~ Author of the Month - Lynn Emery ~

Current Release: ONE LOVE TIME TO LOVE SWEET MYSTERY Web Site

PREVIOUS AUTHORS Gail McFarland (August) Gwynne Forster (September)

This month, AUTHOR OF THE MONTH is Arabesque's Lynn Emery.  I met Lynn a few years ago, and not only is she a talented writer, but a wonderful individual.  Over the years, I have seen her mature as an author who continues to challenge traditional romantic themes.  ROMANCE IN COLOR  feels honored to have Ms. Emery as our AUTHOR OF THE MONTH.   

1. What inspired you to write ONE LOVE?

Lanessa and Alex were secondary characters in my novel TENDER TOUCH. I became intrigued with the challenge of telling their story, the story of a woman addicted to alcohol and drugs- how could such a woman find love after having destroyed it? I knew the hero, Alex, never stopped loving Lanessa.  But what would it take for him to trust her again?

2. What were your goals for ONE LOVE?

I wanted to show that a relationship takes hard, sometimes painful, work. The loving part for these two people wasn't the problem- surviving the sultry glow of romance and facing the tough day to day of staying together after an earlier terrible breakup is the real test. This is not the traditional romance and I'm happy Karen Thomas let me create it this way.

3. What should a reader get from a Lynn Emery romance?

Entertainment and a chance to meet a lot of interesting characters. Above all, I want to grab readers by the collar and pull them into a world I
create. I want them to understand how human beings bring their families, friends, early experiences into a love relationship- you don't fall in love in a vacuum. I also like to have lively subplots.

4. All of your books are set in Louisiana?  Is there any special reason for
this?

All of my books have been set in Louisiana because it's where I live and quite a fascinating place filled with all kinds of distinctly southern people- but unique in that we were a French and Spanish colony with lots of Indian and Caribbean influences thrown in with , Irish, German and Italian
influences sprinkled across the southern part of the state liberally. And then there's New Orleans, different from the rest of the state. It's a very European city set in a most unusual state. We thrive on dark secrets-family skeletons especially <g> Politics is as much a state past time as football or fishing! There is no end to legends and stories that fire the imagination and suggest plots. My cup rennet over!

However, I have considered setting a book in another state connected to me, Mississippi (my mother's home state)

One day I may even set a book in a non-southern location. That would be a challenge since I've only lived in the Louisiana.

5. How do you format your books, synopsis first? Or do you just sit down
and start writing?

This is how I wrote my first novel, NIGHT MAGIC- I had a clear idea in my head of the plot. Each night after writing five pages I would scribble down
handwritten notes on what would happen next- literally plotting as I went
along. For me writing by the seat of my pants is too hard and leads me smack into brick walls. Only three of my books came to me so well plotted in my head that I knew the beginning, middle, and endings clearly. I could hear dialogue in scenes way ahead that would be sequels to earlier scenes and develop character, heighten tension, deepen suspense, etc.

Other times I'm not so clear and that's why now I routinely do a very simple outline of characters, their motivations, their goals, conflict, the barriers they will face, the catastrophe (otherwise known as dark moment), the climax, the resolution and what the main characters learn or how they are changed. This makes sitting down to a blank screen each day less terrifying!

6. What can you tell us about the upcoming movie version of AFTER ALL.  How did you feel when you learned that one of your books was chosen?
it?

I'm sure that the movie will be different from the book, but I'm not sure
how different. Stacey Evans wrote the screenplay and Holly Robinson Peete will play the heroine, Michelle Toussaint. BET hasn't told me yet when it's scheduled, but I believe it will be the first Friday in December 1999. I do know that filming has been completed.

7. What was your publication journey like?

I sold my first novel on proposal. I was truly blessed that I began Night Magic at a time when Kensington blazed a trail by creating Arabesque. Of
course God gave me the opportunity and it was up to me to take it. A published author told me about the start of the Arabesque line. She continually prodded me to "Just do it" so to speak. Another published author encouraged me to overcome my nervousness and talk to Monica Harris when she spoke at a local writers conference here in Louisiana. Here is a lesson- take every chance to have individual appointments with editors at conferences. Lack of confidence made me not sign up, but my author friend said "She won't mind if you talk to her during a break, go on!" I almost chickened out, but then a tiny voice said "Put up or shut up about being a writer, girlfriend! <g>  So I followed their advice (I was still a nervous wreck), pitched my book to her in five minutes while she rested from speaking, and she eventually offered me a contract after reading my proposal. Just think, I came close to missing this chance.

8. What is the best part about being a romance writer?

Telling love stories that have hopeful, happy endings. It's a way to control some part of a world even when all around me I see unhappy endings.

9. What impact do you think AA romances have in dispelling misconceptions or stereotypes about African-American?

A large part, as does any popular medium such as say for instance The Cosby Show or Julia. Having a wider audience means we spread the view wider. The more we tell our stories, the harder it is for anyone to insist "but that's the exception" or "that's fantasy"

10. Where would you like to see the romance field go?

I'd like to see the genre continue to gain readers and for AA romances to
break into bestseller lists like USA Today. For that we need the print runs
and distribution of other romances.

11. What do you do when you're not writing?

For fun I read, listen to music, go to art galleries and plays. My other career is social work, I'm a clinical social worker.

12. Can you name 3 good books you've read lately?

Right now I'm reading Rachel Lemoyne (Eileen Charbonneau),  Foolish Heart (Felicia Mason), and I just started reading A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin, it's fantasy.

13. How does the internet factor into your writing?

I've been using it heavily for research because I'm working full-time again. I use it to network with other authors and promote myself (my own webpage and contact others for promotional opportunities).

14. How can readers get in touch with you?

They can e-mail me at lynnemery@mindspring.com or write to me at P.O. Box 74095 Baton Rouge, LA 70874.

15. What are your favorite sites to visit?

Writers Digest.com, Paintedrock.com, a couple of search engines, and a variety of sites geared toward African-American and other ethnic minorities such as NetNoir and Black Voices.

16. Any advice for those who are aspiring to write romance?

Attend conferences geared toward the romance industry, join a writers group, read the kind of romances you want to write but also read widely period. Learn about the industry as well as hone your writing skills, but don't forget the most important thing you must do- write the best book you can.

17. Can you give us a peek at what we can expect from the next Lynn Emery romance?

My next novel will be published by Avon and is romantic suspense. The main characters are Andrea Noble and Lee Matthews. She's a nurse and director of a rural health clinic. He's an undercover PI who suspects Andrea is involved in some shady activity. When it hits the fan, they learn that love can conquer mistrust. This book will be out sometime in 2001.