Celebrating Romance 2018 : Author interview from Vanessa North

Why do you read Romance?

I’ve always loved romance novels—for me, it’s the exploration of relationships that attracts me to the genre. Not just romantic love, but familial and also platonic relationships as well. In a romance novel, the character interactions take center stage. Other genres tend to be more plot driven, and that’s fine! It’s just not my jam.

What was the first romance book you read?

I believe it was Twice Loved by Lavyrle Spencer. I could be wrong though, it was a long, long time ago.

Do you have a favourite trope?

Probably enemies to lovers with some forced proximity sprinkled in. There’s something very delicious about the tension that particular combination creates and I looooove it.

Why do you recommend romance?

Because it’s fun, there’s a guaranteed happy ending, and there’s truly something for everyone.

What would you love to see more of in romance?

Bisexual characters who are allowed to be bisexual, who don’t have to “turn” gay. Identities aren’t tropes. I’d also love to see more quiet romances, where the drama comes from within. I’m all for a big soapy escandalo from time to time, but I also want to read more contemplative romances.

How did you start writing?

I was training for a marathon and thinking up stories kept my brain busy during very long, lonely runs.

What are your writing habits?

I have a standing Friday-morning writing date with a fellow writer, and other than that, I don’t really have habits. I think I wrote 99% of my last book in my local bar. Maybe that’s a habit—I do like to get out of my house to write. Being somewhere else can concentrate my focus. When I’m home, there’s always laundry to do or a dog to walk, etc.

If you could give your work a tag line, what would it be?

My friend Mirjana gave me the best tagline: “Queer fiction to make you sweat, swoon, and swear.” I loved that, so I kept it.

If you could meet a romance character, who would it be and why?

Nero from Garrett Leigh’s Strays—He’s a great character, that whole silent-and-sexy type. But he’s also a great cook, and I like to eat.

 

Author of over a dozen novels, novellas, and short stories, Vanessa North delights in giving happy-ever-afters to characters who don’t think they deserve them. Relentless curiosity led her to take up knitting and run a few marathons “just to see if she could.” She started writing for the same reason. Her very patient husband pretends not to notice when her hobbies take over the house. Living and writing in Northwest Georgia, she finds her attempts to keep a quiet home are frequently thwarted by twin boy-children and a very, very large dog.

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