can be flawed but must still be heroic.

Do you ever have a hard time letting go of a character after the novel is finished?

No, actually. In fact, I’m usually ready to boot the characters out the door by the time I’m two-thirds of the way through the book.

What do you feel is the key to writing convincing characters?

I think you have to show the good and the bad. People are human and have good qualities and bad qualities, good days and bad. You have to show it all and reveal the motivations behind the characters’ actions. That way, even if the character does something wrong, the reader will (hopefully) still understand and sympathize.

Why did you choose to write in the romance genre?

I love to read about people falling in love and all those firsts—first glance, first smile, first touch, etc., etc. The story is as old as time, but it never gets boring.

What is the hardest part about the writing business?

Hardest part? Wait! You mean there’s an EASY part??? Which part is EASY???

Just joking.

Well … no, I’m not joking. ;)

I certainly haven’t gotten any better at all the waiting this business requires, that’s for sure.

What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?

Ummm … that writers need lots of chocolate, champagne, and quiet time? That writers aren’t goofing off when they stare blankly into space? That writers aren’t ignoring you, they’re just thinking deep thoughts? Well … we’re not ALWAYS ignoring you. Let’s put it like that, LOL.

How much marketing do you do? What have you found that particularly works well for you?

I do a lot of marketing (web site, blog, MySpace page, mailings, chats, ads, teaching workshops and online classes) and I have no idea which, if any, parts of it work. I think the biggest thing I try to do for each book is an ad in Romantic Times BOOKreviews.

Name your top five favorite writing books.

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (Stephen King)
Scene & Structure (Jack M. Bickham)
Writing the Breakout Novel (Donald Maass)
Goal, Motivation & Conflict (Debra Dixon)
The Writer’s Journey (Christopher Vogler)

These books are all fabulous, and every one of them has saved my butt at one time or another. They’re all dog-eared and highlighted because I’ve tried to suck as much information out of them as possible.

Thanks for having me! It’s always fun to visit SORMAG!