Romance at Heart Magazine Author Interview: Lisa Christian

Interview with Lisa Christian:

Hi Lisa. Thank you for doing this interview. I would like to welcome you to the Romance at Heart Interview and Author Grilling session. *bg* I happen to know that your first book with Romance At Heart Publications just came out, and want to say congratulations. We are interested to find out as much about you as we possibly can, so lets get started...

- Please tell us about your latest book.

The Legacy of Rose House is a contemporary paranormal romance set in a Victorian mansion in northern Minnesota. The romantic leads, Catherine and Marcus, are feuding former lovers required to reside there in order to jointly inherit millions. In their forced proximity, and through the influence of the spirits of the mansion’s deceased former owners, they rekindle the blazing passion between them.

Cat’s long-standing fear of Marc’s discovery of her true feelings of love and Marc’s aversion to commitment drive a wedge between them, until in the end, the spirits pull out all the stops to bring them their happily-ever-after, whether they like it or not!

- What can we expect from you in the future?

Though paranormal romance is my favorite genre, I have a couple of projects in the works that are strictly contemporary. I like reading historicals, but for my own creations, I lean more toward modern day struggles of love because I can relate to them more on a personal level. I hope to have my next book ready in the very near future.

- How do we find out about you and your books?

You can find me on the web at www.geocities.com/quickeninglis/lisachristian.html, or at my publisher’s authors’ bio page, Romance at Heart.Com.

- How may readers contact you?

I love to hear from readers! Please feel free to email me at honeynubbin@yahoo.com

- Why did you decide to write romance novels?

Well, I’ve been writing in some form or another all of my life. When it came to my other love, reading, most of my money was spent on romances. Even after devouring hundreds of them over the years, I still felt that there were more stories to tell — and they could be a lot spicier!

- What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?

Love scenes are the fuel of the story. They are not just sex, but the physical manifestation of the joining of the hearts of two people who love each other. That is the most beautiful thing in the world. I love writing love scenes because I place myself in the scenes as I write them. I feel what the lovers are feeling. I climb the peak, I hover on the edge, I sail over with them. My heart gets as involved as theirs in the moment. I fall in love with them as they fall in love with each other.

I admit that some of the rejections I’ve received from publishers were due to the length and number of love scenes in my stories. I’ve been blessed to find a publisher that looks specifically for that kind of writing, so get ready for more!

- Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?

With my first book (a full-length contemporary romance, as yet unpublished), it was the story. The characters were woven into a love story I had basically already written in my head, based upon a personal experience in my own life.

Now, my books most often stem from the characters first, and the story kind of writes itself after I get to know them as individuals. Settings are always the last thing for me. The story takes place wherever will best suit.

- Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

Just that there is a publisher out there somewhere who is willing to take a look at your work. My initial mistake was in sending submissions only to major “big-time” publishing houses. I wasn’t considering the vast numbers of other unsolicited submissions they receive on a daily basis, and my treasured creation was probably tossed into a pile of other unread treasures before eventually being returned to me (if I’d thought to include a SASE).

Even after making that discovery, I was discouraged by rejections from publishers who actually did give my work a glance. I took note, however, that their objections were never about my writing (I took that to mean it didn’t suck), just mainly that my love scenes were too numerous and too lengthy. At that point, I was tempted to cut those scenes down to accommodate the publishers. Then the writer inside me said “No! That’s just their opinion. This is my baby!”, and I went on an online search for smaller, more creatively-open publishers.

I found one last year that welcomed my style, and here I am! The process may take time — more than you’d like, to be sure; mine took years — but be as stubborn as you have to be and stick with it. And don’t compromise your creation just to fit a publisher. When a publisher fits you, you’ll know it! Good luck!

Thank you very much Lisa for taking the time with us and answering our questions. I really appreciate this interruption to your busy schedule. Good Luck, and we will be looking forward to the next delightful creation from your talented imagination! Please keep us informed as to what is coming next...

Yours in good reading,
Rose!

Lisa's Website Bio Interview Review
Buy Lisa's Books at Romance At Heart Publications