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How long have you been writing? I've been writing for about seventeen years. Wow! I hadn't realized it had been that long. What inspired you to write in the first place?
Shanna, The
Wolf and the Dove, and
The Flame and the Flower by Katherine Woodiwiss. By the
time I finished that 3rd book I knew I wanted to write about men and
women, despite the obstacles, falling in love for a lifetime. Absolutely. Even in writing my mainstreams, a happily-ever-after is a must. Love, with all it's uncertainties is unbeatable when it's right.
I had help from a wonderful critique group I met through my association in RWA, and the support of one of the most talented writers I've ever had the pleasure to read or meet, Ann Maxwell. Her imagery is unsurpassed, her writing skills awesome.
It took five long years to sell that first book, FALLEN ANGEL. It was published by Odyssey Books, a small publishing company in Silver Springs Maryland. FALLEN ANGEL was reissued in 2005 as Someone to Love Me by my current publisher, St. Martin's Press. Often a writer's first book is the toughest to write. Was this true for you? All of my books
are tough to write. The writing process hasn't gotten any easier for
me. With each book I always hope, but I end up struggling. However,
the finished book is worth the doubts and the long nights at the
computer. What helps me get through the process is the need to tell a story that only I can tell. The most difficult romance book to write was probably HEART OF THE FALCON. In mainstream, all of them have made me walk the floor and want to pull my hair out I'm not sure I've ever had an easy book. Your only historical romance, THE BARGAIN is on my keeper shelf. have you ever consider writing another one? Thank you. I'm
so glad you enjoyed THE BARGAIN-
another difficult book to write. I would love to write a sequel
featuring Lord Radcliff, but I don't have the time. The research took
me 18 months, then another 18 months to write. I pleased and honored
that I still receive mail on The
Bargain, and requests for a sequel. The Taggarts/Falcons/Graysons sort of evolved. When Kane Taggart first appeared in Forever Yours, I had no idea I'd write a story about his brother, Matt. Reader demanded Matt's story. When I wrote Matt's story, Daniel Falcon just happened to appear. Again, readers wanted to know more about Daniel, the handsome, but dangerous African-American/Muscogee Creek Native American. It wasn't until I had written Daniel's sister Dominique's story and her cousin Luke Grayson appeared in the epilogue that I purposefully thought of building a series around the Grayson family. The success of the series had surprised and delighted me. I'm forever thankful to my readers. They mean so much to me. It is because the readers still wants to know about certain characters in the Graysons of New Mexico Series that after ONLY YOU, the series will continue with Friends & Family of the Graysons. The first book is SHANE'S WOMAN. Do you usually outline your stories before you write them, or do you "go with the flow"? I have to write an outline to guides me, but as I said, it's still tough. Some authors have said they write a specific amount of words, pages or time per day, do you have such a regimen? I tried to write a certain number of pages a day at one time, but now I just write until the flow stops or I'm too tired to continue. How long does it take for you to complete a book? Is it easier to write the next book in a series (Graysons) or a brand new one with new characters? Completing a romance or a mainstream can take me anywhere from 3-4 months. Unfortunately, as I said, writing isn't easy for me whether in a series or a new book. Your characters come to life in your books. Do you feel each of your characters live with you as you write? Do their lives sometimes take over a part of your life? Can you name an example? Yes, I feel the characters do come alive for me. They can be stubborn and annoyingly silent. However, they never take over my life. Perhaps if they did, I'd finish the book sooner. Most authors are also avid readers. Is this the case with you? If so, who are some of your favorites? Have any influenced your writing? Some of my favorite authors and how they influence my writing: Bette Ford/deep emotions; Beverly Jenkins/sensuality; Donna Hill/unique plots; Rochelle Alers/time and place; Kristen Hannah and Barbara Samuels/family drama; and Ann Maxwell/imagery and deep emotions. Do you find it difficult at times to write love/sex scenes? It is always difficult for me to write love/sex scenes. Not sure they will ever become easier. With the prominence of the erotic romance books, would you consider moving in that direction? No. Never. It is difficult enough to write the love scenes now. Intimacy is a big thing in my books and never take lightly. When my characters take that step the reader knows one had admitted his/her love (introspection) and the other, although fighting it, is in love as well. Have you ever suffered from "writer's block"? If so, what did you do to get out if it? Yes, I've suffered from writer's block. I find when it happens I don't know my characters as well as I should. To help me get past it, I talk about the character and what they want, why they are in the book to my daughter. Congratulations on your newest release, ONLY YOU. Are you working on anything right now and can you give us a teaser about these projects? I've finished
SHANE'S WOMAN and writing CAMERON'S
DESTINY. I plan 7 books in the Friends & Family of the
Graysons. Read heavily in all genres, and write the stories you love to read. Most importantly, never give up if this is what you want. Do you have anything to add?
Thank you for the interview. And
thanks to the wonderful readers for their support.
www.francisray.com
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