Where were you in your writing career 5 years ago?
Struggling to increase my output of books having come through a chaotic period of moving house, building a new one and living in rental property while that was being done. My career was going well but my children were younger and more dependent so writing still had to share billing with being a mother and it was a struggle to find the time to prioritize.
Where did you get the idea from for this particular book?
Reading about the lives of Aristotle Onassis and Stavros Niarchos, the archetypal Greek tycoons, inspired me to create my hero, Alexei Drakos. I wanted him to fall in love with an ordinary woman
Where do you hope to be in 5 years time?
I want to still be doing what I’m doing now, keeping my long term readers happy and continuing to attract new ones. It has taken me 25 years to get to my current position and for the moment I’m happy to enjoy what I have achieved.
Which was the last book you read that you wish you'd written?
THE LITTLE STRANGER by Sarah Waters. I love the spooky atmosphere of this gripping supernatural tale with all its twists and turns.
Was there any particular author or book that made you want to be a writer?
Not really. I grew up reading romance from an early age and wrote my first stories for amusement as a teenager. I cut my romance teeth on Barbara Cartland, Georgette Heyer and the Mills&Boon authors of the Sixties and Seventies. I just adore books and read everything from crime to paranormal romance to history books.
Do you find writing love scenes giggle-worthy or cringe-worthy?
Neither, I have to be in the right mood to write them and the main challenge is to keep them fresh and full of passion
What's the most romantic moment of your life so far?
It has to be the Valentine’s Day my husband laid a trail of red cardboard hearts to my greetings card. We didn’t have much money and couldn’t afford to go out to celebrate or exchange gifts but he made a real effort to make it a romantic occasion.
What do you wish you'd known about being an author before you were published?
That you will never stop try- try- trying again to improve your work. I write by constantly reviewing every previous word.
What's the best writing advice you've ever been given?
Ensure that every scene advances the story. A recommendation that helps you ruthlessly cut out the superfluous stuff.
Tell us about your latest release.
It’s a new line in which one story is told over the course of two books published in consecutive months. My editor put the linked story Duet concept to me and I agreed once I had thought up a meaty enough plot. It was exciting to do something fresh. The two books together are called THE DRAKOS BABY. The first part, THE PREGNANCY SHOCK was published in July in the UK (November for the USA) and the second, A STORMY GREEK MARRIAGE in September (December for the USA)
What’s next for you?
Another contract, another year of writing. I will probably do another Duet story and I look forward to creating some stimulating new characters and intriguing plots.
The Pregnancy Shock available now from Amazon UK,
Mills & Boon, and bookshops.
Look out for A Stormy Greek Marriage in Mills & Boon's September purchase page, here, and on general release in September.Read more about Lynne at her website: http://www.lynnegraham.com/
Thank you so much for such an interesting interview, Lynne!
10 comments:
Every scene should advance the story is awesome advice! (back to slash and burn current wip!) Thanks, Lynne!
Hi Lynne!
I'm a huge, HUGE fan of your books! Thanks so much for the fabulous interview and every single word you've ever written!
Yes, that 'every scene' advice is something now making me doubt my current scene!
Great interview. We're so pleased to have you on the blog :-)
Thanks so much for the brilliant interview, Lynne. I love your books too and am very excited by the idea of the Duet books! Also loved your husband's romantic gesture. Just goes to prove, you don't have to be a M&B billionnaire to be romantic :)
Hi Lynne,
I remember the first book I picked up with your name on the front cover was Dark Angel, and can to this day remember the hero: Luciano de Valenza. I've been a fan of yours ever since, and love the way many of your novels embrace rural themes within high-powered storylines!
best
F
Hi Lynne, what a wonderful interview! I so love the part about enjoying where you're at. :)
I very much enjoy your books. In fact, in December when I had my daughter and she was in the NICU I read one of your newer books sitting by her bed. (forgive me for not remembering the title, I was a little sleep deprived at the time!)
Thanks so much for sharing your writing wisdom, and thanks Minxes!
I love that idea of the Duet books and look forward to reading these.
great post loveyour work lynnex
Hi Lynne,
Thanks for being with the minxes today, I love the concept of the duet books. Congrats on 25 years of success! That's some record, and something to inspire those of us in the aspiring writers camp.
Jo
Hi Lynne
Your books have been autobuys for me for years. In fact, when my ex-husband threw my entire library into a skip (long story, but that is one of the many many reasons he's now my ex) yours were the first books I replaced. I even bought some second-hand because they weren't available new (and if you knew how much I fear germs on second-hand books, you'd know how desperate I was to rebuild that collection).
I'm so pleased to see you on the Minxes' blog. Thank you for anwering our questions.
X
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