Today I have newly published romance author Genella deGrey on the blog with an interview and she will be back on Thursday with an author guest blog. Her first published novel Remember Me is going to be out on April 21^st from Freya's Bower so mark that day on your calendars.

Phoebe Jordan: When did you know that writing romance was going to be the thing that you would do with your life? Which author inspired you to start writing romance?

Genella deGrey: Within one year of reading my first romance novel (Judith McNaught's Until You) I had exhausted every historical in my dear friend Cyndi's huge collection. (I was unable to purchase my own books: a. because I had no allowance and, b. my former [he who must not be named] frowned upon romance novels.) When Cyndi handed me Remembrance by Jude Deveraux, I admit, I was skeptical because the story unfolded in the year 1997. "Trust me, you'll like this one," She promised. Well, she was right—I probably gobbled it up in about two days. In Remembrance Ms. Deveraux's heroine, Hayden, is a romance author, and in her story, we find that she's always been a storyteller ('always' as in her past lives.) I thought, 'hey, I've made up stories to amuse myself all my life." So that night I paced in Cyndi's kitchen while she did the dishes, and came up with my first romance plot. I messed with it for years, even fiddled around with three additional stories. In 2005 I got serious and joined RWA. I met fun, crazy, creative women who were just like me and realized I had come home.

Phoebe: Did you know what type of romance you wanted to write about or did you experiment with different genres before you chose the one that you felt was for you?

Genella: Historical. There was never a doubt in my mind. :)

Phoebe: What was the first fiction you ever wrote? And do you still have it with you?

Genella: Funny you should ask. In high school—I don't remember the particulars, but I had turned in two tiny pieces of fiction (which could be viewed as sweet romance) to my English teacher. (Of course, the assignments read more like an outline to my since enlightened eyes, but hey, we all have to start somewhere! LOL) My friend Cyndi was my first heroine. :) She still has the assignments in her possession. The cool thing is, she married her hero and they are still living happily ever after.

Phoebe: How much research do you have to do for your novels and does it take you a long time to gather that research?

Genella: Since I write historical romance, I do a lot of research. Internet mostly (for etymology and accurate information about real people, places and things) but my other half is a history major from the University of Southern California. I'm always asking him, "Who was king/queen in (insert region and year here)?" I'd love to have my characters speak as if they are from the period, but I've noticed editors want a bit more modern-sounding voices. Personally, I love to read historically accurate voices where they use antiquated (to our ears) words and phrases. Not only would the language define the class of the character, but it pulls a reader right into the story and adds a rich dimension a writer could only achieve by dumping a bunch of historical facts onto the page— which would promptly put all of us to sleep. LOL.

Phoebe: How did you come up with the concept for your upcoming novel Remember Me?

Genella: On one of the reader's boards I'm involved with, there was a fun thread about creating the perfect vampire hero. Well, my vampire idea rapidly morphed into a penitent fallen angel. :) Oy! Talk about a turn-around!

Phoebe: How do you come up with each of your characters for your novels? How do you choose their names out of so many names out there?

Genella: Before I even have a concept, my characters come to me—but at very odd times. I have to stop whatever I'm doing and grab a pen & paper. For instance, I was sitting in a loud family restaurant/cowboy bar in Tombstone, AZ during a research trip for my manuscript, "Come the Rain" and BAM! I got this idea for a Victorian woman who shows up in her mother's formal parlor in trousers. The story sort of rattled around in my head for a few hours and when we returned to the Tombstone Bed & Breakfast, I jumped onto my laptop and pounded out a bare-bones outline. That's how "The Trouser Game" was born. Names. I'm very particular with names. The character's voice doesn't ring true until they have the just the right name. Sequentially, I'm meticulous about my titles, too. Here's hoping I get to keep them all—I've heard stories.... *grin*

Phoebe: Do you have a process of how you start to write your novels?

Genella: I'm all over the place with this one. First I pull together all my cocktail napkins...LOL, JK! Lately, I start with a word doc of notes; character descriptions, dates, locations, research, ideas for plot points. Then if I'm plotting (which happens off and on- LOL) I'll jot down a loose outline. Usually by this time the first scene pops into my head.

Phoebe: What process did you have to go through to get your first book published and did it take you long?

