Recurring Themes, Inspiration, and Unruly Characters

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 Do you have a recurring theme in your work, either intentional or unintentional? What is it and why do you think you chose that particular theme? I don't think I have a theme, yet. But when I look towards the stories floating around in my mind, or in the plotting stages, two things jump out at me. One, second time around ... missed chances. Two, older couples. Not old, per say, but forty-ish. Perhaps that is a reflection of my own ancient status. There is also a lot of passion, and strong men who will do anything for their women. (Oh wait, isn't that all romances?)

Do you carefully plot your stories, or do you plot as you write? Why do you think this particular ethos works for... you?  I am definitely part plotter, but I am mainly a pantser. As in fly by the seat of my pants. I create a rough plot and detailed character histories and then let the characters loose and follow where they go. Often, they take off in entirely different directions from what I had intended. I like to think that this is because the characters are so real that they refuse to act against their natures. More likely, it is an indication that I didn't plan as well as I thought I did. The worst case is a minor character in one novel who became so strong, he kept demanding more face time, so I had to cut him and set him aside for his own story.

Is there a particular genre (within romance) you could never write? Why? I have a million ideas rattling around in my head. Everything from sci-fi romance, futuristic, historic, time travel, contemporary, erotic romance ... and the list goes on. I think I could write just about any kind of romance. I don't read much in the shape-shifter lines, so they would be difficult to write, but with enough research, I could do it. I write the ideas that pop into my head, although typically they morph into something quite different from the original idea. I like to let the story, characters and ideas create themselves. With one exception ... I detest abuse of any kind, but have written about the results of such heinous acts. I have tried to read a novel about a woman who falls for the man who raped her, but it repulsed me, so I guess I would be unable/unwilling to write that type of story.

Interested in another author's take on these questions? Check out Dani Jace. She is a marvellous writer with her own unique perspective.  You can follow the links around our little loop of author friends and perhaps find yourself some new author to fall in love with.

Hugs
Katie