Interview with Fellow Ohioan Romance Writer Lori Foster

If you read romance novels chances are you have read a romance written by Lori Foster. Lori Foster is a best-selling American romance writer of over seventy novels as Lori Foster. She also writes Urban Fantasy novels using her first and middle initials, L.L. Foster.

Lori Foster had her first book published with Harlequin in January 1996. Her second book launched Temptation Blaze and her 25th book launched Temptation Heat. Lori routinely has 6 to 10 releases a year. She's a Waldenbooks, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly and New York Times bestselling author with over 50 titles published through a variety of houses, including Berkley/Jove, Kensington, St. Martins, Harlequin and Silhouette.

Before becoming a Mother she held various jobs as a saleslady, a grocery store clerk, and a Proctor and Gamble material handler before having children and staying at home to raise them. She and her husband have 3 sons and a grandson and lives in Ohio.

Lori's story of becoming a writer is one I am sure many of us can relate to. It doesn't matter if you live in Ohio, New York or California, if you have the desire, the talent and the drive to keep at it you too can follow your dreams and make them come true. Recently I had the opportunity to speak with Lori Foster and I hope you enjoy learning a little more about her and make sure to read one of her books. You will be transported into the setting she creates and fall in love with her characters, rooting for their happily ever after.

Please tell us about your latest books.

Released in February was "Back in Black," the 5^th book in my "SBC Fighters" series, featuring very dedicated, motivated, hardworking and hard-bodied MMA fighters in romantic relationships. I'm thrilled that books resonated with readers and did great sales-wise, with consistent placement on the bestsellers' lists.

April is a reissue, titled, "Tempted," featuring 3 older books of mine all packaged together. The reissued books are "Little Miss Innocent?" "Annie Get Your Guy," and "Messing Around With Max." Not favorite titles of mine, so I'm glad they're reissued as "Tempted."

June is the 3^rd "benefit anthology" where all author and agent proceeds go to a worthy cause of my choosing. I started these anthologies as a way to give back to the community. The 3^rd book is titled, "Gift of Love," with all original romance stories from me and 7 other romance authors, with proceeds going to The Conductive Learning Center, a special school for children with spina bifida and cerebral palsy.

What is happening in the near future?

I recently switched publishers and now that I'm with HQN, I'll have 3 single title romances released back to back in 2011. I'm scrambling to get the books written in time among the chaos of switching pub houses and fulfilling past contracts. The new series will launch all new, mega-alpha heroes starting with "If You Dare."

What awards have you been awarded for your writing?

• In 2000, "Sawyer" was a finalist for the National Readers' Choice Awards in best short contemporary romance.
• In 2000, Romance Reviews Today named "Jordan" the best in short contemporary romance.
• In 2001, I received the prestigious Romantic Times "Career Achievement Award" for Series Romantic Fantasy.
• In 2002, my book Too Much Temptation was the top-selling romance title for Amazon books.
• In 2003, Say No To Joe was the second "Bestselling Original Contemporary" romance title for Waldenbooks.
• In 2004, The Secret Life of Bryan was the "Bestselling Original Contemporary" romance title for the BGI group.
• In 2004, I was a clue in the New York Times crossword puzzle.
• In 2005, I received the prestigious Romantic Times "Career Achievement Award" for Contemporary Romance.
• In 2006, Jude's Law was the "Bestselling Romantic Comedy" romance title for the BGI group.
• In 2007, Causing Havoc was among Amazon's Top Ten Editor's picks in Romance.
• In 2008, "Servant: The Acceptance" was named Amazon's #1 editors' pick in romance.
• In 2008, "Hard to Handle," won the RBL Hughie Award for Favorite Contemporary Romance.

You write books under 2 names, tell readers about each Genre that you write for.

I write straight contemporary romance as Lori Foster - which is my name. J I've been published since 1997 and have over 80 novels and novellas.
Most recently I started writing darker, urban fantasy type romances as L. L. Foster (my initials) with the first series being "Servant" and featuring "Servant: The Awakening," "Servant: The Acceptance," and "Servant: The Kindred." I'm very proud to say that "The Acceptance" was named Amazon's #1 editors' pick in romance for 2008.
After that I started a series with the Jardine family. It launched in the anthology, "Out of the Light, Into the Shadows."

When did you start writing the urban fantasy novels?