Genella: You mean after I learned to separate and work through my Point of View debacles, eradicated my pet words (I still have a list as long as my arm), grasped the concept of scene and sequel, learned to work with hooks at the beginning of the book and at the end of each chapter, confronted my adverb and adjective addiction, and toned down the use of archaic words and phrases? Oh, it was easy after that LOL! In reality, I still struggle with a combination of those items. I tend to be long-winded (as if you couldn't tell ) and am continually fiddling with words and sentences. From the time I wrote Remember Me in 2005, it took three years to find it a home. It was my fifth completed manuscript. I was about to shelve it and after being told it would never sell because God had a role in it, I found an eBook publisher with an angel and demon line. I took a chance and the miracle happened; they wanted it. :)

Phoebe: Do you ever get writers block? What do you do to get rid of it so you can get back to writing your novels?

Genella: What I get is more like writer's constipation—LOL. If I go and read either from the beginning or sometimes just a few chapters up, I get back into the rhythm of writing that particular manuscript again.

Phoebe: What is your biggest reader pet peeve, if you have any? (stock characters, unresolved endings, predictability, everything wrapped up hurriedly in the end, etc.)

Genella: I'm going to have to go with modern speak in Historical romances—even though most of mine will probably end up that way, too. LOL Modern speak isn't a show-stopper for me, but it does dull things a bit. :)

Phoebe: Which aspects of writing do you enjoy the most and why?

Genella: I enjoy the creative process of telling stories. I like the challenge—solving puzzles, getting my characters out of corners. And I love to make people laugh.

Phoebe: What is the one writing tool can you not live without?

Genella: The internet. I can research publishing houses and in a matter of minutes see if any of my stories fit what they are looking for. The wait time, before the needed information was only a click away, was only be as fast as the Pony Express riders could go. LOL.

Phoebe: How do you handle your writing schedule and your personal life without going insane?

Genella: I do something taboo to most writers. I take weekends off. :D Seriously, I'm in front of the computer sometimes 11 hours a day, five days a week, and unless I'm on a deadline or expecting important communiqué from my editor, I don't get on at home.

Phoebe: What do you do to relax after having spent a long while writing? Do you have any hobbies?

Genella: My other half has an over-flowing collection of DVDs and I like to unwind in front of a movie after work. More often than not, I choose a movie in the same time period in which I am writing. Hobbies: Makeup, costumes, decorating, reading—I like to putter around in the kitchen, I love candles and incense, I'm an amateur wine snob—any of these I can find the time for, I'm there. When funds permit, I love to travel and spend time relaxing at day spas. :)

Phoebe: Is there any advice that you would give to an aspiring romance writer that you wish someone had given you?

Genella: Any questions I had, my network of generous, patient romance author friends would answer. In turn, my advice to all aspiring writers is to hook up with other writers. You may find life-long friendships along with a wealth of information.

Phoebe: Is there any writing tips, research tips, promotion and marketing tips that you would give to an aspiring romance writer that you wish someone had given you?

Genella: Again, any advice I needed, my fellow authors were there for me. I'll tell you what though, I had no idea that the editors can become about as close to a story as the writer. I now understand the reason they have to fall in love with your manuscript in order to work with you. The manuscript will be read over and over and over between the editor and writer, and if the editor doesn't LOVE it, it would be like watching someone else's home movies on an endless loop for them. Can you picture that? I mean, we all have re-reads, right? Well imagine taking a book that's not on your re-read shelf and re-reading it like twelve times in a row. UGH! That being said, submit, submit, submit! Get your baby out into the world and find that one editor who loves your story. :)

Phoebe: Do you have a favorite genre you like to read? Who is your favorite author(s)?

Genella: At the end of the day I love to curl up with a sexy historical. :) Favorite authors? I have a huge list, but my most recent treasure is Emily Bryan.

Phoebe: What are you reading now? And what do you plan to read after that?

Genella: I am about 3/4 of the way through Emily Bryan's Vexing the Viscount and I'm LOVING it! Much to the chagrin of my already monstrous TBR pile, I might run out and get Emily's Pleasuring the Pirate and Distracting the Duchess. I love Emily's voice, characters, sense of humor, and the sensuality she weaves into it all.

Phoebe: Well, Genella I can tell you that Emily Bryan’s Pleasuring the Pirate and Distracting the Duchess are just as good a read as Vexing the Viscount and I’m sure you are going to enjoy them once you get to them.

Genella: Thank you so much, Phoebe, for having me on your blog! :)