Today we’re diving into the I Got the Call archives to hear why our authors wanted to become romance writers and why romance is important to them.
Charlene Parris:
“I’m sitting here trying to remember, as I had a lot of different influences. The biggest one was a friend who needed help typing her romance novel. I read as I typed it, and got drawn into her hero and heroine’s journey, wondering if they would ever get their happily-ever-after (it was a historical and yes, they did). I also helped with some of her research, and one day, she took me to her writers’ group, Toronto Romance Writers, which is still going strong today. During that meeting, I found friendship, support, advice and women who had a goal: to write the best romance story they could. Up until that point, I only read them, but after that meeting, I tried for the first time to put together a romance story of my own, and the rest is history.”
Read Charlene’s original ‘I Got the Call‘ story and make sure to check out Charlene’s Harlequin debut Watchers of the Night!
Kate Keedwell:
“I fell in love with the romance genre as a pre-teen and have never looked back. Even as a kid, I wanted every story I consumed to have at least a little romance. Romance novels are so joyful—I can always count on the tropes, the meet-cute, the chemistry, the connection, and the ‘happily ever after’ to raise my spirits. Romance fiction has helped me through hard times over the years and has made good times all the better. I hope my stories bring others the same breathless joy I find in Harlequin novels each month!”
Read Kate’s original ‘I Got the Call‘ story and make sure to check out Kate’s Love Inspired debut A Wedding Date for Christmas!
Danielle Grandinetti:
“I love happily-ever-afters. Maybe it’s because I’m half-Italian, but I’m a romantic at heart. There’s nothing as fun to me as seeing that first spark of romance, nor as satisfying as a happy ending.”
Read Danielle’s original ‘I Got the Call‘ story and make sure to check out Danielle’s Love Inspired debut, A Father for Her Boys!
Tabitha Bouldin:
“I love the power of story, especially second chances and tales of redemption. There’s nothing better, in my opinion, than curling up with a warm drink and a book that gives me the warm fuzzies. I love romance and the happily ever after, but the journey is what drew me to writing romance. Taking characters and putting them in situations that challenge them while giving them the chance to work through their fear and doubts is one of my favorite things.”
Read Tabitha’s original ‘I Got the Call‘ story and make sure to check out Tabitha’s Love Inspired debut, The Cowgirl’s Last Rodeo!
Ari Baran:
“I actually never thought I would become a romance writer! My first experience with romance novels was sneak reading my mom’s collection of old bodice rippers when I was really too young for it, and I was both fascinated and horrified by them.
I’ve been writing my entire life, mostly fantasy with romantic elements, but it wasn’t until hockey really took hold of my brain and refused to let go that the idea for a contemporary romance started percolating. I love hockey deeply, but it’s not always kind to players or fans who aren’t white, heterosexual cis men: there are a whole plethora of issues underpinning the sport and its culture. I couldn’t get over the idea of writing a story that envisioned a more inclusive league, but still touched on the things I’m most interested in exploring—the way players’ entire identities get swallowed up in the sport, mental health and body image, and the way players push themselves through injuries because they’re expected to be tough, team-first guys and all of the fallout of that on their minds and bodies. And of course, ultimately, a happy ending. From there, Game Misconduct and its sequel basically wrote themselves.”
Read Ari’s original ‘I Got the Call‘ story and check out Ari’s Harlequin debut, Game Misconduct!