In 2007, after much stalling, I finally decided that my schedule would never really leave me the necessary time so I'd just have to do it and FIND the time. I'm so glad I did!

Do you have preference of which one you prefer to write?

I like going back and forth. It keeps things fresh. Straight romance with some comedic overtones is loads of fun, but then switching up and doing something darker, with a little danger involved and some paranormal elements is something I can really sink my muse into.

Does one seem easier to write than the other?

Not really. I only write storylines I love, that I enjoy writing. I don't like to make the creative aspect too much of a chore.

Why did you decide to write romance novels?

I'd never really been a reader, much less a writer. But then I discovered romance novels long after I'd married and had 3 children and I loved them so much that I spent about a year just reading, then I started writing. At first I wrote just for myself, but pretty soon I realized that not everyone finishes a book, much less several books, so I started submitting to a publishing and after at least 5 years and 10 completed manuscripts, I finally sold.

Generally, how long does it take you to write a book?

Depends on what's going on in my life, if it's a big book or a novella, if I've just finished another book and a host of other influences. As my popularity has grown, my writing time has diminished. I used to be able to write 20 pages a day, but now it's more like 10 or 12 on a good day, 5 to 8 on an average day.

Where do your ideas come from?

Everywhere, Life, movies, friends, family, neighbors, sports... I'm a big "what if" person. I see a situation and always start wondering "what if" this or that had happened instead.

Do you do any research for your books? If so what kind of research do you do?

I do. I think all writers do at least some research. The type of research depends on the book. With my SBC fighters, I did some email and phone interviews with actual fighters, and I went to a lot of live events. The fighters were great. Whenever I'd meet one in person, I'd ask a few questions, and they were always more than willing to give me feedback.

When I write about police or firemen, I try to visit actual sites, or do a ride-along. And of course, the internet offers up all kinds of information.

Who, if anyone, has influenced your writing?

A lot of writers! Jayne Ann Krentz, Stella Cameron, Linda Howard, Julie Garwood, Catherine Coulter and Johanna Lindsey were my favorites to read. I picked up a lot of things from them - like my love of Alphas, family values, explicit sensuality, dialogue... I read a lot to figure out what I liked the most so that I could be sure to focus on that within my own writing.

Stella Cameron has been especially helpful throughout my career. Whenever I needed advice or guidance the most, she was there.
Since joining the Quills - www.runningwithquills.com - all the authors there have been great about sharing experiences and advice. The writing community is unbelievably generous.

What are your main concerns as a writer?

This will sound horrible, but my main concern is keeping me happy. If I'm not happy, then I can't believe readers will be happy. With every book I've written, there have been those readers who loved it, and those readers who hated it. If I started switching around trying to please everyone, the fun would be lost and I wouldn't be as productive.
I also try to make things easy on my publishers. Missing deadlines is a no-no, and complaining too much about things like covers or titles is counter-productive. As soon as I earned the opportunity, I requested cover and title approval - which is how it should be. You should earn it first.

Also, as a writer, I'm concerned with giving back to the community. It's why I do special books with proceeds going to causes that are important to me. And it's why I do an annual event with my good friend Dianne Castell. We're heading into the 6^th year of the "Reader and Author Get Together." For only $50 (which doesn't quite cover the cost of the meals provided) anyone can attend to meet hundreds of readers, authors, publishers, editors, agents and other industry professionals.
For more info: http://www.lorifoster.com/community/readergettogether.php

What is your writing routine once you start a book?

I always drink my coffee and answer emails in the morning. After that, I start writing and I'm usually at the computer until 4:00, but often later.
I don't plot ahead of time, and I can't write a synopsis because until I write the book, I don't know what it'll be about. I start with the characters in mind. I know them. I know that they'll have a conflict, that they'll resolve it, and that they'll end up together. Beyond that, I like to be surprised as I write.

What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?

Movies! I love going to the movies, chilling, eating popcorn and drinking a cola. I also love to walk when the weather allows. And I love our RV. We take off to peaceful places, usually someplace where we can be close to nature. I get a lot of writing done in the RV.

What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

The community, I was always a loner - one of those odd creative types who never really fit in with others. I liked it just fine that way. But then I started writing and I met other people like me and it's been pretty wonderful building the special friendships and taking part in the camaraderie. The writing industry is so generous and the readers are so much fun. I can't imagine how I ever got along without them!

