On Writing Romance, Avoiding Prescriptive Advice, and Finding Your Writing Process
Is your writing process filled with shoulds and should-nots?
Like I should be writing more, or I should be marketing this way, or I should not be editing as I go, or I shouldn’t be working on more than one story at a time?
My process can be fraught with shoulds, which don’t help me make the best decisions in my writing life. And because “the shoulds” can be sneaky bastards—often subconscious—I know I need outside help to identify when I’m shooting myself in the foot.
My next podcast guest, romance author Roni Loren, is one of the people who helps me question “the shoulds” and whether they serve me.
As a two-time RITA Award winner, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, and a Gallup® Certified Strengths Coach with the Better Faster Academy, Roni brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the table.
I love how Roni constantly challenges writers to question prescriptive writing advice because there is no one right way to do this! She has some unique perspectives on how to dig into character psyches, understand if you’re a character or plot-driven writer, and keep tropes fresh.
Roni shares how she has embraced her own romance sub-category, which she calls “Rom Dram.” One of her popular series, “The Ones Who Got Away,” stems from her fascination with the aftermath of traumatic events. Inspired by the true story of Columbine, Roni wanted to explore what happens to the survivors after the news stories fade away. She wanted books in the world that would give them happy endings.
She opens up about life under deadline and how constantly being under contract is both a blessing and a curse.
Roni is such a generous person in the writing world, both with her knowledge and heart. I hope you enjoy her interview and that it helps you find the permission you need to lean into your unique creative process.
Remember, the only right way to write a novel is the one that works for you!
Listen on Apple, Spotify, or your preferred platform.
To connect with Roni, please visit her website: http://www.roniloren.com, find her on instagram at @roniloren or follow her newsletter/Substack for readers: https://roniloren.substack.com/ and The Nourished Writer (a newsletter/Substack for writers) https://thenourishedwriter.substack.com/
