How long does it take you to write a book?
Three to four months, and that's pretty intensive work. Occasionally I go into seclusion and pretty much don't get dressed, don't go out, don't talk on the phone, and only allow myself a single movie break a day. Oh, and meals, of course. I always eat. But when I do that I can write twenty pages a day or more, and that really plunges me into the story and makes the characters very real.
All of your historicals (of which I have them all (smile) and your contemporaries are wonderful. Do you enjoy writing one genre' over the other? Is it more difficult for you to write a historical or a contemporary?
Historicals are harder. In addition to the research, I have to stop and think how to say things with a historical slant. That said, when I'm wrong in a contemporary, someone knows - or says they know.
There have been a few surveys that say romance books are on the downslide, that it's harder to make it in the romance genre than any other.
Someone should tell Nora Roberts.
Do you feel that this is true? Why?
What stats are they quoting? The stats on the RWA site seem to pretty conclusively point to the continued success of romance. And let's face it, as long as men and women continue to get together romantically, people over the age of "Oo, ick, s/he's yucky," are going to want to read about it.
I have read all of your historicals and loved them all. Your first book, CANDLE IN THE WINDOW being my favorite (I know it bugs you to hear that, but there is just something about that story that just makes the reader lose herself in the romance).
It was my mother's favorite, too.
But I also enjoyed the Governess Bride series and all of your other books. Do you have a favorite or your books? Which book is the most special one for you?
It changes from day to day, but probably my favorite is RUNAWAY PRINCESS. I love all my books - that's my primary goal is to write books I'd like to read - but RUNAWAY PRINCESS has an element of fun in it, and probably a heroine who was closer to my heart than any other. Because Evangeline was essentially a librarian, she knew all sorts of useless knowledge which, because of the twists of the story, she suddenly had to put into play. She was terrified almost all the time, but she gritted her teeth and did the right thing even when doing the right thing broke her heart.
Do you have to do much research when building the plot of a story? What kind of references do you use?
I have an extensive library and since I love research, I use every excuse to do research that will further my plot. I also have a lot of extremely knowledgeable writer friends who, if they don't know the answer, usually know where to find the answer. And finally, if I absolutely can't track down a detail, I turn to my daughter who is amazing at finding information on the Internet.
You just did an anthology with Stephanie Laurens, Celeste Bradley and Leslie LaFoy called MY SCANDALOUS BRIDE. How did this union of such wonderful authors come about?
St. Martins Press had two old (and magnificent) stories by Stephanie Laurens and me, and they decided to reprint them with stories from two of their rising stars.
Is it more difficult to write a short story or a full book?
Anthologies are so much fun to write because the characters can't struggle with too much angst or the book won't end on time, so the stories are by the nature lighter. I love doing anthologies. A full-length book has more depth, the love story is more intense, there's time to build strong sexual tension and conflict.
Christina, what do you like to do for fun? Do you have any hobbies?
I like to read. That's what got me into this job. I love travel, I love good food, I work out. And I read. Did I mention I read?
Who would you say most influenced you in your writing? Did you have a mentor or favorite author that helped you along the way?
My mother was the biggest influence in my life. She was my only parent - my dad died while she was pregnant with me - and when I was a kid, she read to me all the time. She always thought I could do anything, that I was the brightest person in the world, and she was very proud of me long before I was published. Once I got published, she bragged about me to her friends all the time. There's something about having someone so close believe in me that convinced me I had the talent to write, and those are the emotions I see writers strive for - a sense of worthiness and confidence.
If someone were to ask you for advice on becoming a writer, what would you tell them?
Put your rear in the chair and write.
Ok, what do you have in the works now? Can you give us any hints as to what Christina Dodd is coming out with next?
I'm working on the third book of the Lost Texas Hearts series. This contemporary story will wrap up the siblings' search and explain the mystery of their parents' death while giving the youngest daughter, Caitlin, her own story. My first hardcover, SOME ENCHANTED EVENING, is out now. It's the beginning of the Lost Princess series, a trilogy of fun stories that are a cross between The Princess Diaries and Pirates of the Caribbean.
If your fans would like to get in touch with you, where would they find you?
My website is http://www.christinadodd.com, and my fans can contact me from there or use my email christina@christinadodd.com. I love to hear from readers, and everyone is invited to join to receive my newsletter, which announces each new book and any special contests or promotions I have going. Lately I've been telling the continuing saga of my move to Washington state. Funny! It's included stories of selling my old house and having to fix the stovetop, and moving into my rental house and having the hot water heater fail. I've been lighting the pilot light by myself. If in my next photo I have no eyebrows, you'll know why. Stay tuned for new developments at http://www.christinadodd.com.
Christina, this has been a lot of fun and very informative. All of us as ARR wish you continued success in all of your writing endeavors. Thank you for talking to us.
