In episode 9, Melissa welcomes Erica Lucke Dean to the show to talk about writing romantic comedy. Listen in...EPISODE 9 - Writing Romcom.
Welcome to the Indie Chicks show! I’m your host, Melissa Koberlein. I’m an author and professor of publishing. If you’re just tuning in for the first time, let me tell you about the show. Indie Chicks celebrates and supports independent women in publishing. We’re a place for writers at all stages of the publishing process. So, whether you’re on the traditional route to publication or self-publishing, you’ve come to the right place for advice. Each week, I invite a guest host to join me for a hot topic in publishing or a book review.
This week I was joined by Erica Lucke Dean. After walking away from her career as a business banker to pursue writing full-time, Erica moved from the hustle and bustle of the big city to a small tourist town in the North Georgia Mountains where she lives in a 90-year-old haunted farmhouse with her workaholic husband, her 180lb lap dog, and at least one ghost.
When she’s not busy writing or tending to her collection of crazy chickens, diabolical ducks, and a quintet of piglets, hell bent on having her for dinner, she’s either reading bad fan fiction or singing karaoke in the local pub. Much like the characters in her books, Erica is a magnet for disaster and has been known to trip on air while walking across flat surfaces. How she’s managed to survive this long is one of life’s great mysteries. Erica is represented by Kelly Peterson of Corvisiero Literary Agency in New York.
Welcome Erica...
Erica and I share the same birthday and it just so happens to be TODAY! Happy birthday, Erica! Erica and I met on Twitter and have been pals ever since. She's got great health tips if anyone's interested.
Here's the Q&A from the episode (FYI- you should really listen in, we had a hilarious episode talking about both fictional and real-life mishaps and adventures!):
Did you always want to write romantic comedy?
Actually, when I first started writing, I was convinced I’d be the next Stephen King. Clearly that didn’t happen, and it’s probably for the best. I seem to do funny better than deadly. Though, sometimes I mix funny WITH deadly. Because I can. LOL
Tell me about some of your books. Any favorite characters?
First, there’s Cooper and Katie of The Katie Chronicles (To Katie With Love and For The Love Of Katie). They’re probably my favorites, and not just because they were first. Okay, maybe because they were first. Then I wrote Suddenly Sorceress (and the sequel Suddenly Spellbound) with Ivie and Jack. I took rom com and added a dash of magic to it.
What draws you to the genre?
I love falling in love, and since my husband frowns on me dating, I figure the very best way to fall in love all the time is to create my own characters. LOL
How important are the characters for rom com?
I think characters are everything. If you can create a believable character, you can put them in the most unbelievable situations and people will gladly go with them.
How do your personal experiences help you write?
I ALWAYS use my personal experiences when writing. Half of what poor Katie got herself into in To Katie With Love came straight from my life. And her unfortunate waxing experience was almost a play by play of something I did to myself. I think stealing from my life is my secret weapon. It definitely helps to be a walking disaster. LOL
AND....here was my Tip of the Week: Try writing something new and outside your comfort zone. I often find that when I push myself, that's when the real magic happens!
Erica agreed! Her thoughts: Definitely! Make a point of challenging yourself. I’m working on a project right now that is a major challenge. I’m writing slower than I’d like, but I’m writing, and that’s what’s important.
I thanked Erica for coming on the show. This is where you can find her:
Website: www.ericaluckedean.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ericaluckedean
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ericaluckedean
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ericaluckedean
On my next podcast, indie author Tricia Barr will be joining me to talk about marketing. I will also have another Tip of the Week.
Don’t forget where to find me! Find my podcast at indiechicks.net or follow me on Spotify or subscribe to Indie Chicks on iTunes. Please rate me! You can follow me on Twitter @Indie_Chicks or Facebook.com/TheIndieChicks or @TheIndieChicks.
So, remember, we’re all part of a publishing community, be kind and review your fellow authors’ books! Thanks for listening!
And…
Indie Chicks out.
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