If you weren't writing, what would you be doing?

I always liked the idea of teaching, but I detested education. I'm one of those odd people that need to be able to do for myself to learn. Instruction is lost on me. So I'm not sure. Maybe I'd be working a menial job somewhere and just having fun.

Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

Stay out of critique groups. Your voice is the single best selling tool you have. Too many cooks spoil the stew - or however that saying goes.
Don't give up. There are very few overnight successes.
Don't take criticism from an editor or agent to heart. Just keep refining your craft, learning what you can, and getting better. The criticism is a good tool if you can use it without letting it hurt you.Keep in mind that your book is NOT your baby. It's a book. Period. If it doesn't sell, you did not lose a child. You gained an opportunity to make the next book better.

Do your fans' comments and letters influence you in any way?

I love hearing from them, and sometimes if enough people are curious about a secondary character, a story will pop into my head. But for the most part, while I love them and appreciate them, I don't let their comments influence me. As I said above, what one reader loves another reader hates so it'd be really foolish for me to start tailoring what I do to try to suit them, instead of suiting me.

How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?

That whole positive attitude thing is in there, and there are a lot of situations (hidden, and I'm not telling) that came about because of things that happened during my upbringing. It's very cathartic for me to write about ugly situations, and then twist them around for happier endings.

When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?

I don't remember the exact year, but I sold in 1996, and I'd been writing for at least 5 years. I'd never been much of a reader, but then I got really sick once, and my sis brought me over a bag full of romances. I got instantly hooked and I was no sooner a reader than I started writing.

What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing - or are there constant interruptions

My husband and kids are great. The rest of my family - the extended family - not so much. The feeling is that I'm "at home" so I can deal with everything. That said, I'm a control freak and would probably prefer to deal with all the big stuff directly anyway.

How does your husband feel about your writing?

He's incredibly proud and supportive and always has been. He does anything he can to make my life easier so that I can write without interruptions. For instance, he makes all the phone calls for appts (doc, dentist, insurance, etc...) does all the grocery shopping, much of the cooking, etc...

What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write? Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?

Characters always come first for me, and no, the love scenes aren't difficult. To me, every good romance deserves really great sex. So it's sort of a natural, hand-in-hand thing.

Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?

Quite often - maybe even most of the time - they control me. I don't plan what to write, so it works out. They sort of tell me along the way what they want to happen.

Where did the idea for your upcoming book come from?

My next single title will be in 2011 and it's "If You Dare." I'd just watched "Taken" and was appalled that while the lead character had rescued his daughter from the sex-slave business, he'd left a lot of other women behind. So as if often happens to me, my mind started churning and I thought about a hero who went into Tijuana to rescue a friend's sister, but found another woman who'd also been captured to be sold as a sex slave. He rescues them both, with no idea what to do with the other woman. That's the gist of "If You Dare." J Someone arranged for Molly to be taken, and Dare Macintosh has to figure out who it was before he can let her out of his sight, or else she'll just end up back in Mexico. I had a lot of fun with that book. The 2^nd book should be about the man who hired Dare to rescue his sister, and the 3^rd should be about the sister.

Did the characters, plot, etc change from what you thought you were going to write, while you were writing it?

Always, I think they're going to go one way and instead they go another. I leave it up to them. I have a shirt that says, "Blame it on the muse," because I really have very little to do with it.

How long did it take you from first draft to final draft to get the book written?

I don't work in drafts. I start at the beginning and write each page to my satisfaction before moving on.

Are you already working on an idea for your next book?

I'm already working on ideas for at least 5 other books. Such is the brain of a writer. It's probably why I can't sleep.

How do we find out about you and your books?

My websites are always kept up to date! If you go to www.LoriFoster.com you'll be given a choice of visiting my Lori site, with straight romances, or my L.L. site, with darker romances.
I'm also very active on facebook, where I do a lot of giveaways on my fan page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lori-Foster/233405457965
And I have a monthly newsletter where I announce contests, signings, appearances, giveaways, new books and more! You can find the link to sign up for the once-a-month "announcement only" newsletter at:http://www.lorifoster.com/newsletter/signup.php

How can readers contact you?

Facebook, through my website, or directly via email is fine. I'm at LoriLFoster@gmail.com - please note the middle initial of "L" in there.

To read more of what Lori had to say go here.