1. Do you like to create books for adults?
I love writing fast-paced books for adults and young adults. My strength is in the 100K -word novels, but I have such a large family that it’s rare when I have time to sit down and write those big books now. Fortunately, the adult romance genre is in need of those 10-20K word stories. Hopefully, my readers will find me again and enjoy the novellas.
2. Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
The only advice I have is to break the mold. Don’t follow the rules. The rules were made by someone who broke them in the first place.
3. Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Since returning to romance, I’ve heard from readers who are interested to know if I have any plans to continue writing the MFM (and beyond) romances. I don’t have those plans or interests so it’s tough to say, “No”, but at my age, it’s important to write what I like to read and MF romances have my vote!
4. Have pets ever gotten in the way of your writing?
Hang on. I need to take the boys out for a walk. (Laughs) Oh my goodness, yes. I have two rescues and wouldn’t take anything for them. However, we now live in the city, so I can’t just open the backdoor and tell them to run. It’s an ordeal. We get on the elevator, go through the courtyard, down the sidewalk, and then the world is at their paws. They’re social butterflies so a 20-minute walk can easily turn into an hour.
5. Have you ever considered writing under a pseudonym, and why or why not?
Natalie Acres is a pseudonym. Over the years, I’ve used so many that I’ve probably forgotten one or two. Destiny Blaine was one of my first pseudonyms in romance and there were several before and after Natalie. For branding purposes, pen names are essential, in my opinion.
6. How do you celebrate when you finish your book?
I don’t really celebrate at the end of a project, and never have, but plan to start. Any suggestions?
7. If you were to write a spin-off about a side character, which would you pick?
I’ve thought about this a lot lately. If I went ‘back’ and wrote anything at all for those earlier series, I would want to write another Cowboy Boots story. Kane Donovan has a story with his name on it. There’s also a Contemporary Cowboy story left to write, if the urge ever strikes, but both of these would be M/F romances.
8. What books do you enjoy reading?
I love thrillers and that’s where I draw most of my inspiration for romantic thrillers.
9. What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?
Sometimes, the plot leads. Sometimes, the characters do. While writing Leading the Stampede, the plot took center stage. Inspired by the wild mustangs of Nevada, the story unfolded as I was writing it. When I sat down to write, I already knew the plot and how I wanted it to unfold. There was a story that needed to be told in order to bring about awareness. The novella worked out really well in the end because it was one of those rare times when the characters and plot drove the story in tandem. I have to hand it to our leading lady, too, because she refused to give up any wiggle room!
9. What inspired the idea for your book?
My current series, Heaven in Missouri, was inspired by the bunker documentaries about Lake of the Ozarks. I’ve always been intrigued by the underground bunkers found on abandoned farms so this story really captures some of what I’ve watched on TV or visited in person.
10. What is a significant way your book has changed since the first draft?
I didn’t plan to write any other spicy romances, but somewhere along the way, the characters demanded it. I tried to write the Heaven series as a clean romance series, but it didn’t work out.
Walker, Stetson, and Boone are alpha males who will die for their leading ladies. Because of their personalities, their stories needed to be told in the adult romance setting.